#jing wang is a lucky man

[skeletonraven]

[croctears]

a part two to this maybe? dk, again this is unedited and i’m trying my hand at a more flowery language. hopefully it isn’t too flowery lolol.

the cultural terms are further explained at the bottom.

Envy, with its tendrils green with jealousy, wraps itself snug around our little beating heart. Yet we continue to let it consume us, basking and boasting in the covetous desires. And again, do we have the capacity to ingest the wants of the human soul?

“They’re so pretty!”

Cherry blossom petals frolicked to the lilt of the wind in merry pink blushes, kissing the tips of her fingers. They slipped by cheekily, never getting caught, leaving only the tickle of velvet left as the aftertaste. Hsien-Chen sighed. It was the first spring since they moved to the capital; the flowers here are different from the ones in the countryside.

Her little sister ran ahead, giggling in glee. Two small buns sat atop her head, thin hair pulled tightly in a clean, smooth updo. The smile stretching across her face was far wider than any of Hsien-Chen’s when she was that age—not that she could remember ever being this carefree. After one fateful meeting with a messenger of Death ( her mother sobbed over her for days, thanking the Heavens and Yánluówáng for being merciful and not taking her daughter away), Hsien-Chen became a silent child.

According to Mama, she’d met Heibai Wuchang, more specifically the white counterpart of the duo; Xiè Bì'ān, the White Guard.

“No, you’re mistaken,” Her mother had shaken her head, frowning at Hsien-Chen’s recounting of the event. “That’s not a woman, and you’re lucky you didn’t meet Fàn Wújiù instead.”

Was she supposed to be grateful? Grateful that the White Guard, Xie, had taught her to make amends and become a better version of whoever she was going to grow up as?

She should be thankful for an opportunity many hadn't had the chance to get.

But why is it still so difficult to be angelic?

Round and round it goes, slippery and thick—soft as the finest silk in China, lithe as the strings of guzheng. Round and round envy goes, around the souls of men. Do we not notice it, or do we take no notice of it?

Hsien-Chen swallowed a lump of saliva lodging in the ridges of her throat. Her hands shook, palms sticky with sweat. Tucking the piece of parchment into the elaborated pieces of her robes, she hurried across the study room, sock-covered feet making no noise against the smooth wooden paneling.

She couldn’t believe she was going to cheat.

On a national exam, no less.

Pinpricks of moisture dotted her forehead, satin clothes sticking to her underarms. Hsien-Chen shook her head firmly.

No, it’s not her fault she’s always second to that Luo family’s brat. They are better off than her parents, providing him with more possibilities and renowned tutors when she only had herself to depend on. Was it wrong to sneak in answers she already read through? It was merely referencing.

Tighter and tighter, over the limbs and minds. Tighter and tighter envy’s fingers gripped our souls, dragging down, down, down. Tight was the constraints, yet our eyes were still clouded with discontent.

“Did you hear? The daughter of the Wang family had four wedding proposals today! One of them is a son of a businessman.” Hsien-Chen’s companion exhaled dreamily. “She’s beautiful, it’s no wonder!”

Hsien-Chen snorted, wringing her arm out of her friend’s hold.

“She’s your neighbour, isn’t she? The Wangs’ young miss.” Her friend asked. An innocent question that made her blood boil to a degree she never knew was possible.

Oh, how Hsien-Chen hated that girl next door. Always adorned with bracelets, necklaces. On her dainty feet always a pair of expensive embroidered shoes, no less than a noblewoman’s. And as if her being spoiled wasn’t enough, the girl was born with such elegant features, big brown eyes, small upturned nose with pink lips.

Oh, how Hsien-Chen hated her. They’re the same age, but Wang Jing appeared to be on a whole other level. And she knew, no matter how hard she tries, she’ll never reach that league. Her chest tightened, breaths coming in short angry heaves.

“She’s fooling around with their gardener’s son.” Hsien-Chen blurted without thinking. Whether it was true or not was up to the discernment of those who heard.

“What?”  A handkerchief covered her friend’s face, widened eyes barely containing the disgust and excitement at the unexpected news. “That’s so wrong! Such a disgrace. Don’t you think people should know about this?”

Hsien-Chen shrugged. “Do what you will.”

Deeper and deeper envy hauls men, smooth and gracious through the waves. Deeper and deeper our beings go, into the sea of envy’s poison. Can we swim, or are we nonchalant with our foreboding demise?

“I wish I never had you!” Hsien-Chen screamed, clutching her head. Hysterics enveloped her, lashing out at the crying boy. Her son. Her older daughter held him protectively, hand rubbing furiously at her tear-streaked face.

A raised hand. A sharp smack. The boy wailed, clutching his red face.

“Mama, stop!”

“You too! I hope you die along with your good-for-nothing father!”

The vase broke, shards flying as Hsien-Chen swept more decorations off the shelves. Her children cried louder and louder and—

“Stop crying! I’m leaving. I’m leaving! I deserve better than this life!” 

The slam of the door silenced the young ones for a moment and Hsien-Chen could feel the cogs of her brain turning again. Children were noisy, or her children were noisy. Lan’s kids were docile beings, same goes for Yi’s twin boys. Filial, gentle souls, unlike hers.

How she despised her children, her simpleton husband.

How she despised her life.

The back room was serene enough for her to collect her thoughts, a tired groan escaping her chapped lips as she sank down to the dusty floor.

Despair. That was the word for what she was feeling.

Despair, resentment, bitterness.

Envy.

“I’m better off dead.”

“Sure you are.”

“Who are you?” She whipped around in shock, clutching her heart. In front of her was a man, young and tall. He had an air of masculine handsomeness, the kind you normally feel around young warriors or generals. An austere smile danced on his thin lips, bulging biceps placing down a heavy-looking mirror in front of her.

“Who are you?” She repeated.

“I believe a mirror was supposed to be delivered here.”

“I believe not.” Hsien-Chen crossed her arms, shooting him her best scowl.

“Are you sure?”

He pulled the cloth off, and the mirror. The mirror was…

The mirror was the exact same one. The one she saw in the storeroom of the old couple her mother worked for. The same mirror Xiè Bì'ān showed her future.

“No,” Hsien-Chen shuddered, backing away from him. “Is this a joke to you?”

“You’ve met my partner, I believe. Xiè Bì'ān.” The man was grim, unsmiling. “I too should believe you know who I am.”

“Fàn Wújiù?” It came out a frightened squeak, quivering with dense fear.

“My partner has a kind soul. Me? Not so much.” The Black Guard of the Heibai Wuchang muttered. “He did warn you many years ago. That was your chance.”

Hsien-Chen fell to her knees. “But my family…”

He laughed scornfully. “Weren’t you wishing they were dead a few minutes ago?”

“Please sir! Please just—,” Hsien-Chen felt tongue-tied. What was she even begging for? A second shot at life? She already knew an opportunity like that, an opportunity many hadn’t had a chance to get would be better off not given to her.

She’d already wasted the first one.

“Is your- is your friend here?”

The Black Guard was stern, but nodded. “Outside.”

And true enough, the White Guard was standing there, hands behind his back. He had seemed like a woman to five-year-old Hsien-Chen, but now, she saw clearly he was a man. Albeit slender with delicate features, his elegant stance was somber once he spotted her.

Hsien-Chen was mildly surprised that he was taller than the other guard.

“It’s your time now child.”

“I know.” Hsien-Chen wrung her hands nervously. “I think I just want to say I’m sorry.”

“For?”

“For wasting your time. You could’ve gone to another child. Maybe they’d listen to you.”

Xiè Bì'ān brushed back his hair. “It was fate. There’s nothing to be done now. Don’t fret.”

Her lips parted, then she closed it again. She could see Manchurian cranes against the orange-daubed skies, fishermen’s songs loud enough for her to hear.

Her husband must be coming home any moment now.

“What would I be if I had listened to you then?” She turned to face the white-clad man, but he refused to answer.

“You have to come now.”

“I guess we are arresting you right now.” Fàn Wújiù nodded to his partner.

Hsien-Chen stretched out her hand, hoping to feel the plush texture of the cherry blossom once more.

“I guess this is it.”

So indeed, the waves roll, swallowing the cries of regret and frantic yelps of realisation. For it is too late if we notice at the brink of death, now may we rest well in the icy comfort of envy’s clasp.

first off, this story takes place during the qing dynasty, after the imperial examinations were passed for women.

 i'm personally not taoist, but had derived lots of taoist myths as inspiration! partly bc i'd grown up listening to these stories (: i hope you learn a thing or two about Chinese culture, though my version in this story is definitely tweaked. 

 Heibai Wuchang is "Black and White Impermanence" literally, and are deities in Chinese folk religion that escorts souls to the underworld. grim reaper, if you may. the white counterpart is Xie Bi'an while the black counterpart is Fan Wujiu. 

 as for Yánluówáng, he's the king of the taoist underworld. the mirror that is referenced in my previous story, Mirror of Retribution is a mirror used by the Yánluówáng to judge dead souls when dealing out punishments.

[minmotl]

Chapter 30: Sui Zhou is Upset That Tang Fan Wants Him to Marry

Context: Follows directly after Chapter 29. We left off at Sui Zhou bringing Tang Fan home to see his grandmother. Grandmother loves Tang Fan and after the dinner, Sui Zhou is unhappy that Tang Fan is pushing for him to get married. At the end of this chapter, Sui Zhou is called away for business and Tang Fan ends up being taken to the palace by Wang Zhi.

Introduction Post | Masterpost

—

Highlights under the cut

Sui Zhou says this in such a domineering manner that everyone is stunned speechless for a moment, glaring at Sui Zhou.

This is not Tang Fan’s place to say anything. In the first place, he does not have any right to speak out, but this does not hinder him from habitually using the eyes he usually applies on his cases to analyse the personalities of the people before him. Brushing his eyes past them, from the way they talk and act, plenty is revealed.

For example, Sui Zhou’s parents are both honest people, otherwise when Sui Zhou’s sister-in-law Lady Jiao spoke, Sui Zhou’s mother would have spoken out to stop her. And also, taking a look at Sui Zhou’s brother and the way he kept mum, this is actually quite similar to the way Sui Zhou is, but Sui Zhou doesn’t speak because he finds no need to. When he is analysing a case and is required to speak, he always says only as much as is necessary, while Sui Zhou’s brother seems to simply be a man of few words and is quiet out of character and habit.

Tang Fan shakes his head inwardly. He heard Sui Zhou say before that Sui An wanted to take the Imperial Examination, but with this kind of personality, even if he manages to get lucky and is selected, it’s likely that he would not last as an official for long. Which high-ranking official is fond of a subordinate who refuses to speak?

Compared to her husband, Lady Jiao is talkative and knows how to adapt to her situation, but she’s too eager to bring attention to herself. Her elders are both honest people and cannot keep her in check, so she probably does as she wants when she’s at home. No wonder Sui Zhou ended up moving out.

With Sui Zhou’s declaration, Tang Fan can no longer keep silent. Taking a step forward, he puts up both his hands in greeting to Madam Zhou, “I am Tang Fan, courtesy name Run Qing. Madam Zhou you can just call me Run Qing. I am a judge at Shun Tian Prefecture and a good friend of Guang Chuan’s. Today I’ve brought my younger sister Ah Dong to celebrate Madam Zhou’s birthday, I wish Madam Zhou an abundance of fortune and to live a long life.”

Ah Dong greets Madam Zhou obediently as well, “A thousand fortunes for Madam Zhou.”

Then, she brings the present they brought with them to Madam Zhou.

Madam Zhou laughs openly, “Good, good! Since you are close to our family, then there is no need to be too fussy. It’s so rare for my Ah Zhou to bring a friend home and wish me well for my birthday, I can tell that you must be a good child. The young lady looks beautiful and smart, this is good, this is good!”

It is a popular trend in recent years to open gifts in front of everyone as it doesn’t matter if the gift is cheap or expensive, as long as it is well-thought out, the person celebrating their birthday would be happy.

Lady Jiao takes the gift box and pulls at the string over the box, opening it. She sees a Longevity Peach carved out of jade. The colour of the jade is warm and the item is both intricate and cute. The size of a palm, it’s most suited to be played with in one’s hands.

For Madam Zhou’s birthday, the palace also sent some gifts over, but she has been frugal all her life and does not wish to announce it, so her birthday banquet simply involves her daughter’s family and a dinner. Seeing this gift, Madam Zhou is both stunned and flattered, “It’s good enough that you came, why did you splurge on such an expensive gift?”

Tang Fan smiles, “I didn’t spend any money on it. I don’t mind letting Madam Zhou know that my salary is low, if I really was to buy it I wouldn’t be able to afford it. This Longevity Peach is an heirloom passed down in my family, and since my parents and elders are no longer around, I took it out as a gift to give to you, I hope Madam Zhou does not refuse or dislike this gift!”

He may have said this humbly, but just from the colour composition of the jade, Sui Zhou knows that the price of this jade peach is not cheap and it looks like the jade has aged well. To be able to collect and keep something like this, it’s clear that the Tang family was well off.

From this gift, it is enough to see the Tang Fan’s thoughts and well wishes.

Madam Zhou is the Empress Dowager’s sister and the Sui family as seen plenty of powerful officials and wealthy individuals. The Ming dynasty also has a tradition of respecting the elderly, so instances of an old lady yelling at an official on the streets, lambasting them to the extent of carriages carrying officials having to move around the elderly are possible. When Sui Zhou first introduced Tang Fan as a judge from Shun Tian Prefecture, the Sui family was not the slightest bit shocked. After all, Sui Zhou’s father and brother both have titles within the ranks of the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

With this jade longevity peach however, Lady Jiao takes the hint and shuts up.

Madam Zhou is still shaking her head, “Don’t spend so much money the next time! It’s good enough that you are visiting. I’m really happy to see the both of you!”

Tang Fan grins, “That’s where you’re wrong, Madam Zhou. When it comes to your eightieth, ninetieth birthdays in the future, not only will I spend, but I will spend even more! When that time comes, I will find a bigger longevity peach for Madam Zhou!”

Madam Zhou is so tickled by that, that she burst out in laugher, “Such a glib tongue, Run Qing. You’re more than a hundred times sweeter than Ah Zhou and Ah An. It must have difficult for you to be able to be friends with Ah Zhou. If he bullies you, you must tell me, I will support you!”

Listening to this, why does Tang Fan feel as if he’s about to marry Sui Zhou? Then again, he supposes that Madam Zhou is already so old, sometimes she may speak without thinking, and so Tang Fan brushes the comment off with a smile.

Although it is a family banquet, but the dishes on the table were obviously intricately cooked. While the Sui family isn’t fond of words, with Tang Fan around, he manages to entertain Madam Zhou well. Sui Zhou’s sister Sui Bi is older than Ah Dong is by a few years, but the two young ladies become fast friends and shortly after begin to talk in low voices with one another.

In comparison, Sui Zhou’s parents and older brother look to be guests at the table instead. They don’t say much and concentrate on eating from the start to the end. Lady Jiao of course wants to interrupt and say something, but Madam Zhou seems to not be fond of speaking to her. Holding Tang Fan’s hand, she continues to talk to him. Once she hears that Tang Fan’s parents died early and his older sister is married off out of the city, and moreover, Tang Fan has yet to marry, she sighs, “What a poor thing. Being an official in Jing city all on your own, and you don’t even have a soulmate to accompany you at your side no matter what. Someone of your character, I’m guessing the matchmaking ladies must have been dying to step through your doors. What kind of women do you like? Come, tell me, I’ll help you look around!”

Once Tang Fan hears this, his skin goes numb and quickly, he uses Sui Zhou as his shield, “Madam Zhou, I remember that Guang Chuan seems to be older than me by a few years, I’m sure he’s more eager to get married than I am?”

He’s just finished speaking when he feels someone staring at him from the side, obviously unhappy with the way Tang Fan is creating trouble for him by diverting it from himself to Sui Zhou.

“Run Qing has high expectations, don’t randomly connect the red string for him,” Sui Zhou speaks, finally shifting the old woman’s attention from Tang Fan to him.

Madam Zhou is unhappy with what he said, “Nonsense, will you not marry if you have high expectations? It’s no trouble for me to go and find the Empress Dowager and let her pick some, if he doesn’t like a common woman, I’m sure a princess or a royal member will do?”

Tang Fan doesn’t know whether to cry or laugh and is about to stop her, but Lady Jiao sourly half jokes, “Madam Zhou you’re really biased. You haven’t known Run Qing for even half a day and you’re already helping him to find a match, if people didn’t know, they would think you took in another grandson!”

Madam Zhou chuckles, “Run Qing this child and I get along well, so what if I play matchmaker for him? Don’t tell me you want this too? I’m of course more than happy to get Ah An someone from the royal family, but then you’ll have to give up your position, no?”

At that, Lady Jiao becomes silent.

Tang Fan manages to convince Madam Zhou to dismiss the idea for now, and after the meal, Ah Dong and Sui Bi look to be getting along well as well, and so she’s invited to stay for the rest of the day. Tang Fan and Sui Zhou then bid Madam Zhou farewell with the promise of coming to visit her often, and it’s only then they are allowed to leave.

After exiting the house, Tang-daren wipes at his cold sweat, “Guang Chuan, the old lady in your family is really persistent. Luckily I did not give in, otherwise Madam Zhou would really have gone into the palace and asked for a princess from the Empress Dowager for me!”

“Is a princess no good?” asks Sui Zhou.

It sounds as if Sui Zhou is teasing him, but the man’s face is cold as ice, even the way he speaks is cold and without feeling. However, Tang Fan has long gotten used to this poker face of his and does not mind, only shaking his head with a laugh.

Is marrying a princess good or not? All women that exist are precious and treasured despite their status and are naturally good. However, becoming a Prince Consort by marrying a princess, this means he will not be able to participate in politics. Even those who were originally officials will have to quit their roles and go home, but this rule is aimed only at civil officials. For officials in the military, this rule is not enforced as strictly. For example, the Prince Consort Jing Yuan who died protecting the late Emperor during the Tu Mu Fortress Rebellion was also an official and was allowed to lead the army during wars.

However, for civil officials this is a death sentence! After marrying a woman from the royal family, their careers are as good as dead, so men with ambition see marrying women from the royal family as turning their backs on their careers. While Tang Fan does not obsess over his position, but he has after all studied so hard for more than a decade, all to continue on his life’s path to service the people and be able to do something for them.

After their meal, they steadily walk back home in the direction of their house to digest the food they just ate. Their steps are slow and steady, as if they are very relaxed and free.

Tang Fan then teases him, “But Madam Zhou said something right. You’re not young anymore, you should be getting married. Don’t wait a few more years and by then no one will want you.”

Sui Zhou glances at him, “You truly wish for me to get married?”

Without waiting for him to reply, Sui Zhou adds, “If I marry, you will have to move out.”

Tang Fan nods, “That makes sense, after all, we have to prevent tongues from wagging.”

“You’ll have to find a house on your own.”

“Houses in Jing city are really hard to find,” Tang Fan sighs.

“In a few years, when Ah Dong is old enough to marry, you’ll have to cook by yourself again.”

“That makes sense…” Then he considers that again and finds that the prediction is wrong, and adds, “Then I can go find one to marry too, no?”

“And let her find out that you’re writing erotica fiction, and that it’s selling pretty well?”

“…”

“Or maybe you’d like to explore further with her, let her write some, so that she can contribute to the family expenses as well.”

Tang Fan laughs, “It wouldn’t be so bad?”

“Judging from your current salary, aside from your massive food expenses whenever you run out to eat, when Ah Dong marries, you still have to put together a dowry for her and then after you get married, you will need to feed one more person. When you have children, that’s even more mouths to feed.”

The more Tang-daren hears, the greener his face becomes.

Sui Zhou continues to analyse it, “And it’s also likely that you will end up marrying someone like my sister-in-law, if our wife is not virtuous, that is disaster for the family that will end up harming your children and grandchildren.”

“Don’t say anymore,” Tang-daren says weakly, “Marrying a woman is so scary, I think I won’t marry any time soon.”

Sui-baihu makes a noise of assent, his expression stern and firm, obviously having the same thoughts as Tang Fan.

[lesyah]

guardian stream of consciousness watchthrough ep 6-14

Episode 6

The way guo Changcheng and da qing just made it seem like that girl is dead 😭

Ope gcc reminds csz of his little brother?? 👀👀👀

He’s like suddenly I like u

Oooooh flower person!!!!!!!!!!

She’s back. But sus. Hmmmmm....

Zyl is the person equivalent of batting your eyelashes at someone for what you want

Wei wei is very suspicious 🤔

Mirror stuff hmmmmmmm

Talking to a mirror...creepy

I really can’t tell which one is real and I can’t tell if he’s being duped

I love when shen wei shows up as the black robe envoy

The way zyl showed up just to be like “break up with your fiancé”

The way da qing cuddled up to zyl 😭😭😭 so much like a cat

They broke into shen wei’s house wtffff

The way shen wei knew immediately and was like eh whatever

That tapestry zyl sent shen wei lmaoooo wtf

He bugged him ahhhhhhh that’s so rude!!!!!

Probably illegal too

Omg these guys trying to rob the BLACK ROBE ENVOY

he was just like

Episode 7

Omfg zyl just showed up to save him

Even shen wei was like 👀👀

Omg the way shen wei trapped him into admitting he was in the apartment and then just made him sweat about it before moving on

LOL king

Ope the robbers died

Oh just one of them

Why are they video chatting instead of talking face to face

He was showing them different types of bears wtf hahahahaha

Lin jing is so dramatic Hahahaha

They just broke into that guys house what on earth

Super selfish of this dude to write that stuff and knowing people were dying cause of it. Yikes.

Oop he died.

Shen Wei and zyl are having a moment!!! Really truly Shen Wei acts so suspiciously all the time Hahahah he’s so lucky that zyl likes him enough to be like eh whatever 🤷🏻‍♀️

Episode 8

Omg the initiation of guo changcheng!!!!!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!

The weapon they made for him lol

It really is suited to him HAHA

Why is zhu Hong so upset about this????????????????

Relax

Da qing was also like “relax”

OMG SHEN WEI DONATED THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHA

ZYL’S FACE

He was like

Same Da qing same

Oop creepy symbol and umprompted flashback 👀👀👀

“Thanks for helping me move” he says as he carries the boxes completely by himself

Chu shuzhi was just like ur welcome

The flower gal is so cool

Kick his butt shen wei

Ahhh shen wei taking care of zyl

🥺

His apartment is so gross

He tucked him innnnnnnn

He’s cleaning his apartment HAHA

He straight up intercepted the letter from the underworld. Very fortunate.

Oh no the ghostly girl fainted

HE JUST SAT THERE WATCHING HIM THE WHOLE NIGHT???????

Zyl asked the same thing and shen wei was just like “and?”

Episode 9

Omg..................he got her a sex doll.....

Chu shuzhi is so rude to gcc

Hahahaha

Omg shen wei broke down in the exact road they were passing on. Terrible luck.

Zyl is like WTF

I can’t tell if zyl is driving him cause he’s suspicious or because he just wants to hang out with shen wei

Both probably

Ahhhhh wang Zheng you make me so sad with your tears 🥺🥺🥺

Ew what are those gross monsters 😭😭

The way shen wei didnt even try and stop zyl from laying on him.........embarrassing

The way he adjusted the pillow for him multiple times.....embarrassing pt. 2

He gave shen wei his coat???????????????? Ok

Bro a supreme north face? Literally the biggest flex

This village is sketchy

Yikes about that story wang Zheng told

The village tried to scare them????? Why????? Hahahahaha

Oh great trench coat guy

Oooh flashback for zyl uh oh

She was executed?!!!!! Wtf?!!

Episode 10

She drugged them ??? Wow

They’re so suspicious of shen wei

Very dramatic flash backs

Zhu Hong is trying to hypnotize shen wei 😭😭😭

Shen Wei sending a warning for it to be immediately ignored 🤣🤣🤣🤣

He shows up and is like why did u ignore me

Zyl is like 😒

Shen. Wei. Is. A. BADDIE!!!!!

Ohhhh so there’s HISTORY with wang Zheng and the pillar boy

HISTORY history

Episode 11

Gcc crying for wang Zheng and her bf

Omg when zyl asked if he wanted to work in the archives and the guy just grunted Hahahaha I laughed forever

The way shen wei just fainted after drinking one cup of alcohol to stop zyl from drinking more........omg. Lan wangji energy.

The way he just played the uno reverse card on zhu Hong hahahahaha

He hypnotized her to never hypnotize anyone again 😭🤣

Omg his coat smells like the gross monster stuff and zyl is very much onto him. Tsk tsk.

WHY DID THEY DO THAT TO THE FISH!!!!!!!

THATS SO MEAN

Omg gcc with diarrhea

He’s out of toilet paper

And CSZ OFFERED HIM SHEETS FROM GCC’S JOURNAL HAHAHAHAHA

AS HE READS IT.

POOPING IN THE STALL NEXT TO HIM

PEAK COMEDY

Oop zyl has connected the dots

Um that little girl is 15? Excuse me? You’re kidding me right?

This is a joke isn’t it

She’s like 10

Why did zhu Hong’s uncle drug her 😭😭😭

Episode 12

Ugh shen wei just tell zyl youre the black robe envoy 😭😭😭😭

He will find out eventually

This is stressing me out

Zyl constantly rolling his eyes gets me

Um the WAY that shen wei caught zyl are you kidding me rn

Da qing waking zyl up like that..........no words

DA QING REALLY SAID “really? You’re gonna flirt with each other? Right in front of my salad?”

O. M. F. G. GCC DRESSED AS ZHU HONG

Why was zyl so close to shen wei

And why was his excuse so bad.

Just say you were looking at him lol

TELL HIM WHAT? SHEN WEI!!!!!

WHAT IS THAT NECKLACE

Zyl’s doodle of shen wei as a prof and then as the black robe envoy 😭😭😭

Zhu Hong escaped just to be captured again

Oh yikes that guy was saving her from abuse

HEY DID YOU KNOW THAT THE LITTLE GIRL IS WEARINF A SHIRT THAT SAYS “boobies make me smile?” BECAUSE I FIND THAT TO BE VERY EXTREMELY UPSETTING WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Da qing as a cat 😭😭😭

Oh boy it’s actually the little girl ��

ITS THE WEDDING OF THE PEOPLE FROM THAT OTHER EPISODE AHHHHH!!!

That’s so happy!!!

Who is that suspicious man with the camera

Da qing going feral wtf??????????

Why did that happen!!!!!!!!!

Episode 13

Shen Wei showing up and saving the day..............I like it

Oh no that girl’s dad died

He was kinda scummy tho tbh

JUST. TELL. ZYL. THAT. YOURE. THE. BLACK. ROBE. ENVOY. IT. STRESSES. ME. OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zyl is also stressed

This reporter dude is SUS!!

Zyl when shen wei said he had to go back to the university lmao he was like

Oh good csz finally got gcc lmao

Lol zyl finding the guy shen wei hid

I love the flower girl!!!!!!

Shen Wei just TELL HIM!!!!! There’s no point in not telling him 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫

“I thought we were friends” ope

I hate it here

Yikes he got mind controlled

Ok no way zhu Hong just died like that lol

So what is happening my dudes

Oh my that zyl and shen wei thing 👀

Hahaha fake bullet

THE WAY HE STOOD UP

The POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The look on shen wei’s face when he realized that zyl was aware the whole time lol

“Or else, how could I let you obediently say your true identity”

OMGMFLCOWOCOWJKCOWNCOW

Episode 14

The way zyl was about to just out shen wei like that haha

“Who told you I can’t erase your memories”

OMFG

zyl: 😳

“We have always been friends”

“Have been? When did it start?”

Omfg!!!!!!

Shen Wei is just like “10,000 BC” hahahahaha could you imagine zyl’s reaction

Oop zyl does not like talking about papa zhao

Ugh the reporter makes an appearance

Why did zyl immediately invite shen wei when he was invited to dinner

Lol

Ooo gcc improving his fighting skills NICE!!!

The way he skipped away LMAO

Even csz was smiling

Wow u big softie

WHY IS GCC’S UNCLE SO RUDE!!!!!!!!!!

I will have words with him

Da qing talking to the cats 😭😭😭

The reporter is like “........wtf”

[bloody-bee-tea]

If We’re Strong Enough (to let it in)

This is just some small hurt/comfort, but mostly it’s fluff. Read it here on AO3 or watch out for the cut since it’s over 1.7k.

~*~*~

Zhao Yunlan curiously notices that Shen Wei’s hands are trembling. Not much, not enough for the team to notice from further away, but just enough to feel when Shen Wei’s fingers flutter over Zhao Yunlan’s temple, checking the severity of the injury.

“It’s a head wound, Shen Wei, it bleeds like hell even though it’s barely a graze,” Zhao Yunlan tries again, but Shen Wei has his lips pressed together and he seems adamant on sending Zhao Yunlan to the hospital.

“You have a concussion,” Shen Wei states, words cut off and short and Zhao Yunlan sighs.

“I don’t have anything but a little rash on my temple, Shen Wei, let it rest. It doesn’t even hurt.”

It isn’t even a lie. Zhao Yunlan can feel Shen Wei’s fingers caressing his skin and not much beyond that. There is no pain, not even the unpleasant feeling of blood on his skin, because Shen Wei is diligently wiping it all away.

Zhao Yunlan raises his hand, wanting to prod at the injury himself, never one to let others care for him, but Shen Wei slaps his hand away.

"Don't touch it," he growls. "What do you think you're doing?"

Zhao Yunlan is shaking his hand because Shen Wei's slap stings and he turns betrayed eyes on Shen Wei.

"I wanted to see for myself how bad it is," he gives back because all this fussing makes him worry it might be worse than he first thought.

"Then go to a mirror. Don't put your dirty fingers into it, it could get infected."

"I can get up?" Zhao Yunlan asks, perking up at the thought of Shen Wei done being stupid about this and worrying unnecessarily.

"Absolutely not," Shen Wei snaps and Zhao Yunlan sighs.

"Shen Wei, you're overreacting. It's seriously not that bad of a wound."

“It’s still bleeding,” Shen Wei almost hisses at him. “What were you thinking?”

Shen Wei isn’t someone who curses but Zhao Yunlan can clearly hear the ‘the hell’ in that sentence.

Zhao Yunlan doesn’t answer that, thinks it’s rather obvious what he was thinking, but Shen Wei stares at him for a long time before he exhales sharply and turns away.

“Where’s your first aid kit?” he asks, looking around the office and not noticing how Zhao Yunlan frowns at him.

“Why would we have a first aid kit?” he asks in return and Shen Wei whirls around to him.

“Because you always get hurt!”

“I always touch the Hallows,” Zhao Yunlan says, causing Shen Wei’s expression to darken again. “It’s not something a first aid kit is going to help with. And we don’t need it for anyone else. Zhu Hong, Lao Chu and Da Qing heal almost as fast as you do, Lao Chu would kill anyone before he lets something happen to Xiao Guo, Lin Jing barely ever leaves the lab, and Wang Zheng and Sang Zan can’t get hurt. You heal inhumanly fast, too. We don’t have a first aid kit because we don’t need it.”

“Then it’s time you get one,” Shen Wei presses out, teeth clenching together so hard Zhao Yunlan worries for him a little bit.

“Okay,” he softly says, trying to calm Shen Wei down, but it seems like he’s on a roll now.

“What were you even thinking? You didn’t know his powers, didn’t know how he would attack me and like you just said. I heal. I would have been fine, no matter what he hit me with. You’re lucky he only tried to hit me with his fist. What if he’d used his power? What would you have done then, huh?”

Zhao Yunlan has probably never heard Shen Wei utter this many questions in one go and he’s honestly a little bit stunned, mostly because apparently Shen Wei really doesn’t seem to understand why Zhao Yunlan did it.

Before Zhao Yunlan can say something though, explain it and confess all his feelings to Shen Wei, Shen Wei goes right on.

“You’re reckless, so much in fact, that it borders on stupidity. I’m the Black Cloaked Envoy. I would have healed. You’re just human and look at you. You’re bleeding and it just won’t stop.”

Shen Wei seems honestly distressed about that and Zhao Yunlan catches his wrist with his hand, stopping him from dabbing at the wound yet again.

“It’s a graze, Shen Wei,” he softly says, again. “It’s a head wound; they bleed. It’s what they do. Let it rest for a minute or two and it will stop, I promise.”

Zhao Yunlan can feel the trembling in Shen Wei’s hand now, and his heart clenches painfully at how worried Shen Wei apparently is.

“I’m fine,” he promises again, looking imploringly at Shen Wei, willing him to believe him, but Shen Wei is avoiding his gaze, keeping his eyes on the wound, his hand still halfway raised as if he wants to wipe the blood away again, no matter what Zhao Yunlan tells him.

“What were you thinking?” Shen Wei demands to know again. “You could have gotten seriously hurt. What were you thinking?” Shen Wei asks, softly now, and for the first time Zhao Yunlan realizes just how scared Shen Wei is.

Scared of losing him, apparently.

“I was thinking I need to protect the man I love,” Zhao Yunlan evenly says, his gaze steady on Shen Wei, his hand still around his wrist, and it’s the only reason he notices how Shen Wei completely freezes over for a second, body and face completely still.

Then he blinks and he’s moving again, moving away from Zhao Yunlan, or trying to at least, because Zhao Yunlan is not letting him get far.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Shen Wei says, but now Zhao Yunlan is paying attention, even more so than he normally does, and he hears the barest quiver in his voice, notices how Shen Wei can’t quite look him straight in the eye and it finally all clicks for Zhao Yunlan.

Shen Wei isn’t just scared of losing him, he’s scared that he’ll lose Zhao Yunlan because of who and what Shen Wei is and does.

Zhao Yunlan gets up from the table Shen Wei seated him on, keeps his grip on Shen Wei and just crowds close into his personal space, never once taking his eyes off him.

“I know exactly what I’m talking about,” Zhao Yunlan says, promises almost, and Shen Wei’s eyes flick over to him.

“I didn’t think when I saw that guy attack you. I didn’t think how you are the Black Cloaked Envoy, that you’re Dixing, that you can heal. I just saw someone attack you, and I couldn’t let it happen. I saw someone attack who I love and I had to do something.”

“You got hurt,” Shen Wei whispers, a desperate edge to his voice and Zhao Yunlan twists his grip, threads their fingers together so he can bring the back of his hand up, pressing a kiss to it.

“And you think I can watch you getting hurt any more than you can watch the same happen to me? Don’t you think I’m just as desperate to protect you?” Zhao Yunlan wants to know and watches Shen Wei swallow and search for words.

“You shouldn’t,” he finally says, and Zhao Yunlan laughs.

“But I do, Xiao Wei, I do,” he tells him, nothing but the truth in his words and it almost seems like Shen Wei can’t help himself, because his whole demeanor softens.

“You really shouldn’t,” he still tries again, but Zhao Yunlan can tell he doesn’t mean it.

Not anymore.

“Noted,” Zhao Yunlan promises and then pulls Shen Wei close enough that their chests are brushing against each other. “You know what would really make me feel better?” Zhao Yunlan asks and Shen Wei smiles that softly pleased smile of his, where he briefly ducks his head as if he’s embarrassed with himself that he can’t stop the smile, and Zhao Yunlan would kiss him just for that.

“What?” Shen Wei asks when he has the smile back under control, though the corners of his mouth are still turned up slightly and he’s teasing Zhao Yunlan with the wrinkles around his eyes.

Zhao Yunlan wonders why in the hell it ever took him this long to confess to Shen Wei.

“A kiss,” he decisively says, and this time Shen Wei doesn’t try to hide his smile.

“Just one?” he teasingly asks and leans in to brush his lips over Zhao Yunlan’s. “You’re all better now, then?”

“You’re such a tease,” Zhao Yunlan whispers against his lips, because Shen Wei hadn’t pulled quite far enough away and then he reels him right back in.

Shen Wei responds rather enthusiastically, so it’s even more of a surprise when he suddenly pulls away, and this time he puts a respectable distance between them

“What are you doing?” Zhao Yunlan wants to know, he refuses to admit that he whines, and Shen Wei gives him one of the many looks Zhao Yunlan loves so much, the slightly sly one, that doesn’t get used often enough.

“You’re not getting a reward for getting hurt,” Shen Wei tells him, but he can’t keep the smile at bay. “That would be enforcing bad behavior.”

“I should get all the rewards for protecting you,” Zhao Yunlan replies immediately. “I was doing a good deed.”

Shen Wei tilts his head, as if he’s considering that, but then his eyes fall back on the wound on Zhao Yunlan’s temple and he loses his playfulness.

“It’s not something to joke about,” he says solemnly, brushing his thumb over Zhao Yunlan’s temple and Zhao Yunlan can’t help but lean into the contact.

“It’s nothing,” Zhao Yunlan tries to reassure him, but Shen Wei shakes his head.

“This time,” he gives back and Zhao Yunlan sighs but then he has an idea.

“Fine, no rewards for saving you. But you should totally kiss it better.”

“I thought it wasn’t so bad?”

“Now that you mention it, it certainly requires some attention. Preferably with your lips.”

“Alright,” Shen Wei easily says and then leans forward to press a careful, barely there kiss to Zhao Yunlan’s temple.

Zhao Yunlan would complain about that, but his stomach does a funny thing at that and he can feel himself blush, and he can’t quite manage to find the words.

“I also think I should make you dinner, you need to get your strength back,” Shen Wei mumbles, lips still moving against Zhao Yunlan’s skin and Zhao Yunlan shudders slightly at that.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Let’s go home then,” Shen Wei says, and Zhao Yunlan is happy to follow him anywhere.

[asflowersfade]

Ficlet: Caught in the Vortex

Another fic set in my Guardian what-if series Their Story Keeps On Going. Sequel to Miracles Happen and Shock Waves. 

Faced with yet another crisis, Zhao Yun Lan wishes Shen Wei would finally wake up. Then he could deal with anything, he knows...

He falls asleep sprawled in a chair, with his his feet propped up on Shen Wei’s bed and holding Shen Wei’s hand in his. That’s how Zhu Hong finds him when she comes in and shakes his shoulder gently.

“Zhao Yun Lan? Zhao Yun Lan! You have a phone call!” she tells him urgently, leaning over him with a cellphone in her hand.

Zhao Yun Lan jerks awake, almost head-butting Zhu Hong for her efforts. Disoriented and half-asleep, his eyes still seek out Shen Wei first. Only when he finds him still unconscious - Zhao Yun Lan’s shoulders slump a little and his heart feels a bit heavier at the realization - does he turn to Zhu Hong.

“Wha…?” he asks, yawning wide.

Zhu Hong hands him the cellphone. “Your father’s calling.”

Zhao Yun Lan frowns and closes his mouth with a snap. What now?

With a nod of thanks, he takes the cell phone and barks an irritated, “Yeah?!” into the receiver. Only the feel of Shen Wei’s slack hand in his stops him from saying more; Shen Wei’s always been a grounding influence on him.

“Get out of there, now!”

Frowning, Zhao Yun Lan pulls the cellphone away from his ear and blinks at it for a moment. Then he puts it back and replies, more confused than irritated now, “I beg your pardon?”

“Yun Lan, take your friends and go, now!” says the voice in the phone.

And Zhao Yun Lan realizes that it’s not his father calling him, it’s Zhan Shi. The urgency in his voice sends a shiver down his spine and he straightens up in his chair. “What’s wrong?”

“Like your father told you, the government is... anxious,” Zhan Shi continues. “And when governments become anxious, they tend to make very… dubious decisions. Like Minister Gao did now.”

“What did he do?” Zhao Yun Lan asks darkly.

There’s a sigh. “He ordered all the Dixingians who remained behind, here in Haixing, rounded up and detained. He fears them to be spies or-or some fifth column, left behind in preparation for a large scale invasion.”

“That’s madness!” Zhao Yun Lan snaps. “They’re our friends, they fought and bled for our side, they stood up against their own people, against Ye Zun!”

There’s a pause. “You said it, Yun Lan. Their people. That’s how the government sees it. They’re not Haixingians so they can’t be trusted. They’ve never been trusted in the first place.”

Zhao Yun Lan turns towards the bed, towards Shen Wei. His chest’s so tight his lungs labor to draw in breath. His people, his own government is coming for Shen Wei.

“Maybe if I came in and explained, right now--” he suggests.

“Yun Lan,” Zhan Shi cuts him off, lowering his voice so as not to be overheard, “Minister Gao wants to root out everybody he sees as a thread. The Dixingians -and the people who helped them in the past. Do you understand?”

Yes. Yes, Zhao Yun Lan understands. He and his SID people, they won’t be pardoned, even though they stopped the war and saved both worlds. They’re going to be lucky if they’re at least given a chance to defend themselves. Because their government is afraid.

“I understand,” Zhao Yun Lan says quietly.

“Good,” Zhan Shi replies. “Then take your people, your friends and go. I’m sure I can talk Minister Gao down and stop this madness. But for now, until it all calms down… go, hide.”

“I will.” Then, after a pause, Zhao Yun Lan adds, “Thank you.”

“Stay safe, son.”

And with that, Zhan Shi hangs up.

Zhao Yun Lan simply sits there for a moment, too shocked, too furious to even think. What the ever-loving... ? What should he do now?

“Zhao Yun Lan?” Zhu Hong asks in concern. “What’s going on?”

He closes his eyes and taps the cellphone against his forehead once, twice, three times. “Oh, Zhu Hong, Zhu Hong. My lovely Zhu Hong... We’re in a shitload of trouble!”

Two of the Crow people fly out to steal them a couple of cars. They’re getting disturbingly good at this as a bunch.

“Where will you go?” Zhu Hong asks while they stand in the doorway of Shen Wei’s hut, waiting.

Zhao Yun Lan leans against the door frame, hands in his pockets. He’s glad to have his own clothes back. If he has to tackle another crisis, he would prefer not to do it in a native garb. “Into the mountains. Remember the little place we went to to help Wang Zheng?”

Zhu Hong nods.

“From what I heard, the locals abandoned the place after the little, uh, incident we caused.” he says. “They babbled something about ghosts, thought the place was haunted, would you believe that?” He shakes his head, tsking.

They look at each other and burst out laughing.

When his laughter dies down, Zhao Yun Lan says more seriously, “I know it’s pretty far out but right now, we need a safe place to regroup and come up with some semblance of a plan. We can’t run for the rest of our lives.”

Zhu Hong nods again.

“You’re not coming with us. Are you?” Zhao Yun Lan hazards a guess. He heard the “you” in her question before. She wasn’t talking about “us” anymore.

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Hong crosses her arms over her chest and stares across her village for a moment. Then she says, “My place is with my people now. I can’t abandon them.”

Zhao Yun Lan nods. “I know.” He does and he understands. Still, it makes him a little sad.

“I’ll send out my people to gather our Dixing friends in the city and I’ll bring them to you,” she continues.

Frowning a little, Zhao Yun Lan looks at her. “That’s a dangerous undertaking,” he warns.

She nods. “It is. But the Yasho people stood by and did nothing long enough. This is the right thing to do. And whatever the consequences, we’ll be able to look back with pride.”

Smiling a little, he reaches out to squeeze her shoulder gently. “You’re a good woman, Zhu Hong. And an excellent chief.”

She smiles back and he sees that, despite what she just said, despite her new position and her decision to stay with her tribes, his praise still means the world to her.

When everything’s set to go and the stolen cars are packed with mostly stolen goods - Zhao Yun Lan wonders why he as a cop, at least still in his heart if not wielding his shield, doesn’t feel more guilty about that - all that’s left is to get in and drive.

And so he goes to pick up Shen Wei. Who’s still unconscious, dammit! But he’s stopped in the doorway by Old Chu who tells him firmly, “I’ll bring him. You get in the car.”

Zhao Yun Lan frowns. “I can bring him myself,” he protests.

Old Chu looks him up and down slowly, then he lifts his eyebrows in a mocking disbelief. Zhao Yun Lan has to swallow an outraged sputter. He did carry Shen Wei to safety, after all, and out of the damn Dixing itself, too! Well. It was mostly adrenaline, true, but… he can do it again!

Seeing his affronted look, Old Chu rolls his eyes. “Just get in the car!” he snaps with irritation and walks inside to get Shen Wei.

Leaning in through the doorway, Zhao Yun Lan calls after him, “I’m still your boss, you know?!” And he pretends not to hear Old Chu’s snort. What an insufferable guy, that one!

But he goes and waits in the car, another one of those all purpose vehicles just perfect for where they’re headed, and when Old Chu comes out, carrying Shen Wei bundled up in a blanket, Zhao Yun Lan reaches out and pulls the unconscious man inside, into his lap.

Then, for a moment, he just stares down at him. It’s disconcerting, seeing Shen Wei so vulnerable, so exposed. The Black-Cloaked Envoy was - is, still is! - a force of nature, more powerful than anyone Zhao Yun Lan has ever seen in his life, Ye Zun included. But now… now Shen Wei’s lying curled up on the backseat with him, his head resting against Zhao Yun Lan’s chest, and it makes Zhao Yun Lan’s heart ache, this need to make everything alright for him again.

Old Chu settles Shen Wei down, making sure he doesn’t hit his legs with the door, but before he can close it, Zhao Yun Lan calls out to him and Old Chu pauses, raising his eyebrows in question.

“Do you know where to go?” Zhao Yun Lan asks. They all agreed that Old Chu and Little Guo would take one car, the one packed with the heaviest equipment, and Zhao Yun Lan, Shen Wei, Lin Jing and Da Qing the other.

Nodding, Old Chu replies, “Yes, we’ll lead the way.” 

Zhao Yun Lan opens his mouth and closes it, then he opens it again, saying, “Brother Chu…” Before faltering again.

That catches Old Chu’s attention because Zhao Yun Lan almost never calls him that. At least not seriously. And it seems that he hears everything that Zhao Yun Lan can’t say in those two words - like, “Thank you” and “I wish everything was different” and “I’m sorry you can never go home again” - because he smiles, a real, honest smile not the mocking one, and he nods at Zhao Yun Lan.

Zhao Yun Lan nods back. Yes, they understand each other.

Then the door closes, Lin Jing and Da Qing get in and the engine roars to life… and they’re on their way, running again.

They don’t talk much during the ride. Ling Jin is focused on the road, Da Qing stares out of the passenger side window and Zhao Yun Lan… well, Zhao Yun Lan is lost in his thoughts.

He knows that when they arrive at their destination, the others will want to know what the plan is. The thing is, though, Zhao Yun Lan has no plan. None besides getting them somewhere safe, that’s pretty much it. Because it’s not the same as before. Before, they had a war to win and an enemy to kill, everything else was left for later. Now it is “later” and they have to deal with the consequences of their actions - and of their government’s knee-jerk decisions.

How do you fight your own government?

Zhao Yun Lan sighs and rubs his face with his left hand. His right rests on Shen Wei’s chest, over his softly beating heart. If at least Shen Wei woke up Zhao Yun Lan could tackle anything, he knows and he wonders at that certainty. When did Shen Wei become such an integral part of his life?

With another sigh, Zhao Yun Lan glances down, checking on Shen Wei to make sure he’s resting comfortably - and that’s when he freezes, startled, because Shen Wei’s looking up at him, watching him with half-closed, tired eyes.

“Shen Wei…?” Zhao Yun Lan whispers, his heart galloping in his chest.

Lin Jing looks at him in the rear-view mirror and Da Qing twists around in his seat but neither says anything, sensing that this is between their boss and the professor.

Sluggishly, Shen Wei reaches up and drops his hand over Zhao Yun Lan’s on his chest. Zhao Yun Lan immediately turns his hand to clutch at his fingers.

“You… okay?” Shen Wei rasps, swallowing hard.

“Me?” Zhao Yun Lan exclaims softly. “I wasn’t the one who turned himself into a weapon of mass destruction, Professor Shen!” Yes, he’s still rankled about that, so sue him.

Shen Wei winces. “Sorry.”

But Zhao Yun Lan shakes his head. “No. No, I’m sorry. I get it, I do. I would’ve probably done the same thing,” he whispers. Because... what is he doing? Just a moment ago he would’ve given anything for Shen Wei to wake up and now he’s scolding him? Seriously?

Shen Wei smiles at him. “How…?”

“How we survived?” Zhao Yun Lan hazards a guess and when Shen Wei nods, he explains, “Ye Zun, if you can believe that. After you two took a trip down the memory lane, some semblance of sanity returned to him, apparently. He let us go and he also suggested that I try and stop your deterioration with the Dixing serum your old mentor’s been working on.” He smiles, relieved. “And it looks like it worked.”

Shen Wei thinks about it for a moment, closing his eyes. “Ye Zun?” he asks then.

“He called off his troops and, well…” Zhao Yun Lan clears his throat. “I gave him the Guardian Lantern,” he admits. “And it seems that he used it.”

Shen Wei opens his eyes and stares up at him quietly for a very long time. It’s one of those looks that make Zhao Yun Lan want to squirm in place. Not even his father’s berating glares ever had this much effect on him.

In the end, all Shen Wei says is, “The war’s over?”

Zhao Yun Lan lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He nods. “Yeah. And…” He pauses. “Dixing and Haixing are now two separate worlds again.” His voice turns quieter. “You can’t ever go home again, I’m sorry.”

Shen Wei looks away and Zhao Yun Lan sees him blinking hard. Reflexively, he squeezes Shen Wei’s hand tighter, rubbing Shen Wei’s knuckles with his thumb in comfort. He knows that Shen Wei will find it worth it if it means that his people will be given the chance to live in peace and light again - Zhao Yun Lan knows it because he would feel the same way if their roles were reversed - but to never be able to go home, that hurts.

Squeezing his hand back, Shen Wei just nods.

But then, suddenly, he shoots upright, knocking Zhao Yun Lan’s hand away. He clutches at the backseat, and gasping for breath, he chokes out, “Stop the car!”

Lin Jing looks at him over his shoulder, “What?”

Zhao Yun Lan kicks the driver’s seat from behind. “Stop the car, now!” he orders. He doesn’t know what’s going on but he can see that Shen Wei turned very pale, almost gray, and he has his eyes squeezed shut. Not good.

Lin Jing obeys and Shen Wei scrambles to open the back door, almost falling out of the car in his hastiness to get out. He takes one step, then another and then he drops to all fours and starts heaving, hard.

Sliding across the back seat, Zhao Yun Lan gets out, too, rushing to help Shen Wei - but he freezes in mid-step because Shen Wei’s not throwing up bile, the meager contents of his stomach, but black smoke, the physical manifestation of his Dixing power, Zhao Yun Lan knows. It’s pouring out of his mouth, dripping to the ground and pooling in front of him.

“What the…?!” Da Qing exclaims behind him and his words startle Zhao Yun Lan out of his frozen state.

He sinks to his knees at Shen Wei’s side and rests one hand on Shen Wei’s back, rubbing it lightly. It almost feels like touching a live wire. He hisses but doesn’t pull back. “Shen Wei? What’s happening?”

“Too much,” Shen Wai gasps. “Too much… power. Too much. Can’t control it. Can’t--”

“Then let go,” Zhao Yun Lan tells him, and feeling the muscles in Shen Wei’s back spasm with pain, he repeats, louder and firmer this time, “Let go, Shen Wei. Now!”

And Shen Wei obeys. He drops to his haunches, and throwing his head back, he screams.

His power shoots out of him, up towards the clear blue sky, and within seconds it gathers in a dark cloud, a black, swirling vortex that blots out the sun and twilight settles over the woods around them as strong wind starts ripping at the tall trees, snapping their branches.

Da Qing and Lin Jing jump back into the car, slamming all doors shut. But Zhao Yun Lan stays where he is. He shifts around and hugs Shen Wei from behind as if to hold him together because it feels like he’s going to be torn apart, shredded by his own power. There’s so much of it, seemingly an endless well…

Finally it tapers out, though, turning from a roar into a whisper. Then it ceases altogether and Shen Wei slumps back into Zhao Yun Lan’s arms, drained and wheezing painfully and clutching at Zhao Yun Lan’s arms.

“I-I don’t... understand,” Shen Wei croaks out, leaning against Zhao Yun Lan, as the wind dies down and the dark clouds dissipate, letting the sun back in. Torn leaves still drift down slowly to the ground around them.

Zhao Yun Lan has a sneaky suspicion he knows where all this excessive power came from. What was it his father said about the serum that he brought back? He said that it was more potent, much purer and stronger. Just how potent is more potent?

Propping Shen Wei up, gently holding him upright, Zhao Yun Lan swears, “We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure out what’s going on with you, I promise.”

Slowly, Shen Wei turns his head to look at him and Zhao Yun Lan nods, with conviction and encouragement. They can do it. Together they can do anything. He’s sure of that.

And after a moment, Shen Wei nods back. And he smiles.

[writinggeisha]

Aiguo                   love country; patriotic

An                        peace

Angúo                  protect the country

Bai                       white

Bingwen              bright and cultivated

Bo                        waves

Bohai                   elder brother sea

Bojing                  win admiration

Bolin                    elder brother rain

Boqin                   win respect

Changpu              forever simple

Chanming            forever bright

Chao                    surpassing

Chaoxiang            expecting fortune

Chen                    vast or great

Cheng                  accomplished

Chenglei               become great

Cheung                good luck

Chi                       the younger generation

Chongan              second brother peace

Chongkun            second brother Kunlun mountain

Chonglin              second brother unicorn

Chuanli                transmitting propriety

Chung                  intelligent

Délì                      virtuous

Déshì                    a man of virtue

Déwei                  highly virtuous

Da                        attainment

Dai                       martial arts sword technique

Delun                   virtuous order

Deming                virtue bright

Dingbang             protect the country

Dingxiang            stability and fortune

Dong                    east; winter

Donghai               eastern sea

Duyi                     independent wholeness

Enlai                     favor coming

Fa                         setting off

Fai                        growth; beginning of fly

Fang                     honest and upright

Feng                     sharp blade; wind

Fengge                 phoenix pavilion

Fu                         wealthy

Fuhua                   fortune flourishing

Gan                      dare; adventure

Gang                    strength

Geming                revolution

Gen                      root

Genghis                just, righteous; true

Guang                  light

Guangli                making propriety bright

Gui                       honored; noble

Guiren                  valuing benevolence

Guoliang              may the country be kind

Guotin                  polite, firm; strong leader

Guowei                state preserving

Guozhi                 the state is ordered

Hai                       sea

He                        Yellow river

Heng                    eternal

Ho                        for the good

Hong                    great; wild swan

Honghui               great splendor

Hongqi                 red flag

Hop                      agreeable

Huan                    happiness

Huang Fu             rich future

Hui                       splendor

Hulin                    people of the Marrim city clan

Hung                    flood; great

Huojin                  fire metal

Jaw-long              like a dragon

Jian                       healthy

Jiang                     Yangtze river

Jianguo                 building the country

Jianjun                  building the army

Jianyu                   building the universe

Jin                        gold

Jing                      capital city

Jingguo                administering the state

Jinhai                    golden sea

Jinjing                  gold mirror

Jun                       truth

Junjie                    handsome and outstanding

Kang                    well-being

Keung                  universe

Kong                    glorious, sky

Lì                         strength

Lei                        thunder

Li                         upright

Liang                    bright

Liang                    good, excellent

Liko                     protected by Buddha

Ling                     compassion or understanding

Liu                       flowing

Liwei                    profit and greatness

Lok                      happiness

Longwei               dragon greatness

Manchu                pure

Ming-húa             brilliant, elite

Mingli                  bright propriety

Ming-tun              intelligent; heavy

Minsheng             voice of the people

Minzhe                 sensitive and wise

Nianzu                 thinking of ancestors

On                        peace

Park                      the cypress tree

Peng                     Roc - the bird of legend

Pengfei                 flight of the roc

Ping                      stable

Qi                         enlightenment; wondrous

Qianfan                thousand sails

Qiang                   strong

Qingshan              celebrating goodness

Qingsheng            celebrating birth

Qiquiang              enlightenment and strength

Qiu                       autumn

Quan                    fresh water spring

Quon                    bright

Renshu                 benevolent forbearance

Rong                    martial

Ru                        scholar

Shàoqiáng            strong and profound

Shìlín                    intellectual

Shan                     mountain

Shanyuan             mountain source

Shen                     cautious; deep

Shen                     spirit; deep thought

Shi                        front horizontal bar on carriage or cart

Shing                    victory

Shining                 world at peace

Shirong                scholarly honor

Shoi-ming            life of sunshine

Shoushan             longevity mountain

Shunyuan             follow to the source

Shu-sai-chong      happy all his life long

Siyu                      thinking of the world

Sueh-yén              continuity; harmonious

Sying                    star

Tao                       great waves

Tengfei                 soaring high

Tingzhe                may the court be wise

Tsun-chùng          middle village

Tung                     all, universal

Wang                   hope, wish

Wei                      greatness; impressive might

Weimin                bring greatness to the people

Weisheng             greatness is born

Weiyuan               preserving depth

Weizhe                 great sage

Wencheng            refinement accomplished

Wenyan                refined and virtuous

Wing                    glory

Wuzhou               five continents 

Xiang                   circling in air like a bird

Xianliang             worthy brightness

Xiaobo                 little wrestler

Xiaodan               little dawn

Xiaojian               little healthy

Xiaosi                   filial thoughts

Xiaowen              filial, civil

Xiasheng              little birth

Xin                       new

Xing                     arising

Xiu                       cultivated

Xue                      studious

Xueqin                 snow-white celery

Xueyou                studious and friendly

Yang                    model; pattern

Yanlin                  swallow forest; Beijing forest

Yaochuan             honoring the river

Yaoting                honoring the courtyard

Yaozu                  honoring the ancestors

Ye                        bright

Yi                         firm and resolute

Yingjie                 brave and heroic

Yingpei                should admire

Yong                    brave

Yongliang            forever bright

Yongnian             eternal years

Yongrui                forever lucky

Yongzheng          forever upright

You                      friend

Yuanjun               master of the Yuan river

Yunxu                  cloudy emptiness

Yusheng               jade birth

Zedong                east of the marsh

Zemin                   favor to the people

Zenguang             increasing brightness

Zhìxin                  a man of ambition

Zhìyuan                ambition

Zhen                     greatly astonished; shake

Zhengzhong         upright and loyal

Zhensheng           may the government rise

Zhihuán                ambitious

Zhiqiang               the will is strong

Zhong                  loyal; steadfast

Zian                      self peace

Zihao                    son heroic

Zixin                    self confidence

[tanyavvvvvvf-blog]

Guardian Original Novel- Bonus Chapter Four - Finished on 2018/07/30 by Priest - P1

【Interpreter note: Token of Soul Suppression : Whoever have their names written on the token, will be a servant. They will have connection with the token, and have to follow commands from the master - Zhao Yunlan, God of Mountain KunLun.】

(I)

"... ... Here, click here, and then set up a pin number for payment." Zhao Yunlan handed a cell phone to Shen Wei, but not until Shen Wei took over, he changed his mind, set up a pin himself instead, "Never mind, I'll do it, you are too easy to guess."

Professor Shen is a very persistent person, all of his password were their door number, he has no awareness of security.

Shen Wei is a very detailed and decent man. After the battle, his focus was shifted from worrying about the Triple Realm to the arrangement of clothing, diet, housing, and traveling, these are so easy and effortless for him.

In the past, Shen Wei really didn't care to plan his life style. In troubled times, he would find a spot in the forest or mountain to hide. If the world was in the heyday of peace, he would look for an apartment and live a simple life. He wandered around the world for so long, honest and clear, has no deposit, not to mention of buying a property. So far, he has only a checking account for his salary, he is basically a normal middle-class man.

As for the famous mountains and rivers he inherited from KunLun, are in charged by the National Tourism Development Department, have nothing to do with him. He can't have the share of the fares or tickets.

"Look, I'll show you how to send out a Red-pocket here." Zhao Yunlan reached out and hooked over Shen Wei's shoulders, ruined his dignified sitting position. He took the chance of sharing personal experience, sent a red-pocket to himself, and he was quite satisfied with that. "Congratulations! The last old fogey of this century just stepped into Mobile Pay. ... .... What, again!"

Before he finished, his phone rang, Zhao Yunlan looked at the screen, didn't want to pick up, so he flipped the phone facing down. The phone rang for three times, but whoever was calling not going to stop, his office phone started to ring. Zhao Yunlan stretched his leg, poked Qing over the armchair, "Yo, fatty, pick it up."

Since Shen Wei was still sitting there, Qing held down his tamper. He jumped on the deck, treated the handset as Zhao Yunlan's face, slammed it off, "Hello, Special Inve.... Ah? HAHA, how are you Old Chief Zhao？Oh you're looking for the Chief Director? He just told me he's not here."

Zhao Yunlan:"... ..."

He looked at his phone, all three phone calls were not from the same person, the last two were from his father. He moved towards the phone unwillingly, "What's wrong with these monsters! Are they all right?! Going to my dad to pull a freaking string!"

Special Investigation Department, as is "Soul Suppression Unit", in the very beginning, it was like a "daycare", and a "Labor reformation + social working shelter".

In this department, except for Guo ChangCheng - a real human, and Wang Zheng- Sang Zan and other ghost-form officers that were taken in by Zhao Yunlan, the rest of the crew members could be divided into two types: Type one, for example Zhu Hong and Lin Jing, these were sent in here to accumulate experiences; Type two, Chu Shuzhi, a former prisoner. The Soul Suppression Unit was established to coordinate among the Triple Realms, and to guard the peace of the human world. Their daily life are to wipe behind those criminals who committed crimes, under the condition of complying with protocols, laws and regulations. This job alone was not a easy piece of cake, plus the director was a normal-looking young man, so there was never any talented person volunteered to join.

But the status quo was very different now. Ever since the barrier was devastated, the four Holy Items were re-arranged, the grand reincarnation was established, the Lord of Ghost ascended and became a celestial, and God KunLun returned to his rightful position, these facts might be secrets to mortal human, but not to the other forms of lives. After the battle night, the SID that no one cared, became the hottest issue. Everyone tried to step in to get some celestial blessing. It turned so annoying that Zhao Yunlan had to turn them down by telling them "There are not enough space for too many names on the Token of Soul Suppression (Note: A tree bark from the divine tree grown on top of Mountain KunLun)."

The token doesn't have enough space, but SID does. The SID is an administrative facility, founded by the government.

So, in order to get connection with SID, some smart pants started to lobby for reformation, and eventually they succeeded. SID was upgraded into "Special Investigation Administration Department - SIAD". Now there are agencies in different provinces, quite organized.

The "Section Chief Zhao" who was lying in the loft of 9th University Blvd all day long, thus inexplicably became "Chief Director Zhao".

This was the first year of opening for application after the reformation. Zhao Yunlan who was indulged in gardening and peaceful happy life, was directed by authorities to take over the recruitment. Sure won't have their names engraved on the token, but doesn't mean Zhao Yunlan wants some losers in his agencies, he had enough losers already. The whole department was shorthanded, so public recruiting was not a option. He sent out limited quantities of applications to different species, left the tough qualify selection to their leaders.

To get some extra applications, apparently some "talented people" had figured out shortcuts.

"Yes?" Zhao Yunlan picked up the phone and answered very sluggish, "What. You already retired, can't you just spend more time on dancing with those old ladies. Don't waste your time and energy on my career. Who called you anyway?! Errrrr... ... "

Qing lifted his ears, a rambling monologue boomed out from the other side of the line. At the beginning, Zhao Yunlan was trying to interrupt his father, "No, I did not. No, not at all", that didn't work out. Later, he decided to give up his resistance. He leaned to the desk, relaxed his leg, looked up the ceiling and then all the way down to Shen Wei's clean cuffs. He suddenly started to miss Med-Bowl, as least he never give so much lecture.

His dad, a retired Director, recently had been frequently visited, very angry after he found out why. Year of 2018 already, these people visited him just for a stupid job application form. What a stupid idea! That was why he called in to lecture Zhao Yunlan.

Zhao Yunlan answered very careless:"Yes, I know...... You're absolutely right...... No, I'm not a dictator... No, I didn't attempt to Rent-Seeking, I simply don't have enough employees for giving interviews. There are way too many applicants, I don't have enough people for a primary selection....... I am not corrupted. There's no acid rain in Dragon City lately...... No, I'm not playing with words. I certainly did not do that everyday. I do reflect on myself everyday. For real! As a precaution. Ask Shen Wei!"

Someone knocked on the door three times, Lin Jing craned his neck inside first. He bowed to Shen Wei first, "Thank you Prof Shen —— Chief, It's Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow, on behalf of the whole department, we would like know if we have any physical form of benefits or bonus for the holiday?"

Zhao Yunlan pointed to the door, "Post a notice of "Honest and self-disciplined", spend the holiday with your honesty not your benefits or bonus! Get out!"

So much for the representative Mr. Lin. He left the office with shame.

He just left, Zhu Hong knocked on the door, "Thank you Prof Shen! Hi Chief, I have a word from my Uncle Four, he wants to make an appointment with you for dinner. Some elder leaders from other monster-spirit spices want to meet you. But, I'm just a messenger. I don't like the idea at all. If you don't feel comfortable about it, just refuse. No need to worry about my stance."

Zhu Hong was definitely on his side, no need to doubt that. But the monster-spirit species is KunLun's direct line of disciple, he shouldn't avoid them. Zhao Yunlan was left with no choice, he waved his hand.

Zhu Hong turned away, almost bumped into Chu Shuzhi. He was in a big hurry, nodded to her, "You all right? ... Hey Chief, we have a situation. Some one used sorcery on the applications. "

Shen Wei looked up from the phone he was playing with, "What is it?"

Shen Wei doesn't interfere with the any business in general, unless someone ask his opinions. He started the topic this time, was because he personally impressed those "security seals" on the applications. The Soul Reapers was responsible for guarding the barrier, for 5,000 years he didn't waste his time. He watched all the spices rising and falling, he knew their skills. He is by meaning a living "lost sorcery library". But no one ever come to him to purchase any "patent", so "the library" is still living a mid-class life.

Chu Shuzhi:"Still have ten days before the deadline. But the applications we received have far over-numbered than what we sent out. Oh, by the way. Thank you, Prof Shen."

"Put them together. I want to see." Zhao Yunlan put down the handset, "And, what kind of cue is that? Why you all come in started with Thank You Prof Shen?"

Shen Wei:"Emmmm......."

Chu Shuzhi:"Prof Shen just sent us Red-Pockets. Must be the bonus for the holiday, right?"

Zhao Yunlan took over the phone from Shen Wei. Just a few minutes while he was on the phone, Shen Wei already mastered the skill of Mobile Pay, and he practiced. Using the "Contacts", he sent out red-pockets to all the crew members in the department.

Not one big red-pocket sent inside a chatting group, not the kind that if you're lucky you're get a good number of money, Zhao Yunlan hadn't teach him that. But individual red-pockets, were sent one by one through his contacts list. Already half way through, Shen Wei ran out of balance.

Money, to Prof Shen must be like online-video game tokens, those tokens you'll get a load once you log in, not those you need to pay.

Zhao Yunlan:"... ..."

Shen Wei:"?"

"A.....all right." Zhao Yunlan gave a twisted smile, "No balance in your account? No problem. I'll transfer some to you. Finish where you left. Don't leave anyone behind. Ah hahaha, You picked up so quick."

This Dragon Boat Festival, everyone received their bonus after all, funded by anonymous Mr. Zhao, really heart touching.

-----Continue W/ P2--------

Fan-art by -LLA- on Weibo.com, authorized for using. 

Go to my wattpad account to check the rest.  https://my.w.tt/mD5iXDc3pP

[danielabreudequeiroz]

Morre Jin Yong, com quase 100 anos e ao mesmo tempo imortal

Faleceu ontem o autor chinês Jin Yong, cuja trilogia mais famosa ocupou a minha imaginação durante a primeira metade deste ano.

Em vez de ficar falando sobre alguém que eu nem conheço bem, vou apenas colar aqui as citações que copiei da sua trilogia (muito divertida e enriquecedora pra minha vida), pra que você possa conhecer um pouco sobre ele também:

officials and generals are becoming their servants

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"We priests are supposed to be merciful and benevolent in our hearts and actions. But then we see a bunch of traitors and enemies that do nothing but add to the suffering of our people, and I could never be merciful nor benevolent."

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The Book of Odes is also known as the Book of Songs (Shi Jing in Chinese), one of the Five Classics. The Four Books and Five Classics were the standard texts that all scholars studied back in the day. The other four Classics are the Book of Changes (Yi Jing) - this one features a lot in the wuxia genre, Book of History (Shu Jing), Book of Rites (Li Ji) and the Spring and Autumn Annals (Chun Qiu). The Four Books are the Great Learning (Da Xue), the Doctrine of Mean (Zhong Yong), the Analects of Confucius (Lun Yu) and Minces (Meng Zi).

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He was like someone riding on a tiger’s back. He could not continue riding, but it was difficult to get off safely.

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“Your apprentice brother scolded right. I am a heretic weirdo. Who doesn’t know about Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, the owner of Peach Blossom Island? The thing Old Heretic Huang hates most this life is rules and conventions, especially saints and whatnots. These are just things to cheat dumb people. It’s such a joke that people have been blindly abiding to these rules and conventions for generations! I, Huang Yaoshi don’t believe in these nonsensical teachings. Everyone say I’m heretic, humph! At least a heretic is better than those jerks who talk about morals and principals but caused the deaths of so many!”

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“Earth and heaven Are a stove, Nature is the worker! Yin and Yang are As charcoal, Thousand things are copper!”

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Didn’t the emperors eat without plowing? Wearing clothes without weaving? Going out and coming in to the palace in a carriage? Are these not the common people’s blood and sweat? When the emperors reached their advance years their own hearts convicted them of all their merit and guilt; always enjoying the toil of the people while contributing only a few, how they have committed a multitude of sin while performing their office duty.

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all eight battle formations: ‘tian fu’ [high as the sky], ‘di zai’ [strong as the earth], ‘feng yang’ [scattered like a wind], ‘yun chui’ [dangling like a cloud] , ‘long fei’ [flying dragon], ‘hu yi’ [winged tiger], ‘niao xiang’ [soaring bird], and ‘she pan’ [coiling snake]; which they have mastered skillfully.

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As long as you live with an upright heart and keep your honor clean; then your life won’t be in vain. If other people treat us badly, we don’t need to repay their wickedness.

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Along the way two people saw the white bones that were scattered among the tall grass of the prairie; they could not refrain from lamenting incessantly; both were thinking that the two of them loved each other, they would live harmoniously, they did not have any regrets; yet the common people’s misery was deep; they did not know the day peace and prosperity would reign on earth.

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Of all the things to be born with, you were born with the love of saying negative things.

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The saying ‘heaven never seals off all its exits’ isn’t a lie.

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Her eyes were sensitive and her moves fast, her spirit was crystal clear and the more she fought the faster she became. Her mind wasn't phased by any distractions, and didn't even think of whether she would win or lose in this fierce battle; or for that matter, who lives and who dies.

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"To flick my robe on the zenith of the high peak and to wash my feet in the river thousands of miles long."

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"After the age of forty, I no longer relied on weaponry. Bushes, trees, bamboo sticks or rocks, all could be my swords. From then on, I achieved great progress and slowly reached the realm of overcoming the sword without a sword."

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"Heavy sword with blunt edges, simplicity brings superiority. Before I reached the age of forty, I used it to roam the entire world under Heaven."

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"Flexible Sword of the Purple Rose, I used it prior to the age of thirty. With it, I accidentally wounded a righteous man. A weapon of doom, I abandoned it in a deep valley."

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"Fierce, aggressive and able to penetrate any obstacle, with it, I competed with the heroes of the Northern Plains during my teenage years."

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"Even though our lives have been miserable, we have a time like this now - we are really most fortunate. Even if the pains of the past should cut our lives short, it wouldn't be something to worry about at all."

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Huang Yaoshi did not follow ‘appropriateness’, the custom and regulations of the day. He was like a heavenly dragon that was out of this world.

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‘For ten years life and death are boundless, immeasurable, unforgettable. Lonely graves a thousand li apart, unspeakable desolation. Unfulfilled desire to meet, slowly turns to dust. The hair on the temples white as frost.’

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‘Twelve Plentifulness’ states: that if one thinks too much, the concentration will be disrupted. If one loves too much, the energy will break down. If one desires too much, one will lose one’s knowledge. If one has too many matters at hand, one will look weary in appearance. If one talks too much, it will affect one’s breathing. If one laughs too much, one will strain one’s organs. If one worries too much, it will affect one’s nerves. If one plays too much, it will affect one’s ideas. If one is too happy, it will result in complacency and trouble. If one is too angry, it will affect one’s pulse. If one experiences too much good, one will despair. If one experiences too much evil, one will invite chaos. If one does not rid the ‘Twelve Plentifulness’, one would not reach enlightenment.

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Zhou Botong was always ready to have fun.

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There are 5 elements within the human body – heart as governed by fire, lungs governed by gold, kidney by water, spleen by earth and liver by wood, in addition to that, there are the two chi(s) – Ying and Yang.

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Attacking like gods in Heaven, while evading like ghosts in Hell. Just as lightning and thunder, even when over, they can still send chills down one’s spine.

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His own energy was reflected back and He ZuDao's energy was added to it.

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‘Grief-Disorder Writing Style’ created by Wang XiZhi*.

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‘The Sea of Misery is endless, turn around towards the shore.’”

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But master always says, the world is so vast, the honor of Wu Dang itself is insignificant. The importance is to research into the depths of martial arts philosophies, and pass them down to future generations, so the righteous martial arts will overcome those of evil. In addition, we could unite practitioners throughout our land, drive out the Mongols, and reclaim our country.

==========

‘Zhuangzi’. These four lines mean, “The span of life, how can it forced? How would I know, if wanting to live was a mistake? How would I know, if man’s fear of death, was not like wandering outside during youth not knowing to return to his hometown? How would I know, if dead people would not regret previously seeking to live?”

==========

Zhuangzi’s original meaning expounded that, life might not be bliss, death might not be suffering, life and death are actually no different, a living person is only “having a big dream”, and after dying is “greatly awakened”, and maybe after dying would feel that the previous time in life was stupid, why not die earlier? Just like after having a sad and terrifying nightmare, once awakened, would realize this annoying nightmare had simply went on for too long.

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"Mama said those words with a dagger already thrust into her chest. She endured the severe pain just to warn me, but I did not keep the words she uttered through blood and tears in my heart.

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He did not remember that it was because his own heart’s desire to harm others that they ended up this way; he also did not remember that Zhang Wuji had supplied him with fruits these past five years, every day without fail, so that he could live until today. He only remembered that this kid was too lucky while he was too unlucky, and he felt it was so unfair.

==========

Turned out Zhang Wuji transmitted his Jiu Yang Shen Gong to her body, but she did not know how to unleash the formidable power of Shen Gong’s, which resulted in both swords being broken. If she was able to utilize the power to attack the enemy, only the enemy’s sword would be broken, while the sword in her hand would stay intact.

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‘seeing demon as not a demon, let the demon defeat itself’

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A warning example is close at hand, road to disaster is straight ahead.

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“Things in the world are hard to describe through logic, life filled with unexpected, for nothing will keep one’s interest very long, there’s danger within good fortune, good fortune within danger.”

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“Put away your worries, don’t be so bitter, even if you’re beautiful today, you will still be old some day, life has always been like this, who cares for money and fame.” “In the end, you still can’t escape fate. Like flowing water, what goes around comes around.”

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In an instant, a gray-robed man became a gray dragon.

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Should you have time, please come to Shaolin so you can give some more pointers.” Usually, this sort of sentence has a connotation of challenging someone to a fight. Yet Kong Sheng’s tone did not carry any of that meaning. He really does deeply respect Zhang WuJi’s kung fu.

==========

“I know Hua Shan’s kung fu is great. So I don’t need to fight to test it out. But your ‘Repaying Kindness with Reprisal*’ skill is really quite unmatched, don’t you agree?”

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Attacking like gods in Heaven, while evading like ghosts in Hell.

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“You are officers and soldiers, yet you act like bandits and robbers, without any compassion toward common people.

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“Subordinate is Zhao Yishang [lit. one injury]. This one is Qian Erbai [lit. two defeats]. This one is Sun Sanhui [lit. three destructions]. This one is Li Sicui [lit. four devastations].” Pointing to the other four men he continued, “That one is Zhou Wushu [lit. five loses]. That one is Wu Liupo [lit. six damages]. That one is Zheng Qimie [lit. seven extinguish], and the last one is Wang Bashuai [lit. eight feeble/weak].”

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Keep the sword to behead the scaly dragon, Do not test it to strike the street dog.

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Isn’t there a saying in the Jianghu world, ‘within four sides of the ocean, everybody is a brother’?

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This ‘rabbit-rose-up-falcon-fall-down’ exchange happened in a blink of the eye;

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Zhang Wuji recalled how as a kid he followed his grandmaster going up this mountain and saw the Shaolin Sect’s Three Divine Monks right here in this pavilion. Although it was only a few years, but back then he was a lone thin and sickly kid; while today he was the Cult Leader of the Ming Cult, with all the honor and respect belonged to the position. He felt like the two visits were a world apart.

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Grasping the Sparrow's Tail, Single Whip, Lifting up the Hand, White Crane Spreads its Wings, Brushing the Knee and the Twisted Step, Playing the Pipa, Step Forward Deflect Parry and Punch, Apparent Closure, Crossing Hands, Carrying the Tiger Returning to the Mountain......

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*Xu Ling Ding Jin-Empty the neck, let energy reach the crown Han Xiong Ba Bei-Sink the chest, lift the back Chen Jian Zhui Zhou-Sink the shoulders, drop the elbows

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and Song Yao Chui Tun - Loose waist, bend at the buttocks.*

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perhaps if his heart was happy he would impart to them one or two special skills, then they would reap the benefit for the rest of their lives.

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He thought that because of Lu Zhangke’s romatic nature, it would be easier to win his heart if Fan Yao raised the affair between a man and a woman.

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He held the Saber horizontally across his chest, standing on the peak of the hill, his power and prestige made people shiver, he looked just like a deity.

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This short episode between the two of them happened noiselessly.

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“The fist technique starts with a focused attention, intention precedes strength, only then victory will be achieved

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There was a great Persian philosopher by the name of Imam Mowaffaq Nishapuri; among his disciples, there were three outstanding students: Omar Khayyam, who was a master in literature studies, Nizam-ul-Mulk, who was an expert in political studies, and Hassan-i-Sabah, who excelled in martial arts. These three were good friends and bound themselves in an oath, to face fortune and adversity together, and not to forget each other in riches and honor. Later on because of his accomplishment, Nizam-al-Mulk became Vizier to the Seljukid Empire. His two old friends came to seek shelter. Nizam entreated the Shah, and Hassan was granted an official position. Omar was not willing to be a government official; he only asked for annual provision so that he could research and study astronomy, almanac and mathematics, also to drink wine and write poems in peace. Nizam generously granted each of his friends’ requests. Unexpectedly, Hassan was ambitious; he was unwilling to be someone else’s subordinate for long and thus staged a rebellion. His attempt was foiled and he fled to a mountain. Later on he became the chief of a sect whose prestige shook the world. This sect specifically took murder as their service, and was called the Hashhashin Sect. During the Crusades, whenever someone in the western region mentioned the name of The Old Man of the Mountain, Hassan, no hearts would be exempt from shaking in fear. Many of the western region’s rulers lost their lives under the innumerable assassins under The Old Man of the Mountain.

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Xie Xun sighed, “It is common for people to repay kindness with evil; what’s so strange about that?”

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“Once a word left a real man’s mouth, four horses would not be able to chase it.

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For those who learn some kind of skill, isn’t it a delight to train it to perfection? A friend comes visit from afar, isn’t it a delight to the host? Even if they are upset, shouldn’t they be delighted?”

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Song Yuanqiao realized Zhang Songxi was very reasonable, he bitterly put the sword back into its sheathe and said, “My mind is troubled, I’ll hear what Si Di has to say.”

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“Song Shibo and the others are reasonable gentlemen; how could they recklessly blame others?” With a cold laugh Zhao Min said, “The more they are gentlemen, the more they will blame others recklessly.”

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‘the distant road tries the horse’s strength, the course of time proves the man’s heart’.

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A man’s real character cannot be recognized in just a dawn-to-dusk period.”

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Truly in this wide world, there are crouching tigers and hidden dragons among the tall grasses and thick weeds. I wonder how many heroes and warriors are hiding quietly, whose names I have never heard of.”

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“In this world, mistakes arise out of circumstances. Things are difficult to anticipate. You must not be excessively heartbroken.”

[royalnovels-blog]

EET Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Wedding No matter how ugly the rumors on the outside were, Xian Junwang Fu put great importance on the wedding. They did not skimp on the ceremonial proceedings. A few days later, other than the betrothal gifts that had been arranged according to rank that came from the Department of Palace Affairs and were delivered to the marquis fu, there were also the objects that the wang fu had added. These items were not added in order to make the amount look pleasing but were actually fine objects. After Hua He Sheng and Lu shi saw the betrothal gift list, their dissatisfaction decreased slightly. No matter what Xian Junwang thought, he had not decreased the number of items. When their daughter married over, the other would not do something as worrisome as favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife. The one that delivered the betrothal gifts was Xu Wang Fei, who was of great reputation in Jing City and who was over sixty years old. In her words and tone, Xu Wang Fei implied that Xian Junwang was not unwilling at all about the marriage, and even guaranteed explicitly and implicitly that Xian Junwang would treat Hua Xi Wan well. It caused Lu shi’s opinion of Xian Junwang to increase. While Lu shi was of a straightforward personality, she was from a large family. She could hear Xu Wang Fei probing for information about her daughter. With a smile, she deflected. Seeing this, Xu Wang Fei did not persist. The marriage had been decreed. No matter if this Miss Hua was truly ugly or not, the matter was set in stone and there was no meaning in speaking more. After Xu Wang Fei left, Hua Xi Wan came out from behind. Lu shi said to her, “The people of the Imperial Family will speak like this, all of them drawing flowers with their tongues. Every word is pleasing to hear, but you do not know where the trap is behind their words. I let you hide behind and listen, not for you to know how rich and noble Xian Junwang Fu is, but how the people of the Imperial Family truly are.” Hua Xi Wan looked at the long betrothal gift list and then said neutrally a beat later, “Xian Junwang… is as considerate as the rumors say.” When news of this spread, everyone in Jing would praise Xian Junwang for being good. Such a number of betrothal gifts—even when Sheng Junwang had married the granddaughter of Imperial Teacher He, there hadn’t been so many. If their relationship was not harmonious in the future, others would only say that she was of rough appearance, a jealous woman, and that she was wasting such a good man. Lu shi saw her expression was neither happy nor angry and assumed that she was unhappy at getting married. She urged, “In the future, if you receive bad treatment, you still have us and your two older brothers. Our marquis fu is not as noble as the junwang fu, but Xian Junwang will not dare to be outrageous.” “Mother, what are you thinking about?” Hua Xi Wan touched the buyao in her hair and gave a smile. “This daughter is not one to accept humiliation. Don’t worry.” Lu shi nodded. As a mother, she knew her daughter’s personality. So at the end, she only sighed and said, “In the following days, follow the teaching servant-ladies and learn about the matters of the Imperial House. There are no simple people in the Imperial House. It will be good for you to learn.” Hua Xi Wan nodded, and seeing Lu shi still had other matters, she bowed and left the yard. She went back to her own rooms to learn some of the etiquette of the court with the servant-ladies, and then after the noon meal, just like normal, she had her noon nap. No matter how great the matter was, there was no use in worrying. When the boat reached the pier, it would straighten with the current. Qilong Year Twenty Eight, the twenty-eighth day of the third month, good for marriage and for moving. Even though she liked to sleep in, Hua Xi Wan had to wake up early to wash and be made up. She put on the robes embroidered with dragons and phoenixes. Looking at the servant girls and women busy around her, she actually became the idlest person. There were still lamps lit in the room. “Double joy” character cut-outs had been hung up on the windows and door long ago. Even the servant girls had changed their attire into celebratory colors. At this time, Lu shi came in carrying a bowl of peanut glutinous rice balls. Her eyes red, she said, “Consummate and smooth.” Hua Xi Wan took the bowl of rice balls from Lu shi’s hands. She looked at her elder brother, his wife, and her second brother behind Lu shi. With sore eyes, she said with a smile, “Thank you, Mother.” When a woman was leaving in marriage, an elder of the family would personally cook something with auspicious meaning, and then it would be eaten in the company of those in the same generation or younger. It represented the good wishes of the family towards the woman, and told the woman about to be married that their paternal family will forever be behind them in support. This custom was very rare among the influential families, or rather, it was that many influential families could not make this promise because of the benefits gained by the family. But right now, her parents and brothers were giving her a promise that an influential family would not easily make. How lucky she was. The peanut and sesame filled rice balls were slightly sweet and the sweetness reached her heart. She blinked her eyes and found her vision was slightly blurry. After eating the rice balls, the Good Fortune Matron did Hua Xi Wan’s makeup and started to do her hair. The moment the phoenix crown was put on her head, Hua Xi Wan felt her head was weighed down, and then she heard the Good Fortune Matron start to speak auspicious words. The Good Fortune Matron, Gao shi, was someone with status in Jing. If it wasn’t for her relationship with Yi’an Marquis Fu, she would not be willing to be the Good Fortune Matron as she had heard the rumors in Jing and really did not want to get involved in these matters. When Gao shi finally saw Hua Xi Wan’s true appearance, she finally understood what it meant that what the ears hear is false. If having such appearance meant being called a female without beauty, then there were no beautiful women in the world. The people of Yi’an Marquis Fu really could keep their composure. The outside rumors were at such a terrible level but they did not even speak up. Thinking about Hua Xi Wan’s appearance, she had to admit that the present situation was better for Hua Xi Wan. When the firecrackers started to crackle outside, the Good Fortune Matron gave a call of “Joy” under the reluctant gazes from all of the Hua Family and put the veil over Hua Xi Wan’s head. With the veil on, she could only see red. Hua Xi Wan tilted her head down slightly and saw Lu shi’s embroidered shoes a few steps away. She seemed to have already walked two steps towards Hua Xi Wan, but in the end, she reluctantly returned to her original spot. “Junwang Fei, please rise.” “First step, start, blessings for high position and great wealth together.” Lu shi covered her mouth and wiped the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. She didn’t want her daughter to find she was crying, but the feelings could not be disguised. “Second step, walk, blessings for a hundred years of living without worry.” Hua Xi Wan’s head tilted in Lu shi’s direction. Even through the veil, everyone in the room knew the person she wanted to see was Lu shi. “Third step, travel, blessings for sons, daughters, and grandchildren around your knees.” Even though she could not see the road in front of her, Hua Xi Wan was being helped by the Good Fortune Matron. Every step was extremely steady and then she stopped at the doorway. The noise outside gradually neared and then she heard Xian Junwang’s voice. “Zi Ling greets Wife. Wife, please come onto the sedan.” Xian Junwang’s name was Yan Jin Qiu, his literary name was Zi Ling. He was the son of Xian Qinwang. Four years ago, Yan Jin Qiu succeeded the title of wang that had been demoted a level in the succession. The rumors were that this person’s appearance was outstanding. He was warm and gentle, and a rare good man. Yan Jin Qiu’s voice was gentle and pleasing to hear, but under the veil, Hua Xi Wan was expressionless. After Yan Jin Qiu repeated the request two more times, Hua Xi Wan’s big brother, Hua Chang Bao, opened the door. First, he and Yan Jin Qiu bowed to each other, and then Hua Xi Wan was carried on her second brother Hua Ding Rong’s back while her hand was held by the Good Fortune Matron to go out the door. The Imperial House males that came with Yan Jin Qiu to request the bride laughed and teased that the bride finally came out. They were enthusiastic as they crowded around the bride all the way until they were out of the fu. They were so enthusiastic it seemed they were not affected by the rumors at all. When the dowry was carried out chest by chest from the marquis fu, the people that were spectating from the streets gaped. They had heard that Yi’an Marquis Fu loved their daughter greatly, but they hadn’t expected it to be this kind of love. Looking at the dowry, it seemed that as the first chest entered the wang fu, the last one would not have left the gates of the marquis fu yet. Some people felt that Yi’an Marquis Fu had prepared such a large dowry for Xian Junwang Fei in order to bolster her. Since her appearance was not good, if the dowry was not large, then wouldn’t the Imperial Family look down on her even more? No matter the reasoning, the more money a female had, the more confidence she would have. So the matrons that were watching were slightly envious. No matter how ugly Xian Junwang Fei was, she had a good paternal family. That was the good fortune of a lifetime and something many females wished for. Thinking this way, people looked at Xian Junwang who was riding proudly on a high horse. His excited expression made it seem as though he was marrying a goddess rather than a female without beauty. Seeing this, everyone sighed again. As expected of Xian Junwang. They could not compare to his mentality. The two-roofed flower sedan circled around the main streets of Jing and then finally arrived at the gates of Xian Junwang Fu in a chorus of congratulations. Hua Xi Wan heard the crackle of firecrackers from outside which was so loud that her ears almost became temporarily deaf. When the curtain to the sedan was opened and she was carried outside, she found that the person carrying her on their back was not the joy matron, but a male. “Wife, we are entering the door.” The person carrying her was Yan Jin Qiu. Hua Xi Wan’s lips curled. She did not speak and just used her fingertips to lightly scratch the other’s shoulder to indicate that she had heard. Hearing the words of praise for how considerate Xian Junwang was, the smile on Hua Xi Wan’s lips grew. Yes, such a good man who did not disdain his wife’s ugly appearance and personally carried her off the sedan in worry that others would look at her. It was so considerate it moved others to the point of tears. If she really had an ugly appearance and had not lived another life, just by Yan Jin Qiu’s action here, she would fall in love deeply with him. Entering the gates of the wang fu, Yan Jin Qiu put down Hua Xi Wan and took the red ribbon from the hand of the joy attendant. One end was tightly held in his hand, the other in Hua Xi Wan’s hand. He then carefully guided Hua Xi Wan to walk in. Passing through one door after another, turning through one section after another of corridors, listening to the words of good wishes, Hua Xi Wan’s expression became even more aloof under the veil. But when she walked into the main hall to prepare to bow to the world, she had recovered her calm. The ceremony only truly began after the messenger that the Emperor had sent finished reciting the decree. One kneel to the heaven and earth, three bows. Second kneel to the parents, three bows. Husband and wife kneeling to each other, three bows. The Good Fortune Matron that had been invited by the Xian Junwang Fu helped Hua Xi Wan into the marriage chambers to rest. The unrelated people all left. Only Hua Xi Wan’s four personal servant girls were left to accompany her. Hua Xi Wan found a comfortable position against the headboard. She knew that someone was guarding the door, so she did not speak. Yawning, she closed her eyes to rest, waiting for the groom to finish drinking and come to lift her veil. Yan Jin Qiu was a very personable person and was released after one circuit of toasts. The younger generation that had wanted to go to the marriage room recalled the rumors and were afraid that he would look bad, so no one voiced that they wanted to see the bride. In the end, only the joy attendant and some female elders accompanied him to the rooms. He pushed open the door that was half-closed and saw Hua shi sitting dignifiedly on the bed. From the outside, she looked of fine figure. Four beautiful servant girls that were part of the dowry were standing two each on the left and right. Seeing him come in, they simultaneously bowed towards him with elegant movements. It could be seen that the marquis fu had trained them well. Of normal appearance but she dared to pick four beautiful servant girls to serve her—this Hua shi had a very good attitude. “Xian Junwang, please take off the veil.” The joy attendant saw Xian Junwang staring at the bride and handed him the joy stick with two hands. Taking the joy stick, Yan Jin Qiu walked next to Hua Yi Wan. His hand hesitated slightly as he reached out, and then he quickly took off the veil without any hesitation. 全福 (quan fu) Good Fortune: Complete fortune, or whole fortune; means that a person has the good fortunes of parents, daughters, and has love between spouses, and harmonious relationships between brothers and sisters. A “Good Fortune” person is used during a marriage ceremony to request that the future couple will have an auspicious fortune. Previous          Main menu          Next Click to Post