Is Everyone Else's Eldest Disciple Like This? | Chapter 35 | A Premature End | Novela.app

A short while later, the boy led the distinguished guest through the cacophonous black market, finally arriving before the towering heights of the Moon-Plucking Tower. The guest seemed to have a heavy smoking habit, puffing away on his pipe the entire journey. He squinted through the swirling white mist at the plaque of the Moon-Plucking Tower above them, sighing with emotion. "That wasn't easy. I wandered these streets from yesterday until this morning and still couldn't find this godforsaken place. Hmm, I should record this to commemorate the occasion." As he spoke, he pulled a jade slip from his sleeve. With a light swipe of his thumb, a translucent sheet of paper appeared in the air. He gripped a finger-length brush and scribbled a few lines haphazardly upon it. Standing close by, the boy caught a stray glimpse of the first two lines. *Year unknown of the Chang’an era. Took my son out on a boat; he was so moved he cried.* The boy: "..." Even when he was much younger, he had never written such... crudely simple and concise sentences. The boy calmly looked away, pretending he had seen nothing. The guest tucked the discordant jade slip away and said to the boy, "I really must thank you this time." The boy gave a shy smile and whispered, "It was nothing. I shall take my leave then." He bowed slightly and was about to depart when the guest suddenly pulled the pipe from his mouth. Exhaling a soft cloud of smoke, he said nonchalantly, "Your name is Ye We’ai, isn't it?" The boy—Ye We’ai—froze. He turned back, his face full of confusion. "You... you know me?" Ming Zhao continued to gaze at the Moon-Plucking Tower, his expression indifferent. "A few days ago, I entered a secret realm where I encountered Ye Weiyang of Evernight Villa. Tsk, you and your brother really do look identical, though your temperaments are worlds apart." Ye We’ai’s eyes widened. He took a few quick steps forward, looking up with hopeful expectation. "Brother... has Brother finally come out of the secret realm?" "Mm," Ming Zhao nodded vaguely. "He’s out. He even managed to wound me and snatch the Spirit-Suppressing Lamp while he was at it." Ye We’ai was stunned. His face instantly turned pale, and he stumbled back a few steps in panic. Ming Zhao said, "Don't be nervous. Every debt has its debtor; I won't raise a hand against you. Since you brought me here, I’m simply informing you as a token of thanks." Ye We’ai nodded blankly. "However, seeing you, I think I understand why Ye Weiyang was willing to risk his life for that Spirit-Suppressing Lamp in the secret realm." Ming Zhao stepped forward and gave the boy’s head a messy rub. "Go home early. Don't linger outside." Ye We’ai stared at him blankly for a moment before nodding frantically. He bowed once more and ran off, his footsteps pattering away. Ming Zhao watched the boy’s retreating figure. After a long silence, he sighed softly. He opened his palm to reveal a strand of the boy's hair he had just plucked. With a slight flick, the hair instantly ignited into a small flame. Once the flame vanished, four words slowly manifested in the air. *Ye We’ai... dies young.* Ming Zhao glanced at the words and murmured, "Poor child." Yet, there wasn't a trace of pity on his face. Ye We’ai. A premature end. He stood at the entrance of the Moon-Plucking Tower, watching the crowds come and go. After a long while, his figure flickered and vanished on the spot, leaving no trace behind. A moment later, a luxurious carriage paraded down the main street and came to a slow halt at the steps of the Moon-Plucking Tower. Once the carriage was steady, Shen Hongchuan lifted the curtain and stepped down. With a gallant air, he extended a hand into the carriage to assist Ming Zhu, who was currently feigning the fragility of a "weak willow swaying in the wind." Ming Zhu was dressed in magnificent robes, his figure tall and elegant. He wore half of Shen Hongchuan’s mask. The moment he stepped off the carriage, he put on an affected act, pretending to lose his balance and stumbling into Shen Hongchuan’s arms. Seeing him start his performance again, Shen Hongchuan suppressed a smile and played along, supporting Ming Zhu’s elbow. "Careful now," he said tenderly. Shen Hongchuan was not wearing a mask. An attendant from the Wenfeng Tower recognized him instantly and hurried down the steps, bowing respectfully. "Welcome, Young Master Shen." Lu Qingkong and Zhou Fuxue had changed into the attire of the Shen family. With sour expressions, they followed behind, posing as guards. Shen Hongchuan nodded without changing his expression, holding Ming Zhu possessively in a half-embrace. He casually handed the Crescent Moon Jade Pendant to the attendant. The attendant looked hesitantly at Ming Zhu in his arms and asked cautiously, "And this is...?" Shen Hongchuan replied smoothly, "My wife." The attendant let out an "ah" of realization and stopped asking questions, respectfully ushering them inside. The interior of the Moon-Plucking Tower was exceptionally lavish. Every inch screamed "wealthy beyond measure." Even the lamps were fueled by mermaid tallow—a substance worth its weight in gold that could burn for a thousand years without extinguishing—illuminating the entire hall as bright as day. Though the layout was magnificent, it was essentially the same as the stalls on the streets outside, just of a much higher caliber. The barter system in the Moon-Plucking Tower involved placing one's treasures into small cubbies on a wall. If someone took an interest, they would take the initiative to strike up a conversation based on the name listed above the cubby. Once both parties reached an agreement, the trade was made. It was a matter of mutual consent, and once the deal was struck, there was no going back—very much the style of the black market. The moment Lu Qingkong entered and saw the dazzling array of items on the wall, his eyes went wide. He squeezed Shen Hongchuan’s hand hard, trembling as he whispered, "Senior Brother! Seventh Senior Brother! Seventh Brother! I want this, and this, and this, and this!" He had always been extremely interested in mechanical devices and the treasures of heaven and earth. Seeing items that were rare even in a century, his eyes practically glowed with excitement. Mindful of his image, Shen Hongchuan didn't roll his eyes. Maintaining a dignified smile, he shook off Lu Qingkong's hand with an air of exasperated disappointment. "If you want them, take them. I’ll have Shen Yu accompany you. If you see anything you like, just tell him." Lu Qingkong nearly fell to his knees in gratitude. Seeing his pathetic display, Shen Hongchuan leaned close to his ear and hissed through gritted teeth, "Just don't embarrass me." He was starting to regret bringing Lu Qingkong along, and regretted even more giving him the Shen family uniform. Lu Qingkong immediately struggled to maintain his composure. He straightened his back and resumed his usual arrogant expression, though he couldn't hide his joy as he happily ran off with Shen Yu. Shen Hongchuan held a special status, and he encountered several acquaintances as soon as they entered. Having sent Lu Qingkong away, he let go of Ming Zhu to let him and Zhou Fuxue go off and play, stuffing a storage ring filled with crystal jade into Ming Zhu's hand. Ming Zhu couldn't be bothered to carry it and tossed it directly to Zhou Fuxue. He dragged Zhou Fuxue to a corner and immediately began expertly stripping off the boy's clothes. Zhou Fuxue struggled desperately. "Senior Brother! If you didn't want to wear women's clothing, you shouldn't have put it on in the first place! Why are you stripping me again?" Ming Zhu replied, "I wouldn't have been able to get in here without it. Now hurry up and... take it off!" As he spoke, he used a bit of force and pulled the outer robe right off. At that exact moment, the attendant who had just welcomed them happened to walk by. Seeing such a scene, he froze in his tracks. Ming Zhu: "..." Zhou Fuxue: "..." For some reason, the atmosphere became incredibly awkward. Zhou Fuxue’s clothes were in disarray, and his hair had been pulled loose by Ming Zhu. He looked like a pitiable victim of ravishment, the very picture of a suppressed and forced guard. The attendant’s mind raced. Heaven knows what he was thinking, but he let out a horrified gasp, covered his mouth, and fled with his face hidden. By tomorrow, the entirety of Shuoyu City would likely hear the rumor: *The Young Master of the Shen family brought his new wife to a banquet at the Moon-Plucking Tower, only for the new wife to have the audacity to strip a guard's clothes in private. Such scandalous behavior is truly disgraceful.* Oh, and one more thing: *Shen Hongchuan’s head is a vibrant, shimmering shade of emerald green.* Ming Zhu finished changing his clothes and asked, "Why did he run off so fast?" Zhou Fuxue looked miserable. He haphazardly tidied his clothes and said with difficulty, "Senior Brother, can you please not just strip me next time? If you want them, I’ll just take them off for you." Ming Zhu nodded distractedly, though it was unclear if he had actually listened. He tilted his mask to the side of his face and looked around. "You play here; I’m going to find someone." Zhou Fuxue asked, "Who are you looking for? I’ll help." "Xi Chu. No need for you to look; go play on your own." Having said that, Ming Zhu ignored him, straightened his clothes, and stepped out from the corner. However, before he had gone two steps, a soft laugh came from nearby. "Are you looking for Xi Chu?" Ming Zhu turned his head to see a handsome man in lavish robes leaning against the wall, smiling at him. He was twirling a Crescent Moon Jade Pendant in his hand, looking every bit the wealthy noble. Ming Zhu walked over curiously. "Do you know him?" The man chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Ming Zhu’s neck. His eyes darkened. Ming Zhu had never liked being restricted; even when dressed, he kept his collar loose, revealing his slender neck and collarbones. He looked at the man’s complicated gaze with confusion and asked again, "Do you know who Xi Chu is?" The man stepped forward and reached out toward Ming Zhu’s neck. But before he could touch him, his hand was caught in a death grip. Ming Zhu’s eyes remained wide and curious, but his slender hand held the man's wrist so tightly that he couldn't move an inch. The man looked up into Ming Zhu’s eyes and paused before laughing softly. "Don't be nervous. I just wanted to see this bead on your neck. It looks quite unique." Ming Zhu said, "I know, but this bead was a gift from someone else. It’s better if you don't touch it." With that, he shoved the man’s hand away and muttered, "If you won't say, then forget it." The man laughed in spite of himself. "And if I told you about Xi Chu, would you be willing to trade that bead to me?" Ming Zhu touched the Zhenyu Bead on his neck and turned back. "Do you really know Xi Chu?" The man seemed amused by his ignorance. "Who that comes to the Moon-Plucking Tower doesn't know Xi Chu? In fact, many people come here specifically for him, hoping to..." He smiled suggestively. "...hoping to spend a night of spring with him." Ming Zhu let out an "oh" and blinked slowly. He said seriously, "Since everyone here knows, why would I use this item to trade for information that is common knowledge?" The man: "..." Ming Zhu looked at him with a half-smile. "Do you take me for a fool?" Leaving those words behind, he walked away with his head held high. *** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 夜未艾 | Ye We’ai | A timid boy in the black market; brother of Ye Weiyang. 夜未央 | Ye Weiyang | Ye We’ai’s brother; mentioned as having taken the Spirit-Suppressing Lamp. 长夜山庄 | Evernight Villa | The sect/residence of the Ye brothers. 明昭 | Ming Zhao | The mysterious guest with the pipe; Ming Zhu's father. 镇灵灯 | Spirit-Suppressing Lamp | A treasure mentioned by Ming Zhao. 夭亡 | Dies young / Premature end | The fate predicted for Ye We’ai. 闻风楼 | Wenfeng Tower | Likely the organization or building management of the Moon-Plucking Tower. 说玉城 | Shuoyu City | The city where the black market and Moon-Plucking Tower are located. 人鱼膏 | Mermaid tallow | A legendary substance used for eternal lamps. 沈玉 | Shen Yu | A subordinate or relative of Shen Hongchuan. 奚楚 | Xi Chu | The person Ming Zhu is searching for; apparently a famous figure in the tower. 畛域珠 | Zhenyu Bead | The bead Ming Zhu wears around his neck; "Zhenyu" implies boundaries or limits.