EXTRA #2
Translator: @liumenq
Ji Han had long bypassed the lively people of Jianghu, and went all the way to the gate of the bamboo house Zhao Jiangui was temporarily staying at.
The two stood in the courtyard, facing each other and pausing for a period of time before suddenly laughing together.
Ji Han said: “I met Xiao Lin on the way, he told me to find you here.”
Zhao Jiangui asked: “To take me up to the mountain to compete?”
Ji Han shook his head.
“I really want to compete with you, it’s just that now is not the time.” He lightly knocked on the sword’s sheath hanging at his waist, hanging next to it was a pot of fine liquor. “We haven’t met in two months, I’ve come to drink a cup of wine with you first.”
Zhao Jiangui frowned and looked towards him, asking: “Why do you want to drink again, your injury…”
At the time, even though Ji Han had avoided a vital point, the wound that was left behind was indeed deep. Afterwards, the wound opened once again, so it was likely that it wouldn’t easily heal.
Ji Han knit his brows and said in a slightly rash manner: “If you won’t drink, then nevermind. I came to find you today with serious business.”
He didn’t wait for Zhao Jiangui’s invitation before striding into the house, and Zhao Jiangui had no choice but to follow behind, questioning, “What do you want to do?”
Ji Han asked: “Do you still remember those assassins?”
Of course he remembered this matter, it’s just that when he was at the sect, the interrogation of the assassins had never yielded any results. Now, looking at Ji Han’s face, there was clearly already some new information.
As expected, Ji Han said in a low voice: “Regarding the interrogation of those assassins, there are already results.”
Zhao Jiangui’s heart couldn’t help but sink, asking: “Is…is it your yifu?1”
When he said this, he was still a little hesitant; he didn’t even know how to address Yin Buhuo now. He knew that Ji Han still had some affection for Yin Buhuo, and Ji Han had taken note of the hesitation in his words. Yet his tone only became slightly dull as he continued speaking.
“It wasn’t him,” Ji Han said quietly, “I’m only afraid that in some unknown place, there are still people who want to secretly kill me.”
Zhao Jiangui had already entrusted his shidi2 to investigate this matter. At the battle on Baicang Mountain, Yin Buhuo and Yan Daifu had been apprehended by the Liu Shang Men3, yet Wen Zhanglao was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air. In all of Jianghu, finding even half a trace of him would be very difficult.
This matter was too strange. Ji Han had ordered Wei Qi to investigate thoroughly, but yielded no results. Zhao Jiangui knew that the Liu Shang Men’s method of investigation was completely different to Jianghu’s. He had planned to hurry to the Liu Shang Men in the capital after his period of self-reflection. At the time, he had thought that the one who wanted to kill Ji Han was Wen Zhanglao, and in his heart, felt that the matter was critical. Now, hearing Ji Han say it like that, he was a little hesitant.
It looked like this matter was becoming more and more complicated, there were a multitude of main threads, but he didn’t know where to start. And moreover, Ji Han was trapped in danger. The faster he investigates, the better.
Ji Han sat down next to the table, silent and nonverbal. Only after a long while did he say: “Yifu…after he left, the sect’s affairs have increased. I shouldn’t have come out in the first place.”
Before, Ji Han was Yin Buhuo’s puppet and chess piece, and in reality, everything was controlled by Yin Buhuo. Now that Ji Han had become the true sect leader, he needed to balance struggle on all sides. He was overwrought, but still needed to forcibly make time to rush over here for the appointed battle.
Ji Han said: “I have to go back soon.”
Zhao Jiangui nodded. “I understand.”
Ji Han then said: “I’ve thought over it carefully, what you said back then actually wasn’t without reason. My technique now still isn’t adequate enough to battle with you.”
Zhao Jiangui was momentarily stunned, and it took a long time before he realized that Ji Han’s words were referring to what he himself had said at Baicang Mountain.
In this world, the most powerful sword-play isn’t the sword that kills people, but the sword that saves them.
This was the truth he had understood only after wandering throughout Jianghu for many years. After learning the techniques of the sword, it was all the same; there wasn’t much difference between each move, and the disparity between experts was miniscule.
The only distinction between the best and the best was what was in their hearts.
Ji Han’s tone of voice was ordinary again and his words carried some arrogance when he said: “There will inevitably be a day where I will defeat you.”
Zhao Jiangui couldn’t help but laugh, replying: “I believe there will be that day.”
It was getting late, so he saw Ji Han off at the small courtyard and walked up to the wooden gate. He watched Ji Han take a few steps before remembering an important matter. He shook the jar of wine he seized from Ji Han’s hands and, towards Ji Han’s back, said loudly: “See you next time, I’ll invite you to have a drink.”
Ji Han waved a hand but didn’t turn around, the sound of his voice distantly came from the mountain road.
“Who wants to drink with you!”
Zhao Jiangui couldn’t help but burst out into laughter. Twilight slowly fell and he leaned against the gate, watching Ji Han’s figure gradually disappear among the layers of the bamboo’s shadows. But in his heart, he still felt very happy.
Note:
1. [义父 - Adoptive/foster father.] ?
2. [师弟 - Younger martial brother/younger male disciple of the same master.] ?
3. [六扇门 - The translator of the main chapters called them a special p*lice force but I hate the p*lice, and also, I don’t think that translation is quite accurate? From what I’ve read, they’re more like a team of detectives, so I just left it as the pinyin.]
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