First Immortal of the Sword

Su Yi saw through Huang Qianjun’s thoughts at a glance. “Zhang Yiren is saying that the army is a cold, harsh place. It’s hard to avoid loneliness and other hardships. If you want to thoroughly indulge tonight, I won’t say object.”

Huang Qianjun coughed dryly, then said with a righteous, solemn air, “Brother Su, I’ve already turned over a new leaf. How could I covet such momentary pleasures?”

“You’re wrong. Pleasure and passion are normal, and suppressing yourself for no reason won’t do you any good. That’s true for men, and for women too.”

The words just seemed to flow out of him. “You ought to know that the Daoists have dual cultivation techniques, the Buddhists have sutras of tantric bliss, and the demonic cultivations have methods of seizing yin to replenish yang. Even the Confucianists believe that food and intimacies are mankind’s most fundamental desires. They ought to come from the heart, restricted only by the bounds of propriety.

He continued, “Without first experiencing the entanglements of love, how can any cultivator hope to control their mental state and sever unwanted emotion?

“Consider what goes on between men and women a form of cultivation. If you can see through it and gain enlightenment, you’ll be able to ‘act freely without acting improperly.’

He paused, then sighed with emotion. “‘Love’ is one of the most terrifying tribulations you’ll encounter in your pursuit of the Grand Dao. Take advantage of your youth to experience its fetters and difficulties. Then, once you stand at the pinnacle of the Grand Dao, you’ll have no need to fear them.

“I remember something an elder of the demonic way once told me: what is the highest realm of love? It’s as simple as walking through an endless field of flowers without a single leaf sticking to your body.

“But I cannot agree. Wouldn’t being so cold and heartless make you human scum, someone who only knows how to play with others’ hearts?”

Huang Qianjun had long since fallen into a daze. His heart shook, his eyes widened, and he was utterly tongue-tied. He felt enlightened, as if the clouds had suddenly parted.

He instinctively asked, “Brother Su, then what do you think the highest realm of love is?”

Su Yi fell silent, then patted him on the shoulder, as if protecting a closely guarded secret. “You’ll find out later.”

Huang Qianjun was a bit stunned, but also a bit regretful. If I knew Brother Su was so well-informed about this, I would never have spent all that time pretending to be some chaste gentleman!

“It’s settled, then.” Su Yi placed his hands behind his back and returned to his room.

This recent incident began and ended in the morning.

But for Su Yi, it was far from over.

Someone had tried to use a talisman sword to ambush hum. Whoever it was, they’d have to pay for this!

And he didn’t even need to think to know that, whoever ambushed him, they were connected to Cha Jin.

After all, it was just last night that Cha Jin left the Humble Tranquility Cottage in abject defeat.

In short, so long as he located Cha Jin, he was sure to discover who’d attacked him.

And Cha Jin was working at the Sand-Scouring Waves!

“Big Brother, what was Big Brother Su Yi saying about love just now? What did he mean?” Feng Xiaoran asked in confusion.

Both she and Feng Xiaofeng heard every word of Su Yi’s monologue.

“Uh… You’ll find out when you’re older.” Feng Xiaofeng felt a bit awkward. Inside, he found it rather strange. Why is it that when Senior Apprentice Brother Su talks about all this amorous stuff, it sounds so glorious and righteous?

He even connected it to cultivation. He really….

A single line of instructions from a true cultivated gentleman really is better than ten years of study!

……

Meanwhile, within Su Yi’s room.

“Qing Wan, take a look at this piece of soul jade.” Su Yi gently tapped the Soul-Nurturing Gourd.

A girl in a red dress appeared in a puff of white smoke.

When she saw the soul jade in Su Yi’s hands, her eyes widened and her eyelashed quivered. Her adorable face lit up in a rare display of excitement as she muttered, “Mystic Master, this piece of soul jade feels incomparably familiar. It’s like I’ve returned to the land of my birth.”

Having said this, she transformed into a wisp of light and attempted to enter the jade, only to bump into it and stagger back.

She clutched her head and clenched her teeth, looking dazed and foolish. Su Yi couldn’t help but shake his head.

“The power contained within this soul jade has long since dwindled down to nothing. You can no longer inhabit it. Take a closer look. Do you recognize the image carved on the jade’s surface?”

Qing Wan furrowed her brow in concentration. After a while, she said in bewilderment, “It looks familiar, like I’ve seen it somewhere before, but I can’t remember.”

Su Yi sighed to himself, then put the jade away. “It seems that if I want more clues, I’ll have no choice but to seek out Huyan Hai and ask about the soul jade’s origins.”

“Mystic Master, if it’s too much trouble, just forget it,” whispered Qing Wan. “When I get stronger, I might be able to remember some of my past on my own.”

Su Yi smiled. “You’re this considerate of me? Nice, not bad!”

Qing Wan bashfully lowered her head. Although she didn’t say it out loud, she thought to herself, Mystic Master, you’re so good to me. Of course I have to be good to you too.

Once that was settled, Su Yi swallowed some spiritual medicines and started meditating.

In the morning’s battle, he used the Great Void Soul Sword Incantation three times in rapid succession. This left his soul exhausted and weak.

Add that to the talisman sword’s ambush, which left him with minor injuries, and he needed to seize every moment to recover.

Otherwise, he’d have to delay tonight’s operation at the Sand-Scouring Waves.

….

Noon.

Yuan Luoxi and Cheng Wuyong arrived with a stack of boxed meals containing all manner of sumptuous dishes.

Everyone sat at the courtyard’s stone table and dined together.

During their conversation, Yuan Luoxi and Cheng Wuyong finally learned about the perilous incident that occured that morning at Humble Tranquility Cottage. Despite themselves, they were stunned.

Yuan Luoxi thought for a moment, then said in her clean, crisp voice, “Master Su, it seems to me that Humble Tranquility Cottage is no longer safe. How about you and Brother Huang take up temporary residence at the Yuan Family estate?”

Cheng Wuyong nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. Our estate includes numerous unoccupied residences, and ordinary people dare not draw near.”

Su Yi shook his head. “There’s no need for that, but if possible, I’d like Junior Apprentice Brother Feng and Xiaoran to continue their cultivation at the Yuan Family estate, starting today.”

He’d long since decided that, before leaving the prefectural capital, he’d entrust the Feng Siblings to the Yuan Family’s care.

It was Yuan Luoxi who first brought this up, so he decided to ask directly.

“Master Su, please rest assured,” said Yuan Luoxi immediately. “I guarantee that I’ll treat Big Brother Feng and Xiaoran as I would my own relatives. I won’t let them suffer the slightest injustice.”

But Feng Xiaoran was frantic. “Big Brother Su Yi, I don’t want to be apart from you!”

Her shining, deep gaze bore into Su Yi as she pleaded, “Let me come with you, okay?”

“Don’t you want your big brother anymore?” Su Yi teased.

“That…” Feng Xiaoran hesitated, internally conflicted. She was obviously in a tight spot.

“I’ll come back to visit often,” said Su Yi gently. He reached out to tousle her hair.

Inwardly, Yuan Luoxi was a little jealous. This was her first time seeing the glorious Master Su so warm and gentle.

“Xiaoran, do as you’re told,” chimed in Feng Xiaofeng.

In the end, Feng Xiaoran nodded her agreement, but she was clearly despondent. She sat there, listless and dejected.

After everyone finished eating, Feng Xiaofeng got their possessions in order.

Soon, he and his sister would leave with Yuan Luoxi.

“Big Brother Su Yi, this is the red silk rope bracelet my father wove for me when I was younger. Take it, and look at it whenever you miss me.”

When they parted ways, Feng Xiaoran’s eyes were red around the edges. She placed the bracelet in Su Yi’s hand, looking reluctant to let go. “Don’t worry; my brother and I will cultivate properly, and we won’t make trouble for Big Sister Yuan.”

As she spoke, glistening tears broke free and dripped down her fair, beautiful face.

Watching this, all of them were moved.

Su Yi lifted his hand and wiped away her tears with a smile. “We’re still alive, so this isn’t forever. Don’t cry.”

As he spoke, he put the red rope bracelet away. Then, after a moment’s thought, he took out Mortal Edge and passed it to Feng Xiaoran.

“This sword is called Mortal Edge. It means a lot to me, so take good care of it. I’ll ask for it back when I return.”

“Hm!” Feng Xiaoran held it tight.

“Junior Apprentice Brother Feng, go on.” Su Yi smiled. Yuan Luoxi, Cheng Wuyong, and the Feng Siblings then rose and left Humble Tranquility Cottage together.

But from time to time, Feng Xiaoran would turn back to look behind her, her bright, intelligent eyes red around the edges as she clutched Mortal Edge to her chest.

Huang Qianjun watched them disappear outside of the alley. He couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow too. I really don’t know when I’ll see them again.”

“Since ancient times, the passionate suffer when they bid others farewell. But as humans live out their lives, they’ll inevitably face both joy and sorrow, both connection and seperation. As powerful as gods and immortals are, not even they can truly rise above this.” Su Yi shook his head, turned, and entered his room.

He’d once watched the starry skies as dynasties came and went. He’d experienced life, with all its impermanence. He too had experienced joy and sorrow, connection and separation.

And here he thought that such things no longer held sway over him. Today, he discovered that in the end, not even he could escape mortal sentiment.

Huang Qianjun was briefly stunned, and he couldn’t help but look over.

For a moment, he inexplicably felt that Su Yi’s tall, solitary figure looked a bit desolate and alone.

Su Yi’s voice emanated from afar. “Don’t just stand there. Go arrange a carriage. Tonight, we’re going to the Sand-Scouring Waves.”

“Uh…” For some reason, Huang Qianjun’s mood instantly improved. He was really looking forward to tonight.

The Sand-Scouring Waves!

This was a place famed throughout the nineteen cities of the Cloudriver Prefecture…. As a brothel!

That night.

The setting sun cast diagonal shadows on the world below.

A carriage stopped outside the Sand-Scouring Waves’ main gate.

Huang Qianjun stepped outside, looking refreshed and excited. When he first laid eyes on the elegant, lavishly decorated, beautiful building, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Back in the day, I used to ‘stop by leaning bridges while buildings full of red-sleeved beauties beckoned to me’ too! Today, I’m at it again, but I’m not the person I once was…

Su Yi had already stepped out of the carriage too. Although night had yet to fall, the lamps beneath the Sand-Scouring Waves’ eaves were already lit. Each lamp had an image of a beautiful woman on its surface. They were all lifelike and full of indescribable beautiful and wonderment.

Numerous lavishly dressed young noblemen went inside, but there was no shortage of older folks either.

This familiar atmosphere, the familiar sound of laughter, song, and conversation, the familiar paintings… All of them made Huang Qianjun’s heart swell with emotion.

He was just about to express his feelings when he saw a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. This time, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Second Young Master Yuan?”

Not far away, a tall, stalwart youth turned to look at them. He looked a bit bewildered too. “Master Su, you two are here to…

Don’t tell me Master Su likes to frequent brothels and get drunk too?

I wouldn’t have guessed!

This was none other than Yuan Luoyu, Yuan Luoxi’s second brother, and the second son of the head of the Yuan Family.

“And what are you doing here?” Huang Qianjun asked right back.

“Uh, I….” Yuan Luoyu froze.

Su Yi couldn’t help but shake his head. He’s just visiting a brothel. It’s nothing criminal, nor is it anything to be ashamed of. Why act so guilty?

“Want to come with us?” Su Yi asked directly.

Yuan Luoyu shook from head to toe. Then, he hurriedly responded, “Accompanying Master Su would be my honor!”

Huang Qianyun couldn’t help but grin.

As the scion of a prominent clan and a regular patron of brothels, there was no way Huang Qianjun would miss it: Yuan Luoyu was over the moon with excitement!

After all, even if his father caught him now, he could say with an air of righteousness, “I was just accompanying Master Su….”

Seth's Thoughts

‘Act freely without acting improperly’ is a Confucius quote. Well, a section of one. The full quote is here. They translated the last line a bit differently, but it's the same line, except the novel removes the connection to age. The full quote has Confucius talking about his mental state at various stages of his life.

The line in question, 七十而从心所欲不逾矩, is describing the mental state he achieved in his seventies. "At seventy, I do as my heart desires without violating the rules (of propriety)."

I have studied the Analects to an extent, but like, as a foreigner, and with the end goal of geting comfortable with Classical Chinese. I won't claim to be an expert, aha. My impression is that Confucius meant that the rules of proper conduct were so thoroughly entrenched in him that he could trust himself to act appropriately even if he let loose... But you could interpret that in other ways, and I am not necessarily a reliable source for this sort of thing.

The poem Huang Qianjun is referencing in his internal monologue also showed up in chapter 46.