Chapter Twenty: Feigned Indifference
hat auctions have existed in ancient China. They appear in classical Chinese novels and are not out of place.My story "Crimson Heart" is a fictional world. I focus more on the narrative than historic..."Elder Brother Xiangxian!"
Zhongshan Weisu stood up excitedly and shouted passionately.
Item Bei's reversed-grip, world-renowned halberd spun around, and then he turned his head back to indicate that he was "looking".
"Since our parting at the Guanhe Pavilion eight years ago, time has flown!" Wei Sun from Zhongshan had a smile on his face: "Your heroic bearing, Brother Xiang, still frequently appears in my mind!"
Eight years have passed, and they are no longer the fledglings who "first tried their cries." They have all gone through a lot.
Time has sculpted Xiangbei's features with a rugged sharpness. Once arrogant and domineering, he now possesses a quiet intensity.
Hearing this, Wen Yan merely said, "The appearance of being pressed against the face by fireworks"
Let me know if you have other text you'd like me to translate!
For many years after, people recounted the Huang He meeting of 3919 AD, discussing the most impressive moments at this grand gathering of celestial talents throughout history. There were two scenes that consistently received the loudest applause -
They are respectively Dou Shao and Chong Xuan Zun's prodigies of the world, Jiang Wangjian Xianren to Qin Zhizhen's King Yama.
Below this is Jiang Wangjian's journey against adversity, as well as Jiang Wangyan's pressuring Beixin.
This is a battle that's often cited as an example, discussed, and studied. It's not something that frequently pops into people's minds A lot of people outside the State of Chu talk about Xiangbei...oh, that big guy who got fireworks lit on his face by Jiang Wang!
Zhongshan Weishun was taken aback and quickly salvaged the situation: “It's all in the past! Who hasn't had a time when they didn't perform as well as they could have Back then, I was only a top four contender in the outer court.”
"I am one of the top eight contenders in the Inner Palace tournament," Xiangbei said.
Only then did Zhongshan Weison realize, Xiang Bei's luck was extremely bad. He ran into Jiang Wang during the round of eight.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Of course, when it comes to luck, Zhongshan Weison's luck is exceptional. However, he failed to capitalize on it and lost to Yan Shaofei. What else can be said
>
"All that is past is gone!" Zhongshan Wei Sun waved his hand with a magnificent air: "To see the elegant figures of our age, look at this very day!"
xiang Bei remained silent, only pointing to his eyes with his index finger, as if asking — how do you see it
“Don’t do that.” Zhongshan Weishun smiled and said, “That way I can’t talk anymore.”
"A dashing man, three thousand nine hundred and nineteen years have passed. Now eight years have gone by, the most dazzling people are still the most dazzling. Looking forward In two to seven years, the next Huanghe Convention will be held. There will always be talented people throughout the ages, and new peerless prodigies will soon be the focus of attention." Xiangbei raised his蓋世戟 (Gai Shi Ji) and flew forward: "The time left for us to prove ourselves is getting less and less."
“Yes! We all need to work harder.” Zhongshan Weishun quickly followed up and flattered him: “The defeat of the Yellow River keeps me awake at night. I often feel that time flies and fear wasting it——Brother Xiang, we truly have the same aspirations!”
Xiangbei drew his famous spear, the Ge Shi Ji, across in a gesture to signify he would continue no further. He said, "We are not like-minded, Zhongshan Weishun. You have yet to find your true self. Where does your path lie"
Zhongshan Weishun chuckled nervously and forced a smile: “Xiang ge, I don’t understand what you mean.”
Xiangbei stood there, between him and Zhongshan Weishun lay a blade that was the embodiment of unparalleled skill: "Do you think that doing things you've never done before is considered change Do you think that learning to bow your head is considered maturity Do you think that shattering the rules means you've been reborn"
"Brother Xiang," Zhongshan Weishun's smile vanished: "What do you want to say"
Xiangbei shook his head. "Whether you're gentle and polite or unrestrained and rebellious, it's just one mask replacing another. You now and your past self are not truly yourselves. You haven't truly broken the rules, you've only been disrespectful and disappointed. The thief on the mountain is still there, and the thief in your heart is still there."
What then, is the true me Zhongshan Weishun wanted to ask this, but he didn't speak. Because it was really an unnecessary question.
"False stubbornness, hard to see the heavenly palace. I suggest you go and look again at the details of the battle between Elder Jiangge and the Heavenly Capital City, perhaps you can understand what it means to 'break through the barriers and achieve enlightenment'!"
After saying this, Xiangbei strode away with his sword drawn.
His tall figure, a mere flicker, melted into the looming shadows of the distant mountains, as if he were also one of them, a part of the sprawling mountain range.
Zhongshan Weixin did not follow up.
Item Bei has already given an answer, Item Bei can't help him.
But Xiangbei also offered his own help.
Standing here, looking out in every direction, all is desolate. The endless line of tents stretches further into the distance, marking a vast and empty plain. This autumn will be one that is hard to forget.
Zhongshan Weisun looked out at the distance in solitude. Outside the Yellow River meeting place, he gazed upon the four finalists of the building complex, and behind them, the eight finalists of the Inner Palace.
This person blinded their innate divine eye, yet they see more clearly. This person lost the Yellow River Assembly and the Shan Hai Realm, yet they have become even grander.
Whether victory or defeat, experience can make you grow — provided that you face it all.
Although I have been working hard for the past eight years without ever letting up, I always felt like something was missing.
What's missing
It's indescribable, invisible and intangible.
How far ahead lies the path Can we see it clearly today
The sky light spills like broken glass, a sigh of autumn, a dream unfulfilled.
In the midst of the chaotic Nandou Secret Realm, this side hall was surprisingly quiet.
But the silence was soon shattered.
Long Boji narrowed his eyes, drew his sword, and strode hurriedly into the room.
The ethereal and aloof air of old has vanished without a trace. The face, once characterized by its dignified composure, is now contorted with malevolent emotions. Rage festers in every jagged wrinkle, writhing out of control.
Only the topknot, restrained by the jade hairpin, still managed to retain a semblance of the true heir's dignity.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Tap! Tap!
This is a very simple task.
The boots tread on the floor with killing intent.
A woman in black veil, by the independent windowsill, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. She quietly contemplated the melancholic thoughts of late autumn. Only when footsteps neared did she lazily turn her head back, a look of nonchalance flickering in those captivating eyes.—
"Senior Brother Long, what do you mean by this"
"What do you mean" Long Boji drew his sword, killing intent erupting with it. In an instant, he grinned savagely, "You dare ask me what I mean!"
Mei Yue turned back casually, leaning against the window sill, arms crossed, looking at Long Boji with disdain: "This covert operation, meticulously planned for years by San Fen Xiang Qi Lou, was well-prepared. We risked everything we've built in Chu over all these years, activating every hidden agent within the territory, overcoming countless obstacles to discreetly bring out Taohua Yuan. There were no incidents in Ying City or within Chu, but right at this simplest and most relaxed stage, just as it was about to be sent to Nan Yu, we got discovered! Senior Brother Long - why can't I ask what you mean"
Her gaze at this moment was cold, the kind of coldness that lingered after sunset, when no one returned: "The spirit stones I sent from Sanshenxianglou could fill this entire side hall. Everything we offered is what your Nandou Hall lacked. And what have you done You are Nandou Hall, an ancient and venerable sect with a long history and profound foundation. Yet, you couldn't even handle the simplest part of this matter! Long Shixiong—I shouldn't ask what you mean"
Every word and sentence in this statement is an undeniable fact.
Long Bo clenched his sword hilt, as if that alone could support his rage, give his anger a reason: “You didn't say at first that you were going to steal Peach Blossom Spring! Greed is insatiable, and grasping for it like a tiger’s whiskers only invites this catastrophe!”
"That's not stealing, it's taking back what belongs to us." Mei Yue said calmly, "Didn't I notify you before taking back the Peach Blossom Garden Were you unaware We transferred the assets of the Sanfenxianglou seven times. Every time we fed you well. Each time, we told you exactly what we wanted, what route to take, and where to make the exchange. You only needed to ensure safety on the final leg, doing the easiest thing and receiving the most generous rewards — now that the Chu army has arrived, you start blaming us"
Dragon Master Qi arrived with a menacing sword, but instead of retreating, she stepped forward, pressing closer to him with each step, as if she had his heart under her control. "The failure was due to your negligence, and the leak of our secrets was your doing. This operation cost Fragrant Pavilion all its resources from the Southern Territories, exhausting every piece on the Chu state chessboard. In the end, we lost everything! Seven Heaven-scented disciples died in battle, three. Eleven Heart-scented disciples were punished, five. Even Master Fragrance's Luo Fa was killed by Dou Zhao's sword! Dragon Senior Brother — you dare to blame me"
Longboji couldn't refute a single word that Meiyue said.
Let me know if you'd like to translate any other text!
He charged in with murderous intent, now it just doesn't make sense.
But he knew deep down that all the peril the Nandou Hall now faced stemmed from this woman before him. She was the one who had opened the box brimming with calamities. Heart Fragrance first, then the ruination of the country and its people!
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Lung Boji gritted his teeth and said, "Shouldn't I blame you Shouldn't the dead blame you If you hadn't come to Nan Dou Secret Realm, none of this would have happened!"
Mèiyuè shook her head. The disappointment in her eyes was so obvious that Jīnglóngbō wondered if he had made countless mistakes!
"How could you say something like that Well"
Her gaze was lost in the autumn colors, revealing a chilling and oppressive atmosphere. She almost pointed at Long Boji's face as she questioned him: "You are the direct descendant of Si Ming Dian, the highly anticipated Nandou future, the favored son of heaven, Long Boji! How could you say such foolish, childish words If you just calmed down for a moment and used your brain to think about it, would you still say that Saying that none of this would have happened"
She stared at Long Boji: "Chu State wants to destroy Nandou Hall, is it because you did something wrong Or were they going to destroy Nandou Hall anyway, just using this as an excuse Is this a complicated issue Can't you see the answer Long Senior Brother, where has your wise and calm self gone Your heart is too chaotic! You are afraid like this—"
She quickly stepped back, creating a safe distance.
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
That intense sense of pressure, vanished suddenly! Long Boji subconsciously looked out the window, for a moment, he desperately wanted to take a deep breath - he was almost suffocating.
This is the end of the paragraph.
Mei Yue opened her hands and slightly lifted her head, revealing her snowy neck.
“Heh,” she laughed, her voice laced with aggression: “Brother Long, if you’re here to kill me, then draw your sword. Perhaps this will give you some courage.”
Long Boji almost instinctively took a step back!
After this step, he felt a great sense of despair in his heart.
>
He realized that he was completely flustered.
Since he was born, he has lived in the Nandou Secret Realm.
The South Pavilion is his everything. He has dedicated his entire life to becoming a "qualified successor to the Southern Pavilion".
He was exceptionally gifted and excelled beyond his peers. He began handling affairs of the Department of Fate early on, and in recent years, he has also started sharing the authority of the entire South Dipper Palace.
Everyone thought so, and he himself believed it—he was bound to be the next generation's Divine Mandate Master, and there was a high chance he would grow up to become the head of the Nandou Palace.
The Nandou Hall met with a cataclysmic disaster, its very heavens collapsing.
He was unwilling to believe all this, and did everything he could, but understood very well that it was all in vain.
>
Is he at a loss
No, he knew he was already at his wit's end.
Is he stupid
No, he just wants to go crazy!
"Long Shixiong." Mei Yue's voice calmed down instead, she asked: "Why didn't you kill me"
Long Bo held the sword, speechless for a moment.
Mei Yue smiled softly, her smile languid and light. "Do you think you're the only one who hates me Do you think in all of Nandou Hall, only you want me dead Doesn't Sisheng Zhenren hate me Doesn't Changsheng Jun want to crush me Although everyone knows I'm not the culprit, at this moment, I am the easiest person to hate, isn't that right"
"People always choose to hate the easiest person to hate, rather than the one who deserves it most."
"But you said—" Her voice now was even a little airy, as if she didn't care about anything, not even her own life or death: "Do you know why only you came charging at me with your sword"
Long Bo looked up at her, his bloodshot eyes filled with fury and confusion... he waited for her reply.
She said, "Because it's meaningless."
Mei Yue laughed out loud, covering her mouth as she shook with laughter. "Because... none of us can escape! Hahahaha, Shen Lin, Dong Zhen, Yan Dao, there's no difference, no exception - we'll all... die here!"
Clang clang clang!
The sword in Long Bo's hand fell to the ground.
He suddenly lost much of his expression, his eyes blank.
A cold gleam flashed in Mei Yue's smiling eyes— those who can't wield a sword until the very end are truly weak. Even with a golden body and jade marrow, being a direct descendant of the main branch is nothing but skin deep. They are not even as good as a seventeen-year-old Zhou Tian realm boy from a small town.
But the chill melted away quickly, like dewdrops clinging to the tips of her eyelashes.
She gently wiped away the tears from laughing with her little finger, looking at Long Bo and saying, “That’s not right either. Not everyone in Nandou Hall will die. Just like Sanfenxianglou, only those unfortunate enough to end up in Nan Yu died. Me and you, we're just people who have been abandoned.”
A glimmer appeared in Long Boji's eyes, he slowly regained consciousness and blinked.
"Speaking of which, all the cultivators in Nandou Secret Realm these days are guarding the gate, yet nobody knows where Tianji and Qisha realpersons have gone" Mei Yue smiled: "When Chu Guo made their move, they weren't at Nandou Hall anymore, were they Truly insightful!"
>
Long Boji, if he hadn't heard, crouched down, picked up the sword from the ground, didn't say another word, turned and walked out, his pace quickening. He almost fled this side hall.
He came with a menacing air, but left in a panicked scramble.
The sword cry left behind in this secluded hall, was just a lonely thud on the ground.
(The End)ming across his cheeks, he had already drawn his blade.The curved saber at his waist, adorned with red and blue gemstones, was incredibly luxurious. The moment it was drawn, the blade glittered brilli...