Bat

Cold snow suddenly fell during the night, waking up in the early morning, the world was already a landscape of white.

Icicles were hanging off the silver branches, surrounding the entire courtyard, the man made creek had iced over into a jade-like crystal.

If people were born to be separated into different social classes, then, there must be one category where they were born to eat the best cuisine, enjoy the best wine, wear the most exquisite silk, live in the best housing, see the best scenery and enjoy the most beautiful women. 

For example, Feng Long.

Feng Long was feeling relaxed and comfortable, he picked up some snacks that the Bai family’s chef had made with the utmost care for him, he drank from the Bai family’s collection of good wine —— which had said to have been collected over a hundred years, he was wearing robes made from the finest silk in Zhejiang that the silk shop boss personally came to deliver to the Feng family every year. He glanced over at the delicate shutter window in Duanxu Pavilion, the place specially prepared for the most esteemed guests at Bai Manor, and appreciated the new layer of white snow that had covered the landscape overnight.

The only thing missing was the women. 

No, it wasn’t missing, because what he was thinking about right now was not women.

“Feng Jun.”

As soon as Feng Long called out, a square-faced large male flashed by behind the beaded curtain.

“Yes.” His movements were like a ghost, making no noise whatsoever, his manner was also incredibly calm, he suddenly appeared, not even exposing a single thread of panic.

“Did the Bai family come over?”

“Early this morning, Bai Moran brought his two sons over to see you, I did as you asked 一一 turned them away and said that you had had a long and tiring trip coming here so you would sleep a bit later today.

In this world, there were really not many guests who would stop the master of the manor from visiting in the early morning. But Feng Long’s status had reached the point where even if he was rude, people would have no choice but to still grin and bear it without making a fuss.

“En.” Feng Long nodded, and then had another cup of the good wine and then praised: “This wine is indeed mellow and rich, it seems the Bai family have some good stuff here.” His slender fingers were playing with the small wine cup, he seemed to be particularly interested in the wine cup that was specially used by the Bai family to greet the distinguished guests.

Feng Jun bowed and then calmly awaited further instruction.

Indeed, Feng Long quickly cast aside the wine cup, turned his head and said: “Let’s go!”

If he said he was leaving then he leave. Feng Jun knew his master’s character deeply and quickly followed him out.
 

The Heavens were not as prejudiced as Song Xiangli, the great snowfall that covered the front of Duanxu Pavilion, naturally also fell over at Bai Shaoqing’s desolate little courtyard.

The white snow was as picturesque as a painting.

Bai Shaoqing was not in the mood to appreciate the snow. There were only two people in this small courtyard. His mother couldn’t see the picturesque snow scene, and could only feel cold. So, because of this fact, he did not like the snow.

Plus, he had fallen ill today. He was so ill, he had no energy whatsoever, he felt weak all over, and he didn’t dare to let his mother know in case she got worried.

So, Bai Shaoqing waited in his room all alone, not even daring to get some medicine.

Feng Long turned up uninvited and opened his bedroom door, and immediately spotted Bai Shaoqing leaning against the head of the bed, his bright eyes were half-open half-closed, with a flushed face.

“Are you ill?”

He was surprised that a guest had spoken, Bai Shaoqing was stunned, he opened his eyes, “Feng gongzi?”

Feng Long came towards the bed, touched his head to see, “What is it, a cold?” Without asking, he had already put graceful but powerful fingers upon Bai Shaoqing’s wrist.

Bai Shaoqing was startled, he retracted his hand and hid it under the covers.

Bai Shaoqing didn’t seem to want to have anything to do with Feng Long, he averted his gaze as soon as the other came close. Feng Long examined closely for a moment, and then his lips slowly exhibited a hint of a smile, “One must have a companion in order to appreciate the snow, I came especially to come see you. Yesterday, didn’t we agree that you would spend the day with me, how did you become so ill today?”

Bai Shaoqing smiled bitterly: “I haven’t practised martial arts, so how could I compare to you?

“Oh really…..”

Feng Long seemed to be lost in thought, and fell silent. His dark eyes collected a dim light, he wasn’t sure – how many people of Wulin had he made flinch and cower? But at this moment staring at Bai Shaoqing for quite a while, Bai Shaoqing still remained completely unmoved with his head on the pillow, bowing his head down slightly, leaving Feng Long to eye him up and down.

“So it’s like that.” Feng Long smiled, turned around and walked towards the window, his gaze fixed upon the Bai family banner that was hung high up at the top of the main hall, he said softly: “It seems that as a guest I’m quite annoying!”

“No, Feng gongzi is an esteemed guest, I’m very regretful that I am unable to keep you company……”

Feng Long suddenly turned around and sneered: “Well did san-gongzi stand outside in the snow the entire night in order to prove that scholars are prone to illness?”

His motive had been directly discovered by Feng Long, Bai Shaoqing was not surprised and even smiled, his graceful lips slowly curved up into an arc. He looked over at Feng Long pensively, “Feng gongzi, as a guest, you actually have a hobby of spying on the masters of the house?”

It was as if his gaze could see beyond the facade of all living things on this earth, his gaze moved to Bai Shaoqing’s face again. This time, Feng Long looked very attentively, even extremely attentively. His thick black eyebrows were a little taut, the corners of his lips were not raised. When he didn’t smile, his handsome face would give people a sense of breathless oppression.

Bai Shaoqing didn’t try to cower away, he calmly looked into Feng Long’s eyes.

Like a sword 一His gaze was sharp, meeting Bai Shaoqing’s limpid pupils, it was as if he was looking into a pool of water —— utterly penetrating, but calm without any rippling waves.

It was not known how long had passed, but Feng Long retracted his gaze and a slight smile appeared, “I didn’t spy, it was the servants who told me.”

He smiled very candidly, and with much elegance, like an intoxicating spring breeze that blew across this low-ceiling house.

“Really?”

“Yesterday after meeting, my admiration for you grew, so I asked the servants to find out more about you.”

Bai Shaoqing still used the same indifferent word. “Really?”

“You’re tired, I’ll take my leave.”

“I won’t see you out.”

The old dilapidated door squeaked and then closed behind Feng Long.

Bai Shaoqing was leaning against the headboard, he closed his eyes and then silently counted thirty breaths. After thirty breaths, his regular breath suddenly quickened, his flushed face became pale.

He took out the hand that he had hidden under the covers.

He was grasping a sharp knife. And that hand could not stop trembling.

“That person can’t be provoked, it won’t be possible to get the Bilu sword.” He flipped over and got out of bed, Bai Shaoqing muttered to himself: “Leave immediately, as far away as possible.”

He took out a brush and some ink, hurriedly wrote a few words, and left the note on the table. The cloth bag that he had already prepared was firmly tied on his back, and then he looked out the window hopefully to survey the area.

As expected, outside the courtyard, there was a figure dressed in purple who was anxiously rushing over.

Bai Shaoqing’s lips moved into a slight smile, a mischievous flame lit in his bright eyes.

“Oh you’ve come, but I’m leaving now. It seems that today I won’t be able to see for myself Huashan sect’s sword technique. How annoying, it’s all because of the one surnamed Feng.”

A tall figure flashed out the window and then disappeared.

A fragrant desire, the thread of fate coiled around tighter.
 

Prior to becoming sick, luckily he had already laid on his romantic intention, with infinite warmth.

“Bai Shaoqing?” The sharp and clear voice relaxed a little, Fang Nihong stood outside the door and waited for a while before she boldly pushed open the door, “I heard that you were sick, I…”

The room was empty, with only a hint remaining of the owner’s unique scent.

Fang Nihong pursed her lips, walked into the room, her disappointed eyes wandered around, and finally fixed upon a letter on the table——

Fang gu-niang, thank you for coming to see me. But my status is low, and I am afraid of damaging your reputation, so I have decided to depart carrying my illness.

If you have not forgotten about our plans to meet in Huashan Sect, in three months, I will definitely come personally to see you, in order to thank you for your kindness.

Note: This room is deserted all year round, no one will come here. If gu-niang does not come, this letter will be kept here until the day I return and I will pick it up myself.

The calligraphy was tall and straight, and the strokes were round and full, reminiscent of the handsome eyebrows of the letter’s author.

Fang Nihong read the letter over and over again, exclaiming in marvel and delight, her heart was sour and sweet, in the sweetness there was also bitterness, she really couldn’t tell what she was feeling.

After exclaiming in joy several times, she realized that more than a shichen had already passed. Knowing that shixiong must be looking for her everywhere around Bai Manor at this moment, she hurriedly hid the letter in her robes and quietly closed the door of the room.

She didn’t know that the onset of Bai Shaoqing’s sudden illness was a ploy especially carried out for her.

———-

He liked the clouds.

Clouds changed unpredictably, came in different colours – sometimes as pure white as snow, sometimes as red as blood, and sometimes like a beauty’s cheek, half-red and half-white, difficult to distinguish.

But his favourite were dark clouds. The deeper and darker the cloud, the more he liked it.

Whose fault was it that he liked black – black robes, black shoes, and black clouds.

Bai Shaoqing was laying on his back upon the hay of the ox cart, staring at the white clouds floating in the sky.

It had been three months since he left Bai Manor. The depths of winter had long passed and spring was in full swing. And during this spring, big and small matters still continued to happen in Wulin.

The larger matter was that the bodies discovered recently were all disciples of various large sects, and they all died under their own sect’s martial arts methods, which was a great humiliation to all the sects.

The smaller matter was that, it was not any of the grand masters who had died, but just the junior disciples whose martial arts skills were not particularly profound.

The situation was getting worse and worse, and even the four great sects of Jianghu could not continue to cover it up, so they had to declare the world the killer- Bat.

But what was even worse was that this murderer had become more intense. The last time, he actually marked his symbol upon the corpse —— Ninth Heaven1, Bat.

A bat flying over the ninth heaven, black wings fluttering, transcending the clouds.

Also, there was all kinds of evidence against the Bai family, making them hard-pressed to deal with the aftermath. Fortunately, the Bai family had status and position in Jianghu, plus Bai Moran had announced that he would definitely deliver justice to the victims, which temporarily quelled the angry masses.

Translator Note:

Wow wowww.. I just re-edited the previous chapters – I’m impressed by those of you who weren’t deeply perturbed by my 3am translation mistakes. That or you’re all really polite silent readers ~

Bai Shaoqing squinted whilst looking up at the blue sky.

In the middle of the third month of the lunar year, he had secretly returned to the Bai Manor. The Bai family had treated his mother badly, but she was not lacking in terms of clothing, food, and shelter. They had also sent two maids to add coal to the furnace for his blind mother. Just for this, it was worth letting Bai Shaoxin take advantage of him that time.

No one knew that he had gone back. Bai Shaoqing recognised the Bai Manor like the back of his hand, not to mention his qinggong couldn’t even be matched by Bai Moran now. Bats are flying animals, so naturally his qinggong was exceptional.

The ox cart stopped suddenly. 

“Gongzi, we need to split up here. My ox cart needs to take this road, as you are going up to Huashan, you need to go down that road.

“Thank you sir, this is the money as agreed for the trip.” Taking out a string of copper coins from his sleeves and throwing it to the old man, Bai Shaoqing slowly got down from the ox cart.

Cang Mountain Range was towering, with dense forest, there was a well-maintained road that led up the mountain. Not far away from the peak, there were also imposing gateway arches.

“It’s so lavish.” It didn’t matter if this was praise or sarcasm in these words, Bai Shaoqing’s voice was still gentle and pleasant to listen to. 

He saw that the old man who was driving the cart was no longer in sight, and then glanced all around him, his figure suddenly moved, shooting into the forest like a bow and arrow.

Going up the mountain on the main road was too obvious, he had to avoid it.

After maintaining the movement for a while, his ribs suddenly began to ache. Bai Shaoqing frowned, holding his breath to not aggravate the wound.

The wound was new, as soon as he took off his robes, it was evident to see on his smooth as silk skin. Bai Shaoqing still remembered Hu Yanluo’s incredulous eyes as he struck out with his palm—the handsome young man who had just smiled softly at him would actually use the technique that he had only taught him the day before to kill him.

“You must know why I have done this, right?” Bai Shaoqing looked at him coldly, and spit out a mouthful of blood.

He was indeed worthy of being the outstanding talent that the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect was willing to pass on the secret martial arts of their sect to. Given time, he would surely have become a first-rate master of Jianghu.

Unfortunately, he would not have this opportunity.

Bai Shaoqing replied to his own question: “Because I don’t like being suppressed by others.”

When he finished speaking, Hu Yanluo had already stopped breathing.

Hundreds of birds chirped in the forest, the disciples of the Huashan Sect who were patrolling the mountains did not detect Bai Shaoqing’s presence. He sneaked into the Huashan Sect like a rabbit, his dark but bright eyes darted around nimbly.

It was not difficult to find Fang Nihong’s place of residence, it was also not difficult to leave a note without being noticed, and it was even easier for Fang Nihong to sneak out quietly to meet him without telling anyone.

What thing in this world was easier than getting a woman who had already fallen in love with him to sneak out to meet him?

After only a short stay upon Huashan, Bai Shaoqing went down the mountain.

After sunset, in a secluded place at the foot of the mountain, he had already set up a table with his zither. Bai Shaoqing slept comfortably for an afternoon, then freshened up in the stream, he looked up at the red clouds in the sky, and then turned and sat in front of the zither.

Fingers began to move whilst the strings trembled.

The cold sound of the zither was like a phoenix with wings, rising slowly into the sky, hovering without dispersing.

One piece was already over, Bai Shaoqing had a calm expression on his face, his eyebrows were straight and he was clear of mind.

He said lightly: “You’ve arrived?”

A figure dressed in pink and blue appeared from behind the tree, and a beautiful woman stepped out.

“How did you know I was here?”

“A zither player has a clear mind, I heard you stepping on the dead branches.”

Fang Neon smiled sweetly: “You play the zither really well.”

“Really? Bai Shaoqing smiled slightly, then turned to her and smiled, before sighing, “Unfortunately, playing without accompaniment is like the loneliness adding to the melancholy.”

“How about I accompany you?”

Bai Shaoqing’s eyes lit up, as bright as stars, and said in surprise, “Fang gu-niang, are you able to dance?”

“I can’t.” Fang Nihong shook her head.

“Fang gu-niang is a good singer?”

“Haha, I’m tone-deaf, the other disciples usually cover their ears as soon as they hear me singing.”

His eyes, which were as bright as stars, darkened a bit. “Urmmm… Is Fang gu-niang playing with me right now?”

“You jerk! You’re just a moody scholar that knows how to dance and sing.” Fang Nihong stomped her feet, revealing her spoiled attitude. “I am standing here and listening to you playing the zither, isn’t that keeping you company? It is often said that it is hard to find a soulmate. You already have a soulmate and you are still not satisfied?”

“Yes, yes, Fang gu-niang is right.” Bai Shaoqing’s handsome face smiled in defeat, “Ancient music twists and turns, making one feel melancholic. If one could be born in ancient times, how good would that be?”

The slender fingers began to pluck once more, the gentle sound was mixed in with harsher tones, making them feel more fired up.

“Oh, what’s so good about the ancient people?”

“The ancient times had Zi Long and Guan Yu1, if one could meet them, how lucky would one be?”

“Zhao Zilong and Guan Gong were heroes, but now there are also many heroes throughout Jianghu. Putting aside the Bai family’s laoye-zi, what about Feng Long? And, my father, the head of the Huashan Sect, is also a hero!” Fang Nihong sat beside Bai Shaoqing and retorted sharply.

“Fang gu-niang wants to have an intellectual debate with a scholar today?” Bai Shaoqing turned his head, grinned at her, and slowly said: “In ancient times, Gongsun da-niang2 performed the most peerless and graceful sword dance.”

Fang Nihong applauded and laughed: “Speaking of sword dancing, you will really have to admit defeat.” Jumping from the ground, she drew out her sword and danced to the sound of the zither.

Her movements were light and graceful, delicate like a dancing dragon, fast and slow movements, light music matched with a graceful dance, allowing the enemy a decisive opportunity.　

Bai Shaoqing was stunned and smiled heartily, suddenly picking his fingertips and plucking all four strings, immediately becoming majestically powerful, before ending within the five notes of the pentatonic scale.

With the sudden odd note, the piece was finished.

One set of the Huashan Sect Sword Technique had also finished at the same time. The sound of the zither and the sword strokes were in perfect harmony.

Fang Nihong flicked her wrist around with the sword, smiled at Bai Shaoqing, and said triumphantly: “Does my sword dance measure up to Gongsun da-niang?”

Bai Shaoqing did not answer, but the admiration in his eyes made Fang Nihong more filled with joy than anything else.

“Fang gu-niang, could you still continue to dance?”

“Naturally.”

“Maybe a different dance for a different piece?”

Fang Nihong raised her chin, “If you play a different piece, I will perform a different dance.”

“Okay!”

Bai Shaoqing began plucking the strings again, and the sound of the zither rang out once more.

Fang Nihong’s desire for victory had risen, and she had used twelve sets of Huashan swordsmanship in a row for twelve pieces of music. The last one was the Huashan sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence.

The sound of the zither finally stopped.

Bai Shaoqing stood up, and walked over to Fang Nihong who was sweating profusely, he took out his handkerchief.

“Fang gu-niang, I admit defeat.” His youthful eyes were gentle and honest.

Fang Nihong had completely forgotten that she was arguing with him at this moment, and received the handkerchief in a daze.

“I am not a member of Wulin, and I’m not clear on the customs of Wulin. However, it seems that each sect of Wulin has their own secret technique that must not be seen by outsiders.” Bai Shaoqing said with a hint of panic in his voice, “The dance you just did, it wouldn’t be the sword technique that I shouldn’t have seen, right?”
 

Fang Nihong couldn’t help screaming secretly when she was reminded by Bai Shaoqing.

Oops! If father finds out, I’ll definitely be punished…

But when she looked up and saw Bai Shaoqing’s scholarly appearance, she was reassured.

“Don’t worry. Those are the most common moves seen in Wulin. Ordinary practitioners will also know how to throw out one or two of those moves. How can it be counted as our sect’s secret technique?” Fang Nihong’s mouth was slightly raised, exposing a cheeky smile that was like that of a child.

“Furthermore, it doesn’t matter even if it was Huashan Sect’s secret Sword Technique. I only performed it once, how could you learn it just like that? Da-shixiong is so talented, but it still took him more than half a month to learn one set! But, you must never tell anyone that I showed all of it to you, otherwise, I’ll be scolded by my mother and father for being careless.” She repeatedly warned Bai Shaoqing.

Bai Shaoqing nodded, “Don’t worry, I swear I will never tell anyone.”

“En, I believe you.”

The setting sun had already fallen, a beautiful pair of eyes were shiny and translucent, the silhouettes of the two people got closer and closer, with boundless thoughts, in the midst of the silence.

When their faces were about to touch, Bai Shaoqing suddenly shook, as if only then did he remembered men and women are distinguishable3.

“It’s getting late, Fang gu-niang, you should go home.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“That’s not a good idea. You and I are alone here, how could we be so improper?” Bai Shaoqing sighed, “I love and respect you, how could I bear to ruin your reputation?”

Fang Nihong was moved, looked at him for a long time, and then said softly: “Well…… do you have anything else to say to me?”

Bai Shaoqing sighed, turned and walked to the zither, bowed his head and clenched his fists.

“If I have earned the right to marry you in the future, I will naturally go up the mountain to propose marriage. If I do not succeed to earn that right, then today never happened, please forget about me!”

“Well… Well …” There was an inaudible sob. “Then I’ll wait for you to earn that right.”

She hid the handkerchief filled with warmth into her robes, Fang Nihong then picked up her sword, stared deeply at Bai Shaoqing’s back, and turned away to leave.

It was a pity that she left in such a hurry, that she was not able to see Bai Shaoqing’s limpid eyes, which hid a thread of satisfaction that his scheme had succeeded.

Three days later, Zhou Ruowen, the head disciple of the Huashan Sect, was ordered by his master to deliver a letter to Bai Manor, but he never returned to Huashan Sect.

His corpse was found lying near Bai Manor. The injuries that he had sustained were unexpectedly from Huashan Sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence. And upon the corpse, there was a flat, dried bat, which had the three words “Ninth Heaven, Bat” written with a needle dipped in gold on its head.

The matter shook the entire Huashan Sect, and the Sect Leader ordered an investigation. Aside from being sad, Fang Nihong did not suspect in the slightest Bao Shaoqing, who she believed had never practiced martial arts. And naturally, in order for Bai Shaoqing to not have to suffer from any great injustice, she kept her lips tightly sealed regarding that night.

Translator Note:

What the f***? I was not expecting that the MC was the villain hahahahaha. I was highly misled by the synopsis for the Live Action – I also thought that Feng Long was the MC but I guess he’s the ML??

The only thing that slightly niggles me is how did she think he got a note into her room up in the mountain? Loool. And ‘I love you’ after a couple of encounters three months ago…. Let me just go throw up.