星宿

*I put my translations here *JP>EN *if you see a mistake, feel free to correct me

[shuusuis]

[ENG] Mukanshu Main Story 2: Kunlun Mountains

Mukanshu （夢間集）Main Story 2: Kunlun Mountains, Scenes 1 - 10. Currently up: Scenes 1-7 Read below ↓

*Currently being updated. I’ll post the scenes as I get through them. 

Scene 1: Echoes in the Snowy Mountain

The endless chain of mountains stretched out before us; the space between heaven and earth filled with fog, enveloping us.

A creeping sense of uneasiness fell over me as we sat together in the snow.

Toryuu: This place seems like a good place to duke it out. How about it, Iten, wanna have a round?

Iten: A world of ice and snow… it certainly seems like a good place to die, doesn’t it? If that were the case, you might as well be buried here and cool down for a while.

Ryoku: Hey now, we’re comrades aren’t we, let’s try and get along!?

Player: You two are pretty close, aren’t you?

Kinrei: Are you enjoying yourselves? If you find this fun, your really are pathetic.

Ryoku: P-pathetic?!

Ryoku: Hey, hey! Geez, if fighting is so fun, why not save it for the monsters.

Right then, a monster suddenly appeared and attacked.

Kinrei: Hmph. Speak of the devil, was it?

Ryoku: That seems to be the case, huh!

Scene 2: Sudden Avalanche

Ryoku: Anyway, what’s that rumbling sound just now?

Iten: Probably an avalanche.

Ryoku: How can you say that so calmly!

Toryuu: SHUT UP AND RUN!

Scene 3: Wildfire of Holy Flames

The deafening roar of the avalanche encroached upon us as we continued to run.

Toryuu: (panting) hey, hurry up!

Player: (panting)... I can’t run anymore....hurry, Ryoku....

Ryoku: (panting) n...no more, I’ll just let the snow bury me....

Kinrei: (panting) If that’s how you choose to die, then I won’t stop you.

Suddenly, a large chunk of snow came crashing down, burying us beneath it.

Iten: …………

Toryuu:  …………

Player:  …………

Kinrei:  …………

Kinrei: Ryoku… do you know the meaning of the words  “be careful what you wish for?”(1)

Ryoku: Everyone...I’m...I’m sorry!

Player: But how could an avalanche occur in the Kunlun mountains...

Iten: It’s most likely the work of those monsters.

Kinrei: As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter where I am… Even the ancient tomb was fine…Now that the danger has passed, I’m getting out of here. Pardon me as I take my leave first.

???: Without realizing it, within the heavy snowfall of Mount Kunlun, a barrier has sealed us inside.  Entering is easy, but leaving is far more difficult-- not to mention its teeming with monsters.

Toryuu: Seika? Is that you?

Seika: Well if it isn’t little Toryuu (2)! Why don’t we reminisce a bit on old times.

Toryuu: Don’t call me that…

Seika: Ah, little Toryuu, is that any way to speak to your savior? I carried you on my back when you were badly hurt; you were so much cuter back then when you couldn’t move around.

Toryuu: Call me “little Toryuu” one more time and I’ll kill you!

Iten: A fish large enough to swallow a whole boat shall not venture into small streams; an eagle does not catch flies.

Kinrei: …(laughs quietly).

Ryoku: Huh? Iten-san, I didn’t understand a word of what you just said.

Toryuu: What he said doesn’t matter, just ignore him.

Monsters: Grrrrrrrooooooooowl!

Kinrei: More importantly, we should take care of those first. 

(1)The original idiom here means “the mouth is the root of misfortune”, meaning to be careful of what you say or you might jinx yourself.

(2) “ Little Toryuu”: Seika attaches the diminutive 坊や (little boy/my boy/ kid) to the end of Toryuu’s name.  I was gonna go with “Toryuu, my boy” but it sounded clunky. 

(3) Both are proverbs meaning roughly the same thing:an important person shouldn’t waste their time on trivial people or insignificant matters.  He’a making fun of Toryuu for getting riled up by Seika’s teasing 

Scene 4: Way of Light

Iten: So apparently Kunlun Mountain is sealed within a barrier, avalanches are happening, and monsters are running rampant...

Ryoku: Isn’t this just like what was happening back on Ice and Fire Island?

Iten: Just as I thought, we’ll have to destroy the monster’s leader in order to destroy the barrier.

Player: But where exactly is this monster’s leader?

Iten: Where in the Kunlun Mountains is the area with the highest spiritual energy?

Seika: Of course that would have to be at the highest point, Kunlun’s Summit.

Kinrei: On Fire and Ice Island, the monster’s leader there also resided in the area with the strongest spiritual energy. I suspect it must be the same case here.

Toryuu: Kunlun Mountain is pretty much like Seika’s backyard! First thing tomorrow, we’ll have Seika show us the way to the summit.

Scene 5: Whispers in the Moonless Night

I find myself alone, running down a narrow path in the Tomb of Swords. The endless darkness stretches toward infinity.

Player: (Panting)

I have to keep running! I feel as if my lungs are being torn apart,but I mustn’t stop...

If I stop for even a moment, I’ll be caught. Then, that person’s wish won’t be granted.

Player: (panting)

A presence behind me starts to grow larger and larger.

At that moment, I...

Stop mid-step and turn around.

Keep running forward with all my strength.

>Choose  stop mid-step and turn around.

Boundless darkness stretches out before me. My mind becomes sluggish.

Player: Why...I know the Tomb of Swords ...definitely...

             I know it…but do I really know?

             No, I don’t have time to think about this...

I’ll be swallowed up…

>Choose Keep running forward with all my strength.

Player: Please don’t catch up to me!

          Why...does it want...to kill me?

          This must be… what? I...do I really know…?

          Not good...the pressure intensified...

I’ll be swallowed up...

Player: Aaaaa!!!

I wake up from the nightmare drenched in cold sweat.

Player: To have this sort of dream....Ah, it’s daytime...

Ryoku seems to have noticed me and comes over.

Ryoku: Are you ok?

Player: Sorry if you were resting...

Ryoku: Ah, it’s fine! I couldn’t sleep either.

I look around and our group seems to be short one member…? Kinrei isn’t around.

Player: Where did Kinrei go…?

I stand up in surprise.

Ryoku: Where are you going?

Player: For Kinrei to not be around at this time...I’m going to have a look around for a bit.

Ryoku: You’re gonna search for Kinrei? I’ll help you out.It’ll be more efficient if both of us search.

Player: Yeah.

Ryoku and I split up and began searching for Kinrei.

Even after searching for some distance from the campsite, Kinrei is nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, sounds arise nearby.

Shadowy Figure 1: You’ve observed those guys for quite some time. Have you noticed something? That one...what happened to him?

Shadowy Figure 2:I still haven’t detected it...

Shadowy Figure 1: No change? No, this is definitely the one we’ve been searching for. It appears that the stimulus is still insufficient so far.

I try to get closer, but the shadowy figures disappear.

Player: That’s strange...I could have sworn I heard talking around here...was it an illusion?

Ryoku: Did you find Kinrei?

I look back in surprise and find that Ryoku is behind me.

Player: No, not yet...

Ryoku: We’ve been searching around for a pretty long time now, it’s possible he already went back to the camp. Let’s head back now.

At that moment, I spot Kinrei in the distance. I start to head towards him.

Kinrei: What are you doing?

Player: We came to look for you, where did you go?

Ryoku: We were all worried.

Kinrei: Why were you looking for me? Am I suddenly a lost child or something?

Right then, the cry of a monster came from the direction of the campsite.

Ryoku: Monsters! Let’s hurry back!

We rush to the campsite. Iten and Toryuu have already taken down a number of monsters.

Toryuu: Let’s take care of the rest of these! Follow me!

Scene 6: Kunlun’s Peak

The next day, with Seika leading the way, we ascended to Kunlun Mountain’s Guangming Peak.

Kinrei: As expected, the monster’s malicious energy is concentrated up here.

Iten: Mn, it’s as I thought.  The monster’s king must be hiding around here somewhere.

Toryuu: Hiding? You think that thing can hide from us? In this world we can’t miss a chance to kill that unknown monster.

???:Ya damn brats don’t know your place! Don’t get in the way of me and my prey!

Suddenly, a man I had never seen before appeared before us.

Toryuu: Ahaha! To say something like that, aren’t you the one who doesn’t know your place?

???: Hmph!  To go against me, the great sword Seikou--You think ya got the skills to back up all that talk? 

Scene 7: Azure Light(1)

Seikou: Hmph, so you’ve got some skill… but in the end it’s only this level.

Toryuu: Still not satisfied? Then bring it on!

Iten: Stop wasting your energy on this!

Ryoku: That’s right. Our real enemy is the Monster King, right?

Seikou: The Monster King, huh? Hmph, I already settled my score with that guy. You guys can have it if ya want. But just know that I’m gonna remember today.

(1)Seikou’s name literally translates to “azure light”, a moniker for tempered steel.

Scene 8: Return of the Cursed Mirror

Scene 9: Animal Eared Boy

Scene 10: Blue Memories

[shuusuis]

[ENG] Mukanshu Character Guide

A quick guide to the main cast that appears in the story. 

Mostly for my own reference, but I figured it may be helpful.

Most information taken from the JP gamerch page

*I’ve partially translated the profiles, up until the points that concern the main storyline.

*Information on their source material is largely gathered from wikipedia and some quick google searches, not any sort of deep academic research on my part. Please correct me if I’ve misinterpreted anything.

Name: Ryoku (緑）lit. Green

JP CV: Kobayashi Yusuke (小林裕介)

CN CV: Ma Yufei (马语非)

Illustrator: sairin (再臨)

Source:  Legend of the Condor Heroes: a weapon used by the Beggar’s Sect in conjunction with the 打狗棒(lit. Striking the Dog with a Stick) style of martial arts/swordplay. This style of fighting was developed through generations who started out having to fight off stray dogs with a bamboo stick while begging in the streets, thus the name.  

Profile: The “Striking the Dog with a Stick” style of swordplay has been honed throughout the generations, passed down through the leader’s of the Beggar’s Sect, originating with the use of bamboo sticks such as Ryoku. He’s the type who always puts his friends first, and enjoys helping others simply because it’s the right thing to do. His goal is to try all sorts of gourmet foods during his lifetime-- yet, at the same time, his favorite food remains the Beggar’s Chicken(1). Although he may seem a bit shabby and overly-chatty at first glance, he is surprisingly dependable when the situation demands it. He comes across as openhearted and absentminded, but there is a hidden layer of prudence there as well.

(1):Beggar’s Chicken: see here for the origin story of this chicken dish.

Name: Kinrei (金鈴) lit. Golden Bell

JP CV: Miyata Kouki (宮田幸季)

CN CV: Su Shangqing (苏尚卿)

Illustrator: sairin (再臨)

Source: Return of the Condor Heroes : a weapon used by the heroine Xiaolongnu. The gold bells are strung on a sash and are used to both distract enemies and then stun them by hitting acupressure points.

Profile: A treasure enshrined within an ancient tomb; after living within the tomb for so long he has become alienated from worldly affairs.  He is emotionally detached, dislikes conflict, and would prefer to be alone. Occasionally he shows a side of himself that is innocent and naive.  Although he feigns disinterest, he is actually quite interested in his comrades but is bad at socializing. He is better at socializing with animals than people. He has a certain kinship with cats, and easily grows attached to them.

Name: Iten (倚天) lit. Heavenly Sword

JP CV: Nakamura Yuichi (中村悠一)

CN CV: Zhao Ling (赵岭)

Illustrator: 毛団小剣剣

Source: The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: one of the two titular weapons. In the original work, Iten and Toryuu were both forged from one original sword, the Heavy Iron Sword.

Profile:  “The powerful and honorable weapon:Dragon Saber; It can slay the Dragon. If the Heaven Sword does not appear, what weapon can go against the saber effectively?” Iten is placed in the same class of treasured sword as Toryuu, although they aren’t seen together much. Atop Mt. Emei, he pursued the Path of the Tao through diligent, isolated sword training; high reaching pines and cypresses lined the steep mountain path to that summit, awash in a great sea of clouds; any who came seeking him out would be obstructed. There have been no visitors to his residence. It is rumored that he has embraced solitude, fervently seeking the apex of swordsmanship and that his mastery of the deepest levels of swordcraft can make opponents quiver before he even unsheathes his sword.

Note: Iten’s profile is......................waxing poetic with whole strings of kanji. I’m gonna beat him up for making me read all that.

Name: Toryuu  lit. Dragon Slayer

JP CV: Ono Yuki (小野友樹)

CN CV: Wu Lei (吴磊)

Illustrator:毛団小剣剣

Source: The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: one of the two titular weapons. In the original work, Iten and Toryuu were both forged from one original sword, the Heavy Iron Sword.

Profile:  “The powerful and honorable weapon:Dragon Saber; It can slay the Dragon. Use it to command the world. Who dares to disobey orders?”   Named as one of the Legendary weapons, his power is rivaled only by Iten. A supremely powerful sword that has traversed far and wide over many decades, he harbors a greatly concealed secret.  He loves to drink alcohol, and seems gives off an air of arrogance; due to his fame, his freedom has been constrained, so there is a side to him that enjoys tempting fate. In his eyes, being deemed a worthy adversary is the highest form of praise. After challenging the world’s strongest sword to a battle, he purportedly vanished.  It is rumored that he was seen at the Northern Sea of the Island of Ice and Fire.

Name: Seika (聖火) lit. Holy Flame

JP CV: Umehara Yuichiro (梅原裕一郎)

CN CV: Li Longbin (李龙滨)

Illustrator: sairin (再臨)

Source:  The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber: one of the Ming Cult’s treasured artefacts and source of martial arts styles: the Holy Flame Tablets. The Ming Cult resides in the Kunlun Mountains.

Profile：A divine artifact passed down through generations of religious leaders of Manichaeism (1).He exudes a princely aura, as his every action is tinged with foreign flair.He cannot forget the glorious days of the past, however he is no longer interested in seeking power and authority. To him, those bygone days are but a distant memory. He always pretends to not understand the Central Plain’s dialect (2), but the truth is that he’s quite well versed in Central Plain culture. He treats people kindly and has overflowing charisma. Despite this, his true intentions are difficult to grasp.

(1) Manichaeism: an ancient religion, centered around the struggle between good and evil. Read more here.

(2) Central Plain: a major region of China, regarded as a historical epicenter of Han culture.

Name: Seikou (青光) lit. Blue Light

JP CV: Nakai Kazuya (中井和哉)

CN CV: Peng Yu (彭尧)

Illustrator: sairin (再臨)

Source: Return of the Condor Heroes  and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: one of the undefeated swordsmans Dugu Qiubai’s famous swords.

Profile:

An all-conquering sword, who defeated the heroes of the Northern Plains.(1) He’s arrogant, to the point that all others are of no concern to him. A righteous man who believes the world to be brimming with injustices. It is said that: “Heaven and Earth are not ‘humane’ for myriad creatures are taken as straw dogs;wise men are not ‘humane’, too: all people are taken as straw dogs to sacrifice”.(2) He cannot stand the notion of “survival of the fittest”(3) and vows to purge the world of such grievances and rebuild the rules of this world.

(1)Another reference to the script on Dugu Qiubai’s tomb.

(2) This is a quote from the famed text by Laozi, Tao Te Ching. This quote is best explained here: 

 “Heaven and Earth are not partial. They do not kill living things out of cruelty or give them birth out of kindness. We do the same when we make straw dogs to use in sacrifices. We dress them up and put them on the altar, but not because we love them. And when the ceremony is over, we throw them into the street, but not because we hate them.”

(3) 弱肉強食: from an idiom that reads “the weak are the meat that the strong eat”. 

[shuusuis]

[ENG] Mukanshu Main Story 1: Island of Ice and Fire

Mukanshu （夢間集）Main Story 1: Island of Ice and Fire, Scenes 1 - 11.

Read below ↓

* Specific notes for each scene are at the bottom of that scene.

*Some general notes: I’ve left the character’s names untranslated, but have opted to translate the location names since they provide context (and are translated in the novels). For more information on the characters introduced thus far, check their profiles.

Scene 1: The Journey Begins

Player(1): (Where am I......?)

I stop before a stone wall, feeling a slight warmth with my right hand. I gently trace my finger over the wall’s engravings, as if being guided by some unseen power.

Stone Wall’s Engraving:  “Under heaven, no one could be my equal-- unbearable loneliness is my destiny.(2) The bravery of youth, the tranquility of adulthood, the complacency of old age- once these have passed, there are no further boundaries to be crossed!”

As my finger brushes over the final line of the engraving, a light is emitted for just a moment, and I involuntarily close my eyes.

[Scene change]

Ryoku: “..................hmm?”

Suddenly, a young man stands before me, blinking and smiling.

Player: Who…...are you……?

Ryoku: Huh? Don’t look at me like that. I don’t look like such a bad guy do I……  There’s no need to be scared. I’m Ryoku(3), a renowned treasure. Ah, but truth be told, I don’t exactly know why I’m here. When I woke up, I was here beside you.

Player: Well, where are we?

Ryoku: We’ll talk later. This area is full of demons and monsters(4). I absolutely won’t let anyone get hurt while I’m around.  Since I can handle these monsters, you should come with me for now!

Monsters: Grrrrrrrooooooooowl!

Ryoku: Well, speak of the devil! I guess there’s no avoiding it, here we go! 

Notes:

(1): Player character is...you! I forgot what the default name the game enters for you is, so I’ve just left it as player for now. 

(2): This quote is at least partially adopted from the inscription on one of the character’s in Jin Yong’s novels, undefeated swordsman Dugu Qiubai’s tomb. The full quote can be found here and reads: “Having roamed the jianghu (martial artists' community) for more than 30 years, I have killed all my foes and defeated all champions. Under Heaven no one can be my equal. Without any other choice, I could only retreat and live in seclusion in this deep valley, with only a Condor as my companion. Alas, all my life, I have sought a match but in vain. Unbearable loneliness is my destiny."

(3):  His name literally means “Green”. He’s a weaponized bamboo stick used by members of the  Beggar’s Sect in Jin Yong’s Legend of the Condor Heroes.

(4): They use the term  魁魅魍魎 (lit. mountain monsters and river spirits). It’s a fairly broad term with a lot of historical context, read more here.

Scene 2: Mysterious Amnesia

Ryoku: Whew, what a dangerous place! Are you alright? 

Player: Yeah, I’m fine. 

Ryoku: It’s a good thing I’m here otherwise you probably would have been eaten by now. 

Player: Thank you. This place ... Why am I here?

Player: (The only thing I can remember is that dream from before.  My name is….. ) Player: I’m sure I…… I have to go back to that place……! 

Ryoku: Hmm? You’ve got some place you wanna go? Well, let’s get out of here first!

As Ryoku finished speaking, the ground suddenly began to shake.

Ryoku: Follow me! Let’s get out of here fast! 

Notes:

If you’re playing along with the games audio (which I recommend!) you’ll know that there are small battle between these scenes, which is why the cuts between stories is so sudden and why (in the future) new characters may join during battles. Also, the separation of scenes with battles is also the reason some scenes are so short (like this one).

Scene 3: In Search of a Dream

Ryoku: They’ve got us surrounded.  This might be a little tough by myself.

Player: (I felt a familiar power in that dream …)

           (If I could return to that place….)

           (I’m pretty sure…. Ryoku will be helpful.)

[Lights flash]

Player: (I’ll search for it!..... That dream from before….)

Scene 4: Wandering Bell’s Chime

Kinrei(1): Where are we?

Ryoku: Here? This is the Island of Ice and Fire.

Kinrei: The Island of Ice and Fire? I’ve never heard of it. 

Kinrei: Hmm, how do you intend to get out of here?

Player: We were just looking for a way out of here. Why don’t we search together?

Ryoku: Sounds good!

Standing before Ryoku, Kinrei continues to eye him suspiciously.

Player: Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you.

Kinrei: ……. There are many cunning, vile people out there, I can’t trust you so easily.

Ryoku: It’s not like we’d gain anything from hurting you. Besides, don’t they say “two heads are better than one”(2)? I don’t think it’s such a bad idea. You think so too, right?

Kinrei: …………… Fine, I understand. But what I said earlier still stands-- once we get out of here, we’re complete strangers.  I won’t care anymore.

Ryoku: I figured Kinreicchi would agree after all!

Kinrei: Ki….kinreicchi? What’s with that nickname?!

Ryoku: Ahaha! Now then, I wonder who’ll show up next~

Notes:

(1): Kinrei literally means “Golden Bell”. In Return of the Condor Heroes, the heroine Xiaolongnu uses a sash strung with golden bells as a weapon.

(2):「三人寄れば文殊の知恵」a phrase that literally translates to “Three people together have Manjushri’s wisdom”. It is the equivalent of phrases like “two heads are better than one” or “the more the merrier”, indicating that having more people in a group benefits the whole.

(3): Kinreicchi: Ryoku added a cutesy-sounding ending to Kinrei’s name.

Scene 5: The Heavenly Sword Appears

Ryoku: Whoooah! Jackpot! Who woulda’ guessed that the legendary Iten (1) would show up! *whistles*

Kinrei: I’ve certainly heard the legend: "The powerful and honorable weapon: the Dragon Saber; It can slay the Dragon. Use it to command the world. Who dares to disobey orders? If the Heavenly Sword does not appear, what weapon can go against the saber effectively?"(2)…Since Iten has shown up, it stands to reason that Toryuu(3) may soon appear as well, right…?

Monsters: Grrrrrrrooooooooowl!

Ryoku: Those nasty monsters don’t know when to give up, huh!

Iten: I sense the presence of evil…!

Notes:

(1): Iten literally means “Heavenly Sword”, sometimes translated as “Heaven Reliant Sword”. He is one of titular weapons in the novel “ The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Saber”.

(2):  The mantra that kinrei recites is straight from Jin Yong’s novel; this English version can be found here along with the context for the surrounding lore. 

 (3) Toryuu literally means “Dragon Saber”. The second legendary sword from the same novel as Iten.

Scene 6: Island of Ice and Fire

Once again, the ground began to shake and continued rumbling for a while.

Iten: Where is this place? The terrain seems so unstable…

Ryoku: We’re at the Northern Sea of the Island of Ice and Fire. The island’s name is derived from the cycle of ice and volcanic eruptions that have been ongoing for millions of years.

Iten: The island of Ice and Fire…

Kinrei: Huh? You know this place?

Iten: Yes. I’ve heard stories of it before, but this is my first time actually being here. However, this place is brimming with evil spirits. It would be best to leave as soon as possible.

Ryoku: If Bro Iten says so, then we better hurry up and find a way out of here!

Scene 7: Iten’s Old Friend

The shaking of the ground violently intensifies, seeming as if it could collapse at any moment.

Iten: That’s strange… that guy should have immediately known that I had appeared here… why hasn’t he shown up yet…?

Kinrei: “That guy”? Are you acquainted with someone else on this island?

Iten: Well, it’s more like we’re stuck with each other…(1)

Kinrei: Could it be...that you’re talking about Toryuu?

Iten: Right… well, you don’t have to worry about him.

Kinrei: You’re right. For now, let’s find a way out of this place.

Notes:

(1)“we’re stuck with each other”: Iten literally says “腐れ縁”, lit. “rotten affinity” meaning an undesirable, yet unfortunately inseparable relationship. 

Scene 8: Heart of Ice and Fire

The coastline of the island is compacted with ice; within the center of the island, a volcano rises.  There isn’t a single way to get across.

Ryoku: There’s no way out of the island even along the shoreline….

Kinrei: It’s possible that there could be a hidden pathway somewhere….

Ryoku: We’ve searched the island’s perimeter already, I guess we’ll have to head for the island’s center now.

Kinrei: Seems like the closer you are to the center of the island, the stronger the presence of monsters and demons.

Iten: I sense spiritual energy concentrated in the center of the island…. It’s possible that there’s something inside.

Kinrei: I suppose that means it would be worthwhile to go there.

Monsters: Grrrrrrrooooooooowl!

Ryoku: It wasn’t just your imagination, the number of monsters really is increasing! Everyone, be careful!

Scene 9: Cursed Mirror

An enormous monster appeared before us when we reached the center of the island. It gazes down at us from its perch atop a mirror that emanates a dark aura.

Player: This one’s the same sort of monster?!

Kinrei: This monster is made up of many evil spirits…. For one to reach such a massive size, how much evil energy must accumulated inside its body…

Ryoku: Whooooah, that thing’s freakin HUGE! Don’t tell me we can’t beat it...

Iten: The blade of this heavenly sword shall not return to its scabbard until every last drop of blood has been drained! A monster of this level is nothing to fear.

Player: Wait a moment! There are smaller monsters surrounding it too. First we should exterminate them, then focus on getting rid of the enormous spirit!

Scene 10: Shards of the Cursed Mirror

Just as the defeated monster fell, the mirror emanating the evil aura fell as well.

I pick up a fragment of the mirror and notice three characters inscribed on it: “Soul Stealing Mirror”. I feel as if I’ve seen patterns like this before…

Ryoku: Would you look at that! Now that the snowcap has collapsed, we can see a way out of here!

Iten: It’s possible that the entire island may start to collapse…

Toryuu: Hurry, this way!

In the midst of running, the fragment I was holding slips from my hand.

Panicking, I stop in my tracks and stoop down to search near my feet.

Kinrei: What are you doing!?

Ryoku: Hurry! Cracks are forming in the ground…..!

Player: But ... that mirror’s shard…. I have to find it!

Toryuu: You idiot...!!

I’m stunned as Toryuu grabs my hand and begins to pull me ahead.

Scene 11: Within the Dream World

Ryoku: (panting) We somehow escaped…?

Iten: What were you waiting for back there?.....We narrowly avoided death.

Iten turns his gaze on me condemningly.

Ryoku: What were you searching for earlier?

I tell the other how the inscription on the mirror was similar to the engravings I saw on the stone wall within my dream.

Ryoku: What was the place in your dream like? Maybe someone there would have a clue as to what’s going on.

Player: Whenever I try to remember the scene within my dream, my right hand starts to feel warm again.

[dream memory]

Player: Over there is… a cold, secluded place...where many weapons are buried….Around there is a stone wall with an old inscription that reads:

“Under heaven, no one could be my equal-- unbearable loneliness is my destiny.The bravery of youth, the tranquility of adulthood, the complacency of old age- once these have passed, there are no further boundaries to be crossed!”

After listening to me recount my dream, Toryuu and Iten speak up at the same time.

Toryuu and Iten: That’s the Tomb of Swords!!!

After briefly making eye contact, the two avert their gazes once more.

Kinrei: What do you two know about this Tomb of Swords?

Toryuu: I heard a story of such a place long ago…. It seems quite similar to the place that you described in your dream….

Player: The “Tomb” refers to all those graves.  I’m certain there are many weapons buried there. It may be just as you say.

Ryoku: I know that you want to go to that place, so why don’t we head there together? I can escort you to the Tomb of Swords

Toryuu: If the inscription on the Soul Stealing Mirror has a connection to the Tomb of Swords, it’s a good enough reason for me to go there too.

Iten: Do you think that person would still be in the Tomb of Swords?

Toryuu: I’m interested in that as well. Looks like you and I have decided to take part in this journey too!

Iten silently nods his head in agreement.

Ryoku: What about you, Kinreicchi? Aren’t you gonna come with us?

Kinrei: Huh? The place I want to go is… (sighs)... well, I’ll accompany you for a while.

[shuusuis]

[ENG] Mukanshu Main Story Translation Directory

I will update the links as I post the story parts. Directory is below ↓

Part 1: Island of Ice and Fire (氷火島)

Part 2: Kunlun Mountains (崑崙山): 1-10

Part 3: Peach Blossom Island (桃花島): 1-12

Part 4: The Ancient Tomb (古墓): 1-15

Part 5:  Passionless Valley (絶情谷) : 1-11

Part 6: Tomb of Swords (剣塚): 1-15

Part 7: Wang Chongyang’s Palace (重陽宮): 1-21

Part 8: In the Nameless Mountains (無名山中): 1-13

Part 9: Nameless Summit (無名山頂): 1-12

Notes:

*I’ll update whenever I can; there is no set schedule.

* I only started playing recently and I translate as I read the story for the first time. I don’t have all parts of the story unlocked yet; there may be some delays. 

*I play on JP server and translate from the dialogue there. Since the game is originally CN , there may be some cultural references that I do not pick up on. I try my best to research the context of Jin Yong’s novels as they relate to the lore, but keep in mind I have not read the source material. 

*I am doing this for fun and so that I can convince a few friends to read the story. The translations are rough and only at-a-glance edited by me.  If there are any egregious errors let me know.