Fall In Love If You Want To Ascend - Chap 19
Chapter 19 WeiXin Palace and I, Both are Waiting for You
The flowers create shadows; the moon shines splendidly; the stairs are covered in golds, pearls, red jades*…….this was probably the most beautiful place that Shen QingXian had longed for.
*This is a poem《鹧鸪天(客路那知岁序移)》by 赵鼎 (Zhao Ding). I’m going to simplify the history. Zhao Ding lived in the Song Dynasty with Emperor 1 and it was considered the Golden Age. However, suddenly a person comes and takes over the dynasty, becoming Emperor 2 and the Golden Age ends. The poem is basically him seeing flowers blooming and realizing so much time has passed and then looking back on the past and the Golden Age the previous dynasty had. The original lines are 花弄影，月流辉。水精宫殿五云飞。Imagine a banquet hall during the 15th of the Chinese New Year (Lantern Festival/元宵), the people inside are drinking liquor. Outside, the trees whose flowers (花) are blooming sway with the wind and the shadows of the flowers also sway with the wind. The moon (月, to be more specific, a full moon because on the 15th is when the moon is at its fullest) is in the night sky shining so bright. The palace (宫殿) is full of auspicious air (cause it’s 元宵) and is peaceful (water, 水, and clouds, 云, is calm. This part I’m assuming). As for the changed part, stairs could be referring to the stairs in a palace. Imagine the length of an auditorium stage and the height is a little bit shorter than the normal height of a step and there are two or three steps and now imagine them covered in jewels.
There was no need to mention that there were further luxuries within that splendor. Gu JianShen’s pair of red eyes really hit the mark on Shen QingXian’s heart.
Gu JianShen looked at this quiet, elegant, and cut off from secularity young man who was akin to the melting of mica* in front of him, and curled the corners of his lips as he laughed, “How about we go now.”
*Describing SQX as a person who is cut off from the secular world and stands elegant and clean. This same description was used before but here it’s done in a poetic way.
Shen QingXian didn’t say anything.
Gu JianShen walked closer a bit and the two stared at one another. It was almost as if they were within one another’s reach. “WeiXin Palace and I, both are waiting for you.”
He said these words with some profoundness as if there were countless affection, both abstruse and extensive, winding themselves around a mountain.
Yet amidst the sweetness, Shen QingXian found a sharp knife, “Waiting for me to walk right into the trap?”
Gu JianShen paused slightly and then continued, “If it is possible to trap, then it’ll be the blessings of three lifetimes.”
Shen QingXian lightly smiled and then turned around to sit back on the imperial consort couch. He supported his chin with his hand, his light eyes empty and without ripples, “I want to drink tea.”
Gu JianShen favored this appearance of his. He raised his hands and a tea set rested itself on the table, hot water entered the teapot, and a rich tea fragrance permeated the whole room.
Yet Shen QingXian said, “I want to drink the Heart Domain black tea personally infused and made by Your Majesty.”
Gu JianShen looked at him, “What counts as personally made?”
Shen QingXian said, “There is an empty tea pot outside and numerous piles of firewood. Does Your Majesty not know how to infuse and make tea?”
Gu JianShen continued to smile slightly in reply. “Okay.”
He went out. Inside the room, Shen QingXian’s expression was a bit heavy. He didn’t need to go outside to know that Gu JianShen really was using the most primitive and most strength expending way to personally make a fire and heat water for him (SQX).
Let alone a stately Heart Domain’s Esteemed Emperor, even a manager of Meridian Monastery would not do these miscellaneous tasks.
What was Gu JianShen here for?
Shen QingXian was unable to understand.
Thousands of years ago, he and Gu JianShen minded their own business and hadn’t met before.
Why is that after discussing the Dao at the Fantastical Ashland and Astral Sea, the both of them became “inseparable” from one another?
It was because of fixing the Heavenly Staircase that he had no choice but to approach Gu Jian Shen.
Then what about Gu JianShen?
This fellow was honey-mouthed and dagger-hearted, none of his words could be taken to heart.
Affections. When one’s cultivation realm reached akin to his, where would one care about this kind of secular affairs?
What’s more, Heart Domain had always been unrestrained and unbridled. This Gu JianShen was born this eye-provoking that one wouldn’t know how he (GJS) will indulge in his (GJS’s) desires!
Thinking up to here, a thought appeared in Shen QingXian’s mind….
Could it be that Gu JianShen wants to have a period of casual romance with him?
This seemed pretty much in keeping with Heart Domain’s conduct and style.
However….Shen QingXian’s eyes became profound, he didn’t have any interest in accompanying him in playing around.
Gu JianShen earnestly lit a fire and heated water. He looked akin to a mortal doing the job himself and arduously bustling about.
Shen QingXian stared at him without blinking.
Although he was doing such uncouth work, Gu JianShen was born too good looking that each of his movements had a casual and elegant bearing to them. If he was seen by those female cultivators, it’s likely that their heart would beat like a drum and become silly again.
In the middle of bustling about, the courtyard doors suddenly opened wide. The small chubby guy stood at the entrance lifelessly.
Gu JianShen raised his head to look at him.
The small chubby guy dilly dallied as he said, “I forgot to take my luggage. Omg….omg….he’s even handsome when he’s making a fire!”
Shen QingXian: “……” Very good. Not only female cultivators, even a small chubby person was seduced to the point of becoming distracted.
Gu JianShen said, “Wait a bit. I’ll get it for you.”
The inside of the cogon house had already vastly changed. Although Shen QingXian could restore its original appearance with a wave of his (SQX’s) hand, Gu JianShen didn’t want Shen QingXian to suffer from staying in the squalid house for even a breath longer.
The chubby guy hastily said, “You continue what you’re doing, it’s fine if I go! Ai ya….ai ya….I still want to continue looking at little Chao Yan for a bit.” Becoming aware that he had a slip of the tongue again, the chubby guy quickly covered his mouth!
With this, Gu JianShen, even more so, would not allow him to enter the house.
Zhu ZiLin felt very wronged but he dared not say anything….
Gu JianShen entered the house and Shen QingXian pointed at a small ragged bag in one of the corners.
Gu JianShen hooked his finger* and got the small ragged bag. Before exiting he said, “That chubby guy still wants to look at you.”
*I assume as in a come here gesture and the bag flew over
Shen QingXian said, “I’m afraid I’ll scare him.” To tell the truth, let alone the small chubby guy, whoever came over to look would kneel down from fright.
Yet Gu JianShen said, “Not necessarily. He may even eulogize you and henceforth, step onto cultivating path of pursuing* you.”
*want to clarify, the word pursue used here is not as in person A pursue person B b/c person A has romantic feelings for B. Instead of romantic feelings it’s more like idolization.
Shen QingXian paused and then, as if the demons and gods were at work, said, “Are you eating vinegar?”
Gu JianShen: “……”
Shen QingXian’s mood strangely became good. However, in the next second, Gu JianShen blocked it to the point where he (SQX) was unhappy again.
“Yes.” Gu JianShen stared at him. “I admire you so naturally I can’t bear to see other people have those kinds of intentions toward you.”
Shen QingXian: “……”
Gu JianShen didn’t stop moving and went out to get rid of the small chubby guy.
After quite a while, Shen QingXian said, “Boring.”
Outside, the corners of Gu JianShen’s lip rose and he carefully heated up the water for him (SQX).
Heart Domain black tea was the best tea and compared to spiritual cloud tea on WanXiu Mountain, the discrepancy between the two was very big. However, without a doubt, this tea was very much to Shen QingXian’s taste.
It had a bright and beautiful color and luster, a rich fragrance, and when it was poured out from that bright and clear jade teapot, it was alike to nuée ardente* on the horizons sinking into the secular world.
*nuée ardente – an incandescent cloud of gas, ash, and lava fragments ejected from a volcano, typically as part of a pyroclastic flow (Google). pyroclastic flow – a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that flows along the ground away from a volcano at average speeds of 100 km/h but is capable of reaching speeds up to 700 km/h (Google).
MF: Basically, the tea, teapot, and the tea which had steam rising out of it when it was being poured out all looked nice.
Shen QingXian stared at the tea without taking his eyes off it and Gu JianShen stared at him without taking his eyes off him.
The two did not say any more words. Amidst the tranquil atmosphere, there was actually a hard to describe harmony.
After settling down, Shen QingXian waited for the “reside together” task to be marked completed. Unfortunately, after three days, the Jade Scroll did not move an inch.
They’ve already lived together for three days and it still doesn’t count as residing together?
Shen QingXian’s brows furrowed in thought. Could it be that amidst this, there was still a detailed requirement?
For example….sleeping together at night?
The current situation was, the wooden house had two beds, one for Shen QingXian and one for Gu JianShen….
Could it be that they really must sleep on the same bed for it to be counted as residing together?
The hell!
Three days later, the inner sect had a lecture held by an Elder(s). All the outer sect disciples had to go listen.
Shen QingXian hadn’t even finished his tasks so he didn’t want to be expelled. He got up early in the morning to prepare to go to Middle Peak*.
*The peak is basically a mountain. Universities have different schools for engineering, nursing, liberal arts, etc. The sect is the university and the peaks are the schools under the university.
These few days, Gu JianShen was especially obedient* and focused on waiting upon him (SQX) in every way possible.
*安分 – to know one’s boundary/place. I used “obedient” due to phrasing.
For example, right now. Shen QingXian extended his arms, and he (GJS) then helped him (SQX) wear his (SQX) outer robe.
Shen QingXian cast a sidelong glance at him (GJS) and looked at him (GJS) up and down. “If the people of Heart Domain saw this scene, I reckon they will pull you off your Emperor seat.”
A stately Esteemed Emperor was actually reduced to helping him (SQX) change clothes. What was he being an Emperor for?
Gu JianShen asked, “The Esteemed Lord, why do you think Heart Domain is an autocratic monarchy?”
There stood a great number of sects of the Heavenly Dao. Even if Shen QingXian is publicly accepted as the number one [under the heavens], he (SQX) had never participated in power disputes and even more so, had no intention to unite [the sects of] the Heavenly Dao.
Yet Heart Domain was an autocratic monarchy that conformed with society. Gu JianShen was the Esteemed Emperor JiuYuan who controlled the entire Heart Domain and was able to make all the cultivators of Heart Domain bow before him (GJS).
You need to know, the moral principles of Heart Domain and Heavenly Dao are different. One was following one’s heart’s desires and the other was conforming to the natural laws.
Logically speaking, the people of Heart Domain who followed one’s heart’s desires were a crowd most unlikely to recognize an autocratic monarchy.
But Gu JianShen accomplished it.
Shen QingXian was quite curious, he asked him, “Why?”
Gu JianShen slightly smiled. “….I beat them up until they wholeheartedly accepted.”
Shen QingXian: “……”
Heart Domain followed one’s heart and the heart was the most fickle. When facing that group of unbridled and inhibited fellows, absolute strength was the most powerful say.
Gu JianShen concluded things up a bit. “So ShiShu need not worry. If I lose my Emperor seat, then I can just get it by beating them up again.”
Shen QingXian stared at him for quite a while.
Gu JianShen asked him, “What is it?”
Shen QingXian turned his gaze away and didn’t say anything.
This was probably Gu JianShen. After throwing away the hypocritical elegant husk, inside was a through and through Heart Domain cultivator.
One that was more unscrupulous than anyone else, more arrogant than anyone else, more scornful of the Heavenly Dao than anyone else.
Interesting.
He increasingly wanted to see the “genuine” Gu JianShen.
The lecture held by an Elder(s) was nothing more than bragging about the Heavenly Dao, then bragging about Meridian Monastery, and afterwards, talking about some sect rules and cultivation methods.
What made Shen QingXian feel extremely embarrassed was that all the newly entered disciples had to kowtow towards the direction of WanXiu Mountain.
After all, the sect leader of Meridian Monastery was a veteran bragger of the Esteemed Lord so the disciples in the sect obviously also had to revere the Esteemed Lord as their lifetime idol and properly kowtow.
There were even a few young disciples whispering. “I heard that the Esteemed Lord’s sea of consciousness is as wide as the heavens and protects sect disciples who sincerely kowtow!”
“I heard my big brother mention that before! A disciple from the previous group of new disciples didn’t kowtow to the Esteemed Lord and afterwards, he lost his life during a refining task*!”
*试炼任务 – refining task, more on this later in the chapter.
“Aren’t refining tasks the safest? How did he lose his life?”
“Because his Daoist heart was not sincere!”
The faces of the group of little youngsters immediately showed fear, each trembling as they kowtowed…….
There was an even more exaggerated one. “I also heard that one time, a disciple kneeled for three days straight and kowtowed 99 times. After getting up, he/she actually directly went from Refining Qi to Foundation Building*!”
*Idk how many stages are in between the two. 0? 1? 2? But each stage also has levels so yeah….On a different note, this kind of reminds me of ‘Everyone Thinks that I Like Him’ and the vehicle that the MC and ML had that later became like a “statue” the people would worship to get good grades.
“Really!?”
“Yes, it’s true!”
“But I’m unable to do that. Kneeling for three days straight and kowtowing 99 times, that’s going to kowtow me to death!”
Gu JianShen had a smile on his face as he looked towards Shen QingXian. Shen QingXian had a straight face on. He (SQX) really wanted to bring Ye Zhan over and let him listen to these disgraceful words!
After kowtowing towards the Esteemed Lord LianHua, the entrance ceremony was finally finished.
Outer sect disciples didn’t have a master to instruct them. Their cultivation method was to go to Experience Hall to get tasks. Of course, these tasks were all simple ones.
历练堂 – Experience Hall. 历练 – experience, to learn through experience, practice. 堂 – hall. The name says it all. The tasks are all simple so the exp they get is not much so leveling up takes a long time.
For example, running errands for the Elder in charge of management or going to the kitchen of the spiritual plant garden(s) and such places to do some odd jobs. The most dangerous task was nothing more than hunting a few ordinary wild animals and collecting some fur, bones, etc.
Shen QingXian also solemnly went to receive a task. The content was: collect 20 cowhide.
*In c20, it shows that this task of collecting cowhide is a refining task (试炼任务) so it’s not refining pills but refine as in honing/improving your skills but tbh there more like chores. Anyway, in some cultivation novels, you see some MC’s are even able to practice/cultivate while sweeping so yeah….
Cowhide….
Cow?
Shen QingXian didn’t know what this thing looked like at all.
Afterall, His Excellency the Esteemed Lord was even too lazy to glance at a rank nine fierce beast. It was too ugly, so he refused to look.
Shen QingXian didn’t take this task seriously; he was still thinking about the tasks on the Jade Scroll.
Residing together…….
Could it be that he really had to sleep on the same bed as Gu JianShen tonight?
As if to confirm his thoughts, the Jade Scroll that had been playing dead finally poked its head out.
“#11 P.S: Please eat together, sleep together, and move around together for seven days straight.”
Shen QingXian: “……”
He’s angry just from this? The Jade Scroll shivered as words continued to appear on it:
“12. Light the incense stick of marriage predestined by fate.”
“13. Help Gu JianShen undress.”
“14. Experience with Gu JianShen man plows, man weaves*.”
*男耕男织 – man plows, man weaves. Original phrase is 男耕女织 – man plows, woman weaves. It basically means a farming life where the man plows the field and the woman weaves cloth and such.
I’m dead, I’m so dead…….the Jade Scroll tactfully extinguished itself!
The cowardly Jade Scroll was almost frightened to death but in fact, Shen QingXian was not angry. He looked at these few tasks and in his brain, that vague thought became increasingly clear.
Could it be…….the Great Dao wanted him to go through an emotion trial*?
*If any of you watched Eternal Love/Three Miles of Peach Blossom Drama Version (not Movie), when Bai Qian (an immortal) lost her memories and became a mortal (the antagonist did this) and fell in love with Ye Hua only to then become broken hearted and commit suicide due to many man made and circumstantial misunderstandings and then got her memory back. Her falling in love with Ye Hua became an emotion trial for her and she leveled up after going through it.
The author has something to say: Not bad….the Esteemed Lord is truly frank!
Hang in there Your Majesty, your wife is about to get serious【doge face】
Now that we’ve mentioned it….don’t be deceived by Gu JianShen, he is not much of a “loyal dog” as he shows himself to be…….
Thanks for your support everyone.
