Chapter 5

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

“Hey, did you hear?”

“What? What?”

“It’s just… that!”

“What is ‘that’…”

“Ah, you stupid egg… Oh, she’s coming she’s coming! Look over there!”

“What is it… Isn’t it just some normie girl? What’s there to be so excited about?”

“I heard Su Yan is rather close to her- even the intimidating Ji Ya likes her!”

“For real?! That’s inconceivable…”

“No, really! That day, a lot of people saw it!”

“Ahh! Where’s the logic in that? I’m obviously prettier than her…”

Tongtong tried to school her blatantly dissatisfied expression—God knows why she was the new target of their gossip when she’d only just arrived—all because she was despised by that strange mount?

If she had known that getting close to Su Yan would create this type of treatment, then she would have found the courage to jump out of that hug…

Walk your own road and let others be fascinated by you!

Even Ah-Q’s (1) spirit was comforting her, Tongtong couldn’t help but sigh. She was already 23 years old, yet she still had to encounter such a dog blood plot(2)?

(1)- The True Story of Ah Q is a novel written in the 1920s about Ah Q, a peasant who wanders around homeless. Basically, the novel is a satirical work about a narcissistic guy who thinks he is much better than the people above him. (1920 is around the time when China’s Communist Party and Kuomintang(KMT) party were clashing)

(2)- A dog-blood plot is an overused trope.

While massaging her sore shoulder, she complained about that miserable-Su character, and even the unreliable Little Ding joined in her conversation.

By now, she had been in Qing Yun Garden for a month.

After she and Little Ding had safely arrived at this destination, Su Yan and Ji Ya had stayed for a while. This scene was observed by many people, and the gossip had spread among the disciples at a rate faster than the spread of a virus. (Cough cough COVID-19)

Then, Little Ding and Qing Yun Garden’s Su Yan went somewhere else. Those who knew of the news had spread it to all the disciples—it was obvious that Su Yan holds a deep preference in their hearts.

The Leader of Qing Yun Garden was a middle-aged man around his forties. When he came, Little Ding secretly told Tongtong that, although this Uncle Zheng Guanghe seemed very kind on the surface, he was actually just an old fox. He frequently calculated what other people owed him, and if they broke their obligation, then he would torture them until nothing was left of themin his hands… there would be no scum… As he said this, his face morphed into a grotesque smile that made Tongtong cringe away.

Because Zheng Guanghe saw the youngest and most powerful disciple (3) personally report about this new disciple, his attitude was very polite and gentleman-like. Only his eyes flashing from time to time made Tongtong feel uneasy and creeped out for no reason.

(3)- Su Yan. I know, I got confused too.

After Little Ding left, his smile did not change, and he said softly; “Tongtong, right? Let’s test your spiritual root first then.”

With both hands, he began to explain some basic knowledge as he walked.

“The attributes of the spirit root determine what you can learn, and the rarer or less common the spirit root, the greater the achievements. Of course, that doesn’t mean without effort you can be one of the best. There are many ancestors of self-cultivation who relied on themselves to make great achievements…”

Tongtong nodded her head up and down, but in her heart she was dissatisfied: whatever acquired effort, she knew, this cultivation world really depends on talent! 99% genius, 1% effort!

This is totally not scientific!

She followed the uncle into a small, dimly-lit hut with two eager disciples standing at the door, eyes so bright that they seemed to have seen aliens.

What! She didn’t dye her hair, she didn’t wear colored contacts; she had two eyes and one mouth—the authentic Asian look! What are you staring at? Do you think I will be shy? … Okay, maybe I am.

However, when Su Yan glanced at her, it made Tongtong blush and her heart beat… so helpless… Sure enough, this beautiful person’s gaze is too penetrating! Souka! (4)

(4)- Japanese for “I see…”. 所噶 -> Suo ga -> Souka.

After Tongtong recovered for a bit, she looked at the uncle who was currently gesturing at the table in the middle of the chamber.

As she looked at his finger, Tongtong saw three black lines on his forehead– wait, isn’t that Eastern cultivation? (5) Why is it that this symbol appeared in the Western magic world? (6)

(5)- Dong Fang Xian Xia is the name of an RPG game, but overall I don’t understand it. There aren’t any articles about it.

(6)- I’m confused as well- aren’t they in the Eastern world?

He sensed the confusion on Tongtong’s face but thought it was her confusion of how to use the equipment.

Zheng Guanghe explained, smiling, “This is a magic weapon created by master refiners using a powerful spiritual stone, which is used to test disciples. You only need to put your hand on it.”

“Oh.”

Tongtong nodded her head, spread her palms to look at it. Her right hand was messy, marks left by writing with a pen and pencil year-round. Her left hand was smoother and more slender. Wait, can it be considered slender? Ah, I chose you! Go then, god-like left hand!

In Tongtong’s heart, surging background music played as she looked at this magic item without blinking. She started to think of what kind of spirit root attribute she was- having two of them like Master Ding?

No, it’s still better to have only one! However, she read some novels where the protagonist has the spirit root of all five attributes and encountered some ancestral cheat book… Well, she already felt no “secret space” in her body to store any book. It seems like that plotline will not work…

Even though her thoughts were all scrambled, her eyes remained focused. After a few seconds, the magic stone began to change. At first, it glowed a light blue fluorescence, softly and quietly flashing. Then, a red flame. The flame rose, burning the blue, and created a little blue halo. Just as she became confused, the halo began to waver and act like waves on an ocean, before extinguishing the red aura. Finally, the blue light gradually faded too, dissipating in the transparent crystal stone.

Wow, this process is like a 3D fantasy drama; although the protagonist is a tricolor picture, the computer special effects drew the interest of her.

—Wait, tri-color?

At this point in her thoughts, she quickly looked up at the silent uncle. If she didn’t see his expression, it wouldn’t be alright.

As she glanced, her heart stopped. What is this situation! Give me some expressions! Even if it’s not surprising or shocking, give this one some smiling and encouragement! What does this emotionless expression mean? Do you think your expressionless face can be understood by this lady? What’s the meaning of this expression? Without context, then she has the fate of a protagonist!

But what does it matter now? This stage of not knowing whether her results were good or bad makes people go crazy, okay?

Uncle, even if it’s death or life, just give me an answer…

“Good enough?”, Tongtong asked anxiously.

“Ah… Not bad, not bad, this child can be taught…” Zheng Guanghe seemed to be startled and quickly smiled at Tongtong, but it was a bit stiff. In front of this expectant face, even if he told her she was very high up, he couldn’t bear to tell her the truth—this child’s spirit root…

ugh, so ordinary!

Originally, she was a disciple recommended by Young Master Ding. He thought she could be a talent worthy of the gods, containing a spirit root greater than the rest… turns out he had thought too much!

With three roots of wood, fire, and water, the spiritual power combined is not even able to jump past a few levels. Even though having a wood root is not looked down upon, this qualification is still behind the gray-clothed disciples! (6)

(6)- I think gray-clothed is below green? Maybe. Don’t trust me.

By taking in this person, where would this elder’s reputation go in Qing Yun Garden? To the ground! There is nothing you can do even if you have thick skin… Oh whatever, arrange a separate yard for her to live and die by herself!

“Em… having wood, fire, and water spiritual roots are very promising for your future if you work hard! How about this; I’ll arrange a secluded courtyard just for you. Then tomorrow morning, I will arrive at the school to teach the most basic breathing and fitness methods. You may go now!”

Zheng Guanghe did not want to face this young girl who had no talent, nor did he want to tell her the truth to crack her self-esteem. He called a disciple over.

“Disciple present.”

A smaller disciple named Qing Feng appeared, looking like an adult-dresser which made Tongtong want to pinch his face.

“Bring Junior Sister Tong to Yunyin.” With a wave of his hand, Zheng Guanghe looked away quite remorsefully. Out of sight, out of mind.

“Yes.” After bowing, Qing Feng nodded politely at Tongtong. “Tong Shi-Mei, please follow me.”

“Oh, ohh! See you later, leader!” Tongtong didn’t understand the complex expression on the uncles’ face, but subconsciously felt that he was not very satisfied… ah, who cares! Didn’t he say her talent wasn’t too bad?

Tongtong grinned and relaxed as she followed Qing Feng. In her heart, she began figuring out how to keep a low profile, so in the future, no one would worship her like an idol…

See, purity and innocence won’t cause any bad situations, right?

After arriving, Qing Feng tossed a jade scroll to her. Without another word, he left, leaving a regretful Tongtong who didn’t get to pinch his face.

However, the courtyard in front of her left her so shocked, her mouth fell open- the mottled plaque on the front door could barely be read as “Yun Yin House” with another word too chipped away to understand. No one seemed to have cleaned the two guard shrines next to it, for the right one was missing a paw, and the left one had a large weed growing on it. On top of that, red paint peeled off the gate. This really was bleak– Is this actually the area she will live in?

This cosplaying-ghost house… Really! Has! Some! Quality!

After calming her mood, Tongtong pushed open the door and looked around.

The yard wasn’t very rundown, but by the looks of it, it had been deserted for a long time. It should be cleaned before entering. Luckily, she wasn’t some mistress who never touched a broom- her simple housework was competent.

After observing the area, she chose a South-facing room as her bedroom. This room should be the master bedroom; all the mattresses are soft and suitable. Only the dust on top of it needs to be wiped away.

Over there was a small courtyard with two entrances and exits. This backyard had a well, the water inside still considered clean.

Some cleaning utensils were lying around, the only problem with them being unused for so long to clean.

From the small closet, she took out some clean bed sheets to hang in the sun (7). Then, she began organizing the study room and the bathroom. After that, she moved the chaise couch under the pear tree in the courtyard and lay upon it. Tongtong was reluctant to resume her activities.

(7)- The sun is one of the best ways to sanitize things. If you think your bed sheets have bedbugs, just open your window curtains and let the sun “clean” it. My parents do this all the time.

Only then did she remember the jade scroll that Qing Feng gave her, and she took it out, wanting to play around with it. The beautiful green jade was soft in texture, without any extra words on it. “Yin(8)” was written on it.

(8)- Not yin/yang, this “yin” means “hidden; concealed”.

Tongtong traced the character with her fingertip from top to bottom, but unexpectedly, the character suddenly flashed. She felt her head being filled with information somehow!

She couldn’t move at all, her eyes staring blankly. Tongtong could only wait for whatever this sudden injection of information to finish.

After a few breaths, Tongtong’s eyes returned to their normal appearance. Annoyed, she patted her head and said bitterly; “So dumb! I suffered all for nothing… wuwuwu….”

As it turned out, this jade stone was the key to clean Yun Yin House. When the character on top was touched, whatever she wanted to be fixed in the house will be fixed. The entire courtyard was under her control, really a waste of effort…!

This author has something to say: These days, I’m working on fixing the ending of Ying Ying Beauty, so for the next two days this work = = My heart is very down, can’t write anything with feeling… QAQ

This translator has something to say: Sorry about the lateness, originally I planned on uploading chapter every Wednesday at noon Pacific Time, but I guess in the future I will upload chapters around 8:00 PM PST. I had three editors this time and they helped me alot! Thanks guys!

Chapter 4 <— Chapter 5 —> Chapter 6

Like this:Like Loading...