A Record of Pleasure

Chapter 42

Everyone, in the process of growing up, more or less discovers that things they couldn't understand before are actually not so complicated after all. Some call it maturity, others call it numbness. Tan Huan used to dislike Baili Liushang; she couldn't understand his way of thinking, and even now, she disagrees with many of his views. However, after spending more time with him, she realizes that her master is just that kind of person. Baili Liushang interprets problems based on his own ideas, and isn't her disagreement with his ideas also a reflection of her own? Subconsciously, isn't her disagreement with Baili Liushang because she believes she's right? Similarly, doesn't her master always believe he's right?

Just because she disagrees with what her master does, she hates him. What's the difference between her and Pei Gumo and the others? Strip away all appearances and start from the most practical question: he taught her martial arts, he saved her life, and she has food and clothes to wear all because of him. So what right does she have to hate him?

The clouds in the sky were tinged with a reddish glow, drifting and shimmering, filling my eyes with the colors of the sunset, creating an unusually beautiful scene.

She didn't know when it started, but she really liked hearing him call her "stupid child" and "Huan'er," though she stubbornly refused to admit it. Her father called her name without emotion, her mother called her name with distance, and many people in the martial arts world called her name with disdain.

But when he called her "silly child" or "Huan'er," a faint smile always filled the depths of his eyes. He would get angry with her, and when he was angry, he would clearly show it, but he never held a grudge against her. Once he was angry, he was angry; once he punished her, he punished her; and after a few days, he would act as if nothing had happened.

Tan Huan smiled slightly. Was this what she had always longed for—a real family?

The next day, the Pei family's gates were wide open. Pei Gumo only kept the people from Youming Valley, and all other guests were to be rescheduled. They waited for half a day, until noon, when they finally saw Baili Liushang leisurely strolling in, with Tan Huan following behind him at a leisurely pace.

Bali sat in the chair with a cold expression, with Ba Ying sitting next to her. Pei Gumo sat in the seat of honor as usual, with Pei Jin sitting beside him.

To be honest, Baili Liushang didn't care much about etiquette and didn't mind where he sat. So he just picked a seat and sat down, his whole attitude lazy and nonchalant. After a while, Pei Gumo waited for a long time but Baili Liushang didn't speak. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting more and more tense, he coughed and said, "Everyone is here. Let's begin."

"Start what?" Bali asked coldly. "Did Alliance Leader Pei invite me here today just to wait for this person?"

Pei Gumo sighed, "We do have a common enemy now. We should make use of what we can, and we should put aside our past grievances."

Bali laughed loudly, "The Tang Clan killed many people from the Netherworld Valley, and Baili Liushang also killed many people from the Netherworld Valley, so in my eyes he is no different from the Tang Clan!"

Baili Liushang's eyes flickered, and he spoke with an indifferent attitude: "Bali, if I were you, I would use Baili Liushang to eliminate the Tang Clan first, and then deal with the other one after eliminating one enemy." He smiled, "Besides, although Pei Gumo wants to take action against the Tang Clan, he has never thought of annihilating the Tang Clan. You and Pei Gumo have different ideas. Without my support, do you think you can go against that old man's stubbornness?"

"Sure enough, you have a silver tongue. Always a loner?" Bali said irritably, "You, Baili Liushang, need anyone's help? Aren't you always a loner?"

Hearing this, Tan Huan's heart trembled. No outsiders knew about her master's internal injuries. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Baili Liushang.

"Haha, I'm not that arrogant. It would be a bit difficult for me and Tan Huan to wipe out the Tang Clan on our own."

Bali asked, "When did you have a grudge against the Tang Clan?"

Baili Liushang paused, glancing curiously at Pei Gumo, and asked, "Didn't Pei Gumo mention that my disciple Luo Yi was taken away by the Tang Clan...?"

"What?!" Bali slammed her hand on the table and stood up. She was also one of the people who knew the secret of the Lonely Dust Sword. If the Tang Clan got Luo Yi, they might really dominate the martial arts world one day. "Baili Liushang, you call yourself the number one in the world, yet you can't even protect your own disciple! You'll only cause trouble for others!"

Baili Liushang leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand, and smiled faintly without answering.

Tan Huan, standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore. She had never heard anyone dare to speak to Baili Liushang like that! If it were in the past, it would have been fine, as her master had enough power to speak. But now, she didn't know how much Baili Liushang's power had declined. She was unhappy to hear someone shouting at her master, so she spoke up without permission: "Luo Yi is Master's disciple. Even if Master wants to give him away, it's not up to outsiders to say anything."

Everyone turned to look at Tan Huan, but she didn't seem to care and continued, "Today's cooperation is just a suggestion. If Valley Master Ba is unwilling, he can refuse. We people from Zhengyang Palace are not here to be lectured like sons!"

Baili Liushang couldn't help but chuckle, "Huan'er, you're in a terrible temper today."

Tan Huan blushed slightly. "Because Master was too lenient today, it's my turn to speak." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "If Master thinks that his disciple is too unruly, then Huan'er doesn't have to interrupt anymore."

Baili Liushang's smile deepened. "No, it has the same flair I had back in the day."

Bali suppressed her temper and stared at the two people in front of her. "Baili Liushang, cooperating with you is fine. There are always casualties in battles. Back then, you did it to save your two disciples. I can admit that I am not as skilled as you, but..." She paused for a moment, then pointed at Ba Ying, "Ba Ying is the most talented child among the younger generation of my Youming Valley. I once wanted to train him to be my successor, but you ruined him. If we are to cooperate, we should at least solve this problem first."

Baili Liushang immediately composed himself, his eyes deep, and said calmly, "You mean you want me to return the power that Tan Huan possessed to Ba Ying?"

"That's right," said Bali.

Baili Liushang's gaze was like a knife. "Several years have passed. Even if Huan'er's power is returned to Ba Ying now, it may not have the effect you imagine, and he may not be able to recover to his original state."

Bali insisted, "Even so, I will return what you took from me."

The atmosphere was incredibly tense, but Baili Liushang remained completely unconcerned, raising an eyebrow and smirking, "Dream on!"

Bali couldn't resist reaching for her weapon, and Tan Huan's right hand had already touched the Lonely Dust Sword at his waist, ready to strike at any moment. Baili Liushang sat leisurely and ignored him, but Pei Gumo couldn't sit still any longer and coughed, "Don't argue, we're here today to discuss things properly."

Bali snorted, "It was Baili Liushang who spoke rudely first."

Baili Liushang sneered, "You were the one who made the unreasonable demand first."

Pei Gumo tried to persuade them gently, but neither of them were people he could easily convince. However, the root of the problem lay with Tan Huan and Ba Ying, and he knew how to deal with the two young men. He glanced at Ba Ying, then at Tan Huan, and after a moment's thought, his gaze finally settled on Tan Huan's face. "Wu Tan Huan, Ba Ying was once your friend. He meant well in saving you, but he lost his martial arts skills in the process. Don't you want to make amends?"

Pei Gumo was exploiting his understanding of Wu Tanhuan and her sympathy. Baili Liushang naturally understood this. He glared coldly at Pei Gumo, then looked at Tanhuan, waiting for her answer.

Tan Huan disliked the feeling that this conflict was caused by him. After thinking for a while, he slowly said, "Valley Master Ba, you want Ba Ying's martial arts to be restored to their original state. You want a perfect successor, right?"

Bali snorted in response. Of course she was unhappy; her carefully groomed successor had been easily destroyed by Baili Liushang, and Ba Ying was a favorite of hers.

“If that’s all there is to it, then I don’t necessarily have to return the martial arts to Ba Ying. Those skills have been in my body for many years and have long since merged with my own.” Tan Huan said indifferently, “I have already learned the move that Master used to pass on his skills. Apart from the people of Zhengyang Palace, Ba Ying can choose one person himself, and I will personally pass on that person’s martial arts to Ba Ying.”

The room fell silent. Pei Gu Mo hadn't expected Tan Huan to say that, Ba Li hadn't expected it, and even Bai Li Liu Shang hadn't expected it.

Tan Huan looked at Ba Ying with a serious expression, "Ba Ying, it's up to you to decide."

Ba Ying's features hadn't changed much compared to before. After listening to Tan Huan's words, he said indifferently, "You wouldn't have done this kind of thing before. After staying in Zhengyang Palace for so long, you've even learned these things?" Recalling Tan Huan from back then, he sighed, "You made me decide so that I would bear the sin of taking away people's power?"

He indulged in pleasure without speaking, neither admitting nor denying it.

Ba Ying's gaze was cold and stern. After looking around, he pointed at Pei Jin and said, "What if I wanted this person's martial arts skills?"

Before Tan Huan could react, Baili Liushang raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of interest appearing on his otherwise dull face. Pei Jin's gaze involuntarily followed Tan Huan, his fists clenching tightly.

"Sigh, why does everyone have to use Pei Jin to test me?" Tan Huan sighed, his eyes bright. "Whether or not I can take Pei Jin's martial arts is a question that should not be asked of me, but of Pei Jin himself, or whether Alliance Leader Pei agrees."

Ba Ying withdrew his finger, his expression calm. "So, if I can subdue Pei Jin, you're willing to transfer his martial arts to me?"

Tan Huan lowered her eyes slightly and remained silent for a while.

Pei Jin looked tenderly at Tan Huan, smiled wryly, put aside his chaotic thoughts, and said to himself, "Ba Ying, your current remarks will damage the relationship between the Pei family and Youming Valley. Please watch your words."

Ba Ying's expression darkened slightly, and he fell silent. His gaze drifted through the window to the distant past for a long, long time. "Tan Huan, I once truly considered you a friend." At first, he only approached her because he thought this girl was very capable, driven by his competitive spirit. Then he developed a little admiration, and then a little appreciation. Later, without realizing it, he came to regard her as a very good friend. That's why he didn't mind teaching her the skills of Youming Valley, and why he disobeyed the Valley Master's orders to secretly let her leave Youming Valley.

Ba Ying laughed, "It was my fault for misjudging people, Valley Master. It's alright. Martial arts can be retrained. I don't need to give up my previous strength. You don't need to refuse to cooperate because of me. Netherworld Valley is full of talented people. Even without me, you can find an outstanding successor."

Tan Huan grew increasingly silent, standing expressionless to the side.

Baili Liushang glanced at her. Was this idiot feeling guilty and upset again? He sneered, his eyes narrowing as he looked at everyone in the room, half-seriously and half-jokingly, "Bali, your apprentice has said so, what do you plan to do?"

Bali said helplessly, "Fine, fine. Just like you said, we have to deal with the enemies one by one. At worst, we can eliminate the Tang Clan and then deal with your Zhengyang Palace. Let's all rely on our strength."

Baili Liushang nodded and said, "Confidence is good, but excessive confidence can easily lead to self-destruction." Bali acted as if she hadn't heard his sarcasm and continued the previous topic, "I agree to cooperate, but I don't know how to cooperate, especially with you, I have no experience. Tell me your plan first, and I'll listen."

Baili Liushang yawned lazily. "Do I look like someone who plans things? I don't have a plan, but I do have a suggestion." He paused, and seeing that Bali and Pei Gumo both looked at him as if they wanted him to continue, he said bluntly, "To deal with the Tang Clan, we should let the people here who have been harmed by the Tang Clan the most and who hate the Tang Clan the most plan it. Only then will the plan be brilliant."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, and all eyes involuntarily turned to Tan Huan.

Baili Liushang laughed contemptuously, "Huan'er, it seems that quite a few people know that you were wronged back then. At least these four people in front of you know that you were framed by the Tang Clan." His smile grew colder and colder, "So-called righteous sects are nothing but this, and the so-called leader of the martial arts alliance is also a despicable villain."

Bali didn't mind being called despicable; she didn't consider herself a good person either. Pei Gumo had been around for so many years, his skin was as thick as iron, and remaining expressionless was his forte. Pei Jin was the most remorseful person present, his face grim and silent. Ba Ying glanced at Tan Huan, then at Baili Liushang, and said nonchalantly, "Because my words just now displeased your disciple, Baili Liushang, are your words considered revenge?"

Baili Liushang did not deny it, and said calmly, "I was just telling the truth."

Tan Huan, who had been standing silently to the side, finally tore off his calm facade and spoke with a firm and powerful voice, "If I can take the lead in taking action against the Tang Clan, I will be extremely grateful."

Baili Liushang chuckled and said, "Since my disciple has taken the initiative to speak, shouldn't you all give him a chance?"

Pei Gumo generously replied, "I don't mind."

Barry looked reluctant. "If she has that ability... well, I'm too lazy to even think about it."

Tan Huan remained neither humble nor arrogant. "Thank you. I hope that Master Ba will lead the experts of Youming Valley to surround the Tang Sect, forcing the Tang Sect to gather all its core forces together. Only then can we wipe them out in one fell swoop. My master and I will secretly infiltrate and ascertain the strength within the Tang Sect. We will then inform you. With inside help, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Bali raised her eyes. "Infiltrating the Tang Clan is the most dangerous thing to do. Are you sure you want to do it?"

Tan Huan smiled faintly, "Senior Brother Luo Yi is still in the hands of the Tang Clan. My master and I must rescue him, and..." Her smile quickly vanished, replaced by a chilling expression, "I want to personally kill Tang Weiyu." She turned to gaze at Baili Liushang, "Master, what do you think?"

"Not bad, that's ambitious."

Pei Gumo interjected, "Don't you need me to do anything?"

Tan Huan stared intently at him. "Alliance Leader Pei, you should continue to maintain your neutral stance. Encirclement and suppression is not something a highly respected martial arts alliance leader should do. Moreover, cooperating with people like us would tarnish your good reputation."

Although Pei Gumo had considered cooperating, he had long decided that even if they cooperated, he would sever ties with Zhengyang Palace. But now, hearing Tan Huan say this with his own ears, his feelings became complicated. "Is that all? Wu Tan Huan, you should know that if I were to intervene, it would be of great help."

Tan Huan feigned indifference and was about to reply when Pei Jin spoke up before he could, "Father, Tan Huan is right. The Pei family's reputation needs you to protect it." He stared intently into Tan Huan's eyes, "However, I don't care."

Tan Huan gazed at him intently.

“I want to participate. Even though I’m the only one from the Pei family, I still want to participate.” Pei Jin smiled. “If I miss it once, I can’t miss it a second time.”

What is the first time? And what is the second time?

Tan Huan didn't want to ask or know. After considering it for a moment, he nodded and said, "Whatever, I can't stop you anyway. However, since you want to participate, you should do your best to help me."

Pei Jin said, "That's natural."

"Then, I have something I need you to do now." Tan Huan looked at him and said, "I need you to take me to see Shu Yunyao. This woman has connections with the Tang Clan, right?"

Pei Jin's expression froze for a moment. He stared blankly at Tan Huan, then suddenly gave a bitter laugh, and then sighed, "She does have connections with the Tang Clan." He gazed intently at Tan Huan, "Alright, I'll take you to see her." The woman he loved was so nonchalant about wanting to see his woman; he didn't know how to describe this feeling.

In some ways, Pei Jinzhen isn't a smart person. Shu Yunyao chose to help him because she liked him, but he wasn't willing to sacrifice even a little bit of his charm to take advantage of her. It's hard to say whether to call him stupid or principled. Especially since Shu Yunyao was poisoned by the Tang Clan and her life was in Tang Weiyu's hands, she was very likely to switch sides if she knew Pei Jinzhen didn't love her.

Shu Yunyao lived in the Pei family's residence, with pure white and clean walls, and graceful willows swaying in the wind outside. The house was neither too big nor too small, but it was enough for one person.

When Tan Huan and the others arrived, Shu Yunyao was sitting calmly outside the door, playing the guzheng. The music was melodious and poignant, conveying a sense of tranquility amidst the sorrow. Tan Huan didn't have the patience to wait for her to finish playing. He strode forward, reached out and stopped her from playing, and said bluntly, "I need to talk to you."

Shu Yunyao's eyes sparkled as she gently stopped what she was doing and smiled, "Are you trying to tell me that you're finally going to marry Brother Jin?"

Tan Huan was too lazy to waste words with her. "I know you're in contact with Tang Weiyu. Is it always you contacting him or him contacting you?"

Shu Yunyao's eyes darted around. "He contacted me."

Tan Huan sneered; she had long anticipated this answer. She tightened her grip on Shu Yunyao's hand slightly. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, but her tone remained flat, "What would he do if he knew you were dead?" She had disliked this woman for a long time, anyway.

Wu Tanhuan had a terrible reputation in the martial arts world; many people had died at her hands. Moreover, she was Baili Liushang's last disciple, so it was obvious she wasn't a soft-hearted person. Shu Yunyao's expression changed slightly, and her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Pei Jin, who was standing in the distance. Just as she was considering whether Pei Jin would help her, she heard a voice that sounded like the Grim Reaper.

Tan Huan lowered her head, leaned close to Shu Yunyao, and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Even if Pei Jin wants to stop me, do you believe I can take your life before he can make a move?"

Tan Huan's voice was low, but it still didn't escape Baili Liushang's keen hearing. A mischievous smile played on his lips. "Huan'er, you're becoming more and more like a teacher."

Shu Yunyao's face paled slightly upon seeing Tan Huan, but turned deathly pale upon seeing Baili Liushang. However, she quickly regained her composure. "Since you were so sure I could contact Tang Weiyu, why bother asking me earlier?"

Tan Huan said, "I don't like intimidation. If you had answered honestly just now, I wouldn't have had to threaten you."

Shu Yunyao glanced at Baili Liushang, then at Tan Huan, and resignedly asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Arrange to meet Tang Weiyu," Tan Huan said calmly. "You've only just met, that guy shouldn't be far away yet."

Tan Huan disliked Shu Yunyao, just as Shu Yunyao disliked Tan Huan. Being threatened by someone she hated stung Shu Yunyao. "There are many ways to contact Tang Weiyu. One of them is to warn him about the trap. You might be the ones who suffer then."

Tan Huan wasn't a good person, but she was honest at heart. She could have easily threatened Shu Yunyao to reveal her secret relationship with Tang Weiyu. It concerned a woman's reputation, and threatening her with that might not have been less effective than threatening her life. Besides, Tan Huan wouldn't have needed to play the villain and ruin her own image. But Tan Huan always felt that was inappropriate. In her mind, it was more merciful to let someone die than to let them live in agony.

"Heh, you've got some nerve, saying things like that when you're as weak as a chicken." Baili Liushang couldn't stand his disciple dawdling and interrupted, "Pei Jin, doesn't this woman like you? Shouldn't she be on your side? How could she say something like that?"

Pei Jin said, "Tan Huan, Yun Yao has been poisoned by Tang Wei Yu. She can help with some small things, but once Tang Wei Yu dies, there will be no one to give her the antidote." This is also why he has hesitated to use Shu Yun Yao. Moreover, even if Tang Wei Yu dies, it may not necessarily affect the entire Tang Clan. It might even give the Tang Clan an excuse to start a war. "So, it's no use for you to force her."

"Heh, isn't it because of your gentleness that you attracted that woman's attention?" Baili Liushang sneered. "Being gentle to another woman in front of the woman you like. Pei Jin, do you really enjoy indulging in pleasure?"

Pei Jin's expression froze instantly.

Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about? Tan Huan's lips twitched. "Master, are you so afraid that chaos will affect our cooperation?"