Chapter 5#
If You See SnowCh5 - Please Call Me Madam Sang#
Su Ruhui nestled against Sang Chiyu, his warm body causing Sang Chiyu to stiffen. The hand gripping the wooden crutch tightened. With a tense expression, Sang Chiyu pulled Su Ruhui behind him, shielding the great actor with his own body. He then looked up at Han Ye, his gaze as frosty as snow, bone chillingly cold.
“Regardless of the reason for sir’s late night visit, I’m afraid I cannot grant sir’s request.”
Han Ye sneered, “Don’t forget, you’re already a useless piece of trash. I’m going to sleep with your wife. What are you going to do about it?”
Sang Chiyu’s face remained expressionless as he drew a dark red tube from his robe with one hand. Pulling off the cap, a beam of crimson light shot skyward with a piercing whistle, exploding into concentric rings of light rain across the sky. At the sight of this object, Han Ye’s expression changed.
Sang Chiyu said coldly: “Even a cripple has friends. Within the Secret Sect, ten possess spatial arts to arrive at once. Once the signal flare is fired, the Secret Sect will come. Ten against one—you stand no chance. Activating the secret arts requires five breaths. By conservative estimate, you have ten breaths to leave.”
Han Ye’s smile vanished, his eyes gathering storm clouds. Sang Chiyu had been raised within the Kunlun Secret Sect, and even after being expelled, he surely retained many allies. Han Ye didn’t dare underestimate him. His gaze shifted to the lurking figure peeking out cautiously from behind Sang Chiyu. He took out a letter from his waist pouch and chuckled darkly: “Sang Chiyu, your good wife accuses me of having ill intentions, but I am innocent. It was he who sent me a letter of longing, inviting me to meet beneath the moonlit flowers. I accepted his invitation, only for him to back out at the last moment. This letter here is proof: ‘Waiting beneath the western pavilion for the moon, the door half open and welcoming the wind. Quexie of Jiang family, quietly awaiting your arrival.’ Go see for yourself.”
He tossed the letter, and the gold flecked paper fluttered like a butterfly toward Sang Chiyu, landing at his feet.
Su Ruhui: “…”
Han Ye this bastard must have been so pissed he forgot A-Qi’s mission was to gather intelligence. How was he supposed to uncover anything by driving a wedge between him and Sang Chiyu like this? The evidence of his infidelity was right before his eyes. Su Ruhui could practically see the giant green hat on top of Sang Chiyu’s head. The original owner had done the deed, yet Su Ruhui was left to take the fall. Su Ruhui felt like his heart was vomiting blood.
Sang Chiyu’s expression remained unchanged, replying calmly: “My wife’s heart no longer belongs to me, seeking for someone else. I bear no resentment, but sir should not force someone.”
This meant that if Su Ruhui wanted to cheat, he could cheat, and Sang Chiyu wasn’t good enough. Sang Chiyu never blamed Su Ruhui. But you, Han Ye, failing to seduce him and resorting to force, is your wrongdoing.
Don’t mention Su Ruhui, even Han Ye hadn’t expected Sang Chiyu to be so magnanimous. He wore that green hat with unwavering composure, not uttering a single word of complaint.
“…” Han Ye let out a cold laugh, casting one last glance at Su Ruhui, “Young Master Jiang, until we meet again.”
After he finished speaking, he turned and left.
Su Ruhui cupped his hands around his mouth to form a megaphone and shouted at his back: “I’m not Young Master Jiang!”
Han Ye and Sang Chiyu both froze in surprise.
Su Ruhui immediately followed up with: “I am Madam Sang!”
Han Ye looked utterly speechless for a moment before storming off.
That bastard finally left, and Su Ruhui breathed a sigh of relief. Han Ye’s secret arts were powerful, and he’d even advanced in level. If they really fought head on, neither he nor Sang Chiyu would have stood a chance. Su Ruhui patted Sang Chiyu’s shoulder. “Thank goodness you had that signal flare. Otherwise, we would have been in real trouble.” He checked the time, “Ten breaths have already passed. Your friends are way too slow. By the time they arrive, we’ll both be buried together.”
Sang Chiyu turned around and slowly made his way back with the help of his wooden crutch.
“I have no friends.” He said in a flat tone.
“Ah?” Su Ruhui was stunned, then realized Sang Chiyu had bluffed Han Ye. The Secret Sect wouldn’t have sent anyone to save him. Su Ruhui picked up the empty tube Sang Chiyu had just fired, only to realize that it wasn’t a distress flare from the Kunlun Secret Sect at all, but rather a tube of fireworks, probably left over from their wedding day.
This guy… Su Ruhui was speechless. Even before his death, Sang Chiyu was incredibly unpopular. Who would have thought that five years after his passing, Sang Chiyu was still just as unpopular.
Sang Chiyu had been standing for too long, and his knees hurt so badly he could barely walk two steps before needing to rest. Su Ruhui understood him. Pride ran deep to his bones, and he’d never want too much help from others. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be spending his days scheming to get rid of Su Ruhui. Su Ruhui didn’t help him. He just stayed by his side, grinning as he teased: “Husband, you really don’t mind me seeking out someone else?”
“We are already divorced,” Sang Chiyu replied. “lt has nothing to do with me.”
That same aloof attitude, radiating “stay away from me” from head to toe. Su Ruhui sighed inwardly, no wonder he had no friends. Only someone like Su Ruhui would put up with his temper and bother to talk to him.
Sang Chiyu paused, then suddenly spoke up: “That man earlier… Did you know him before?”
“Nope,” Su Ruhui replied half truthfully. “But Su Ruhui must know him. You remember Su Ruhui right? The Underworld’s genius, creator of the Phantom Puppets. Didn’t you two always get into fights with each other back in the day? That person seemed to be looking for people who looked similar to Su Ruhui. For each person he gets his hands on, he uses them. I heard those who died on his bed weren’t few, all handsome and talented youths like me.”
If you’re going to talk about it, then talk about it. But Su Ruhui just had to brag about himself. After speaking, he even pulled out a mirror from his pocket, held it up to his face, and clicked his tongue. “It’s all because I’m so handsome,” he sighed.
His foolish demeanor had always drawn criticism. Many admired him, many also despised him, and plenty would have gladly punched him in the face. Yet Sang Chiyu remained silent, as if he was long accustomed to his off the wall antics, quietly listening to his rambling nonsense.
“What to do, I don’t think that lil bastard is going to let me go.”
The two finally moved to the threshold of the side room, where Su Ruhui sighed deeply, looking towards the sky.
Sang Chiyu stepped over the threshold and said: “I’ll think of a way.”
“Hm?” Su Ruhui was about to say, “Even the Secret Sect won’t save you, what can you possibly do?” But as he lifted his eyes, they met Sang Chiyu’s calm gaze, and his words caught in his throat. Sang Chiyu’s eyes were deep, and Su Ruhui found himself drawn into their tranquil depths. He was a man of rare composure, the very embodiment of reliability. He never made promises lightly, but once given, even ten thousand deaths would not prevent him from keeping it.
This person, really. Despite his own predicament, he still wanted to help others. Even though they were enemies, Su Ruhui was actually quite worried about him. He meticulously followed Dantai Jing’s teachings, striving to be a true gentleman of upright integrity. Su Ruhui often worried that his rigid principles made him all the more fragile. He treated others with kindness and gave his utmost effort, yet Su Ruhui feared he might be deceived. Many called Sang Chiyu cold blooded and without empathy, but Su Ruhui knew this guy was genuinely a good person.
Su Ruhui felt utterly helpless, yet his face wore a warm smile as he said: “Then I’ll be relying on you to protect me, husband.”
In actuality, Su Ruhui never truly intended to rely on Sang Chiyu. He was just used to teasing him.
Sang Chiyu’s face changed slightly, a faint trace of blush spreading across his cheeks. Husband, husband. Just moments ago, he’d referred to himself as “Madam Sang,” clearly insincere, yet always so careless with his words that it invited misunderstanding. He pursed his lips, turned his face away, and closed the door, his voice growing colder. “It’s late. Please go back.”
“Hey!” Su Ruhui blocked the doorway, “Husband, look at my room that’s been blown to bits. I don’t have anywhere to sleep. Can I stay in your room tonight?”
“There are plenty of spare rooms.” Sand Chiyu gave him zero face, directly shutting the door.
His heart was as hard as iron. Su Ruhui was disheartened, leaving with his hands behind his back.
Sang Chiyu returned to his bedside, feeling beneath the bedding for a small, round box. The lock clicked open and the lid sprang back, revealing a bloodstained black heart core within. No one knew the origin of this heart core. The people of the Great Compassion Temple took drugs to gain power, and the illegal drugs circulating on the black market had long been a key target to take down for the Kunlun Secret Sect. Some speculate that this black heart core was the production of the Great Compassion Temple, and Su Ruhui was its previous owner. The heart core gave Su Ruhui power, but also inflicted him with a terrifying poison. When Su Ruhui was 25, the poison flared up, and within two years, his body rapidly deteriorated until it was so broken that there was no hope of a cure.
The heart core held in Sang Chiyu’s palm was the very one the Secret Sect dug out from Su Ruhui’s body.
No one knows what the Heart Core bestowed upon Su Ruhui, though some speculate it granted him extraordinary intelligence beyond that of ordinary people. After all, when Su Ruhui left the Secret Sect, he was still a reckless second generation young master. But after entering the Underworld, he shone with talent, inventing the “Phantom Puppet” that shocked the world.
Although Sang Chiyu knew that the rumors were false, Su Ruhui had never been an ordinary person.
However, perhaps this heart core could be tried out.
Sang Chiyu took off his clothes and unwrapped the gauze from his chest. The wound that had been so gruesome just two days prior was now covered in medicinal powder, making it less hideous. He pinched the heart core and placed it into his own wound. The freshly formed scab peeled away as he forcibly pried open the wound. Blood gushed forth, soaking the black heart core.
When the core sank halfway into flesh and blood, it emitted a faint blue glow, automatically pressing deeper into his meridians. Sang Chiyu withdrew his hand, and the core vanished into the depths of his wound. He had no idea what would happen to himself. In any case, whatever Su Ruhui had once been like, was probably what he would become.
In fact, the moment that guy started spouting nonsense about dreaming of their past life soulmatism, he knew Su Ruhui had returned. That kind of cliché bullshit was something Su Ruhui used to spout, albeit just not to him. He truly hated Su Ruhui. He was the person who hated Su Ruhui the most in the world. He thought, perhaps people might not recognize someone they once loved at first glance, but they could definitely recognize someone they once hated.
A long, long time had already passed, and many things had changed. The once respected elders had become disgusting, and the Kunlun Secret Sect had become a corrupted den. They wore a facade of unrighteousness, but had a heart of ruthless tyranny. And he, Sang Chiyu, had fallen from being a first rank military officer to an absolutely useless cripple.
Only Su Ruhui remained unchanged– annoying, a troublemaker, and constantly inciting emotional debts.
The wound was too painful, and his chest felt as though it was frozen by ice and snow. His insides suddenly drained of warmth, and Sang Chiyu curled up on the bed in pain. In a muddleheaded state, he recalled the day long ago in the border capital when the Grandmaster had asked him: “My disciple, Chiyu, do you know your mistake?”
He said: “I do.”
The Grandmaster nodded with satisfaction: “You finally understand. And where did you go wrong?”
He raised his eyes, enunciating each scathing word one by one.
“My wrong… was not saving Su Ruhui!”
Thus, the Grandmaster thundered with rage, stripped him of his secret arts, broke his right leg, expelled him from the Secret Sect, and banished him with no return.
He lowered his head, sweat dripping onto the back of his hand. The strands of his hair draped over the bed had already changed color. He slowly turned his head. The mirror on the table reflected his current appearance– It was as if snow had settled upon his temples, whitening his long hair. Even his eyes were now a blue akin to a frozen sea. His vision seemed to have subtle changes, clearly distinguishing light and shadow. He could hear the leaves outside the window rustling softly as the wind swept the fallen foliage, as if they were whispering.
His eyesight and hearing had both been greatly enhanced; this body was no longer that of an ordinary person. The transformation was so thorough that it far surpassed what Su Ruhui had been in the past. He flexed his arms and legs. The wounds on his chest and back healed, and his right leg regained movement, as if he had been reborn. He felt the long lost power of the secret arts surging through his body.
He knew he had become a monster.
Su Ruhui supported the Underworld, yet they sold him to the Secret Sect. Su Ruhui treated the Secret Sect well, yet they stole his Phantom Puppets.
The world’s righteousness had fallen, so why should he, Sang Chiyu, stubbornly cling onto morality? It was better to be a hideous monster than a hypocrite.
“Young Master Sang, I’m back!” The old dog crawled in through the window, unaware of the changes of the person on the bed, and fumed, “That Jiang Quexie is so vicious! He sold me off to a dog meat shop! Good thing I’m clever and transformed back into a human to escape. Damn I’m so pissed! People saw me running and now we’re going to be having headlines of ‘Naked Man Spotted Sprinting Down the Streets’ in the Yunzhou tabloids tomorrow. I need to report back to Hei Guanyin that this man has come back to life. Hei Guanyin will surely be interested in his secret arts. When the time comes, we’ll have to dissect and study him thoroughly.”
The old dog curled up by the footrest. When he looked up and saw Sang Chiyu’s hair as white as snow, he froze. “How did you become like this… Wait, you took the Wuji Powder? Holy crap, your mutation is way too extreme! How do you feel? Wait, that’s not right, I haven’t given you the secret medicine yet?”
Sang Chiyu stared at him, his ice blue eyes as still as the ocean depths, without the slightest ripple nor emotion. This inhuman appearance sent an involuntary chill down the old dog’s spine. The old dog thought, Sang Chiyu must have found the Wuji Powder he’d hidden, otherwise how could Sang Chiyu have turned into this?
Sang Chiyu asked: “I heard the Great Compassion Temple has a saying: Consuming one person makes one a bodhisattva of the first level, consuming ten people makes one a bodhisattva of the tenth level. Which level are you?”
The old dog puffed out his chest with pride, “Hmph, I’m already of the third level.” He grinned, “Two men, one child. The child’s meat was tender and delicious.”
“Have you reported the matter regarding Jiang Quexie just now?”
“Not yet,” The old dog pulled his communication compass from under the bed. “I’ll tell Hei Guanyin right now!”
“Very good.”
Sang Chiyu suddenly raised his hand to cover the old dog’s head. Countless ice blue meridians sprouted from his palm, piercing the dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. Blood gushed from the old dog’s seven orifices as its legs thrashed wildly. Under Sang Chiyu’s palm, it instantly reverted to a naked human form. The man didn’t even have time to utter a scream. His flesh visibly withered away at a rapid rate, transforming in an instant into nothing more than an empty shell.
Sang Chiyu withdrew his hand and stared indifferently at his palm. The beam-like meridians retracted, and his palm returned to normal.
Secret Arts: Devouring.
He gains the secret arts of whoever he devours.
Few knew of his secret arts, for he despised this ability he was born with and rarely used it.
After devouring the old dog, he acquired its secret art of “Shapeshifting.” After meditating for a moment, the art silently activated. His hair gradually turned back to jet black, while his eyes seemed to shroud in ink, obscuring the deep blue of his pupils. He then bent down and picked up the communication compass lying on the ground, manipulating the eight trigrams on its surface. The seals engraved on the compass glowed faintly, connecting to someone on the other end. The other party remained silent, waiting for the person on this side of the compass to speak.
Sang Chiyu asked: “I killed your dog. Is this method of pledging loyalty enough?”
A hoarse chuckle emitted from the compass: “Young Master Sang, that old dog served you for so many days, but you killed him just like that. Don’t you feel guilty at all?”
Sang Chiyu lowered his gaze to his palm, his eyes devoid of emotion. He had just killed someone he shouldn’t have, yet his heart remained unruffled as if he’d merely crushed an ant that happened to cross his path. Everyone thought he was a good person; even Su Ruhui thought so. They didn’t know that he actually felt nothing when he killed. To him, there wasn’t any difference between killing a person versus killing a pig. He only meticulously followed the precepts Dantai Jing taught him, embodying uprightness, benevolence, and justice.
Is pretending to be righteous the same as being righteous?
“Not really.” He replied.
That person laughed softly, “Young Master Sang is quite different from the rumors. As expected, rumors shouldn’t be believed. Tomorrow the Temple will gather to transmit scriptures. I have prepared a spot for Young Master.”
The author has something to say:
Sang ge is so badass! Totally domineering!
TL corner:
Did you know that “If You See Snow” has a Thai publication? Here are the gorgeous covers of volumes 1 & 2 of the Thai publication, featuring Sang Chiyu’s white haired look!