Sword Snow Stride Book 1 Chapter 36

Book 1 – White Horse Out of Liangzhou
Chapter 36 – Northern Xie, Southern Li

Probably because the Xiao Guniang who had lived in the temple since she was a child heard Xu Fengnian’s praise, having putting on rouge for the first time in her life, it was as if she was relieved from a burden. Just as she wanted to laugh, the rouge crumbled down from her face; she was very distressed. Thereupon she once again pulled her face as long as a fiddle [lit. wooden; to look serious or displeased], standing shyly by the swing set. _{Translated by foxs}

The little monk was as dumb as a wooden chicken, probably because he did not recognize that the evil spirit [fig. alluring woman] in front of him was the Guniang he adored and loved the most.

As the Da Yahuan [first/chief servant] of Wutong Yuan, Hong Shu was a front ranking artist in painting eyebrows and applying face powder. Seeing that the Xiao Guniang wasted natural resources recklessly like this, and Shizi Dianxia was acting as an accomplice of the tiger [idiom: helping villain to do evil], she really wanted to laugh but did not dare to laugh, so she had no choice but to restrain herself and stand as far as possible. Although the Xiao Guniang’s appearance, disposition and bearing were ordinary, she was, after all, a distinguished guest invited by Shizi Dianxia into the Wangfu, so she could not be too disrespectful.

Xu Fengnian still wanted to go to Ting Chao Ting, so he asked Hong Shu to give the Xiao Guniang a ‘slight’ correction. A few boxes of rouge-worth of money was nothing, but she could not really go out to scare people. It was fine in broad daylight, but at night …

Before going to the top floor of the pavilion to see Shifu Li Yishan, Xu Fengnian went to the second floor first to look for Bai Hu’er Lian. This moment he was standing on the stepladder, browsing through the secret books on the upper shelf. The Chunlei Saber was slung at his waist, with a red rope tied to the handle. From the armory, Xu Fengnian moved Wudang’s secret books, helping Bai Hu’er Lian to choose.

Although both of them were training saber, whether in terms of the level of their saber technique, or the level of mastery of the saber method, Bai Hu’er Lian was much better than Xu Fengnian. The height of their cultivation levels was just like this time, this moment: one was at the bottom of the ladder and the other was at the top of the ladder. Bai Hu’er Lian was extremely focused and attentive to what he was doing. No matter what it was, he made every effort to penetrate to the bottom of it. So Xu Fengnian waited for him to finish reading the secret book. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Bai Hu’er Lian got off the ladder, he looked up and down at Xu Caobao [straw bag], whom he had not seen for a year. Finally, his line of sight focused on the space between Shizi Dianxia‘s eyebrows. Xu Fengnian’s complexion was undoubtedly very outstanding, with typical red phoenix eyes [eyes whose outer corners incline upwards], and silkworm eyebrows [plump lower eyelids (considered to be an attractive feature)]. His wicked grin made him appearing even more suave. It’s just that when he met Bai Hu’er Lian during his travel, he was at the lowest point in his life. But occasionally when he washed away the dirt on his face in the stream, even Bai Hu’er Lian would be surprised that this straw bag’s appearance was actually very impressive, only his temperament did not match too much, he acted like a vagabond. Now, after training saber by fair means or foul, he seemed to be different. But what exactly was the difference? Bai Hu’er Lian did not ask any questions, he simply drew the Chunlei and struck in picking motion, overbearing, swift and severe.

Without much trouble, Xiudong, which originally grew from the same root, chopped down. _{Translated by foxs}

Seeing one saber strike failed, the looking-like-spring-thunder-exploding [reminder: Chunlei means spring thunder] Bai Hu’er Lian let out a ‘Huh?’ surprised expression, “You learn some first-class sword technique on Wudang?”

Xu Fengnian, whose right hand holding the saber went numb, slowly put Xiudong back into the scabbard and said with a giggle, “’I haven’t learned anything, but the ox-nosed old Taoist gave me a copy of ‘Lu Shui Ting Jiazi Xi Jian Lu’, when I had nothing to do, I applied the sword move within to the saber technique. Are you interested? This is a secret canon of Wudang’s walking sword, must not be taken down the mountain, but I have memorized the contents. I can help you extracting a copy?”

Bai Hu’er Lian was not polite either, he nodded. Taking the lead, he walked to the outer corridor on the second floor, Xu Fengnian followed on his tail.

Bai Hu’er Lian spoke softly, “The world of the old Nine Kingdoms in the Central Plains is almost the world of the rich and powerful families, grand clans. Land-owning class like Lin, Langya Wang [king], Xie of Jiayang, Yao of Wukang, Cui of Boling, He of Lujiang, are all having wealth equivalent to that of an entire nation. If Da Zhu Guo only destroys city walls, suppresses kingdoms, buries alive and kills generals and soldiers several tens of thousands, stabs or hangs the enemy kingdom’s emperor to death, in some people’s eyes, all these are considered nothing, but if Xu Xiao succeeded in pressing down Tai Shan [Mount Tai] and crossing Beihai [North Sea], destroying the ten heroic clans to nearly half, the Yao clan name of the Nan Tang [Southern Tang] Wukang, not distinguishing old and young, are wiped out completely, the He clan name of Dong Yue [Eastern Yue] Lujiang only remains twenty some people of orphans and widows, this is what the Liyang Dynasty is most happy to see.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Xu Fengnian was puzzled as to why Bai Hu’er Lian said this, he said, “I know all this, Shifu mentioned it before.”

Bai Hu’er Lian laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I came from the Beimang [Northern Mang] NanGong aristocratic family, there’s no grudges, no enmity against you. I am telling you this because I want to say that the Dazheng Jiupin [Great Straight/Orthodox Nine-Rank] System has been maintained by the land-owning class and grand clans for two hundred years.”

Xu Fengnian nodded and said, “Nowadays, the martial art masters in the world seem to follow this rule to assign ranks, it saves some effort.”

Bai Hu’er Lian spoke softly, “Just like the title of number one in the world is empty, the Dazheng Jiupin system generally does not evaluate the top rank, which is the sheng pin [saint rank] in the eyes of the people around the world. Only sheng ren [sage/saint] are qualified.”

Xu Fengnian laughed and said, “True, but I heard that a few decades ago, there was a heavenly talent, rich in heroism, bright-above-the-crowds – scholar of the Xie family, his level of mastery in martial arts is even more out of the ordinary, entering the sage level. He and my Shifu discussed the rivers and mountains [i.e. country]. Li Yishan reviewed it from the general-minister point of view, from rouge point of view, while that tower of strength of the Xie family reviewed it from the martial art side, which was more important to Jianghu people. As for the literary review, they completed only half and then died? My Er Jie seems to attempt to continue the review, but she also said that for the time being it is still beyond her capabilities, the disparity between her and that Xie family’s great talent is still very far.” _{Translated by foxs}

Northern Xie, Southern Li’s limelight, the people throughout the world raised their eyebrows.

Bai Hu’er Lian spoke indifferently, “That man was my father. He already died. those who are on the list in the martial arts review wanted to kill him, and those who are not on the list also wanted to ‘skill him. There is no reason not to die.”

Xu Fengnian’s face revealed shocked expression. Smiling wryly, he said, “No wonder you want to be the number one in the world.”

Bai Hu’er Lian cast a glance at Xu Fengnian, he said slowly, “Currently, in styles, you are middle to lower level, saber potential middle to upper level, inner power about lower upper level, to catch up with me, it’s not impossible.”

Staring blankly, Xu Fengnian said, “Really?”

The corners of Bai Hu’er Lian’s mouth raised slightly, “If after the age of forty I am stuck and not moving forward, you have a good chance.”

Xu Fengnian leaned on the railing, he spoke softly, “You are still as honest as ever, just like Lao Huang.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Bai Hu’er Lian cast a sidelong glance at the Xiudong Saber that was not covered with dust at all, the last slight regret in his heart vanished like smoke in thin air, he spoke softly, “How many more years can you deceive people under the heavens?”

Sighing with sorrow, Xu Fengnian said, “In any case, I have to wait until I take over the entire 300,000 Beiliang cavalry before revealing the secret. If I was not a white silk pants who squander my family’s fortune, how could that gentleman in the Capital sleep peacefully? If he couldn’t sleep peacefully, how could he let my Xu family sleep peacefully? After all, he is still the master of the whole world. Xu Xiao accumulated this family property bit by bit, but he set himself against the world’s scholars, becoming the enemy of Jianghu. In the imperial court, imperial ancestral temple over there, there are not many trustworthy allies. In recent years, internal Beiliang has been constantly being split apart. Yan Chiji’s father, who rushed to the Capital under imperial decree, was not the first, certainly he will not be the last. Li Yishan said that if I am too smart, I will definitely not live long, or at least not live happily. The best end result is to go to the Capital to be a Zhizi [a prince sent to be held as a hostage in a neighboring state in ancient China]. But if I am too stupid and pretend too much, no need to wait for Xu Xiao to pass away, the Beiliang cavalry will disperse. To put it simply, even the eight hundred cavalry under my ‘Feng’ character banner only know Chen Zhibao. As for how Shizi Dianxia is doing, they practically don’t care.”

Bai Hu’er Lian laughed and said, “Every family has its problems, it seems that this is especially true for aristocratic families influential for generations.”

Xu Fengnian subconsciously rubbed the hilt of the Xiudong Saber with his thumb, “It doesn’t matter. I still have two more years to wander around. Maybe I will wander the Jianghu right away, when I have enough play, I can hold everything that should belong to me in my hands.” _{Translated by foxs}

Bai Hu’er Lian knitted his brows.

Xu Fengnian keenly noticed this detail, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

His face cold, Bai Hu’er Lian returned inside the pavilion.

Xu Fengnian looked at Bai Hu’er Lian’s confident-and-at-ease back, and then he looked down at Xiudong; he seemed to understand a little. Could it be that he was annoyed that he and Xiudong were too close?

Laughing involuntarily, Shizi Dianxia said, “This Xiudong is a murder saber, not an article that belongs to woman’s boudoir, why won’t you allow me to touch it more? Besides, it was given to me, I carry it in my arms while I am sleeping, I hold it in the latrine, that should be reasonable, right?”

A cold snort came from inside the pavilion, followed by a bookcase collapsing because Chunlei chopped it down.

Xu Fengnian went upstairs at top speed to see Li Yishan, who was getting thinner with each passing day, his face increasingly turned as white as snow. Seeing that, Xu Fengnian was heart alarmed, trembling in fear.

The national scholar who was hiding deep inside Beiliang Wangfu laughed lightly and said, “If I had known, I would not have let Wei Beishan to leave Beiliang, he would be perfect for you to train saber.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Xu Fengnian asked, “I heard that Lao Kui defeated Wei Beishan?”

Li Yishan coughed a few times, he picked up the dark green gourd wine pot and took a mouthful of strong wine. His breathing stabilized, he said, “Wei Beishan is only a middle-grade martial artist. Against Chu Kuangnu, who is only one step away from the top-grade, it would be strange indeed if he did not suffer a crushing defeat.”

Xu Fengnian asked curiously, “These top-grade martial art masters, are there really only ten under the heavens?”

Li Yishan did not answer directly, but said with a slight sneer, “The so-called martial art way’s top grades cannot be compared to the top-grade scholars of the past, not worth anything.”

Xu Fengnian hesitated for a moment, he spoke in small voice, “NanGong Puye said that he is the genius’ of the Xie family who was equally famous as Shifu – son …”

Li Yishan laughed aloud and said, “Does he need to say this? I only took one look and I knew the answer. The kid that you call Bai Hu’er Lian not only looks like Xie Guanying, but also looks similar in expression and spirit. If I could not see through it, then I am willfully blind. At the moment, I’m curious whether this baby is a boy or a girl. According to divination and calculation, Xie Shuyang should indeed have a son, but this Bai Hu’er Lian really doesn’t look like a man.” _{Translated by foxs}

As for Bai Hu’er Lian, this appellation, Li Yishan quite approved, he also used it casually without thinking it was absurd.

Xu Fengnian thought deeply and said, “That’s right, at first, even if I was beaten to death, I wouldn’t believe it. If he is a man, it would be a great pity!”

Li Yishan nodded, he shook his head and clicked his tongue twice. With great difficulty, a smile carrying a bit of character and vitality finally appeared on his face, it was no longer lifeless.

This pair of master and disciple was worthy to be master and disciple.

Xu Fengnian straightened his sitting posture, he spoke with grave expression, “Returning to the city today, I came across a monk who claimed to be coming from Lantuo Shan, saying that he wanted to take me to Xiyu [the Western Regions].”

Li Yishan drank a mouthful of wine and said, “In Xiyu, this Longshou Sengren’s [dragon guard/defender monk] reputation is not small. He studied the ‘JinGang Ding Yujia Jing’ [Vajra Crown Yoga Sutra] under a tantric Vajra master and translated more than sixty tantric scriptures, one hundred and ten volumes. His Lantuo Shan’s lineage is extremely formidable, the generation before him was a great achiever who has achieved the rainbow light of immortality.”

Frustrated, Xu Fengnian said, “Even if he is more formidable, what does it have to do with me? After all, I won’t be allowed to show off my mountain top reputation, do I have to leave home to become a monk?”

Li Yishan laughed and said, “Whether it has anything to do with you or not, you won’t know until you go there.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Smiling wryly, Xu Fengnian said, “Shifu, please don’t mock me. The Tantric Buddhism cultivation is comparable to the Wu Jia Jian Zhong; every day four times going up the hall [dian, palace/temple hall], the earliest Dian starts in the middle of the night, when going up the hall, no matter how cold or hot, you are not allowed to wear boots, you go to the Dian barefoot. Every day sleep is less than four hours [the word here is xiaoshi]. Every now and then going to the Dharma Garden to practice asceticism, you have to sit on the ground on a seat made of stones, doesn’t matter winter or summer. If you want me to go there to train saber for a year or two, bearing such hardship, I would endure it. But you want me to recite scriptures all day long, you might as well kill me.”

Li Yishan smiled and said, “You don’t know who this Longshou’s Shangshi [lit. upper master, not sure] is?”

Xu Fengnian was puzzled.

Li Yishan laughed aloud and said, “This person was the Lantuo Shan’s only female Tantric Shangshi. It is said that not only her Dharma boundless, but she is also extremely beautiful and touching, she is acclaimed as the Guanyin [Bodhisattva of Compassion or Goddess of Mercy (Sanskrit Avalokiteśvara)] on earth. Merely this kind of double cultivations, it is enough to prove the Way.” _{Translated by foxs}

After being shocked, Xu Fengnian grinned wickedly and said, “In that case, it must have something to do with me.”

Li Yishan’s smile looked strange.

Cautious and solemn, Xu Fengnian said, “What is it? This Lantuo Shan’s Guanyin Pusa [Bodhisattva] kills people without blinking an eye?”

Li Yishan shook his head and said, “Merciful heart.”

Xu Fengnian was even more curious.

Li Yishan roared in laughter and coughed, he said, “This year, this Pusa is already forty-two years old, exactly twice your age. What a coincidence.”

Xu Fengnian stood up abruptly, he was about to carry his saber to go out to stake everything against that Lantuo Shan’s dead monk.