Zanxing (Retranslated)

He was always one to say one thing and mean another, and Zanxing was already accustomed to it, not taking it to heart. Meanwhile, Hong Su cheerfully said, “This feast looks really exquisite. In the past, when the Young Miss had her birthday, our family would also host a banquet. But Yuecheng is a small place and lacks many things compared to the Taiyan Sect. Every time, my father had to find someone from outside to search for birthday gifts for the Young Miss. Hmm,” she added casually, “In big sects, it shouldn’t be so troublesome to send gifts, right?”

Zanxing: “….”

Hearing this, Tian Fangfang was the first to catch on. He laughed heartily and pulled out an item from his Qiankun Bag, saying to Zanxing, “Junior Sister, I almost forgot your birthday gift.”

What he took out was a palm-sized bamboo basket, painted red, and it was empty inside. Zanxing took the red bamboo basket, puzzled, and asked, “What is this?”

“This is a good item,” Tian Fangfang said. “It’s called the Celestial Fire Basket. Although a bamboo basket is often used to fetch water, ours won’t fetch water but can start a fire. I got this basket from a secret realm while practicing fire techniques. I found that it can hold fire essence. I’ve put three fire essences into it. Whenever you need fire, just activate the basket, and it will produce a continuous flame. It can last for about three years. Isn’t it practical?”

Zanxing: “…Thank you.”

It sounded so fancy, but how was it different from a fire starter? She didn’t start fires for cooking, boiling water, or bathing. Tian Fangfang was known for being stingy, so it wasn’t surprising that he chose such a simple magical item for her.

Mu Cengxiao paused for a moment, then opened his palm to reveal a yellow talisman. The talisman depicted a small figure with indistinct features that seemed to move.

Zanxing: “What is this…?”

“This is a Decoy Talisman,” Mu Cengxiao explained. “I saw you using a Sound Detection Talisman when we were in the treasure grounds, and I wanted to create a Decoy Talisman when I returned to the sect. I’ve tested it once, and it can block an enemy’s attack on your behalf. In case of danger, this talisman can save your life.”

At his words, the other attendees looked at him with different eyes. Xuan Lingzi was particularly excited, saying, “Good disciple, can you make more of these talismans and give each person in the Taiyan Sect a hundred or so? That way, we won’t have to fear the demon invasion!”

Mu Cengxiao showed a look of helplessness, “Master, the production of this talisman is complex and requires many rare materials. I was only able to make three.”

Zanxing sighed inwardly. Even if he only made three, giving one to her was quite generous. What was even more impressive was his ability. He had only seen a Sound Detection Talisman once, yet he was able to make a Decoy Talisman himself. Such talent was rather terrifying.

Liu Yunxin also took out a bundle, looking a bit embarrassed as she said, “Miss Yang, I… I made a pair of shoes for you. They may not be as precious as what Brother Mu made, but it’s a token of my appreciation.”

Liu Yunxin’s craftsmanship was always excellent. The shoes were soft and light, embroidered with green phoenixes, and the phoenix’s eyes were made of tiny black gemstones, sparkling beautifully.

Zanxing took the shoes, sincerely praising, “These shoes are so beautiful, I really like them. It rains almost every day on the mountain in summer, and I’m running out of shoes. Thank you, Miss Liu!”

As soon as she finished her thanks, Men Dong jumped up and slapped a wooden box onto the table. “Look at mine, Yang Zanxing! See what I’ve prepared for your birthday gift. You’re sure to like it!”

Zanxing’s heart skipped a beat. Knowing that Men Dong had an affinity for mystical treasures and had seen countless rare items, she was curious about what he might have chosen. Her Qiankun Bag was still rather empty, so she wondered if Men Dong might have gifted her some top-notch elixir, high-grade magical artifact, or rare martial arts manual. As she opened the box, she smiled at Men Dong, “Thank you, Junior Brother. You’re really thoughtful… Hmm?”

Upon opening the wooden box, she found a tattered book lying on a red velvet cloth. At first glance, Zanxing thought it might be some sort of martial arts manual, but upon picking it up, she saw the cover boldly labeled with the title: “How to Conquer Handsome Young Heroes.”

Gu Baiying nearly spat out his tea.

Men Dong clapped his hands excitedly, “So, what do you think, Yang Zanxing? Isn’t it impressive? Do you like it?”

Zanxing stared at the book in her hands for a long moment before looking at Men Dong and smiling, “Junior Brother, I’d like to ask, what made you choose this book as my birthday gift?”

“Not satisfied?” Men Dong frowned. “I searched through the entire library to find this manual. Even though it’s not thick, the content inside will surely be of great benefit to you. With this book, you’ll be able to handle any handsome young hero on Gufeng Mountain with ease.”

Gu Baiying shot him a cold glance and said, “You really do worry too much.”

Zanxing: “…I really do appreciate it.”

Men Dong then turned to Meng Ying and asked, “Senior Sister Meng, what are you giving to Yang Zanxing?”

Meng Ying lowered her gaze and took out a long-haired fox fur coat from her Qiankun Bag. The fur was black and white, silky and smooth. She handed it to Zanxing, saying, “This is a flower fox fur coat. It can protect against the cold in harsh winter conditions.”

Zanxing took the coat and immediately felt its warmth and comfort. It seemed to have the ability to warm itself, indicating that it was indeed quite special, even if Meng Ying spoke of it casually.

“I noticed that you seem quite sensitive to the cold,” Meng Ying said. “You always wear cotton pants under your gauze robe in winter. It’s not very comfortable. In the future, when it gets cold, just drape this fox fur coat over yourself.”

Zanxing happily accepted it, “Thank you, Senior Sister!”

“It’s all so good that I’m starting to feel a bit embarrassed,” Ziluo said with a smile, presenting a box. “Previously, Seventh Senior Uncle’s elixirs were all prepared, and there’s one Sacred Tree Fruit left. Fourth Senior Uncle asked me to return it to you.”

Zanxing was a bit surprised. Li Danshu was known for being quite stingy, so it was unexpected that he would voluntarily return the Sacred Tree Fruit. Ziluo then took out a small bottle and handed it to Zanxing, saying, “You’ve always been good at refining elixirs. I heard from Junior Brother Tian that you even use Qi-Boosting Pills to feed cats, so I thought I’d give you a bottle of Beauty Pills.” She gently touched Zanxing’s face and sighed, “I still remember when you first arrived, the scar was quite deep. Now, it’s almost unnoticeable. After it fully heals, you might just captivate many disciples from other sects at the sect conference.”

“That won’t do,” Xuan Lingzi said anxiously. “Zanxing can’t just run off with disciples from other sects. Our sect has so many talented and handsome young disciples. If Zanxing really wants to find a partner, she can find one within our sect, right, Seventh Brother?”

Gu Baiying ignored him.

Xuan Lingzi then slammed a large Qiankun Bag onto the table and said, “Good disciple, I won’t be polite with you. This bag contains five thousand spirit stones. Take it and spend it however you wish. It’s a token of my appreciation.”

Gu Baiying replied blandly, “You really make five thousand spirit stones sound like fifty thousand.”

Xuan Lingzi was displeased and said, “Senior Brother, since you’re so critical, what did you prepare as a birthday gift for my dear disciple? Let’s see it!”

Gu Baiying turned to face Zanxing’s expectant gaze.

His expression shifted slightly, but after a moment, he turned away with a smirk and said lazily, “Don’t push your luck. Cooking a meal for you is already quite something. What more could you want?”

Hong Su looked disappointed and said, “So, Master Gu didn’t prepare a gift?”

Men Dong suddenly turned his head and asked, “What did you call him?”

“Cough, cough, cough,” Zanxing seized the opportunity to clear her throat and steer the conversation. “There’s no need to be so formal. Master Gu’s meal is worth more than any gift.” She lifted her wine cup and said, “Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. I’m truly happy today.”

Everyone raised their cups in response. Xuan Lingzi sighed, “If it weren’t for the recent busy affairs with the demon clan, your birthday celebration would have been even more lively. It’s been ten years since we recruited new disciples at the foot of the mountain. Initially, they said they would select my direct disciples from the new recruits. I didn’t hold much hope, but now it seems I’m lucky. I have you few disciples, and I’m truly honored. Good disciple,” he raised his cup and clinked it with Zanxing’s, “you are a person of great fortune, having received the fairy’s inheritance and experiencing many fortuitous encounters.Your luck is surely extraordinary. I wish you, may you not need to rely on the Cloud Ladder

¹ and be able to grow wings on your own!”

With a loud boom, fireworks erupted in Pingyang Town below, and although they were far off, their scattered brilliance illuminated the vast night on Gufeng Mountain, making it as bright as day.

The clinking of wine cups filled the air, and the summer night breeze became crisp.

The banquet began in full swing. Gu Baiying’s culinary skills proved exceptional. The dishes, though light, were far from bland. The Danxin wine brought by Ziluo was sweet and mellow, going down like a thread of lingering affection.

Men Dong had barely taken a sip before getting drunk, standing on his stool and starting a lecture. He rambled about teaching everyone how to write romantic poems, claiming he had “a disease called lovesickness.” This left Xuan Lingzi dumbfounded, pointing at the child and asking Ziluo, “Doesn’t Senior Brother ever control him?”

Ziluo sighed, “He’s been like this for quite some time now.”

Mu Cengxiao shot a furtive glance at Meng Ying, only to be caught in the act. Meng Ying frowned at him and asked, “What are you staring at? Is there something on my face?”

Mu Cengxiao froze, at a loss for words. Seeing this, Liu Yunxin pinched Mu Cengxiao’s arm and smiled at Meng Ying, “Brother says the rouge you’re wearing today looks very pretty.”

“Really?” Meng Ying lowered her gaze, saying no more.

In the midst of the bustling night, Gu Baiying’s fingers absently stroked his wine cup as if lost in thought. After a while, he suddenly turned and leaned in toward Zanxing.

Zanxing looked at him.

In the midst of the revelry, the youth’s presence exuded the crisp and cold essence of Danxin wine. He whispered, “After the banquet ends, I’ll be waiting for you at the Chu Hong Terrace.”

Footnotes

1. 
   
   

   “Cloud Ladder” (云梯) is a reference to a way of ascending or achieving higher status, often used in literature and poetry to describe a path to success or a means of reaching new heights.