Translated and edited by pucari and elliot!

[Chapter 39 - Make an exchange] A place full of gold

Jing Liu Tian was rather surprised by this answer, saying with a smile: “I’ve only heard rumours about it before, but I never would have expected the Xi Nan King to be so affectionate.”

How is it just affection...Duan Yao continued in his heart, It"s a devoted lover, the kind that sets off fireworks and proclaims about it.

”So what will it be?” Duan Bai Yue asked, “If we cooperate, it will benefit both of us.”

“Whether it’s good or bad, it’s not yet the time to decide.” Jing Liu Tian said, “On the other hand, this humble one is willing to have a cup of tea with this king.”

Duan Bai Yue replied: “Fine.”

“There will be a banquet in the House of Fei Luan tomorrow night, I ask for this king to do me the honor of attending.” Jing Liu Tian cupped his fists, “There are still things I need to attend to today, this humble one will take his leave first.”

Duan Bai Yue nodded. After watching him leave, Duan Yao asked: “Do you want me to observe the magistrate?”

“With the House of Fei Luan present,it’s afraid that the murderer would also not dare to come.” Duan Bai Yue replied, “Let’s go back into the inn first, we can talk about it tomorrow night.”

“Looking at that dark face of the leader of the House of Fei Luan, I’m afraid his mood isn’t good either.” Duan Yao reminded, “Are you certain that he’s willing to work with us?”

“His bad mood is because Yu Shu was a.s.sa.s.sinated by someone. Moreover the authorities and House of Fei Luan had made a deal, and now such an incident has occurred, it’s difficult for Jing Liu Tian to escape this responsibility. Maybe the murderer’s aim is precisely to threaten him.” Duan Bai Yue said, “If you think about it this way, if it was me, I would also be unhappy.”

“It would have been better if we had come a day earlier.” Duan Yao regretted, “Maybe then that magistrate wouldn’t have to die, and we wouldn"t be in such a confusing situation.” 

“How can there be so many “what ifs” in the world.” Duan Bai Yuerubbed his head, “Let’s go, go back and sleep.”

In the palace, Chu Yuan was still looking through reports in the imperial study. Eunuch Si Xi, attending to his tea, couldn’t help but sigh internally, once the Xi Nan King was gone, the emperor would probably stay in the imperial study until dawn again -- and there was no one who could persuade him. 

The moment he thought about this, someone outside reported, saying that Lord Liu was asking for an audience. 

“Send him in.” It just so happened that Chu Yuan bored of looking through the reports. 

Liu Da Jiong entered happily. 

Chu Yuan teased: “Qian Fan agreed to become relatives with this official?”

“This isn’t the case, General Shen is very busy recently, we have not met privately for some time.” Liu Da Jiang replied, “It’s that Gao Li Princess, she finally chose someone.”

“Oh?” Chu Yuan raised an eyebrow, “Who did she choose?”　

This period of time had not been easy. If he was a mediocre youth, Jin Shu naturally wouldn’t take a liking to him, but if it was the son of a prestigious family in the capital, it was not certain that he would like this princess from a foreign land. Forced marriage was something Chu Yuan has never done, asking him to bestow a marriage was impossible. Under great pressure, Jin Tai could only rush around for this matter, and thought that it would be all for naught. Who knew that a match was really made. 

“It’s a group of merchants from Nanyang(1).” Liu Da Jiong said, “There’s a man in the group, who is reportedly a rich young master from a distant country, tall and knows martial arts, and even resembles Xi Nan King somewhat.” It was really not easy. 

Chu Yuan: “........”

Somewhat resembles Xi Nan King. 

“Your Majesty, this official’s aim this time is to report to Your Majesty, that the upcoming duel for marriage doesn’t have to be held anymore.” Liu Da Jiong said, “When the Gao Li King heard of this matter, he even finished preparing the wedding dowry today.”

Chu Yuan laughed helplessly: “This turned out unexpectedly well.” 

“Who would disagree.” Liu Da Jiong nodded over and over, after being tormented for so long, it has finally ended. 

“Nevermind, this official should return and rest.” Chu Yuan said, “With such an age, don’t tire yourself out.” 

Liu Da Jiong acknowledged the order and took his leave. Eunuch Si Xi took the chance to ask: “Should Your Majesty also return to the sleeping quarters to rest?”

“Minister Tao has fallen ill recently, and quite a lot of matters have acc.u.mulated.” Chu Yuan said, “Many places are all waiting for a reply, to delay a day, means the commoners would probably have to worry one more day.” 

“But Your Majesty’s health cannot be overlooked.” Eunuch Si Xi continued to urge, “Your Majesty’s voice sounds hoa.r.s.e.” 

“He asked you to keep an eye on us?” Chu Yuan asked, smiling. 

Eunuch Si Xi was shocked, kneeling quickly: “This old servant does not dare.”

“What is there to dare or not dare, if it is, then it is, if it’s not, then it’s not.” Chu Yuan flipped through the reports absent-mindedly, “You have followed us for nearly twenty years, and clearly know that no matter what you say, we will not punish or get angry with you, so why tremble like this?” 

Eunuch Si Xi could only stand up with a cough. 

“So?” Chu Yuan looked at him. 

Eunuch Si Xi answered honestly: “When Xi Nan King was about to leave, he didn’t say anything at all.” And just left like that. 

Chu Yuan: “...........”

Eunuch Si Xi:”........”

A moment later.

Hmph!

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please walk slower.” On a small alley in the garden, eunuch Si Xi chased after him, panting.

And to think he said he wouldn’t get angry, he wasn’t even looking at the reports anymore.

“What are you smiling for?” In Zi Yuan inn, Duan Bai Yue had a headache. 

“Big brother.” Duan Yao really needed to share something with him, and so he said, “I know who your beloved is, teacher told me.”

“.....”

How could there be such a teacher?

“Before I thought you simply found a guard, who knew their status is so high.” Duan Yao clicked his tongue, “Your taste is pretty good.”

Duan Bai Yue’s head throbbed: “If you know, then you know, don’t go around spouting nonsense.”

“Of course, I’m not stupid either.” Duan Yao squeezed in and sat beside him, “When are you intending to propose a marriage?”

“Another sentence from you, and tonight you will help to keep watch over Yu Shu’s soul(2).” Duan Bai Yue stood up.

Duan Yao: “.....”

Why is he so angry, can’t they even just chat for a while. 

Duan Bai Yue washed up and lied on his bed, but it was not long before Duan Yao knocked on the door again. 

……

“Hey hey, I just kindly came to return something.” Duan Yao handed over a small box, “Your Fen Xing, it was in my bag.”

Duan Bai Yue said absent-mindedly: “Just put it on the table.”

“Just put it on the table?” Duan Yao was suspicious, before this he would sleep with it under his pillow. 

But Duan Bai Yue didn’t reply.

When he was bringing this item around with him everywhere, it was because only one person could only make it glow, it always felt like it had an unfathomable grasp on a part of his soul. 

Now, with the sudden appearance of one Tu Bu Jie, which indirectly confirmed that this pearl has nothing to do with his beloved, and was linked in countless ways to Chao Ya instead, his interest in it naturally dulled. If he didn’t have to look for the secrets within it, he practically doesn’t want to bring it around. 

So baffling. Duan Yao shook his head, and helped him to close the room door.

The weather on the second day was rather nice, and the guests at the inn all woke up rather early, discussing about the incident of Yu Shu in the hall on the first floor noisily. 

“Look at how everyone is talking about it so seriously.” Duan Yao said, “It’s as if they witnessed it themselves.”

“Looks like this official Yu Shu wasn’t all that good either.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Otherwise, if he was upright and honest, the waiters wouldn’t have such an expression too.” 

“How can there be so many honest officials in the world.” Duan Yao bit off a mouthful of his bun, “If you are not scouting for information, then I’m going to the peony festival.” It’s boring to stay in the inn too, why not go out and take a stroll instead.

Duan Bai Yue: “Don’t cause trouble.”

“Don’t have a crow’s beak.”(3) Duan Yao stuffed half a bun into his mouth, patted his b.u.t.t and left the inn, and didn’t even return at night. 

With Duan Nian following him, however, Duan Bai Yue wasn’t worried. When the sky turned dark, he then set out towards House of Fei Luan to attend the banquet punctually. 

Jing Liu Tian said with a smile: “I was still wondering, I didn’t see this king arriving.” 

“Leader Jing has waited long.” Duan Bai Yue said, “It’s just that I encountered roadblocks by the authorities on the way here, and was a little late.” 

“With the recent incident, the city is on the edge too.” Jing Liu Tian poured two cups of wine, “But whoever that a.s.sa.s.sin is, I really cannot guess.” 

“So Leader Jing is willing to cooperate?” Duan Bai Yue asked. 

Jing Liu Tian replied: “That depends on how much help this king can offer.” 

Duan Bai Yue raised an eyebrow: “If this matter isn’t investigated thoroughly, then I won’t be returning to the capital anymore.” 

“It’s presumptuous of me to ask, but who is this king’s beloved?” Jing Liu Tian tried probing. 

Duan Bai Yue laughed: “House of Fei Luan certainly is an information collector, but must even this kind of matter be investigated clearly?” 

“To be able to know of Chao Ya, their ident.i.ty shouldn’t be that simple.” Jing Liu Tian said, “Chao Ya is a bad omen; those would get involved with it, will not have a good outcome. Why not persuade that beloved of yours not to interfere with it instead.”

Duan Bai Yue instead answered: “I don’t believe in these things, as for retribution, a cause must be present for there to be a consequence.” 

“I can work with this king.” Jing Liu Tian said, “But with one condition: an equivalent exchange.” 

Duan Bai Yue nodded: “I’d like to hear the details.” 

Jing Liu Tian said: “This humble one wishes to know, just what the Bodhi Heart Sutra is.” 

Duan Bai Yue said: “It couldn’t be that Owner Jing wants to master it?”

“Of course not.” Jing Liu Tian shook his head, “Everyone in Jiang Hu is talking about it, but no one has been able to see it. The House of Fei Luan has also been curious about it for a long time.”

“How can there be no one who has seen it.” Duan Bai Yue scoffed, “It’s sold everywhere in Xi Nan, and there are even new moves coming out once in a while.”

Jing Liu Tian said stubbornly: “If the Bodhi Heart Sutra cannot be revealed, letting this humble one exchange a few moves with elder Nan Mo Ye is also possible.” 

This time, Duan Bai Yue replied straightforwardly instead: “Alright, then it’s agreed upon.” 

“Then this incident has to be resolved quickly.” Jing Liu Tian rubbed his chin, “Or else if we were to wait till elder Nan returns to the tomb, who knows how long it will take for him to come out again.” 

“Can we discuss Chao Ya now?” Duan Bai Yue said, “Why is it connected to greed?”

“Looks like Xi Nan King really doesn’t know.” Jing Liu Tian said, “Chao Ya is an island of treasure, there’s reportedly precious stones and gold everywhere.”

Duan Bai Yue shook his head: “Of the rumoured mystical places abroad, nine out of ten of them are all like this.” 

“And yet only Chao Ya was ma.s.sacred and pillaged several times.” Jing Liu Tian said, “Other islands have never been treated like this.” 

“That’s why a part of the Chao Ya people escaped to here?” Duan Bai Yue said, “If this is true, not only did the authorities not protect them, but want to eradicate them; why is that so?” 

“Chao Yu is only a lone island, not producing gold and has no local specialties, according to reason, they can only rely on fishing as a livelihood. To barely fill one’s stomach is already hard to do so, let alone acc.u.mulating a large amount of wealth.” Jing Liu Tian said, “And quite a few fishing boats which pa.s.sed by there reported to the authorities that they were bewitched by the sirens of the island, and lost their goods and money.”

”So the authorities determined them to be a tribe practising black magic?” Duan Bai Yue frowned.

“I previously also felt that this was too subjective. But the younger brother of this humble one went to the southern seas not long ago, and was robbed cleaned too, and even got hurt.” Jing Liu Tian said, “According to him, reach and every person of the Chao Yu tribe are all certainly fiends, and on that island of Chao Ya, it’s certain that gold can be found throughout.

(1) Nanyang: 南洋 - Old chinese term for Southeast Asia in general, still in use today.

(2) Keep watch over Yu Shu’s soul: 替余舒守灵 - For chinese funerals, it usually is held for at least 3 days. During the period some people, usually close relatives, will stay at the funeral overnight as company.

(3) Crow’s beak: 乌鸦嘴 - lit. crow’s beak. Meaning not to jinx something.

Let me know if there"s any mistakes!