After Sheng Jun Chapter 22 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 22 Red Luan Star Rises (part 1)
Zhong Ming now knows, but feels it would have been better not to know.
They're both sword cultivators, what's so good about that Sword Sect kid?
His swordsmanship isn't as good as his, he's not as tall as he is, and he probably can't even protect Jiang Xingzhi in a dangerous situation.
And Jiang Xingzhi wants to "kiss and hug, do this and that" with him...
Zhong Ming gritted his teeth, his heart tightening fiercely. Just the thought of Jiang Xingzhi and another man embracing, their emotions stirring, was unbearable.
He wished he could split the sky with a sword.
He ground out, "What's so good about that person?"
Jiang Xingzhi sized up his expression and listed his good points, "He's good in every way. Good looking, good figure, good to me, a rare triple-threat of goodness."
Zhong Ming took a deep breath, truly, the more he heard, the angrier he got.
He glanced at Jiang Xingzhi, seeing that the other was ready to continue praising him if he wasn't deterred, he raised a hand to stop him, "I get it."
His low, hoarse voice mixed with the light singing and dancing drifting from the painted boat, was like a shard of rock tearing through silk.
Jiang Xingzhi pursed his lips, forcing himself to be a ruthless adult.
It's inevitable to feel down after being rejected, so don't have unnecessary soft-heartedness. Bai Mu’s love came quickly, and surely it will go away just as fast, it'll be fine after a while.
Besides, in a while, maybe I'll be going back?
The thought of returning made his eyes brighten again.
Zhong Ming finally managed to calm his emotions, but when he looked up, he was met with Jiang Xingzhi's rekindled hopeful gaze.
Him: "..."
He was amused and angry at the same time. This person had just poured cold water on him and then turned around and lit himself up.
"Jiang Xingzhi, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing." Jiang Xingzhi saw the familiar sneer return to his lips, as if he had returned to his usual self, and quickly changed the subject, "It's a bit cold here, why don't we go back to the cabin?"
When he said this, there was still a spark in his eyes.
Zhong Ming said softly, "I don't think you're cold at all, you're practically on fire."
Jiang Xingzhi, "..."
How did this hapbrush, he read my mind again.
…
Both of them lost interest in the pleasure boat trip, so they prepared to return.
Passing through the painted boat, they exited the cabin along the corridor they came from, and ran into a group of people.
Leading them was Chu Yun's familiar face, "Divine...Daren! Zou Daren, what a coincidence to meet you again, it's fate."
Only then did Jiang Xingzhi remember that the other party had said they were coming to the pleasure boat, but he didn't expect to be on the same one, "Sect Master Chu, what a coincidence."
Standing beside Chu Yun were three or four companions, the talented people he had mentioned. He turned to introduce them, "This is our Haosheng Sect's honorary elder, and this next to him is..."
He paused, looking at Zhong Ming for confirmation.
Zhong Ming said indifferently, "Honorary deputy elder."
Jiang Xingzhi, "..."
Everyone else, "......"
It was the first time they had ever heard of a deputy elder.
The unimportant interlude was quickly skipped over. Chu Yun remembered that Jiang Xingzhi was interested in the "Sword Spirit Body," so he introduced the nearby sword-bearing youth to him.
Jiang Xingzhi was intrigued: A natural sword cultivator, just like Xu Jian.
He quickly started chatting with the person. Meanwhile, Zhong Ming's gaze fell on his excited profile, and his molars made a "creak" sound again.
The young man opposite him looked tender and fresh, dressed in white and carrying a sword, he really did resemble that kid from the Xuantian Sect. As expected, this was Jiang Xingzhi's type, so enthusiastic when he met him.
Zhong Ming's eyes were as cold as frost, and Chu Yun, who hapbrushed to catch a glimpse, shuddered.
How did he upset this evil deity again?
He coughed and interjected, "If daren interested, it just so hapbrushs that my Haosheng Sect is hosting a banquet for talented people from Jiuzhou in a few days, I wonder if you would do us the honor of coming?"
Jiang Xingzhi readily agreed, "I would be happy to."
He remembered that Haosheng Sect's food was quite good.
Chu Yun then asked Zhong Ming, "What about you, Deputy Elder?"
Zhong Ming looked at Jiang Xingzhi, "Wherever he is, I will be."
Huh... Several gazes swept back and forth between the two of them, immediately becoming meaningful.
Jiang Xingzhi explained, "We’re a set, after all."
He was still holding the bright red roses, and the people opposite nodded when they saw them, "Mhmm, mhmm."
"....."
Jiang Xingzhi felt tired of explaining. He said his goodbyes and called out to Zhong Ming, "Let's go, back to the cave dwelling."
Zhong Ming heard this and couldn't help but relax his tightly pursed lips, "Okay."
The two figures transformed into streaks of light and disappeared into the night.
On the deck outside the painted boat, Chu Yun was about to step into the cabin when one of the people behind him suddenly stopped. He turned to look at the man with a shaved head and lightly closed eyes, "Wujie?"
The divine calculator Wujie turned towards the direction Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming had left, and his tightly closed eyes suddenly obrushed. The faint gold rimming his lower eyelids set off his empty pupils, as if he had captured the vast void in his eyes.
After a long while, a voice fell from his lips, as soft as the evening breeze,
"A fate that defies the heavens, the red luan star rises."
****
Back at the Guixue Sect, it was already past the hour of Hai. (9 pm-11pm)
The roses in Jiang Xingzhi's hand had been crushed and lost a few petals, so he used his spiritual power to nurture them, waiting for them to bloom new buds.
He showed Zhong Ming, "Look, they're blooming so well, they really suit you, I'll plant them in your yard."
Zhong Ming glanced over, "Sleeping on firewood and tasting gall."
(TL: 卧薪尝胆-means enduring hardships for revenge or success, emphasizing perseverance and motivation through suffering.)
Jiang Xingzhi didn't understand, "What?"
Zhong Ming looked at the scattered petals—the falling flowers have feelings, but the flowing water is heartless, it's good to plant them in front of his door as a constant reminder.
"Plant them, it's nothing."
The two walked towards his yard, and as they passed Jiang Xingzhi's yard, a fluffy brush suddenly jumped out of the darkness. Jiang Langhao howled excitedly, "Ancestor~"
After shouting, he saw Jiang Xingzhi wave at him and head to the yard next door with a bouquet of flowers, bending down to plant them in front of the yard.
It: ...
Has it been completely abandoned?
Jiang Langhao flew over and landed on Jiang Xingzhi's shoulder. Before he could say anything, Zhong Ming glanced at him, "Your broom is here."
Jiang Xingzhi, who was planting the flowers, straightened up, "What broom, don't give it weird nick..." He turned his head, and in the darkness, a long pole with hair splayed out like a fan, "Where did this broom come from?"
Jiang Langhao, "..."
It howled, "It's me!"
Jiang Xingzhi hadn't looked closely just now, and now he picked up the former with two fingers and turned it around a few times, "Why are your hairs split like this?"
How will I have the face to return this to the Yuhua Sect later?
Jiang Langhao took credit, "From sweeping the floor."
It really went sweeping! Jiang Xingzhi turned to Zhong Ming in disbelief, "Did you put a curse on it?"
Zhong Ming's lips twitched, "I wish I had that ability."
Jiang Xingzhi gathered the brush's hairs with his fingers, smoothing them out and brushing away the dust. Seeing that it was getting late and the flowers were planted, he said goodbye to Zhong Ming, "I'm going back to my room."
"Okay, go ahead."
He stroked Jiang Langhao and turned to go back to his yard, the two yards separated only by a low fence. Before entering his room, Jiang Xingzhi caught a glimpse of that figure still standing in the twilight, so he stopped to look.
Zhong Ming stood beside the cluster of roses, looking in his direction.
The corner of his robe was lifted by the wind, revealing his straight and slender legs below.
As the two gazed at each other, the unspoken feelings that had been revealed spread tacitly. Jiang Xingzhi squeezed Jiang Langhao, thinking about what to say to break the atmosphere, when he saw the other person smile.
"Good night, Xingzhi."
……
(TL: The phrase "紅鸞星動" (Hóng Luán Xīng Dòng) refers to a Chinese astrology concept indicating romance, marriage, or relationships. A possible English translation could be:
"The Red Luan Star Rises", "When the Red Luan Star Moves", "Fate of the Red Luan Star", "Love Under the Red Luan Star")