HEART PROTECTION: CHAPTER 30
To safeguard themselves against the risk of being attacked by demons, Yan Hui and Tian Yao took advantage of the daylight and traveled with a caravan. There was safety in numbers. Also, demons typically didn't attack during the day.
Yan Hui and Tian Yao arrived at Yong Zhou City before the gates closed. Yong Zhou was a major city in Central Plains. Goods going to the western or southern regions passed through Yong Zhou City. Many people lived here, good and bad.
The sky was a dark yellow-orange by the time they entered. Yan Hui bade the caravan leader good-bye and then led Tian Yao toward the western part of the city. Seeing her actions, Tian Yao asked: "You lived in the mountains year-round. How are you so familiar with Yong Zhou City?"
"I came in the past with shifu to take care of some demons. I made a friend. Later on, I would come here every time we left the mountain. Remember how I got kicked out of Chen Xing Mountain? Well, I came here to Yong Zhou City and loitered around for a few days. Yong Zhou City is big, and I'm not familiar with the whole place. But I can always find the path to her place." While she was talking, she spotted some government officials straight ahead.
Yan Hui's footsteps faltered for a brief moment. Tian Yao heard her mutter to herself: "I forgot about this......" The next thing he knew, there was a tug on his sleeve, and Yan Hui shoved him into an alley without a word of warning. After several twists and turns, she led him out into another path.
It didn't seem like Yan Hui was going to explain what just happened. Tian Yao asked: "You've also crossed the officials?"
Yan Hui waved her hand: "Why would I provoke the officials? I just had a small incident here in the city. It's not worth mentioning. It'll delay us. Just follow me."
Tian Yao didn't pursue the matter.
They walked several city blocks before reaching their destination. In front of them was a three-storied bordello.
"My friend lives here."
Tian Yao looked up at the building. In the middle hung a gigantic sign with three golden words emblazoned on it, "Wang Yu Lou". A balcony jutted out of the second floor. Two girls dressed in beautiful but revealing clothing sat there.
So it was a friend from this kind of place.......
Tian Yao didn't move. He frowned. Yan Hui completely ignored him. She walked forward, looked up at the second-story, waved: "Sister Liu, Sister Xing!" [1]
They arrived at a time when business was still slow. There weren't many guests here yet. That's why the two girls were gossiping with each other on the balcony. Hearing Yan Hui's shout, they looked down. One of them stood up, eyes creased with laughter: "I was wondering who it was, coming in such a rush. Turns out it was the distinguished Sir Yan coming back."
Tian Yao gave Yan Hui a slight look when he heard the girl's address. Yan Hui saw his glance, but she didn't bother to respond. She only laughingly responded back to the girls: "It's been a while. Did you two miss me?"
Yan Hui hadn't finished talking when the other girl leaned on the railing and lazily laughed: "Oh, and with a person in tow. What family is this poor boy from, who Sir Yan tricked into becoming gay?"
Tian Yao's eyes narrowed even more.
Yan Hui turned her head and glanced at Tian Yao. She actually followed along with the two girls' words: "Mmhm. This boy lost his heart to me and now won't leave me for life or death. It doesn't matter how much I try to push him away. I beweep my suffering state [2]. Ah, it's all because I'm too charming."
Tian Yao severely frowned: "Shameless. Crazy nonsense."
Yan Hui pursed her lips and looked at him askance: "Yesterday, you clung on my hand saying you wouldn't let me go no matter what. Today, I say crazy nonsense. Your heart changes faster than Spring's weather."
"......"
The two girls upstairs covered their mouths and started to laugh. Yan Hui didn't continue teasing Tian Yao. She addressed the two girls: "Sisters, I have something to discuss with Xian Ge. Is she within?"
"She's in the rear court. Go ahead and look for her."
Yan Hui responded and entered Wang Yu Lou's doors. She went straight toward the back.
Along the way, Tian Yao said from behind: "I'm surprised. You seem to owe a lot of dates."
"Putting aside if your words are true or not......" Yan Hui looked back at him. "Even if we pretend it's true, so what? Are you going to go in my place?"
Tian Yao choked. He closed his mouth in silence.
Every girl they met along the way to the rear court would giggle and wave hi. Actually, if it wasn't for Yan Hui's strange condition that allowed her to see ghosts, then Yan Hui wouldn't be so strange and act so abnormally. Her relationships with the disciples at Chen Xing Mountain wouldn't have fallen to such a bad state.
Yan Hui used to occasionally lament her eyes. Why would she see those evil things? After knowing it was because of the heart protection scale, sometime this thought would still flash through her mind. However after thinking about it more, her life hung in the scale's balance......
So her relationship with the other disciples were set aside.
Being alive was the most precious thing in the world.
Yan Hui idly pondered over this while walking. Not long after, they reached another two-story building in the rear court.
She knocked on the door. A voice replied from within: "Enter."
Yan Hui led Tian Yao into the room. She happily called out: "Xing Ge'er, the great beauty." She dragged out the words, taking on the sloppy manner of people who visited bordellos.
The person in the room wore a red robe. She was sat upright with proper posture behind a screen. The lady didn't even raise her head when she heard Yan Hui's voice. She calmly sipped some tea and asked: "You sound so happy. Did you receive a reward from a hunt?" The lady's voice was like the tinkling of clear bells.
Rounding the screen, Tian Yao couldn't help but be shocked by the mesmerizing sight. The woman behind the screen was a breath-taking beauty. Her every gesture, flick of the eyes, lift of the finger, was the epitome of grace and charm.
Yan Hui gathered up her clothes and bounded over to Xian Ge's side. She plopped down and gulped down Xian Ge's tea without asking: "Don't mention it. This journey was filled with bad luck."
"Then did you come to find me because you need money or a place to stay?" Although Xian Ge's voice sounded cool, her eyes were laughing.
"How could I!" Yan Hui rushed in. "You make it sound like I only come here to get a free meal."
"Isn't that so?"
"Yes, it's so." Yan Hui brought her face closer to Xian Ge and pretended to be pitiful: "I can't freeload?"
Seeing this, Xian Ge couldn't help breaking out in a smile. She rolled her eyes and poked Yan Hui's forehead: "I have no idea where you learned to dally about with women. Move over! You're keeping me from serving tea."
Yan Hui hurriedly fawned: "I'll do it. I"ll do it." She placed three cups onto the table and carefully filled them with tea. Xian Ge turned her gaze away from the tea. She finally noticed Tian Yao, who was still standing off to the side. She sized him up and then looked back at the tea Yan Hui finished pouring. She took a sip: "This is the first time you've brought another person here, and now you're so eager to get on my good side. Alright, tell me. Who is this young man? Are you bringing trouble?"
"Not just one trouble." Yan Hui laughed. She held out two fingers, "It's two troubles."
Xian Ge's eyebrow slightly twitched. She set down her tea cup but didn't immediately ask questions. Instead, she beckoned Tian Yao to sit down. Then she continued: "Tell me, what are these two troubles?"
Yan Hui curbed her mischievous expression: "One is about this guy. His identity.......I can't tell you, but you should be able to tell. His aura is unusual."
"Mm, his aura is alluring, like a hidden treasure," said Xian Ge. "The way back to Yong Zhou City couldn't have been easy. The first thing you want to trouble me with, could it be covering up his aura?"
Tian Yao slightly narrowed his eyes. This was a sharp and beautiful woman, dangerous. The fact that she could sense his aura meant she wasn't an ordinary person. When he was walking around in Wang Yu Lou, he sensed hidden spell arrays everywhere. This wasn't an ordinary place either.
"Exactly that! I wanted your help with this." Yan Hui plainly praised Xian Ge: "My little Xian Ge'er is the princess of my heart!"
Xian Ge laughed at Yan Hui's over-the-top praise: "Naughty!"
"Then do you have a way to help us?"
Xian Ge thought about it: "I know of a treasure. It's called Aura Masker. It's an anosmia sachet." [3]
Yan Hui was surprised: "An anosmia sachet?"
"Yes, it's scent is anosmia. It can conceal all auras, or perhaps, it can be said it absorbs all auras." [4]
Yan Hui's and Tian Yao's eyes brightened at the same time. This time, Yan Hui didn't manage to say a word before Tian Yao asked: "Where can we find the sachet?"
"A few days ago, I just happened to get one. If you want it, I only have to order someone to bring it."
Tian Yao sincerely thanked her: "It's very much appreciated, Lady."
"No need to thank me. Just thank Yan Hui. I rarely see her help someone so whole-heartedly."
Tian Yao glanced at Yan Hui, but when he saw her smug expression, his "thank you" got stuck in his throat. It should've been easy, but he couldn't get the words out. In the end, he stared at her for a while before looking away.
Yan Hui: "......"
Xian Ge observed the interactions between the two. Her lips curved into a slight smile. She asked: "And the second trouble?"
Yan Hui recalled the second issue and grew solemn. She deliberated over it before opening her mouth: "Xian Ge, do you know of xian sects dealing with the demon trade in Yong Zhou City?"
Xian Ge took a sip of tea. She didn't say a word and continued to listen.
"I recently stumbled across some information that some people of xian sects are in the demon trade. They refine the blood of fox demons into an aphrodisiac fragrance. They sell it to the lords and ladies at a huge profit margin. Xian Ge, do you know who is doing this in the city?"
Xian Ge lightly tapped her tea cup, producing a slight ringing sound. She was silent for a few moments before speaking: "So for this second issue, you want me to investigate who is behind the demon trade?"
Yan Hui nodded.
Xian Ge was silent again for a while: "Truthfully, this matter is a little difficult for me." She stood up. The ends of her red skirt pooled on the ground. She slowly started to walk toward the window and looked out at Yong Zhou City.
"If I do as you request, this will involve the xian sects and the officials of the city. Those two groups are involved in all matters concerning the Central Plains. Since they accepted and permitted the practice, then, Yan Hui," Xing Ge turned back around. Her face was grave. "Even if this practice is a terrible crime, it is still allowed. Even though I want to help you, I'm afraid......I don't have that power."
Tian Yao considered what she said, and his eyes deepened. Xian Ge's words were direct and cruel, but they were realistic. In this world, "justice" and "morality" depended on who was in power.
Yan Hui was silent for a long time. Then, she raised her head: "There are no such terrible crimes that are allowable." Tian Yao listened with darkened eyes. He turned to look at Yan Hui, but she immediately started to smile: "But what you said makes sense." Her stance seemed to relax. "This issue makes things difficult for Xian Ge'er, so don't investigate it. As long as you can get that sachet, then it's already an enormous help to us."
Yan Hui tossed back the cooled tea. She stood up: "I'm still going to mooch off a place to stay from you! The inns are too expensive. My wallet bleeds." Saying this, Yan Hui led Tian Yao out. "I'm off to find Sister Liu to prepare a room for us."
Xian Ge heard and silently stood by the window to watch Yan Hui go. When she saw Yan Hui exit, she spoke up: "Yan Hui, I don't know who pled for you to investigate the matter, but this matter will trap you in a difficult position. Sometimes, people have to live a little selfishly."
Yan Hui's steps slightly paused. She rested her hand against the door frame and turned around. She grinned: "Xian Ge'er, how do you not already know? I'm a selfish person!"
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Too bad Xian Ge won't help. I wonder how Yan Hui will investigate the demon trade now.......
[1] Sister Liu, Sister Xing All the girls working at the bordello are named after trees. Liu is willow. Xing is apricot.
[2] I beweep my suffering state The original line is 可愁煞人了. It references a poem. I believe this line represents suffering I swapped it with a line from one of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 with a small change. The original line is "I beweep my outcast state."
[3] An anosmia sachet I took some creative liberties here. The actual phrase is 无香无味的香囊, which is scentless sachet. Xian Ge later says the sachet's scent is scentless. That makes sense in an abstract way, but I thought it would be easier if I switched "scentless" to an actual scent. So I made up a scent, anosmia. Anosmia is an actual disorder where you lose your sense of smell. Let me know if you think it should be changed back to scentless.
[4] It can conceal all auras I'm actually not sure if aura is the right translation. Probably not. I've translated it as aura, breath, and scent in Heart Protection. It just depends on what I'm feeling when I translate. I have a feeling the true meaning is a mix of all three, but I'm not entirely sure. I've seen other translators leave it as breath or even flavour. Let me know what you think it should be! 气息 is the word.