Ch125 - Sacrifice

In the blink of an eye, Tantai Meng and Xie Zhiwei were surrounded in a net. The former gave a start and shot some spiritual energy at the enclosure, which immediately burst into sparks upon contact and smashed against the snow to leave black marks.

“This is…” Tantai Meng was surprised.

“The same substance that trapped my disciple that day.” Xie Zhiwei knew Yin Cangshan would come knocking on their door sooner or later, but not this soon. It’d be best if he was here for something else, but if he was planning to snatch Golden Lotus, then Tantai Meng might not make it back to the Buddhist sect today. Even if she did, it’d only get other people involved.

Although there were little chances of victory in such a face-off, Xie Zhiwei didn’t dare to slack off. He also condensed his own spiritual energy to smash against the net. His power was denser than Tantai Meng’s and actually made the net stir despite being similar in size to her attack. The dark red light seemed provoked and tightened slightly while traces of sparks fell on the snow like fine ink stains.

Tantai Meng looked around them and mused, “There really is a mastermind behind the scenes, but he came to target Xie zhenren again today?”

Xie Zhiwei didn’t deny it and raised his voice. “Since King Yin is here, why not show yourself?”

There was the sound of applause before someone laughed. “As expected of Xie zhenren to recognize the goods and know this surnamed Yin came.”

Several figures walked out from behind snow-covered rocks. The leader was none other than Yin Cangshan. Besides him was an unpleasant-looking King of Nine Provinces, while behind them stood the Yin Estate’s guards. There were none of the King of Nine Provinces’ usual attendants present.

Tantai Meng lowered her voice. “I never expected the King of Nine Provinces to come to such a place.”

Xie Zhiwei only replied lightly, “Judging from the situation, it wasn’t his choice.”

The King of Nine Provinces stopped once he reached the front of a mountain rock and said coldly, “This king is tired. Cangshan can speak to them alone.” Although he carried big airs, the King of Nine Provinces was still quite restrained before Yin Cangshan, his close friend. At least, Xie Zhiwei had never seen him speak to the other in such a harsh tone.

Yin Cangshan wasn’t angry and gestured to some guards. “You lot, serve the king well.”

They responded by brushing snow off the stone and asking the King of Nine Provinces to sit, but he remained standing. “It’s cold and icy. How could you let the king sit?”

The guards exchanged looks before one of them was smart enough to take off his outer robe and fold it on the boulder. Only then did the king give a scornful snort and lifted his robes to take a seat. Xie Zhiwei observed all this through the net and thought, Sure enough, he’s Mu He’s father. He still wants to save face at a time like this. Keep putting up a front, careful you don’t irk Yin Cangshan.

But Yin Cangshan only looked over patiently without a trace of displeasure. Instead, he smiled and asked, “In your youth, Your Royal Majesty once traveled to the four corners of the world. What is your opinion of the scenery here?”

The King of Nine Provinces drooped his eyes. “These wild mountains are full of nothing but snow, there’s nothing to see.”

“True enough,” Yin Cangshan nodded in deep understanding. “But soon there will be something worth watching.”

His words obviously held double meanings and Xie Zhiwei and Tantai Meng exchanged looks before warily observing the slowly approaching man. Yin Cangshan stood alone before the dark red light and greeted them familiarly. “It’s been days since we’ve met, but Xie zhenren is as immortal as ever. Your bearing is undiminished, ah.”

“What does King Yin want?” Xie Zhiwei asked indifferently.

Yin Cangshan drew his hand in an arc and said politely, “I’ve met you several times before, but because I had ulterior motives, I couldn’t speak properly with Xie zhenren. Today is just for exchanging pleasantries, so Xie zhenren needn’t be nervous.”

As if I’d believe your lies.

Typically, cunning types like him in a novel acted more carefree when they wanted to accomplish bigger things. That’s what made them conspicuous.

Tantai Meng suddenly spoke up from behind Xie Zhiwei. “Although I don’t know how many times King Yin has met Xie zhenren, every instance was calculated, so you could call them well-intentioned.”

At her words, Xie Zhiwei’s brain immediately flashed back to their run-ins. The first time was him hiding beneath Yin Cangshan’s carriage to sneak into the King of Nine Provinces’ estate, then meeting him face-to-face under Mu He’s bed. The second time was when he planned to leave the king’s estate but ran into Yin Wushuang falling off the fake rockery. The third time was when Yin Cangshan randomly appeared at Old Du and Maozi’s murder scene…no wait. Before this, Yin Cangshan had used the competition for the silk ball as a pretext to attract Maozi’s attention so he could expose himself.

What a frightening man.

Xie Zhiwei had held onto to Qingping Sword ever since returning to the king’s estate. Yin Cangshan would’ve identified him at first glance, but pretend to be an ignorant bumpkin and concealed it from everyone else. He even went so far as to use his daughter as a front. When Yin Cangshan slipped into Mu He’s room, Xie Zhiwei only assumed that the guards had been too careless to notice. The reality was that the level of those guards weren’t high enough to sense him in the first place!

Xie Zhiwei sighed. “I expect Commandery Princess Yin’s fall from the rockery was all King Yin’s handiwork as well?”

Yin Cangshan admitted it frankly. “In any case, Xie zhenren isn’t someone who would just watch others die. Because of that fall, you were able to learn the whereabouts of City Lord Chu, so this surnamed Yin can be considered to have done a good deed.”

Xie Zhiwei’s voice grew heavy. “She’s your own daughter, yet you dared to use her in your ploys.”

A strange emotion passed over Yin Cangshan’s face at that statement, but it quickly disappeared. “Xie zhenren, there is no pure right and wrong in this world,” he said. “This surnamed Yin admits that I’m no good man, but my conscience is clear when it comes to Wushuang.”

Dammit, you treat your daughter’s life as a joke and still claim you have a clear conscience?

Xie Zhiwei asked coldly, “Since King Yin admits you’re not a good man, you killed the grave robbers to silence them, used my youngest junior brother’s broken arm to blow up the Buddhist sect, and framed my disciple. You even went as far as writing a letter to lure my sect leader senior brother down the mountain, then got Lu Wen of Immeasurable Manor involved to stir up a mess in the cultivation world? Just to get Black and White Lotus?”

“No. More accurately, to get the entire world.” Yin Cangshan’s voice brightened at this point as he stood straight distance looking askance at him. “Who told Xie zhenren to tear everything down without omission? This surnamed Yin went to a lot of trouble to force you to show yourself, only to find that Black and White Lotus were with Nephew Mu He instead. However…it was an unexpected surprise. Just the reality of his bloodline alone was enough to topple him.”

Xie Zhiwei looked at the King of Nine Provinces silently while the latter stared expressionlessly at the snow with no fluctuations. If the king hadn’t given so much support, his son wouldn’t have lost so miserably. Still…even if the king didn’t care about Mu He’s bloodline, he wouldn’t have been any use. Back then Mu He was trapped and the Buddhist sect attacked. What did it matter how a paltry King of Nine Provinces felt about it all?

Yin Cangshan could kill him off like a piece of cake, but a villain like him placed more emphasis on public opinion. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to endure all these years just to get a good reputation.

Now that the plotline was all clear, all of the blame on Mu He could be dumped on Yin Cangshan instead. If the System hadn’t abandoned this world, everything would be so perfect.

Xie Zhiwei said quietly to Tantai Meng, “Miss, I’ll do my best to break through this light. Run if you can.”

Tantai Meng recovered from her shock of hearing the truth and basically lip-synced back, “Why?”

But before Xie Zhiwei could answer, Yin Cangshan narrowed his eyes in a grin. “What are you talking about? One of you is carrying Golden Lotus while the other is holding Qingping Sword. This surnamed Yin wants both, so perhaps you’re deciding which one to give me?”

Xie Zhiwei’s heart chilled as he gave Tantai Meng a push. “Hurry and leave.”

At the same time he summoned Qingping Sword and built up enough spiritual power to pierce the net, raising a ghostly shriek as it violently shuddered. The place where he stabbed revealed a gap along with a dazzling green light. Tantai Meng just happened to fall out of the same opening. Happy that the Qingping Sword worked, Xie Zhiwei prepared to try again when the dark red light suddenly vanished before his eyes. He saw a flash of white and was frozen in place.

Not good. Xie Zhiwei only had time to hide Qingping Sword in his divine consciousness again before he lost all ability to move. Tantai Meng had only walked a couple steps when she turned to see Xie Zhiwei collapsed beneath the boulders and exclaimed, “Benefactor!”

Xie Zhiwei was still fretting over the white light surrounding him when he gave a slight start at the name. Isn’t this sister supposed to be cold and aloof? Why did she remember to call me ‘Benefactor’ again?

Xie Zhiwei had no time to think beyond urging back, “Go!”

But how could Tantai Meng leave? The scattered red light formed another net to block her path of escape. Xie Zhiwei leaned against the boulder, somewhat discouraged as he gave Yin Cangshan a questioning look. Currently, the man was asking the King of Nine Provinces a question.

“What does the king think of this scenery now?”

“Adequate,” the King of Nine Provinces replied after a glance.

Yin Cangshan laughed out loud. “There’ll be more to see later.”

Xie Zhiwei didn’t have time for his riddles and asked, “Why do you have these chains in your hands?”

He was bound by none other than the White Lotus light chains that Mu He had given Faceless in the past—tailor-made to trap him. Today they actually came in handy.

Yin Cangshan replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “This surnamed Yin didn’t go far that night. I went back to the inn for another look and happened to see Shizi Mu He kick away the guard that had offended Xie zhenren. This item looked rather refreshing, so I chanced to pick it up. Who expected it to work better than the hostile qi from the demon realm?”

Xie Zhiwei gritted his teeth. Faceless is incompetent too. He got confused after Mu He hit him a few times and even forgot about something so important! Taking a deep breath, he said, “If you want Qingping Sword, this surnamed Xie will offer it up with both hands. Please let go of Miss Tantai.”

“No!” Tantai Meng shook her head violently.

Yin Cangshan wrinkled his brows in deep thought before facing the girl. “Sure, ah. If you hand over Golden Lotus, this surnamed Yin will not take Qingping Sword.”

“I won’t give you Golden Lotus either,” Tantai Meng refuted immediately.

Xie Zhiwei nodded with strength. “Right, don’t give it to him.” Mengmeng, be strong. Since Golden Lotus’ protection makes you immortal, even the hero can’t take it away by force, let alone a measly Yin Cangshan!

As expected, Yin Cangshan’s face changed. He lost all patience and said, “Hand it over. Don’t refuse a toast just to drink a forfeit.”

Xie Zhiwei understood. This bastard never wanted Qingping Sword from the start, but was aiming for Golden Lotus the entire time. The former wasn’t much use for him in his current state; even drawing it from its sheath would be a challenge. But Golden Lotus was different and could operate independently. Gaining it would ensure his victory.

The net of red light slowly glowed as it shifted back and forth in the air like a writhing snake in an icy lake. Tantai Meng was unmoved and stood her ground. “As you like. At any rate, it’s in my body, so snatch it yourself if you have the skills.”

Yin Cangshan’s smile faded as he spat out, “Then fine.”

The floating red lights abruptly tensed up like an arrow at his words and all aimed at Tantai Meng before shooting her in unison. For a second she lifted a hand, preparing to shield herself with spiritual energy, but gave up in the end to wrap the cloak around her body. Xie Zhiwei felt she did the right thing because there was no need to block at all. Back when she was fighting Chi Yan in the forests behind the Buddhist sect, she’d been struck again and again and her clothes all torn, but emerged perfectly fine. This was all due to the miraculous effects of Golden Lotus.

Red light filled her vision as Tantai Meng’s expression turned resolute before she shut her eyes. Immediately after that, she let out a muffled grunt and spat out a mouthful of blood. But she remained standing firmly in place without moving a muscle.

Yin Cangshan only shook his head, disappointed. “As expected, the Golden Lotus protects the body. Since there’s no effect, continue.”

Xie Zhiwei gave him a sardonic look. No matter how you try, it’s useless.

Strands of red light wrapped around Tantai Meng’s body to strangle her tighter and tighter. Very soon, her pale face was suffocated scarlet as if all the blood in her body was surging upwards. She couldn’t help letting out a cry of pain as large amounts of blood gushed past her lips.

Although Xie Zhiwei knew she’d recover, he still couldn’t bear to hear her scream. “Yin Cangshan! This is a girl no older than your own daughter, but you’re still attacking her?!”

“That’s different. My daughter doesn’t have Golden Lotus on her body, so she can’t compare.” Yin Cangshan stared at Tantai Meng unblinking. She was unable to stand and collapsed onto the snow. The fox fur cloak on her body had long been torn to ruins while blood bled from her body. The liquid seeped across the snow in horizontal furrows, soon melting into a patch that nearly dyed her entire cloak red. Beneath her, snow thawed from the heat to reveal loose rocks with tiny patches of moss growing in the cracks. Blood flowed through the crevices like a river in spring.

Yin Cangshan looked on with folded hands, not forgetting to turn to the King of Nine Provinces. “Royal King, how is the view now?”

The King of Nine Provinces knitted his brows and said with disgust, “If you keep going, she’ll be a shredded corpse.”

Xie Zhiwei hastily added, “Golden Lotus can shield one from death, but can it mend a shredded corpse?”

Yin Cangshan grew pensive and felt he couldn’t continue. “Indeed…since this girl is so stubborn, I’ll take her back and slowly figure out a way.”

Right now Tantai Meng had no more strength to fight back, lying in a pool of blood with listless eyes as if already dead. Xie Zhiwei looked at her with concern. “Miss Tantai, how are you doing?”

Tantai Meng’s eyelashes twitched slightly as she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“Take her away.” Yin Cangshan instructed and a few guards went to pick up Tantai Meng. But as soon as the first one touched her, an ice pillar stabbed him through the palm. He gave a miserable cry and clutched his hand, which was already bleeding like water.

Yin Cangshan narrowed his eyes and took a slow step back. The next instant, Xia Zhiqi landed in front of him from her sword. “How dare you all touch her.”

Xie Zhiwei was pleasantly surprised. “Third junior sister.”

Although Yin Cangshan was headstrong and dared to act out on Buddhist sect grounds, he never revealed his whereabouts. How did Xia Zhiqi find them?

Immediately afterwards, Du Sheng and Yan Zhifei landed on the snow as well. As soon as the old monk saw Tantai Meng, he was shocked. “What happened to Meng-er?”

Yan Zhifei pointed Taisu Sword at Yin Cangshan. “The cultivation world will not sit idly by while two kings attempt murder on Buddhist sect grounds with such outrageous methods.”

Yin Cangshan just laughed. “Is this surnamed Yin still afraid of the cultivation world after coming this far? Don’t forget, I have the entire dynasty behind my back.”

It was obvious from his words that he’d already taken the imperial court into the palm of his hand. Yan Zhifei shot a startled look at the King of Nine Provinces, who remained indifferent and said nothing.

Du Sheng’s hands were shaking badly as he tried to help Tantai Meng, but he didn’t know where to start. He looked at Yin Cangshan with a mixture of sorrow and fury. “First you destroyed the temples, then you hurt my disciple. My Buddhist sect will never let this go!”

Xie Zhiwei felt that this monk had gone senile from panic. Clearly he was the one who gave Mengmeng Golden Lotus, so why was he getting so deep into this grieving act?

Yin Cangshan couldn’t care less. “Since Xie zhenren cannot move, I’ll kill you all in one shot to eliminate future problems. There’s much more hostile qi today, perfect for me to practice my skills.”

Xie Zhiwei gave a start and quickly called out to Yan Zhifei, “Don’t bother with me, eldest senior brother. Take Miss Tantai out of here, quickly!”

Yin Cangshan had already brandished the light in his hands as he looked at the group. “Who first?”

Xie Zhiwei knew the strength of that light and hollered, “Me first!”

Yin Cangshan raised his eyebrows at Xie Zhiwei. “Xie zhenren is indeed benevolent. Then very well…” His entire body turned towards him.

“Zhiwei!” Yan Zhifei took a step forward and prepared to act with his blade, but Yin Cangshan raised his hand to shoot the beam of light at him. Yan Zhifei hastily blocked with Taisu Sword but was still forced back two steps. Yin Cangshan looked at Xie Zhiwei sternly before condensing more light in his palm. Yet his expression suddenly froze as he tilted his head sideways as if sensing something. Very soon, he was laughing out loud.

“Excellent! Although I can’t get Golden Lotus, I’ve gained another good thing. Retreat quickly! Forget this place for now, that treasure can’t stay in the hostile qi too long.”

Then like a madman, he raised a hand and triggered a few beams of hostile red qi into exploding. Boulders broke in the wake of those blasts, scattering snow everywhere. Yan Zhifei and the rest quickly put up boundary fields to block the rubble. Xie Zhiwei was still trying to figure out what kind of “good thing” Yin Cangshan was talking about to make him leave in such a rush.

Suddenly, the King of Nine Provinces ran towards him with a shout. “Xie Zhiwei, this king will settle matters with you another day!”

His outburst scared Xie Zhiwei before a few guards grabbed the king and dragged him away amidst the bombs.

Calm returned to the scene.

Yan Zhifei walked towards him over the ravaged snowscape while shaking his head. “The King of Nine Provinces is still holding a grudge against you. Are you okay?”

But Xie Zhiwei’s eyes remained wide open as he wondered whether he’d been hallucinating. The second the King of Nine Provinces drew close, he had clearly spotted a mole on his hand. He was still reeling from the revelation when the White Lotus chains bound tightly around his body seemed to lose all strength and loosened one by one to fall like mud at his feet.

The hell?

Was that Faceless?

He disguised himself as the King of Nine Provinces to accompany Yin Cangshan? Were these the king’s orders? No wonder he came clamoring after me for acting tips that day.

Mm, this time he was pretty spot-on.

Xie Zhiwei’s heart was pounding. The hero was trapped in a spell formation beyond his reach. If not for Faceless, he would have no way to escape these White Lotus chains within a short time. Thank goodness, thank goodness…

But then, where’s the King of Nine Provinces now?

Before he could figure all this out, he heard Du Sheng calling for him in a quavering voice. “May Xie zhenren please come over.”

Xie Zhiwei then remembered Mengmeng was still lying in the snow. This sister really is something! After Mu He was rescued, he’d make that brat buy her a hundred fox fur cloaks as a gift.

Xia Zhiqi and Du Sheng were currently surrounding Tantai Meng as Xie Zhiwei joined them. He had just knelt down when he discovered something wrong. Du Sheng’s face was flooded with tears while Xia Zhiqi’s eyes glimmered with more.

Yan Zhifei followed after him and sighed softly. “On the way here, Great Master Du Sheng told us that there was no Golden Lotus in Miss Tantai’s body.”

Xie Zhiwei’s head whipped up. “W…what?”

“During the explosions a few days ago, Tan Daoyao nearly died to save Miss Tantai. She used the Golden Lotus to preserve his life. It’s likely she’s now…” Yan Zhifei didn’t finish, but the situation was obvious.

Du Sheng couldn’t even speak anymore. He could only keep weeping as he channeled spiritual energy into the girl. Yin Cangshan’s attacks had riddled Tantai Meng’s body with wounds, which were all burnt black from the hostile qi. In some places one could even see through to the white bone underneath.

She had always been the stubborn type, hiding the truth of Golden Lotus just to protect the Buddhist sect and that little boy named Tan Daoyao. More than that, it was to leave Xie Zhiwei a way out. He looked blankly at Tantai Meng and couldn’t accept reality.

Drawing close, he funneled spiritual energy into her body like mad while murmuring softly, “Why didn’t you tell me…otherwise, I never would have brought you away…”

Tantai Meng finally opened her mouth to speak, but her words were light as air. “Bene…factor…”

Xie Zhiwei’s entire body trembled as he said hastily, “I’m here!”

Their surroundings were remarkably still. She spat out her words with difficulty, the sentences broken and fragmented. “As long as you…like him, I’m at ease… He can be cruel for you…but also kind for you… You…promise me…”

Xie Zhiwei’s eyes widened slightly.

He instantly understood. Over the past two days, Tantai Meng had constantly asked how he felt about Mu He, but it wasn’t out of curiosity. Mu He could die or do evil for him because of his extreme feelings. If Xie Zhiwei didn’t like Mu He, then he wouldn’t do anything for his disciple’s sake or even care how he acted. In that case, Mu He would end up no different from Yin Cangshan, a pure villain whose existence was a scourge to the world.

But if Xie Zhiwei harbored the same affectionate feelings towards Mu He, he could turn the tides as long as he was willing.

Tantai Meng was dying, but still mustered her strength to look at Xie Zhiwei. It was as if she’d die unresigned if he didn’t agree.

Before Xie Zhiwei could deliberate, he heard himself say, “I promise you.”

Tantai Meng exhaled faintly and hung her head, eyes relieved. “When Tan Daoyao…recovers…the Golden Lotus is yours…”

No matter how much spiritual energy Du Sheng gave her, Tantai Meng couldn’t stop bleeding. His hands dropped. “Meng-er, you…”

“Mas…ter…” Tantai Meng wanted to shake her head, but she had no more energy. “It’s always been others…who died…for me… At last, I…for others…can…”

“I hurt you…” Xie Zhiwei muttered. He was hunched over as if listening closely to Tantai Meng’s words, but also as if bowing in apology.

Tantai Meng looked at him. Her lips suddenly curved up into a slow smile. “Benefactor…forgive me…you don’t look…ethereal at all like this…”

The expression was identical to her cheerful, frank self during her amnesia days. Towards this life, she could finally let go. But Xie Zhiwei would rather she stayed cold and aloof and treated him with indifference, or never speak to him at all. He didn’t want her to die.

“Stay alive,” he said quickly. “Later I’ll change into a brand-new daoist robe just for you, it’ll definitely look ethereal.”

Xie Zhiwei’s gaze rested on Tantai Meng expectantly. Yet she didn’t nod as he wished, but maintained her smile while her eyes gradually slid shut.

At the same time, there was a system ding.

A dialogue box floated out, yet Xie Zhiwei could only stare woodenly at the frozen, bloody scene before him as Gallant Outlaw’s voice drifted into his ears.

“Idol, the heroine’s character thread has been extinguished.”

Character thread, extinguished.

Xie Zhiwei thought back to his earliest days in this world. When Mengmeng was swept away by the river, Gallant Outlaw only said her character thread had dimmed. But this time…it had gone out completely.

—

The author has something to say: All this time, I’ve been afraid of writing this chapter. I wanted to keep writing about what Mu He did for Teacher Xie, but I felt…it was better to stop here. See you guys tomorrow.

Translator’s Note: Rest in peace, dear daughter.

Actually, this is the chapter that convinced me to pick up Too Bad Master Died Early as a translation project. Before this it was just one of many, many master/disciple danmei I was reading for fun. I did like Tantai Meng as a character (especially her amnesia self) and was a little disappointed she went back to being the ice queen again.

Until here.

Du Sheng was right, her heart has never changed. She’s always been the kind and sweet Mengmeng we know and love, just…colder on the surface, and more taciturn. And suddenly I was filled with an urge to share Tantai Meng with the world through translations, because she really is (was) a wonderful person and a beloved character. It’s rare enough finding sensible, likable females in a lot of danmei series (her Wood Box callouts were all on point!). If you look back at Chapter 119 I think the author gave us foreshadowing about what she did:

Du Sheng checked Tan Daoyao’s pulse again before his expression finally warmed. “Thank goodness you shielded him with spiritual energy. Otherwise, it’d be hopeless even if you gave him Golden Lotus.”

By now we know Mengmeng had already given up Golden Lotus back then because this took place right before Xie Zhiwei kidnapped her. Same with Chapter 120, where she couldn’t give Golden Lotus away because 1) she didn’t have it anymore and 2) Tan Daoyao needed it to recover:

Steadying himself, Xie Zhiwei said, “Miss Tantai, can the Golden Lotus be—”

“I can’t give you Golden Lotus,” Tantai Meng said despite their conversation.

“Why? Are you afraid that Great Master Du Sheng won’t agree?” Xie Zhiwei speculated, then added warmly, “Miss needn’t worry. After my disciple is out of danger, he will immediately return Golden Lotus. Even if you don’t trust him, you should trust me, right?”

“I can’t give it to you,” Tantai Meng kept her gaze lowered as she sat on the cave ground. “Xie zhenren doesn’t need to release me, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.”

Our kind, stubborn, courageous daughter… ( ; – ; ) The moment she died was the instant she came to life from the screen and became a living person in my eyes. I hope she knows I love her and will always miss her.

And I hope she managed to warm a corner of your heart too.

(There were about 2-3 more pages of comments than usual for this chapter, most of them readers grieving for Tantai Meng.)