A formidable opponent…
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Ch. 46.2
At that moment, Styx and Song Lin were being driven to Yuanlin Guild Hall.
Styx asked, ‘Second Master, why didn’t you allow Dandan to come with us? If Bai Yini should get up to any tricks, it would be safer to have him there.’
‘That dust-up with Chen Yang gave me the impression that someone has been coveting Dandan for a very long time and may even have planted an informer at my brother’s side. Otherwise he couldn’t have found out that Dandan is Yu Huan’s spirit beast. The enemy is in the shadows while I’m in the open: we don’t know how much influence the other side has, or how powerful they really are, or even if the entire League tacitly condones Chen Yang’s actions. Whatever the case, to avoid any unnecessary trouble, it’s better for Dandan if he doesn’t go out.’
Styx pondered for a while before asking, ‘Second Master… you’re protecting Dandan to such an extent — is it purely because you’re concerned that the League’s balance of power is unstable or do you have more personal reasons?’
Song Lin merely looked up at him after hearing this but did not answer.
Styx said, ‘My apologies. It’s just that I was wondering — would you mind it as much if it were any other spirit beast?’
Song Lin’s expression turned cold and while smoothing his cuffs, he said, ‘Styx, my brother sent you to assist me so I’ve never demanded anything of you because of that. But, there are some things you can say and some you can’t. It’s a very basic rule which I hope you’ll observe.’
‘Yes, I understand,’ Styx answered and did not speak again after that. But he knew he had touched a nerve for Song Lin had a habit of smoothing his cuffs whenever he was feeling guilty. He sighed inwardly nonetheless. Guardians who developed feelings for their spirit beasts were not unheard of because after making a pact, spirit beasts and Guardians were bound together in life and death¹. It was not impossible for that bond to develop into other feelings.
But if it were Song Lin… If Eldest Master were to learn of the matter, he would probably take a sabre to Dandan. At this thought, Styx despondently pressed a hand to his forehead.
¹ 生死相依 If you’re not reading this chapter at hiding in plain sight, it has been stolen and reproduced by novelscraping sites.
When they arrived at the entrance of Yuanlin Guild Hall, they could already hear the warbling sounds of an aria.
This guild hall had the largest opera stage in all of the city and had preserved a traditional architectural layout. There were teahouse seats on the first floor and private rooms on the other three floors. The customary practice was to seat commoners on the first floor while the nobles would be shown into private rooms.
A young servant stood at the entrance, wearing a traditional mandarin jacket with a clean tablecloth draped over his shoulder. He said respectfully, ‘Second Master Song, Miss Bai has been waiting upstairs for quite some time already. This way, please.’
Song Lin and Styx exchanged glances before following him up. The servant led them up to a private room right in the middle of the third floor. ‘Here we are.’ The servant draped the cloth over his hand, helped to knock on the door and then stepped aside.
Soon after that, the sound of footsteps could be heard inside. A servant girl opened the door and upon seeing that there were guests, hurriedly invited them in while saying, ‘Missy, Second Master Song is here.’
This was the first time after ten years that Song Lin was seeing Bai Yini again. She was a picture of lissome grace in a white qipao with magnolias embroidered on the collar. Her hair was worn up but one strand had been allowed to fall down one side of her face, making her appear even more delicately elegant.
She got up from where she was sitting and said leisurely, ‘Second Master Song.’
Song Lin took off his coat and handed it to Styx, then sat down and crossed his legs while adjusting his tie. ‘Long time no see, Miss Bai.’
Bai Yini said smilingly, ‘I remember the last time I saw you was at your esteemed father’s birthday banquet.’
‘That was more than ten years ago.’
‘Yes, it’s been such a long time. I remember that I used to call you Brother Song Lin, but now that same Brother Song Lin has become the very capable Second Master Song who feels more like a stranger.’ Bai Yini’s eyes were twinkling with amusement, her pearly teeth very white between her red lips, her face elegant and graceful.
Song Lin’s expression did not change as he commented, ‘You can always call me Brother again if you like.’
Bai Yini was a bit taken aback before she laughed and said, ‘You have changed indeed.’
‘How so?’
‘You never liked to ingratiate yourself with others or follow what they said. But now, you also know how to fake a smile perfectly and play along² when socialising.’
Song Lin paused for a moment before remarking, ‘I’m surprised that you can see it so clearly.’
² 從善如流 cóngshàn-rúliú. Translation belongs to theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Bai Yini merely smiled in reply before turning and saying to the maid beside her, ‘Ping’er, pour tea for Second Master Song.’
The maid called Ping’er was petite and pretty and deftly poured tea out for the both of them before standing quietly behind her mistress.
Styx deliberately glanced at her, his eyes sweeping over which Ping’er seemed to sense for she looked at him before turning her head away in embarrassment. The corners of Styx’s mouth twisted slightly: You seem to have misunderstood something.
Just then, the sound of cheering drifted up from below. On stage, the wusheng³ was performing an interesting fight with his long spear and the clapping was becoming more enthusiastic.
Song Lin’s eyes were trained on the floor below them while his fingers leisurely tapped his thigh in time with the rhythm. ‘What has put you in the mood to invite me to the opera, Miss Bai?’
Bai Yini lowered her head and took a sip of tea, then dabbed at the corners of her lips with a handkerchief before admitting, ‘The opera was just a pretext. I actually have a request to make of you.’
Song Lin quirked an eyebrow. ‘Go ahead.’
‘… I believe you’ve already seen the arrangements made by the League, Second Master Song. Your family will be facing mine in the next round. I came here today to make a deal with you, and I guarantee that you will only gain and not lose.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘My clan has had very little contact with the other four Great Houses in these last few years. I believe you’re also interested in my spirit beast. Allow me to introduce him to you now: he’s a lu-shu from Mt. Niuyang, an extremely rare Supreme-calibre spirit beast; moreover, he possesses an invincible ability.’
‘Are you trying to frighten me, Miss Bai? What invincible ability? Everything in this world has its natural enhancement and inhibition⁴ — it’s the natural cycle of things. If there really were such a thing as an invincible ability, how would there be a balance in the world?’
‘But don’t forget, Second Master, that there is one thing which is outside the natural cycle of things.’
‘What?’
‘Time.’
⁴ 相生相克 xiāngshēng-xiāngkè. Please consider reading from theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com rather than from novelscraping sites.
Song Lin was taken aback when he heard this blandly uttered word. He remembered Father telling him before that he had seen a spirit beast which could control time at the last Guardians’ Tournament. This was an extremely rare natural talent which was hardly ever seen in the world.
Song Lin’s fingers tightened around the teacup he was holding. ‘Miss Bai, you’re my opponent. By revealing your secret so easily, aren’t you afraid that I’ll find a way to counter it and win the match?’
(Approx. 1302 words)
12’s notes:
³ 武生 wǔshēng: THEATER
Wusheng (one of the main divisions of the sheng, or male role, in traditional opera, portraying military heroes, generals, and brave outlaws; the wusheng actor is imposing, skilled in tumbling, and agile with weapons)
⁴ IDIOM mutual enhancement and inhibition between the five elements (an ancient concept to explain natural phenomena, and later applied to traditional Chinese medicine, etc.)
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Translated and edited by 12
hiding in plain sight 
LAUGHING. STYX CALLING SONG LIN OUT. 8) Song Lin being protective though… urgh… my heart… now if only he just told Dandan he cares about him and they’d be able to ride off into the sunset together. Maybe. :’) Dream big!
Trying to decide how I feel about Bai Yini… I mean, we don’t have so much info yet, so I can’t make a concrete decision. She’s pretttty sketchy though, trying to rig a deal regarding the next fight. The little scene were Styx looks at Ping’er and she’s embarrassed with funny though. XD Little details like that really help lighten up a scene, haha.
As always, thank you for the translation!!
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Not when Song Lin still feels he’s playing second fiddle hee hee.
All the dodgy characters and rivals seem to be coming out of the woodwork. Busy times ahead!
Dandan definitely knows how he feels about her 🤣
I like how Styx is verrrrry helpful despite his apparent dislike of Dandan 😆
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