u/_GODFALL

Disclaimer: I am diaspora, so my Chinese is not at a native level. This was done with the aid of a pop-up Chinese dictionary.

Format:
Original
Retranslation

—

Chapter 1

Looking at the setting sun, Fang Yuan lightly laughed. “The sun sets above the blue mountain, the autumn moon with the wind of spring. The morning is fine like hair and night is like snow, whether you succeed or fail when you look back there’s nothing left.”

Gazing at the green mountains embellished by the glowing sunset, Fang Yuan let out a light laugh. “The sun sets behind verdant mountains, while the autumn moon passes with a spring breeze. Fine black hair in the morning turns to snow in the evening. Right or wrong and success or failure all become meaningless with a turn of the head.”

*Some verses borrowed from Li Bai’s “Bring in the Wine” and Yang Shen’s “Immortals by the River.”

—

Chapter 405

“Since ancient times land immortal pass with the wind, today three kings return to eternal slumber.
Who would not experience failure? Verdant Sun died regretfully. Start over again and proclaim oneself as King.
The carp swims up the heavenly waterfall, travelling alone in the desolate lands and defying heaven.
Spreading my wings and flying away today, becoming an immortal and whipping the phoenix on another day!”

“Earthly immortals pass with the wind throughout the ages, and the three kings of the past return to their lonely graves.
Verdant Sun died with regret, but who does not experience failure? Instead, I shall come back stronger in a swirl of dust and rise to become king.
The heavenly river sweeps away the dragonfish, yet it defies heaven and surveys the hinterlands alone.
Today, I will spread my wings and fly away, but tomorrow, I shall ascend to immortality and flog the phoenix!”
 
—

Chapter 1033

“Ambitious mountains with steps firm as steel, taking large strides with unwavering determination. Taking risks to obtain the essence of the universe, my heart still seeks to rise beyond heaven.”

“Do not say the imposing mountains are a wall of iron, for today I shall take a step forward and surmount from the start. Only by taking risks can I forge a body with the essence of heaven and earth, and my heart remains unchanged as I gaze upon the firmament.”

*First couplet taken from Mao Zedong’s “Loushan Pass.” Yes, the CCP leader.

—

Chapter 1113

(Chu Du) “Walking on a long road for countless years, today I obtain the blessing of azure clouds. Flying above rivers and lakes on these clouds, nothing can obstruct my view of this world.”
(Fang Yuan) “Obstacles and difficulties fill this road, life and death matters little against calamities and tribulations. My body flies like willows with the wind, regardless of wind or mud I still fly free.”

“I have traversed the long road for many autumn, but only today did I receive the blessings of supreme beings. With their support I look down on the martial world, my gaze unobstructed as I survey the heaven and earth.”
“The winding road ends where the world narrows, and endless tribulations reduce life and death to insignificance. My body drifts like the catkins of willow trees, yet my will pierces through unbroken regardless of wind or mud.”

*Thus we arrive at the name Liu Guanyi, with Liu meaning willow, Guan meaning piercing through, and Yi meaning one.

—

Chapter 2212

In my youth I knew the hardships of the world,
Yet I still aspired to soar above the clouds.
A journey of cold winds and uncertainty,
A lone traveler experiences a life of ups and downs.
A heart of steel forged from countless setbacks,
A lifetime of effort to forge one sword.
Today my sword aims beyond the clouds,
Refine Gu! Refine Human! Refine Heaven!!

In my youth, I already knew the hardships of the world,
Yet I still let the wild goose soar through the clouds.
The chilling wind blows as my body drifts like a catkin,
A lone traveler bobbing in the sea of fate.
Through countless grinds and strikes, I forge a heart of steel,
And by exhausting my spirit and mind, I cast a single sword.
Today, I point my sword towards the layered clouds,
Refining Gu, refining humanity, and refining the heavens!

—

Also, some of the poems are not Fang Yuan’s (or Gu Zhenren’s) at all.
For example, the poem from chapter 399 (“Viewing thousands of mountains in deep crimson, layers of trees dyed red; On the limpid blue water, hundreds of barges race against currents…) is actually written by Mao Zedong, and it is named “Spring in a Pleasure Garden Changsha,” or 【沁园春·长沙】. Professor Xu Yuanchong from Peking University has a nice translation:

Hills upon hills are all in red,
Woods upon woods in crimson dressed.
The river green down to the bed,
A hundred ships in a speed contest.
Far and wide eagles cleave the air;
Up and down fish glide o’er depths clear:
All creatures under frosty skies vie to be freer.
Brooding o’er immensity there,
I wonder in this world so vast and dim,
Who decides who will sink or swim?

I may consider retranslating some quotes later. Anyway, feel free to give feedback or criticize. I am not a professional translator by any means.

I’m thinking of buying the sterling silver rectangle foxtail necklace, but I’m worried about the quality since I’ve seen reviews and posts saying JA’s quality is going down. Is it still worth getting for 275 bucks?

This usually happens when I try to defend myself against my transphobic mother, who I otherwise have a great relationship with. Whenever I start talking about my reasons for transitioning and what I didn’t like about being a woman, I start tearing up uncontrollably. For example, a few days ago, when I was explaining to my mom that I self harmed two years ago (I have since stopped) because I didn’t like my female body and its characteristics, my eyes teared up and I even shed some tears. Fucking hell I’m even feeling like crying as I’m typing this. The thing is, I don’t feel particularly sad or depressed, and I don’t want to cry either. In fact, I seldom cry; it’s just this topic that gets me every time, and I don’t think it warrants crying. I don’t cry during regular arguments. It really impedes me from making my claims and getting my point across. Why is this happening, and does it happen to other people as well? Also, how do I stop it?

My dad got me this nice merino wool polo shirt, which is great except it’s women’s style. I’m a trans guy so it will only serve to further accentuate my curves and make me look more feminine, which I obviously don’t want. However, I can’t return it now because the tags have already been cut and it’s been washed. It would be a waste not to wear it, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing it by itself. Are there any jackets I can wear over it? I will mostly be wearing this to high school, so nothing too formal.

post title. should I add some pedalling in the more legato parts of the first movement?

Even after reading the entire novel two years ago, the shitty translation still pisses me off, so I tried editing and retranslating chapter 1 for fun. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Heart of a Demon Never Has Regret Even in Death

“Fang Yuan, quietly hand over the Spring Autumn Cicada and I’ll guarantee you a quick death!”

“Old Demon Fang, stop trying to resist in vain. Today, all of the righteous factions have joined together to eradicate your demon’s lair. We have already laid out an inescapable net, so this time, you won't be able to escape decapitation!”

“Fang Yuan, you damned demon! You slaughtered countless lives just to refine the Spring Autumn Cicada. Your sins are heinous and absolutely unforgivable, numbering beyond imagination!”

“Demon, three hundred years ago you humiliated me, stole my body’s purity, slaughtered my family, and exterminated my nine generations. From that moment on, I’ve wanted nothing more than to feast upon your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I will make you wish you were dead!”

…

Fang Yuan wore deep green robes that had been torn to shreds. His hair was disheveled, and his body was soaked in blood. He surveyed his surroundings.

The bloody robes waved lightly in the mountain breeze like a war flag.

Fresh blood flowed from the numerous wounds on his body. Just by standing there for a short while, a large pool of blood had accumulated beneath Fang Yuan’s feet.

Enemies surrounded him, and there was already no way out.

It was a foregone conclusion that he would die here.

Fang Yuan understood his situation clearly. However, even in the face of death, his expression remained unchanged and calm.

His gaze was as serene as the deep pools of water in an ancient well, bottomless with no end.

The righteous heroes that surrounded him consisted of not only the honorable elders of their respective sects and clans, but also young and talented warriors famous throughout the land. At this moment, they firmly encircled Fang Yuan. Some were roaring, and some were sneering. Some had eyes narrowed with vigilance, while others clutched at their wounds, looking on fearfully.

They did not attack, all wary of Fang Yuan’s last stand.

For six hours, they tensely faced each other like this, until the setting sun cast its last rays on the side of the mountain, momentarily adorning it with a fiery splendor.

Fang Yuan, who had been as silent as a statue, slowly turned around.

The heroes immediately reacted, collectively taking a large step back.

At this moment, the ash-colored mountain rocks beneath Fang Yuan’s feet had long been dyed crimson by his blood. His face, which had become pale from excessive blood loss, suddenly regained a radiant brilliance under the illumination of the sunset.

Gazing at the green mountains embellished by the glowing sunset, Fang Yuan softly let out a laugh.

“The sun sets behind verdant mountains, while the autumn moon passes with a spring breeze. Fine black hair in the morning changes to snow in the evening. Right or wrong and success or failure all become meaningless with a turn of the head.”1

As he recited, scenes of his previous life on Earth suddenly emerged before his eyes.

He was originally a Chinese scholar from Earth who transmigrated to this world by chance. After wandering around and enduring a hard life for three hundred years, he roamed the world unhindered for another two hundred years. Like this, five hundred years of time flashed by in the blink of an eye.

The many memories buried deep inside his heart became vivid, reappearing before his eyes as if he was reliving his life.

In the end, I failed.

Fang Yuan sighed in his heart with some sorrow, yet he had no regrets.

He had foreseen this end result long ago. When he made his choice in the beginning, he was already mentally prepared.

The demonic path does not mean cultivating good deeds, but rather committing slaughter and arson. It means following your heart and roaming without restriction even while facing heaven and earth’s opposition and becoming an enemy to the world.

If the Spring Autumn Cicada I just refined is effective, then I shall still be a demon in my next life!

With this thought, Fang Yuan couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh.

“Old demon, what are you laughing about?”

“Be careful, everyone, the demon is going to make a final counterattack before he dies!”

“Hurry up and surrender the Spring Autumn Cicada!!”

The heroes surged forward, but at that exact moment, a thunderous boom sounded, and Fang Yuan brazenly self-detonated.

…

The spring rain quietly drizzled on Qing Mao Mountain.

The night was already deep, and a cool breeze blew through the fine rain.

However, Qing Mao Mountain was not shrouded in darkness. From the foot of the mountain to halfway up the slope, faint glimmers of light sparkled, as if the mountain was draped in a glittering belt of light.

These lights shone from houses supported by high stilts. Although it couldn’t be said that there were tens of thousands of them, there were still a few thousand in number.

Situated on the mountain was Gu Yue2 Village, giving the vast lonely mountain a rich touch of human civilization.

In the center of the village stood a magnificent pavilion. At this moment, a ceremony for ancestral worship was being held, causing it to be even more brightly lit than ever and radiating with glory.

“Ancestors, give us your blessings! May this awakening ceremony produce youths of outstanding aptitude, bringing forth new blood and hope to our clan!” The Gu Yue clan leader had a middle-aged appearance with greying temples. He was dressed in white ceremonial robes, kneeling on the brownish-yellow floor. His body was straight with his palms held together, and his eyes were tightly shut as he prayed devotedly.

He was facing a tall, three-storied altar painted in black. Enshrined on it were memorial tablets of the clan’s ancestors. On each side of the tablets, red copper incense burners were arranged with smoke slowly curling up.

Behind him knelt a dozen other people. They also wore loose, white ceremonial clothes; they were the clan’s elders and decision-makers, holding power in various aspects.

After praying for a while, the Gu Yue clan leader bent down and pressed his palms to the floor, kowtowing. His forehead struck the brown floor, making a soft thumping sound.

The elders behind him solemnly followed suit in silence.

The clan ancestral hall became filled with soft echoes of foreheads hitting the floor.

As the ceremony finished, everyone slowly rose up from the floor and quietly walked out of the hall.

In the hallway, the clan elders silently let out sighs of relief, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Sounds of discussion slowly rose.

“Time flies by too quickly. In the blink of an eye, a year has already passed.”

“The previous awakening ceremony still feels like it happened just yesterday. I can still recall it vividly.”

“Tomorrow is the annual awakening ceremony. I wonder what talents will emerge in the clan this year?”

“Sigh, I hope there will be a youth with A-grade aptitude this time. It’s already been three years since such a genius appeared in our Gu Yue clan.”

“Indeed, the Bai Family Village and the Xiong Family Village both had geniuses appear in these years. Especially that Bai Ningbing from the Bai Family; his natural talent is truly terrifying.”

When the name of Bai Ningbing was mentioned, the faces of the clan elders couldn’t help but reveal looks of worry.

This child’s aptitude was extremely outstanding. With only two years of effort, he had already cultivated into a rank three Gu master. Among the younger generation, he could be considered the cream of the crop. Even the older generations could feel the pressure from this rising star.

Given time, he would inevitably become the pillar of the Bai Family Village. At the very least, he would become a powerhouse who could hold his own. No one doubted this.

“But, among the youths participating in the awakening ceremony, there is also hope.”

“Indeed. A young genius emerged in the Fang branch. He could speak at three months and walk at four months. At five years old, he could compose and recite poetry. His intelligence is exceptional and he is brimming with talent. It’s a pity that his parents died when he was young. Now, he is being raised by his maternal aunt and uncle.”

“Yes, he not only has wisdom at a young age, but he also harbors great ambitions. In recent years, I have heard his works ‘Bring in the Wine, ‘Ode to the Plum Blossom,’ and ‘River Town.‘3 He is truly a genius!”

The Gu Yue clan leader was the last to exit the clan ancestral hall. As he slowly closed the door, he heard the discussions of the clan elders in the hallway.

He knew at once that they were talking about the youth named Fang Yuan at this moment.

As the head of the clan, he naturally paid attention to the outstanding members of the younger generation, and among them, Fang Yuan was the most eye-catching one.

Experience shows that those who had extraordinary talent at a young age, such as photographic memory or strength rivaling adults, were often those who had excellent cultivation aptitude.

If he is tested to have A-grade aptitude and fostered correctly, it may be possible for him to rival Bai Ningbing. Even if he only has B-grade aptitude, he could become a banner of the Gu Yue clan. But since he has such intelligence at a young age, the possibility of having B-grade aptitude is not large. Instead, it is highly likely that he will be an A-grade.

With this thought, the Gu Yue clan leader couldn’t help but curl up the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Shortly after, he coughed once and told all the clan elders, “Everyone, it is already late. In preparation for the awakening ceremony tomorrow, please make sure to rest well tonight and take good care of your health.”

Hearing this, the clan elders all flinched. A hint of vigilance was hidden in the looks they gave each other.

The clan leader’s words were subtle, but everyone understood the hidden meaning.

Every year, in order to fight over young talents, the clan elders would argue with each other until their faces flushed red and blood flowed from their heads.

They needed to be well rested and preserve their spirit so that they could have enough energy to fight for them tomorrow.

Especially Gu Yue Fang Yuan, who had a high chance of having A-grade aptitude. Moreover, both of his parents passed away, so he was one of two orphans of the Fang branch. If one could take him into their own family branch and cultivate him well, their family’s prosperity could be guaranteed for a hundred years!

“However, let me state the unpleasant things first. The competition must be fair and square, so no tricks or conspiracies that could damage the clan’s unity are allowed. Everyone, please keep this in mind!” The clan leader reminded everyone strictly.

“We wouldn’t dare, we wouldn’t dare.”

“We will definitely keep it in mind.”

“Then, we shall take our leave. There is no need to see us out, clan leader.”

One after another, the elders slowly left, with each harboring their own thoughts.

Soon, the long hallway became desolate.

Outside, the spring rain fell, and the slanted wind blew. The clan leader lightly approached the window.

He inhaled the fresh and moist mountain air, refreshing his mind.

From the third floor attic, the clan elder looked into the distance, covering half of Gu Yue Village with his gaze.

Even though it was late at night, most of the households in the village still had their lights on, which was unusual at this hour.

Tomorrow is the awakening ceremony, and it concerns everyone’s best interests. An excited yet tense atmosphere enveloped the hearts of the clan members, causing many people to be unable to fall asleep.

“These are the hopes for the clan’s future.” With the speckled lights reflecting in his eyes, the clan leader let out a deep sigh.

At this moment, a similar pair of clear eyes quietly gazed at the flickering lights in the deep night, filled with complex feelings inside.

Gu Yue Village, so this is five hundred years ago?! Looks like the Spring Autumn Cicada really worked…

Fang Yuan’s eyes gazed deeply as he stood before the window, letting the wind and rain hit his body.

The use of the Spring Autumn Cicada was to turn back time. Among the ten great mystical Gu, being able to rank seventh was naturally no small matter.

In short, it is rebirth.

With the Spring Autumn Cicada, I have been reborn, turning back time to five hundred years ago!

Fang Yuan extended his hand, his gaze fixed on his youthful and somewhat pale palm. Then he slowly clenched his fist, tightly grasping this reality.

The sound of the drizzling rain hitting the windowsill filled his ears. He slowly closed his eyes, only opening them after a long time. He sighed, “Five hundred years of life truly feels like a dream.”

However, he knew clearly that this was definitely not a dream.

1. A reference to Li Bai’s “Bring in the Wine” and Yang Shen’s “Immortals by the River.”
2. Gu Yue: It means Ancient Moon in direct translation. The clan has an affinity with moon things. The ‘Gu’ used here is a different Chinese character from the mystical Gu insects.
3. Chinese poems by Li Bai, Lu You (or Mao Zedong, depending on the version), and Su Shi, respectively.

For context, I‘m a guy in high school, and I got a 103 for CORE WMI test. I can certainly feel this in daily life, but when it comes to studying, I feel like my memory is pretty good? For example, while my friend works her butt off to study for AP Biology exams, making flashcards and doing a lot of memory recall, I procrastinate and cram one day before the exam by reading over my notes once and speedrunning through Collegeboard videos. I feel like AP Biology is a very memorization heavy course, yet I always end up getting A‘s and a higher grade than her. I also see that WMI correlates with better math skills, but I always do well in my somewhat accelerated math courses in school (eg getting 100s in AP Precal as a sophomore). So how relevant is WMI in studying and academics? I don’t quite understand how my WMI could be poor but my overall memory when studying is good.

The moderators refuse to unban and want me to contact reddit admins to get rid of the flag. However, I can't seem to submit a ban evasion appeal on the reddit appeal page because my account is "neither suspended nor restricted." Also, the flag is very much unjustified because I have never been banned before on that subreddit, not even on my previous accounts. What do I do?

I’m a student heading to China for two months. Is it better to buy a cheap 机场 or should I get a VPN? I dont quite understand how this all works. Also, is shadow rocket on IOS still effective?

I am trying to study calculus through AOPS in preparation for taking IB Math HL next year, but i am getting very confused. Are there any good textbook or study material recommendations to supplement my learning? I feel like AOPS isn’t very, well, beginner friendly, despite having taken AP Precalculus beforehand.

For context, I am a big fan of chinese cultivation novels but I have never played rimworld type games before. tbf i haven’t played many games either, with the notable ones being Sunless Sea (skipped all the story/lore), Sunless Skies (skipped all the story again), Dredge (boring), and Civilization VI (a little stressful).

What is the game like and is it easy to get bored of? What should I expect from amazing cultivation simulator?

Alternatively, I’m thinking of getting Persona 5, but I doubt i would enjoy it since I don’t have the patience for Sunless Sea story.

I am making soft caramel (heated to softball stage) with evaporated milk, can I add some milk powder to intensify the milk flavour