Ch28 – A living corpse hits the bar

Translator: Abo Dammen

Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year, everyone! Wishing you happiness, health, and fun in the year ahead.

“Why do you ask?” Jing Liansheng’s voice carried a hint of puzzlement.

Bai Qing froze. He didn’t know why either. His gaze drifted back to his reflection in the water. That clean, gentle face shimmered faintly on the rippling surface, slightly blurred. As he stared, a strange emotion rose within him.

This silent, almost sorrowful expression… if not for his modern clothing, even he might have momentarily confused himself. Was this Bai Qing, or Ci Ying?

Bai Qing’s eyes followed the breeze, settling on the solitary lotus stem swaying in the wind. His heart sank. 

At that moment, he felt no bitterness of unrequited love, nor jealousy of unattainable desires.

Only one feeling surged. It was deep worry. He feared Jing Liansheng would pay too high a price for his wish.

The worry surged like a tide he couldn’t resist. He even blurted out unconsciously, “…If I were Ci Ying, that would be good.”

If he were Ci Ying, everything would fall into place. 

Jing Liansheng wouldn’t need to wish upon the Ancient Lotus, nor bear any unforeseen consequences. Hearing Bai Qing’s words, Jing Liansheng’s pupils shifted slightly. Then he spoke, low and deliberate, “That would not be good.”

Bai Qing looked at him, slightly surprised.

But Jing Liansheng didn’t explain further. His gaze followed Bai Qing’s to the pond, resting on the single green stalk swaying in the wind. His eyes were deep and complex, as if looking at the lotus stem, yet also seeing far beyond it.

Bai Qing recalled their first meeting, when Jing Liansheng had seen his deliberately altered face and told him to change it. Back then, Jing Liansheng’s tone was icy, his expression resolute, threatening to twist his head off if he didn’t comply. 

Bai Qing hadn’t understood at the time. He had simply thought Jing Liansheng disliked him wearing a false face to deceive.

But now he realized that what Jing Liansheng truly hated was him wearing Ci Ying’s face.

Connecting this to today’s “That would not be good,” Bai Qing felt as if a knife had pierced through him. He thought he wasn’t worthy. He wanted to speak, but his lips felt sewn shut. Any attempt to move them brought a sharp, piercing pain.

He could only press his mouth tightly, concealing the ache. 

He had always smiled through everything before. Yet now, recalling every word, every expression, he felt as if each had been a revolving blade, cutting into his heart.

He forced himself to look at his reflection. This face looked even more dejected, more like Ci Ying.

He resisted this similarity with all his being. I don’t want to be like him. I’m a sunshine little living corpse. I should smile through everything! I chose to like someone who doesn’t love me. How could I feel dejected over a casual remark?

This isn’t me. 

I’m optimistic, confident, cheerful, outspoken…

Not someone who internalizes like Ci Ying.

Not someone who suffers over the slightest gust of wind like Ci Ying.

Not someone who refuses to express any emotion like Ci Ying. 

Absolutely not…

This rejection filled Bai Qing with inner turmoil, as if some force was tearing at his soul.

Just a moment ago, he had thought, “If I were Ci Ying, that would be good.” Now, he felt intense aversion to the similarity.

It was like a plank floating on the sea, sometimes rising with the waves, sometimes ruthlessly tossed by them, unpredictably shifting, beyond control. 

Jing Liansheng’s gaze locked tightly on Bai Qing’s face.

At this moment, Bai Qing’s face was etched with genuine, deep pain—so real, so profound, completely unlike the carefree little living corpse Jing Liansheng remembered.

In his memory, no matter what happened, Bai Qing had faced it with near-blind optimism, a smile always on his face, as if nothing could ruin his mood.

Jing Liansheng instinctively reflected. Had he said something he shouldn’t have? 

No. He had said harsh and even cruel things to Bai Qing before.

Yet Bai Qing always dissolved it with his bold attitude, melting every grievance with warmth and optimism.

But this time… it was different.

Jing Liansheng felt confused, even uneasy. 

“You look in pain,” he said.

It sounded like a statement, yet Bai Qing could sense the care behind it.

His heart warmed slightly. He unconsciously summoned his signature smile, though it carried a faint trace of bitterness. “Are you… concerned about me?”

His tone was teasing, yet laced with hope. 

“That is correct,” Jing Liansheng answered directly, without hesitation or disguise.

Always so cold, so distant… but in truth, he was the most straightforward person.

Whether caring or disliking, he expressed it honestly.

Bai Qing’s first instinct was to brush it off, “It’s nothing.” But he quickly rejected the thought. 

Since Jing Liansheng said he would treat others with sincerity, Bai Qing should be honest too.

“Yes, I am in pain,” he admitted.

Jing Liansheng assessed calmly, “Is it because you like me?”

That’s unexpected. Bai Qing hadn’t anticipated such insight from him. 

He wanted to shake his head, but instead nodded slightly. “It has something to do with that.”

As always, Jing Liansheng’s reply was blunt and decisive, “Then you should stop liking me.”

Before he could speak further, he realized he might have said the wrong thing, because Bai Qing instantly looked even more pained. BBai Qing looked as if he might stagger, yet his smile remained welded to his face, just like his feelings. “That’s really impossible, dead guy.”

The wind blew over the pair, a living corpse and a ghost, bringing with it a chill. 

They looked at each other in silence. The atmosphere was unbearably awkward.

Just then, Bai Qing’s phone suddenly rang. The crisp ringtone sounded jarringly loud in the quiet, yet it broke the tension perfectly.

He picked it up, glanced at Jing Liansheng, and said, “It’s Shifu replying.”

“Oh?” Jing Liansheng asked. “What did he say?” 

“I wanted him to come to the Jing residence and pretend to help break the curse on marrying, but he refused,” Bai Qing shook his head. “Easy money he won’t touch. Seems he’s really afraid of getting involved with the Jing family’s affairs.”

“That is his way of staying long-lived and safe,” Jing Liansheng remarked.

Bai Qing agreed silently. A turtle lives long by keeping its head in its shell.

Unsure how to deal with Jing Liansheng at the moment, Bai Qing used this as an excuse to step away briefly. 

“I’m going to chat with Shifu,” he said.

Jing Liansheng nodded, saying nothing further.

Bai Qing drove to Shifu’s apartment. The door opened to reveal the malicious ghost.

The ghost still wore that expression of “I want to die but alas, I’ve already died, so I can’t”. 

“Shifu went out today wearing his battle attire.”

“Battle attire?” Bai Qing thought. “You mean his bar-hopping outfit?”

“Yes. It can’t be combat battle attire,” the ghost said, exasperated. “Would he actually go fight?”

The ghost muttered under his breath, ‘He only bullies ghosts like me, whom he can crush with a finger. He’d never provoke a ghost that required serious combat gear.’ 

Bai Qing, wanting to relax at a bar himself, turned and went.

The bars Shifu liked had to have plenty of young, attractive men, and the prices couldn’t be too high, after all, Shifu was lustful but frugal. Bai Qing quickly zeroed in on a few targets. Luck was on his side. The first bar he went to, he saw Shifu.

Shifu was also remarkably handsome, his features well-defined, giving no hint of age. Simply tidying himself up, he was effortlessly striking.

Bai Qing thought, ‘This guy really can deceive people just by standing there.’ 

Shifu sat by the bar counter. His gaze quickly landed on a young man with a striking appearance and abundant yang energy.

Shifu smiled and walked over, saying to the young man, “Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Bai Qing, standing to the side, was speechless. Could such a cliché line really attract a handsome guy?

He was mentally preparing for his Shifu to face utter humiliation. 

Unexpectedly, the young man looked up. When his eyes met Shifu’s, his face lit up with joy, “It’s… it’s you…”

Now it was Shifu’s turn to be taken aback.

He felt slightly awkward. No way… did we really meet?

He ran a hand through his hair, forcing a steady smile. “Ah, yes, haha… long time no see.” 

“It really has been a long time!” The handsome young man’s eyes glistened with tears. He suddenly hugged Shifu, speaking passionately, “I’ve missed you so much, Martial Grandfather!”

Shifu froze.

When he realized the full weight of “Martial Grandfather,” it struck like a moral jolt stronger than plunging into icy water. He felt he might lose any worldly desire for at least a month. To be fair, thinking about who he had flirted with, Shifu wanted to slap himself twice.

Immoral! Too immoral! Even for me! This is too much! 

Shifu quickly patted the young man’s shoulders, held his face in his hands, and scrutinized the contours of this matured youth, trying to find the remnants of the boy he once knew.

Finally, a familiar figure emerged in his memory. Shifu said, “You are… Lin Zhao?”

Lin Zhao, moved, exclaimed, “It’s me, it’s me, Third Martial Grandfather!”

Shifu nearly covered Lin Zhao’s mouth. “Ahem, no need for such titles outside.” 

Shifu sighed. A wave of helplessness washed over him. It felt like he had done nothing, yet his body was already drained to the bone.

He turned his head and saw Bai Qing sitting nearby, casually munching on sunflower seeds.

Raising an eyebrow, Shifu asked, “What are you doing here?”

Bai Qing smiled. “Nothing, Shifu. Your disciple missed you.” 

Lin Zhao, overhearing, blinked in surprise. “This gentleman is Shifu’s disciple?”

Shifu tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Sort of.”

Lin Zhao bowed slightly to Bai Qing. “Then you are my Martial Uncle.”

The sunflower seeds in Bai Qing’s hand nearly fell. Ah? How did I suddenly jump a generation? 

Shifu waved his hand helplessly. “How can that be? I was actually expelled from the sect. I can’t really be your Martial Grandfather anymore. You don’t need to call him Uncle either.”

Lin Zhao said warmly, “Martial Grandfather, you will always be my Martial Grandfather. If you are willing, the sect will always welcome you back.”

“Forget it,” Shifu waved dismissively. “I’ve gotten used to freelance work. I’m no longer suited for such structured institutions.”

Lin Zhao seemed about to argue further, but Shifu quickly changed the subject, “By the way, what brings you here?” 

Lin Zhao replied gently, “It’s like this… I was in seclusion for twenty years, and I’ve just emerged…”

“You were in seclusion for how long?” Bai Qing, just having picked up another sunflower seed, gaped at this youth whose face looked younger than his own.

Lin Zhao smiled. “To answer my Senior Uncle, twenty years.”

Bai Qing, still stunned, asked, “Then your age… how venerable are you?” 

Lin Zhao frowned. “I don’t really remember. But overall, I should be about fifty years younger than Martial Grandfather.”

Bai Qing grabbed another handful of seeds and glanced at Shifu. “Then… you, how old are you?”

Shifu said, “Overall, I’m younger than Ying Zhili—” He began counting on his fingers.

Bai Qing clutched his head. With your age as the baseline, counting on fingers would take until closing time at the bar! 

Hearing the three words “Ying Zhili,” Lin Zhao’s eyes widened, interrupting Shifu’s finger-counting. “Second Martial Grandfather is here too?”

“How can he not be?” Shifu’s face was full of disdain. “Where there’s trouble, there he is. Wherever he is, there’s trouble.”

Pausing for a moment, Shifu returned to the original topic, “You haven’t finished. What are you doing here?”

Lin Zhao continued where he left off, “It’s like this. I just emerged from seclusion and discovered that several of my disciples were badly injured, their spiritual energy severely drained. They reported to me that in Liancheng there is a deadly surge of fierce yin energy, along with a bloodthirsty, vicious living corpse, an extremely sinister dual calamity of Yin and Yang, cunning and treacherous, wreaking havoc among humans, killing without hesitation…”