The Villain's White Lotus Halo Chapter 20

We're finalizing some stuff here for the terminologies and names! Please forgive any inconsistencies!

Syn Chapter 20 – Trading Cards  

Yin BiYue nearly forgot about this thing called a 'Halo Helper'.

Ever since he used it once in Cang Ya prison, it never appeared again. It seemed like it was only activated if certain conditions were met.  

And the only time he used it was not that great of an experience; he was only being manipulated by an invisible force to make certain expressions and actions.

Luo MingChuan once again looked back, examining him.

Yin BiYue silently clenched his teeth…

"We're at DaNang now!" Duan ChongXuan excitedly shouted, let go of the carriage curtains, and stretched his body, "fourth shixiong, we're going to be crossing the sea!"

The awkward atmosphere in the carriage instantly vanished.

Yin BiYue nodded his head slightly, indicating he understood.

No no no! Initiate nothing!!

'Ding — you have canceled using Halo Helper. Warm reminder, you still have 2 chances remaining. Little helper, excellent friend, for all of life's problems, a hand we'll lend.'¹ 

No! If possible, I don't ever want to use it!

Yin BiYue watched the Chatterbox's excited face. He didn't understand. Why was it that a person who was usually normal (not really) became  abnormally excited like he had been injected by steroids the moment he left the sect?

And could maintain one position while looking outside for that long.

Was it really that nice?

At this time, the coachman yelled out as the carriage stopped, "Sirs, we have arrived at DaNang!"

Duan ChongXuan jumped off the carriage first and slapped a silver to the driver's hand.

The driver was embarrassed, "Sir, I don't have the change."

Duan Chatterbox grandly waved his hand, "No need!" and immediately strode away impatiently.

The moment Yin BiYue got out of the carriage, he saw the Chatterbox's cheerful back and thought, if this scam had a tail, it would definitely be furiously wagging by now.

It was seriously… embarrassing.

Fortunately, he was not wearing Cang Ya's robes. Fortunately, his face didn't have 'disciple of the Sword Saint' written on it.

Luo MingChuan got off the carriage last, thanked the driver, and followed behind Yin BiYue.

The briny sea breeze whipped at their faces.

DaNang was the largest port in the Western Continent. There were flocks of people coming and going, with hundreds of boats anchored on the port or were ready to sail.

From sunrise to sunset, every minute was filled with people bustling about. At nightfall, the lighthouses would illuminate the calm but turbulent sea and also shone on the faces of people who were waiting to return.

Now, the time not yet dusk, the rich afterglow of the sun gilded the sea with thousands of shimmering golden rays. The thin line of the horizon separated the sea and the sky, with the last few seabirds circling above that also bathed in the crimson gold from the evening glow.

The waves crashed on to the shore, surging forward with immense momentum.  

Swirling flames engulfed the sky at day's end, swallowing up heaven and earth.

Duan ChongXuan stood at the harbor looking out into the distance, his sleeves trailed behind the wind, eyes bright.

Yin BiYue could almost imagine his mental OS:

I can soon ride a boat, I'm even a bit excited! (≧▽≦)/~

… wtf.

Compared to the upcoming arduous sea voyage, the previous journey hardly amounted to anything. If there were no accidents, they would be sailing for half a month, ultimately arriving on the White Whale harbor in the Southern Continent, and then heading to Ye City.

Yin BiYue knew that it was very likely that Chatterbox might never want to ride another boat in his life and as a result, he could not help but feel pity for him.

The harbor was as lively as ever; there was a mix of shouting, hollering, and chanting by the boatmen as they moved cargo around.

On the most magnificent and dazzling four-story, nine-mast ship, a brown-clothed, middle-aged man stood on the high-class deck and directed the boatman to unload the cargo. That man had the voice of Hong Zhong², his eyes luminous, and an aura distinct from commoners.

Yin BiYue stared at him intensely and found that the other party was Falling Essence stage cultivator. Probably the leader of the largest fleet in the port.  

Luo MingChuan appeared to arrive at the same conclusion as him. He gathered his core spirit, leaped out and landed softly on the four story tall ship. The workers who carried the cargo exclaimed in surprise and hurried out of the way. They examined him curiously but respectfully.

The fleet leader came up and greeted him politely.

From far away, Yin BiYue watched Luo MingChuan and the man exchanged a few words. That man was initially enthusiastic but soon thereafter revealed a bitter smile to explain something. Luo MingChuan still cupped his hands to thank the man and leaped back off the boat to where they were standing.

Yin BiYue was flabbergasted. Usually, no matter what kind of fleet, they would always welcome any cultivators. Although a well-equipped ship could carry powerful artillery, a cultivator was more flexible in dealing with sea monsters or pirates as well as being an extra pair of hands.

Moreover, Luo MingChuan had the Cang Ya's jade plate, which makes it reasonable to say that he should be extremely welcomed.

Soon he understood. Luo MingChuan grudgingly relayed, "the owner said that recently, a small area full of sea beasts emerged. The ship that departed four days ago only sent back a response yesterday that reported the damage. It's probably dangerous out there, so he has decided not to sail for ten days."

Duan ChongXuan gazed out at the sea, expression unchanged, as if not caring at all.

Yin BiYue was surprised. According to the patterns from previous years of the Sea Beast Tide, it should occur during late August. But right now, it was yet to be past May. It was indeed uncommon.

There were two roads that laid ahead of them: they either stay in Rong City beside DaNang and wait ten days to travel, or they adjust their path by heading back and trek through the snowfield between the southernmost side and the Western Continent.

It was pretty obvious that the former was more sensible.

But Yin BiYue suddenly realized there might be a third way.

A small boy wearing a red coat stood beside the white lighthouse, his expression ignorant, as his the red ribbon that tied up his falling hair fluttered in the sea breeze.

He was precisely the child that led Yin BiYue through the academy a few months ago.

The child also caught sight of them, showing a happy smile as he jogged towards them.

He beamed at Yin BiYue, "What the Director said was true, shixiong was indeed here."

Luo MingChuan had never seen the child before. His face looked slightly startled, but immediately guessed at the 'Director's' identity.

The child pulled out three sheets of neatly folded paper from his sleeve, "The Director said that the three of you would have trouble crossing the sea, so he sent me to give three shixiong these cards."

He handed the stack to each of their hand.

Luo MingChuan took it with both hands, "Please convey my gratitude to the Director in my stead."

What elders bestow, one could not dismiss.

Let alone it was the director's bestowment.

"To brave the winds and waves, to climb the mountain and pick the flower.

Use this special letter, as encouragement for your journey.

Do not  hesitate else be late; if late, things will change.

Yours truly,

Academy Director"

Yin BiYue looked at the upright letters on the snow-patterned card, the familiar red seal slightly protruding.

It seemed like no matter where in the world, everything was within the hands of the Director.

Was this a sage's ability?

This kind of knowledge made Yin BiYue uneasy.

Could it be that the other five sages were also the same as the Director, all-knowing?

Duan ChongXuan questioned, "Where will this card lead us to?"

"Director said outside of Ye City."

Yin BiYue nodded his head inwardly.

Outside of the northern part of Ye City was a desolate mountain hardly anyone visited.. There was no danger,  and it did not attract attention. ChongMing Mountain was also quite near.

Just as the child was prepared to announce his departure, he suddenly thought of something and turned to Duan ChongXuan.

"Director also asked how your father was doing?"

Duan ChongXuan was stunned but promptly replied without hesitation, "Very good, his health and energy are great; he can ride around 10 times in the equestrian arena without catching a breath. His skill in arrow-shooting is on par with his 20 year-old self. Everyday, he eats four huge bowls of NanZhou jade rice along with midnight snacks and desserts. Please thank the director for his concern."

The child listened very carefully. After listening he did not question more. He faced the three of them and bowed, his silhouette vanishing on the harbor.

Yin BiYue thought it was quite peculiar; the Director's question was peculiar; Chatterbox's answer was peculiar.

To prompt the Director to ask, Duan ChongXuan's dad must not be an ordinary person. He had already guessed this point and even considered the scandalous idea that he might be the Sword Saint's illegitimate son.

But if he was not ordinary, why was there a mention of the number of bowls of rice?

Unless, what the Director meant to ask, "You're getting old; can you still eat?"³

"Twenty years ago… how old were you? To still remember…"

To still remember your father's archery in the past?

Duan ChongXuan matter-of-factly replied, "They're naturally all lies! There hasn't been a letter in three years; who knows if he's okay or not."

… Yin BiYue was once more speechless.

Yin BiYue looked at the the folded card in each person's hand; all three were completely identical.

He tried to concentrate on the seal's outline but instantly felt a mental sensation that was as painful as a needle.

Sure enough, it was too difficult. Looked like there was no other choice.

He handed his own card to Luo MingChuan,

"Let's switch."

Duan ChongXuan asked, bewildered, "Fourth shixiong, what's going on?"

Luo MingChuan was also puzzled, "Shidi?"

There was no explanation nor reason.

The youth silently extended his hand, as if he would not give up if the other party would not take it.  

The sea breeze whistled, blowing on the hood he was wearing, exposing the persistence between his eyebrows.

Three thousand strands of white hair were blown against his ink-like cloak, making them seem even more radiant.

He once again repeated his words — even the wind and waves could not shake his resolve.

"Let's switch."

"…Okay."

The trading card joke is funny right?

1) 小助手，好朋友，解决生活难题好帮手。Think the geico jingle or something of the like. It's basically saying Little helper, a good friend, for all of life's problems, I am a good helper!

2) A Hong Kong singer  

3) 廉颇老矣，尚能饭否？Lian Po was a famous general who became old yet still was used by the emperor. The emperor would ask if he can still eat, implying if he can still fight.

Some pretty descriptions, some Yin Biyue freaking out, and some Duan Chongxuan bullshitting. All in all, a good chapter.

Everyone shower Kirrs with adulation for translating, and please smack me for taking so long to do final edits and post.

Again, a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge shout out to for editing from our friendly neighborhood (come join us!!! we must feed ourseLVES.)

syn

Chapter end