Mourn Not, Beloved Sister
Chapter 14
He Yunxiao's recent ordeal put people to reevaluate his Casanova* persona.
[T/N- means sleazy but elegant young man, if I remember correctly it derived from a name of a play character ]
[P/R- well not a play character but writer ]
Although his reputation remains unchanged and his actions are still deemed arrogant, unlike before, the once good-for-nothing playboy now has a specialty—martial arts talent, which is precisely what a martial family needs the most!
With this, he could uphold the Marquis title and ensure the He family's lineage endures for another thirty years!
He Yunxiao, despite his earnest desire to see the He family prosper, now found himself overwhelmed by the searing pain inflicted by Chu Fan's brutal beating.
The difference in power between the ninth grade and the eighth grade was vast, a chasm he painfully acknowledged with each agonizing breath.
Moreover, Chu Fan is not an ordinary ninth-grade warrior; he is the protagonist with ninth-grade strength.
A protagonist can usually fight across levels: an eighth-grader can fight a ninth-grader, and a ninth-grader can fight a master.
So, I'm actually fighting a master-level opponent!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After ten more moves!
He Yunxiao finally reached his limit. Failing to defend himself, Chu Fan's punch landed on his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The crowd, who had been holding their breath, finally burst into cheers!
“Well done!”
“Chu Fan is so strong!”
“Keep your voice down, don't let He Yunxiao hear…”
“Have some spine, what's he going to do if he hears? Chu Fan* won, can't we even cheer?”
[T/N- in Chu Fan place 'We' would be more accurate translation but contextually Chu Fan more suitable, so I went with it]
Although no one wanted to admit it, they had been eager to see the always arrogant He Yunxiao get beaten to plup for a long time.
He Yunxiao lay sprawled on the ground, hoping the ordeal would end.
Staying down seemed like the only way to avoid more blows.
Until he saw two people.
Jiang Wuyou and Du Yinyun had come down from the martial stage and were now standing at the edge of the fighting stage, not far from him.
【Name: Jiang Wuyou
Relationship: Intimate Confidant
Prowess: Dance and Music
Disposition: Generous, gentle
Favorability: 91
Strategic Complexity: Easy
Success Reward: Poison Resistance Boost】
【Name: Du Yinyun
Relationship: Friend
Prowess: Music
Disposition: Reclusive, indifferent, insecure
Favorability: 77
Strategic Complexity: Medium
Success Reward: Fortune Boost】
He Yunxiao propped himself up with his hands.
【Du Yinyun’s favorability towards Chu Fan is 69】
Still too high!
With such high favorability, you'll get killed, little sister Du.
The Soul Devouring Pill quickly repaired He Yunxiao's injuries at the cost of his lifespan.
He Yunxiao felt some strength return to his body, so he slowly and shakily stood up.
The defeated challenger shouted recklessly at Chu Fan's departing figure, 'Chu Fan, today's expenses are on me! Ninth grade? Is that all? Come back and fight me after you've had your fill!'"*
[T/N- the terms "吃饱了再来跟我打" is like a chinese taunt for not taking the job seriously, it was confusing for me too , but little google search do wonders. It's translate as fight after you are full]
Chu Fan turned around, staring into He Yunxiao's eyes, and asked, "Why?"
Why?
He Yunxiao instinctively glanced at Chu Fan's sister, Chu Xiaoxiao, behind him.
Chu Fan's previously calm mind was instantly disturbed.
A fist hit He Yunxiao in the stomach without any fancy moves.
The defeated man who had just stood up fell down again.
【Du Yinyun’s favorability increased from 77 to 79】
【Du Yinyun’s favorability towards Chu Fan decreased from 69 to 58】
He Yunxiao got up again.
"Chu Fan, it's not over yet!"
Chu Fan, with a cold face, punched He Yunxiao again.
This time, He Yunxiao fell, like a piece of rotten meat.
The mocking voices of the onlookers diminished, and more people began to question He Yunxiao's intelligence.
"Do you think He Yunxiao got beaten silly?"
"Why bother if he can't win anyway?"
"I thought this Young Master He could hold the Marquis title for another thirty years, but it turns out he's not right in the head. The Marquis title will be gone once He Yuanhao dies."
Jiang Wuyou, pacing back and forth on the side, felt her heart ache.
She had long wanted to rush to the Yunxiao's side, supporting him while speaking words of concern, blame, and comfort. But seeing He Yunxiao looking at her and even more frequently at Du Yinyun, she restrained herself.
She turned her face, looking at Du Yinyun's increasingly teary eyes.
Jiang Wuyou bit her lip to keep herself from rushing over.
She was a smart girl; she knew He Yunxiao had his sights set on Du Yinyun. Instead of ruining his plans, Jiang Wuyou chose to endure her feelings.
【Du Yinyun’s favorability increased from 79 to 81】
【Du Yinyun’s favorability reached 80, strategy successful, reward “Fortune Boost” obtained】
【Du Yinyun’s favorability towards Chu Fan decreased from 58 to 42】
He Yunxiao, with a bitter smile, struggled to stand up one last time.
"Chu Fan, just go practice your sword honestly!"
Chu Fan didn't understand what He Yunxiao meant, but he decided to show his opponent the last bit of respect.
So when He Yunxiao threw a punch, Chu Fan responded with a punch as well.
The effects of the two punches were entirely different.
Chu Fan only swayed slightly, while He Yunxiao spat blood and fell.
【Du Yinyun’s favorability increased from 81 to 83】
【Du Yinyun’s favorability towards Chu Fan decreased from 42 to 20】
“Young Master He!”
Du Yinyun, losing all composure, rushed to the stage as if her life depended on it. She knelt down, letting the utterly exhausted He Yunxiao lean on her.
A stream of tears rolled down her cheeks, dropping onto He Yunxiao's bleeding mouth.
Du Yinyun looked up, her gaze at Chu Fan now icy cold, devoid of any admiration.
“Chu Gongzi*, you’ve won!”
[T/N - no Chu fan's name didn't suddenly changed, Gongzi just a formal way of saying Young man]
Chu Fan opened his mouth , as if to say something, but he couldn’t utter a word.
He suddenly felt very sad, as if something important, like a shooting star, had passed by and he could never grasp it again, lost to him forever.
Du Yinyun coldly said, “Chu Gongzi, are you not leaving?”
Her tone was stern, driving him away. Chu Fan glanced at this beautiful woman eyes, now full of hatred, opening and closing his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating for a long time.
To Chu Fan, Du Yinyun was not a stranger; rather, she was the daughter of his father's comrade, someone he should be close to. In his memories, the young Du Yinyun’s face merged with her current one filled with hatred.
Sadly, this childhood friend didn't recognize him.
Chu Fan knew in his heart that the Chu Fan Du Yinyun knew had died in the massacre ten years ago.
"I didn't mean to hurt He Yunxiao..."
Du Yinyun, holding the nearly lifeless He Yunxiao, heard Chu Fan's weak explanation and felt immense regret. How could she have ever admired this person?
“May I ask Chu Gongzi, did Young Master He give his all in this duel?”
“Naturally, he did.”
Du Yinyun held He Yunxiao tighter.
“Did Chu Gongzi also give his all?”
“I did too.”
Du Yinyun took a deep breath. “In that case, why didn’t you stop? Why did you have to injure him so severely?”
“I…”
Chu Fan had no retort. He indeed acted out of selfishness.
“Chu Gongzi won but still lingers on the stage. Are you here to mock others? Though I, Du Yinyun, am a humble woman, I still am verse with scholar's pride and a warrior's spirit. Chu Gongzi’s actions today lack the dignity of a gentleman and are nowhere near Young Master He’s spirit.”
Faced with Du Yinyun's questioning, Chu Fan had nothing more to say and left amidst the crowd's cheers, feeling desolate.
At this moment, the victorious protagonist seemed more like a loser.
He Yunxiao was exhausted, hurting all over.
Even lying in the courtesan Du's arms now, he had no other thoughts.
Chu Xiaoxiao stood nearby, talking with her brother Chu Fan.
He Yunxiao kept both Du Yinyun and Chu Xiaoxiao in his view.
【Chu Xiaoxiao’s favorability towards Du Yinyun increased from 0 to 20】
With this, the mission should be complete, right?
The soft sound of sobbing came from above. He Yunxiao looked up to see a beauty crying.
“Mourn Not, Beloved Sister, I'm fine.”
He Yunxiao was telling the truth; he was indeed fine.
When Chu Xiaoxiao beat him before, although it was only few hits, Chu Xiaoxiao was the world’s number one. Even then, he was able to move freely after resting a bit.
Chu Fan hit hard, and He Yunxiao’s injuries were worse this time, but the Soul Devouring Pill’s repair speed was no joke. Aside from costing him his life, there were no other drawbacks.
Du Yinyun didn't believe such nonsense. He couldn’t even get up; how could he be fine?
He Yunxiao was too weak to argue, and Du Yinyun had no idea what to do.
The situation was at a stalemate.
Until the crowd began to murmur.
Why was the courtesan Du holding He Yunxiao?
Could they be having an affair?
Jiang Wuyou knew this situation couldn’t just drag on; the longer it dragged, the worse it would get. Order had to be restored immediately.
So she stepped forward.
First, she asked Ya and courtesan Du to help He Yunxiao to the side building to rest, then addressed the crowd, “Young Master He has many detractors in Yinjing, but as long as he comes to our Spring Breeze Pavilion, he is a guest. Spring Breeze Pavilion cannot ignore a guest in trouble, especially the legitimate heir of a marquis.”
“Yinyun has some ties with the He family, so it’s appropriate for her to handle this matter. That said, it’s not fair to keep everyone waiting. So, I’ll take over the selection competition today. When the next round, ‘Falling Flowers,’ begins, Yinyun will make amends to all the waiting gentlemen.”
Jiang Wuyou’s words were flawless, and more importantly, people understood Spring Breeze Pavilion’s position.
A place like this, if it opposed the Marquis, would be like an egg hitting a rock.
The Marquis is a second-rank official in the court. A mere word from him could shut down Spring Breeze Pavilion.
No choice, for future happiness, let courtesan Du plead for mercy.
After speaking, Jiang Wuyou signaled her maid.
The gong sounded, and the competition resumed!