by A Sick Frog
She walked pass him without an expression.
Qin Kexuan returned to her room after a bath and change of clothes, planning to practice exercises to build up her internal strength[2]. She heard the sound of Qin Shuhua’s car, then the “thump thump thump” of footsteps and “bang bang” of knocks on the door.
“Enter.”
“XUAN XUAN, COME OUT NOW!! If you don’t give me a good explanation today, I will……” Qin Shuhua sounded really stirred up.
“Shuhua, calm down and stop scaring the child.”
“Huilin, not another word from you!
If I don’t teach her a lesson today, she won’t have any morals! XUAN XUAN! Come out!”
Qin Kexuan opened the door before striding out, “Speak, what’s the matter?”
“Your class advisor called me today to inform that you didn’t attend classes this afternoon, is it true?”
“Yes.”
“And you still came home so late after skipping classes?”
“Yes.”
“So do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“No, then do you have anything else to add? I want to rest soon.”
“You…… you are still unrepentant?!” Qin Shuhua nearly exploded in anger.
Qin Kexuan: “Just say what you mean.” Still not reaching the main point after beating around the bush for so long.
Jiang Huilin trying to appease Qin Shuhua, advised: “Xuan Xuan, just apologize to your father and acknowledge your mistake.”
Qin Kexuan gave her a stare, remaining silent.
Qin Shuhua took a deep breath to control his temper and said: “Why did you not attend class?”
“Couldn’t understand.”
“If you can’t understand then just ask the teacher. Is there a student like you, who skips classes just because she couldn’t understand?”
“Didn’t understand anything.”
“……”
“Idiot!” the hidden Qin Pengcheng laughed in a corner, shrinking back as Jiang Huilin shot him a glare.
Qin Shuhua rubbed his temples, weakly replied: “I know, why don’t I look for a teacher to give you tuition……”
“No need.”
Qin Shuhua: “Then you can’t not go for class ah.”
“I will look for someone to teach me myself.”
“Okay I’m fine with that. But you cannot be like this next time, and don’t come home so late.”
“Okay.”
Hence this matter was resolved without fuss by Qin Kexuan.
She closed the door and sat down cross-legged, releasing her breath. “Come in.”
No movement.
“Don’t let me repeat myself.”
Yin Xudong moved slowly from the balcony, “Fuck, how did you know I was here?”
Qin Kexuan glanced at him contemptuously.
Yin Xudong ran over to her, “What are you doing? Meditating?! Heck, you want to be a nun ah!”
[Forgetting the pain after the wounds have healed.] Qin Kexuan glanced at his neck, his scars were already gone.
Yin Xudong spoke excitedly in a low voice: “Oh, remember that Little Li Flying Dagger[3] move, it’s now time to teach me.”
“I can teach you, but there’s a condition.”
“WHAT?! More conditions?! Didn’t I already help you today by bringing back your school bag? How could you add your own conditions?! This is called labor exploitation!! I OBJECT! I WON’T ACCEPT IT!”
“Then forget it.”
Yin Xudong rolled on the floor, “No! You agreed to teach me!”
“Do you want to know then?”
“……Fine, talk.”
“Teach me from the textbooks.”
“What? You must be joking! Allowing me to teach you?! Stop teasing me, your scores are much better than mine, why would I need to teach you.” Yin Xudong spoke unconcernedly as he reclined.
Qin Kexuan’s glare turned frosty, “Do you believe that I’ll kill you immediately?”
“Oi, don’t think that just because you know Little Li Flying Dagger then can threaten me all day! I……What? Why can’t I move?”
Qin Kexuan retracted her hand, asking: “How about now?”
“You, you, you know dianxue[4]!” Yin Xudong exclaimed, staring incredulously while remaining motionless.
“Any louder, and your head will roll.”
Yin Xudong immediately shut up, waiting for a moment before cautiously whispering: “You really know how to attack the acupoints?”
Qin Kexuan kept silent.
Yin Xudong’s eyes instantly lit up, filled with worship, “Wa! Qin Kexuan! You, you are too amazing! Teach me, teach me!” First the Little Li Flying Dagger, then the Sunflower Dianxue Hand[5]– really too goddamn magnificent!
“So do you think it’s possible?” Qin Kexuan played around with the notion of beheading.
Yin Xudong sighed in disappointment, and then pleaded: “Why ah? Why ah! Don’t tell me can pass to guys not girls or transfer inside but not outside? Then I will take you as my teacher! Teach me la!”
Qin Kexuan cast a sidelong glance at Yi Xudong, slowly saying: “Not possible.” Killers don’t have masters, it had always been an instructor throwing everyone the same weapon, you pass as long as you emerge alive from the training grounds.
Those internal strength cultivation methods were bestowed after she officially became the organization’s killer, they were first taught how to kill before supplementing it with internal strength cultivation.
“Yeah, right. What century is this, still holding onto those never-changing outdated rules of the Pugilistic Realm[6]! As though you are still living in the Martial Arts World[7]!” Yin Xudong muttered resentfully.
Qin Kexuan’s hand grabbed his neck at lightning speed, saying with a cold tone: “Speak! How did you know about the rules of the Pugilistic Realm and Martial Arts?” Applying a little more pressure would cause Yin Xudong’s neck to break in her hands.
Yin Xudong was suddenly grabbed by his neck, unable to move or struggle with the constriction of his throat, breathed out in snatches: “From television, novels, I know la, *cough cough*, let, let go, die, I’m dying……”
* * *
Translation Notes:
1. 轻功 [qinggong]: A martial art ability that allows one to move swiftly and lightly, showing gravity-defying and supernatural speed. ↩ 2. 内功 [neigong]: The art of building up one’s strength through breathing and other exercises of the internal organs. ↩ 3. 小李飞刀 [xiaoli feidao]: Little Li Flying Dagger. A weapon in the fictional wuxia series written by Gu Long which have been adapted in many films and TV shows. ↩ 4. 点穴 [dianxue]: A martial art that attacks pressure points and meridians, said to incapacitate or even kill an opponent ↩ 5. 葵花点穴手 [kuihua dianxue shou]: A martial art technique involving dianxue used by the fictional Bai Yutang. ↩ 6. 江湖 [jianghu]: Literally means ‘rivers and lakes’ but novelists use it to describe a fantasy world where martial arts rule. ↩ 7. 武林世界 [wulin shijie]: Similar to 江湖. Literally means ‘martial forest world’ but it refers to a community or world of martial artists.↩
Chapter 6 - Who Are You?
“What are television and novels?” Qin Ke Xuan was puzzled, and the force of her grip loosened.
Yin Xu Dong gagged, “Cough cough cough! The heck! What the hell was that? All I’m asking is for you to teach me some moves, do you need to go as far as murdering me? Cough cough cough, I swear I’ll freaking die in your hands sooner or later!”
Qin Ke Xuan: “Put a sock in it with your nonsense. Explain, properly. From what television or novel did you hear about the rules of the Pugilistic Realm and the Martial Arts?”
Yin Xu Dong was so depressed he had the sudden urge to bang the wall, except that he was unable to move his body, “Da jie*, there are countless television and novels about it, how the heck am I supposed to remember all of them? Like Jin Yong** and Liang Yu Sheng**, but those are all fictional. No one actually takes them for real
. “
* Da Jie = 大姐; big sister. Yin Xu Dong is using the term “big sis” to highlight his exasperation, similar to saying “dude/bro/mate” when you’re frustrated and exasperated with someone, except with a gender reference.
**Jin Yong and Liang Yu Sheng are famous Chinese Wuxia novel authors.
“Jin Yong?” She did not know him.
“My shit! If I hadn’t witnessed your Xiao Li Flying Daggers and Sunflower Dian Xue Hand personally, I’d really believe these martial arts moves were completely made-up by the (very OP) authors.”
Qin Ke Xuan quietly collated the information, not replying him.
Yin Xu Dong continued pitter-pattering on a huge lot about it, only to realise the other party was not even listening. At that, he pursed his lips crestfallenly, “Oi, Qin Ke Xuan, hurry undo the acupuncture, I can already feel my body numbing.”
Qin Ke Xuan swept a disdainful look in his direction, “You can’t even handle this, and you want to learn martial arts?”
Upon hearing this, Yin Xu Dong’s eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly: “You, are you saying you’ll take me as your disciple? Oh yeah! Honoured shi fu*, allow me to pay my respect.”
*Shi Fu = 师父; (ancient) master/teacher
Qin Ke Xuan cast a sidelong glance at the paralysed Yin Xu Dong on the ground, saying leisurely: “You want to become my disciple? Simple.”
“How? How? No matter what you need me to do, I’ll do it!” Yin Xu Dong replied excitedly.
“My condition is that you shall do everything I ask of you to do, else…”
“Else what?”
“I will kill you.”
“…”
Yin Xu Dong’s enthusiasm was quickly extinguished. He had properly observed Qin Ke Xuan, and he could tell from her expressionless face that she was being serious. Moreover, after the few recent interactions with her, he was clear that Qin Ke Xuan was not joking around. That girl ain’t kidding!
“… it’s illegal to kill someone.” Yin Xu Dong swallowed.
“So?”
“…”
Yin Xu Dong inhaled deeply, “Alright, I promise.”
His reply surprised Qin Ke Xuan, “You think I won’t kill you?”
“No. I’m not worried about you killing me, because I will obey your orders unconditionally.” Yin Xu Dong was very confident.
Qin Ke Xuan questioned: “Anything?”
“Yeah!”
“Including licking my foot?”
Yin Xu Dong felt his blood freezing as he stared at Qin Ke Xuan, who was looking every bit serious, and glanced at her foot. Fortunately, it appeared sparkling and nice-looking, forget it, let’s just treat it as a crystal chicken feet! “Come! I’m ready.” He was all prepared to face death with equanimity.
Qin Ke Xuan stretched out her leg, kicking at him. “You passed.”
Yin Xu Dong stayed unmoving.
“The acupuncture was undone.” Qin Ke Xuan looked at Yin Xu Dong, puzzled. It was impossible for her to undo it wrongly.
Yin Xu Dong inclined his head 45 degrees upwards, and stared at the ceiling. “…too numb, I can’t move…”
Yin Ke Xuan started doubting herself, whether she taken a stupid disciple wrongly. But, never mind that, she’d only wanted to find a subordinate, one that would put in his all to aid her in this foreign environment. Whether he would be able to learn would have to depend on his aptitude, and that outside her scope of concern.
“I want you gone in three.”
“Hah?”
“One.”
“Wait wait wait!” Yin Xu Dong struggled to get up.
“Two.”
“You’re counting too fast!” Yin Xu Dong half-crawled-half-rolled out in frenzy, heading straight for the balcony.
“Three.”
Yin Xu Dong jumped across, into his own balcony, in time just as she reached the third count.
Qin Ku Xuan sat with her legs crossed on the ground and started her cultivating her Inner Gong* for the day, till the wee hours of the day before wrapping up and turning in.
*内功 = nei gong; Inner Gong, refers to the set of Chinese breathing, meditation and spiritual practice associated with Chinese martial arts
The next day, Qin Ke Xuan refused Qin Shu Hua’s offer to send her to school, picked up her bag, and left the house.
At the entrance, she saw something unexpected—the dog she saved yesterday, to her surprise, laid beside the doorway. It raised its head upon hearing someone approaching, after which, some vigorous tail-wagging and powerful exertion in getting up shortly followed, before it staggered towards her side, rubbing its head against her leg, barking away.
Qin Ke Xuan squatted down, and patted its head, murmuring: “You actually followed me all the way here.”
The dog stuck out its tongue and licked her hand.
At that moment, the metal door next door creaked open and out walked a middle-aged lady. She saw Qin Ke Xuan, and immediately asked her amiably: “Xuan Xuan, going to school?”
“Mmh.”
“Qin Ke Xuan!” Yin Xu Dong dashed out from inside excitedly.
Qin Ke Xuan picked up the dog and pushed it into Yin Xu Dong’s arms, “Bring it home, wash it, and feed it.”
Yin Xu Dong held the dog reluctantly, reproaching discontentedly: “Why is it me doing this?”
Qin Ke Xuan swept him a glance, and Yin Xu Dong immediately surrendered, “Yes yes, your highness, I will do so accordingly. Gosh, don’t look at me like you’re looking at a dead person!”
The middle-aged lady knocked Yin Xu Dong’s head, berating him: “This boy! Watch your words, look at how you’re talking!”
Yin Xu Dong turned and passed the dog to his mother, “Mom, do me a favour, help me bathe the dog, and also feed him while you’re at it.”
Mother Yin frowned, taking the dog, “This fella’, now you’re ordering your mother around?”
Yin Xu Dong turned back, wanting to ask when Qin Ke Xuan was going to start teaching him the Xiao Li Flying Dagger and Sunflower Dian Xue Hand, “Qin Ke Xuan… huh, where did she go?”
“She’s long gone.” Mother Yin said, with a tinge of sarcasm, behind him, and carried the dog back, leaving the abandoned Yin Xu Dong feeling depressed and dejected.
When she stepped into the private school for the second time, she immediately felt the finger-pointing and whisperings from the surrounding students.
Just as she was about to disregard the bunch of them, a figure suddenly appeared before her.
Qin Ke Xuan squinted her eyes, “Get out of the way.” Her words was coloured with an aura of danger.
“Qin Ke Xuan, let’s talk.”
Qin Ke Xuan raised her head, “Move.”
Cao Lin Wei frowned, “Qin Ke Xuan, I didn’t do anything wrong to you. I just want to urge you to stop being stubborn, what’s with the cold shoulder?”
Qin Ke Xuan started, and detoured past him, walked a few steps more before stopping, asking earnestly: “Who are you?” Memorise his face. If she saw him again in some isolated corner, she would make sure to warn him how idiotic of him it was to disregard her words, and twice at that, and block her way.
Cao Lin Wei: “…”
Qin Ke Xuan grabbed a male student brushing past her, and pointed at Cao Lin Wei: “Who is he?”
“He’s Cao Lin Wei! Hurry let me go, I’m almost late for class!” The student swept a glance in Cao Lin Wei’s direction hastily.
Qin Ke Xuan glanced at Cao Lin Wei meaningfully before turning away.
Her meaningful look was hence unexpectedly spread around, rumored to be a heartfelt glance brimming with tender feelings, coupled with grief tinged with an undying spirit.
Walking into the classroom, after Qin Ke Xuan had just sat down at her seat from yesterday, Zhou Jing came and sat at the seat in front of hers, greeting her smilingly: “Ke Xuan.”
Qin Ke Xuan surveyed the classroom blandly. This girl was such a nuisance.
“I heard from the teachers that yo
u weren’t staying in the dormitories anymore, why not?” Zhou Jing asked Qin Ke Xuan, pouting.
Ding Jie Yun, sitting at the other end of the classroom, happened to overhear this. At that, she sneered: “How would she dare stay in the dorms? Won’t it be bad if she were to accidentally reveal her scars when changing?”
The Qin Ke Xuan wore a long sleeved shirt today as per usual. One would be able to discover, if they looked close enough, that she was actually wearing not one but two layers of clothes under such a sweltering weather. This undoubtedly proved the “truth”—that she had scars—valid.
Qin Ke Xuan cannot be bothered to explain herself to the bunch of shamelessly-attired girls, hence was considered to have acknowledged their assumptions.
Zhou Jing frowned, “Ding Jie Yun, can you not be like this?”
Ding Jie Yun replied sharply: “Me? What did I do? I just find her existence a pain in the ass, you got a problem with that? I just don’t like how you put on an act to suck-up to her, you got a problem with that?”
Zhou Jing bit her lips tightly, and stared firmly at Ding Jie Yun silently, her face pale.
Completely disregarding the arguing pair, Qin Ke Xuan took out a book from her school bag and started flipping. In order to survive in this foreign environment, she had to collate information about this place. After the many days of observation, she realised that the possibility of her returning to where she had come from was low.
As for all the strange situations happening to her, she has yet to make sense of it. She had wanted to understand them through reading books which perhaps would be able to help her deepen understanding. In that case, if she had wanted to retrieve information from these books which she did not understand as of now, studying was unavoidable.
To someone who had been trained to be a killer from young, coming to studying in a private school was absurd. Thankfully, no one here seemed to know or recognize her, or else she should just die in embarrassment and retire from the world of assassination.
She had endured through four consecutive lessons in the afternoon. With the exception of literature, a subject she could sort of understand, she had blurred through everything else in a state of confusion.
After lessons had ended, Qin Ke Xuan brushed past an excited looking Zhou Jing, who had been looking at her with anticipation, and headed towards the place that was allegedly known as the canteen.