Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 330 - Old Feelings (1)

The hall was filled with silence.

Men Dong glanced at Bu Jiang, then at Shaoyang Zhenren, and couldn’t help but speak up, “Our sect leader hasn’t changed much though? On Mount Gufeng, our sect leader’s maintenance of youth is the most skillful. The aunties down in the mountain all say that the sect leader’s face has remained handsome for ten years without change. How could there be any difference?”

His words were innocent, but Zanxing’s mind quickly jumped to a guess. Sure enough, before she could think further, she heard Bu Jiang’s faint laughter. She said, “The face hasn’t changed, but as for the attire, it has changed quite a bit. I remember you used to love wearing plain blue garments, always elegant and otherworldly. How come you’re now fond of these gaudy colors?” Her expression was lazy, her voice suddenly dropping to a teasing tone, “Could it be because of me?”

Zanxing: “…”

Alright, it seems Bu Jiang’s past romantic interests might be adding another name to the list.

“What does this mean?” Men Dong asked in confusion. “The sect leader changed his outfit for the Demon Queen?”

“Cough, cough, cough.” Tian Fangfang lightly coughed into his fist and whispered a reminder, “Junior Brother, stop talking.”

“What’s wrong?” Bu Jiang feigned surprise and looked at Shaoyang Zhenren, “You didn’t tell your disciples about the old affection between you and me?”

“Bu Jiang.” Shaoyang Zhenren raised his eyes, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

Bu Jiang snorted lightly, her smile provocative.

Over there, Pu Tao’s expression suddenly changed. She had already held many prejudices against the demon race. She had already been disdainful of Bu Jiang’s flirting with Shaoyang Zhenren. Now, upon hearing this, she was greatly shocked and recalled an old matter. She looked up at Shaoyang Zhenren and asked, “Was it for her that you canceled the engagement with my sect leader?”

Regarding the dissolution of the marriage agreement between Xiang Ling Sect’s Rong Shuang and Taiyan Sect’s Shaoyang Zhenren, the immortal cultivation world had been full of speculation back then, and the answer remained a mystery. People only knew that it was Shaoyang Zhenren who proposed the breakup, leading to speculation that he must have regretted the marriage because he had someone else in his heart. That ‘someone’ else had been presumed to be the long-disappeared Fairy Qinghua. After all, apart from Fairy Qinghua, no other woman was seen to be particularly close to Shaoyang Zhenren. Now, in Yao Ming Hall, with the revelation of Bu Jiang and Shaoyang Zhenren’s past romance, people realized that they had been guessing the wrong person all these years.

Pu Tao felt a bit of pity for Rong Shuang. With her temperament, cultivation, and status, all being admirable, she was from a prestigious sect, yet she had her engagement snatched away by a demoness from the demon realm.

Bu Jiang glanced at Pu Tao, seemingly aware of her dissatisfaction, and chuckled softly, “Isn’t it natural? With my looks, it’s their good fortune if those men have had an affair with me. It’s only natural for them to hold on to me. As for who they break off their engagements with, or who they sever ties with, that has nothing to do with me. It’s not like I forced them to do so.”

“Demon Queen, you’re quite confident.” Pu Tao, suppressing her anger, sneered, “Do you think all men will be captivated by you and remain obsessed with you?”

“I don’t know about others,” Bu Jiang raised an eyebrow, “but the one here, for sure, can’t forget me.” As she spoke, she flicked her finger, and a small silver lock rolled out from Shaoyang Zhenren’s waist.

The lock looked familiar. It was silver and smooth, and Zanxing recognized it immediately—it was the same pair of Harmony Heart locks that the silver lady had sold to her at the night market. Shaoyang Zhenren had one too?

Seeing the lock, Bu Jiang’s gaze grew more mocking. She smiled and said, “Even after all these years, you still keep this lock with you. Zhenren, you are even more infatuated than I imagined.”

Zanxing: “…”

Pu Tao’s face flushed with anger, while the other Taiyan sect disciples in the hall showed expressions of awkwardness. No one could remain indifferent upon discovering such a romantic affair involving their usually aloof sect leader.

Moreover, Shaoyang Zhenren appeared to be the one who had been cast aside? Instantly, the disciples looked at Shaoyang Zhenren with a touch of sympathy.

“Years ago, I said I disliked the dullness of sect life and its blandness. I didn’t expect that over the years, Zhenren would also change his attire to match my tastes. But the past is past, and Zhenren need not dwell on it forever. It’s better to move on and find a way out soon.”

Her words sounded like those of a roguish lover who, knowing there was no chance of rekindling the relationship, still enjoyed teasing with an ambiguous touch.

Shaoyang Zhenren picked up the silver lock from the ground and carefully put it away, as if he hadn’t heard Bu Jiang’s teasing remarks. He spoke calmly, “I came today regarding the matter of the Golden Gate Ruins.”

“I know, it’s about the key,” Bu Jiang said with a casual smile. “Xiao Shuang.”

Xiao Shuang came over from the side, holding a square wooden box, and bent down to hand it to Bu Jiang.

Bu Jiang opened the box with a casual gesture.

“This is…” Nie Xinghong was taken aback.

Inside the wooden box was a collection of silver keys, all neatly arranged and piled up, dazzling the eyes.

Gu Baiying’s expression shifted slightly as he cast a deep look at Zanxing.

Zanxing: “…”

The keys were familiar to her. When the silver lady had sold her the Harmony Heart Lock, she had also given her a key, saying that if she wanted to break the bond in the future, she would use the key to unlock the lock. This key was for the Harmony Heart Lock.

Could it be that this entire box was filled with keys to the Harmony Heart Locks Bu Jiang had given away in the past? Buy ten, get one free; buy fifty, get ten free. How many had she given away?

Bu Jiang paid no mind to the others’ reactions. She reached into the box, pulled out a handful of keys, and let them slip through her fingers. She said, “Among these, only one key opens the Golden Gate Ruins. Since you’re here asking for my help, you should show the proper attitude.”

Nie Xinghong considered his words carefully, “But haven’t the ninety-nine pages of resquests already been presented by Your Majesty?”

“They are just external possessions,” Bu Jiang said lazily. “Right now, with the flood wreaking havoc and the immortal cultivation world struggling to survive, as a member of the demon race, I am performing acts of kindness to save lives. Extending a helping hand despite past grievances is already a significant concession and great sacrifice. How can a mere bit of spiritual herbs and elixirs be enough to make up for it?”

“Your Majesty, please speak plainly,” Pu Tao said coldly. “It’s pointless to beat around the bush.”

Bu Jiang smiled but remained silent.

Shaoyang Zhenren, however, showed a shift in his expression upon hearing this. He raised his eyes to look at the beautiful woman on the high seat. Bu Jiang, still smiling, seemed to have some deeper meaning in her gaze.

After a moment, Shaoyang Zhenren spoke, “I would like to speak with the Her Majesty privately.”

Bu Jiang nodded, “Sure.”

**

T/n: I hate Rong Shuang, but it really must suck being cheated on by your fiance. Had there been a story from Rong Shuang’s POV, Bu Jiang would have been the ultimate villainess and Shaoyang Zhenren the trash ‘Soviesh*t’, and most people would have supported her overt aggressiveness towards the Taiyan Sect and its leader.

On another note, it’s funny to see the similarities between the old and young generations.

Both Bu Jiang and her daughter, Zanxing, got their hearts broken by father and son respectively (Gu Caiyu and Gu Baiying). Of course, in Zanxing’s case it was temporary.

Both Rong Shuang and her favorite disciple, Pu Tao, got their hearts broken by Shaoyang Zhenren and his disciple, Gu Baiying, respectively.