The Elegant Flirt - Part Seven is the seventeenth chapter of Mo Dao Zu Shi.
Synopsis []
As more Water Ghosts surround the boats, Lan Wangji throws Bichen into the water to retrieve only a single piece of clothing. Another disciple of the Gusu Lan Clan, Su She, echoes Lan Wangji's movements, but his sword does not return to him despite chanting the sword incantation.
Lan Wangji suddenly says they must go back immediately, as the water ghosts have led them to the middle of the lake. As soon as he speaks, however, the boats begin to sink. As everyone uses their swords to fly away, Wei Wuxian realizes that Su She is sword-less and appears frozen in his sinking boat.
Wei Wuxian attempts to rescue Su She, but Suibian is not strong enough to lift them both. They are rescued by Lan Wangji, who holds Wei Wuxian by his collar. When Wei Wuxian asks why, Lan Wangji answers that he prefers to avoid physical contact.
Once everyone is safely ashore, Lan Wangji identifies the creature as a Waterborne Abyss. The problem is not the Water Ghosts, but the water of Biling Lake itself. The lake is filled with resentful energy, and it will continue to drown people to feed its resentment.
Wei Wuxian recalls that a Waterborne Abyss is extremely difficult to purge – all the water must be drained, and the lakebed exposed to the sunlight for years. As the disciples question how such an abyss could form near Caiyi Town, where there were no recent drownings, Lan Wangji asks Lan Xichen if another clan recently suffered from a Waterborne Abyss.
In response, Lan Xichen points to the sun, indicating that the Qishan Wen Clan merely chased their Waterborne Abyss downstream for the Gusu Lan Clan to purge instead. The Qishan Wen Clan is by far the largest and most powerful of the Five Great Clans. To criticize the clan, or to ask for compensation, would be fruitless.
Lan Xichen decides to return to the Cloud Recesses to consult with Lan Qiren upon his return. On their way back through Caiyi Town, Wei Wuxian flirts with several young women selling loquats, and incites them to tease Lan Wangji over his good looks.
Lan Xichen senses that his brother wishes to stop for loquats, but Lan Wangji denies this and hops over to another boat.[1]
Characters []
in order of appearance:
- Wei Wuxian
- Lan Wangji
- Su She
- Jiang Cheng
- Lan Xichen
- Lan Qiren (mentioned)
Locations[]
- Caiyi Town
- Nightless City (mentioned)
Creatures[]
Cultivation Abilities[]
- Sword Incantation
Cultivation Tools []
Author's Note[]
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's end-of-chapter note reads:[2]
I’m not from Jiangnan, so I can’t speak the Gusu dialect, but I did some research. I’ve tried my best. _(:з)∠)_ Please be kind to me.
The classmates arc would come to an end in the next chapter =V=
Something that I was worried about surfaced on the reviewers’ forum! Actually, there was a line in the original synopsis: “the one who is teased is the gong, the one who failed in his teasing, and ends up getting screwed instead is the shou, get this right.” However due to censorship reasons, this line was removed by the editors. Everyone, be prepared! The one who’s been playing with fire and doing the teasing, Wuxian, has to be the shou!
The talents in the discussion forum have come up with the nickname. 无羡 (Wuxian) = 无线 (Wuxian / wireless) = Wifi.