Chapter 4: Xie Yun Part 2

Li Jinrong rushed over, a fire burning in her heart. Seeing the disorderly river through the heavy night fog, she almost lost her balance. When she ordered people to sink the Qian Ji, she didn't actually hold any hope but she wasn't willing to show it, determined to search up and down the cliff herself. After seeing the two untouched rascals at the heart of the river, Li Jinrong's eyes even reddened and for a moment, she was unable to speak.

Muddleheaded, Li Yan was completely unaware of what kind of soul-stirring scene had just occurred in the Xi Mo River. Thinking that someone was going to get in trouble, she simple-mindedly trailed behind Li Jinrong, mischievously making faces at Li Sheng. The scratch marks left by the Qian Ji wires could still be seen on the cliff walls. Yu Lao surveyed their surroundings and then glanced at Zhou Fei and Li Sheng, who didn't dare to lift their heads. Twisting his beard, he said: "Later generations surpass the former ages and the generations only become stronger. These two young heroes are really amazing. As an old man, I have lived for all these years but it is my first time encountering such death-seeking fools. Excuse me, excuse me." [1]

Li Sheng and Zhou Fei called out, one calling "Aunt" and one calling "Mother". Having only just survived, they were now extremely obedient. Their usual urges to talk back were completely flattened and they were compliant as they waited to be beaten. Li Jinrong's heart slammed back into her chest, forming sparks. If it weren't for the situation being inappropriate, how she wished she could press their heads into the river water and thoroughly rinse and scrub them through.

However, she ultimately had to take into account the outsider on site. Li Jinrong stepped out from the crowd and looked Xie Yun up and down. Seeing that he had a handsome appearance and natural air of calmness, she already began to have a good opinion of him. She saluted (with her fists) and said: "Thank you to gongzi for helping, how should I address you?"

Speaking of which, it was kind of odd. Typically, when someone of Xie Yun's age travelled through the Jiang Hu, people would greet the person as "shaoxia". [2] However, in Xie Yun's case, it was as if everyone had some secret agreement and they all called him "gongzi".

Xie Yun gave his first and last name, saying with a smile: "Qianbei (senior) does not have to be so polite. I [3] was only passing by and didn't do much to help. Speaking of which, it's thanks to the swift and fierce swordsmanship of this little meimei (younger sister)."

Li Jinrong naturally knew the ability of her own child. Hearing that he spoke politely and courteously, her expression began to increasingly relax. However, she was still the Da Dang Jia of the 48 Strongholds. No matter how much she admired him or felt grateful, she still unmovingly probed him: "Other than mountains, there are only more mountains here. There's more barbarism and less education, and the disciples are mostly crude and dumb. There really isn't much good scenery. Xie gongzi's night visit to Xi Mo River surely isn't to see the river scenery."

By this time, the cold sweat on Li Sheng's entire body had already slowly faded away. His soul and his stomach full of evil doings returned to his body. When he heard Li Jinrong's tone, he immediately knew she began to doubt Xie Yun. Down in the river just now, although he also tried to figure out Xie Yun's origins by beating around the bush, in the end he owed Xie Yun a favor. In this moment, not wanting any misunderstandings to form, Li Sheng hurriedly said in a low voice: "Aunt, Xie xiong ([older] brother) didn't need to make an appearance just now. He only spoke out in warning once he saw that we activated the Qian Ji in the water. He even went into the formation himself to point out the way…"

Li Jinrong threw him a cold glance and Li Sheng stopped talking. Afraid to say anything else, he helplessly looked at Zhou Fei. Zhou Fei was even more afraid to say anything; she felt that no matter what she said to Li Jinrong, it would always somehow have the opposite effect. Even good things would turn into bad things when she spoke.

"Indeed, the 48 Strongholds will naturally give a great reward of thanks." Li Jinrong first continued off of Li Sheng's words before continuing, "If Xie gongzi ever needs anything [4], we will definitely do everything we can to help."

Xie Yun had thought he had hit the jackpot of misfortune; after finally settling on a time, it ended up being the most inauspicious time. To save people, he even exposed himself in front of the entire 48 Strongholds. All the almost-half a year of care he had taken came to nothing. But now, hearing the words of the madam in front of him, he was taken by surprise, thinking: can it be that luck has turned in my favor?

Xie Yun only assumed that Li Sheng and Zhou Fei were under the Qian Zhong sect. Seeing that they called this madam "Aunt" and "Mother", he was prejudiced by their first impression and thought that this qianbei was gentle and kind. He did not connect the person in front of him with the legendary "Li Jinrong", who could make young children cry at night, at all. He thought for a while, and feeling that it was fine to tell others—except Li Da Dang Jia herself—about his business, he said bluntly: "I [3] was entrusted by someone to deliver a letter, not expecting the 48 Strongholds to be so heavily guarded. As a newcomer, I had no way of entry and having no other option, I committed this extremely impolite act. I hope qianbei will not blame me."

It was true that without a recommendation from a trustworthy person, outsiders could not enter the Stronghold. Seeing that he was magnanimous, Li Jinrong nodded and said: "No worries, allow us to perform the duties of a host and don't mind our poorness, this way please—who is Xie gongzi delivering this letter to? I will go and find them for you."

Xie Yun said: "Is Gan Tang Xiansheng Zhou Cun in this Stronghold?"

This name was unheard of among the juniors and all the disciples had a confused look on their face. Zhou Fei's heart suddenly jumped and she began to have a bad feeling.

Li Jinrong's footsteps that were leading the way stopped. She didn't turn around and others could not see her expression. After a while, she asked in a low voice: "Who told you that that person was at the 48 Strongholds?"

Xie Yun replied: "The one who entrusted me to deliver the letter."

Li Jinrong turned sideways and glanced at him, her intent unclear: "And if that person was lying to you?"

Xie Yun knew that the 48 Strongholds and the fake emperor of Bei Du were sworn enemies and the one who entrusted him to deliver the letter was a person of importance in Nan Chao. (Refer back to Vol. 1 Chapter 1 Part 2 for the history) He weighed the matter and feeling that everyone's "rebel" stance was more or less the same, he stated bluntly: "The item that person entrusted me is extremely important. Even if that person intentionally used me to kill time, he wouldn't regard this item as mere trifle."

Li Jinrong expressionlessly asked: "What else did that person entrust you with?"

Xie Yun thought for a moment and said: "Oh, I think in his early years he had some misunderstanding with Li Da Dang Jia of the Stronghold. It's not anything of importance, but Da Dang Jia must be busy with all of her state affairs, it's better to not alarm her."

Zhou Fei: "..."

Li Sheng: "..."

Once Xie Yun spoke, he noticed that the expressions of everyone in the surroundings turned odd. On each person's face, there were three large characters—You are finished. He suddenly had a faint, terrifying guess, looking at the "gentle and kind" qianbei in front of him with slight disbelief.

Li Jinrong stood straight and turned around, smiling yet not smiling and asked: "Did Liang Shao not tell you what 'misunderstanding' there was between us?"

Xie Yun: "..."

This "kind" furen (madam) was Li Yecha [5] herself!

If having bad luck could be ranked, Xie Yun felt that his luck was at the level of "ranking first three times".

"The characters Liang Shao are enough for me to kill you with my palm," Li Jinrong's face no longer had any sign of a smile, saying clearly, "However, you saved my daughter and nephew, so it is now compensated. Hand over that old demon's 'An Ping Ling' and you are free to leave, I will not trouble you."

Xie Yun slightly stepped back half a step, using his peripheral vision to glance over the already alert people around them. He put away his expression of misfortune; in this situation, he could still smile, unhurriedly saying to Li Jinrong: "So qianbei is the Li Da Dang Jia whose name shakes Bei Du. I am most fortunate to meet you today. Da Dang Jia gave an order and wanbei (younger generation/junior) shouldn't disobey, except I do not know how you will deal with this item if I hand over the An Ping Ling to you?

Li Jinrong happened to be stepping on a small pebble and when she heard his words, she didn't say anything. She lifted her foot and lightly stepped on it and the rock was like a completely soft rice cake. It immediately smashed into pieces, returning to sand and dust.

Xie Yun nodded: "Da Dang Jia is magnanimous as expected, not even bothering to make an excuse. The only thing is Liang Lao (Elder) has already passed away. Before he passed, he entrusted this item to wanbei. Wanbei once swore to the highest of the heavens and the lowest of the hells that before the An Ping Li is placed in the hands of Zhou Xiansheng, where it goes I go. Unless wanbei's body turns into fine powder, otherwise I will not allow it to fall into the hands of a third person."

When the words "Liang Lao has already passed away" were spoken, Li Jinrong immediately zoned out, seeming to be somewhat in disbelief. In this split second, Xie Yun suddenly moved. His entire body seemed to become a broken shadow, leaving like a gust of wind. By the time he unhurriedly finished his sentence, he was already many zhang (1 zhang = 3.33 meters) out!

Li Jinrong angrily shouted: "Take [him] down!"

As she spoke, her long sleeves swung slightly and her palms were ready to strike. Zhou Fei had only just recovered from the mishap. Although she did not know what was going on, she still could not watch as her mother killed Xie gongzi with a strike of her palm. Out of desperation, her foot already slid out and she took a step, deciding to act without thinking about the consequences.

Sharp-eyed and agile, Li Sheng grabbed her braid. Zhou Fei's scalp tightened but before she said anything, she heard Li Sheng groan in pain, calling out in a low voice: "Aunt, I…"

And then he even clutched his chest, his forehead covered in cold sweat. He wobbled a few times in place and with a thump, he knelt on the ground.

Zhou Fei was completely shocked by Li Da Gongzi's [6] ability to suddenly obtain a severe injury and nearly knelt on the ground with him.

—

甘棠先生 Gan Tang Xian Sheng (Sir Gan Tang)

—

[1] "Excuse me, excuse me": here, what is written is 失敬,失敬. It is a polite expression, meaning excuse me for my lack of manners. It is used as a formal way of apologizing. It may be slightly unclear once translated, but Yu Lao is being sarcastic here. His use of "excuse me, excuse me" could also be replaced with "respect, respect", as he is saying that Zhou Fei and Li Sheng are extremely wild and foolish.

[2] 少侠 shao xia: this means young (少) chivalrous man (侠). In the genre of wuxia 武侠, 武 means martial arts and 侠 means chivalry or chivalrous people. That is why in this setting, under the wuxia genre and in the Jiang Hu, 侠义 or the sentiment of chivalry and honor among people, is extremely valued.

[3] The "I" Xie Yun uses is 在下 zai xia, which is a way of referring to himself as a lower status. It literally means "at the bottom". It was also used in the last chapter and will definitely be used again in this historical setting where status and rank means everything.

[4] The "need" used here is 差遣 chai qian, meaning to order or assign. However, chaiqian is an action only made by people of higher status to people of lower status. By using this term, Li Jinrong is putting herself in a lower status and Xie Yun in a higher status, as he saved Zhou Fei and Li Sheng.

[5] 李夜叉 Li Yecha: 夜叉 ye cha is a yaksha, in this context an evil spirit. However, its figurative meaning is hideous monster. Xie Yun uses this nickname of sorts to call Li Jinrong because she has a bad reputation in the outside world. After all, she is said to even make young children cry at night.

[6] 公子 gong zi: as a reminder, this is the way to address a young male in the ancient times, typically a son of a wealthy family/feudal price. In order words, families that have power and/or position. In general use, it's like Sir but for young men, particularly when you only know someone's last name. Hence, "Xie gongzi". However, in the case of Li Sheng, he is the grandson of the former Da Dang Jia of the 48 Strongholds (and son of the current Da Dang Jia if his father hadn't died) and since the Li family holds the power in the 48 Strongholds, his title becomes Da (Eldest) Gongzi. His younger sister, Li Yan, is the Er (Second) Xiaojie 小姐, the female counterpart to gongzi. Of course, xiaojie is also used as Madam but for young women, but that is still used to refer to people of higher standing.