Ch14 - Shen You

Xie Zhiwei was worried for all of five seconds.

Who was the protagonist? He managed all on his own in the original novel, to say nothing of having Xie Zhiwei now. Thus, he turned back and calmly continued his conversation with Ming Kong. “Why don’t I see Sect Master Shen You?”

Did that murderer sense something and hide away in fear?

Ming Kong laughed. “My sect leader is similar to Xie zhenren and prefers to distance himself from the world. He’s always in closed door cultivation and I don’t know when he’ll emerge again. Is Xie zhenren looking for him?”

“I heard that the sect isn’t holding a sword conference this year, but Sect Leader Shen still invited me to come,” Xie Zhiwei replied. “I’m not sure whether he has matters with me instead?” Is he mental? He summoned me and went to close-door cultivate? What for?

Two young disciples entered with tea and Ming Kong gestured for them to sit. Mu He had already finished subduing Black Lotus and now looked around curiously while sporting a bandage on his head. An ugly, crippled little daoist who had never seen the wider world wasn’t worthy of attention. Ming Kong didn’t spare him a glance as he said to Xie Zhiwei, “I must confess, my sect leader dislikes lively settings but is still a martial arts enthusiast. Since there’s no sword conference this year, we only invited a handful of top-tier talents. All we need to do is wait for him to come out of seclusion.”

Xie Zhiwei nodded in understanding. “So this surnamed Xie was one of the invitees.”

Something about this was strange. The original novel had never mentioned these details…is this what Gallant Outlaw meant by living the story instead of reading it?

Ming Kong nodded. “Correct. My sect leader will certainly be thrilled to know that Xie zhenren has made an exception to attend.”

Xie Zhiwei remained humble. “Your sect is quite considerate.”

The entire hall was silent and even the people standing outside had unwelcoming expressions. It was a different kind of quiet from Yan Zhifei’s Ascension City, whose domain was soundless because of his stringent discipline. Ashen Cloud Sword Sect felt absolutely lifeless.

Weird, Nie Ting’s ghost should be in Black Lotus, so it’s not like he’s haunting Ashen Cloud Sword Sect.

Did Shen You and Ming Kong kill more than one person?

Xie Zhiwei felt that it was a pity. Here was a large and famous sect reduced to such lows by two scumbags. If Nie Ting was still around, Ashen Cloud Sword Sect would be no less grand than Yujing Sect. After all, Gallant Outlaw had mentioned that Nie Ting was a rare talent in the original novel.

Wait, that sounds familiar?

Hold on… The hero Mu He is a rare talent, Bai Yu is a rare talent, Chu Zhishi is a rare talent, even he himself, Xie Zhiwei, is a rare talent.

How’s that rare at all?!  It’s enough to buy one get one free!

A few more civilities were exchanged before Ming Kong personally led master and disciple to the guest rooms. Ashen Cloud Sword Sect was surrounded by mountains on all sides, so its living quarters were located in its deep valleys. There was faint mist wherever they went and multiple streams. The temperatures here were much lower than outside the valley, so Spring came later as well. Fresh sprouts were just peeking out of the dirt and the peach blossoms had yet to fully bloom.

Xie Zhiwei strolled behind the gray-robed figure in the corridor while hearing the constant sound of dripping water. Thank goodness everyone cultivates here, or they’d all get rheumatism in their old age.

The hero continued to play the naive child while darting looks around them, giving him an open excuse to map out the area.

Since the entire world knew Xie Zhiwei liked bamboo, Ming Kong specially prepared them a guest room next to a bamboo grove. Although Xie Zhiwei disliked such a small-minded character in the book, he couldn’t reveal his knowledge of the plot. After going in, he even gave the man his (insincere) thanks. “Elder Ming Kong has shown care.”

“A matter of duty,” Ming Kong smiled and waved a hand while observing the surrounding bamboo. Abruptly he asked, “Has Xie zhenren ever heard of the ‘Two Immortals?'”

“Two Immortals?” Xie Zhiwei was surprised.

Dammit, this isn’t how you add extra details. The original novel didn’t have any of these sh*tty settings. F*** you Gallant Outlaw, be careful I don’t OOC!

Mu He shook his head, also clueless.

“Please don’t take offense, zhenren,” Ming Kong laughed. “They’re only jokes from petty disciples of other sects.”

Xie Zhiwei was anxious to fill in the blanks and simply got to the point. “I would like to hear the details.”

“Zhenren has borne witness to a jest,” Ming Kong stayed at the threshold without entering. “Long have I heard that Xie zhenren was an outstanding figure and today I see the rumors are true. Our sect leader is also known as an exiled immortal, but he hasn’t removed himself from the world as much as Xie zhenren. Thus…”

Mu He feigned curiosity. “What other names does my shizun have?”

Ming Kong replied, “The world calls your shizun a high immortal.”

Well sh*t, that’s a lofty evaluation. But he’s only a soy sauce character. Isn’t Gallant Outlaw just adding frivolous details?

Xie Zhiwei was secretly smug but only put on a fearful face. “How dare I shoulder such a title? It is only because this surnamed Xie is stupid and clumsy at dealing with others that I distance myself from the world.”

Mu He thought that “high immortal” was a fitting name for Xie Zhiwei but couldn’t help scorning Shen You. How could someone so unscrupulous and hateful be one of the “Two Immortals” with shizun?

At last Ming Kong said, “The two of you should retire early. The remaining guests will arrive tomorrow and I’ve prepared a banquet for the occasion.” His gaze lingered on Xie Zhiwei before he left.

Although Xie Zhiwei was still all smiles, he still couldn’t shake the weirdness about this all. Ming Kong was like a snake hiding in a gutter. Even in the sun, his eerie aura didn’t dissipate and the way he looked at him was like a venomous viper waiting to strike. Mu He felt as much and tugged at Xie Zhiwei’s sleeve.

“Shizun,” he said quietly, “That elder looked so fierce. Disciple is a little scared…”

Xie Zhiwei was taken aback. The hero actually has a conscience to remind me about my safety?

True, we’re miles away from anyone and anything at Ashen Cloud Sword Sect. It makes sense to be cautious.

But Ming Kong didn’t seem to have a particularly profound cultivation base. So this might all be part of Shen You’s schemes in the end?

—

After lunch, Xie Zhiwei sent Mu He away to rest. He himself sat in his room and eventually opened up the System.

“Get out.” This time he didn’t even bother calling Gallant Outlaw’s name.

Gallant Outlaw quickly replied, “Idol, you’ve already arrived at Ashen Cloud Sword Sect right?”

“Obviously,” Xie Zhiwei still nursed a grudge at being hung up last night. “Even if you can’t spoil the plot, at least tell me what’s up with Shen You? If you keep me in suspense, I’ll be helpless against his dirty tricks.”

Gallant Outlaw thought carefully. “Good point, you do need a sense of security.”

Somehow he pressed a button before the System flashed the following words onscreen:

Shen You, courtesy name Lanxiu (兰修). Ashen Cloud Sword Sect sect leader, junior brother of Nie Ting. Residence: Peihua Manor. He is indifferent, unsmiling, well-versed in civil and martial arts, superbly knowledgeable in both composition and verse. Good-natured and compassionate to others. Shares a bond of brotherhood with Nie Ting. The End.

Xie Zhiwei was stunned. “What kind of crappy settings are these? If he’s kindhearted and good brothers with Nie Ting, why did he kill him?” Is he crazy? And what the hell, a courtesy name? Even the hero doesn’t have one! Since when did we enter a literary Chinese setting?!

Gallant Outlaw’s words were grave. “Spoilers thrill for an instant before cursing the whole family to…cough, you get my point. As the wise once quipped, no can do, no can say.”

“Your sister!” Xie Zhiwei lost his temper. “Isn’t he a damned soy sauce character too? Aren’t you tired of adding all these extra details?”

Gallant Outlaw remained somber. “Not necessarily. Idol, you forget they’re all characters come to life now. You’re a soy sauce character yourself, but haven’t I planned out all the details about your sword, living quarters, and backstory?”

Xie Zhiwei smiled icily. “So you finally admit I’m a soy sauce character?”

The other remained silent for ten seconds before clearing his throat. Xie Zhiwei thought he was gonna deny it and prepared to retort when the sound of the System disconnecting reached his ears.

“….” said Xie Zhiwei.

Just you wait!! You won’t give any spoilers? You hang up instead?

Laozi will work to bend the plot myself!

The first thing Xie Zhiwei did after opening his eyes was grab the jade inkstone on the table. Moments before he smashed it on the ground, the System let out a piercing metallic scraping noise.

“Warning, Xie Zhiwei cannot lose his temper, much less smash objects.”

Xie Zhiwei immediately put on a gentle smile. “Who said I was smashing anything? Can’t I do some calligraphy to cultivate my temperament and morals?”

The System fell silent.

Xie Zhiwei exhaled and massaged his aching ears. Then he ground a block of ink and actually started to write. It had to be said that the System was really convenient at times. As long as he activated its writing mode, his brush could fly across the paper without any effort, leaving half a sheet of finished cursive in his wake.

Xie Zhiwei picked up his work and sighed appreciatively at the original host’s modesty. He would have never known the latter had such soulful, flowing calligraphy. This was good enough to put up for sale.

He wondered what Shen You’s writing looked like.

Abruptly, a shadow flitted past the window. Xie Zhiwei had his back to it and just pretended not to notice.

Hero, you have to work hard and find out the murderer’s details. It’ll be best if you can snag Yang Zhuer too! Live up to your handsome little face! He sighed. His looks would merit a beating if they were anyone else’s.

—

But Mu He still hadn’t returned after dinner. Xie Zhiwei’s heart lurched. Did some girl kidnap him? That isn’t impossible.

In the novel the protagonist had also chatted amiably with Bai Jianzhu one day while secretly plotting against him the next. Xie Zhiwei regretted being careless and not worrying about the hero enough. Although he hadn’t provoked the boy, the kid was still a blackened rebirth protagonist. If he accidentally offended him someday and the hero decided to retaliate on the sly…

Cold sweat broke out on Xie Zhiwei’s brow. If I end up like Bai Jianzhu at the hands of this white-eyed wolf, then it’d be a worse ending than the original soy sauce character.

He had to look for him. He couldn’t let the youngster run away!

Thus, he flew out of the sect on his sword.

Thankfully, he had treated Mu He’s injuries with his spiritual energy in the past and could track down traces of his own powers. But it wasn’t until the half-moon was hanging up in the sky that Xie Zhiwei finally spotted three figures lurking in the shadows of some foothills.

One was a huge black beast advancing with an aggressive air. The other two figures were huddled together, one male one female. They were Mu He and a trembling girl pressing tightly against him. Xie Zhiwei relaxed as a cool breeze fluttered past.

As expected of the hero. His face is injured but he can still charm girls. Saving a damsel in distress is so dashing!