The second book of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils revolves around the adventures of Qiao Feng. The chapter titles form the poem Shrouding Screen in Suzhou 《苏幕遮》, named after the tone pattern it uses.
Poem
This poem uses the Su Mu Zhe (苏幕遮) tone pattern, as indicated by the book’s title. Each verse in the poem refers to a key scene or summarises the events in each chapter.
Tone pattern
中 (zhōng) is a middle tone. 平 (píng) is a level tone. 仄 (zè) is an oblique tone. 韵 (yùn) in brackets at the end of each line indicates a rhyme.
仄平平，平仄仄（韵），
中仄平平、中仄平平仄（韵）。
中仄平平平仄仄（韵）。
中仄平平、中仄平平仄（韵）。
仄平平，平仄仄（韵），
中仄平平、中仄平平仄（韵）。
中仄平平平仄仄（韵）。
中仄平平、中仄平平仄（韵）。
Original text
向来痴，从此醉，
水榭听香、指点群豪戏。
剧饮千杯男儿事。
杏子林中、商略平生义。
昔时因，今日意，
胡汉恩仇，须倾英雄泪。
虽万千人吾往矣。
悄立雁门、绝壁无余字。
Translation
While I tried to rhyme the verses, I found it difficult to do so without altering the meaning of each line. Suggestions welcomed.
Ever foolish,
Henceforth obsessed,
In the waterside pavilion where she guides assembled heroes.
A thousand cups shared amongst stalwart men,
In apricot groves, life’s meaning pondered.
Past reasons,
Present wishes,
The Hu-Han feud draws a hero’s tears.
Standing against ten thousand strong,
Grief lingers at Yanmen, no words mark the cliff.
Chapters
- Chapter 11 — Ever foolish
- Chapter 12 — Henceforth obsessed
- Chapter 13 — In the waterside pavilion where she guides assembled heroes
- Chapter 14 — A thousand cups shared amongst stalwart men
- Chapter 15 — In apricot groves, life’s meaning pondered
- Chapter 16 — Past reasons
- Chapter 17 — Present wishes
- Chapter 18 — The Hu-Han feud draws a hero’s tears
- Chapter 19 — Standing against ten thousand strong
- Chapter 20 — Grief lingers at Yanmen, no words mark the cliff
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