Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 The Dead and the Living

Editor: Larbre Studio

How to put this, actually, such things rely on improvisation on the spot… at least before Li Yan met Taizi Le, he didn’t expect to succeed so easily.

In Chang Kaile’s opinion, what Hejin could offer Li Yan, Judy, or even Taishuai could provide too, and with less risk.

They needed only a seemingly reasonable explanation…

“So that’s what he said.”

Chang Shen sat on the sofa, his palm supporting his cane, and his expression was strange.

Hua Shanjiu sat below him, silently nodding.

Chang Shen laughed: “It’s more exciting than the TV series on the wireless station.” After thinking for a while, he continued, “It seems that Le is not planning to tell me about this matter.”

Hua Shanjiu responded with silence, his expression a stark contrast to that of the previously hearty fellow from Yau Ma Tei.

“How much do you believe that man?”

Hua Shanjiu thought for a long time before finally saying while observing Chang Shen’s expression, “Unless that kid’s heart is clouded by pork lard, he would never dare to cheat Hejin’s money.”

“In fact, whether what he said is true or false doesn’t matter…”

The older man’s eyelids drooped.

“At his age, it’s normal for Le to have his own thoughts. But now is absolutely not the time to tear our faces off with Taishuai. I can wait at my age; what can he not wait for?”

“So, should I go persuade Brother Le?”

Chang Shen shook his head: “He’s feeling angry inside right now; you can’t suppress it too forcefully.”

The old man pursed his lips, and in that moment, there was an ominous air about him.

“Take care of that boxer, cleanly.”

Chang Shen squinted his eyes, “Five million? He has the fate to earn it but may not have the life to spend it.”

…

When Hua Shanjiu left Chang Shen’s room, his expression was icy cold.

“Dachun!”

The guy in the red singlet with blonde hair walked over.

“Shanjiu, you were looking for me.”

“When you went to find that kid, did you know his door number?”

The man from Kowloon remembered for a moment, indeed having seen Li Yan coming out of a room.

“I remember, it’s 411.”

“Are you certain there’s no mistake?”

“You can trust me, Shanjiu, I’m absolutely sure.”

…

“You have obtained a fragment of the Sink Hook Record Book*1”

“You have acquired a fragment of the record book painted with the Gu Huo Bird!”

The Gu Huo Bird flies by day and hides at night; it belongs to the category of spirits and gods, with feathers becoming birds when clothed, and transforming into women when unclothed. Known by many names; the Sky Emperor’s maiden, the nocturnal roamer, Hook Star, Hidden Flight. The bird bears no children but delights in taking human young, raising them as its own. Nowadays, those who do not wish their children’s clothes exposed at night, do so because this creature covets love, marking clothes with blood as a sign, then taking the child. Hence, people name it a ghost bird.

Sink Hook Record Fragment: Gu Huo Bird

Category: Yan Fu Talisman

Quality: Special

A Yan Fu Talisman still housing a sliver of a lingering soul, it yearns for a mother’s soul that wishes to linger with her children and is unwilling to depart, to complete itself.

Remark: Every encounter in this world is never coincidental, I think, you know what you need to do.

In Li Yan’s hands, the hot-stamped rice paper seemed to retain some warmth. The depiction of the Gu Huo Bird with its eighteen flapping wings appeared indeed to have a touch more spirituality than the other three fragments.

He pulled out the other three fragments from the pocket inside his shirt.

A series of messages popped up.

Sink Hook Record Fragment: Kui Niu

Category: Remnant

Quality: Special

After being devoured by the Gu Huo Bird, stronger legacies or other rewards can be obtained at settlement.

The same for the other two fragments.

“Do you wish to devour it?”

“Yes.”

“The Gu Huo Bird has devoured the remnants of the Kui Niu, Ao, and the Qi Gong Tribe’s souls. You will obtain a stronger legacy or other rewards at settlement.”

In Li Yan’s hands, the hot-stamped rice paper suddenly burst into a pale golden flame, yet it did not burn the skin— the gold patterns curled within the fire. In the air, Li Yan heard continuous, muffled roars like those of dragons and tigers.

Li Yan’s face was devoid of any expression, even bearing a hint of heaviness.

Do ghosts and deities exist in this world? Li Yan didn’t dare to assert, but he felt that even if they did, one should at most respect and keep a distance from them.

Having lived for twenty-five years, not a long time but not short either, he could discern between the smell of fish and the stench of decay.

Today, what he smelt in Xiu’s home was the stench of decay…

It was emanating from the body of that hoarse-voiced, desiccated-looking woman whose gaze upon her daughter was filled with nothing but tender love.

If he had any desire to investigate further at that moment, by the time he left apartment 411, not a single ounce of that curiosity remained.

But now, Yan Fu’s hint was all too clear, using the soul of Xiu’s mother to complete the Gu Huo Bird in the Sink Hook Record Fragment!

…

In the night of Kowloon City, Li Yan squatted silently in a corner under a streetlamp, the light dim, cigarette butts scattered at his feet.

On Li Yan’s mind were the image of that girl named Xiu, her pale feet, her trembling eyelashes, and the late-night snacks she occasionally brought to him.

For the first time, this man who had come to Yan Fu to fight for his life, who made determined and deadly decisions, felt a touch of reluctance.

Reluctance to shatter the already fragmented dream of the girl.

In his daze, his gaze suddenly shifted, and in the darkness, he faintly saw the face of a pale middle-aged man with severe dark circles under his eyes. His hands and feet trembled uncontrollably—an addict through and through.

“Scram.”

Li Yan’s voice was quiet but filled with intense anger.

The man’s eyes wandered over Li Yan, as if weighing something, but eventually, he retreated slowly.

Li Yan took a deep breath and stood up, only to feel somewhat dizzy.

“Sorry, she’s already dead, but I need to live.”

…

Fuyi Building

Li Yan walked into the room, facing a weapon rack that displayed a chilling blade,

engraved with the words “Energy birth myriad landscapes, rings forming a bent dragon”.

The Octahedral Han Sword.

He took down the sword and turned to leave when suddenly, he heard a woman’s voice at the door.

“Taking my sword so late, where are you headed?”

“Taishuai?”

Li Yan raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of panic.

“I have some personal matters to take care of, it has nothing to do with the arena.”

“Let’s speak Mandarin, it’s easier for everyone. If you’re not in a hurry, can we talk for a bit?”

Li Yan imperceptibly pursed his lips and nodded: “Sure.”

Yu Shu walked in, took a seat on a chair, and said with a bit of a headache:

“What’s going on with you and Judy?”

“Um…”

“Women, you know.” Yu Shu continued in a sincere tone, “Once you’ve been to bed it’s easy to get confused about where you stand. You should let her know… Hey, why do you look so pale?”

Li Yan blinked: “Me? No, I’m fine.”

Yu Shu didn’t seem to dwell on it, and went on: “Managing the arena isn’t easy, you should understand my position. It’s not a loss for you to play along, right?”

Li Yan gave Yu Shu an odd look.

“Don’t look at me, talk. If there’s an issue, we can sit down and discuss it,” Yu Shu said.

“Taishuai,” Li Yan replied with some frustration, and not just because of Xiu’s mother’s matter.

“Everyone says that the toughest fighter in Kowloon City isn’t the Red Ghost, it’s you. Why don’t we put on some gear and have a friendly spar?”

Yu Shu tilted her head, her waterfall-like hair cascading down.

“Heh, you’re pretty fired up, huh?”

“Ran into some unpleasant matters.”

“No worries, I’m good at helping people cool off.”

In the relatively spacious room, the two stood opposite each other. Li Yan held the Octahedral Han Sword, its cold light gleaming, his expression solemn.

Yu Shu wielded a thick-backed, dark green and black broadsword, its blade uneven, and a ponytail hanging down to her waist.

Bagua Sect, Battle Body Sword.

“Bagua, Yu Shu.”

“Hejian, Li Yan.”

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