Joy of Life

“Tie Xiang?” Fan Xian’s eyes swept over the green banner. Narrowing his eyes and shaking his sleeves, he turned and walked back into the school, leaving the green-clothed man coldly outside.

The swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council glanced warily at the green-clothed man and also retreated into the room. Although they were not sure why the Commissioner would prevent them from following and killing the archer, a Council order was absolute, so no one dared to have any objections.

The green-clothed man, holding the green banner, tilted his head as if slightly startled. The heavy snow swirled through the air and fell in the darkness, gradually accumulating on his shoulders.

This scene was indeed somewhat strange. After the sudden assassination attempt, Fan Xian was as calm as if nothing had happened. As for the green-clothed man who had suddenly appeared before him and helped him block that soul eating arrow, he showed no interest in him at all. Without giving him any further attention, it was as if he had absolutely no interest in talking.

The green-clothed man looked at the tightly closed door and couldn’t resist shaking his head and smiling. He thought to himself that the Sir Fan junior of legend was indeed a clever person.

He tidied his clothing and very calmly approached the door to the school. Extending his hand, he politely and gently knocked twice.

After a moment, Fan Xian’s calm voice came out from behind the door.

“Please enter.”

...

...

The green-clothed man put the banner beside the wooden door of the school. The snow and water on the banner dripped onto the grey ground. His head was lowered. Only a small smile at the corners of his lips could be seen. He didn’t greet Fan Xian straightaway, instead, he laughed quietly and said, “Compared to the rumors, you are a bit more wild and impetuous.”

Fan Xian’s hands were placed in front of him, being warmed by the fire. He still did not open his mouth.

The green-clothed man said warmly, “Is this how you treat guests?”

Fan Xian’s rubbed his warm hands. He accepted a cup of delicious alcohol from a subordinate at his side and took a few sips. Lightly, he said, “It’s is cold and snowy. You knocked, so I have allowed you in to shelter from the snow. This is me being tender toward the people and not me treating you as a guest.”

“If I didn’t knock, you wouldn’t see me?” the green-clothed man asked. “Do you have nothing you want to ask me?”

Fan Xian glanced at him coldly and did not see the green-clothed man’s appearance clearly. “What right do you have for me to see you? And why would I need to ask you?”

The green-clothed man slowly raised his head. The large hall in the nobility school lit up by firelight suddenly grew bright.

They saw that his brows were like swords, his eyes were as gentle as jade, and his lips were thin and slightly tilted. It weakened the severity of this appearance and added a measure of amiableness. His appearance was unusually delicate, and his age was also unusually young.

Fan Xian couldn’t help but be slightly absent-minded. He smiled slightly and thought to himself that this bastard was quite good-looking, only a little bit less so than himself.

The green-clothed man seemed to not have expected such an indifferent attitude from Fan Xian. He forced a smile and said, “Why do you keep me at arm’s length?”

Fan Xian took another sip and withdrew his gaze from the man’s gentle and beautiful face. He calmly said, “Perhaps you have performed a meritorious deed for me?”

The green-clothed man thought for a bit and said, “Even if I were not here tonight, that arrow would still not have harmed you.”

This was what he had said earlier.

Fan Xian placed the wineskin beside him and gazed at him calmly. “Since you are of no help to me, don’t expect me to remember your friendship. This point, you need to understand.”

The green-clothed man was startled. Smiling, he said, “Indeed.”

Fan Xian continued, “I don’t owe you. If you need shelter from the snow, then take the shelter. If you want to speak, then speak...but do not act mysterious and unfathomable. I very much loathe and detest that.”

The green-clothed man started. He forced a smile and said, “You are right.”

“Furthermore...” Fan Xian suddenly moved closer and said seriously, “Do you want me to take you in?”

From ancient times until now, from history to novels, this kind of meeting in the desolate area, wise masters and understanding ministers rolled together with the wheel of history. It was always accompanied by the glory of the idealist, respect for the wise, loyal following and other contrived ploys. Fan Xian’s forceful and direct expression, and even somewhat unsightly expression, had probably never happened before.

Fan Xian sated at the green-clothed man’s eyes and said, “Do not entertain hopes that we will have an equal relationship. If you want to be my subordinate, then you must stand below me and be careful of your place. Whether it is in conversation, handling matters, or even your posture as well as the thoughts in your heart, they must all be placed below me.”

He straightened and lightly said, “If you want me to take you in, then give up those unrealistic fantasies and your ego. This world will not stop spinning if it is missing one person. My personality is a bit strange, and I don’t have a habit of widely receiving guests.”

The green-clothed man was quite shocked by this series of sentences from Fan Xian. He stood somewhat gloomily in the hall. After being silent for a while, he forced a smile and said, “Sir is indeed forceful.”

Fan Xian calmly stated, “Because I have this right.”

Without waiting for the green-clothed man to open his mouth, Fan Xian said, “If you have something you want to say, then say it. Otherwise, go sit in the corner by the fire and leave after the snow has stopped.”

The green-clothed man had not thought that matters would evolve into the current situation, so he couldn’t help but shake his head. He had to get close to Fan Xian before he entered Jingdou to inform him of the intentions of some faction. He coincidentally knew the direction of that little arrow and so had used this opportunity to appear in front of Fan Xian. He had thought that he would obtain a good first impression, but he had not expected that although Fan Xian was not suspicious, he had destroyed his intentions with unusual toughness.

The green-clothed man considered this for a while then smiled slightly and said, “Perhaps I can protect Sir a little all the way back to Jingdou.”

“That reason is not sufficient.” Fan Xian shook his head. “You and I both know, it was only a small arrow that came. Would I even care about him?”

The green-clothed man thought some more and finally sighed, “I brought a message for Sir.”

“What message?”

“A message from the East.”

Fan Xian suddenly raised his head and stared into the green-clothed man’s eyes.

The green-clothed man could endure hardships. He was actually one of the topmost figures amongst the youth under heaven. When faced with Fan Xian’s might, he could still stay so calm.

Fan Xian clapped his palms.

All of the Overwatch Council swordsmen and secret agents in the hall stood silently and walked out of the main doors of the school. Hong Changqing turned and carefully closed the wooden door, leaving a quiet place for Fan Xian and the green-clothed man.

After the room had recovered its silence, the green-clothed man smiled slightly and raised his hand in greeting. “Dongyi greets the Commissioner.”

Fan Xian became silent and slowly took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to recover his calm. A cold light flashed through his pupils. He coldly said, “Announce your name.”

“The thirteenth disciple of the Sword Hut, Tie Xiang.”

“Sigu Jian only took 12 disciples,” Fan Xian looked at the green-clothed man and said. “Furthermore, I have never heard of a young man called Tie Xiang in Dongyi...those I have not heard of, do not exist.”

Given the Overwatch Council’s widespread information network, Fan Xian’s words were said with great confidence.

After the green-clothed had been silent for a moment with his head lowered, he smiled slightly and said, “My name is Wang Xi. I am traveling the Qing Kingdom by order of my teacher, under the name Tie Xiang.”

“Wang Xi?” Fan Xian casually asked. “A good name.”

Wang Xi smiled slightly and said, “The name might not be any good, but this person still has some uses.”

Fan Xian should have asked, Your Dongyi and my Overwatch Council are irreconcilable enemies, why have you come to my door to offer your support? However, very strangely, Fan Xian did not open his mouth to ask, and Wang Xi did not actively open his mouth to explain.

Both of these young men had wisdom and calculation beyond that of their same-age peers. They had seen clearly each other’s thoughts in a flash. For Fan Xian, Dongyi should have long sent someone to make contact with him. He had not expected the person who came would be a difficult young man to read.

Dongyi had long had good relations with Xinyang. Sigu Jian was probably just like Ye Liuyun, enjoying the offerings from the Junshang Conference. However, Fan Xian knew that in this world, there were no permanent enemies or friends, there only would forever be interest.

Although Sigu Jian was an idiot back in the day, to be able to protect Dongyi, as well as other little kingdoms by himself for 20 years, meant he depended on more than just the sword in his hand.

One who supports a country must be careful. Under the powerful pressure of Qing Kingdom, if Dongyi wanted to survive, it had to maintain close relations with the highest level of power in Qing Kingdom. Sigu Jian and the Eldest Princess’ relationship had developed in this way.

However, following Fan Xian’s appearance, the power structure of Qing Kingdom had undergone a great change, particularly after he gained control of the Overwatch Council and palace treasury. Fan Xian had the power to threaten Dongyi. In comparison, there were less and less bargaining chips in the Eldest Princess’ hands.

Not all eggs can be placed in the same basket. Chips cannot forever be placed on the same side. Girls in the family can’t all be married into the same family. This was a matter of spreading out the risk equally.

Sigu Jian was still betting on the Eldest Princess. The closeness of Dongyi and Xinyang’s relationship was not something with which Fan Xian could compare. Furthermore, ever since Fan Xian had begun his career, he had formed a difficult-to-resolve hatred and desire for revenge against Dongyi. For example, the two women assassins on Niulan Street and the sudden attack on Yu Zhilan on the banks of West Lake.

But, Dongyi still had to make contact with Fan Xian.

If the Eldest Princess fell, Fan Xian would, without question, be Dongyi’s first choice in partners. Before this kind of choice, Dongyi had to first express its goodwill.

Politics was indeed strange. Fan Xian and Dongyi were still enemies but both sides knew that other than enmity, they also had to begin trying to make contact. Today, they were irreconcilable adversaries. In the future, they might drink and chat together happily.

In front of great benefits, whatever hatred could all be washed clean. Although Fan Xian would not think in this way, Sigu Jian certainly thought like this.

However, Fan Xian knew that Dongyi and himself could only have these communications hidden in the dark. Much of Sigu Jian’s, that idiot’s, chips were still on the side of the Eldest Princess. Just like how Prime Minister Lin had analyzed in Wuzhou, if that thing were to truly happen, Dongyi could ensure dozens of years of peace. Why would they still come to find Fan Xian?

The reason why a white-clothed [JW1] man called Wang Xi would come to make contact with him today was only to open the way beforehand.

“Is this the desire of your teacher or Dongyi?”

Wang Xi thought for a moment and then replied with a slight smile, “It is the desire of my teacher.”

A question and an answer. Both sides knew that this contact could still not be aboveboard. This was just a ruthless shadowy step by Sigu Jian. This step could not be known to anyone.

“What benefits will I receive?” Fan Xian asked very straightforwardly. “There is a large group of ninth-level aces from the Sword Hut who wanted to assassinate me in Jiangnan. I can’t just pretend nothing happened because of one sentence from you.”

“No benefits, only attitude,” Wang Xi explained warmly. “Dongyi and you are still enemies, but I am not. I am just an attitude expressed by my teacher. Including Dongyi, very few people know of my existence. As long as you desire it, I will stand beside you. This will never change.”

“Including even if your elder brother wants to assassinate me again?” Fan Xian picked up the metal poker and prodded at the coals in the basin. Casually, he said, “You would stand by my side and completely wipe out the people of Dongyi?”

“Yes,” Wang Xi answered seriously. “All those who are unfavorable to you are my enemy.”

Fan Xian couldn’t resist smiling. He let out a long sigh and said, “Sigu Jian, ah, Sigu Jian. The things this idiot thinks of are indeed interesting.”

As he said this, Fan Xian watched for Wang Xi’s reaction out of the corner of his eye. When he said “idiot,’ the biggest taboo of Dongyi, the other party’s expression remained calm and didn’t change.

“Thirteenth disciple of the Sword Hut...” Fan Xian narrowed his eyes. The four Great Grandmasters, plus Uncle Wu Zhu, Ku He’s true last disciple Haitang and, of course, Uncle Wu Zhu’s last disciple was himself. If the green-clothed man in front of him really was Sigu Jian’s last disciple, then he should be a relatively powerful figure.

“In the future, I will call you Thirteenth Wang,” Fan Xian said calmly. “Thirteenth Wang...have you thought about that given my grudge-holding personality, if in the future, your Dongyi still came to deal with me with that crazy woman, how could I let Dongyi off just because of you?”

“It will benefit both sides.” Wang Xi smiled freely with an indescribable ease. “As for those who offend Sir, you can do your best to think of ways to kill them. Teacher had me enter Qing Kingdom to travel. I don’t have a hidden evil agenda. Naturally, I want to survive.”

“As long as I survive,” Wang Xi calmly said, “Dongyi will continue to survive as it is.”

Hearing these indifferent but actually very unusual words, Fan Xian slightly lowered his head and asked, “You are also going to the capital?”

Yes.” Wang Xi leisurely sighed. “Since I am traveling, of course, I must go to Qing Kingdom’s Jingdou. I heard that Jingdou has a Baoyue Brothel...with countless of beautiful women within. I must savor it carefully.”

Fan Xian didn’t raise his head. “I won’t give you a discount.”

Wang Xi smiled and said, “I can earn a lot from fortune telling.”

“Didn’t you say earlier you are not a fortune teller?” Fan Xian asked.

Wang Xi replied quietly, “Sir...life is too mysterious. In and out of wind and clouds, and the stars shine without order, it is not something mortals can calculate.”

Fan Xian’s mind turned. A moment later he slowly said, “Going back to our initial topic, then it is to say...you are the attitude of Sigu Jian alone, the attitude of a small portion and you have nothing to do with Dongyi’s greater direction at all?”

“You could say it like that,” Wang Xi replied, neither obsequious nor supercilious.

“Very good.” Fan Xian rubbed his hands that were beginning to get cold again. He placed his hands above the fire base and looked at the bright red shining among the white ash in the basin, “I don’t like having a powerful archer watching me in the dark all the way back to Jingdou who also sometimes suddenly fires a few cold arrows.”

Wang Xi was silent.

“Go outside and kill that archer.” Fan Xian raised his head and looked at him. “Since you are Sigu Jian’s attitude, then I want to see your attitude. Before we enter Jingdou, I want to see the head of that archer.”

Wang Xi remained silent. Only a long while later did he gently nod his head. From beside the door, he picked up the long green banner. As he was about to push open the wooden door with both hands, he suddenly turned his head and said, “I don’t really like to kill people, can the content be changed?”

Fan Xian’s head had already lowered. He said coldly, “If you can’t kill people, what use is there in keeping you?”

“My skills are very good,” Wang Xi calmly said, but there was an unfathomable feeling in his words. “I can protect you.”

“Protect me?” The corner of Fan Xian’s mouth twitched up and he smiled. “I don’t think you have the right to say this.”

Wang Xi smiled and said, “I have this right. Sir, you can try it.”

Given Fan Xian’s current realm, for Wang Xi to dare to say something like this, it showed that he had a relatively strong confidence in his abilities.

However, Fan Xian still did not raise his head and only quietly said, “Don’t boast in front of me. Qing Kingdom is not Dongyi. You could die at any time out in the isolated areas and not know from which patch of sky the fatal strike fell from.”

As he finished speaking, the light in the school suddenly dimmed. A wind without origin blew the snow-white ash in the fire basin. A powerful but hidden, traceless but murderous, aura enveloped Wang Xi standing by the door.

Wang Xi’s hand holding the green banner shook slightly. The black feathered arrow that had been stuck on the pole of the green banner shattered into pieces.

Wang Xi coughed a few times and took a few steps back. There was not a trace of fear on his face, instead, he smiled and said, “No wonder my elder brother returned in such low spirits from Jiangnan. Sir has such an ace at his side protecting him. Naturally, there is no need for me...that’s fine, then I will go kill some people for you.”

After saying this, he pushed open the door and left, disappearing into the dark night. That long green banner appeared and disappeared in the distance of the night snow.

[JW1] This might be a typo since he’s been said to have green clothes up until now.

The author could also be calling him a scholar/non-official. These people were also often known as white-clothed people.