Ch23 - Bygone events

At least Shen You was finally showing a spark of life. Xie Zhiwei really wanted to drag Gallant Outlaw out and beat him to death. He tallied the characters he’d already met: Yan Zhifei was imposing and powerful without showing any temper, inspiring fearful awe in others just by standing still; Chu Zhishi was the type to take a mile after getting an inch, but could pull it off thanks to having tens of thousands of disciples to boss around; Bai Jianzhu and Bai Yu were originally villains designed to attract hatred, so it wasn’t strange for them to have major scenes in the book.

But even Shen You, a mere soy sauce character in a sidestory, was so cold and aloof!

Ming Kong abandoned his casual posture to bow respectfully towards Shen You. “Sect leader, because Xie zhenren was tone-deaf, this spell was ineffective on him. Your subordinate is useless, may sect leader mete punishment.”

Shen You turned to gaze at him.

Ming Kong bowed even lower. “This subordinate truly did not expect that Xie zhenren would be such a special case among the high-ranked figures of other sects. I assumed that Xie zhenren would have attainments in music, being a well-read man of books, I…”

Xie Zhiwei couldn’t listen any longer. He knew Ming Kong was expressing his loyalty as an underling, but did he really have to disparage his guest in public? So what if I’m tone-deaf? Isn’t it the music connoisseurs who got knocked out? Looks like the weird wine combined with Ming Kong’s noise to enthrall those people. And it looks like the better you understand music, the deeper you sleep.

Speaking of which…it was great that his tone-deafness could resist mental pollution.

Xie Zhiwei’s face grew more and more humble. “I am truly sorry. It seems that this surnamed Xie alone has delayed Sect Leader Shen’s great undertaking. As this poor daoist is tone-deaf, I wonder if Sect Leader Shen could instruct me in music to bless my ears?”

What the hell are you doing, hero. Can’t you tell I’m stalling for time? Hurry up and progress the sidestory!

Shen You hadn’t reacted to the request before Ming Kong’s face fell. “Xie zhenren, how could you ask someone of my sect leader’s status to peddle his arts?”

Xie Zhiwei looked perfectly justified. “Peddle his arts? Your sect mentioned that this time’s gathering was just for the sake of friendship with no difference in rank. Why is Elder Ming Kong now belittling Sect Master Shen’s status?”

Ming Kong looked astonished before pointing all around them. “The situation’s already like this, yet Xie zhenren still believes this is merely a discussion conference. How touching.” He looked at Shen You and added ingratiatingly, “Don’t you think so?”

Shen You’s expression didn’t fluctuate, but he suddenly rose from his seat.

The fox can’t hide its tail anymore? Xie Zhiwei scorned inwardly. He too, wanted to stand up and show some pride, but the pair of hands hugging his thighs made it impossible to move. Mu He wasn’t very strong, but Xie Zhiwei didn’t want to risk flinging him aside and destroying his saintly image in the process.

Shen You nodded as the corners of his lips rose in a sneer. The lanterns hanging beneath the trees swung chaotically back and forth, casting flickering shadows on his face and giving him an unstable air. His looks were rather incongruous with the aura he gave off.

Xie Zhiwei looked pained as he shut his eyes. “This surnamed Xie encountered such a thing the first time I left the mountain. It’s really regretful.”

When he opened his eyes again, neither Ming Kong nor Shen You replied. Only the wind rustled through the leaves.

Big bro, can you hurry up with your plans? If you just stand and stare all night it’d be a waste of all the actors collapsed around the table.

Abruptly, Ming Kong laughed and said to Shen You, “Xie zhenren just then resembled your past self very much.”

Xie zhenren thought that came out of the blue and miffed both parties. Anyone with a personality would resent being compared to the likes of so-and-so…though Shen You doesn’t seem unhappy? He’s still wearing that iceberg face. Pretty impressive.

Ming Kong seemed to sense his mistake and added, “But the sect master has always been peerless.”

Xie Zhiwei only felt metaphoric black lines slide down his face. Sure sure, give praise one second and insults the next, but what’s with that infatuated expression?

It seemed that Shen You couldn’t listen any longer either, because he flicked his sleeves to stop Ming Kong’s next words, shooting him a cold look. Although it was but a fleeting glance, Ming Kong immediately understood and bowed. “Take your time leaving, sect leader. This subordinate knows what to do.”

Shen You withdrew his gaze in seeming satisfaction. Even a curve rose to his lips. Then he turned and headed for the main hall. His progress was slow but steady, like a moth dragging itself through mud without tiring. Xie Zhiwei almost had the impression that he’d keep walking like this forever if there was no one to stop him.

He really was a strange man.

Ming Kong also watched Shen You depart until he noticed Xie Zhiwei doing the same thing. He arched a brow and asked, “Xie zhenren, what do you think of my sect leader’s bearing?”

“Without equal,” Xie Zhiwei praised, though he added thoughtfully, “Perhaps this surnamed Xie saw wrongly, but in some respects his demeanor resembles yours, Elder Ming Kong.”

It was a tiny detail, but it still made Ming Kong flinch before his expression turned gloomy. “Really?”

Xie Zhiwei was startled by his reaction, but nodded sincerely. “Maybe you’ve been serving Sect Leader Shen for so long that you’ve rubbed off on him.”

Something’s fishy, definitely fishy. Maybe this is the crux of the plot.

Ming Kong suddenly clutched at his chest before spitting up a mouthful of blood on the flagstones.

“You…” Xie Zhiwei instinctively stood up, causing Mu He to tumble to the ground. The back of the hero’s head knocked against the table leg and he grunted in response.

Xie Zhiwei was too busy to celebrate his misfortune, but quickly cleared his throat to cover up the noise. When Ming Kong looked up again, the lamplight illuminated a corner of his forehead which was covered in sweat.

“What is the matter with Elder Ming Kong?”

Ming Kong didn’t answer, but stared at the bloodstains on the ground before he slowly straightened up. With a bitter smile, he mumbled, “It’s getting less and less effective.”

So he spat blood and smiled, what does that mean? Xie Zhiwei seized the chance to ask. “Does this elder have any troubles?”

“Troubles?” Ming Kong used his sleeve to wipe the blood on his lips, his movements skilled with practice. “That’s right…why am I doing this?”

“Did Sect Leader Shen…” Xie Zhiwei saw Ming Kong’s eyes flicker at the name and guessed a ploy was at play, “Is he threatening you?”

The moon was already at its zenith and the clouds were all gone. Beneath the slender flower branches, the garden was as serene as water. Ming Kong brushed the moonlit orchids by his hand and fell silent. He seemed to have been struck dumb.

“What did Sect Leader Shen do to you?” Xie Zhiwei asked with great righteousness. “All these people’s lives are in the elder’s hands now. Only you can save them, so you mustn’t play for tiger’s side. Please think thrice…even if Sect Leader Shen refuses to treat this elder’s illness, the rest of us will do our best to help you.”

Yes! Look at my righteous lines! My lofty image! If this scene showed up in a satellite TV drama it’d attract countless fans for sure!

…no, it won’t work. Forget about Return of the Immortal Emperor, which was only a web drama. Even if the series got widely broadcasted through satellite, Shen You’s storyline would only get skipped with a “X Months Later” onscreen. There was nothing worth watching!

What kind of villain just showed up, walked around, and left the scene? No expression or lines, that was too easy to act!

“It’s useless,” Ming Kong slowly raised his head, looked wretched in the moonlight. “Zhenren just said their lives are in my hands, but isn’t mine in the sect leader’s? I hope that zhenren will have mercy and not…cough…” he stopped, wracked with more coughs.

Xie Zhiwei was both astounded and suspicious. Did Shen You, that son of a b*tch, poison him? Like what Bai Jianzhu did to me?

He suddenly felt a sense of sympathy. “I never expected Sect Leader Shen to be so vicious. He didn’t even spare his loyal right-hand man.”

Ming Kong shook his head, his gaze drifting. “Xie zhenren wouldn’t understand, my feelings towards the sect leader.”

…I’m getting goosebumps, bro. We’re all men here, can you not be so mushy.

Out loud he remained heartfelt. “This surnamed Xie really does not understand.”

This felt like a bad sign. Usually villains died from monologuing too much. The more dangerous a situation, the more they’d talk, becoming a chatterbox who covered everything from the philosophy of life, to poetry and songs, until they were K.O.’d by the hero.

Looks like this sidestory is following all the old tropes.

Sure enough, Ming Kong was soon grasping the table and gasping for breath as he narrated his own story.

“Back then, the sect leader was still a disciple of the sword sect. Once he met a beggar while going down the mountain. The beggar was dirty, smelly, and avoided by everyone he met, while the sect leader was a man of few words but with a kind heart. It was snowing that day so the streets were deserted, and no one wanted to help the beggar. He was the only one who stopped by the broken wall and gave him ten taels of silver.”

Well sh*t, it’s like he comes from a wealthy family. Giving so much silver at once? Shen You this spendthrift, no wonder he couldn’t support the sect after taking over.

There were so many cliches in that story that Xie Zhiwei didn’t even bother to think. “That beggar was you?” he asked.

Ming Kong nodded.

So Xie Zhiwei naturally continued, “Later on, you went to Ashen Cloud Mountain and followed Sect Leader Shen?”

“Correct,” Ming Kong nodded.

Xie Zhiwei sighed. “But who would have guessed that Sect Leader Shen is now…what a pity. If Sect Leader Nie was still around, he wouldn’t have let things fall to this state.”

I hope mentioning the victim’s name can awaken your conscience ah, big bro.

“Nie Ting?” Ming Kong was taken aback. Whether by chance or on purpose, he happened to step forward as he spoke, thus hiding his face in the flowers. Xie Zhiwei couldn’t see his expression or guess the intent behind his words.

Ming Kong then resumed walking ahead. “Outsiders cannot judge this matter. I’m afraid I’m not long for this world, but I can die without regrets if I do one last thing for the sect leader.” His gray robes almost blended with the night as the same, snake-like aura appeared around him.

“Does it involve hurting others?” Xie Zhiwei asked stiffly.

Light and shadow cascaded over Ming Kong and his features. His slightly curved, hawk-like nose looked extra distinctive, as did the determined purse of his lips. Both served to overwrite the heroic slant of his brows with pure ruthlessness.

Perfect standard! Xie Zhiwei praised silently. This is what all the villains look like. And it’s the bad boy face that girls love and hate. If he gets into acting, he’ll definitely be a professional villain!

He was only distracted for a second when Ming Kong spun on his toes and pounced on his closest target: Lu Zhanyun.

What, he’s gonna kill Lu Zhanyun first? Let me see, let me see.

“Absolutely not!” Xie Zhiwei blurted out. By the time he realized what was going on, his body had already started moving. He flew to rescue Lu Zhanyun even as he cursed in his heart.

System, you and your whole family are traitors!

Because just before he leaped, the System had blared a warning at him: “In view of your lack of action towards righteousness, there is a suspicion of OOC behavior. The System will forcibly deal with it!”

But at the last second, Ming Kong suddenly made a mind-boggling choice. He raised his hand and struck in the opposite direction.

His target was none other than the unconscious Mu He.