Record of the Missing Sect Master Chapter 3

Oh, hey, this chapter was actually kind of fun and easy (except the last bit, which can go drown in a river).

Regarding not so urgent matters, Qin Yuemian liked to focus on the parts that he was most interested in before considering other things. This time was also the same.

After Wenren Heng left, he drank half a cup of tea by himself before realizing that there was a problem.

If the jade pendant really was lost — as Wenren Heng said, the one who could've taken it was definitely someone remarkable — then perhaps the matter at the inn was a trap. Otherwise, how could the lost jade pendant have just happened to make its way to the young sir's body, how could he have just happened to be at the same inn, and how could something happen right as he just decided to stay?

This was all too coincidental.

Furthermore, that young sir had already lost consciousness by then. It would've been much more reliable if the assassin simply killed him. Why set a fire? Could it be that he was waiting to be saved so as to be brought back to Wenren Heng?

Qin Yuemian could no longer sit still and quickly left to look for them.

Other than his face, Ye You also had burns on other parts of his body. However, luckily, they were not that severe, and having been nursed by good food and good medicine for half a month, Ye You felt his pain had already largely dissipated, with none of the injuries affecting his movements.

He sat on the couch with familiar ease to wait for his medicine to be reapplied.

When Qin Yuemian entered, he saw that the young sir's bandages had been undone and gown half-open. With the face half-beautiful and half-terrifying and his casual, laid-back attitude, anyone would be hard-pressed to find anyone else in the entirety of Jianghu with the same elegant bearing. Qin Yuemian let out a faint breath, sweeping his eyes to see Wenren Heng tenderly sitting on the side, with the air of a “good Senior Brother”, causing the corners of his own mouth to twitch a little.

Wenren Heng was currently studying a small porcelain bottle on top of a tray and saying, “Very good. This is Miracle Doctor Ji's medicine.”

Qin Yuemian snapped out of his reverie and walked over, taking the opportunity to interject, “Yes, it's Hundred-Grass Dew[1].”

Ye You sniffed the faint fragrance in the air that let people feel at ease and, for clarity, asked, “So it's a miracle medicine that can treat both injuries and scars?”

Wenren Heng and Qin Yuemian both immediately turned to look at him, with the latter sharply asking, “You know it?”

“I know it,” Ye You lifted a brow, “Could it be that normal people don't?”

“…No, that's not it. Most people in Jianghu know it.” Qin Yuemian pushed down the split second of doubt that had threatened to bubble up from within, and politely explained, “It's simply that you just said you forgot everything, so I thought it was strange.”

Ye You was extremely clever.

His mind moved faster than Qin Yuemian's. Whatever Qin Yuemian had considered, and even the things he hadn't, Ye You had already considered, so now with only a look, he knew what this Manor Lord was thinking. Although he also thought that there were problems with the matters at the inn, he truly did lose his memory. Whether there's truly a conspiracy or not, even he is not clear about it right now.

He stiffly bore the pain from pulling the wounds on his face as he directed a good-humored laugh at the Manor Lord. “I just don't remember myself and my friends and family. About the common, everyday things, I still have some impressions of them.”

“Oh…” Qin Yuemian originally wanted to sound out some answers, but he was instead met with this person's smiling eyes.

Maybe it was that it was too dark, or the effect of the lighting, but it seemed that this person's pupils were somewhat pale, his gaze penetrating, an aura of indifference seeping out through his easygoing demeanor, as if he was capable of piercing right through a person's soul. Qin Yuemian forcibly swallowed back down the words he wanted to say, only one thought in his head — this person knew he was being suspected!

Qin Yuemian suddenly thought that the person in front of him was difficult to handle. This time, when their eyes met, he thought that whatever he said next, whatever he did next, this person would cleanly see through him.

Standing in this room in the height of summer, he suddenly got the shivers, chilled to the bone.

Oh heavens, how could it be that when he just wanted to have some fun with Wenren Heng, he managed to stumble into bringing this frightening person back home!

He stole a glance at Wenren Heng.

Wenren Heng didn't seem to notice his old friend's gaze. He returned the small porcelain bottle and asked, “How much do you remember regarding Miracle Doctor Ji?”

Ye You seriously thought for a bit. “I have only a very vague impression. Senior Brother, please tell me about him. Let me see if I can remember then.”

Wenren Heng then said, “He is an extraordinarily famous Miracle Doctor from Jianghu. He's invented a number of incredible medicine, with Hundred-Grass Dew being only one. His name is Ji Zhaohen[2]. It's said that this name is something he came up with himself later in life. The reason being that he has saved countless lives with his high level of medical expertise, incurring hatred in King Yan[3] as a result. How is that?”

Ye You again seriously thought for a bit. He shook his head. “It's still vague.”

In reality, he didn't even remember the current year or the Emperor, much less a Miracle Doctor. Just now he had lied when he said that he had a “vague impression”.

He looked at the sky-blue-colored small porcelain bottle on the side and asked, “Is this Miracle Doctor Ji still alive?”

Wenren Heng replied, “Still alive. Although his years are long, his bones are very strong.”

Ye You looked at him. “Then Senior Brother, do you think he can take a look at my amnesia?”

“He can. I was also thinking about this. In a few days, let's go on a journey.” Wenren Heng swept his eyes over to the servant bringing the medicine for Ye You, pressed down on the servant's hand, and very naturally sat down on the couch. “I'll do it. In the past, I was also the one who applied the medicine whenever you were injured.”

Their conversation was a rapid back-and-forth. Qin Yuemian was still stuck on the thought of whether or not someone was trying to entrap his close friend. But, before he even knew what was going on, Wenren Heng had sat down, leaving Qin Yuemian's eyes widened in astonishment. This man was said to be polite to everyone, but that was usually just on the surface. This is the first time that he's seen Wenren Heng choosing to help someone himself!

— Are the skies going to start raining blood?

Qin Yuemian thought the sight so strange that he stole a glance out the window, turning his head back only when he saw that it was still the previous drizzling rain. He stared Wenren Heng up and down, wondering if this man had taken a fancy to Ye You.

Or perhaps… These two really were fellow disciple-brothers?

He had been standing for a while before he suddenly got the idea that he was a third wheel. Rubbing his nose, he said, “What do you two want to eat for dinner? I'll go instruct the kitchen to make it.”

Wenren Heng said, “Just something light would be good.”

Qin Yuemian felt like his head was made of mush and, shaking his head, left.

The soft couch had been placed beside the window, and outside the window, a small row of bamboo was growing along the right wall. A rustling sound echoed every time the rain hit the bamboo, and a thin layer of water vapor floated into the guest room, seeping into the fresh fragrance of the Hundred-Grass Dew. Ye You thought that it was either that Wenren Heng's movements were too gentle or that the atmosphere was too peaceful, but even his strained nerves couldn't help but relax little by little.

He opened his mouth to say, “Senior Brother.”

Wenren Heng, “Yes?”

Ye You said, “It doesn't seem like you've told me my name yet.”

Wenren Heng lifted his head to look at him. “Ah-Xiao. You're called Ah-Xiao.[4]”

Ye You asked, “Family name?”

“I don't know,” Wenren Heng said, “That year when Master brought you back, you told us only that you were Ah-Xiao. Regarding everything else, you were completely ignorant. So Master and I just called you Ah-Xiao.” He let out a small breath, and, forcing a smile, said, “At that time, you were an idiot[5]. The fact that you were able to remember your own name was already very impressive.”

Ye You, “…”

Wenren Heng poured some more medicine and using his fingers, tenderly rubbed it on Ye You's face. Looking at his pale pupils, Wenren Heng softly said, “While Master was alive, he always told me to be a good disciple and take good care of you. These years after you went missing, I always blamed myself. Now I've finally found you. From now on, remain by your Senior Brother's side, all right?”

Ye You asked, “Did Master pass away?”

Wenren Heng nodded. “He passed ten years ago. After we leave Miracle Doctor Ji's place, let's go light a stick of incense for Master. Knowing that you've returned, he'll definitely be very happy.”

Ye You especially did not want to think of a past where he was an idiot who got lost. After a moment of silence, he asked, “You aren't worried that I've returned because I have bad intentions?”

Wenren Heng's hands stopped, looking at him.

Ye You said, “I have your lost jade pendant, and I was even coincidentally saved by your friend. You aren't afraid that I'm actually the instigator and that my amnesia is all a pretense? And even if it's not a pretense, what if I decide to harm you after I regain all my memories?”

Since Qin Yuemian could think of these things, of course Wenren Heng also could. Ye You's conscience was clear, so he might as well just open up the conversation.

Wenren Heng wiped his hands and got some brand new bandages, carefully and attentively wrapping it around Ye You's head. “I did think of this possibility, but I believe that, no matter what you do, you'd never hurt me.”

Ye You lifted his head to look at him face to face. Wenren Heng's expression was very calm, and he looked straight into Ye You's eyes. In that split second, Ye You could practically see his sincerity, and he lapsed back into silence.

“Don't worry so much. Maybe it's truly all a coincidence. Maybe you just happened to find my jade and then got hurt by a villain. Let's first investigate who exactly injured you,” Wenren Heng said, as he considered tying yet another bow. His fingers itched to move but he contained the impulse.

Ye You nodded. He also could only just take it as it comes right now.

“That's right,” he said, “which Sect is Senior Brother the Sect Master of?”

Wenren Heng was just about to reply when Qin Yuemian returned with news that those pack of scoundrels had come, so he had to bring Junior Brother with him from the room.

Those scoundrels didn't have the manners to stay politely in the reception room and had already gone to the Manor's small lakeside pavilion. When Ye You arrived, he found them all standing and sitting haphazardly conversing.

Those people immediately saw Ye You.

They had originally been traveling together with Qin Yuemian and Wenren Heng, but midway through, Qin Yuemian had mysteriously grabbed Wenren Heng and left. They thought that there was definitely some kind of problem, so they chased the two back.

Wenren Heng knew these people's thoughts like the back of his hand. He glanced around the circle and asked, “Why didn't Shao Yuan come?”

“He's infatuated with someone new and forgot about us[6],” one person said, laughing, “Halfway down the road, we met a lovely young lady. The moment he saw her, Shao Yuan was frozen solid. He just had to stay behind to see if he could get a lap dance from her[7]. Just wait a bit. He'll definitely be rejected. He fancies himself like Sect Leader Ye. Does he think he's able to make someone dance with just a few words?”

“Actually, I also want to see a lap dance.” Another person couldn't help but ruefully click his tongue. “I just don't know how Sect Leader Ye does it.”

“Who knows? But let me say this, he's capable of anything,” the earlier person said, “Think about it, that year on the Yushan[8] stage, so many Righteous cultivators surrounded him, but he easily choked the entire group until their faces turned blue, thoroughly embarrassing them, before he finally left without losing a single hair on his head. In the whole of Jianghu, how could you possibly find anyone else like him?”

Ye You was curious after hearing this and stole a look at Wenren Heng.

Wenren Heng didn't wait for him to ask and gently said, “They're talking about a Demonic Sect's Sect Master. Surname Ye, first name You. He wears a mask year-round, and his martial arts is unfathomable. A truly tremendous person.” He couldn't help but pause. “Do you have any impression of him[9]?”

[1] 百草露 I am almost sure this is made up. And my talent for coming up with names is nonexistent, so I just directly translated it. If anyone has any other ideas, please tell me!

[2] 紀招恨 lit. inviting hatred.

[3] 閻王, king of Hell. Also known as Yama, or 閻羅王 (King Yanluo).

[4] 阿曉, the 阿 (ah) in this case is a nickname-esque thing, so his name is just 曉 (Xiao). But in Chinese you never call anyone by just one character (even if they just have a one character name). You either call them by their full name or, if you're close, by a nickname (usually either 阿 or 小 in front — in this case, he's called 阿曉 probably because 小 and 曉 are homophones so it'd sound weird calling him 小曉).

[5] 傻傻 OK, I don't think I've properly been conveying the nuance of this word. It's more commonly translated to “fool” since it's a lot less harsh word than stupid (or 笨蛋), though I didn't want to use that because I've always thought fool more closely corresponded with 白痴 (which has the connotation of being easily tricked). I think the closest would be “dumb” but that sounded too much like a playground insult, so I just used idiot. But the actual connotation is that Ye You (or I guess Ah-Xiao) was mentally slow, implying that he had some kind of developmental disability, which is why in the previous chapter Wenren Heng was surprised that he was “cured”.

[6] The Chinese is much more succinct 見色忘友唄 (lit. saw new color, forgot friends). I was super tempted to translate this as just “hoes before bros”, so you should all praise me for my restraint.

[7] 跳鳳棲舞 lit. dance the perching/resting phoenix dance. I honestly have no idea what this means. Is this a wuxia moveset? Or a euphemism? And if it's a euphemism, what is it a euphemism of? I debated between a sexual position and a lap dance (thanks to some folks over at NU) and settled on the lap dance. If anyone knows for sure, I'd love to know.

[8] 玉山 lit. Jade Mountain. I was going to translate this, but then it turns out there's an actual Yushan County, so I'll leave it be for now. If it turns out not to be referring to the county, I'll come back and edit it.

[9] Oh boy, does he…

I'm uploading these three chapters all at once since chapter three is when the previous translations start deteriorating in quality. Don't expect the same speed with future chapters. I'll get to them when I get to them.

Chapter end