Green Dragon Totem Chapter 7

T/N: First post of 2019! Happy New Year! – LLS

Travelling far and wide in search, only to find it so easily.

Shan Chao had been inquiring the whole way, only to learn that the Sword-Forging Manor was in the Jiangnan area, yet once he got to the Jiangnan area he was unable to find entry ― the aristocratic families of the martial arts circles had strict rules, and an outsider like Shan Chao did not even need to consider paying them a visit, since he could not even make discreet inquiries easily.

Fortunately they met this poor devil Chen Haiping, who immediately let them meet the Young Master of the Sword-Forging Manor.

Fu Wenjie ordered someone to bring a carriage forth, inviting Shan Chao and Xie Yun up with deference and respect, and had even lit a s.p.a.ce heater for them to dry out their clothes. The carriage shook and jolted on its way out of the city, and gradually all signs of human habitation on the roadsides ceased, leaving the beautiful scenery. As Shan Chao drew up the curtains, he saw not far before him, there suddenly appeared a great manor with mountains on one side and water on the other.

The rays of the setting sun shone upon upturned eaves and inky roof-tiles, increasingly like a masterpiece carved and embroidered, glorious in rich colours.

Although it was situated on the city outskirts, it was bustling with activity outside of the manor's main gates as tens of empty horse-carriages were stationed there. Shan Chao's heart grew suspicious, frowning as he carefully looked, only to see upon the carriage canopies various distinct marks, but he could only spot the mark of various prestigious orthodox sects such as the Kongtong Sect, Qingcheng Sect, Mount Hua Sect and so on, leaving at least seven or eight which escaped his recognition.

So many sects simultaneously visiting the Sword-Forging Manor, could some major event be underway at this place?

Fu Wenjie sat aboard an even more s.p.a.cious and gorgeous carriage up ahead, and when the main gate opened, the procession advanced in a line, stopping before the second gate. After that, the servants advanced and lifted up the carriages' hanging screens, bending their waists in extreme deference, to invite the guests down.

Shan Chao leapt down from the carriage, raising his head to see a high and open flower door, and believing that they had arrived, raised one foot forward.

"―Master please wait a moment," Fu Wenjie who was currently being lifted down the carriage spoke in a great rush: "This is not the main hall, it is necessary to change to a palanquin in the inner courtyard, since carriages cannot drive to the doors…"

Shan Chao started.

The menservants behind him exchanged looks, undisguised sneers in their expressions ― where did this dest.i.tute monk come from, coming to the manor to beg for alms1, ignorant of even the simplest walking etiquette amongst the big households?

Shan Chao laughed, touching the tall and straight bridge of his nose, with an easy reply: "Those who have left home2 have less experience, I have let the Young Master see a joke."

As he spoke he turned around to walk back, only to see Xie Yun already gotten off the carriage, turning his head to smile at him from his position next to the palanquin.

That smile had a thread of indistinct encouragement and tenderness, and Shan Chao's expression moved slightly, only to see Xie Yun already reaching for a maid's hand, turning around to step into the green palanquin.

Xie Yun gazed fixedly, not sparing even the least bit of attention to other people. Yet n.o.body dared to act rashly before 'Miss Long', everybody was subconsciously holding their breath, and not even the maids dared to lightly look straight at Xie Yun's face, fixing their gazes on the ground beneath their feet.

The green sedan changed hands twice, until it finally pa.s.sed through the main hall of the Sword-Forging Manor, and arrived at the inner courtyard. Fu Wenjie hurriedly ordered people to arrange separate top-notch guest rooms for Shan Chao and Xie Yun, inviting them to take a bath and change clothes, and instructing the kitchen to prepare ginger soup immediately to be served, before he took his leave.

With a crashing splash, Xie Yun got up from the steaming hot bathtub, carelessly wiping his body dry, and with bare feet he carelessly trod upon the petals which had been tossed out of the bath before he entered, turning to behind the screen.

A moment later he walked out, already dressed in light grey satin, a snow-white gown draped over his shoulders, a cloth wrapped around his long hair wiping it clean, as he carelessly said: "Guards."

The window wordlessly opened, immediately followed by three shadows climbing in, dropping audibly to kneel.

These three people were unexpectedly all dressed in the full-length python gowns of the inner city's Imperial Guards, and their leader was astonishingly Ma Xin!

"May Commander forgive me!" Ma Xin shuffled several steps on his knees, lowering his head and knocking it on the floor: "We brothers scouted out the vicinity for several days, but we could not find any information to do with the Snow Lotus, and recently the Sword-Forging Manor has been hosting the prestigious orthodox sects of the martial arts community for a feast, with many people meaning more eyes around, leaving rather a lot of trouble…"

Xie Yun cut him off: "What of movements in Chang'an?"

"General Yuwen has dispatched men and horses privately to pursue the monk Xin Chao, and nearly overtook you several times, all stopped when your subordinate3 brought people to eliminate them one by one. Only, you have yet to appear in public in the capital, and since half a month ago, all parties are guessing one after another, making it hard to cover up…"

Xie Yun nodded his head wordlessly.

Ma Xin grew more courageous in raising his eyes:

"Commander, if we can no longer conceal things in Chang'an, is it possible to secretly report the actual situation to the Empress, and invite Her Imperial Highness to lend a hand in concealing, once Qingning Palace releases an imperial decree and claim that you were sent to the east capital Luoyang, all misgivings would vanish like smoke―"

Yet Xie Yun raised a hand, and Ma Xin abruptly stopped.

"I had initially speculated, that in order for Yuwen Hu to pressure me to follow him out of the capital, he would be bound to help me conceal the fact that I am not in the capital ― and with the decoy guard impersonating me, Yuwen Hu would not notice anything odd at least for twenty days."

"And in these twenty days, I would have time to completely act in secret, to arrange everything in the plan."

Xie Yun slowly let out a breath.

Ma Xin was well aware of the meaning behind that sigh: n.o.body had expected for a Shan Chao to appear midway, and in an instant everything was revealed before Yuwen Hu, so that chess piece that was the decoy guard could no longer be used.

"Then why do you need to conceal this from the Empress too?" Ma Xin remained perplexed despite much thought: "You may as well request an imperial decree from the Empress, and bring military forces to openly kill your way to Hangzhou, could this tiny Sword-Forging Manor dare to resist and disrespect imperial decrees? When you get the Snow Lotus and sent it to Chang'an, saving the Crown Prince, the credit would still be yours, n.o.body can take it away―"

Yet Xie Yun only smiled and shook his head, that look in his eyes clearly one of self-mockery:

"What would I do with that credit to myself."

Xie Yun finally finished drying his hair, and put aside the towel, walking to stand before the guest room's round table. Upon the table was arranged a few delicate refreshments which Fu Wenjie had dispatched people to serve: Flowers stuck in Gold and Silver which was made of the fattest crab roe and crab meat sc.r.a.ped out and stuck into steamed rice noodle rolls before being chopped up into neat and tidy stacks; another was pan-fried noodles in honey drizzled with curd cheese, incomparably fragrant and sweet and as white as snow, named by the cooks as Sweet Snow; there was also Imperial Consort Red lychees, Jade Dew Dumplings, Crystal Dumplings and other sweet and salty dishes. Possibly guessing that 'Miss Long' could not eat so much on her own, there were only three to five of each dish, a dazzling line-up which was fine and lovely.

Ma Xin spotted them, and immediately flew into a rage:

"How can the Sword-Forging Manor be this rude, to even dare to serve such crude fare to their visitors?! Have those poor Jianghu aristocrats eyes which grow on the heavens, to look down on people like this!"

"Come my brothers, follow me to kill into the kitchen―"

Xie Yun sighed in regret: "It's pretty good already, just leave it. We have been eating and sleeping outdoors the whole time, and I have eaten no less than half a month of tofu and buns…"

Ma Xin shed silent tears.

"It's all that wild monk's fault, even his extortion only went up to ten taels." The young grandpa said thus. "When Commander's matter is settled, your subordinates would certainly bring that monk back to the capital, and hack him into pieces to relieve this hatred in our hearts!"

Right at this time a hubbub and footsteps began to brew outside the door, and then bangs resounded as someone slapped the door, as if extremely urgent.

Xie Yun blurted out: "Who is it?"

―bang!

The doors were suddenly slammed open, and its echo yet to finish when the shadows of Ma Xin and company had already leapt out of the window in a flash. Immediately after a few maids in splendid uniforms bubbled forth into the room. In the middle of them was surprisingly a delicate and good-looking young woman of moving appearance, dressed in a pink b.u.t.toned jacket and unlined tunic embroidered with gold sprays of peonies, with precious stones worn in her hair, and pearls on her shoes. Yet her face as beautiful as a lotus flower was filled with a great anger:

"You're the woman who dropped into the West Lake today?"

Xie Yun gave a glance, and the silhouettes of the Imperial guards had already vanished, the window slowly folding onto itself out of inertia.

Xie Yun looked back, seating himself neither too fast nor too slowly, one hand on his temples, as he sized up the young woman from top to bottom for a moment, and then his interest was aroused: "This miss is―"

"You are the one with no sense of shame, trying to seduce my cousin!" The young woman was indignant: "And you even slandered him that he took liberties with you, why you out of everyone in the entire West Lake?! Unrestrained woman!"

Xie Yun seemed to find this enjoyable, blinking as he smiled:

"―Young Mistress Fu."

The young woman started, and then stuck out her chest in arrogance: "Even you know of me?"

"Of course," Xie Yun was unable to restrain a smile: "The foremost beauty of the Jianghu, whose troth was almost promised to the household of the Chang'an Imperial City Imperial Guard Commander, I do… know too much about you."

Fu Xiangrong gazed at Xie Yun in suspicion, and Xie Yun smiled back at her, raising one eyebrow in ridicule: "No wonder at that time you got angry at the matchmaker, so this was the cause ― that cousin of yours, he may not necessarily be a good husband, so Young Mistress Fu may have promised her heart wrongly."

Fu Xiangrong's tender face reddened, screeching: "What nonsense are you babbling! If you keep talking drivel I'll chase you out!"

Xie Yun leisurely poured out a cup of tea, as Fu Xiangrong continued to shout: " This has nothing to do with Cousin Brother, it's only because that one surnamed Xie is vicious and merciless with a face like a devil, a great monster in the capital! I know it all!"

"You truly do understand Commander Xie…" Xie Yun smiled as he held up the teacup in both hands.

Fu Xiangrong sized up this commoner woman before her, only to find 'her' elegant about the brows and eyes, with a leisurely and comfortable demeanour, and with a slight smile upon thin lips curving up, and could not help but find it indescribably irksome.

The fury of Young Mistress Fu erupted from her heart with loathing born in her gall bladder, and for a moment could not control herself, snapping: "I see that you're not anything good either, most likely having entrapped my cousin on purpose, wanting to hitch a ride to the sky on the dragon and phoenix4, and crawl into my clan!"

Xie Yun was just raising the teacup to his lips, and upon hearing what was said gave her a look of amazement and praise. That look gave Fu Xiangrong no small amount of provocation: "Why are you looking at me? This young lady is more good-looking than you! ― Cripple!"

"Xiangrong!"

A loud shout suddenly came from behind, causing Fu Xiangrong to jump in shock, turning around to see Fu Wenjie be carried into the room, appearing at the doorway with an angry expression.

"Brother, I―"

"What are you doing here, how could you act so unmannerly?"

"I was obviously only…"

A tinkling sound echoed, as Xie Yun put down his teacup, and interrupted an imminent quarrel in a timely manner: "May Young Master cease your anger, Young Mistress Fu only committed a gaffe ― may I ask for the reason, for Young Master Fu to personally honour us with your presence?"

Fu Wenjie gave Fu Xiangrong a reproachful look, making the young lady wish to talk back, yet she was hurriedly restrained by her maid, only able to let out a resentful hmph.

"Miss Long," Fu Wenjie turned towards Xie Yun with apology written all over his face, cupping his hands in salute from his position on his bamboo chair: "Haiping has agitated your good self, and certainly could not be let off just like this, I wish to order him to personally apologise to Miss and Master Xin Chao. At present my humble abode had already arranged a banquet, is it possible for Miss to do us the honour of attending―"

"Brother!" Fu Xiangrong was immediately unable to bear it: "Cousin is innocent, someone else was certainly trying to seduce him, so he was entrapped!"

"…quickly bring the Young Mistress away!"

Fu Wenjie was practically unable to restrain his anger, and after his younger sister had received a yell from him, immediately the rims of her eyes reddened: "Brother, you, you… you've changed, you used to dote on me! Ever since last year…"

Fu Wenjie took a deep breath, yet before he could even flare up, the maids finally managed to hastily pull away Fu Xiangrong.

"It's all your fault!" Fu Xiangrong was still struggling as she howled this line at Xie Yun, and then with a twist of her body she ran off.

Fu Wenjie turned back with a face filled with worry: "May Miss Long forgive me. My mother has pampered my younger sister since childhood, and completely spoiled her…"

Xie Yun silently studied him for a moment, and abruptly smiled: "There is no harm, Young Master has exaggerated, there is no need to bother about the bickering of young girls."

Probably due to some peculiarity in his voice, but Fu Wenjie was somewhat baffled by that look which was studying him, and subconsciously touched his face: "Miss Long―"

"It's nothing," Xie Yun rose, and spoke amicably: "Did you not say that your household has arranged a banquet? ― Do lead the way."

The Sword-Forging Manor had towered over the Jianghu for a lifetime, and the old late Master was also the previous Master of the allied martial arts community5, the person has left but the tea has yet to cool6, so their influence is still extremely prestigious.

What was unexpected was that this banquet to which only Xie Yun and Shan Chao were invited to, was not located in a warm room or the inner hall, but had opened the three main, side and inner gates, and arranged at the Sword-Forging Manor main hall. Once they entered they saw an empty main seat, Shan Chao drinking tea at the guest seat, and Chen Haiping with drooped shoulders at a lower seat as prescribed by the rules.

Fu Wenjie invited Xie Yun into the banquet, while he himself was helped by people to the main seat, then did he give a long sigh: "My younger cousin Chen Haiping had been born into riches and honour as a child, and cherished by one's elders, and had inevitably cultivated a frivolous and licentious temper. Today when we were touring the lake, I had not paid attention in a moment of folly, and did not expect that he would create such a preposterous matter…"

Xie Yun smiled as he listened, glimpsing Chen Haiping in the corner of his eye ― the eldest Young Master Chen still had grievance written all over his face, probably still believing in 'a modest young lady is a gentleman's good mate', and had obviously done nothing wrong, so where did he go wrong?

Fu Wenjie said a few more words, and coughed. The maids hurriedly brought out from the back kitchen the medical decoction, yet he only gave it a glimpse, waving his hands impatiently: "Leave it."

Shan Chao had much on his mind, and upon seeing this made a routine remark: "Is Young Master alright?"

"Merely an occasional cold, it is simply too irritating to drink the medicine everyday." Fu Wenjie sighed with a smile, asking: "Where did Master and Miss Long come from? Were you pa.s.sing through to call upon family and friends, or…"

Shan Chao was dressed in monk robes and carried the Buddhist prayer beads, with a strong build, despite his young handsome features, yet as he was travelling with a rarely-seen beauty as a monk, it could not help but arouse the curiosity of others. Shan Chao did not know how to explain at that time, only simply saying that he was a monk from Chang'an, and had occa.s.sionally rescued Miss Long who had been in a hard situation, and upon learning that she was alone, he had thus escorted her the whole way back to her hometown to find her family and so on…

Chen Haiping was absently listening beside him, and suddenly made a soft 'Yi?' of surprise, looking towards Xie Yun.

― this woman's comportment was calm, although she was touring the lake alone on the boat, yet she was relaxed and at ease, no matter how he looked she did not seem like… an interminably weeping lone woman… who had been seized away by an evil tyrant.

"You're still looking!" Fu Wenjie immediately had a headache as big as a peck of grain, tossing down his chopsticks with a bang: "We haven't mentioned you yet, how do you account for what happened at the lake today?"

Chen Haiping was terrified of this cousin already, hurriedly getting up to beg for mercy, yet Fu Wenjie pointed towards the tea on the table: "What are you staring for, why don't you quickly serve tea to the Miss and apologise?!"

Chen Haiping could only carry the tea, get up and walk to stand before Xie Yun, and gave an embarra.s.sed cough. Xie Yun raised his eyebrows in scrutiny, as Chen Haiping inhaled and exhaled, and after his chest undulated for half a day, he seemed to give up and sigh, leaning over in a bow as he handed over the teacup:

"I have been rude today, may Miss and Master Xin Chao not blame me…"

His words had yet to end, yet suddenly the maid at the doorway hurried inside: "Young Master, Old Madam has come!"

Fu Wenjie hurriedly ordered someone to lend an arm in helping him get up, after which an older woman whose hair greyed at the temples came in. Although her age was more advanced, the silhouette of her youthful looks were still apparent in her brows and eyes, and she was escorted by a mult.i.tude of maids as she crossed over the threshold, walking into the main hall.

This was clearly the widow of the previous Alliance Master, Fu Wenjie's 'Mother' had yet to leave his lips, when she hurried forward trembling, grabbing onto Chen Haiping, and then turning towards Fu Wenjie in rebuke: "I thought something major had happened, why are you blaming your cousin!"

"Our household is now handling a major event, what if news of this got out, and those vile characters with vicious minds full of hatred and jealousy jest about Haiping behind our backs?"

Shan Chao: "…"

Xie Yun: "…"

Shan Chao's face revealed his astonishment, and beside him Xie Yun caressed his hand in a gesture of comfort. At last they understood from whom did Young Mistress Fu learn her behaviour by word and deed.

Fu Wenjie immediately felt that his head would explode, hurriedly yielding the main seat to let his mother sit down, and explained with exceptional awkwardness to Shan Chao and Xie Yun: "This… this is my mother, heaving heard that two guests have arrived today, she…. may both of you not take offence…"

The corner of Shan Chao's mouth twitched, about to say something, when he was interrupted by a smiling Xie Yun: "It's no issue at all, Old Madam is justified, Young Master has no need to take offence."

Fu Wenjie's expression immediately looked as if someone had stuffed an egg down his throat, having been stifled until his face shifted between red and white.

The Old Madam clearly spoiled her son and the nephew from her clan, upon seeing that Fu Wenjie's decoction was placed to the side, she immediately gave a loud cry for a maid to come and serve it to him; she also dragged Chen Haiping's hand to enquire solicitously about his well-being, as if fearing that he had caught a cold from falling into the lake, and during this time she gave Shan Chao a few glares with implicit resentment.

Fu Wenjie awkwardly said: "Truth be told, after my father died the office of Alliance Master has been left vacant, and thus recently all the great sects have decided to conduct a Grand Martial a.s.sembly here at Sword-Forging Manor on the first of next month, and elect the new Alliance Master, to guide everyone to resist the Mysterious Demon School7 which has invaded the Central Plains from Mobei… Sects such as the Kongtong, Qingcheng and others have already sent representatives to stay in our manor, thus conversation flows where there are many people, hence my mother…"

Xie Yun spoke in curiosity: "Sects such as the Kongtong and Qingcheng are rather far from Jiangnan, why choose to hold a Grand Martial a.s.sembly at Sword-Forging Manor?"

n.o.body saw Shan Chao's hand which was holding chopsticks paused, as if carrying a trace of suspicion, glancing towards 'Miss Long'.

Yet Fu Wenjie did not sense anything strange: "Miss has asked a good question. The reason for this is actually not complicated, yet there had always been a rule amongst the fellows of the martial arts community: the newly-elected Master will at the a.s.sembly inherit the relics of the predecessor, and the most important amongst these are the two swords Longyuan, and Tai-E…"

Shan Chao's attention was immediately seized, abruptly turning towards Fu Wenjie.

"…Longyuan symbolises great virtue, Tai-E represents prestige, and the two together are known as the Swords of the Realm, with legend providing that those who obtain it may rule all under heaven; ever since my father's death, these two famed antique blades have been sealed up in the Manor, and thus it was decided to host this grand Jianghu ceremony here."

Fu Wenjie paused, and enquired: "What happened to Master Xin Chao?"

Shan Chao narrowed his eyes which were as sharp as a wolf's. The two long swords which had been tightly wrapped up in rags the whole road down south, were currently carried criss-cross on his strong back.

"…Young Master," he slowly asked, his steady voice mixed with a vigilance which was hard to detect: "These two swords, is there any possibility of them being counterfeited?"

In a flash, the expression of the Fu family's mother and son turned slightly uneasy.

"Impossible, Master has overthought," Fu Wenjie bowed his head to take up his medicine bowl, smiling as he said: "Longyuan and Tai-E are famed blades with divine natures from antiquity, each of them are capable of recognising their masters, were they used by other people without permission they would immediately produce a sword-howl, shocking everything within several li — how can a copy have such a characteristic? Thus there is absolutely no need to worry."

"Then, is Longyuan and Tai-E still in Sword-Forging Manor?"

Fu Wenjie did not expect that Shan Chao would make such a demand, and was startled for a moment before replying: "Naturally." As he spoke he immediately raised his medicine bowl to take a sip.

Xie Yun was still smiling, glancing at Shan Chao from the corner of his eye.

The profile of the black-clothed monk had a depth distinctive of Mobei, with a strange nose-bridge, lips slightly pursed, and a steadfast jaw with distinctly sharp protrusion, the lines of his taut muscles leading to a st.u.r.dy neck and an extended Adam's apple. Because his eyesight was too good, his eyes had a deeply concealed sharpness, sweeping past the faces of Fu Wenjie, the Old Madam and Chen Haiping one by one.

Chen Haiping did not know the reason for his action, but the Old Madam was somewhat uneasy, taking without leave a pair of chopsticks to grab food for her son.

Shan Chao coldly said: "I have one more thing to ask about."

Fu Wenjie put down his bowl, subconsciously swallowing his saliva: "Master please speak…"

"Does Young Master know of the Snow Lotus water used to smelt the swords, and where may we find it?"

Fu Wenjie reluctantly laughed, this time waving his hands as he shook his head, almost with the implication of begging forgiveness: "What is Snow Lotus water? This I truly do not know."

The banquet finally ended in a stiff atmosphere, although it could not be said that they parted on bad terms, but from the cold expression on the Old Madam's face and Fu Wenjie's preoccupied look, it was actually not quite that far from bad terms.

Shan Chao had originally intended to take his leave after the meal, but at this time it was dark, and Fu Wenjie did exert all efforts to retain them, thus he took advantage of the situation and agreed to stay for a night.

Chen Haiping was quite excited — if this hateful monk did not leave, Miss Long naturally would not leave either; if Miss Long did not leave, then they could meet tomorrow, and perhaps after tonight Miss Long's mind could change, and tomorrow she could suddenly decide to marry him.

It was night, the autumn moonlight pa.s.sed through the window lattice, ruffling the jade hooks and cold silks, the night wind carrying along the secret floating fragrance of osmanthus. Xie Yun rose from the couch, randomly tying up his hair, and he easily draped a jacket over his shoulders while pushing the door open to leave the room. Sure enough he saw outside the opposing guest room, under the moonlight in the gloomy winding cloister8, the nimble silhouette of a black-clothed monk was seated on the railing. 

"Master has yet to turn in?"

Shan Chao was abruptly roused from his contemplation, putting down the Seven Stars Longyuan wrapped in rags in his hand: "…Miss Long."

Xie Yun stood in the glittering bright courtyard9, crossing his arms as he studied Shan Chao, and suddenly mocked as if full of ridicule: "Master is sitting alone so late at night, with such heavy thoughts, could it be that there is someone in your heart, is it the Buddha Tathagatha or a young lady from some family?"

What was beyond expectation was that Shan Chao did not immediately explain or anxiously retort, but remained silent for a while, before he shook his head and said: "No, I was thinking of someone."

He paused, slowly saying: "In Chang'an City, that… Xie Yun."

Translator's Notes Chapter 7: On the Snow Lotus

Fun fact: turns out that Snow Lotus is an actual flower in real life.

The Tianshan snow lotus as a general flower name, refers to species Saussurea involucrata, which is cla.s.sed in the daisy family. It grows in high alt.i.tudes only, and in Chinese the t.i.tle of Snow Lotus is reserved for it. In Chinese martial arts literature its ranking as a medicinal herb is at the same rank as lingzhi and old ginseng. In real life it is used for, I quote, 'the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, cough with cold, stomachache, dysmenorrhea, and alt.i.tude sickness, and has been found to have anti-inflammatory and a.n.a.lgesic effects'. Of course, it will not melt immediately on contact with hot water like the Snow Lotus mentioned in the book.

The other 'snow lotuses' used in TCM are: Saussurea laniceps, Chinese name translated as 'cotton-headed snow rabbit', and Saussurea medusa, Chinese name translated as 'jellyfish snow lotus'.

— LLS

1 ZH: 打秋风 - fig. To seek gratuitous financial help, to use a relationship to extract money etc.

2 ZH: 出家人 - a blanket term covering all people under monastic vows i.e. Buddhist or Taoist monks, nuns, priests, priestesses etc.

3 ZH: 属下 - Another first-person p.r.o.noun which basically translates to 'I, your subordinate'.

4 ZH: 攀龙附凤 - fig. currying favor with the rich and powerful in the hope of advancement

5 ZH: 武林盟主 - this is related to a Wuxia trope which is described here. Due to my personal preferences I chose to gloss over the grosser aspects of Wuxia, hence I chose to translate this term another way. Thereafter I shall use 'Alliance Master' to refer to this lengthy office.

6 ZH: 人走茶未凉 - this is a twist on the idiom 人走茶凉, which means that once the power is gone, the adulating followers also disappear.

7 ZH: 神鬼门

8 ZH: 抄手游廊 - this refers to the cloistered walks in traditional Chinese architecture. An example here:

9 ZH: 积水空明的庭院 - this is a paraphrasing of a line in Su Shi's 'Record of a Night out in Chengtian Temple', which is meant to highlight the moonlight being so bright and thick as if it were liquid. For ancient travel literature, this is fairly poetic.

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