Lanke Chess Edge -
Chapter 53: Suddenly, the Autumn Wind Came Overnight
Wei Wuwei suddenly recalled a private conversation he had with the old patriarch when he had been designated as this generation’s new head of the Wei family.
At that time, the old man asked him, “Do you know why it is you?”
Wei Wuwei replied shamelessly: “Of course, I am talented and intelligent. My martial arts skills are also excellent, and no one knows that I practice them. I have both civil and military experience, I am resourceful, and I know how to bear with things and show weakness when necessary. Who would you choose if not me?”
“Hahahahaha… Those are of course, those are the basic conditions, but there is actually one more big reason!”
“What’s the reason?”
The old man looked at Wei Wuwei very seriously and said, “You have good luck!”
Thinking back on that moment, Wei Wuwei only felt that the old patriarch was right, he was really damn lucky!
Now, in the small courtyard, Wei Wuwei was still excited as Yuan carefully observed the jade pendant. After the spiritual energy circulated in the blue jade, he retracted withdrew it into his fingertips again. The light in the jade pendant gradually dimmed and returned to normal.
‘Sure enough, there is some secret inside it! ’
When he had investigated it just now, he could clearly feel that there was something inside the jade pendant that he couldn’t see through. Perhaps it was just like the so-called restrictions in the novels of his previous life.1Not only that, but because part of the spiritual energy was absorbed by the jade pendant, Ji Yuan seemed to be able to feel a weak magnetic force through this momentary spiritual induction, heading towards Wei Wuwei.
It seemed that, even if someone stole this blue jade, it may not lead to an immortal path. He just didn’t know if the man in black had a way to get around it yesterday, or if he didn’t know about it at all.
‘It has nothing to do with me anyway! ’
With these thoughts, Ji Yuan smiled and handed the jade pendant back to Wei Wuwei. The latter carefully picked it up, then held it in his hands and scrutinized it carefully.
Looking at Ji Yuan, who had started to play chess again, Wei Wuwei asked with a dry mouth and extreme caution:
“Mr. Ji, where is Yuhuai Mountain? Is that the location of the immortal path?”
In fact, Wei Wuwei was now almost certain that Ji Yuan was definitely an extraordinary hermit master, perhaps even an immortal, but he didn’t dare say anything and only mentioned his own affairs.
Facing the three pairs of pricked2 ears in the courtyard, Ji Yuan also found it funny, but he knew something like this then he would know, and if he didn’t know then that was it.
“I’ve never seen what Yuhuai Mountain looks like. As for whether it’s a path to immortality, it must be, at least for ordinary people like us.”
Wei Wuwei tried his best not to get too excited, and asked in a low voice expectantly.
“I don’t know how my Wei family can use this jade to find the immortal fate, please teach me Sir!”
This was indeed a good question, but Ji Yuan himself didn’t know the answer. The Ning’an City God only knew the name Yuhuai Mountain.
“Mr. Wei, I am just an ordinary man, but my horizons are a little wider than ordinary people. As for where immortal places like Yuhuai Mountain are located, haha… I don’t know!”
Ji Yuan smiled and paused, looking at Wei Wuwei who was a little overwhelmed.
“I just heard that Yuhuai Mountain is located in our Ji Province, and it should be to the north. That is all I will say. Mr. Wei, take care of yourself!”
After saying this, Ji Yuan decided to ignore Wei Wuwei. There was nothing more to say, anyway. Ji Yuan wanted to take a look at Yuhuai Mountain himself, too.
‘Hey, I can’t help but envy this kind of ancestral blessing and protection. Who made me not have a good father in this life?’
Wei Wuwei was not an ungrateful person. This Mr. Ji had obviously told him in a subtle way that there was only so much he could say. If he were still not satisfied, then he would be stupid. Did he really think that an expert wouldn’t have a temper?
Wei Wuwei stood up from his position, took two steps away from the stone table, stood up straight, and clasped his left hand around his right hand, slowly bowing forward ninety degrees, pressing his hands together respectfully.
“My Wei family will never forget the grace of Mr. Ji’s revelations3 today. If there is anything that we can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. Just state your identity, and the Wei family of Desheng Prefecture will do its best!”
After thinking for a moment, Wei Wuwei took off a piece of jade from his waist and put it on the table.
“This is a token! Please accept it, Mr. Ji. Even if you are short on money, you can exchange it for some coin!”
After paying his respects to Ji Yuan and putting down the jade pendant, Wei Wuwei also politely cupped his hands and bowed to Master Yin. Then he walked out of Ju’an Pavilion in an excited mood, not forgetting to close the door.
Once outside, he couldn’t restrain his excitement any longer. Wei Wuwei, whose heart was pounding, started running in small steps. He ran directly to the gate of Tian Niu Lane,4 before he patted his chest and calmed down, becoming a calm, wealthy businessman once more.
Wei Wuwei did not intend to tell anyone about what happened today, let alone publicize the matter to the outside world, save for those whom he absolutely trusted in his family.
Since Mr. Ji had said several times that he was just an “ordinary person,” it was equivalent to telling Wei Wuwei bluntly that he didn’t want to be disturbed, so he naturally knew what to do. Otherwise, his good fortune would sour, and his bad fortune would increase.5
. . .
In the courtyard of Ju An Pavilion, after Wei Wuwei left, Yin Qing asked Ji Yuan curiously:
“Mr. Ji, do you really not know where Yuhuai Mountain is? I’ve never seen what a deity looks like!”
“Yes, I, Ji, would also like to meet a deity. I hope they are similar to what I think of them to be. As for whether I really don’t know about Yuhuai Mountain, Xiao Yin Qing, when have you ever known me to tell a lie?”
Ji Yuan took the box of food from the ground, took out the bags of pastries inside, and put them on the stone table, all the while questioning Yin Qing with a smile.
“But I’ve only known Mr. Ji for a few months. I don’t know if you’ve lied before, Mr. Ji!”
“Qing’er!!”
This time Yin Zhaoxian was really taken aback by his son. This bastard would dare to say anything.
“Hahahahaha… Xiao Yin Qing is right. I, Mr. Ji, might sometimes lie, but I was not lying in this matter! Also, children have to consider other people’s feelings when they speak. I am alright here, but you will have to think of it in the future. When you go out, be careful that what comes out of your mouth does not bring misfortune!”6
Yin Qing was cute, but he should not be allowed to develop into a naughty child.7
“What Mr. Ji said is absolutely true. This child must be strictly disciplined. He must not forget his etiquette, and his words must not hurt others!”
Ji Yuan rarely earnestly agreed with Master Yin in disciplining children. He nodded solemnly.
“What Master Yin said is absolutely true. The outside world is not as peaceful as this Ning’an County. This is true of the market, the rivers and lakes,8 and officialdom. Even monsters and ghosts are often attracted by words, so don’t be careless!”
‘Young man, you dare to even pick a fight with me, Mr. Ji. This Sir may be magnanimous, but I won’t hold back when dealing with people! ’
Ji Yuan thought very darkly, then he placed a chess piece as if nothing had happened.
“Oh, don’t waste the pastries from the building outside the temple, let’s eat them together!”
“It is better to obey than be respectful!”
Yin Zhaoxian stopped being polite, and began eating together with Ji Yuan. Only Xiao Yin Qing had a bitter face, and he felt a little sad when he saw his father holding back.
What Ji Yuan admired most about Yin Zhaoxian was that, even if such a miraculous thing just happened, after such a short time of being shocked, he could play chess and eat cakes with him with a normal mentality. Even if he had ordinary desires and envies, he could keep the rules, restrain himself, and return to etiquette.
It was rare, Ji Yuan felt, even more rare than truly being indifferent to fame and fortune or having a pure heart. This was why he could learn something new from Yin Zhaoxian each time.
Over pastries, Ji Yuan and Yin Zhaoxian’s chess game continued until the dusk. Both sides experienced their own victories and defeats. One’s confidence rose greatly, while the other just thought that their opponent was giving him face. Both were happy.
With the end of the last round of chess, both sides packed up their chess pieces. Yin Qing helped by picking up a few black pieces and tossing a few white pieces.
“Master Yin, I may be leaving Ning’an for a long trip soon!”
This matter had already been decided when he had learned about the Sword Intent Inscription last night, and finally cracked its secret this morning. The tomb of Hero Zuo was definitely not nearby. Ji Yuan was simply informing him in advance.
Yin Zhaoxian paused for a moment. These words had come so suddenly that his gesture in picking up the chess pieces slowed.
Yin Qing wanted to shout, but was silenced with a glare from Yin Zhaoxian, who reacted faster this time.
“When does Mr. Ji plan to leave?”
“It’s not clear yet. It could be three to five days from now at the earliest, or six to seven days from now at the latest!”
The main issue was to find a way to familiarize himself with the general map of the various prefectures in Dazhen, and also to meet the County God to say goodbye.
There was silence in the small courtyard for a while. Yin Qing hung his head over the stone table dejectedly. Yin Zhaoxian put the last two white stones into the chess box, then continued to speak.
“I, Yin, know that Mr. Ji is definitely not an ordinary person. There must be a reason to leave. It would be inconvenient for me to ask more questions. If it is convenient for me to know, then I will see you off. If not, then I can only wish you the best, and that you will have a smooth journey!”
“Alright. Thank you, Master Yin, for your kindness!”
Ji Yuan also smiled and cupped his hands, then patted the listless Yin Qing.
Seemingly thinking of something again, he looked up at the jujube tree in the courtyard and just sighed.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to eat the jujubes this year. I hope Master Yin and Xiao Yin Qing can pick the ripe fruits and share it with the neighbors!”
“We will definitely do so, don’t worry!”
Yin Zhaoxian also looked at the jujube tree when he answered, but the two of them did not return the usual salute.
After this conversation, there was a bit more small talk which the Yin family father and son were obviously not very interested in. Plus, it was almost dinner time, so they said goodbye and left soon after.
After the head of the Yin family left, Ji Yuan continued his usual schedule. He went out to eat, went home to practice, then went back into the house to sleep on time.
…
At night, the flowers of the jujube tree in the courtyard withered and fell, and were topped by green jujubes that were gradually sprouting on the branches. When it was almost dawn, the veins of the jujube leaves in the courtyard of Ju’an Pavilion had turned mostly withere dand yellow, but the branches were already bearing fruit.
In the early morning, when Ji Yuan awoke and opened the door, he was also shocked by the scene in front of him. He stared at the jujube tree for a long time before speaking with emotion.
“Suddenly, the autumn wind came overnight, and the whole garden bore fruit! Thank you!”9
T/n: the original author may never see this, but I still want to ask them a question: did you specialize in Ancient Chinese Literature when you studied???
Also, you may have seen this in footnote 4, but just a heads-up that I’ve gone and changed all the previous “Tian Niu Square” instances to “Tian Niu Lane.” Still not sure (and could be any of 3 options) but I’ve decided to stop giving myself a headache over it and just leave it be.
- For example, in wuxia novels, when they have a magical space, the space is slowly unlocked; if they have some kind of mystical training method, they are never strong enough to practice the “full” method right away; if they have some kind of god-killing amazing sword, that weapon is often unsealed in stages. Functionally called “plot progression.” ↩︎
- eavesdropping/eager ↩︎
- Lit: “on-demand broadcast,” I wasn’t entirely sold on this translation ↩︎
- So I haven’t really talked about the whole city/neighborhood layout except in general terms before, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a little research (i.e. welcome to another Wikipedia rabbit-hole!). Essentially, the “Lane” or “District,” previously translated as “Square” (坊 fāng) in “Tian Niu Square,” that I am using here is not an actual plaza. It’s also not necessarily a “district” in the usual sense of the word. It literally translates to “lane” or “street,” but also in the sense that it divides up a district of the city. I previously mistook it as “square” apparently due to the urban planning of imperial cities that divided up the city into 9 horizontal and 9 vertical roads, as well as a whole host of other numerologically-relevant categorizations. There are gates at the end of each major lane. —> (This is also a heads-up that by the time this has gone up, I’ve changed the wording on my previous chapters). So Ju’an Pavilion is located farther to the end of Tian Niu Lane, walking distance away from the market and Tian Niu Square. Or I could be completely wrong. Who knows? If anyone here has a better grasp of Chinese than me and can give input, that would be much appreciated! ↩︎
- Lit: good things will turn bad ↩︎
- T/n: I agree with all the original Chinese commenters: THANK YOU! I am fed up with the “precocious child” (read: irritating and gets everyone into unnecessary trouble) trope in Chinese stories. Thank goodness that doesn’t happen in this story. ↩︎
- Lit: “bear child” 😀 ↩︎
- Term often/usually used as a stand-in for “physical world” or “the whole world,” the vast world that can be experienced/explored by ordinary people. I left it untranslated here. ↩︎
- This line, as well as the title, possibly references an ancient Chinese poem called “Bai Xuege Sends Judge Wu Back to the Capital” by Cen Shen. In the poem, the “spring breeze” came and the pear trees blossomed overnight, while in this story it’s mirrored with the “autumn breeze” (the season of harvest) making the jujube tree bear fruit overnight. Note that because this is from a poem, there are many different potential English translations ↩︎
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