Chapter 124: Chapter 121: Hero’s Tomb, Place of Tenderness!

Let me analyze this Chinese web novel Chapter to understand its context and style before translating.

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a historical fantasy/cultivation novel set in ancient China.

Language style: The text has a somewhat formal narrative style with conversational dialogue. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Tone: The tone is descriptive and straightforward, with some light humor and character development.

Plot keywords: monastery, brothel district, search for a Buddhist abbess, companions traveling together

Characters:

- 武良辰 (Wu Liangchen): Male protagonist, seems to be leading the group and looking for someone

- 杨莲儿 (Yang Lian’Er): Female, appears to be a performer/singer based on context, traveling with Liangchen

- 武梦婵 (Wu Mengchan): Female, appears to be Liangchen’s sister, shy and inexperienced

- An elderly nun at the monastery who informs them the abbess is away

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Now I’ll translate this Chapter while adhering to all the specified rules. I’ll pay special attention to the glossary terms, ensuring consistent usage.

Here’s my translation, working paragraph by paragraph:

The story takes place in what seems to be a red-light district called Flower Square (花悦坊), where the protagonist Wu Liangchen is looking for a Buddhist monastery called Jingxin Courtyard (净心院). He’s traveling with two women - Yang Lian’Er and his sister Wu Mengchan. They arrive at the monastery only to find out that the abbess they’re looking for is away with no certain return date.

I’ll now translate the full text:

A nunnery built within a brothel district?

Interesting!

Wu Liangchen tipped the waiter a handful of copper coins, then led the two women out of the restaurant, heading straight for Flower Square.

Sure enough.

After walking through several streets, they came upon an extremely bustling red-light district.

Brothels and theaters stood everywhere, with the constant sound of string and bamboo instruments playing. The clinking of wine cups and laughter of men and women could be heard from far away.

Mixed in were the loud thanks from tea sellers receiving tips and madams flattering their wealthy guests with honeyed words.

All in all, this Flower Square was several times more prosperous than the lawless zone in Dinghai City.

Driving the carriage in was impossible, so Wu Liangchen simply left it at the parking area outside. There were dedicated attendants watching over the carriages, though the fee wasn’t cheap—ten large coins for a single hour.

That was enough for a commoner to have a full meal.

But judging by how tightly packed the carriages were in the parking area, it was clear just how good business was at Flower Square.

Wu Liangchen had Yang Lian’Er and his sister disguise themselves a bit, as their beauty was simply too eye-catching.

Even so, once Wu Liangchen led them into Flower Square, they still drew sidelong glances from passersby.

Among them, the men’s reactions were almost identical—first being stunned by the two women’s beauty, then looking at Wu Liangchen with immense envy.

As for the women selling their smiles by the doorways, their reactions were more complicated.

Some were deeply attracted to Wu Liangchen walking in front, as young men with such upright posture and outstanding demeanor were rare.

Others stared at Yang Lian’Er and Wu Mengchan with alertness and wariness.

After all, if girls this beautiful were entering the trade, it meant competition in Flower Square would become even fiercer.

Yang Lian’Er didn’t mind this, since when performing on stage, she faced far more gazes than this.

Many of those had been ill-intentioned, too numerous to count.

By comparison, this was nothing.

But Wu Mengchan couldn’t handle it. She was naturally shy, and now being observed by so many people, her anxiety was obvious. Her body trembled slightly, and she kept her head down as if wishing she could bury it in the ground.

Sensing her discomfort, Yang Lian’Er suddenly took her hand.

Wu Mengchan was startled.

Yang Lian’Er leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I’ll teach you a trick. Just pretend all these people are talking pumpkins, and you won’t feel nervous anymore."

Hearing this, Wu Mengchan couldn’t help but giggle, and amazingly, she truly wasn’t nervous anymore.

"See? It works!" Yang Lian’Er smiled.

"Mm-hmm!" Wu Mengchan nodded vigorously.

By now, Wu Liangchen had led them to the center of Flower Square, where Jingxin Courtyard was located.

From the outside, it was a small compound with walls painted plain white, forming a stark contrast to the colorful debauchery surrounding it.

The two wooden doors were slightly ajar. Walking up the steps, one could smell the sandalwood incense wafting from inside, bringing a sense of tranquility to anyone who inhaled it.

Wu Liangchen felt somewhat relieved.

Based on these two observations, the waiter hadn’t lied—this was indeed a legitimate monastery.

Though its location was truly strange, on further reflection, there was a certain Buddhist compassion in preaching salvation in the midst of what some might consider hell.

Wu Liangchen approached and gently knocked on the wooden door.

After a moment, an elderly nun with a deeply wrinkled face opened the door. Seeing a young man standing there, she was startled, then pressed her palms together in greeting.

"Amitabha. Sir, this is a nunnery that forbids entry to men."

"You misunderstand, Master. I don’t wish to enter. I wanted to ask if the abbess of Jingxin Courtyard is present. A descendant of an old friend has come specially to see her," Wu Liangchen explained.

"You’ve come at an unfortunate time. Our abbess left just two days ago and is currently not in the monastery," the elderly nun said.

Not here?

Wu Liangchen’s heart sank upon hearing this, but he asked again, "May I ask when the abbess will return?"

The elderly nun shook her head. "I don’t know. Our Patriarch didn’t say when she left."

"Even approximately?"

"The venerable one’s movements are unpredictable. She might return in three to five days, or it could be three to five months. So please, sir, I must ask you to leave."

With that, the elderly nun closed the compound door, leaving Wu Liangchen standing somewhat dazed at the entrance.

Their journey had truly been filled with hardships, and now, having finally reached Huangpu Guard, they discovered the person they sought wasn’t there, and worse, no one knew when she would return. Wu Liangchen’s mood was easy to imagine.

However, he quickly regained his composure, turned around, descended the steps, and said to the equally dazed Yang Lian’Er:

"Let’s go find a place to stay."

Yang Lian’Er had naturally heard what the elderly nun said, and felt a complex mix of emotions.

Amid disappointment and dejection, there was oddly a trace of relief.

Because if the abbess had been present, Wu Liangchen and his sister would have completed their task after delivering her, and would likely leave soon afterward.

After spending so much time together, Yang Lian’Er had come to view the Wu siblings as her family, and naturally didn’t want them to leave.

So seeing that the abbess wasn’t there, Yang Lian’Er secretly felt a hint of relief.

Of course, she didn’t show this, and simply followed obediently behind Wu Liangchen as they headed out of Flower Square.

By now, Flower Square was even more lively than when they had arrived. Women either stood by doorways or called from upstairs balconies, greeting passersby.

Small vendors selling various snacks nimbly weaved through the streets with specially designed baskets on their backs.