Chapter 5

At the foot of Mount Luofeng lies Fengdu city, which was undoubtedly the place with the most stories and is the main topic of conversation in Jiuzhou. 

It was the barrier between the human and ghost realms, a gateway to the Underworld. It was the battleground between the Supreme Demon and Great Emperor Beiyin a hundred years ago, a transportation fortress, the mountain gate where the world’s cultivators travel, search for treasure, and learn from each other, and it was also the place where the black market and money-squandering establishments for influential officials and capable people were set up.

Many stories have appeared ever since Zhuanxu Sect disconnected the path between heaven and earth and divided the three realms. In Fengdu there exists prosperity and poverty, open and hidden marketplaces, drunk and entranced, heroes and martyrs, and they have jointly constructed this small world.

There exists a Jianghu joke: a storyteller with a three-inch tongue* cannot leave Fengdu city with his poor life.

A pair of extremely handsome young men appeared on the street dressed in black and white. Even among the crowd, they were exceptionally outstanding.

Xie Bi An introduced the local customs to Fan Wu She in a very familiar manner. He had seen both life and death since young, and he has also seen many people spent their lives pursuing flashy things but ended up full of regret. So, he learned to be contented with what he had since he was young. Be it a flower or a blade of grass, he would cherish them equally. Musical instruments, chess, poems, paintings, stars, the moon, tea, wine, and pleasure; there's nothing that he didn’t love.

After only walking down half a street, Fan Wu She already knew which shop had the best red date cake, which shop weighed the meat most accurately, which shop had the best fabric, and the other shop which had the best tailor. Xie Bi An had smiles of exultation, while he explained things with great familiarity. He watched quietly from the side, unwilling to disturb him.

In those last few years, this man could no longer smile. He thought he would never see such a vivid and happy appearance again.

"Boss, send these dishes to the third house in Qingtai Alley."

"Alright Lord Xie, we will send it to the correct place even if you didn't tell us the address."

The duo shopped the whole day. Most of the items would be sent directly to Xie Bi An's residence in the city by the vendors, except the little things that he bought for Bo Zhu, which he held by himself. Not long after, both of his hands were almost full.

When Xie Bi An bought the third sugar figurine*, Fan Wu She couldn't bear it anymore: "The sun is so hot. It will completely melt in a while."

"Oh, right." Xie Bi An was reminded of something. He took out a cold ice charm from his arm, pasted it on the sugar figurine, and asked Fan Wu She, "Are you feeling hot? Do you want one?"

Fan Wu She looked at him with a black face and said: "No."

"Look at you sweat, let's go look at some fabric. The fabric shop I just mentioned is next to an ice jelly* shop. Rose ice jelly is the best. Let's go there to make clothes and eat the free ice jellies."

When they arrived at the fabric shop, Xie Bi An liberated his hands temporarily and picked up a cloth.

The boss introduced: "Lord Xie, these new ones arrived yesterday. Look at this brocade with grass, clouds, cranes, and scattered flower prints. It’s lustrous, smooth, and finely stitched. Initially, I only ordered Woodlawn blue*. After seeing the sample, I rushed to get 3 other colors."

Xie Bi An touched the material and smiled: "This fabric looks nice. Junior brother, what do you think of it?"

"Anything's fine."

"What color do you like? How about this lake blue color? It looks more vibrant, you wear..."

"Black one."

"Young master is young. It's so dull to always wear black." The boss said with a smile.

Fan Wu She glanced at the boss coldly.

The boss stopped talking immediately, wondering how this person's eyes can look like a knife at such a young age.

"Alright, let's get a black one. I'll pick the rest of the fabric and make him a few more sets of clothes."

After Xie Bi An finished picking the fabric, he sat down and ate the ice jelly which was delivered from next door while looking at the tailor who was taking Fan Wu She's measurement.

That tailor sang praises while taking the measurements: "Young master’s body shape is so good, I've been a tailor my whole life, and have never seen such a figure. These arms and legs are so long, who knows how tall you'll be in future, at least...ought to be..."

"183.15cm."

"Ooh, that's really tall."

Xie Bi An smiled and said: "You'll have to eat more if you want to grow that tall." He then teased the tailor, "Uncle Xu, I've been here since young to get my clothes tailored, and you have never praised me."

"How did I not praise you? I've been praising you so many times since you were young. Isn't Lord Xie quite handsome now?"

"Then can I still get taller?"

When Uncle Xu was about to answer, Fan Wu She said: "You can't grow anymore."

Xie Bi An was a little unconvinced: "How do you know?"

Fan Wu She lightly curled up the corners of his lips: "I just know."

Xie Bi An was surprised, and said: "Junior brother, did you just...smile?"

Fan Wu She's face suddenly tensed up. That smile he hadn't noticed disappeared, yet traces of a guilty conscience could be seen on his face.

Xie Bi An blinked his eyes: "Don't feel embarrassed, you look really nice when you smile. You should smile more."

Fan Wu She turned his face away awkwardly.

Xie Bi An had a beautiful thought. He and his junior brother just got a bit closer again.

After ordering the clothes, it was noon. The two went to a teahouse for lunch.

This Jinyixuan was Fengdu's famous restaurant. It’s full of guests all year round. The two arrived late, so no pavilion was available. They could only sit in the lobby, and they were just in time for a storytelling session.

That storyteller flicked his folding fan and spoke loud and clear. After introducing himself, he said: "Today's talk will be about the four ancient magical treasures."

"The sky was dark, the earth was yellow, the universe was chaotic, the sun rose and set, the moon turned full and waned, the stars twinkled and spread out, filling up the starry sky. Since Pangu* created heaven and earth, the chaos was separated. This world was originally full of spiritual energy. You and I could have become immortals. Unfortunately, that did not last for long. When the number of immortals increased, the gods became dissatisfied. The gods became arrogant, and the immortals also became unhappy. So, both sides fought endlessly. The humans, ghosts, and gods started a huge war. Countless people were plunged into an abyss of misery. In the end, the Human Sovereign Zhuan Xu* disconnected the path between heaven and earth, completely cutting off the channel between them. From then on, the three realms were divided. Although heaven was still the leader, each realm had its own form of governance, and that is what brought peace to the three realms." That storyteller's voice was in cadence. His expression was lively, which quickly attracted the attention of various guests, "It was said that after the war, there were four ancient magical treasures stranded in the human realm. I believe most of you have heard of the Eastern Emperor Bell, Shen Nong Ding, Shanhe Sheji Map, and Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman."

The four ancient magical treasures were well-known to the cultivators. Xie Bi An knew much more than what the storyteller knew. He even saw two of them before, yet he still listened attentively.

"magical treasures are not uncommon. Among the world's accomplished cultivators, who does not have one or two magical treasures? But these four ancient magical treasures, each has its own devastating power that can destroy the world. Anyone who owns one will become prominent in the world. Anyone who owns two..." The storyteller lightly coughed twice and shook his head, "It cannot be said, it cannot be said."

Laughter and applause sounded from the audience.

Xie Bi An also laughed.

Fan Wu She criticized silently: why do you like to laugh so much, what's so funny about it?

A young waiter started to serve food. Xie Bi An took a big plate of braised fish head and put it in front of Fan Wu She: "This is their signature dish. It's very fresh, try it."

"Let's talk about the first of the four ancient magical treasures, the Eastern Emperor Bell. This magical treasure was one of Eastern Emperor Taiyi’s magical devices. It can attack or defend. It can be invincible while attacking and strongly fortified during defending. We all know who and where this magical treasure belongs to."

Someone shouted from the crowd below: "It's in our Fengdu."

"That's right. The magical treasure was acquired by the military judge of the Underworld, Zhong Kui, Heaven Master Zhong. For one who owns such a treasure, proclaiming oneself as emperor and hero is not that difficult, but Heaven Master Zhong put this treasure in Fengdu to repair the barrier so that humans and ghosts do not invade and harass each other. Such nobleness is really worthy of our admiration. This is something that is hard for humans to follow." The storyteller bowed to the sky to show respect.

"Heaven Master Zhong is a living god." A vendor yelled from below, "I have the latest portrait of Heaven Master Zhong pasted at home. It can ward off evil spirits and only cost three pennies."

Xie Bi An chuckled: "They always paint master so hideously. He gets angry every time."

Fan Wu She glanced at the portrait of Zhong Kui. In the painting, there was a big fellow with curly temples and eyes that looked like bronze bells. He was tough, stocky, and had a ferocious expression. It seemed that it was painted based on people's imagination from what they thought he would look like. He then thought of Zhong Kui in his drunken state. It's really absurd and funny.

"The second ancient magical treasure is called Shen Nong Ding. It is the magical treasure of Emperor Shen Nong Yan. Everything in the world can be refined. It can refine the top magical treasures and elixirs, making all cultivators in the world chase after it like a flock of ducks*. But everyone knows where the Shen Nong Ding is. Everyone can see and touch it, yet no one can claim it for themself."

That Shen Nong Ding was in Kunlun, which was transformed into an immortal mountain. It was indeed visible and touchable. However, there were very few users capable of using it.

"Shen Nong Ding is an active volcano. Throughout the year, it is dormant with the real fire of Samadhi. This fire can only be activated with spiritual power. In the process of refining, spiritual power must be unending, or else the fire will extinguish, wasting all efforts. Currently, no one in the world is able to move this alone. Using it once consumes a lot of energy. The last time someone used it was 6 years ago. Jinling's Xianyue Pavilion's master gave his eldest son Lan Chui Han a sword."

Xie Bi An quietly said to Fan Wu She: "Back then, master took me to watch for fun. Xianyue Pavilion recruited a hundred high-ranking cultivators to protect it in turn for 3 days and 3 nights."

Fan Wu She said uncaringly: "I've heard of it before."

Xie Bi An said admiringly: "That was a really good and rare sword. Worthy of the reputation of the first Lord in the world. Brother Lan's character is good. He knew that I liked orchids, and gave me a petal of orchids from the maternal plant of hundred years. It's extremely precious, I..."

Fan Wu She slapped his chopsticks down.

Xie Bi An was puzzled: "What's wrong?"

Xie Bi An's expression of admiring another man made Fan Wu She overflow with jealousy. He ground his molars and squeezed out a word: "...spicy."

Xie Bi An handed a glass of water to Fan Wu She: "Drink some water. I asked you just now, and you told me that you can handle spicy food. I will ask them to put less chili next time."

That storyteller had already started talking about the Shanhe Sheji Map.

"This Shanhe Sheji Map, is a magical device of the Nǚwa Clan. Legend said that it has all-encompassing power. It has the power to move mountains and can fill the sea. It had stayed in the treasure house of Emperor Zong for hundreds of years, and no one could use it, until someone stole it." The storyteller pretended to say mysteriously, "Everyone knew what happened next. In the battle of Mount Luofeng a hundred years ago, this map disappeared without a trace. This Shanhe Sheji Map is the most mysterious magical treasure among the four ancient magical treasures. Opinions differ regarding how effective it is. It is said that this map can make people feel like they're in fairyland or in hell."

Hearing the word "Emperor Zong", Fan Wu She's gaze became gloomy.

"That Emperor Zong..." Xie Bi An suddenly said.

Fan Wu She's heart suddenly stopped.

"If you're interested in the Zong Clan's story, I will take you to Yulou next time. There is a gentleman who tells this story well." Xie Bi An picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and gave it to Fan Wu She, "Be careful of the fishbone."

Fan Wu She clenched his chopsticks tightly: "Do commoners dare not talk about Zong Zi Xiao?"

"That gentleman is bold and open-minded to listeners. Besides, he doesn't mention the name of the Supreme Demon and also doesn't talk about the things after Zong Zi Xiao became a devil. He only starts from the creation of the Zong Clan to proclaiming an Emperor, to how the two brothers Zong Zi Heng and Zong Zi Xiao quarreled which lead to the collapse of their relationship, about how they fell from prosperity to decline. His story was sorted out clearly. I only listened to it twice. After that, I bought the book he published, which was quite interesting."

Fan Wu She's heart surged, unable to calm down. In a hundred years, everything had been reduced to dust. One forgot and the other remembered all the things back then. Listening to this person talking about their past lives in a gossiping and painless way further increased his resentment and hate.

The storyteller talked about the last magical treasure that the listeners were most interested in ----Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman.

"This Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman should have been told together with the Shanhe Sheji Map, because they were both possessed by one person. With these two magical treasures, this person almost destroyed the human and ghost realms."

Hearing the guests' surprised voices, they were obviously excited.

"Xuanyuan Heavenly Secret Talisman is the magical treasure from the Queen Mother of the West. She once dispatched Xuan Nü to help Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan to defeat Chiyou and taught her the ’Three Palaces and Five Meanings of Yin and Yang, Taiyi Dunjia Liuren’s Step Fighting Technique, Yin Talisman Secret and Lingbao Five Talisman Five Wins's Script'*, and gave her this talisman, which can command the soldiers of the three realms. Xuanyuan Clan later wrote the ‘Yellow Emperor's Yin Fu Scripture’, also known as the ‘Yellow Emperor's Heavenly Secret Scripture’ to describe the mystery of this talisman." The storyteller became excited and said passionately, "Rumor has it that this talisman wandered in the human realm, but no one has seen it for millions of years. It is said that this rumor is not credible, but it was found by that unspeakable person. Since then, the world has changed and the universe was turned upside down. With one command, he obtained a million Yin soldiers that even Gods and buddhas cannot hinder."

The large lobby became silent.

After a moment of silence, a childish voice suddenly said: "Daddy, I want this talisman."

The serious atmosphere broke in a second and laughter rang. The storyteller tried to hold his laughter back and said: "In short, after the battle at Mount Luofeng, this talisman was suppressed somewhere in Jiuyou by the Great Emperor Beiyin, and it is never to see the light of day again. This little lady, please don't be too hard on your father."

Xie Bi An joined the crowd to give a round of applause. The apprentice of the storyteller was shuttling back and forth in the lobby, asking for a reward. He also prepared small bits of silver.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the street. Xie Bi An looked out from the window and saw a group of cultivators who were wearing Wuliang Sect's green robes chasing someone.

 

 

----

three-inch tongue* [三寸舌] means a metaphor of eloquence; glib tongue

sugar figurine*[糖人]---(picture 1 below)

ice jelly*[冰粉]---is a Chinese dessert native to Southwest China, and served as a bowl of iced transparent jelly, made from the seeds of the Nicandra physalodes plant, along with toppings like haw flakes and wolfberries. It is commonly sold in the summertime as street food. (picture 2 below)

woodlawn blue*[蟹壳青]----lit. crab shell green. These are actually paint colors (picture 3 below)

Pangu*[盘古]--- creator of the universe in Chinese mythology

Zhuan Xu*[颛顼]--- legendary ruler，grandson of Yellow Emperor(黄帝)

like a flock of ducks* [趋之若鹜] means to scramble for something

'Three Palaces and Five Meanings of Yin and Yang, Taiyi Dunjia Liuren’s Step Fighting Technique, Yin Talisman Secret and Lingbao Five Talisman Five Wins's Script'*-------hard to translate to true meaning. Anyway, this is from a legend of 九天飞女. I believe this chunk will not appear again in the later chapters., but if it does, then I’ll deal with that later.

Editor's Thoughts:

Harro~ Regardless if you are a new reader or if you're revisiting the re-edited chapters I hope you liked this chapter! We are trying our best to meet the release dates for the edited chapters so thank you for your patience! 

Once again if you liked this chapter comment "Like". See you in the next chapter~ 

 

Edited on 15 Mar. 21 (Emzie)

Edited on 22 Jun. 21 (Ari)

Edited on 20 Jul 21 (Limit)

 

 

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