Bat

Feng Long had long been regarded as the number one martial artist in Wulin by his fellow martial peers since he killed the Monster of Tiannan1 Mountain who had been terrorising Jianghu for thirty years with one strike of his sword. He was young, deeply resourceful, had fine elegance and excellent martial art skills, and he was praised by all without exception. But what had made Feng Long, who was known for not often making appearances in public, suddenly come out to the Bai Family’s birthday celebration?

For the Bai family, his presence brought light to their humble abode.

To receive such an esteemed guest on the morning of his birthday. Bai Moran was in a better mood and his laughter continued to be heard like a bell continuously ringing. The heroes of all walks of life also went forward to deliver him their birthday wishes.

“Bai laoye-zi, this is the thousand-year-old ginseng I got from Changbai Mountain. My apologies for such a mediocre birthday gift.”

“You’re too courteous, thank you.”

“This painting of the Heavenly Lake and Swooping Swallows is a treasure that came out from the Royal Palace. Bai laoye-zi please take a look, does it please you?”

The hall was full of noise, and everyone’s gifts were piled up like a mountain. It’s no wonder that although the Bai family had no outstanding descendants, in Jianghu, they still held a certain status, and they could also be counted as the wealthiest family in Wulin.

“*Qiang, Qiang*…” The gongs and drums changed suddenly, before the sound of crisp bells rang successively. 

Behind the bead curtains, the two maids advanced forward and brought out a noble lady in brocade robes.

Her head ornament was impressive and colourful, she was wearing a gold-threaded brocade robe, she was both poised and luxurious, it was a pity that there was an obvious scar on her face, which had ruined this outstanding beauty’s appearance.

Song Xiangli upheld her position as the matriarch of the household, smiling at the guests: “Our Bai family is extremely grateful for all of your generous hospitality. I invite you all to enjoy yourselves, today.” She is not afraid of others’ eyes falling on her mutilated face. This scar represented her eternal favour to the Bai family; it was a sort of medal to her.

On the other side, Bai Moran had already personally got up from his seat, and went to carefully support his beloved wife.

“Didn’t you say that you are tired? I am able to take care of the guests along with Shaoli and Shaoxin, why did you come out in person?”

“Today is your birthday, I cannot be idle.”

After exchanging greetings with the guests in the hall, Song Xiangli’s eyes fell upon Feng Long. Without waiting for Bai Moran’s introduction, she gently opened his lips, “The eldest son of the Feng family?”

“It is indeed I, your nephew2, greetings fu-ren.”

Although her appearance had been ruined, her commanding demeanor had not disappeared. Song Xiangli nodded and praised: “Feng gongzi is too kind.”

“Thank you for your praise, fu-ren.”

Then, after the guests had all offered their birthday well wishes, next, it was the turn of the Bai family’s children and disciples to offer their well wishes.

Bai Shaoli and Bai Shaoxin led a group of Bai family disciples and knelt down in a line.

“This child wishes mother and father’s happiness to be as great as the East Sea3 and to live as long as the Zhongnan Mountains4!”

The Bai family naturally were accustomed to wearing white5.

Looking down at those dressed in snow-white robes, all his sons and nephews had grown up to become outstanding individuals, Bai Moran laughed aloud successively, stroking his beard whilst smiling and looking at his wife.

That smile suddenly stopped.

Although Song Xiangli was smiling, it was not a natural smile. Bai Moran had been with her for decades, and he could naturally tell, his eyes immediately followed her gaze.

Inside the hall, the Bai family sons and disciples were knelt down in a line, but beside the door outside the hall, there was a person who was also knelt down silently and alone.

Black robes, black shoes, pitch-black hair.

Bai Shaoqing.

Taking advantage of no one having noticed him, he reluctantly kowtowed once outside the hall. Bai Shaoqing had completed the etiquette of his father’s birthday celebration. He was of the mentality that if seeing him was to start a fight then it was better for them to not greet each other, Bai Shaoqing quietly got up from the ground, and turned around to leave.

A tall figure suddenly appeared in front of him silently.

Bai Shaoqing lowered his head and saw that dark green sword that seemed to have a thousand feet of depth. A trace of surprise appeared on Bai Shaoqing’s face which had always been utterly calm, but it disappeared in an instant.

“Esteemed guest, please could you give way.”

“I, Feng Long, am untalented, to think that there is such a handsome6 new talent in Wulin. Feng Long smiled, “May I ask this honorable xiongtai for your name?”

Because the road had been blocked by Feng Long, and because the latter was staring at him with the most curious provocative and teasing look, Bai Shaoqing pursed his lips.

Bai Shaoqing actually attracted Feng Long’s attention! Bai Moran was very unhappy. Song Xiangli smiled coldly.

He immediately walked over. “Worthy nephew Feng, this is…”

Knowing that there is no way to hide it, Bai Moran reluctantly introduced: “This is my youngest son, Shaoqing. Shaoqing has been weak since childhood, so he did not study martial arts in the Bai family manor, he went out to study with a master7 elsewhere. He only comes back once a year. So Wulin friends may not know him.” His eyes swept towards Bai Shaoqing, and he said solemnly, “It’s cold, don’t just stand here. Your body is weaker than your two elder brothers. Go back to your room.”

“Yes.” Bai Shaoqing replied and turned around, but Feng Long was still in the way.

Feng Long’s masculine and charming face suddenly turned into a moving smile, “Since he is the son of the Bai family, I, Feng Long, have the intention to become friends. Bai-xiong, please don’t leave yet. There is something that I am afraid involves the Bai family.”

He turned his head towards Bai Moran and said, “I don’t want to hide this from uncle, Fenglong came here for two reasons – one is to offer my birthday wishes to you but there is also another matter. I wonder if uncle can find a place to talk with me? It’s best if…. The other members of the Bai family are also present.”

Although he is stern and respectful with his words, every word seemed to hold much importance.

Bai Moran was puzzled, but immediately nodded, and invited Feng Long into the side room. The eldest son and the second son helped their mother into the room. Bai Shaoqing wanted to turn around and leave, but Feng Long glanced at him, and then put his slender hand lightly on Bai Shaoqing’s shoulder.

He had no martial arts ability, so Bai Shaoqing had no choice but to follow them and enter.

Everyone sat down, all of their inquisitive eyes fixated on Feng Long.

Fenglong took a sip of tea without saying a word, and then solemnly ordered: “Bring them in.”

His companion servants walked into the room one after the other, four servants were carrying a wooden box together, there were a total of five boxes, everyone looked on solemnly and respectfully.

Bai Moran looked at it, and couldn’t help but secretly be suspicious: In terms of its size, the wooden box looked like a coffin. Was the one surnamed Feng here to bring him bad luck?

Feng Long did not explain, waiting for the wooden box to be put on the floor, he ordered: “Open them.”

All the servants began to open the wooden boxes, only to have a vile stench waft out. Several people from the Bai family took a look inside. It turned out that the inside of the box contained a corpse.

Bai Moran’s face dropped, the eldest son of the Bai family, Shaoli couldn’t hold back any longer and shouted out: “Feng Long! Today is my father’s birthday, what is the meaning of this?”

What he asked was what everyone was thinking, as soon as he said it, all the eyes naturally fell back upon Feng Long.

Feng Long was not alarmed in the slightest, his fair fingers lightly tapping the green scabbard of his sword, and he slowly sighed, “Uncle Bai, today is your birthday, I originally didn’t want to present these things; but the matter is too urgent, there is no time to delay.”

“Oh? Please explain?”

“Could uncle first look at these people, do you recognise any of them?”

Bai Moran got up from his seat, and looked in the boxes one by one.

Although the people had already been dead for two or three days, it seemed like they had gone through some sort of preservation, their head didn’t have the slightest amount of decay. After looking over the corpses, he nodded: “I know them. This is Lu Heyuan from Dian Cang8 who seemed to have good swordsmanship, and had once sparred with Shaoli against our Bai family sword technique, ah, my son is not skilled and the other won by half a move.”

He pointed and spoke again: “This is Mo Jiasheng, last month, he was making trouble at our Bai family’s silverware shop. When I heard that he did it to save the starving people of his county, and he was pressed for money, I immediately asked my employees to give him five thousand liang, and told him he didn’t need to pay it back. Oh, this person’s martial arts was so-so, his personality contrary to what’s expected was actually very friendly and hospitable, I’m surprised that he has been killed. And this one….. Eh! How come it looks like all of these victims seem to have had some small interactions with the Bai family?”

Feng Long nodded and said: “It’s exactly that. These are all the weird cases that have arisen in Wulin in the last month. Each one of them can be connected to the Bai family, it’s made things difficult for me.”

“You don’t suspect us right?” 　　

Bao Shaoli butted in: “I greatly admired Lu Heyuan’s sword technique, after our sparring match we even spent a night out together drinking, why would we kill him?”

Song Xiangli glanced over at her son, then corrected: “There’s no need to say so much, let’s listen to Feng gongzi finish.”

Bai Shaoli seemed to be afraid of his mother, he lowered his head not daring to say another word.

Bai Moran frowned and said: “It’s already been a month, well the bodies….”

“Uncle Bai, these are just a few of the people that I have found on the road. As for the previous bodies, most of them have been stored at the Feng family’s Mo Tianya9. Human life is beyond value, and this matter involves Wulin’s four greatest families, so that’s why I had not taken into consideration uncle Bai’s birthday, and had to clarify the situation.

Feng Long looked at everyone around the room, paused for a while and then continued: “Honestly, if he had only taken a few lives, then the matter would not be so urgent. When does someone not die in Jianghu? But uncle, please take a look at these people’s wounds, each person has died under the secret masterstroke of our own sects and all of the bodies had large characters written next to them: This sect’s martial arts is no more than thus. He’s clearly trying to humiliate each one of our sect’s martial art skills.”

Everyone was shocked: “How could this be?” Not only did it involve human life, it also involved the reputation of each sect.

Bai Moran’s beard trembled: “They died by the Bai family’s martial art’s technique? That means that the killer knows the masterstroke of each one of our sects like the back of his hand?”

“This killer has become the public enemy of Wulin, being chased by every sect.”

Song Xiangli opened her mouth to ask: “Feng gongzi has been investigating this whole time, so I imagine you have made some headway.”

I’m ashamed to say that until now I have only found one clue, that the killer seems to often leave a dried bat near the scene of the crime. I suspect that this is the killer’s calling card, so for now we will call the killer “Bat”.

“Bat? There are not many in Wulin who use a bat for a symbol, unless…..”

“Everyone who has some renown has already been investigated in detail, there isn’t anyone suspicious, and according to the evidence left at the crime scene, everything points to the Bai family. Who could have such a huge hatred and desire for revenge against the Bai family, to use such venomous methods.”

Bai Shaoxin humphed in anger, he cupped his hands together and said: “This person is so hateful, Wulin should pool together to eliminate him, Feng da-ge if you need any assistance, do not hesitate to ask.”

Feng Long swept a glance at him unflustered: “What’s most troubling right now is that all the clues left by the killer are pointing towards the Bai family. Not only did all the victims have interactions with the Bai family, but……” He took out from his sleeve, “One of the victims was clenching this tightly in his hand.” 　　

Everyone stared at it, it turned out to be the corner of an extremely creased letter paper, nothing was written upon it, except for a very delicately small ‘Bai’ character stamped on it.

“This is a letter paper often used by the Bai family.” Bai Moran’s face exhibited his anger: “This letter paper can be used by anyone in the Bai family, and there is quite a lot circulating outside as well. If you are suspecting the Bai family just based on this ….”

“I also thought that there was someone who was maliciously framing the Bai family. Feng Long waved his hand and said: “Feng, Bai, Si Ma, Xu are the four great families in Jianghu. If someone is trying to harm the Bai family, the Feng family will absolutely not neglect this matter. This is also why I have ordered everyone to keep the news a secret and why I have come personally here.”

Hearing him say that, everyone felt a bit more relieved, and immediately a lively discussion arose.

Bai Shaoqing had been standing in the corner the whole time, listening to them count out all of the Bai family’s enemies, discussing methods on how to trap the killer, from the beginning to the end, not one of them said a word to him or even looked over at him.

He didn’t want to attract anyone’s attention but someone had been paying attention to him the whole time.

Feng Long’s gaze suddenly fell upon Bai Shaoqing: “Bai san-gongzi, do you have anything to say about this?”

Bai Shaoqing, who had been deliberately left out by the others, suddenly found that they were all looking at him, hate and disdain was clearly evident from most of their eyes. 　　

“I have not studied martial arts and I don’t understand any happenings in Wulin so naturally I have nothing to add.” Bai Shaoqing thought he might as well stand forward and he bowed towards Bai Moran: “I would like to return to my teacher’s side, please could father give me permission to leave immediately.”

Feng Long immediately urged him to stay: “Immediately? But I have not even had the opportunity to chat with Bai-xiong, what harm could it do to stay another day.” 　

Translator Note:

Now I know why this novel is only like 30 chapters – each chapter is soooo long – had to chop it.

I didn’t expect this to get so interesting already! ♡

I’m so curious as to why Feng Long is so drawn to Bai Shaoqing….

WARNING – Depictions of inc*st in this chapter (latter half of the chapter). Proceed with your own discretion.

There’s a type of person that no matter what they say seems like heaven’s law and earth’s principle1, whilst appearing elegant and appropriate to the occasion. Feng Long was such a person. Thus, since he had asked him to stay, Bai Moran immediately said: “Well why don’t you just leave tomorrow then!”

Although Song Xiangli was not particularly comfortable, she also lightly added: “Since Feng gongzi has come here, why don’t you stay and keep our guest company for a day!” Her gaze secretly glanced over at her two sons. She sighed internally even if she had exhausted every possible means and exerted endless effort, her own two sons still couldn’t compare to the blind woman’s son. 

If Bai Shaoqing had even been the slightest bit inferior, she would not have been so heartless towards him; but it was because Bai Shaoqing was just too outstanding, so outstanding that at just three years old he had made Song Xiangli apprehensively fearful.

That face, that aptitude, that innate talent – there would definitely be a day that he would surpass Shaoli and Shaoxin leaving them in the dust. She couldn’t bear it but she also could not not bear it.

The Bai family had been a renowned family in Wulin for a hundred years, the family’s customs were strict. She had no way of kicking out a son that Bai laoye-zi had already acknowledged. If Bai Shaoqing had an accident, she’d be the prime suspect. 

She could only not stop him from learning the martial arts of the Bai family, so that he would have no place in Wulin. She also did not allow him to wear white robes, to let everyone know that this san-shaoye existed in name only, he could not obtain any care or concern from the Bai family at all.

But the admiration from others could not be controlled, which made Song Xiangli worried.

“Okay, I will stay for another day.” Bai Shaoqing swept a glance over to Feng Long, looked away and then said with much reverence: “Mother, I’m tired, can I go and rest?”

Song Xiangli didn’t want Bai Shaoqing to stay anyway, her face was expressionless and she nodded: “En, you can go now!”

The sound of Bai Shaoqing’s footsteps as he left were light and elegant, like a God stepping over clouds. Song Xiangli couldn’t help secretly sighing to herself: I’ve tried every method in the book to suppress him and for what? He was only kowtowing outside the hall, and that already made Feng Long go over to him to personally ask for his name. And since coming to the Bai family manor, Feng Long had only exchanged a few conventional greetings with her own two sons.

When he arrived back at his own desolate courtyard, a flash of pink suddenly floated down from the tree. 　　

“Bai Shaoqing, did you finish discussing with Feng Long?” Fang Nihong had already waited for a long time. But as soon as she spotted Bai Shaoqing, her face still carried an extremely sweet smile.

Bai Shaoqing replied quietly: “He’s the number one master in Wulin, what qualifications do I have to chat business with him?” He looked up at the sky, it was a bit gloomy. Yesterday there was a bit of sunshine, but it looked like the sun would not come out today.

“Everyone says that Feng Long is the number one master of Wulin, I finally saw it for myself today.”

“Not bad, without speaking about his martial arts, his character and demeanour are faultless, his appearance can also be counted as good-looking, someone like that, must be every Wulin daughters dream husband.” Bao Shaoqing pursed his lips lightly, suddenly expressing a bit of humour.

A little joke that struck the young lady’s heart.

Fang Nihong looked at Bai Shaoqing, “What about you? You don’t think you are better than him?”

Bai Shaoqing only laughed at himself, but did not reply.

“You said that you wanted to express your thanks. Well I’m here now, how are you going to thank me?”

“Do you want to eat something?” Bai Shaoqing muttered to himself: “The Bai family’s customs are strict, if my mother and father see me with a female guest, they will not be happy. Why don’t we wait until we have left Bai Manor, and then I’ll thank you properly? When you get back home, I’ll come find you in Huashan.”

Fang Nihong’s eyes sparkled: “Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you.” Bai Shaoqing looked behind Fang Nihong, and couldn’t help laughing, he said: “You must have come to find your shimei. Zhou da-ge is so considerate. Fang gu-niang, why don’t you go back now.”

Fang Nihong turned around, and indeed saw Zhao Rouwen looking around everywhere as he approached, as soon as he saw Fang Nihong, he immediately smiled and rushed over.

Fang Nihong’s mouth twitched: “Pfff, shixiong is so annoying, well… I’ll go then, otherwise shixiong will blabber on again endlessly.” She couldn’t resist taking another look at Bai Shaoqing, thinking about meeting up in Huashan, her heart began to beat faster.

After seeing Fang Nihong and Zhao Rouwen off, Bai Shaoqing was in deep thought for a long time, before finally leaving his room.

After telling his mother that he was going to stay for another day, he suddenly saw a person flash by outside the window, Bai Shaoqing understood and whispered: “Mother, the room is too study, I’m going out for a bit.”

As soon as he left the room, his wrist immediately tightened, and he was led by the hand into a remote rock garden.

“No one will come here.” The originally resonant and bright male voice had become anxious at this moment.

Bai Shaoxin was still holding onto Bai Shaoqing’s wrist: “You only come back once a year, if that guy surnamed Feng hadn’t said anything you would have slinked off without a trace again.” He hurriedly and hastily went to kiss him on the mouth.

Bai Shaoqing said coldly: “You still don’t know contentment? I heard that Song Xiangli has already selected you two little concubines?”

“What concubines? There’s no amorous feeling there at all, just nagging me all day to go practice and cultivate, to practice carefully my sword technique, exactly like school teachers. How could they measure up to san-di?”

Bai Shaoqing seemed a little helpless, he frowned and said: “Have you done what I asked you to do?”

“*tut tut*,” san-di is becoming more and more arrogant. We haven’t seen each other for so long, but you have such a bad attitude towards me. Fortunately I’m here, you know what your old mother wears and eats is still quite costly.” Bai Shaoxin fondly caressed his wrist that was as translucent as jade. “But, you’re getting more and more refined.”

Bai Shaoqing squinted and looked at his own wrist which was still being held tightly by Bai Shaoxin, he’d originally wanted to struggle free, but decided to resist the urge, and instead smiled coldly: “Don’t worry, the thing that I’ve promised you, I’ll definitely do it. Let go, stop tugging at me.”

Bai Shaoxin snorted: “Don’t treat me like an idiot, as soon as I let go, I won’t know when I’ll be able to see you again. Plus it’s calm here, there’s no fear of anyone seeing us, can’t you just grant me that one wish this time?”

“Grant your wish?” Bai Shaoqing’s handsome face showed a hint of disdain: “If I grant your wish, who’s going to grant mine?”

His face was completely cold, there was not even a smile, 　

Bai Shaoxin said: “What else do you want? All these years, I’ve been carrying out your requirements, helping you take care of your mother. If it wasn’t for me secretly helping her, would my mother have let her be?”

“That’s not the only thing I want.”

Bai Shaoxin understood what he was getting at and sighed: “You still haven’t let that go? Even if I gave the Sword Manual to you, you have already passed the age to begin training, it would be almost impossible to succeed.”

“The way I see it, father hasn’t actually passed down the entire manual to you!” Seeing Bai Shaoxin leaning closer again, and his hands caressing further and further down, from his waist slipping down to between his legs. Bai Shaoqing felt a burst of loathing, he pushed him away and then turned around: “Your skills are far from da-ge, father was right not to give it to you. But why hasn’t Song Xiangli voiced her concerns, doesn’t she dote on you the most?”

“Mother naturally dotes on me, I will find a way to get it to you.”

“We can speak again when you’ve got it.”

“San-di, stay a little longer, the past two years you’ve only let me touch you once, at least give me two more kisses. Bai Shaoxin approached and embraced Bai Shaoqing in his arms.

“Let go!” Bai Shaoqing couldn’t move a muscle in his arms, his fair jade face exposed his anger, slightly turning red, making him even more handsome.

“Only an idiot would let go.” Bai Shaoxin joyfully kissed him on the lips twice, exerting much force on his thin light red lips, watching gleefully as his graceful lips became inflamed and swollen because of him, but he was still not satisfied, he used one hand to pin both of Bai Shaoqing’s hands behind his back, and the other hand to undo his belt: “I see that your body is even more beautiful, just looking at it seems such a shame, why don’t you let me stick it to you.”

Bai Shaoqing had both his hands held down, originally he had decided on just bearing it and letting him kiss him twice, and treat it as being bitten by a dog, but hearing Bai Shaoxin talking like that, the depths of eyes suddenly became cold, not the least bit afraid, instead he sneered: “Okay, so it turns out Hero Bai’s martial arts is actually specifically used for these kind of situations.”

His tone was angry and cold, his words produced a murky and eerie chill, making Bai Shaoxin who was originally burning with desire, have a cold chill run down his spine, he let go of Bai Shaoqing, and smiled brightly: “I was kidding, don’t take it seriously.”

His body had been trained in martial arts, it wouldn’t be hard for him to overpower Bai Shaoqing who couldn’t even truss a chicken2, but based on his younger brother’s strong personality, if he forced himself on Bai Shaoqing, he didn’t know what the consequences would be so he didn’t dare to try it.

Bai Shaoqing was released by him, he unhurriedly fixed up his robes and said: “If I’d known how useless you were, I would have gone to beg da-ge. He probably received the Bai family sword manual long ago.”

Bai Shaoxin saw that he was unable to forget about the Sword Manual, and he shook his head, “Didn’t I already write out half of the Bai family Sword manual for you?”

“I want it all, even the masterstroke ‘Ten styles of white dew in the clouds’3.”

Bao Shaoxin was stunned for a moment, “You haven’t studied martial arts, so what do you want that for?”

“Never you mind. Since I’m a son of the Bai family, I naturally have the right to see the Bai family sword manual. Plus, I can’t practice martial arts but does that mean I can’t leave it for my son to learn?” Bai Shaoqing stood up, and without the slightest bit of reluctance he walked out of the rock garden. “Take good care of my mother, if someone makes things difficult for her, don’t think that you’ll be able to touch another hair on my head!”

Behind him, all that was left was an aura of coldness and lack of regard.

“Ten styles of white dew in the clouds…” Bai Shaoxin looked at his back reluctantly, sighed, and murmured: “The thing you want, I will definitely get scolded by mother and father.

Translator Note:

Oh okay, I was not expecting the second big bro to be like that….. nor Bai Shaoqing to be so manipulative… hm……

13/09/21 – Ok I just added a warning at the beginning of the chapter from a suggestion by a reader. As I have mentioned multiple times I have not read this novel so I don’t know what’s coming up but I can tell you if you have not read any of this author’s other novels – she does often use the tropes – inc*st and r*pe. Also feel free to add it to the tags if you’re coming from NU – I don’t know if it needs to go in there.