Xian Ni Chapter 1 – Leaving Home
MARCH 15, 2015 VOIDTRANSLATIONS36 COMMENTS
TLN: So, as promised here is the first chapter to the Chinese Web Novel Xian Ni, be sure to provide feedback good or bad and mistakes. It is helpful because this is my first attempt at doing something like this.
Due credit to OSTNT which was the main inspiration for me picking up this novel as well as helping me with deciding on the standard terminology. For readers who want to read ahead, do check out the manhua, although I would advise you that there are certain marked differences between the two which will be revealed once I am able to grind out more chapters.
Without further ado, I present to you Chapter 1:
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Tie Zhu sitting on the roadside of the village, was looking at the blue sky in a daze, Tie Zhu was not his real name, but because of his frailty since childhood, his father being afraid of him not able to make a living, gave him a traditional nick name.
His real name is Wang Lin, Wang is considered as the most common surname in several surrounding villages, being a family of Carpenters, Wang’s family are quite well known and have number of shops specializing in selling wood products.
Tie Zhu’s father was the second son in the family and born from a concubine, thus could not take over family business and after marriage left town to settle down in a village.
As a result of his excellent carpentary, Tie Zhu’s family are considered well-off family, having no need to worry about food or clothing, and are well respected even in the village.
Tie Zhu was an intelligent child, liked reading and thinking a lot, and was accepted as the village prodigy, and every time his father heard someone praise him, the wrinkles on his face subside revealing a joyful smile.
His Mother also takes good care of him, can be said that since childhood, he has lived a life full of parental affection, and he knew that his parents had high expectations of him, where other children of his age had to do farm work in fields, he was at home reading.
As many more ideas come, he is full of yearning for the world outside the village. Looking up from the book towards the end of the road, Tie Zhu closed the book, got up and walked towards his house.
His Father was sitting in the yard, holding a pipe, inhaling deeply, asked Tie Zhu who had come in after pushing the door open, “What Book are you reading?”.
Tie Zhu murmured out a few words, his Father knocking the ashes out of the pipe, got up and said, “Tie Zhu you have to study hard, next year is the District Exam, you have no ambition, everyone can see this, don’t be like me and stay your whole life in this village, sigh.”
“Well, You are complaining everyday, if you ask me, Tie Zhu is sure to get admitted.” Tie Zhu’s mother put the food she was carrying on the table, and called the father and son over for dinner.
Sighing, Tie Zhu sat down, casually pulled out a few mouthfuls, Mother affectionately cut out small pieces of meat.
“Dad Fourth Uncle is coming, right?” Tie Zhu asked.
“Calculating the time, he should be here soon.” Your Fourth uncle has better prospects than your father. Sigh. “Tie Zhu’s Mother Have you prepared and wrapped the dishes for Fourth Brother?” Tie Zhu’s Father mentioning the Fourth Uncle had sadness showing on his face
Tie Zhu’s mother nodded Sighing, she said: “Tie Zhu Your Fourth Uncle is a good person. Thanks to his help, Your father was able to sell wood carvings at good price. If you are able to achieve great prospects, Do not forget to repay your Fourth Uncle.”
As was saying this, Suddenly, the sound of a horse was heard through the door, which was followed by sound of horse carriage stopping abruptly. A hearty voice rang out,
“Second Brother, Open the door it’s me”
Tie Zhu is pleasantly surprised. Immediately rushed to open the door to the yard. Saw only a robust and lean middle-aged man. Starry eyed he stood outside. Seeing Tie Zhu, he laughing touched his head. Smiling, he said:“Tie Zhu I didn’t see you for just six months and you grew so tall”
Tie Zhu’s parents stood up hastily,his father said with a smile:“Fourth Brother,I figured that you would be coming soon,come on in, Tie Zhu go and get you a stool for your Fourth Uncle”
Tie Zhu complying happily, hurried back to the house and put down a bench beside the table, carefully wiping it with his sleeve, looking at the middle-aged man with eyes filled of expectation.
The middle-aged man winked at him, said jokingly:“Tie Zhu, how can you be so diligent, you were not so hard working last time I came here.”
Tie Zhu’s father peeked at Tie Zhu and smiled: “That little bastard, was just now complaining how you weren’t coming soon.”
The middle-aged man saw Tie Zhu’s face going red,laughing:“Tie Zhu, your Uncle didn’t forget his promise.” Then pulled out two books and put them on top of the table.
Tie Zhu let out an excited tone, and picked up the book to read at once, unable to contain his joy.
Tie Zhu’s mother,lovingly eyed her son, and addressed the middle-aged man:“Lao Si,Your Brother is always talking about you, this time please stay for a few days.”
The middle-aged man shook his head:“Second Sister-in-law,I am busy right now due to family work and have to rush back tomorrow,however after this is done, I will come back.” He looked apologetically at his Second brother.
Tie Zhu’s father sighed and said:“Fourth Brother,don’t listen to your sister-in-law,wrapping up family business is most important,we can meet again in the future too.”
The Middle-aged man looking at Tie Zhu’s Father,said:“Second Brother,Tie Zhu is fifteen year old now right?”
Tie Zhu’s father nodded and said:“This little bastard would become Sixteen in an year,Ah,these past ten years have gone by in a flash.” Saying so, he looked dotingly upon his son.
Middle-aged man pondered a while,then speaks in serious tone:“Second Brother,Second Sister-in-law,there was a thing i wanted to discuss with you,the Heng Yue is taking in disciples,and our Clan is allowed to nominate three people and out of those three people, I can chose one.”
Tie Zhu’s father,was at a loss for words:“Heng Yue School? But that Heng Yue school is for Saints?”
Middle-aged Man smiled, nodding he said:“Second Brother,If that is a Saint school,then our clan is also a prominent one,My son you know does not like reading and is only good with swords,I believe the Saints won’t be too thrilled at receiving my boy.This is a precious opportunity,and I have watched Tie Zhu since childhood,he is intelligent,likes to study,perhaps he may be able to utilize it.”
Tie Zhu’s mother feeling delighted said:“Lao Si,This……this……”
Middle-aged man touched Tie Zhu’s head and said: “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-Law, I will take care of this matter, so let Tie Zhu try and if he is selected that would be his good fortune”。”
Tie Zhu was confused,trying to understand what his parents and his uncle meant by Saints? What is a Saint? Tie Zhu asked hesitantly but softly.
The Middle-aged man grew serious and looking at Tie Zhu said: “Tie Zhu, the Saints have the ability to fly, and each one of them are beings that us mortals cannot comprehend.”
At this Tie Zhu grew a curiousity towards the Saints.
Tie Zhu’s father got excited and pulledhis wife and Tie Zhu to bow to the Middle-aged man. The Middle-aged man quickly pulled them up sincerely, and said,”Second Brother, What are you doing My mother died early, but second mother took care of me like her own child, without which I would not be here today, Tie Zhu is my nephew and I ought to do alteast this much.”
Tie Zhu’s father crying with emotion, heavily patted the middle aged man, then nodded and said sternly to Tie Zhu: “Wang Lin, you must remember in the future, your Fourth Uncle’s favour to our family, otherwise I will not consider you my son!”
Tie Zhu’s heart shook,although he was ignorant about Saints,but seeing his parent’s faces he could see that they attached great importance to this matter,he knelt infront of his Fourth Uncle,and kowtowed multiple times heavily banging his head on ground.
The Middle-aged man pulled up Tie Zhu appreciatively,and said: “Boy,you have a few days to clean yourselves up,I will come fetch you at the end of this month!”
That evening, Tie Zhu went to sleep early, his ears caught his father and his uncle’s voices coming from the yard, his father was very happy today, and although he rarely drinks, he had asked his Fourth Uncle to drink with him.
“Saint? What exactly is a Saint?” Tie Zhu is very excited,because even his young mind is vaguely aware, that this could be his one chance, a chance to go into the outside world!