Legend of The Frost Blade - Chapter 5

Murong Ai suddenly withdrew from the battle, coming to Yan Qingqiu’s side. Even Sima Xiao, with his agile mind, never anticipated for him to make such a move. Not only was Yan Qingqiu stunned at this moment, but the onlookers also looked at one another in bewilderment. 

Sima Xiao had a distinct status unlike any other, and naturally would not press on any further to take advantage of another’s misfortune. He stood with his blade lowered, “Yang Shaoxia” retracting his sword as well and stopped where he was. 

Ye Xiangtian was observing the battle from outside, and seeing this, he couldn’t help shouting: “Murong Ai, what are you doing? What are you scheming now?”

Already injured by a sword, this shouting caused the wound to reopen, gushing out blood.

Murong Ai didn’t even glance at him, only holding “Kuaiyi Qiushuang” out horizontally in front of him: “Sima Xiao, I told you not to bother letting this swordsman get entangled with Yan Xiong Di. His defeat will naturally disrupt my pace. I know you have one heart with eight openings, but don’t become too calculating for your own good.”

Sima Xiao wasn’t angered when hearing his mockery, only curving his lips into a smile and saying: “Does Murong Zuoshi have a new proposal?”

“You two complement each other with your sword skills, why not proceed together ba? Yan Xiong Di and I won’t be fighting individually, two-on-two, regardless of life or death.”

When he said this, Yan Qingqiu drew a sharp breath—from what he was saying, he actually wanted to risk his life?

Sima Xiao’s phoenix-like eyes were dark and deep, maintaining his smile. He neither agreed nor objected, only looking towards the man with a scar on his face, saying: “Brother Yang’s sword is an unparalleled weapon, cutting through iron like it is clay. I wonder if you’d be willing to pair it with my dull blade, ne?”

Without another word, Yang Shaoxia cupped his hands and said: “If Young Master Sima commands, I dare not disobey.”

Sima Xiao, in high spirits, gave a flick of his wrist, and the blade immediately reflected a sliver of moonlight. He said to Murong Ai loudly: “So be it. I ask Murong Zuoshi to show mercy.”

He didn’t say much after that, only giving Yang Shaoxia a glance, and the two of them attacked simultaneously. 

This wasn’t the same as the one before. Sima Xiao and Yang Shaoxia had exceptional coordination with one another, their power even greater. However, Murong Ai freed Yan Qingqiu from being restrained, allowing him to take full advantage of his physical ability. Feihua Gongzi lived up to his reputation. As long as Sima Xiao showed any hint of a flaw, the bamboo flute would take its aim and strike at his acupuncture points. With this manner of exchange, neither side gained the upper hand for some time. Watching as time slowly passed by, the four combatants in the courtyard remained calm. Meanwhile, Ye Xiangtian, who watched the exchange, scratched his head, unable to maintain his patience! He glanced repeatedly at Kou Zhongchang and Zhen Guafu, hoping the would lend a hand, but the two elders stood still, as if in meditation, with no intention of helping. 

Ye Xiangtian was still young, having yet to be familiar with the unspoken rules of Jianghu, and naturally didn’t understand he had to take Sima Xiao’s reputation into account. He only saw the murderer of his father, his blood boiling as it rushed to his head. Just as he was unable to endure it any longer and wanted to pick up his sword to fight again, someone suddenly shouted from behind: “Da Shaoye has returned!” 

Ye Xiangtian immediately became overjoyed, turning to see his cousin striding over, followed by a dozen servants. However, Ye Buping’s face was covered with blood, his head wrapped with a white cloth, the grim look on his face like that of a transient ghost!

Ye Xiangtian went up to him and asked: “What’s going on Cousin? What has happened?”

Ye Buping stared straight at the people fighting in the middle of the courtyard, angrily saying: “I just fought with the Demon Murong at Ciufang and was injured by him! I hurried back to tell you, but who would have thought he would come to torment my Ye Clan, daring to come right at our door! Xiangtian, if both of us brothers don’t join forces to take him down today, we’ll have no face to form a foothold in Jiangnan!”

These words truly added fuel to the fire, completely wiping out the last bit of patience Ye Xiangtian had. He drew out his double blades, splitting them into two, and proclaiming: “Cousin will take the lead today. We shoulder a blood-feud, so the rules and morals have to be set aside temporarily.”

His words were clearly meant for Kou Zhongchang and Zhen Guafu to hear. The two of them didn’t get upset, although Kou Zhongchang still wanted to dissuade him. Ye Buping cupped his hands, preventing him from getting the chance, and rushed to the center of the courtyard with his cousin. The Ye Clan members from behind seemed to perceive half of the order, all of them drawing their blades and closing in.

The four people in the courtyard were somewhat aware of the commotion outside, but couldn’t afford to divide their attention. Seeing that the Ye Clan finally couldn’t help but to take action, Murong Ai just snorted coldly, while Sima Xiao inwardly cursed “Idiot”.

The Ye Clan brothers identified Murong Ai, and in the blink of an eye, three large broadswords were directly in front of him. Murong Ai danced his sword in a circle, deflecting their moves, and kicked away a few fearless servants.

Sima Xiao was furious: These Ye Clan brothers were brave but foolish, thinking the Human Wave Tactic would be successful. Unfortunately, not only was it insufficient, but it also disrupted his and Yang Shaoxia’s coordination, reducing the power of the sword and blade by half.

Yan Qingqiu noticed it was starting to become a melee, and felt quite happy inwardly. An opportunity for escape emerged in the midst of the chaos, which was just perfect in aiding their escape. He knocked down several servants with the bamboo flute in his hand, coming to Murong Ai’s side, whispering: “Sima Xiao hasn’t stopped. Soon, Kou Lao Yingxiong and Madam Zhen will definitely engage. If we want to escape, now would be the best time.”

Murong Ai glanced at him, his eyes seeming to carry a trace of displeasure. Yan Qingqiu’s heart pounded like drum beats, afraid he would be aroused by the fight to the point of refusing to leave. 

But Murong Ai quickly turned his face away, using his assault as a defense, forcing Yang Shaoxia to retreat continuously. There were countless hindrances around Yan Qingqiu that were blocking him, thus he had no chance to say anything more. He kept his focus on Kou Zhongchang and Zhen Guafu who were outside the courtyard, unable to guess what Murong Ai was planning.

At this moment, Sima Xiao had already noticed that Murong Ai was using the Ye Clan brothers to distract him: Every time he wanted to get near him, the Ye brothers would be forcefully impelled towards him. Fearing to hurt them by mistake, Sima Xiao didn’t dare to use lethal moves and was consequently restrained. If any unwary servants approached to throw their lives away, Murong Ai would send them all to that “Yang Shaoxiao.” 

This chaotic situation not only made Sima Xiao burn with anger but also left Kou Zhongchang and Widow Zhen in a state of panic. The two of them exchanged a glance, each finally drawing their weapons and rushing forward. 

Murong Ai sneered, glancing at Sima Xiao.

The green-clad gentleman startled, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind. He immediately turned and shouted: “Stop!”

However, it was too late by then.

It turned out that the Ye Clan brothers grew more courageous in all their frustration. In one instance, they wanted to avenge Ye Shan, and in the other instance wanted to capture the Demon Blade so as to make a name for themselves in Jianghu. Knowing Sima Xiao and the others were present, they definitely wouldn’t watch them die at the hands of the Demon Blade with indifference, so they naturally put all their effort into attacking with as much ruthlessness. How could Murong Ai not know of these underhanded methods? Being as cruel as he was, he simply used the Ye brothers as human shields. Although he did not endanger their lives throughout the exchange, he consistently pushed them in the midst of the other’s blades and swords. 

Sima Xiao noticed his continued reluctance to deliver a fatal strike, and worried he would do something drastic later. Seeing both Kou and Zhen advancing, he expected a terrible matter to occur. He hadn’t had the chance to react, and saw Murong Ai part his hands, the sword body of Kuaiyi Qiushuang and its scabbard once again splitting into two pieces. When Chixing Bian came down, he entangled it with the scabbard and, with a fierce pull, took advantage of the momentum to send Ye Xiangtian and Ye Buping into a heap. Then, with pā pā sounds, gave two kicks and broke a leg bone from each, using his inner strength to hurl them like large bundles towards Sima Xiao and Yang Shaoxia, causing Kou Zhongchang’s legs to pull himself involuntarily into the action. 

Sima Xiao had no choice but to catch this human bundle, while Murong Ai quickly snatched a blade from the hand of a Ye Clan disciple, shooting it towards Zhen Guafu. Zhen Guafu had been charging at him with full force, never having thought she would find herself in the same misfortune. Although stunned, she was unable to stop her momentum. Murong Ai’s strike was infused with immense internal strength, and once Zhen Guafu caught up to him, was pierced by the blade through her shoulder. The force behind it did not lessen afterwards, and actually pinned her to the ground. 

Murong Ai broke through the crowd in one fell swoop, laughed loudly, turned to grab Yan Qingqiu’s hand, and leapt out together with him. The two distinct black and white figures disappeared into the clear moonlight in an instant. The Ye Clan brothers lay on the ground, crying out in pain, while Sima Xiao’s facial expression was extremely unpleasant. “Yang Shaoxia”, who was untying Kou Zhingchang’s Chixing Bian, lifted his head and was met with Sima Xiao’s overcast gaze, causing his hands to tremble. Sima Xiao, however, said nothing and walked directly towards the seriously injured Zhen Guafu.

Everything was going awry this night, leaving Yan Qingqiu to have consumed a large amount of his energy. Murong Ai dragged him and ran two miles away, only then finally coming to a stop. They then found an abandoned garden with no beggars lingering around, taking a break for the time being. Yan Qingqiu only felt that his legs were tired, and his chest somewhat stuffy. How the Ye Clan was faring at this point, Yan Qingqiu could no longer have any concern. He understood that with such a commotion, leaving Hangzhou before dawn was a must. Otherwise, given Sima Xiao and the Clan’s status, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to rally the Jiangnan martial artists to besiege them. He looked at Murong Ai, the latter only having a few more beads of sweat on his forehead, but otherwise retained his usual complexion. He couldn’t help but secretly commend his profound inner strength,  but thinking of his subsequent methods in dealing with others, still felt a bit terrified. 

Murong Ai used the moonlight to adjust his clothes, then drew out his sword for inspection. The gleaming white sword and scabbard were spotless, as beautiful as the moonlight itself.

Murong Ai turned back and smiled at Yan Qingqiu: “No matter how good the weapon of that one surnamed Yang is, it cannot harm my Kuaiyi Qiushuang. Feihua Gongzi, has your precious bamboo flute been damaged?”

Yan Qingqiu gently stroked the white line on his flute, sighing: “I have no idea who that Yang Shaoxia is, and why I’ve never heard of his name. Logically speaking, with such skill, he should be on par with Sima Xiao..”

“You don’t recognize his sword?”

“Never seen it before.”

Murong Ai nodded: “It’s no wonder. The Donghai Yang Clan should be taboo in the martial community of the Central Plains.”

Yan Qingqiu’s eyelids shot up: “The Donghai Yang Clan? They must be the descendants of Yang Lingyun.”

“Indeed.”

Yan Qingqiu asked curiously: “With Sima Xiao’s reputation, how could he be familiar with them?”

The Donghai Yang Clan originally emerged from a renowned swordsmith, their ancestor, while delving into the study of swordsmanship, developing an exceptionally powerful sword technique. However, during the time of Yang Lingyun’s patriarchy over the clan, he had ties with the Demon Sect, and refused to repair the longsword of Wudang’s Headmaster, Tianshu Daozhang. As a result, the Central Plains martial community fell short at the last minute during their competition with the Demon Sect, Yang Lingyun becoming the subject of contempt by all the heroes of Jianghu. The reputation of the Yang Clan plummeted as a result, going into a rapid decline. After Yang Lingyun’s death, his son Yang Chong succeeded him as the head of the Yang Clan and tried to mend relations with various factions, often traveling across the Central Plains. It seems that the one who damaged his bamboo flute today must be the new head of the Yang Clan.

Murong Ai seemed to find Yan Qingqiu’s question laughable: “The Yang Clan wants to regain their pride, and would naturally want to cling onto the Buddha’s feet. Right now, the Central Plains martial community’s biggest concern is capturing the Demon Blade alive. The Five Great Clans are at the forefront of the attacks, and no one is a better choice to find than Young Master Sima.”

Yan Qingqiu nodded while gently stroking his flute: “Since it was the family heirloom sword of the Yang Clan that injured it, I suppose it’s not unjust.”

Murong Ai sheathed his sword, sat down beside him, and said with a smile: “Feihua Gongzi is extremely tolerant. At this moment, you’re not worried about your situation, but rather about a bamboo flute.”

Yan Qingqiu sighed: “What’s the point of worrying? By now, they must already be cursing me.”

“Colluding with the Demonic Cult, ambushing the Ye Clan and harboring malicious intent, this may perhaps be related to those bloody cases.” Murong Ai paused for a moment, then laughed, Ha Ha, out loud: “It looks like you and I are going to be tied together by their ropes.”

Despite Yan Qingqiu’s internal frustration, he could not get enraged. There would be misunderstandings, but no matter how apprehensive he got, he still had to carefully choose the right moment to explain himself. Another important matter happened to come to his mind, and he said to Murong Ai: “Earlier at the Ye Clan’s place, I didn’t get the chance to clearly explain, I wonder if Murong Xiong can hear me out? The killer always exterminated the entire family of the victims before, why this time only kill Ye Shan and his wife quietly, but leave all the children, grandchildren, and apprentices unscathed?”

Murong Ai snorted: “That Ye Shan has been traveling around Jianghu for many years, who knows where he has acquired such formidable adversaries. Now, with someone falsely accusing me of the crime, it’s possible someone is taking advantage to fish in the turbulent waters. It’s a pity the body was never seen, otherwise I would have been able to determine his true cause of death.”

Yan Qingqiu thought for a moment and then suddenly asked: “Murong Xiong, there is something I wonder whether I can ask for your advice on.”

“What if I say no?”

Yan Qingqiu was taken aback, his face turning slightly red.

Murong Ai couldn’t help but smile, “You’re really an easy person to tease. Weren’t you always good at reading people’s expressions? How come you can’t detect this miniscule joke?”

Yan Qingqiu forced a laugh, feeling bitter inside—after that fierce battle just now, who else besides this evil deity would still have the leisure to joke? Fortunately, Murong Ai wasn’t intent on humiliating him, and allowed him to speak freely.

Yan Qingqiu thanked him, asking: “I wonder how long Murong Xiong has been in the Central Plains?”

“A bit over four months, but not quite five. If you calculate it, it just so happens to be around the same time the series of murders began in this place of yours.”

“I heard that Murong Xiong is in charge of your sect’s Punishment Hall. If it wasn’t for someone having defected to the Central Plains, it’d be rare for you to consider coming on your own account. What brings you here this time?”

Murong Ai turned his head to look at him, an ambiguous look in his eyes. Yan Qingqiu was not afraid, “I dare to ask, if this question offends your sect’s secrets, please forgive me Murong Xiong. If it’s inconvenient to say, then forget it.”

Murong Ai said, “I told you I came to kill someone, don’t you believe that?”

“Who do you want to kill?”

“A traitor.”

“Were you able to succeed?”

Murong Ai shook his head grimly: “This person has been an apostate for more than twenty years, his whereabouts only having been discovered half a year ago. Upon my arrival in the Central Plains, he had long since received wind of my presence and fled. Coincidentally, since I entered the pass, those Jianghu heroes of yours have started dying one by one, which just so happen to be inexplicably linked to me.”

Yan Qingqiu probed: “Could it be that the one trying to frame Murong Xiong is the one who has betrayed your sect?”

Murong Ai glared at him: “How would I know?”

Yan Qingqiu let out a sound from his throat, feeling that although this man was already over thirty, he often displayed a childlike nature. Initially, this seemed odd, but now it was both exasperating and amusing.

The two sat on the steps of the abandoned garden for a long time as the bright moon in the sky gradually sank to the west. Despite Yan Qingqiu’s patience, he didn’t want to sit idly with the man beside him. Moreover, the early morning chill began to descend, and although he had his inner strength for protection, he still could not stand the discomfort of wet clothes clinging to him. He said to Murong Ai: “Given the current situation, I wonder what plans Murong Xiong has?”

“I would like to hear Feihua Gongzi’s wise counsel.”

“I wouldn’t dare. Xiao Di merely thinks it would be best to leave Hangzhou City as soon as possible. If we can avoid revealing our whereabouts, it would naturally prevent further trouble. I wonder if Murong Xiong intends to continue tracking the whereabouts of your sect’s traitor, or if you want to clarify who’s causing the mischief? In Xiao Di’s humble opinion, these two matters may have a connection.”

Murong Ai smiled: “I’d like to go and have a look at the previous victims.”

Yan Qingqiu frowned slightly in confusion.

Murong Ai toyed with Kuaiyi Qiushuang in his hand: “I intended to examine Ye Shan’s body today, but that doesn’t seem possible as of now. It’d be better to try my luck in the North. So many have died, yet I am unable to find a single corpse available for inspection? I presume the sooner one dies, the less people will be concerned, ba?” 

Yan Qingqiu couldn’t help but take in a sharp breath. He always thought Murong Ai just had an eccentric personality, but he hadn’t equated him with the demon sect members he’d heard about. Now, hearing what he meant, he actually planned to secretly exhume bodies from coffins for examination! The casual tone made it sound like he didn’t see any deviancy with it at all.

Murong Ai noticed the change in his expression, smiling again: “Feihua Gongzi naturally won’t perform such actions that would damage his morality. If you can’t stand it, you don’t have to come.”

Yan Qingqiu sighed: “If Murong Xiong had said this before tonight, I really might have been able to bid you farewell, but now……I’m afraid even if it’s into a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, I have no choice but to jump in. There are many things that need to be done anyway, better to get it over with sooner rather than later…… Murong Xiong,  if there are no objections, let’s leave the city now.”

TN: With all the different ways a single word can be said in Mandarin, I’ve decided to change a few things up. Some of which is that from now on, instead of “Brother” Murong, it’ll be changed to the original Murong “Xiong”, and “Young Master” Feihua will be changed to Feihua “Gongzi”. Apologies for any confusion!

FOOTNOTES

Titles

Da Shaoye: 大(Dà): Eldest   少爷(Shàoyé): Young Master

Shaoxiao: Major

Daozhang: Taoist Master/Priest

Gongzi (公子): Historically used to refer to sons of noble families or young men of high social status. It’s a term of great respect and often implies a degree of refinement and education.

Sounds

Ne: A particle placed at the end of an inquisitive question.

Pā Pā: Often represents a sharp, sudden noise, like a slap, a pop, or a crack.

Other

“One heart with eight openings”: An idiom implying someone is exceptionally clever or resourceful. The eight openings refer to being adept at understanding and handling various situations.

“Cling onto the Buddha’s feet”: To seek help from the best.

“Taking advantage to fish in turbulent waters”: 浑水摸鱼(Hún Shuǐ Mō Yú) is a saying that means taking advantage of the chaos for personal gain.

*When Ye Xiangtian and Ye Buping refer to each other as brothers, they do not mean it in a way of being actual brothers by blood, but rather as a form of familiarity.