Chapter 49

That night, we moved into the Yao family's ancient castle.

Translation: That night, we moved into the Yao family's ancient castle.

Check: "Yao family's ancient castle" = Yao family's ancient castle. Good.

Yao Yirong showed up, but she just pretended to glance at me casually, then ignored me and chatted and laughed with others.

Translation: Yao Yirong also appeared; she merely pretended to glance at me casually, then stopped paying attention to me, chatting and laughing with others.

Make sure to keep the meaning: pretending to casually glance at me, then stopping paying attention to me, and chatting and laughing with others.

I looked at her arrogant demeanor, yet suddenly I felt grateful to her; if it weren't for her, I might have missed this opportunity, and might never have met the girl named Qingqing. Even less likely would I know that this world still has a second 'Dream'.

Translation: I looked at her arrogant demeanor and suddenly felt grateful to her; if it weren't for her, I might have missed this opportunity, might never have met the girl named Qingqing. Even less likely would I know that this world still has a second "Dream" existing.

Check: "arrogant demeanor" = arrogant demeanor. "girl named Qingqing" = girl named Qingqing. "existence of a second 'Dream'" = existence of a second 'Dream'.

"Do you know? My uncle, old as he is, once encountered such a strange thing while herding cattle." The pitch-black ancient castle had a few red candles lit; a dozen or so people gathered together, and in that atmosphere they began telling terrifying ghost stories.

Translation: "Do you know? My uncle, in his old days, once encountered such a strange thing while herding cattle." The pitch-black ancient castle had a few red candles lit; a dozen or so people gathered around, and in that atmosphere they began telling terrifying ghost stories.

Check: "The pitch-black ancient castle had a few red candles lit; a dozen or so people gathered around" = The pitch-black ancient castle had a few red candles lit; a dozen or so people gathered around. Good.

"That probably happened during the Cultural Revolution, right? One day, my uncle took the cow to the riverbank to graze. After letting the cow go, he gathered firewood in the woods two meters from the riverbank. Suddenly, he heard many children splashing and playing in the water by the river. He turned his head and saw several kids having a water fight. He felt an itch to join in, but at the time his family burned firewood for cooking; if he couldn't find firewood, they couldn't cook rice."

Translation: "That was probably during the Cultural Revolution. One day, my uncle took the cow to the riverbank to graze; after letting the cow go, he gathered firewood in the woods two meters from the river. Suddenly he heard many children splashing and playing in the water; turning his head, he saw several kids having a water fight. At that moment my uncle felt an itch and wanted to join in, but his family burned firewood for cooking—if he couldn't find firewood, they couldn't cook rice."

Check: "took the cow to the riverbank to graze" = took the cow to the riverbank to graze. "after letting the cow go" = after letting the cow go. "gathered firewood in the woods two meters from the riverbank" = gathered firewood in the woods two meters from the riverbank. "heard many children splashing and playing in the water" = heard many children splashing and playing in the water. "having a water fight" = having a water fight. "felt an itch (idiom for wanting to join)" = felt an itch (idiom for wanting to join). "burned firewood for cooking" = burned firewood for cooking. "if he couldn't find firewood, they couldn't cook rice" = if he couldn't find firewood, they couldn't cook rice.

"But seeing so many people playing in the water, my uncle couldn't resist; he quickly bundled up the firewood and was ready to strip down and go play in the water. However, do you know what he saw when he turned back?"

Translation: "But seeing so many people playing in the water, my uncle couldn't hold back; he quickly bundled up the firewood, ready to strip and join them. But do you know what he saw when he turned back?"

Check: "quickly bundled up the firewood" = quickly bundled up the firewood. "ready to strip and go play in the water" = ready to strip and go play in the water.

The one telling this story is a young man named Zhengyang, who is said to have a decent family background and has been pursuing Yao Yirong.

Translation: The one telling this story was a young man named Zheng Yang, heard to have a decent family background and who had been pursuing Yao Yirong all along.

"What did you see?" Several girls gazed at him eagerly.

Translation: "What did he see?" several girls looked at him eagerly.

He seemed to have shown off enough; Zhengyang smiled smugly, then lowered his voice.

Translation: Having teased enough, Zheng Yang smiled smugly and then lowered his voice.

"At the exact moment my uncle turned around, he saw those kids playing in the water suddenly disappear. Yet he clearly remembered hearing their laughter just a moment before."

Translation: "At the very moment my uncle turned around, he actually saw those playing children vanish. Yet he clearly remembered that just a moment ago he had still heard their laughter."

"So my uncle felt strange and took the cow to the riverbank to have a look. Not looking would have been fine, but as soon as he looked, he nearly had a heart attack. There were no children by the river—only rows of footprints like a duck's. Then, on another embankment by the river, sat a monster with a mouse's mouth, duck's feet, a dog's face, and two blood‑red eyes that stared at my uncle and even shed tears."

Translation: "So my uncle felt strange and led the cow to the riverbank to have a look. It was harmless not to look, but once he did, he nearly had a heart attack. There were no children at the riverbank, only rows of footprints like a duck's. Immediately after, on another embankment of the river, a monster sat—mouse's mouth, duck's feet, dog's face, two eyes blood‑red, staring at my uncle and even shedding tears."

Check: "nearly gave him a heart attack" = nearly gave him a heart attack. "only rows of footprints like a duck's" = only rows of footprints like a duck's. "on another embankment" = on another embankment. "mouse's mouth, duck's feet, dog's face" = mouse's mouth, duck's feet, dog's face. "two eyes blood‑red" = two eyes blood‑red. "and even shed tears" = and even shed tears.

"My uncle was so terrified he abandoned the cow and ran home barefoot. The next morning he was missing; the family couldn't find him. Later, people found his body by the river, wrapped in a coil of black aquatic plants. His body was swollen like a ball, his eyes wide open, and he died with his eyes unclosed."

Translation: "My uncle was so frightened he abandoned the cow and ran home barefoot. The next morning he was missing; the whole family searched but couldn't find him. Later, people found his corpse at the riverbank, his whole body wrapped in a coil of black waterweed, lying at the water's edge. His body was swollen like a ball, his eyes wide open, and he died with his eyes unclosed."

Check: "body swollen like a ball" = body swollen like a ball. "eyes wide open" = eyes wide open. "died with eyes unclosed (i. e., died unwillingly)" = died with eyes unclosed (i. e., died unwillingly).

Zhengyang's story isn't actually scary at all, yet in that atmosphere a few girls were genuinely frightened, their faces turning pale.

Translation: Although Zheng Yang's story wasn't scary at all, in that atmosphere a few girls actually turned pale with fright.

"I... I'll go to the restroom first." Even Yao Yirong, who usually fears nothing, showed signs of lingering anxiety.

Translation: "I… I'll go to the restroom first." Even Yao Yirong, who usually fears nothing, showed lingering anxiety.

I took the opportunity while she was in the restroom to follow her with a pretext.

Translation: I took the opportunity while she was going to the restroom to find an excuse and follow behind her.

There's no other reason; I need to explain clearly to her that the fat guy's mistake damaged both our reputations and led me to misunderstand her, so I must apologize to her no matter what.

Translation: The reason is simple: I have always needed to explain clearly to her that Pangzi's mistake damaged our two reputations and also caused me to misunderstand her; no matter what, I owe her an apology.

In the hallway, I intercepted her.

Translation: In the hallway I intercepted her.

"Yao Yirong, I want to talk to you about what happened last time."

Translation: "Yao Yirong, I want to talk to you about what happened last time."

Yao Yirong wiped her hands and asked doubtfully, "What happened last time? What exactly are you referring to?"

Translation: Yao Yirong wiped her hands and asked doubtfully, "Last time? What last time?"

I said, it's about the time I sneaked into your room.

Translation: I said, namely, the time I sneaked into your room.

"Get lost…" Yao Yirong's face instantly turned red: "Don't think that just because I invited you this time you're important; if it weren't for my brother specifically asking to see you, I'd never want to see you in my life. If you dare bring up what happened last time again, I won't let you off the hook."

Translation: "Get lost…" Yao Yirong's face instantly flushed: "Don't think that just because I invited you this time you're important; if it weren't for my brother specifically requesting to see you, I would never want to see you in this life. If you dare bring up last time again, I will certainly not let you off."

Note: The original has a stray quote after "Get lost…". We'll keep as "Get lost…" then her speech.

She was furious, like a raging lioness, and threatened me fiercely.

Translation: She was furious, like a raging lioness, threatening me fiercely.

After she yelled at me, I got angry too—damn it, I went out of my way to save you, and you're ungrateful and misunderstand me, but fine; now I'm coming to apologize politely, and all I get is a cold shoulder.

Translation: After she scolded me like that, I also got angry—damn it, I went to great lengths to save you earlier; if you're ungrateful and misunderstand me, that's fine, but now I'm coming to apologize politely, and all I get is a cold shoulder.

Check: "all I get is a cold shoulder" = all I get is a cold shoulder.

Unreasonable, I shouted at her once and turned back to the castle.

Translation: Unreasonable, I cursed at her, turned and went back to the castle.

Yao Yirong relentlessly followed up, asking me, "Who are you calling unreasonable?"

Translation: Yao Yirong relentlessly pursued me from behind, demanding, "Who did you say is unreasonable?"

When we returned to the castle, everyone's eyes were on us.

Translation: When we returned to the castle, everyone's eyes turned toward us.

Zhengyang jumped up, glaring at me menacingly, as if playing the role of a flower's protector.

Translation: Zheng Yang jumped up suddenly, glaring at me fiercely, rather like a flower's protector.

"Yirong, what happened? Is someone bullying you?" Zhengyang asked Yao Yirong gently.

Translation: "Yirong, what happened? Is someone bullying you?" Zheng Yang asked gently.

Yao Yirong shook her head with a gloomy expression, saying nothing was wrong, but anyone could tell she was deliberately hiding something.

Translation: Yao Yirong shook her head with a gloomy expression, saying nothing was wrong. But everyone could sense she was deliberately concealing something.

No need to think—she doesn't want to bring up what happened before; although Yao Yirong and I both know it was just a misunderstanding, whenever it's mentioned she reacts like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, nothing but anger.

Translation: Needless to say, she doesn't want to bring up what happened last time; although I and Yao Yirong know it was merely a misunderstanding, whenever it's mentioned she reacts like a cat whose tail has been stepped on—nothing but anger.

Although we know the truth, outsiders don't, and many assume I have ill intentions toward Yao Yirong—for example, Zhouyang is one of those misled by rumors.

Translation: Although we know the truth, outsiders don't, and many think I harbor ill intentions toward Yao Yirong. For example, Zhou Yang is one of those misled by rumors.

Even after sitting down for a while, his eyes keep drifting toward me, intentionally or not, and the meaning is clear: he's just trying to provoke me.

Translation: Even after sitting down for a long while, his eyes kept drifting toward me, intentionally or not, and the meaning in his gaze was obvious—nothing but provocation.

Later, they started playing a game, inviting the spirit writing.

Translation: Later they started playing a game, inviting the pen immortal.

The spirit‑writing game actually originates from China's oldest shamanic practice, fuji. The planchette is the brush that conveys the thoughts of immortals, but immortals disdain to write themselves, so they employ the hands of a shaman or Daoist to write heavenly secrets on a sand board. This is fuji, also called fuji.

Translation: This game of the pen immortal actually originates from China's oldest shamanic practice, spirit‑writing. The planchette is the brush that conveys the thoughts of immortals, but the immortals disdain to write themselves, so they employ the hands of a shaman or Daoist to convey their meaning, writing heavenly secrets on a sand board. This is spirit‑writing, also called fuji.

Check: "The planchette is the brush that conveys the thoughts of immortals" = The planchette is the brush that conveys the thoughts of immortals. "immortals disdain to write themselves" = immortals disdain to write themselves. "by employing the hands of a shaman or Daoist" = by employing the hands of a shaman or Daoist. "writing heavenly secrets on a sand board" = writing heavenly secrets on a sand board. "This is spirit‑writing, also called fuji" = This is spirit‑writing, also called fuji.

In ancient times, the mansions of nobles and officials would keep spirit‑writing practitioners or Daoists on call; whenever they had doubts or bad omens, they would summon these individuals to consult the spirits. This also led to many impostors in the martial world who made a living by feigning spirit‑writing, deceiving the world to line their own pockets.

Translation: In ancient times, the mansions of nobles and officials would keep spirit‑writing practitioners or Daoists on call; whenever they had doubts or bad omens, they would summon these individuals to consult the spirits. This also led to many impostors in the martial world who made a living by feigning spirit‑writing, deceiving the world to line their own pockets.

Check: "mansions of nobles and officials" = mansions of nobles and officials. "spirit‑writing practitioners or Daoists" = spirit‑writing practitioners or Daoists. "when they had doubts or bad omens" = when they had doubts or bad omens. "would summon these individuals to consult the spirits" = would summon these individuals to consult the spirits. "led to many impostors in the martial world who made a living by feigning spirit‑writing" = led to many impostors in the martial world who made a living by feigning spirit‑writing. "using spirit‑writing to deceive the world for personal profit" = using spirit‑writing to deceive the world for personal profit.

Although spirit‑writing has been passed down to the present, while most people revere the deities, there are still those who doubt that the practice is mere child's play.

Translation: Although spirit‑writing has been passed down to the present, most people still revere the deities, yet there are those who doubt that spirit‑writing is mere child's play.

In the collection Yi Jian San Zhi, there is a clear record of a spirit‑writing immortal being questioned, and this story took place during the Song Dynasty.

Translation: In the 《Yijian Sanzhi》 it is clearly recorded that a spirit‑writing immortal was questioned, an incident that occurred during the Song Dynasty.

Speaking of the Song Dynasty, there was a Daoist named Wohu Shanren who once invited immortals to descend upon the spirit‑writing altar on Mount Tai; everyone burned incense and bowed to him in reverence. During this, a scholar leaned sideways at his desk and scoffed, "Spirit‑writing is nothing but martial‑world practitioners who have practiced their tricks, coming out to deceive the world—there's no true immortal who would constantly obey mortal summons just to amuse themselves with common folk."

Translation: Speaking of the Song Dynasty, there was a Daoist named Wohu Shanren who once invited immortals to descend upon the spirit‑writing altar on Mount Tai; everyone burned incense and bowed to him in reverence. During this, a scholar leaned sideways at his desk and scoffed, "Spirit‑writing is nothing but martial‑world practitioners who have practiced their tricks, coming out to deceive the world—there's no true immortal who would constantly obey mortal summons just to amuse themselves with common folk."

Check: "named Wohu Shanren" = named Wohu Shanren. "once invited immortals to descend upon the spirit‑writing altar on Mount Tai" = once invited immortals to descend upon the spirit‑writing altar on Mount Tai. "everyone burned incense and bowed to him in reverence" = everyone burned incense and bowed to him in reverence. "During this, a scholar leaned sideways at his desk and scoffed, saying" = During this, a scholar leaned sideways at his desk and scoffed, saying.

As soon as the words were finished, the planchette flew and wrote

Translation: As soon as he finished speaking, the planchette flew and wrote a poem: "Startled birds cry without cease in autumn, at Zhangtai one looks back to find willows desolate, flowers bloom with promise yet hearts feel empty, clouds disperse traceless and dreams likewise wander. Standing idle I pluck the metal lute, half‑drunk I urge the jade east‑west, the pipa remains as of old—may I ask the wife of the Xunyang merchant?"

Check: The poem lines: We'll translate as above.

【110】

Translation: After reading the poem, the scholar fell to his knees with a thud, continuously kowtowing, begging the spirit‑writing immortal for forgiveness.

It turns out this poem was secretly sent a few days ago by a scholar to a former lover who was a courtesan; she has since gone straight, but the scholar still can't forget her. In short, he's trying to seduce another man's wife, committing adultery.

Translation: In fact, this poem was something the scholar had secretly mailed a few days earlier to a former lover, a prostitute who has since reformed; yet the scholar cannot forget her. Put bluntly, the scholar was trying to seduce another man's wife, committing adultery.

【115】

Translation: After the scholar apologized with kowtows, the spirit‑writing immortal wrote on the paper: "This woman has now reformed; your act is peeking into a woman's private chambers—fortunately this note never reached her, otherwise trouble would have multiplied. From my earlier inspection of the records of the Hall of King Yama I learned of this poem." Moments later the immortal added on the paper: "Romantic tales are the root of hell, the sea of karma rages—may you turn back to shore." By then the scholar had lost all color in his face and dared not question the spirit‑writing at all.

Checking: this woman has now reformed; your act is peeking into a woman's private chambers; fortunately this note never reached her; otherwise trouble would have multiplied; from my earlier inspection of the records of the Hall of King Yama I learned of this poem; romantic tales are the root of hell, the sea of karma rages—may you turn back to shore.

【118】

Translation: Moreover, famous things are often exploited—people, property, even a sect's name—so that eventually genuine and counterfeit become indistinguishable. Some rely on real skill, others on a glib tongue to cheat food and drink. After endless hearsay, people end up overgeneralizing, turning Daoists into frauds and spirit‑writing into a ridiculous spectacle.

Whether it's spirit writing or just a game, both require a professional priest or Taoist to perform. Spirit writing, frankly, is a method of opening one's bodily orifices to let a ghost enter the body and control the hand to write; in ancient times this was used for divination. However, it must be summoned by a professional Taoist, in which case the spirits are ancestral yin deities; whereas if an ordinary person summons them, they are merely wandering evil ghosts and demons in the folk realm.

Translation: Likewise, whether it's spirit‑writing or the game, only a professional priest or Daoist can perform it. Spirit‑writing, put simply, is a method of opening one's bodily apertures to let a ghost enter and control the hand to write characters; in ancient times this was used for divination. But only when summoned by a professional Daoist are the beings ancestral yin spirits; when summoned by ordinary people they are merely wandering evil ghosts and demons.

【122】

Translation: Games like the pen immortal and the disc immortal are adaptations of spirit‑writing principles. Their danger needs no saying—if you happen to summon a true "immortal," you may call it forth but not necessarily send it away. For ordinary people what they summon are merely wandering souls and ghosts; if it answers your query, you naturally must repay it. If it's satisfied with some paper money, it can depart; but if it died unjustly, it may well make you its substitute—you live on while it refuses to leave.

So when I saw them start playing with the spirit pen, my first impulse was to stop them. I don't care how they want to die, but Xiao Mengxue is here, and there's also a Qingqing who looks almost identical to the character 'Meng' (dream), so I can't just let them run amok.

Translation: Therefore, seeing these people play the pen immortal, my first thought was to stop them. I don't care how they want to die, but Xiao Mengxue is here, and there's also Qingqing who looks extremely similar to the "Dream"; I naturally cannot let them run wild.

【126】

Translation: But sometimes good intentions are bound to backfire. As soon as I voiced my concern, someone immediately mocked me.

Are you still a man with any guts? You're so timid; if you're scared, just don't play. After all, I'm here, so any stray spirits or wild ghosts will have to step aside.

Translation: "Excuse me, are you still a man with a pair? Your courage is so small—if you're scared, just don't play. Anyway, I'm here, so any wandering souls and ghosts will have to step aside."

【130】

Zheng Yang was the one mocking me; after utterly besting me in words, his face was full of smug pride.

Translation: The one mocking me was Zheng Yang; after winning the verbal exchange hands‑down, his face was full of smug satisfaction.

【134】

Translation: I was about to lose my temper when Pangzi promptly grabbed me.

Forget it; let them play if they want. After all, we're here together—we're proper disciples of the Huaguang sect and the Yinshan lineage; we shouldn't be afraid of a few wandering spirits. The fat guy whispered this in my ear.

Translation: "Forget it; they like to play, let them play. Isn't it that I'm here and you're here? As proud disciples of the Splendid Light Sect and the orthodox lineage of Shady Mountain, we shouldn't fear a few wandering souls and ghosts." Pangzi whispered this in my ear.

【138】

After hearing the fat guy's words, I forcibly suppressed the rising flame. Let them go wild; if needed, I'll just play the good Samaritan again and clean up after them.

Translation: After hearing Pangzi's words I forcibly suppressed the rising flame; let them mess around—worst case I'll play the good Samaritan again and wipe their backsides.

【142】

Translation: Although no one objected, playing the pen immortal requires pen and paper. Everyone was just here to travel and have fun, who has time to bring that stuff? In the end, Yao Yirong, that spendthrift, to be able to play this foolish game, actually produced an antique Qing‑dynasty painting from her father's room.

Turn over the picture and you have the paper needed to summon the spirit pen; fetch a brush, and the tools are fully ready.

Translation: Flipping the overleaf gave us the paper for the pen immortal; bringing in a brush, the tools were fully ready.

【146】

Translation: Seeing this, I couldn't help cursing inwardly at the wastefulness; regardless of whether they'd lose interest, I simply asked Pangzi for a cigarette, stepped out into the hallway, and smoked quietly while watching the moonlight.

Soon after, the house filled with girls' shrill screams, then noisy chatter, as if Zhou Yang had summoned the spirit pen, causing everyone to start asking questions.

Translation: Not long after, shrill screams of girls echoed from inside the house, followed by noisy chatter—as if Zhou Yang had summoned the pen immortal, prompting everyone to ask questions.

【150】

Translation: I was puzzled, because when I looked inside I felt no yin energy at all—was my power too low, or was the pen immortal's cultivation too high that I couldn't sense it?

I continued to turn my head, leaning against the hallway and smoking a gloomy cigarette, paying no attention to them. Just then, a sudden blast of icy wind struck my back, making me shudder involuntarily.

Translation: I continued turning my head, leaning on the hallway smoking a sullen cigarette, paying no attention to them. Just then a sudden blast of icy wind hit my back, making me shiver involuntarily.

Translation: As I turned around I nearly bumped into Pangzi walking toward me; upon seeing him I grabbed him and asked, "Did you really summon the pen immortal?"

Pangzi bluntly cursed: "What a fart spirit-writer, the whole process was just Zhengyang acting mysteriously, taking the chance to grope."

I suddenly realized—I should have thought of it earlier; men's tricks for taking advantage when the chance comes are usually just a few moves: in the movies, watching movies, boldly making a move like a great peng spreading its wings; or telling two ghost stories, scaring the girls' fragile hearts, making them unable to bear the fright and seek support, naturally falling into the man's embrace.

But... when Pangzi said the next sentence, my heart felt as uncomfortable as if it were stuffed with dung.

"Hey, you don't know. Just now the girl next to me named Qingqing hugged me tightly; that soft feeling was super awesome."

I... endured the discomfort for ten seconds, and forced out this sentence: "Pangzi, it seems someone said a friend's wife must not be violated, right?"

Pangzi exclaimed in surprise: "What friend's wife? Is she my friend's wife? Besides, that saying isn't even this version, okay?"

"Um… which version is that?"

Pangzi answered without looking askance: "It's clearly a friend's wife—ride her hard."

…………Whoever takes you as a friend really suffers half a lifetime.