Chapter 37 – Dark Tides Surging

Having stumped him with that question, Yun Xie sneered and pulled his arm out of Jiang Xunyi’s hands . With a flourish of his sleeves, he abruptly turned and walked away .

Jiang Xunyi was very puzzled by this temper tantrum, but he also knew that Yun Xie’s anger never lasted more than half a day . He thus didn’t bother to care for Yun Xie’s antics, and changed direction towards the wing room where Huang Yan was being detained .

He had just taken two steps, when all of a sudden the long-lost voice of the System sounded in his mind:

[Story Outline: The villain Jiang Xunyi had always loved the childhood friend Feng Qiu, and held envy towards Yun Xie as the person in Feng Qiu’s heart . Ultimately, acting on an impulse, he took advantage of Feng Qiu being alone to rape her . He then flaunted this event in front of Yun Xie to vent his long-standing resentment . Final ending: Jiang Xunyi had his reputation ruined in a complete defeat and fall from grace, slain by Yun Xie .

New Mission Released: Please help “Jiang Xunyi” complete the storyline . The details are up to your own discretion . Ultimate Goal: To be killed by Yun Xie . Reward: Start the Returning Home program . ]

Jiang Xunyi’s footsteps came to a halt, and his heart thudded in his chest like booming thunder .

He didn’t expect his story to be finished so soon . However, now looking back at the countless days and nights he had unconsciously spent in this world within a book… for a supporting character, he had already accompanied the protagonist a very long way .

He used to think that the meaning of his life here was to complete these tasks and go home . After laying in that sickbed for so long, even now Jiang Xunyi could still remember his mother’s eyes red and swollen from her tears, as well as haggard faces of his father and older brother . He truly did want to go back, to show them his recovered and healthy self .

But when this time had finally come, why did his heart feel so reluctant and unwilling?

And this way of leaving, was truly…… .

Having thought to here, Jiang Xunyi’s heart shivered . He refused to continue exploring his bit of emotion, and hurriedly began to argue with the system: “Did you just say for me to rape Qiu-shijie? What the f.u.c.k? Is this a joke? Even actors in movies and film have stunt doubles and an actual bottom line . In the beginning I agreed to complete tasks, not to sell all my scruples!”

[As a crucial story event in this book, this plot point cannot be skipped . The host’s request is rejected . ]

Jiang Xunyi: “… . . With this kind of inappropriate content1, aren’t you afraid of being censored? Aren’t you afraid of having chapters locked?”

[The host’s language of communication is beyond the scope of this system’s understanding and cannot be decoded . Please convert to a different mode . ]

Jiang Xunyi: “…… . ” Faking ignorance? Truly too shameless .

As he considered this over, his heart wasn’t actually that troubled . If the system didn’t agree, that was fine——Jiang Xunyi was no longer that little freshly-arrived newbie who always followed the rules . He knew very well that in many cases, the missions were presented by the system in a very strict manner, but with a careful eye, there were no shortage of loopholes that could be drilled through . Since he was currently unable to come up with a bypa.s.sing provision, he decided to throw it aside for now . Anyway, it… wasn’t urgent .

He had already stayed here for so many years, he wasn’t concerned about staying an extra one or two days . Jiang Xunyi truly felt that going home was not a pressing matter .

While thinking this through, he still ended up deciding to go find his unfortunate Huang-shidi to have a pleasant talk about life, when he suddenly spotted an old man in coa.r.s.e clothing coming towards him .

This old man did not look to be young, but his spirit was hale and hearty . Although the clothes on his body were simple and plain, they were clean and tidy . This time Jiang Xunyi actually gave a sincere smile, and he raised his voice: “Uncle Chen2, I am back . ”

This Uncle Chen was not a cultivator, but a servant who had done odd jobs around Immortal Master Ti Ming’s courtyard ever since Jiang Xunyi was young . Although he did not have as long a lifespan as a cultivator, Immortal Master Ti Ming had given him many spiritual medicines, so he could still much longer than the average mortal lifetime, and it could be said that he had watched Jiang Xunyi grow up . The relationship between him and Jiang Xunyi was excellent——upon seeing Jiang Xunyi, joy and happiness immediately appeared between his kind brows . He hurried to set down his broom and wipe his hands on his clothes .

Jiang Xunyi stepped forward and took his hand without caring for his appearance: “Uncle Chen, you are growing older by the year . Now that Shizun has pa.s.sed away3, there is not much work that needs to be done in this courtyard, so you should rest . Why bother doing this?”

Uncle Chen smiled, and reached out to pat Jiang Xunyi’s shoulders: “A kid like you is still trying to manage an old man like me? You must first take good care of yourself . Look, you’ve recently lost weight . Young people like you need to eat more with every meal……”

Jiang Xunyi listened quietly, showing a very rare level of patience . In fact, he could say that he greatly enjoyed this process, because according to the character settings of《Rising Clouds, Billowing Skies》, it was extremely likely that this Uncle Chen should be his father .

Jiang Xunyi, the son of a servant .

According to the original story, although Uncle Chen should be well aware of his ident.i.ty and origins, Jiang Xunyi himself should not know this at this point . However, he should learn this very soon . And it was precisely as a result of this discovery that he would become extremely dissatisfied and envious of Yun Xie for having an outstanding and celebrated background as the other Dual Jade of the Spirit Stage . Of course, Jiang Xunyi did not think so now——if he were to find himself jealous of that d.a.m.ned rascal Yun Xie, he would prefer to buy a piece of stinky tofu and suffocate himself with it .

But every time he saw Uncle Chen, he would always have a very affectionate feeling, as if he had a family here, as if this place could be called a home to him . Even though in his last life his father had always been impeccably attired with a suave and graceful demeanor, completely different from this elderly man whose face was lined with the marks of age, they were all fathers to him . Now that Immortal Master Ti Ming was no longer here, this old man was Jiang Xunyi’s only remaining sustenance .

With a very un-”Jiang Xunyi”-like friendly att.i.tude, he listened to the entirety of a long and c.u.mbersome chain of prattling regarding “eating, sleeping, and wearing warm clothes . ” Only then did he arrive at Huang Yan’s wing room, his hand still holding the home-kept chicken egg that had been forcibly stuffed into his arms .

Jiang Xunyi had no intention of torturing or abusing him, but since Huang Yan had previously been possessed by the Demon Sovereign, people with lingering fears all treated him as a key target of concern . As a result, when Jiang Xunyi saw him, Huang Yan’s body had been tied up with nine Commandment Ropes, and a yellow talisman was taped to his forehead . He lay prostrate on the bed, his spine completely straight and his face flushed red from the restraints, bearing a striking similarity to a carrot that had nothing left to live for .

“………” Jiang Xunyi almost laughed out loud . He waved his hand to the guarding disciples who followed him in: “What’s all this for? Set him free . ”

The disciple hesitated, still not daring to loosen the bonds: “Shixiongshould still be somewhat cautious… This… What if he springs a trick on you during the conversation… . ”　

Jiang Xunyi did not want to waste words, and only said: “He’d have to borrow eight-hundred lives worth of courage for that . It’s fine, just free him and then you may retreat . ”

That disciple saw he could not be convinced, and also knew Jiang Xunyi’s temper full well . He could only go up to loosen Huang Yan’s restraints and tear off the talisman . Only then did he walk out, repeatedly turning back at every step .

Huang Yan rolled his body to sit up on the bed, watching Jiang Xunyi with vigilance and fear . After hesitating a moment, he quickly abandoned his usual moral integrity to call out “Shixiong . ”

Jiang Xunyi poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip, before sighing with emotion: “This terrified and disheartened look of yours is still more pleasing to the eye . This face making Xuan Li’s expressions was truly too unsightly . ”

Faced with this seemingly neutral tone, Huang Yan did not know how to pick up this line of conversation . Instead, Jiang Xunyi noticed the numerous b.l.o.o.d.y cracks in his lips, and could not help but think of Immortal Master Ti Ming’s appearance before his death . He took another sip from the cup, before smoothly tossing it to land stably in front of Huang Yan: “Here, drink some water . ”

After taking the cup, Huang Yan hesitated slightly before gulping it down . He was first of all truly too thirsty . In addition, Huang Yan probably knew himself that if Jiang Xunyi wanted to kill him, he would not need poison at all .

Jiang Xunyi watched him drink . Out of the blue, he asked: “In the end, who killed Shizun?”

Huang Yan choked on his water .

Jiang Xunyi slowly said: “Xuan Li did not possess such great strength . If he was capable of killing Shizun, he would not have been defeated by Yun Xie and I today .  Shidi, I am truly curious——why did he choose to possess you?”

Huang Yan’s entire body trembled fiercely . Just at this moment, the latticed window on the side of the room suddenly let out a “squeak” . Just as Jiang Xunyi turned his head to look over, Huang Yan suddenly let out a scream unlike that of a living person . He rushed to crawl down from the bed and pounced over to hug Jiang Xunyi’s leg, weeping bitterly: “Shixiong, I was wrong! I was wrong! Have mercy on me, I really don’t know anything! Demon Sovereign Xuan Li is, he is really far too terrifying, I-I-I don’t want to be possessed by him again!”

“…… . . ” Jiang Xunyi looked at the window that had been blown open by the wind, and silently turned his head back . With this kind of shameful behavior, Huang Yan really was not suitable material for plotting conspiracies .

The cold wind blowing into the room actually cleared one’s mind, so Jiang Xunyi decided to simply ignore it for now . He reached out to press down on Huang Yan’s shoulder, pushing him off away from his leg, and solemnly asked: “You really don’t know anything?”

Huang Yan’s head bobbed as he consecutively nodded and wailed out: “Shixiong, I was wrong, I w-w-w-wasn’t trying to grab your Sect Head position, it was those two elders who made me! I really……”

Jiang Xunyi said: “Alright, no need to say anymore, I know everything . If there is anything you would like to eat, just say so and I will have people make it for you . ”

Huang Yan: “…… . . ”

His crying abruptly stopped . Stunned, he looked at Jiang Xunyi, apparently unable to understand what he meant by those words .

Jiang Xun sighed: “After all that has happened to the sect, the Hidden Spirit Sect is currently embroiled in turmoil and uneasiness . Without strict leadership, how could the public be convinced? You rebelled against the sect in order to seize power . Even if Shizun’s death was not related to you, there was not a trace of your presence in the time before he pa.s.sed away . The only thought going through your mind was how to collude with the two elders to deal with me . Just this one act is a crime punishable by death . If it weren’t for the excessive negative emotion in your heart, you would never have attracted the Demon Sovereign . With the alarm and anxiety in everyone’s hearts right now, there is no way I can spare your life . ”

Huang Yan was struck dumb, and despair filled his eyes . Jiang Xunyi did not give him another glance as he turned and left .

Upon leaving the courtyard, he saw Yun Xie standing at the door with his back to him, hands crossed behind his back . Jiang Xunyi was not the least bit surprised, and spoke calmly: “I was just wondering who would be so idle as to have nothing better to do except run outside our window and listen to our dialogue . It turned out to be you . ”

Yun Xie turned back: “Pah, don’t put feathers in your own cap4 . If I went over, would I let you hear my footsteps?” While throwing insults, he couldn’t help but shamelessly tug on Jiang Xunyi’s partially open collar: “You usually look so fierce and harsh, but at critical moments you show a woman’s soft heart5 . I say, why bother wasting words on Huang Yan? A single palm strike and all that trouble will be over . Just that little bit of meat on his body, and you still want to keep it until the New Year to add some vegetable sides?”

Jiang Xunyi did not move . He looked down to watch Yun Xie’s hands playing with this own collar, and calmly said: “Yun Xie . ”

Yun Xie: “Hmm?”

Jiang Xunyi suddenly shot him a brilliant smile, his right cheek showing a small dimple . Yun Xie’s breaths came to a halt at this magnificent sight, but then Jiang Xunyi suddenly switched faces, lifting his leg to kick his knees: “My Shifu just died not too long ago, and I’m really f.u.c.king not in a good mood right now . On top of that, I have to listen to your huffs and tantrums all day long, are you looking for a beating?”

Footnotes:

1 .  Jiang Xunyi refers to this novel as a 小黄书 lit . “little yellow book” which is a term referring to (usually trashy) books with content inappropriate for minors (cough you know what I’m talking about) . I couldn’t find an equivalent term in English, so I just phrased it differently .

2 .  Again, Chinese culture uses familial descriptors as polite terms for other people, even if that individual isn’t a member of your family . In this case, Uncle Chen is one generation above Jiang Xunyi, hence the term “Uncle . ”

3 .  Jiang Xunyi uses the term 仙逝 which is one of the many Chinese euphemisms for death . This particular one literally means something like “their immortal path has come to an end . ”

4 .  往自己脸上贴金 lit . “to paste gold onto your own face” basically means to “make yourself out as better than you really are . ” The closest English phrase would probably be to “blow your own trumpet” or “put a feather in your cap”, so that’s what I used .

5 .  妇人之仁 lit . “women’s benevolence” is referring to someone being excessively softhearted, kind, or merciful .