Chapter 235 Crystal Meat – Spiritual Leopard Version (l)
Translated by Gumihou
Edited by Gumihou
Shiyu carefully scooped the little drop of liquid into a jade bottle. As for the blood essence… she looked down at herself and saw for the first time how miserable her appearance was and decided to take a break.
She popped out of her space and her eyes automatically went to the window sill.
On that bright green bamboo sill was a simple earthenware pot where a white and plump radish sat quietly inside. Thus far, nothing of note had happened yet.
[1] The last time they spoke, San Pang said he would sleep for six or seven days. However, that was more than 10 days ago. Is he alright?She stared at the ordinary little pot for a moment before withdrawing another Jade Petal Immortal Lotus and used Ocean Heart Flame to refine it to its liquid essence before sprinkling it over San Pang’s still body. She waited for another few moments. However, when nothing changed, she decided to head downstairs first.
When she arrived at the bottom floor, everyone was shocked by her terrible appearance. More than a few leapt to their feet and offered up energy restoring pills. Shiyu accepted one and sighed, [1] “I’m really fine, just tired. Today’s plan is to properly relax and recover.”
“If you’re working for our sake, don’t. We’ve done our best and managed to get to this point, whether we win or lose later it’s up to fate. There’s no need to make things difficult for yourself,” said Lin Fan.
He knew that this girl was different from them [1] and has a lot of secrets of her own. However, he still did not want her to work too hard.
“It’s fine,” Shiyu waved a hand at him. “I may look terrible, but this is part of my Cultivation. You can all go and Cultivate, I’m going to go relax and stroll around outside. Don’t worry, I’m not the type to take unnecessary risks.”
Everyone was relieved by this. It was really rare to see Shiyu so exhausted. Normally, she was the type to go around eating and cooking things while others practised their martial arts or Cultivated. [1] However, she still achieves results, which was why nobody ever commented on her apparent lack of effort. Therefore, it was a great shock to see her in such a miserable state.
After a short rest, Shiyu went out for her relaxing stroll.
The Nascent Formation Leopard blood essence and beast core were now ready. However, there was only one of each. If she wasted them both, there would be no second chance. The pressure she felt was too high, she was not in a good mental state to handle such precious ingredients.
This was why she decided to go out and do a little exploring.
A Cultivator’s life is longer than a mundane person’s. Many Cultivators became obsessed about becoming immortal and stayed away from ordinary people, forgetting that [2] the road to Cultivation involves more than just meditation and physical training. One has to Cultivate the heart and soul as well, and the best way to do it was to mingle among the mortals and understand what it means to really live.
After all, if one cannot recognise the mortal world, how do you escape it?
[2] All beings exist in the mundane world first and were inexplicably influenced by it. The key to their Cultivation could well be found among the mundane.As Shiyu strolled along the streets and watch the ordinary people bustled about with their own private lives, the vibrant atmosphere made her feel as though she was part of the world as well. She had not come here to develop her character or Cultivation. The purpose of coming here was just to lose herself in this bustling world. Somehow, the anonymity of this busy world calmed her heart.
It had been two years since she first opened her eyes as a beggar in this world.’
Time had eroded some of her memories. The high-rise buildings, the honking of cars and the wail of ambulances that sometimes visited her dreams were getting fainter and fainter with time. The faces of former friends were blurring out, leaving only fleeting impressions.
Even… the impact of death had lessened. As someone who had wandered past the hallways of death many times, it no longer held as much meaning.
The only thing she remembered was a haze of red. If she tried to think too hard about it, unease suffused her heart. She must be dead in that other world by now. Perhaps the memory she had of that day was her spirit looking at her own dead body?
Times like this made her crave the noise and bustle of the living.
Yes, just like this lively street.
Shiyu strolled past shops and stalls, stopping now and then to buy something or chat with vendors. When she overheard something interesting, she would stop and listen in on their conversation while picking through the stall offerings.
[3] “The Dong family demolished a wall to build a house and would you believe it? They found a pot of gold under the ruins!” [3] “That Xi family’s son is a damned rascal, he tried to drive his mother out to live as a beggar! Fortunately, the neighbours found out and beat him up,” [3] “Nan family’s son is looking to marry, I heard he’s handsome and talented…”And so forth.
As she continued to eavesdrop on these little dramas, Shiyu realised that while life may not be a bed of roses, it was not all thorns either. Life cannot keep going wrong. Like the rise and fall of tides, human fortunes would rise and fall too.
After indulging herself for a while, Shiyu paid for her purchases. She was about to leave when another bit of gossip caught her ear.
“… did you hear about Hai’er Alley?” [4] [4] Shiyu paused, picked up something else from the stall and pretended to inspect it.
[4] “That foreigner family, didn’t they have a sick little girl? I heard she’s still sick even after all that treatment. She’s so weak she couldn’t even get out of bed. Too pitiful, ah,” said a woman.“Ain’t that right? But she’s a good little girl. I visited her just a few days ago, you know? She’s very obedient, didn’t cry or nothing. Even smiled at me! Breaks my heart, I tell you.”
[4] There was heavy sighing from both ladies, “Those parents… really…” [4] Shiyu’s hand automatically lowered the item and picked up something else again. Her thoughts were all muddled. [5] Were they talking about the same little girl she had given that special medicinal essence imbued Chestnut Cakes to? Shouldn’t that little girl be well by now? She had done her best to only use mild Water Attribute herbs with warming and revitalizing properties. Even if it does not get rid of her illness immediately, she should be much better than before. [5] From the gossip she heard, the little girl had some kind of heart condition. Was her heart condition even worse than she had thought?Frowning, Shiyu abandoned the item in her hand and made to leave. She wanted to take a look at the girl and see for herself. Before she could leave, however, the raised voices of angry women made her stop.
[4] “Them family is nasty! Nasty people, I tell you! Now, I’m not a fancy scholar or nothing, but the donation they get by now should be a few hundred thousand taels at least! Maybe even a million! So why isn’t that poor little child better, huh?” the strident and angry voice rang across the streets [4] “I know!” someone else chimed in. “I donated a few dozen taels myself. It’s not much, but I want that little girl to get better. I was passing there yesterday, looking to learn some news and saw a City Guard at their door! Turns out the neighbours and a few others had been scolding that family every day and the parents were nearly dragged out and beaten to death just two days ago!” [4] “Too bad that the City Guard came,” [4] All the listeners shook their heads sadly at this injustice. [4] “It gets worse,” said the talkative woman who seems to have the most information. “A family friend from Lin Shui City told me that terrible family have three houses and two shops there! What family who loves their child wouldn’t sell off them properties for medicine, huh?!” [4] “Properties in Lin Shui City? Are you sure?” Shiyu was not the only one listening with rapt attention now. [4] “Sure as I can, seeing as I confronted those black-hearted parents meself!” she turned her head and spat. “I marched over there and asked them why they don’t sell those Lin Shui properties and you know what them black-hearted black-bellied vermins say to me!?” [4] “What? What?” [4] “Those scums said they could not sell those properties because it belonged to their blasted cheeky little male spawn!”[Gumihou: Gumi will admit, she made the dialogues more exciting and gossipy]
Gumihou is keeping track so that you don’t have to ~
| 凝氣 | Condensation Stage | Stage 1 |
| 化丹 | Core Transformation | Stage 2 |
| 凝丹(46) | Core Condensation | Stage 3 |
| 化神(52) | Divine Transformation | Stage 4 |
| 成嬰 | Nascent Formation | Stage 5 |
| 合體 | Unification | Stage 6 |
| 返墟 | Revert Decay | Stage 7 |
| 歸真 | Original Purity | Stage 8 |
| 成仙 | Become immortal | Stage 9 |
[1] Some small adjustments to smooth over the translation and transition. [2] Weird explanation, adjusted it after having to read it a few times. [3] Split paragraph and switch passive sentences to dialogue for bigger impact. [4] Additional Details for Logistic & Dramatic & Comedic Purpose: To make the transition and action more natural. Also, I expanded it like a lot, come on, it’s funnnyyy, trolol! [5] POV – Shiyu: The original ‘overheard dialogue’ was a little stiff and unnatural, made it more natural and flexible with outraged accents.
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Many charities spend a huge amount on the careers of its executive members. Another standard trick is to allow subcontracting by subcontractors in order to use up all the funds to pay off friends, relatives, and people for whom personal favors are desired. This occurred in Japan with the radiation cleanup efforts. Much of the government and Tepco money was wasted. First, the gov’t or Tepco hired people to cleanup a section of land. These contractors would then subcontract to subsidiary companies to perform the task. You see this is “double dipping” where they essentially charge the gov’t/tepco twice for the task. That subcontractor might hire a company run by his son. That son then subcontracts his wife’s company to perform the cleanup task. The wife’s paper corporation then hires her uncle’s company to perform the task. That uncle’s company then performs the task with whatever little funds remain out of the original contract fee the gov’t or tepco provided.
.
This same trick is used by charities to enrich individuals or favored companies owned by relatives and friends or owned by people they owe favors too.
.
Red Cross Built Exactly 6 Homes For Haiti With Nearly Half A Billion Dollars In Donations
www DOT huffpost DOT com/entry/red-cross-haiti-report_n_7511080
archived duplicate: archive DOT ph/NXAkb
As Shiyu will presumably (I don’t read ahead), the majority of donations to charitable purposes often don’t end up in the disaster victims’ hands. Instead, the donations go to pay overhead (load).
Overhead charges can be large in some charities as the CEO, board of directors, and employees (such as spouse, family, friends) are large. The benefits (medical, dental, housing, clothing, food, misc) and retirement and pension packages of such employees may be generously large too. In the United States, there is the United Way charity. It used to be very big with public promotions but shrunk due to scandals. For example, its local office in my city built a 55 million dollar (adjusted to 2021) office building (very nice) of its own. The local chapter CEO (back then) had the charity pay for meals, transportation (company car), and even clothing. When questioned about all the luxury living expenses paid by the charity, the CEO said it was important to live like a CEO in order to be able to talk to other corporate CEO’s about charity purposes and to gain their support for the local branch of United Way. I quit donating to United Way when I heard that the local branch load was huge.
True, it’s all very corrupted. Maybe I should also discontinue my UNICEF donations…
Many charities spend a huge amount on the careers of its executive members. Another standard trick is to allow subcontracting by subcontractors in order to use up all the funds to pay off friends, relatives, and people for whom personal favors are desired. This occurred in Japan with the radiation cleanup efforts. Much of the government and Tepco money was wasted. First, the gov’t or Tepco hired people to cleanup a section of land. These contractors would then subcontract to subsidiary companies to perform the task. You see this is “double dipping” where they essentially charge the gov’t/tepco twice for the task. That subcontractor might hire a company run by his son. That son then subcontracts his wife’s company to perform the cleanup task. The wife’s paper corporation then hires her uncle’s company to perform the task. That uncle’s company then performs the task with whatever little funds remain out of the original contract fee the gov’t or tepco provided.
.
This same trick is used by charities to enrich individuals or favored companies owned by relatives and friends or owned by people they owe favors too.
.
Red Cross Built Exactly 6 Homes For Haiti With Nearly Half A Billion Dollars In Donations
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/red-cross-haiti-report_n_7511080
archived duplicate: https://web.archive.org/web/20210916070946/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/red-cross-haiti-report_n_7511080
archived duplicate: https://archive.ph/NXAkb
This happens everywhere…
Haiz…
Did you try muniere frying?
I tried it once and it’s very fragrant. I batter the fish lightly in starch before frying in a combination of butter and oil over medium high heat. Inspired by Mukouda-san to try it.
I use either broiling in the countertop oven or steaming. Before cooking, I lightly apply a marinade of kikkoman soy sauce mixed with a little bit of water, finely chopped ginger, finely chopped scallions, and a little bit of white sugar to help browning. It’s mixed in a small handheld bowl with a spoon which I use to bruise (mash) the ginger and scallions against the side of the bowl. Bruising the scallions and ginger releases the flavor. It is not applied in such a quantity that it becomes “teriyaki” flavored, but is just enough to accent the fish. It’s rare, but sometimes I will add a pinch of cayenne pepper powder to the marinade for heat.
Nice!