Chapter 1

Happy people are similar. But unfortunate people are different.

I am a typical example.

My name is Murong Fang Qing. I was unfortunately born in a Wulin[1] family. What’s more unfortunate is that I don’t know martial arts. Of course, only the people in my family knew. It’s the so called "dirty laundry[2] in public". How can such a disgraceful thing be said around.

You should know that in our family, whether it’s a sweeper or a servant girl, has a body of self-defense martial arts. But I, the fourth young master of Murong family, can’t even touch any martial arts.

But...this also can’t blame me. It’s mainly my father’s. My father almost got possessed when he was practicing Kung Fu, which scared my mother and gave birth prematurely. My body would not be so weak, let alone martial arts. Therefore, when I quarrel with my father, I use this incident as a shield to block my father’s face like the bottom of a pot. Hee, this is also a little luck in misfortune!

Although my constitution is not suitable for practicing martial arts, it doesn’t mean I’m mediocre in other aspects.

As for my key skills and the collection of classics and history books, they are much better than my elder brother and sister. Even if there is no sweaty house, there are still traffic jams. Anyway, I am the fourth young master of a Wulin family. It’s more or less a smoke to one’s ear and dye to one’s eye.[3]

Also, this is a big legacy of my time.

In addition, when it comes to killing time, I also had an undesirable hobby(my father said)—I like to flirt with beauties in tune.?

When I was a child, I couldn’t practice martial arts. What else could I do if I couldn’t practice martial arts in a Wulin family? Just have fun! After that, we usually had a fight with my sister at home.

How do you know three women in a street and three men in a market? When women gathered together, they say men. When men gathered together, they say women. The group of sisters always gathered together, gossiping about which young lady was prettier and which maid was charming. Their salivas spats three zhangs[4] far away. Pity me at a young age, I grew up in such an environment. Those who handle cinnabar are stained red; those who work with ink are stained black.[5]

As time goes by, I’ve learned to appreciate beauty. But I’m better than them. I appreciate not only women but also men. Anyway, they are all beauties. Our eyes should be broadened.

Still, I am serious in learning things. I feel that to improve my ability to appreciate beauty, I must find some people to apply what I’ve learned.

I dare not move my elder brother and sister. The servant girls at home has no such qualification to move me either, so I had to go outside to find what I could move. Only the brothel is the most suitable place to find! Who says I can’t do martial arts? So we have to narrow down our options.

Without wind there cannot be waves.[6] When there is wind, there will be great waves. Must people in Jianghu[7] are people who catch the wind and tremble and do not attempt to return. Therefore, the romantic affairs of Murong’s fourth childe lingering in the brothel spread rapidly, and through the dissemination they also made me—the romantic young master of Murong.

I’m still better than blue[8], compared to the group of little crickets in my family who only hide in the corner to discuss. After so many years of talking, they dare not derailed. It seems that there are also small crickets who talk about the trend of death. I’m much more resourceful and brave.

I became famous all over the world. Who dares fight with me?

I am joyfully satisfied. But my father was so angry at home that one Buddha ascended to heaven and other Buddha was born. An eight hundred li[9] urgent family letter called me home.

As soon as I got home, before I had a chance to publicize my great achievements, I was spat out by my father. I opened my mouth and my plea was not yet out (in fact, I had nothing to plead). My father had already carried me and ordered me to go back to my room and meditate.

I flattened my mouth with grievance and couldn’t understand why I was scolded. “I’m not wrong. Why should I think about it?”

Father’s heart is weak again.

All eyes unanimously blamed me. I guiltily shrank my shoulder. What? I’m also a victim. Why don’t people come sympathize with me? They usually don’t have such tacit understanding. I can’t help but mumbled. I decided to fight to the end thus I took out the treasure of ZhenShan[10], “If my father hadn’t possessed himself, my mother would not have been frightened. If my mother hadn’t been frightened, she would not have had a difficult labor. If my mother hadn’t had a difficult labor, I would not have been so weak that I could not even practice martial arts. If I hadn’t been unable to practice martial arts, I would not have gone to the brothel. Um...What did I do wrong? I just want to have a spiritual sustenance. Why do you object and deprive me of my only love? I know I am useless and you all despise me, don’t you? Woo...” I covered my face and cried. (I hope no one sees through me pretending to cry)— I dare not let go of my hand to see what happened, so I had to continue crying. Crying and crying, I cried out all my feelings. I remembered the injustice I suffered at ordinary times and the envy of others when practicing martial arts. I couldn’t help feeling sad. I cried myself hoarse and deeply grieved.

“Psh. Forget it, forget it. Do what you want to do. I don’t care to manage it.” My father couldn’t bear crying. First, he raised the white flag[11] while sitting on the chair, his expression frustrated.

Uh? It’s over so soon. I’m still a pear blossom in spring with rain, with an ignorant face.

Afterwards, I had unknowingly removed the obstacles of my long life in the brothel. I would wake up laughing even in my dream.

My family opened one eye to me while the other one was closed[12]. I soaked in the gentle village with peace of mind, day after day, unfettered.

ZuiYing* building, as the name implies is a brothel that intoxicates all heroes. I am a hero, and I am certainly intoxicated here.

T/n: Zui means intoxicated while Ying means hero

The beauties of the building are all kinds of men and women. All of them carefully chosen, one in a hundred, to meet different needs of different people.

Within the territory of Yu Han Dynasty, the male style is extremely popular. As small as the common people, as large as the royal inner courtyard, there’s always private wing palaces for fun.

In order to strengthen their status, some nobles will marry a qualified man as a wife. Same-sex love and marriage are not unusual news, even some of the Emperor’s concubines are men.

One autumn day, I was lying lazily after spending the spring night in the hibiscus tent.

Bang—, Suddenly, the door slammed open, and a man came aggressively to my bed.

What? Arrest? I was scared that I break out into cold sweat and immediately sat up.

“Fourth childe! Impending!” The young man blushed for his recklessness, but immediately remembered something important, “Someone’s here to make trouble and arrested childe Cui Xiu!”

It turned out to be for help. I thought I was bound to be arrested. I scolded myself stupidly. This is the brothel. I’m innocent. How could I be arrested? It really burns my mind.

“Fourth childe, you have a chivalrous heart and high martial arts skills. You still need to help with this matter.” The youngster jumped anxiously but didn’t dare to urge me. He just flattered me.

It’s a pity he pat the horse’s hip.[13]

I remembered that my image outside was a charming, well-proportioned and highly skilled in martial arts fourth young master of Murong, rather than a romantic talented person who was gold and jade[14] and was useless. (If I count myself a gifted scholar) What a miserable word! I was crying bitterly in my heart, but I still put on a look of indignation, “Who is so bold and dares to make trouble in ZuiYing building, want to die?” Face counts. I don’t want to be mourned for thousands of years.

“That man is the third young master in YangZhou(a province) of Taishou(governor of a province). With his father’s name, he bullied good people everywhere. This time, he bullied us in ZuiYing building and beat childe Cui Xiu. Fourth childe, your martial arts here is the highest and your reputation is the loudest, you should stand up for us.” This youngster still incessantly kept pouring water on me.

Third young master of YangZhou’s Taishou? My face started to look whiter than cotton. Although I am a childe of a Wulin, it’s better to keep quiet about official affairs.

However, Cui Xiu is my good friend. It’s not good not to help him. I am in dilemma now. I thought to myself, what if I just pretend to have a stomachache to escape? I don’t know if it will damage my image?

“Fourth childe, hurry up, save people like fire ah—” the youngster’s forehead began to sweat.

I slowly put on my clothes and took my sword(just for decoration). My heart murmured: I want to be quick too, but I don’t have any martial arts. It won’t help me if I go, maybe it’ll be worse. Maybe that Taishou’s third childe will take me hostage? Who will save me then? I was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle. Before I knew it, I was unwillingly brought to the hall.

The people there were strong, it immediately brought back my spirits that were still wandering in my mind.

I saw two men who grew up without knowing what to eat. They looked like two men in the hills who’s catching a pretty young man with a fierce face.

One side of the young man’s face was red, obviously he had been beaten. His watery eyes were stubborn and his bright red lips were bitten. However, he still pursed slightly unconvinced. It was really delicate and touching. I felt pity.

I sighed, Cui Xiu looked good, his also good in bed, but his temperament is so stubborn.

Looking at it again, Cui Xiu was standing next to a proud royal youth, shaking his folding fan and smiling coldly, “I see whether you are dependent or not?”

I can’t help but burn a fire in my stomach[15]. Isn’t this a show to debauch[16]?— Although Cui Xiu was a prostitute, he also wanted to love me.

So I stepped forward and sneered, “If people don’t want to, what about you?”

Taishou’s third childe looked back at me, his eyes suddenly glowed, as if he saw a prey. His mouth began to murmur, “Amazing product! A superb product! I can’t think of such a beautiful woman here. It’s strange, why didn’t I noticed it before?”

Beautiful woman, where? I looked around. No.

This guy is clearly playing with me. If there’s really a beautiful woman, how can she escape my eyes? He thinks I’ve been fooling around for years. You know that my purpose for beauties is to give up a thousand rather than miss one. Humph! Want to lie to me, there’s no way! Not even a window!

“Beauty, where are you looking?” I don’t know when the Taishou’s third childe came to me and look at me with his straight face.

“Are you calling me?” I frowned and stepped back. Beauty? Me?

“Puchi!” I heard a crisp laugh. I looked. It was Cui Xiu.

He grinned and said, “Besides you, who else?”

Me? Beauty? This was a big surprise. I didn’t think I had the money to be a beauty. So that’s why I missed one. It turned out to be myself. I would study in a mirror when I went back.

“Beauty, do you want to follow me? I’ll make you very popular...” This Taishou’s third childe made persistent efforts. He even use that fan to pick up my chin and give me a hand to wave away.

Humph! Who cares? I don’t need to follow you, I’m already popular! This guy also repeatedly called me a beauty, is he reminding me that there have been loopholes in seeking beauty for so many years?

This time, Cui Xiu interjected fearlessly, “You want to be with Murong’s fourth young master? I’m afraid it’s not that easy?”

“Murong’s fourth young master? Murong Fang Qing?” The Taishou’s third childe looked frightened. Seems like my name is louder than I thought.

I’m a bit proud. I didn’t expect that I was this famous. If I’ve known that, I would have been throwing my name out to frighten people.

“Turns out to be Murong’s fourth childe. I’ve heard a lot about you.“ A lean middle-aged man came out from behind of Taishou’s third childe. He walked lightly with his temples bulged. He looked like an expert.

“Don’t mention it.” Now I started to cry in my heart, what should I do afterwards? However, to this day, I have no choice but to be a dead horse.

“I heard that Murong’s martial arts accomplishments are very high. I wanted to learn it for a long time. How about we exchange views on the spot today?” The middle-aged man looked at me with enthusiasm.

Fight? I was sweating cold and wanted to get home. But my feet were so heavy that I couldn’t move a step.

“Master...Master...do you really want to fight?” Taishou’s third childe face is as earthy as it seems.

I’m not used to such a scene. If I didn’t get killed running now, I would have run. I’m afraid it’s— will I die faster after running?

Dad, brother, sister... come here to help me. At most, I’ll say less bad words behind your backs. No, I won’t say it in the future if you come save me!

However, as such as this scene, I can play it out vividly. Although I’m scared to death in my heart, I still talked and laughed on the surface.

“Then it’s better to be obedient than respectful.”

Wow! How could I say that? Who was that? Whoever brings scissors, I will cut my tongue.

“Then please” When he heard my words, the master raised his eyebrows. The sword brushed out of its sheath.

I finally tasted the taste of being forced to revolt!

On my face I am still. But in my heart I am experiencing frost and rain. Help! I know everyone is good. Help me...

I wail in my heart.

However, if I lose, I still have to pose... I proudly stretched out my sword without saying a word (in fact, I was scared to say nothing).

Maybe it was my simplicity that caused his hesitation. The lean man frowned at me. He didn’t take action.

“Master...?” Is this a master’s trick? Why are those people motionless?

“Something’s wrong.” Said another middle-aged man beside the third childe. (My ears are too sharp. I’m sorry, man. I heard it.)

“What’s wrong?” The Taishou’s childe asked softly. I also pricked up my ears to listen.

“Murong family has a prominent reputation in Wulin. All disciples under it are experts. Murong’s fourth childe is famous all over the world. However, in the current sword posture, he doesn’t follow the sword path at all, as if just a layman of martial arts. But...if you look closely, you will find some mystery. There seems to be a deeper meaning in fourth childe’s sword technique. The sword is full of murderous spirit before it was drawn out. His whole body is full of flaws, but if ordinary people will see, they can’t find a little flaw. Emptiness is the essence. Sure enough, the Murong family is extraordinary!”

“It turns out...” Taishou’s third childe nodded. His face frightened.

It turned out to be so...I also suddenly realize. But, mysterious? Why can’t I see any mystery in my actions? He saw it instead? Master, indeed as expected is a master!

Silence...

Silence...

If you don’t break out in silence, you’ll perish in silence! A master’s trick is in the silent eye communication.

It seems the pressure of Taishou’s third childe was getting heavier and heavier. There are big beads of sweat on his forehead.

His face was bristling with anger. At last, he could not help rapping out, “Childe Murong, what do you mean, do you think I can’t be taught?“

I smiled lightly and didn’t show any weakness. Just said, “Why do you say that? I’m also learning from you.”

“You—” Taishou’s third childe’s mouth twitched. The sweat on his forehead was like spring snow melting, gurgling down.

There is no point in winning or losing.

He and I had to keep staring.

For an hour.

No less than an hour.

My neck is whining now and so are the muscles of my arms.

Ah, I can’t hold on any longer.

Just as I was about to give up my sword and surrender, Taishou’s childe finally gave up confronting me. He arched his hand and said, “Murong’s fourth childe made extraordinary moves, I admit defeat.”

Won? I slowly put down my sore hands, which made me feel cold behind. My back was soaked with sweat.

“I’ve given it up.” I pretended to be a great hero. Oh, I haven’t eaten pork and watched the pig walk. There are so many heroes in my family. Sometimes I even steal the teacher, then I can use it now.

“How about you, third childe?” When I got a bargain, I cheap out and grinned.

Maybe my smile is so charming, the third childe went pale. Those hands and feet became soft.

I decided to hit the snake with the stick and give him a lesson. Humph! Dare to tune me? I’ve always been the only one who plays. Not to teach him, but to myself. (I also don’t want to think about how lucky I won) I hit him with a blow full of sucking strength. The Taishou’s childe wasn’t on guard and immediately knocked down.

“Woo–hoo–” He shouted in pain.

Everyone was shocked by my sudden action.

Before everyone could react, Cui Xiu took the opportunity to break free. He ran to the childe and severely gave him a good kick. Third childe scream again, with his cooperative response—he fainted!

At this moment, all the people in Taishou’s side were in a mess. The master also frowned, he stretched out his hand to catch Cui Xiu. But Cui Xiu was also clever, immediately took me as a shield, and fled behind me like a fish out of the net.

The third childe’s Master could only gave up with his calm face, “Childe Murong, aren’t you too much?”

I don’t meant to. But the developments are beyond my control. I would Iike to explain it this way. However, for the sake of face and image, I still cross the rubicon[17]. “I just teach him a lesson for his father, so as not to make him arrogant and crazy.”

The master dared not be angry and took a deep breath. He asked someone to lift up the unconscious childe, and walked away. Before leaving, he left a scene saying, “The green hills will not change. The green waters will continue to flow. I will come back to see Childe Murong’s tricks another day.”

I would like to tell him that I will not have any good tricks at any time, but I didn’t say anything and sent them away smiling.

What a memorable day! I would like to write today’s story in my own foreign history of Wulin—the title of the story would be "When the romantic meets ups and downs". (Of course, I am the romantic and he is indecent)

—————

Footnotes

1• Community of martial arts. It is part of the broader term "Jianghu"

2• Private matters whose public exposure brings distress and embarrassment

3• be unconsciously influenced by what one hears and sees

4• measure of length. ten Chinese feet (3.3m)

5• idiom. you are the product of your environment

6• idiom. there’s always some reason(for a rumor) / no smoke without fire

7• this is another word of Jianghu. It means remote areas to which hermits retreat / world of traveling merchants

8• idiom. green is born of blue but it beats blue. (e.g "the student outdoes the teacher")

9• unit of distance, equal to about 0.3 mile (0.5 km)

10• main mountain of a region

11• indicate one’s surrender, defeat, or submission

12• deliberately ignore/refuse to notice

13• to flatter someone

14• idiom. shabby and ruined in the inside / gold and jade on the outside but rot and decay inside

15• inner drive to achieve something, to take action, etc

16• bīliángwéichāng idiom. to force an honest girl into prostitution

17• take a step that commits one to a specific course of action from which there’s no turning back