Chapter 67: The Great FengShan Feast – Part 1

Zhao XiaoLan was both scared and surprised, “Zhu-xiong!”

The person sitting by the window still was precisely Zhu Rong.

He came with an umbrella, the moment he noticed the jade pendant in Zhao XiaoLan’s hand the umbrella rolled to the floor, covering the two of them.

With a “pitter-patter” the umbrella fell onto the ground.

Zhao XiaoLan abruptly widened his eyes, the joints of Zhu Rong’s were defined as they firmly clutched his neck.

This seemingly familiar scene made Zhao XiaoLan be at a sudden loss. His hands reached up to claw at his neck, and spoke through difficulty, “Zhu-xiong…….why are you choking me?”

Zhu Rong’s initial grip wasn’t potent, but slowly escalated over time.

He came with ill-intent, his expression malicious, exhibiting somewhat of a cruel nature.

“Even you lied to me?”

Zhao XiaoLan strenuously continued to struggle, he was far from being afraid, only feeling confused.

“Zhu-xiong! Use your words! What did I lie to you about!”

Zhu Rong faintly loosened his grip, with this gap Zhao XiaoLan promptly took this chance to take in a few deep breaths, determined to store a little air to avoid Zhu Rong choking him again.

“I got it! I got it! I’m sorry! I ate all the lotus pastries A-jie brought me last time! I forgot to bring you a portion!”

Zhu Rong stared at him, Zhao XiaoLan quickly began to rack his brains and thought of a few more times he’d acted shamefully, confessing to all the trivial matters he’s done.

Zhu Rong pensively gazed at him, suddenly letting go of his hand.

Zhao XiaoLan breathed a sigh of relief, yet unexpectedly, the other party only let go for a split second before suddenly applying even more strength when clutching his lethal point.

He let out a curt scream, both of his hands futilely grabbing at Zhu Rong’s arm as if wanting to pull his arm away. But relying on his low-level cultivation, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree. Zhu Rong’s appearance was completely void of his usual gentleness, his gaze was dense and full of fierce indifference as if he was itching to kill Zhao XiaoLan on the spot to relieve his hatred. 

Zhao XiaoLan’s breath gradually weakened, and his struggling slowed down. His complexion turned pale from suffocation, his eyes filled with tears as he gritted his teeth and stared at Zhu Rong.

At this moment, the bell on his waist let out a jingle as a result of Zhao XiaoLan’s struggle. Upon hearing this, Zhu Rong’s mood became much calmer, his hand slightly loosening as he calmly asked, “Is it uncomfortable?”

Zhao XiaoLan didn’t know how to respond, only giving an obedient nod.

Zhu Rong, “Sorry. Just now, I was only joking with you, you wouldn’t blame me, would you.”

As soon as his voice fell, Baili Deng suddenly showed up at the entrance, seemingly already gotten his book, and just came back. 

He had always had his guard up against Zhu Rong, so when noticing Zhao XiaoLan currently sitting on the ground with a rugged complexion, there immediately flashed countless methods that Zhu Rong could use in assassinating Zhao XiaoLan with. He was surprised for a short moment, before drawing his sword without explanation. 

Zhu Rong dodged sideways to avoid the blade.

Zhao XiaoLan was startled and hurriedly crawled back up.

“Hold on! Why are you guys fighting!! Misunderstanding! It’s a misunderstanding!”

Zhao XiaoLan swiped at his forehead, when he’d begun to speak, it felt like a thousand needles were piercing and stabbing into his throat, the pain unbearable. He abruptly grabbed Zhu Rong’s arm and dragged him back. Zhu Rong was suddenly dragged back and for a split second was astonished. Baili Deng took this chance to move his sword aiming it towards Zhu Rong’s chest.

Zhao XiaoLan yelled, “Baili! What are you doing!”

Regardless of Zhao XiaoLan’s current position, Zhu Rong minded his own business as he moved back several steps to dodge the sword. Zhao XiaoLan was caught off guard by his retreat, staggering along until he lost balance and his body fell to the ground.

This fall had him to cry out an ‘aiyo,’ his head knocking against the corner of the table, immediately drawing blood.

He clutched his forehead, but still didn’t forget to block in front of Zhu Rong, “Wait, wait! Baili Deng! Why aren’t you listening to me!”

Seeing him put himself in front of Zhu Rong, Baili couldn’t help become exasperated, “Young Master Zhao! Move out of the way!”

Zhao XiaoLan’s entire body was sore, he sucked in a few breaths of cold air and said, “I said it was a misunderstanding!”

Baili Deng, “Young Master Zhao, this person is of a dubious background, he was clearly trying to attempt something just now, if I hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid that you might’ve lost your life to him!”

Zhao XiaoLan quickly waved his hand, “It wasn’t like that! Ai, just when did you see that he was about to kill me! Besides, it’s normal for friends to fight and argue! Zhu-xiong wouldn’t harm me!”

Baili Deng helplessly said, “Young master Zhao! The person on the spot is baffled!”

(TN: A portion from the idiom 当局者迷，旁观者清,” The person on the spot is baffled, bystander sees clear” this is better explained with chess. The person participating in the game, the player often thinks so much about the pros and cons of a move that they don’t have a comprehensive understanding of it, but on-lookers will often be able to properly see more of the game since they’re usually more cool-headed. Hope that made sense :q)

Zhao XiaoLan repeated, “It’s true! This, I lied to him last time, he’s just angry, alright alright, did you mistake him hitting me? There was no such thing! We’re all friends here, why are you two the only ones fighting! Your sword’s too dangerous, quickly put it away.”

He turned around and asked Zhu Rong, “Zhu-xiong aren’t I right!”

Zhu Rong chuckled, his gaze cold, and explained, “Yes.”

Baili was at a complete loss, with his sword still in his hand, but because of Zhao XiaoLan, he didn’t make a move.

Taking advantage of him being off guard, Zhao XiaoLan promptly picked up the umbrella from the floor; one hand grabbing Zhu Rong, he booked it into the heavy rain.

Zhu Rong allowed him to drag him along for a long time, Zhao XiaoLan ran until he was completely out of breath before stopping. 

The umbrella wasn’t very big, making it somewhat difficult to completely cover both of them. He and Zhu Rong were dripping wet from the wet, cutting a sorry figure for both of them.

Arriving at a pavilion between the mountains, Zhao XiaoLan put the umbrella away and sighed, “Zhu-xiong, I’ll see you to here!”

Zhu Rong stared at him thoughtfully.

Zhao XiaoLan touched his neck with a lingering fear as if he could still sense the pain from being choked before.

He said, “Zhu-xiong, do you think I offended Huai Yu-gege in some way?”

Zhu Rong suddenly laughed, giving Zhao XiaoLan a mild expression, “What do you mean by that?”

The laugh showed a trace of the usual Zhu Rong, causing Zhao XiaoLan to breathe a sigh of relief as if the old Zhu Rong had come back.

“Huai Yu-gege said my classwork was too lacking so I’m not allowed to play with you.”

Zhu Rong, “Really.”

Zhao XiaoLan wrung out some of the water from his clothes, “Yeah, really. He won’t let me meet up with you or Li Li. He wants me to stay quietly in Egret Academy and study, Huai Yu-gege this person—-”

Having said this, he looked around mysteriously. After confirming there was no third party around, Zhao XiaoLan complained, “He already has Yan-jiejie, why can’t he look at a different perspective for once, doesn’t he know that a day of separation is as long as three autumns*! If you won’t let me meet up with Li Li, if you have the ability you should set the example! I won’t accept it!”

(TN: 一日不见如隔三秋; a metaphor for how being apart from friends/family/loved ones can feel like years.)

Zhu Rong indifferently asked, “Then I’ll help you kill him.”

Zhao XiaoLan sighed, “You can’t do that! Don’t say stuff like that, Huai Yu-gege’s doing it for my own good, he’s just too cold sometimes, I’m a little afraid of him.”

His speech faltered, “And Baili too……he doesn’t know what’s going on, he holds somewhat of a prejudice towards Jianghu people and always thinks you’re going to hurt me when you’re around me.”

Zhu Rong narrowed his eyes and said, “You believe whatever he says, do you not believe me?”

Zhao XiaoLan waved his hand, “Don’t say that, why wouldn’t I believe you! If you wanted to kill me, I’d already be dead, maybe I could’ve already reincarnated into your son!”

Zhu Rong smiled faintly, and asked, “Where did you get that jade pendant in your hands?”

Zhao XiaoLan finally noticed the jade pendant, he had just picked up the jade pendant not long before Zhu Rong showed up. He took a look at the jade pendant and answered honestly, “I picked it up from the ground.”

Zhu Rong’s expression remained unchanged, just slightly gloomier, “Picked it up from the ground, you’re quite skilled in picking stuff up.”

Zhao XiaoLan’s eyes brightened as he replied, “Right! You think I’m good at picking stuff up too, eh! I also think this piece of white jade is quite extraordinary, I wonder which classmate left it there.”

Zhu Rong, “You found it so by nature it’s yours, who cares who left it there.”

Zhao XiaoLan laughed, “That’s no good, when school starts up again, I’ll go around and ask to see who dropped it.”

He picked up the umbrella off the ground and handed it back to Zhu Rong, “Zhu-xiong, I can’t play with you for the time being, but if you’re free, definitely come find me in secret. I want to eat Yuanhe Shop’s glutinous rice cakes, bring me some next time you visit. Right, don’t come through the window, walk through the small trail behind Egret Academy, the one I used to use to skip class! That way you won’t be discovered by Teacher Liu!”

When Zhao XiaoLan finished speaking, from the distance he noticed a small pigeon flying through the rain and fog.

He promptly pushed Zhu Rong away and said, “Oh no, Teacher Liu must’ve informed Huai Yu-gege. I already promised them to not meet up with you anymore, if I’m caught I’ll be done for!”

Zhu Rong picked up the umbrella, Zhao XiaoLan said, “I’ll come find you after some time passes, when that time comes we go to the Hundred Flower Abyss and meet Li Li!”

He waved his hands, and it was only after Zhu Rong disappeared into the rain and mist that Zhao XiaoLan began shivering.

Upon returning, Liu Kuang frowned and asked, “Where did you run off to?”

Zhao XiaoLan glanced sheepishly at Baili, Baili helplessly looked back at him.

Liu Kuang went, “What are you looking at Baili for, I’m talking to you, Su He, I asked you to copy text in the classroom, but you, somehow wound up copying outside!”

Zhao XiaoLan rubbed his hands together and sat in front of the table, “I’ll start copying right now! Right away!”

Liu Kuang shook his head, “There’s not a single day where I don’t worry.”

He turned around, lifted the curtain and walked into the house, planning to boil a pot of hot water.

Just as he went in, Zhao XiaoLan put both his hands together, faced Baili and gave him a bow, “Thank you so much!”

Baili said, “Young master Zhao, what are you thanking me for?”

Zhao XiaoLan expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for not telling Teacher Liu! Baili! You’re such a good bro! Next time I’ll invite you for a drink at the Hundred Flower Abyss!”

Baili Deng began, “I don’t know by doing this whether I’m helping you or harming you. Young master Zhao, I’ll remind you again, that Zhu Rong is not a good person, it’s better to cease contact with him.”

Zhao XiaoLan nodded his head and let out a row of “en, en, en, en, en,” completely ignoring Baili’s words.

Liu Kuang came back with a pot of hot ginger tea, glaring at Zhao XiaoLan to drink it, then found a clean change of clothes for him. After changing, a pump pigeon suddenly fluttered in through the window, it was Little Eight.

Because of the heavy rain outside, when Little Eight came to deliver a letter, on top of its head was a teeny tiny bamboo umbrella. The workmanship on it was refined, undoubtedly made by Hua YunChang. It was clear that this pigeon was pampered a little too much by Hua YunChang, even having an actual umbrella in case it rained.

Little Eight shook his wings and bundled up into a round ball. 

Liu Kuang took the letter from its feet; it had been written by Ming ChangYan. There were only a few words in the letter, it merely said that he’d come visit Egert Academy after this storm was over, and to keep a close eye on Zhao XiaoLan and forbid him from meeting up with anyone.

Liu Kuang shook his head and grumbled, “That married couple is taking turns ordering me around, are they seriously treating me like an old maid now?”

Having overheard this, Zhao XiaoLan quickly lifted his head and asked, “Teacher Liu, why are those two bad?”

Liu Kuang replied, “It’s grown-up stuff, little children shouldn’t ask.”

Zhao XiaoLan “oh’s” but his attention wasn’t on the books, instead it was drifting outside of Egret Academy.

At this moment, in a desolate corner of the capital, a monk from XiaoHan Temple suffered a violent blow and was slammed directly onto a wall, that wall immediately smashed into pieces.

The visitor was an enhancing woman dressed in foreign clothes. She wasn’t satisfied, lifting her foot and stamping on the XiaoHan Temple monk’s head. She was extremely arrogant and said with a sad smile, “So this is the Central Plain’s number one sect? Heh, nothing but rotten prawns.”

Another person wrinkled their brow and said, “And these bald donkeys think that they can win the grand prize at the Great FengShan Feast? It seems that without Ming ChangYan, the Central Plains are as good as rubbish.”

“Sir Hai, stop wasting your time here. Just teach them a lesson, there’s still several months until the Great FengShan Feast, it’s best to stay out of trouble.”

The Sir Hai they were referring to, was precisely the woman who was currently stepping on the XiaoHan Temple monk’s head, she patted her hands together and turned away to leave.

“Ah, this emperor of the Central Plains truly is imbecile. To kill Ming ChangYan, he won’t be sitting in his position for long.”

This was translated by https://poppyscanlations.video.blog/, if you see a repost of this, it’s probably stolen and if you steal my translations I’ll choke you (jk, but please don’t steal them)

hahahahahaha,,,,i guess i’m back?

I was really feeling in the dumps the past two months, and I’m so so sorry for the disappointing lack of chapters.

but on a brighter side, did you all see the tgcf donghua????!!! holy shit dianxia is just so pretty and who knew pei ming could look that hot???

I hope you guys had a good weekend and I’ll see you next update (hopefully soon :’)

Chapter 66 : Table of Contents : Chapter 68