Ch22 - Conspiracy

Lu Zhanyun was a fox using the tiger’s skin to make a big impression. Although he’d hoped to turn Xie Zhiwei into a joke as revenge for last night, he was too young to realize his words would have the opposite effect. Everyone knew that Xie Zhiwei was an orphan taken in by the daoist sect. Because he was very lowkey, treated people with generosity, and had extremely high level cultivation, no one made fun of him. Instead, they found him inspirational and admired him all the more for his efforts.

All of the guests here were seniors of their sects. They had listened to Lu Zhanyun ramble to give him face, but disdained how he showed off. Now that he was singling out Xie Zhiwei, his image as a brat who didn’t know the difference between Heaven and Earth was fully exposed.

Xie Zhiwei first nodded, then shook his head.

Lu Zhanyun was about to speak when he broke into another sneeze. He quickly took the handkerchief from a servant girl on the side to wipe his nose.

Du Sheng heshi’d and asked, “What does Xie zhenren mean by this?”

Xie Zhiwei sighed. “It’s true that this surnamed Xie is only consummate in cultivation. When I first entered the daoist sect, shizun did teach this poor daoist the art of the qin, but in the end I gave it up.”

“Why so?”

Xie Zhiwei was sincere. “Because this surnamed Xie is truly tone-deaf.”

Seeing him speak so honestly, Mu He suddenly felt more intimate towards Xie Zhiwei than before. Even though shizun never put up any airs before him, he still had status and experience that kept them a thousand li apart. Only today did he know there were things his master couldn’t do. He cupped his chin in thought. Maybe I should try learning an instrument first. At least I’ll be stronger than shizun there.

Lu Zhanyun gave a snort of contempt. “The study of music is for established families, so someone like you…is definitely incapable.” He knew better than to use any specific terms, but still sounded like he had no sense of propriety.

The crowd also lost interest and quietly filed back to their seats. Sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere, Ming Kong smoothed things over. “Old Sect Master Bai treated Xie zhenren as if he was his own son. No wonder Xie zhenren has overflowing thoughts when mentioning your shizun.”

Xie Zhiwei started. This bro almost sounds like he’s telling the truth. When did you see me reminiscing about Bai Jianzhu’s father?

Ming Kong seemed to have realized his “slip of the tongue.” “I really shouldn’t have brought it up. Such babble would only incite Xie zhenren’s grief.”

Well sh*t? I’m confused, not grieving okay, bro you’ve got a whole act going on!

Du Sheng sighed as well before casting his sights to the skies. “Seeing Xie zhenren like this, this old monk cannot help but recall my own departed master.”

…he’s a drama queen too.

Ming Kong raised his cup with a smile. “Great Master Du Sheng, please forgive me. I shall punish myself with a cup as penance.” So speaking, he downed his wine in one sip.

Lu Zhanyun only muttered, “A petty man who forgoes ties of gratitude, he’s just pretending. If he was truly thankful to the Bai Clan, he should kneel everyday in the ancestral hall to pay respects.” His voice was small, but clearly audible to everyone present.

Ming Kong arched a brow and looked at him. Then he walked over with a smile, gray robes fluttering in his wake.

Lu Zhanyun looked up in confusion. “What?”

From the perspective of Xie Zhiwei and the others, Ming Kong had his back to them while blocking Lu Zhanyun with his body. It was impossible to see the taller man’s expression.

Ming Kong the eccentric, Xie Zhiwei mused, He wouldn’t be teaching the brat a lesson now, right? Something big’s supposed to happen tonight, so it’s important to maintain the mood.

Wind dispersed the clouds in the sky, finally revealing the full moon. The underlings of the Lu Clan were well-trained and thus only acted as mute bystanders when their young master didn’t speak. Lu Zhanyun sat unmoving and the awkwardness stretched on until Du Sheng rose from his seat to play peacemaker.

But Ming Kong suddenly moved to fill the wine cup before him and said out loud, “Young Lord Lu, my sect master invited everyone here out of goodwill. Isn’t it better to be in harmony for a few days? May Young Lord Lu show me some face and toast a cup with me.”

Xie Zhiwei was utterly disappointed. Where are all my hotblooded bros?

Du Sheng smiled and shook his head, feeling that he was too meddlesome in others’ affairs. He sat back down. Meanwhile, Lu Zhanyun’s expression didn’t change as he accepted the wine and drained it dry before sitting obediently in his seat.

Looks like the brat still knows his manners, Xie Zhiwei thought.

Ming Kong had now drunk two cups in a row but still seemed dissatisfied. He refilled his vessel and turned to face the crowd with a grin. “Since the young lord has given me face, I hope the rest of you won’t refuse this cup either.”

It was a clever way to persuade people to drink. Would anyone else in the crowd be inferior to a mere brat? Everyone stood up and emptied their cups. Mu He already had Nie Ting verify his drink wasn’t poisoned but still didn’t feel safe. In the end, he secretly poured his wine down his sleeve.

After the collective toast, Ming Kong invited everyone else to sit down, still wearing a smile on his lips. “Why not have someone perform to cheer us up?” he suggested.

The more serious guests immediately protested. “Drinking and chatting is one thing, but forget about dancing and singing.”

Ming Kong waved a wave. “You’re all famous figures, so I know an ordinary show wouldn’t impress you. But I’ve actually been practicing the flute for many years. I’d like to take this chance to display my skills.”

Since Shen You hasn’t arrived, his little assistant secretary is doing his best. From eating to toasting and now playing the flute, he’s pretty hardcore. Xie Zhiwei remarked to Du Sheng, “We are really fortunate to hear Elder Ming Kong’s personal recital.”

“Exactly so,” Du Sheng replied.

Xie Zhiwei thus declared, “Please begin your performance.”

Ming Kong wasn’t shy and immediately took out a flute for the crowd. Xie Zhiwei only thought it looked like a crappy stick. Did this bro break a branch and carve it a few times to make an instrument? Is Ashen Cloud Sword Sect so poor they can’t even afford a flute? He wondered what sort of fiendish sounds such an ugly thing could make.

An ear-piercing note shrieked through the air, sounding like a combination of scratching glass and a shovel scraping concrete. Forget about music, this was pure mental pollution.

Motherf**k it really is wolves howling and devils crying! He still has enough shame to perform?!

Xie Zhiwei rubbed his ears and tried to think of a few roundabout compliments. Abruptly, he saw that Lu Zhanyun had collapsed in his seat, face flushed and eyes squeezed shut.

Wow, the brat’s thoroughly drunk. Even Ming Kong’s hellish playing didn’t wake him up?

Wait, why is Du Sheng also…

Xie Zhiwei looked around the banquet table and saw that everyone had fallen unconscious.

Everyone, except him and Ming Kong.

Sh*t, is it time for the big event?

All of the guests were sprawled at their seats. Only Xie Zhiwei was still sitting upright and exchanging stares with Ming Kong. It was already too late to feign fainting so he felt a little embarrassed. He glanced at Mu He next, but the boy was draped unconscious. His cup rolled from his fingers to clatter crisply on the ground, but the inside was empty without a drop of wine. Xie Zhiwei looked closer and saw a big wet splotch on Mu He’s sleeve before realizing the truth.

Not bad for spontaneous improv, youngster!

Ming Kong clasped his arms and spoke slowly. “I did not expect Xie zhenren to be tone-deaf to this extent.” He was still smiling, but the expression was no longer polite. A sinister air emanated from his body, the aura much more suited to his scheming eyes.

Xie Zhiwei grew guarded. “Was the wine poisoned?”

“How could that be? My sect master is very compassionate and would be displeased if I did such a thing. It’s just a harmless little trick.” Ming Kong examined Xie Zhiwei from head to toe before giving a little tsk. It was unclear what he was thinking about.

Still pretending. Shen You’s an outright murderer. You want me to drag over the two corpses he left in the woods?

Ming Kong arched his brow at Xie Zhiwei’s silence. “Xie zhenren doesn’t believe it? Do you doubt my sect master’s compassion, or my claims that the wine isn’t poisoned?”

Can I pick both? Out loud, Xie Zhiwei asked, “Where is Sect Leader Shen?”

Ming Kong abruptly broke eye contact to look behind Xie Zhiwei. “He’s already here.”

A chill stole up Xie Zhiwei’s back as he whipped around to see. Beyond the garden and its orchids stood Shen You dressed in white. Handsome, cold, and expressionless, he looked no different from when he killed the two disciples except for the lack of weapon in his hands.

Right, and he’d also changed into a set of clean robes.

Xie Zhiwei had no reassurances in his heart. What was dangerous now wasn’t the potential poison in the wine or Shen You and Ming Kong’s schemes, but the fact that he had no idea how long Shen You had been standing behind them.

He couldn’t sense a single trace of spiritual energy from the man, or even detect his breathing.

This was unscientific. Xie Zhiwei had a peak cultivation base, so there was no way for someone to sneak up on him unless their levels were on par or higher. But having no breathing was even more frightening. Shen You…was obviously a living man.

Does Ashen Cloud Sword Sect have some sort of secret kungfu they don’t spread to outsiders?

Ming Kong laughed. “Xie zhenren is indeed a lofty figure to remain unmoved at the sight. Alas, what a pity.”

Xie Zhiwei didn’t bother with the jerk and kept thinking of Shen You sharing the title of “Two Immortals” with the original host. He really clings to that nickname, huh. He even remembers to wash up before going on more murder sprees.

Either he’ll kill me next or keep going with his act. “Dare I ask the sect leader what your intentions are with this play tonight?”

Shen You looked at him without focus, almost as if he was spacing out. His lips were pursed tightly, obviously with no plans to answer. It seemed that he was only wearing a human mask from the very start. Xie Zhiwei’s hairs stood on end as he subconsciously cast a look at the hero. Immediately, his insides flared up.

Laozi is blocking the wind and rain for you, but you’re still sleeping soundly. You’re even using my thigh as a pillow! The original Xie Zhiwei doesn’t eat and only drinks the wind all day. He’s just a bag of skin and bones with no meat on his legs. See if I don’t poke you to death!

Ming Kong lost no time to praise him. “Truly worthy of Xie zhenren. Even now, you haven’t forgotten about your disciple’s safety.”

Xie Zhiwei suppressed his anger with a faint smile. “Naturally. This surnamed Xie only has this one disciple.” He’d hardly spoken when Mu He seemed to hug his leg a little tighter.

I…you’re already lying on me, but now…?

During their brief chat Shen You had already reached the path by the flower gardens and was now heading towards the center plaza. If he wasn’t such a coldblooded killer, Xie Zhiwei would even suspect the man was a little autistic.

Though, nobody said that autistics can’t kill…

Xie Zhiwei put forth his question again. “Sect Leader Shen, can you resolve this surnamed Xie’s confusion?”

Shen You simply went to sit in Ming Kong’s seat, his gaze sweeping past Xie Zhiwei with a trace of ice.

—

Translator’s Note: For those of you confused about what Ming Kong & Du Sheng were doing: they were trying to divert the topic from Lu Zhanyun’s insults and everyone just played along ’cause they got tired of the kid being cheeky.

In other news, Happy April Fools’ Day! Since it’s technically a holiday I’m releasing 4 chapters (including this one) to celebrate! What’s more, finish them all for a bonus prize at the end~