论如何错误地套路一个魔教教主 / The Wrong Way to a Demon Sect Leader by 一只大雁 (Yi Zhī Dàyàn)

Chapter 50

After the head maidservant retreats, the two stare to the other side, looking at each other without speaking.

Ji Han seems to feel tired, soon returns to leaning against the head of the bed.

He wears only a plain white unlined garment, the black robes he usually wears are draped outside. His long, loose hair hangs down the front of his clothes, however he has some of the unyieldingly cold and imposing manner of a usual day.

Zhao Jiangui initially wants to discuss the issue of Wen Zhanglao with him, but he sees that Ji Han is already closing his eyes slightly. A few times he wants to speak but hesitates, finally he still doesn't open his mouth.

Ji Han looks tired already, leaving this bit of speech to wait to talk about after a few more days isn't too late.

Zhao Jiangui so thinks. He temporarily feels he has nothing he can do, and soon stares at the look of Ji Han's appearance.

Ji Han seems to be bothered by his look, can't bear to open his eyes as he asks him, "Are there flowers on my face?"

Zhao Jiangui answers very smoothly, "There are no flowers on your face."

Ji Han, "Then what are you doing staring at me?"

Zhao Jiangui says, "You're more beautiful than a flower."

After all he has never had much time to relax elegantly, to go admire a flower, how can he shift his gaze.

He originally thought because of this speech that Ji Han would become angry, however Ji Han is only frowning, softly sighing a breath.

Zhao Jiangui doesn't understand why he has to sigh.

Ji Han is still for a moment, asks him, "What did you just want to speak with me about?"

Zhao Jiangui hesitates slightly.

Ji Han also doesn't know what to think, wrinkles his brows slightly and says to him, "Whatever issue you have, say it straight to me. Don't hide it in your heart."

Zhao Jiangui says, "This is your sect's affair, I'm an outsider. I shouldn't speak out of turn."

Ji Han nods, "There's no harm in saying what you think."

Zhao Jiangui, "That day after you were unconscious, Wen Zhanglao brought people rushing over."

Ji Han says, "I'm aware of this matter."

"You were unconscious and not waking, and yet his first question was if I would get in the way." Zhao Jiangui's eyebrows knit together, "I straightaway thought it very strange, shouldn't he worry about you first? Afterwards he also just merely took only a quick glance at you, also seeming somewhat unworried."

Ji Han however seems to release a breath, "It's actually this thing."

Zhao Jiangui asks him, "Quite normal?"

Ji Han, "Quite normal."

Zhao Jiangui is completely baffled.

Ji Han says, "Wen Zhanglao has always disliked me, many people in the sect all know."

Zhao Jiangui's heart is startled, "Then would he or would he not..."

Ji Han softly shakes his head, "He wouldn't. Although he dislikes me, he still however hasn't stupidly reached the degree of setting to kill me."

The two sides are silent for some time, Zhao Jiangui suddenly opens his mouth to ask, "May I ask... Why does he despise you?"

The fabric of the Demon Sect's relationships feel more clear, this is only more favorable to the Haoran Alliance.

However Zhao Jiangui still has doubts. Xiao Lin never mentioned this issue to the Alliance, to such an extent he actually doesn't know and is ignorant of the hostility between the Demon Sect elders and the sect leader.

As the righteous sect's mole, it's rather that he's somewhat neglecting his duties a bit too much.

Ji Han hasn't opened his mouth to reply. Zhao Jiangui already starts to feel this question oversteps the boundaries.

"This matter's reason is also not clear to a number of people in the sect. You're a righteous sect person, naturally I shouldn't tell you this matter." Ji Han softly sighs a breath down, "But you also are...I think, telling you of this affair doesn't matter."

Zhao Jiangui's heart stirs slightly.

Ji Han says, "I'm not really the sect leader's blood-related son. The former sect leader is only my yifu.*"

Zhao Jiangui nods, "I know."

Ji Han says, "This matter has long been a rumor in Jianghu, there are still people who say it's retribution since he did so much evil, he didn't have close kin, but you all probably don't know, he has a biological son."

Zhao Jiangui, "I indeed didn't know this thing."

Ji Han, "Yifu didn't wish him to pass through the swords and carnage of a life in Jianghu. He raised him to ten years old, never teaching him to practice martial arts."

Zhao Jiangui says, "Since he is the sect leader's son, whatever the case he also merely escapes the reign of terror in Jianghu."

Ji Han, "So he just sent him out of the sect, sent him to an ordinary family... Yifu would rather he had a regular life and let things take their course, didn't wish him to tread half a step into Jianghu."

For a moment Zhao Jiangui actually doesn't know what he should say, he thinks if shifu didn't teach him to practice with a sword what sort of circumstances he would have. His thinking doesn't come, he's forced to casually lament, "This is probably a parent's love for their child."

"His age is similar to mine, this year he should also be over twenty years old." Ji Han's expression looks slightly desolate, "Perhaps he's already a farmer, a merchant, or a scholar. He is absolutely not, however, a person of Jianghu whose life is not his own."

Zhao Jiangui understands, "Certainly there are no few people who think you picked up a big advantage."

The Demon Sect is particular about passing down through lineage, if someone in the sect consequently dislikes Ji Han, it's actually once more normal indeed.

Ji Han purses his lips, doesn't say a word.

Zhao Jiangui asks, "Are you...envious of him?"

Ji Han seems startled, "Why do you say that."

Zhao Jiangui says, "It's just a wild guess."

The two people continue to be silent a moment, Ji Han suddenly opens his mouth, "At times."

Zhao Jiangui watches him quietly.

Ji Han lowers his voice, "Actually I also don't like the sword that much."

This statement is whispered softly close to his ear, Zhao Jiangui almost thinks he heard wrong.

He suddenly feels Ji Han is very pitiable.

...

Zhao Jiangui blurts out, "Then do you like me?"

Ji Han stares blankly quite a long while, "You... How are you and a sword the same."

Zhao Jiangui nods, extremely upset, "I understand, in your heart I can't even compare with a sword."

Ji Han, "..."

—————

*义父/yìfù - adoptive father

Translator's Note: Sorry for the delay, but this longer chapter of  feelings surely makes up for it. My heartttt. Also, it may be relevant again that the "jian" (剑/jiàn) in Zhao Jiangui's name is the same "jian" as sword.