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Hey guys- in my desperation to scream about White Lotus Halo, I did a quick and rough translation that mostly was just me typing in a fever dream and screaming about idioms and how I should translate them.

I do not intend to translate on a regular basis, nor should you expect that I didn’t make any mistakes. I did most of this in one night because I made promises I couldn’t keep.

I wish you the best on your journey through this forest of sketchy grammar and rampant typos.

For the summer, I (and a friend) will be translating halo! Please anticipate!

Syn Chapter 18- Bao Pu Zong

The Bao Pu Zong sect was also in the western continent with Cang Ya sect, with one in the north and one in the south; the two sects often interacting, each as one of the three great sects.

If one were to talk about the western continent, the first one would think of was Cang Ya, the second would be Bao Pu Zong.

Many people have forgotten, 2000 years ago, Bao Pu Zong was the western continent’s number one sect, reigning far above Cang Ya.

If it wasn’t for the emergence of a Sword Saint in Cang Ya, who was furthermore on bad terms with Bao Pu Zong sect…

In other words,, the rise of Cang Ya was also the fall of Bao Pu Zong. The wheels of history continue turning, leaving behind the glory of the past to turn to dust.

But there was always someone who didn’t want to forget, nevertheless resign to this fact.

Bao Pu Zong sect’s dissatisfaction had been suppressed for one thousand six hundred years, passed down in the sect with the words of their techniques from generation to generation

In order to avoid trouble, Luo Mingchuan already spread the pressure of one who’s In the Breakthrough stage1. Naturally, this saved them a lot of trouble from mountain bandits, who scattered like leaves under this pressure.

Unexpectedly, there was another group on this obscure and out of the way PanLongLing road, also heading to the flower picking gathering.

To them, this pressure felt a bit provocative-

And thus, this situation appeared.

Amongst the green robed group, one person stepped out, his cultivation but at the soul condensing stage – but before the body refined Luo Mingchuan, he did have a domineering air about him.

“Bao Pu Zong Sect is here on business; who are these trivial riffraff to block the way?”

Luo Mingchuan was originally intending on giving way, but with these words coming out of that person’s mouth, his already shifting posture straightened and he gave a half greeting2.

“Cang Ya Sect Xi Qian Peak, Luo Mingchuan.”

By this time, Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan had arrived. Hearing Luo Mingchuan introduce himself, Yin Biyue decided to also make a greeting of his own.

"Cang Ya Sect, Xi Hua peak, Yin Biyue."

"Xi Hua Peak, Duan Chongxuan."

They had given a half greeting, but the other party must return a full greeting. Luo Mingchuan was Cang Ya sect's head disciple and Yin Biyue and Duan Chongxuan were disciples of the Sword Saint, while the opposing group were all third generation disciples from Bao Pu Zong Sect.

The disciple that previously spoke up shook himself out of his shock, hardened his expression, and represented the group to make a greeting.

When Luo Mingchuan reported his name, the Bao Pu Zong disciple was nearly unable to hold back from yelling, "Do you think I'm an ignorant three year old brat to fool around with!? How could a Cang Ya disciple be dressed so shoddily?!"

But when the other two people stepped out from behind him, he had to forcibly swallow back his words.

Because the identity of the Sword Saint's disciples was something no one dared to misconstrue.

The Bao Pu Zong disciple's arrogance couldn't be faulted. Luo Mingchuan was not wearing the uniform robes of Cang Ya but was instead clad in plain clothes. Yin Biyue was wearing a black cloak that still covered half his face, and add in a Duan Chongxuan who was dressed like a walking golden idol…

No matter how one looked at it, the three didn't look like disciples of any proper sect.

They looked very soft and very easy to bully.

But when Luo Mingchuan initiated a greeting, that softness turned into a sharpness that only appeared weak on the surface.

It made the Bao Pu disciples in their formal uniform robes seem like a bunch of boorish villagers.

If Luo Mingchuan didn't greet them first, being from different sects, there'd be no need to observe such formalities.

But now they had no choice in the matter. Though they were unresigned to the oppression, they could only return the greeting.

A male voice sounded from the forest, the indifferent voice bearing a irrefutable pressure.

"Shizhi3, stand down."

The leader of the Bao Pu Sect disciples' expression suddenly changed to one of joy, and respectfully replied, "Yes, He-shishu4."

It wasn't only him, but the ten or so Bao Pu disciples all put on joyous expressions. The group spread out to the sides, respectfully welcoming the person exiting the forest.

Yin Biyue had long understood that for this group of people to act so domineering, the one with the highest cultivation couldn't be the apparent leader from just now.

After knowing their origins, the group was shocked but didn't panic. It could be seen that the leader of the group must be someone with an identity, position and cultivation that wouldn't lose to the three people before them.

Although they called him shishu, the man walking out of the forest had the appearance of a young man.

His body was thin and his face pale, wearing the same blue robes as the other disciples, he somehow exuded a sense of gloominess, as if it were ancient moss growing on a stone.

The entirety of his Breakthrough period cultivation base was revealed, clearly wanting for a  confrontation with Luo Mingchuan.

The Bao Puzong disciples gathered behind him, letting him take the lead.

The atmosphere took a sharp turn.

Yin Biyue had already started considering which set of sword skills he'd want to use when it came time to draw swords.

The young man brought his hands together, and gave them a half-greeting. "Bao PuZhong Sect, He Lai."

His name was very simple; so simple that it was odd.

But Luo Mingchuan already showed a face of understanding, because the young man really is famous.

The youth's voice contained traces of contempt, "Our unawareness that the respected disciples of Cang Ya were here and failure to recognize you has caused offense. Please forgive us.”

Asking for forgiveness like this, it was clear that he still had no intention to give way. In fact, saying "failure to recognize" was like accusing them of being strangely dressed, their conduct unjust.

He took a glance at Duan Chongxuan, his eyes full of scorn and a degree of disappointment.

He Lai was indeed disappointed.

Because the whole world was speculating about what kind of characters the Sword Saint's disciples were, but when he saw them today, he felt that the Sword Saint's esteemed name was difficult to match. His coming to the Flower Picking Gathering was largely due to the Sword Saint's disciples participation. Seeing them now, they were just so. Completely not worth the trouble of the trip.

No one present was an idiot, and everyone naturally was able to discern the meaning of his words.

Amounts the Bao Pu Zong disciples a few sneaking snickers emerged – soft, but grating.

Duan Chongxuan also laughed. He moved forward a couple steps and bowed his head in regards,

"He-shixiong, it's been long; a fortunate meeting."

Yin Biyue detected that the chatterbox's aura had changed.

It wasn't a bluffing aura of power, but one that came from within.

Even the flamboyant crepe silk golden robes on his body seemed to transform into a dignified set of imperial robes.

He said "fortunate meeting", yet it seemed as if he said "kneel down."

Duan Chongxuan continued: "Shifu, that old man5, taught us that for cultivators 'the heart's desires will not transgress'6, do not allow external forces to affect your heart, do not allow what you've seen to blind your eyes. To 'center oneself upon oneself' rather than to 'entrap oneself in material objects.' 7 If the heart is unyielding, then in your heart, a famed sword or a folding fan, the sect robes or luxurious finery- these are all external objects." 

He Lai's face became unsightly. But there was no way to refute and say what the Sword Saint said was wrong.

Duan Chongxuan's tone of voice changed again, and the smile on his face slowly deepened.

"Meeting like this is fate. Although there is the saying of first come first served, meeting with cultivator-friends from Bao Puzong, all of you adorned plainly, your pearls of jade talents hidden away8, living life in poverty to devote yourselves to your dao9 – I must truly admire you! Since fellow cultivator-friends appear to be in a hurry, unwilling to delay even a moment, what reason would I have to not step aside?" He gestured with his folding fan, generously stepping back, "Please, proceed first!"

The Bao Pu Zong disciples' expressions froze, waiting for He Lai's decision.

Luo Mingchuan didn't give them a chance to speak,

"This dispute over crossing this narrow road is inconsequential, but if word were to spread, it would be difficult to avoid the accusation of my Cang Ya Mountain bullying people. My sect has always placed importance upon courtesy, this kind of ill repute cannot be carried!"

He retreated off to one side, bending into a posture indicating he was making way for them to pass.

"Please, you proceed first!"

Yin Biyue couldn't unsheathe his sword anymore.  

If Duan Chongxuan's words danced around in a huge circle in order to implicitly express "you're ugly, so you go first.";

Luo Mingchuan would be straightforwardly saying "you're weak, thus you're the one who's reasonable."

Xi Hua Peak's external affairs representative on top of the Cang Ya Mountain's external affairs representative- how did these two people with MAX level speaking skills end up together!?

For the first time, Yin Biyue deeply felt the phrase "cannon mouth to justice."10

After everything that had been said and done, if the Bao Puzong disciples still wouldn't go, then they'd really seem too contentious.

Because… they've already given way! They couldn't say anything else! None of it would make sense!

He Lai cupped his hands, said, "we shall meet another day", and turned to lead the Bao Puzong group away.

When the Bao PuZhong Sect people walked off into the distance, Luo Mingchuan once again took the lead.

Yin Biyue walked up alongside Duan chatterbox, and without warning asked, "Shifu really said something like that?"

Duan Chongxuan spoke self assuredly, "I've only ever seen Shifu's portrait, who knows if that old man said it or not!"

Yin Biyue once again found himself speechless.

He dared to make up even the words of the Sword Saint, if they were in the Northern Empire….

Then he'd dare to pass a fake imperial decree! Sooner or later they'd be found out!

On a winding forest path, the boughs of the trees shaded them from the sun.

The disciples clad in blue robes were unwilling, and asked, "He-shishu, we're just going to let it go like this?"

He Lai, who had been silent the whole journey, heard these words, and a smile spread over his face.

"The current Cang Ya Mountain has fallen to the point that their quickest aspect is their tongues, for what reason is there to fear?"

As soon as it was said, someone immediately echoed this sentiment. "That's right! At the Flower Picking Gathering, shishu will definitely teach them a lesson!"

Someone asked, "Is that person who had a black cloak covering half his face really a disciple of Xi Hua Peak? No matter how I look at him, he doesn't seem like a good person."

The disciple who first confronted Luo Mingchuan replied, "I ,at first, didn't believe that the three of them were Cang Ya Mountain Sect disciples, but when that person came out, that's when there was no doubt! Half a month ago, the spy that was arranged at the foot of Cang Ya Mountain sent word back. Xi Hua Peak had someone who was met with an accident, and in the course of one night all his hair became white! Thinking about it, it should be that person just now who was all covered up!"

They showed a look of understanding, and someone said, "Then this inevitably would result in great damage to his cultivation. I really don't know what he thinks he's still coming to the Flower Picking Gathering for!"

Bao Puzhong's disciples chatted and laughed, lightheartedly walking forwards. 

It wasn't that Duan Chongxuan enjoyed having a nimble tongue, it was just that he didn't like to suffer any losses. It was just a function of his environment growing up; no matter if it was speaking or taking action, there was never a good reason to suffer any losses.

Luo Mingchuan also didn't enjoy warring with words, but he believed that there was no need to take action when things could be solved with words.

And even when he was using only his words, he still couldn't stand being bullied.

They were upholding their own logic, without caring how they appeared in the eyes of others.

Yin Biyue believed, before arriving at the Flower Picking Gathering, there'd be no chance for him to draw his sword.

But he still had some questions he didn't understand: "That one called He Lai, is he very famous?" 

Duan Chongxuan looked at him in amazement, then laughed with his brows rising into his hairline and became out of breath.

"Fourth shixiong, this is a question you should've asked to his face. He definitely would've vomited enough blood to cover his whole robe!"

Yin Biyue truly didn't know. Though he read through all the classics and records in Lan Yuan Academy, and was able to recite the origins and histories of the various sects, he was unclear on which so and so genius emerged within the last hundred years.

He only knows that the Qing Lu Sword Sect has a "Sword of Wind and Rain" Zhong Shan11, but only because he really is too famous to not know.  

Duan Chongxuan then asked, "Have you heard of the 'Seven Sons of Bao Pu'?"

Yin Biyue gave it a thought, "I do seem to have heard of the name. Isn't there one named Lin Yuangui?"

Duan Chongxuan thinks that the other six people would be able to vomit out a whole robeful of blood.

However, he still patiently explained to his own shixiong, "That He Lai from just now, was the fifth of the "Seven Sons of Bao Pu"."

Yin Biyue came to a sudden revelation.

But if the Fifth is like this, then what were the remaining two like?

Duan Chongxuan continued, "Of the Seven Sons Bao Pu, four of them are spiritual cultivators, and three of them martial cultivators. Lin Yangui, who is ranked first, is like eldest shixiong in Cang Ya Mountain. The other six seem to have some strange ideas about living life and making a name for themselves as their path to cultivation…. I sometimes feel as if it's only because Bao PuZong is trying to fill up the roster did they allow those six to fall under the same name as Lin Yuangui."

The chatterbox, once started, cannot be stopped.  

"Say, what kind of logic is this? Can victory be assured with just numbers? If I were to somehow gather together enough people to form the thirty-six celestials and seventy-two earthy fiends12 in Cang Ya, a total of one hundred and eight people, could I not crush the entirety of the cultivation world!? If I was Lin Yuangui and stuck together with these six people, I would have already unhesitatingly left the mountain and betrayed the sect!"

Yin Biyue felt that this chatterbox, towards Bao Pu Zong…. Just how much hatred was there!?  

His thoughts took a turn and he immediately understood. Bao Puzong, this thousand-year second-placer had always had a weird yin and yang type of attitude towards Cang Ya Mountain. Most importantly, one could say that the relationship between the Sword Saint and Bao Puzong was Very Bad.

The Sword Saint, it was the Sword Saint again.

Every time Yin Biyue thought of this cheaply gotten shifu, his heart felt rather conflicted.

He didn't know why this long wandering Sword Saint would send a letter to eldest shixiong to accept disciples and to take him into Xi Hua Peak.

But when he took a look at the Duan Chongxuan who was immersed in his cursing….

No, he had absolutely no idea what standards the Sword Saint accepted disciples with!

When mentioning the Sword Saint, then one would also think of the Director. It was said that these two people were still on friendly terms.

Out of all the outstanding children in the academy, why did he get chosen for the task?

Could it be a magnetism between villains?

Tsk, the actions of the bigshots will always sink people into a quagmire of confusion.

Yin Biyue thought, if he had a resume, he'd definitely write it like this:

My name is Yin Biyue.

I am a villain.

I like to cultivate, like to practice swordsmanship, like to contemplate, and like so-and-so.

I am a man who wants to become the ultimate villain.

You can insult me, but you cannot insult my goal in life.

You can doubt me, but you cannot doubt my dedication to professionalism.

The protagonist has a golden finger. Wherever he wants to go, the world will pave the way for him.

I have a Fiendish Halo. Blocked by gods, slaughter gods! Blocked by Buddha, slaughter Buddha!

I am Yin Biyue. I am here to advocate for myself.

Pei! Avocados too greasy!13

Here’s some translator’s notes, I guess :^)

1) There’s some less commonly used cultivation stage terms used here, so I just made it up as I went along as best I could. This one is 破障境, which essentially means something like “breaking through barriers” so… breakthrough?? honestly…. whatever HAHA.

2) 行礼, which is basically a formal greeting where one cups their hands together and bows.

3) Martial nephew. I just like the structure that the hyphenated honorific lends.

4) Martial Uncle.

5) I translated 那老人家 as “that old man”. I didn’t need to, but it was funny and preserves the oddly casual tone DCX took while referring to the Sword Saint.

6) 不逾矩 basically means not transgressing what is right. He “quoted” basically if a cultivator follows their heart, they won’t go wrong.

7) '以我转物'而非'以物役我 The make the self the center of everything rather than the enslavement of the self to material objects. Put together, it’s basically to abandon earthly desires and to allow the self to control the external. Check out this:

8) 玉韫珠藏, basically the concept that one should treat themselves like a treasure, and hide their talents.

9) 安贫乐道 (ānpínlèdào) a la baidu: “be contented in poverty and devoted to things spiritual”

10) 嘴炮即正义 (zuǐ pào jí zhèngyì) it really just means… using the power of rapid speech to achieve victory/justice lmao. Please refer to:

11) The title is '风雨剑'钟山 which is “Wind Rain Sword” and Zhong Shan is… a cute kid we meet later lol

12) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_Stars_of_Destiny random reference. WHY DOES DUAN CHONGXUAN KNOW THIS?? Has he watched Water Margin?

13) This was a shitty pun in the original. There’s this stupid meme in china where they basically say I’m bringing the the salt for myself (我为自己带盐) which is Wǒ wèi zìjǐ dài yán which sounds the same as 我为自己代言 (I am endorsing myself). The last line is originally “Pei! How salty!” but I WANTED TO MAKE A SHITTY PUN TOO.

Duan Chongxuan is the bane of my existence. Duan Chongxuan shut the fuck up challenge. Duan Chongxuan stop spewing idioms challenge.

A fun fact: He Lai’s name… is really…. stupid. It means “why did you come” or “where did u come from” and I’d cry every time someone said my name tbh.

Blue Goldfish bro called this a three man comedy act and goddamn never is it more accurate. God, it’s so funny. And it’s a fun change of pace where the teammates are the ones talking themselves out of situations and Yin Biyue is just “But…. sword….. fight”

Congrats! You’ve somehow survived this minefield rife with typos and shoddily constructed sentences.

Shout out to Avocado bro and Mazz for editing from our friendly neighborhood I’m sure there’s still random mistakes we didn’t catch but!!!!! it’s pretty readable!

syn

Edited: 4/29/2019

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