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Dandan is worried…
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Ch. 12 | The Anywhere Ladder
On the first day that Song Lin was away, Dandan carried on as usual, eating, drinking and sleeping as if nothing had changed.
On the second day, Styx’s mood changed slightly. His expression gradually became more gloomy and there was a look of anxiety in his eyes.
Dandan couldn’t resist asking, ‘What are you worrying for, Ol’ Fish Eyes? Song Lin is more than capable of handling anything thrown at him.’
‘Second Master is indeed capable of handling anything, except on that one day,’ Styx answered frowningly.
‘Which day is that?’
‘The first day of the fifth lunar month,’ Styx sighed, ‘which just so happens to be tomorrow.’
Dandan didn’t quite understand. ‘What happens on the first day of the fifth lunar month? Why are you so worried?’
Styx turned away. ‘You don’t need to know.’
‘I need to know,’ insisted Dandan. ‘I’m supposed to make a pact with Song Lin. If he’s in any danger, I have to save him even if it means risking my life.’
‘Second Master already gave orders that you’re not to leave the manor under any circumstances.’
‘Who gives a damn about such things at a time like this?’
The way he was objecting infuriated Styx. ‘Why do you suppose Second Master has forbidden your going out? Do you know how many eyes outside are on the lookout for you?! If the League captures you, not only will the Song clan not be able to protect you, it will also implicate Eldest Master who is now the Head of the League. Even so, Second Master insisted on letting you remain here. Do you have any idea how big a risk he’s taking?!’
Dandan digested this information and then seized on the most important point.
‘Why is… the League after me?’
‘Because of your conspicuous performance at the beast colosseum. The League has you in their sights for they will not allow a powerful spirit beast that they can’t control to show up in Ridge City.’
‘What will they do to me?’
‘I don’t know the details but it certainly won’t be pleasant for you. That fellow, Wanyan Fu, hates losing and having felt mistreated on his last visit here, went and lodged a complaint with the League. Someone will be here to investigate you in a few days’ time. Second Master has taken great pains¹ to protect you so you had better not ruin everything just for your own gratification!’
¹ 費盡心思 fèijìnxīnsi. If you’re not reading this chapter at hiding in plain sight, it has been stolen and reproduced by novelscraping sites.
Dandan did not wish to be captured and interrogated either but the most important thing right now was Song Lin and he simply couldn’t worry about the rest. ‘I’m not doing it for myself. Think about it, if the Gu Scorpion Tribe has exterminated the White Hound Tribe, then that means the Fascinating Forest is now their territory. They’re a treacherous bunch, unlike the White Hounds. Song Lin’s being there is already fraught with danger, not to mention that the first day of the fifth lunar month you’re so worried about is drawing near. We’re running out of time. I must go and look for him, you have to trust me.’
Styx’s hands closed round Dandan’s neck. ‘Why should I trust you? You haven’t spoken a single word of truth from the time you arrived at the Song Manor. Did you think Second Master and I couldn’t tell? A spirit beast of dubious identity who keeps trying to hide his real abilities, you think we don’t understand what a danger that poses? If Second Master hadn’t insisted on keeping you with him, I would have chased you out already!’
‘I will never harm Song Lin, that’s all you need to remember,’ Dandan was breathless from Styx’s grip but his tone was extremely calm and resolute.
Styx narrowed his eyes. ‘Why are you so strongly attached to Second Master?’
‘Because…’ Dandan transferred his gaze to another location, ‘he’s handsome.’
‘…’ Styx was speechless for three seconds before flinging him down to the floor. ‘If it weren’t for Second Master forbidding it, I would really kill you.’
Dandan felt his neck and then said, ‘You’ll have to take a number…’
Styx: ‘…’
‘I know you’re very loyal to Song Lin. You don’t have to tell me the secret of the first day of the fifth lunar month but if Song Lin isn’t back before dusk tonight, then you must let me go and look for him,’ Dandan insisted. Styx did not answer so he added quickly, ‘I have Song Lin’s Blood Weapon inside me. I can find him using his blood. If he really is in danger, only I can save him.’
At last, there was a minute shift in Styx’s expression and after a long interval, he flicked his sleeves, snorted coldly and walked off.
Dandan shouted after him, ‘I’ll take that as a yes!’
The day felt endless and even the slightest stirring of the grass caused by the wind made one think Song Lin had returned. The roasted lamb legs that the servants had brought in remained untouched on the table until they turned cold and unappetising. The sun went into hiding behind the clouds and the sky turned slightly gloomy. Dandan lay on his belly, alone by the window. He had not felt this way for a very long time. Not since Yu Huan’s death had he been so deeply worried about someone.
As a spirit beast whose calibre was Supreme, he had once been insufferably arrogant² with nothing in creation strong enough to pose a threat to him. He had lived as he pleased, never once caring about the feelings of those around him; after all, he had all the strength and time in the world to squander. One day, he had suffered an unexpected failure: hit by an arrow dipped in Petrifying Potion, he had fallen into a muddy crevasse and lay there paralysed. It was then that he had met Yu Huan, the man with jade green eyes who would change his life.
² 不可一世 bùkě-yīshì. Translation belongs to theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Back then, Yu Huan was not the Arch-Guardian. He was just an ordinary itinerant Guardian. Yu Huan had struck him as a strange man, every movement of his neither fast nor slow as his shapely hands brushed the mud off Dandan’s face before remarking, ‘Oh, what a cute little rabbit.’
Dandan had no energy left to speak and merely glared at him, his eyes clearly saying: Which scumbag is this? Get lost.
Yu Huan rested his head on one hand and used his other to prod Dandan’s cheek. ‘Hey, since fate has brought us together, do you want to be my spirit beast?’
Dandan bared his teeth. ‘With your standard?’ Although he couldn’t move at all, he was very confident that his expression was enough to frighten people off.
‘Well of course, you can always refuse. After all, I’m a very easygoing Guardian and as you know, the greatest virtue we Guardians possess is that of always respecting the wishes of spirit beasts.’
‘Tch,’ Dandan snorted coldly.
Yu Huan rubbed his hands together and then began gathering dried twigs from nearby with soft rustling noises.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Oh, I’m making a fire,’ answered Yu Huan.
Dandan scoffed inwardly: Bah, what a puny Guardian. Can’t even withstand the bitter cold but had the cheek to want to subdue me?
Then he heard Yu Huan talking to himself³. ‘I haven’t eaten anything at all today. This is a rare chance to fill my tummy and it would be a shame to waste it. Waste is a sin, waste is a sin, tsk…’
‘…Wait…’ Dandan’s eyes widened. ‘Wait a minute, that rare chance to fill your tummy, you don’t mean… me???’
‘Of course, whom else did you think I meant?’ Yu Huan narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.
³ 自言自語 zìyán-zìyǔ. Please consider reading from theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com rather than from novelscraping sites.
A shiver ran down Dandan’s back despite himself — this green-eyed man wasn’t as gentle as he appeared!
‘You… y-y-you’re going to eat me?’
‘To be more precise, roast you.’ Those jade green eyes were bright with a crafty gleam.
‘Where’s your compassion?! How can you eat a rabbit?!’ Dandan bellowed and struggled fiercely to get up but failed.
Damn damn damn! I don’t think this one’s a pushover.
‘Now, don’t worry,’ the owner of those jade green eyes said genially. ‘I don’t eat just anything. For example, I don’t eat my bonded spirit beast.’
I knew it! There it is! That threatening tone! Aaarrgghh, nothing is more infuriating than being taken advantage of while vulnerable!
Unfortunately, I can’t do anything to him. Could it be that I’ve met my Waterloo? Really cheeses me off…
‘Wait.’ Dandan opened one eye. ‘You want to make a pact with me, don’t you?’
‘Just so.’
‘Well… let’s do so then.’
Let’s do so then.
(Approx. 1449 words)
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Translated and edited by 12
hiding in plain sight 
Yeah, I really don’t know what to make of Yu Huan. Looks like he had a sense of humour though. Dandan fell for his ploy so easily. Thanks for the translation!
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Yea, I remember having mixed feelings about him because he figures largely throughout the story. I even wondered at some point whether the author could pull off making Song Lin a convincing love interest with Dandan so attached to Yu Huan’s memory. But, that’s for you to find out so I shall leave it at that for now 😉
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