Chapter 70: Departure—Part Two
Translated by K of Exiled Rebels Scans
Madam Jins brows stiffened, scolding, ZiXun!
Hearing this, Wei WuXians smile disappeared at once. He asked, Discipline?
He turned his head slowly, A crooked path?
Lan WangJis voice was low, Wei Ying.
Jin ZiXun and the others noticed the unusual atmosphere as well. Holding their breaths, they looked at him. Wei WuXian smiled again, Do you know why Im not carrying my sword? It wouldnt make a difference if I told you anyways.
He turned around, stating one word at a time, Because I want you to know that even if I dont use my sword, with nothing but what you call a crooked path, I will still rise unparalleled and leave all of you staring at me from behind.
With his words, all of the people present were shocked speechless.
No disciple had ever dared say such lofty words in front of so many people. A moment later, as Jin ZiXun finally regained his composure, he yelled, Wei WuXian! Youre only the son of a servanthow dare you be so bold!!!
Hearing those words, Lan WangJis gaze froze. The pupils of Wei WuXians eyes shrunk. It seemed that his right hand was almost going to touch Chenqing. As the air thickened with conflict, ready to burst any second, somebody suddenly spoke, A-Xian!
Hearing the voice, Wei WuXians heart softened. He turned around, Shijie?
Jiang YanLi waved at him, A-Xian, come stand behind me.
Wei WuXian hesitated. Before he could move, Madam Jin quickly picked up her hand, A-Li, dont intervene in their business. However, with an apologetic smile toward Madam Jin, Jiang YanLi went forth and stood in front of Wei WuXian. She saluted Jin ZiXun and the others.
Jin ZiXun and his people didnt know how to respond either. A few of them returned the salute, and a few didnt. Jiang YanLi spoke to Jin ZiXun in a thin voice, Young Master Jin, from what you meant, it was A-Xian who made a third of the prey on Phoenix Mountain his all to himself; it defied the rules and he was too bold. I I havent heard of anything like this either. It truly mustve troubled everyone here. I apologize to you in place of him.
As she finished, she bowed down again. It seemed to be quite a serious apology. Wei WuXian, Shijie!
Jiang YanLi didnt rise yet. She looked at him and shook her head almost unnoticeably. Wei WuXian could only clench his fists and stay silent.
Jin ZiXuan gazed over from afar. His expression was quite complicated. Jin ZiXun and the rest, however, didnt even try to conceal the triumph on their faces. They were more than satisfied with themselves.
Jin ZiXun chuckled, Maiden Jiang, you really are kind and understanding. What your shidi did was extremely unbefitting, and indeed caused us much trouble. But since you do recognize that it was unbefitting, then for Maidan Jiang and Sect Leader Jiangs sake, an apology wont be needed. The YunmengJiang Sect and the LanlingJin Sect are as close as brothers, anyways.
He was on the verge of breaking into pompous laughter. Wei WuXian was fuming with rage as his tightened knuckles cracked. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang YanLi had finished her bow and got up, continuing in an earnest voice, But, even if I havent participated in a hunt before, theres one thing that I knowfor all of the hunts that have happened, Ive never heard of a single rule that prohibits someone from hunting too much prey.
The smiles on the peoples faces froze before they could even set into place.
Jiang YanLi, And so, you said that A-Xian defied ruleswhich exact rule did he defy?
This time, it was Wei WuXians turn to laugh.
Jin ZiXuns face was dark, but he didnt respond. There were two reasons. First, he had never seen Jiang YanLi step up and talk before, so he didnt know how strong his reply should be. Both Madam Jin and Jiang Cheng held Jiang YanLi in high regard, and he didnt dare rashly go against them. Second, if they really looked into it, theyd indeed fail to find such a rule!
At this point, some people among the crowd couldnt hold it down any longer. At such times, Sect Leader Yao was always the first one to jump out, Madam Jiang, that wouldnt be the best way to put it. Although some rules arent written out, everyone understands and follows them.
Someone shouted, How much prey is in Phoenix Mountain in total? Is it even five hundred? How many people are there in the hunt? More than five thousand! Were fighting for the prey to begin with. If he keeps so much prey to himself using such wicked means, what could the other people do?
Wei WuXian sneered. As he was about to speak, Jiang YanLi stopped him, whispering, Its best if you dont say anything.
Someone else felt unsatisfied as well, Yeah, or else I wouldve at least been able to get one.
Jiang YanLi, But It isnt his fault that others cant capture the prey.
The person couldnt say anything back. She continued, Isnt the hunt all about true strength? Even if the ghouls are gone, arent there also the fays and the monsters? Even if he didnt keep one-third to himself, or even if he didnt attend the hunt, those who cant capture the prey will never be able to. Although the methods that A-Xian used is different from what other people use, its still an ability that he cultivated. You cant call it a crooked path just because others dont have access to that third of the prey, can you?
The people who gathered around Jin ZiXun had on the same dark faces as he did. Yet, taking into consideration Jiang YanLis background, they didnt dare talk back to her directly.
Jiang YanLi added, Besides, hunting is hunting, so why bring the matter of discipline to the table? A-Xian is a disciple of the YunmengJiang Sect. He grew up with my brother and I, and so hes as close as a brother is to me. Calling him the son of a servantIm sorry, but I wont accept this. And thus
She straightened her back and raised her voice, I hope that Young Master Jin ZiXun would apologize to Wei WuXian of the YunmengJiang Sect!
If the one currently saying these words wasnt Jiang YanLi and instead some random person, Jin ZiXun would probably have come at them with a slap already. His face was almost black, but he kept his mouth shut. Jiang YanLi stared at him quietly, refusing to turn her eyes away.
Madam Jin spoke, A-Li, why are you being so serious? Its just a small matter. Dont get so worked up.
Jiang YanLis voice was soft, Madam, A-Xian is my younger brother. Him being humiliated by others, to me, isnt just a small matter.
Madam Jin glanced at Jin ZiXun, sneering, ZiXun, you heard that?
Jin ZiXun, Auntie!
For him to apologize to Wei WuXian was at the least impossible. How could Madam Jin not know what his personality was like? The situation at hand, however, was already quite uncomfortable. Imagining how Jin ZiXun would definitely throw a few tantrums after he apologized and returned to Koi Tower, she grew more and more annoyed, almost wanting to hold his neck down and force him to apologize. Suddenly, two sword glares arrived. It was Jin GuangYao and Lan XiChen.
Lan WangJi, Brother.
Lan XiChen mused, WangJi, why are you here as well?
Jin GuangYao, Everyone, what happened here?
As he arrived, the repressed anger of both people immediately found a target to settle on. Just as Jin GuangYao landed, Madam Jin scolded, Still smiling? Such a big thing happened, and youre still smiling! Just look at the hunt you organized, you good-for-nothing!
Jin GuangYao always had the same smile plastered over his face. Not at all expecting to be scolded as soon as he arrived, he retracted his smile at once and replied earnestly, Mother, what in the world is going on?
Madam Jin narrowed her eyes, What in the world is going oncant you see for yourself? Arent you supposed to be good at reading the atmosphere?
Jin GuangYao stayed quiet as Jin ZiXun spoke, One-third of all of the prey in the entire Phoenix Mountain is gone. What are the five thousand people here going to hunt for?! He used the chance to muddle through the matter of apologizing to Wei WuXian.
As he was about to continue, Lan XiChen spoke up, LianFang-Zun has already set about expanding the range of the hunting grounds. Please calm down, everyone.
Now that ZeWu-Jun had spoken, Jin ZiXun knew that it wasnt suitable for him to say anything more. He couldnt keep on venting off to Jin GuangYao either. Throwing his arrow onto the ground, he laughed bitterly, The hunt this time is like a farce! Nevermind. Its fine if I dont participate. I quit.
Jin GuangYao paused in surprise, ZiXun, itll soon be arranged. At most youd have to wait a hour longer
Sect Leader Yao called out as well, Young Master Jin, thats really not necessary!
Jin ZiXun replied, The hunt has already lost all fairness. Why should I wait? Please excuse my absence! With this, he was about to lead his cultivators onto their swords. Jin GuangYao hurried toward him to try and persuade him. Some wanted to follow Jin ZiXun and leave as well, others were hesitating and didnt want to give up just yet. The situation was immediately a mess.
Jiang YanLi shook her head and turned to Madam Jin, Madam Jin, I really did make trouble for you.
Madam Jin waved her hand, Youll never make trouble for your mother-in-law here. Scold that dumb brat however you want to. Its not like I care about him. If youre still mad, I can help you beat him up.
Jiang YanLi, Theres no need, theres no need Then, Ill go back first?
Madam Jin hurried, To the Watching Towers? Ill get ZiXuan to walk us back.
As she spoke, she tried her hardest in eyeing Jin ZiXuan, who was standing some distance away. Jiang YanLi whispered, Thats not necessary. Id like to have a few words with A-Xian. He can walk me back.
Madam Jin raised her brows, looking Wei WuXian up and down. Her gaze was somewhat cautious, as if she was feeling displeased, A young man and a young womanyou two cant stick together all the time if nobody else is present.
Jiang YanLi, A-Xian is my younger brother.
Madam Jin, A-Li, please dont be angry. Tell me what stupid thing that stubborn brat of mine did to you this time. Ill tell him to make it up to you properly.
Jiang YanLi shook her head, Thats really not necessary. Madam Jin, dont force him.
Madam Jin urged, How could I force him? Its not forced at all.
Wei WuXian lowered his head, Excuse my absence, Madam Jin.
He and Jiang YanLi bowed at the same time. As they turned around to leave, Madam Jin grabbed Jiang YanLis hand and refused to let her leave. Between the pushes and the pulls, Jin ZiXuan ran over and shouted loudly, Maiden Jiang!!!
Wei WuXian pretended as though he heard nothing. He tugged at Jiang YanLi, Shijie, quickly, lets go.
Jin ZiXuan shouted again, Thats not it, Maiden Jiang!!!
This time, he couldnt pretend that he heard nothing no matter what. Wei WuXian could only turn around, along with Jiang YanLi. Even Jin ZiXuns group, who was making a fuss on the other side, had their attention brought over. Everyone was wondering what Jin ZiXuan meant by thats not it. Jin ZiXuan ran a few steps forward, as if he wanted to catch up, but then he stopped. Standing afar, he took in a few long breaths, the veins on his forehead protruding.
A moment later, he suddenly yelled, Thats not it, Maiden Jiang! It wasnt my mother! It wasnt her intentions! Im not forced, Im not being forced at all!! Holding it back for a few seconds, he finally roared, It was me! It was myself! I was the one who wanted you to come!!!
Jiang YanLi,
Wei WuXian,
Madam Jin,
Jin ZiXun,
After his roars, Jin ZiXuans fair cheeks suddenly turned into the color of blood.
He staggered back a few steps, only managing to steady himself with the support of a tree. As he looked up, he froze. As if he finally recalled that many people were still present and remembered what he said in front of all those people, he stood blankly for a long time before suddenly realizing what had happened. With a shout, he sprinted away.
With a few moments of dead silence, Madam Jin broke out, You idiot! Why are you running away?!
She pulled Jiang YanLi toward her, A-Li, lets continue our talk later on the Watching Tower! First I have to go catch him! She left before she finished, rising up on her sword with a handful of other cultivators. She shouted as she chased in the direction in which Jin ZiXuan had fled.
Wei WuXian didnt at all expect things to turn out this way either. After the frenzy of events, he didnt even know what to make of things, The hell is he doing? Shijie, lets go.
Jiang YanLi paused shortly before nodding. Wei WuXian waved at Lan WangJi, Lan Zhan, Im going.
Lan WangJi nodded, saying nothing. In silence, he watched his and Jiang YanLis silhouettes slowly disappear into the woods. On the other hand, Jin GuangYao couldnt stop Jin ZiXun and the others any longer. The group mounted their swords and left, all talking at once. The large cloud of people who had gathered was at once half of its original size. Seeing that there was no more show to watch, the rest of the people began to scatter as well.
Jin GuangYao wiped the sweat on his forehead, forcing a smile, This really is
Lan XiChen patted his shoulder, Todays matter was not your fault.
Jin GuangYao sighed and massaged the center of his brows, Im afraid I wont be able to do it even in two hours.
Lan XiChen, Why is that?
Jin GuangYao, In reality, not only did Young Master Wei keep a third of the prey to himself, our eldest brother has eliminated over half of the fays and the monsters as well.
Hearing this, Lan XiChen laughed, That is how Brother is like, after all.
Lan WangJi, on the other hand, seemed to be thinking. Jin GuangYao spoke as though he had a terrible headache, And so, the range of the hunting grounds might have to be expanded even more.
Lan XiChen, Then, let us set about it as soon as we can.
Jin GuangYao apologized, Sorry, Brother. Youre here to participate in the hunt, and I had to have you come over to help me last minute.
Lan XiChen smiled, It is fine. WangJi, should we leave, or would you like to help as well?
Lan WangJi summoned Bichen in silence, I will help.
After they left on their swords, only a few people were left amid the trees, still chatting about what had happened. Soon later, someone strode out of the woods. Seeing the situation, he hesitated slightly.
The person was none but Jiang Cheng. On Phoenix Mountain, he heard others talk about how Lan WangJis and Jin ZiXuans sword glares appeared in the sky, like the two were fighting. In fear that Jiang YanLi was by Jin ZiXuans side, he came to check, but he was too late and everyone had gone off already. From the few people here, Jiang Cheng saw that Sect Leader Yao was the only one appearing somewhat familiar to him, Sect Leader Yao, what happened here?
Sect Leader Yao glanced at him, his tone meaningful, Sect Leader Jiang, your sects Wei WuXian really is quite a character.
Jiang Cheng frowned, What do you mean?
Sect Leader Yao laughed, As if I dare mean anything. Sect Leader Jiang, you mustnt take to heart what I said.
Jiang Chengs face darkened. He knew that those werent good words and told himself that he had to find Wei WuXian later to sort it all out with him. Not in a mood to maintain false politeness with someone pretending to be clever, with a turn, he walked out of the woods. On his way, he could manage to catch the whispers of chatter coming from behind him. As if scared that hed hear them, their voices were extremely low, but with his heightened senses, he could still hear the words clearly.
One of the sect leaders spoke in a sour tone, This time, Lotus Pier is really the center of the show. Almost all of the spirits and corpses were summoned to the YunmengJiang Sects grounds. Thered definitely be a number of cultivators interested in them.
Sect Leader Yao, What could we do about it? Whose fault is it that our sects dont have Wei WuXians?
Its not necessarily a good thing to have Wei WuXian. I dont want there to be someone in my sect always stirring up trouble for me.
Wei WuXian, he really is too bold Anyways, from now on, I wont attend any night-hunts that hes going to.
Someone sneered, Huh? Interested in them? I dont think so. To put it simply, theyre interested in Wei WuXian, arent they? Didnt the YunmengJiang Sect grow in fame during the Sunshot Campaign only because of Wei WuXian?
Jiang Cheng felt his entire body weigh down on him. It was as though something cast a haunting shadow on both his face and in his heart.