[1] 木锦(mù jǐn): wooden qin (“xylophone”); can also mean wood or tree ,brocade/bright

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Not knowing how many times in the middle of the night dreaming about the past, there is always a soft voice whispering in his ear, the words “master”, “master”. The callings cause his heart to soften, but once again swiftly turns sour.

Hundreds of years getting by in emptiness and solitary on Qing Zhu Feng Shang[2], only a dried up peach tree that is about to die is left, along with qin that has broken strings. Everyday he shuts himself off, concentrating on refining his cultivation techniques, not because of the possibilities of receiving a serious internal injury but for whatever reason he was not aware of. He wanted to wait, to protect that person, but will not meet [that person] ever again…

[2]青竹峰上 (qīng zhú fēng shǎng) : qīng (green) zhú (bamboo) fēng(mountain-like shǎng(above top) ; Bamboo Peaks

© translations belonging to bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com , 2016. If you read this somewhere else instead of bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Lighting the candles, and sitting beside desk, he takes up his paintbrush with a desire to draw something, but in the end [he] knew once more that he could not draw it, and can only lay his paintbrush down, and silently left the room, gazing at corner the peach tree with the broken qin, not knowing what he is thinking about.

He stood there for one day, one night without realizing it.

“Ai ya (interjection of wonder, shock or admiration), whose gentle figurine is truly inhuman (distinct),” exclaims a voice that suddenly resonates in Qing Zhu Feng Shang, Mu Jin in flash looked there, a nobleman dressed in gray clothing and grasping a fan. He sized Mu Jin up with his eyes of great interest [and said], “Looking at your cultivation is enough to become an immortal/deity, why remain here on earth?”

Mu Jin doubts, “You are?”

“Little deity Ao Xin*, was just passing by here, felt a strong presence of qi energy, impulsively was curious and went to see, did not expect that this small deity would chance upon meeting such an interesting person.”

*敖信áo xìn: to ramble(áo); trust/faith (xìn)

Mu Jin greets him with a nod, “ Shenjun[3] wants to come inside[to take a seat]?”

[3]神君shén jūn: a form of addressment for a deity/lord

Ao Xin observes Mu Jin from head to toe, “ I find it strange how there is only a human here, turns out you have not cross your fate and levitate to heavenwards [to become a deity] ah! With your ability ascending to become an immortal/deity ought not to be a difficult matter, perhaps you cannot find your predestined fate I presume?

Mu Jin smiles, lightly shaking his head.

“Since you and I have predestined affinity in meeting each other, then this little immortal/deity will show you the way (give it a go).” Ao Xin pressed his fingers together to calculate, suddenly a smile appears, “Contrary to what one might expect this predestined fate(lifetime) is rather interesting, you just need to destroy the qin and once the qin is destroyed, you can end this lifetime and ascend (human’s lifetime)**. Ao Xin finished speaking, still pressing his fingers, inwardly mutter another sentence, “ Until now I have not seen one’s fate as simple as this.”

** The Taoism concept of practicing techniques that elongate one’s life or practicing cultivation that eventually leads to humans becoming immortals after several obstacles (which for some of readers, is something very familiar especially if you read xianxia novels by other translators or watch ancient Chinese mythological shows). Usually the person becoming an immortal ends his or her lifetime as a human being, which is what Ao Xin is referring to. In order to end this lifetime and ascend as an immortal, Mu Jin needs to get rid of the qin that ties his human fate.

© translations belonging to bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com , 2016. If you read this somewhere else instead of bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

~

Mu Jin continues to shake his head, Ao Xin looks at him strangely.

Mu Jin said, “This lifetime (kalpa-Buddhism human lifetime) to not end (and ascend) is okay (not worth mentioning).”

“Hey!” Ao Xin laughed, “ This is the first time I have ever met someone like you. In order to keep the qin [you] refuse to ascend.” “Seeing your current appearance, if you do not ascend, at most you can only live for no more than twenty years.”

Mu Jin foolishly stares at the qin, and replied: “Rather abandon a millennium of cultivation, rather not ascend to heaven, than to destroy this qin.”

Seeing Mu Jin’s expression, Ao Xin was stumped for words, for he [Ao Xin] at the moment cannot distinguish whether he [Mu Jin] spoke so because he [Mu Jin] does not want to destroy the qin or cannot break away from his emotions (ties).

“Shenjun’s good intentions Mu Jin appreciates, it’s just…. If shenjun wants to stay, Mu Jin can only entertain you with a cup of green tea, if shenjun has other work and has to leave, forgive for Mu Jin cannot send you off.”

Ao Xin furrows his brows with displeasure, brushing one’s sleeve then left (idiom), “ Unable to differentiate good from bad (idiom)!”

Unable to differentiate good from bad … perhaps… but it’s only because they do not know according to him [Mu Jin] what is good for him and what is bad for him.

© translations belonging to bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com , 2016. If you read this somewhere else instead of bananachocolatecosmos.wordpress.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Hello readers~

Decided to translate this short story from Jiu Lu Fei Xiang. I’m not too adept with Taoism too much nor do I remember all the words used in Chinese mythology, so please excuse my shabby translations >.<