Chapter 263: with translation of chapter title

Kunlun Mountain.

Translation: Kunlun Mountain.

Inside the Jade Void Palace.

Translation: Inside the Jade Void Palace.

Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on the auspicious clouds, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit; divine patterns flowed around his body, and rosy light shimmered.

Translation: Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on the auspicious clouds, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit; divine patterns flowed around his body, and rosy light shimmered.

Check: sat cross-legged on the auspicious clouds, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit; divine patterns flowed around his body; rosy light shimmered.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Avoid adding extra explanation. Let's produce: Yuanshi Tianzun sat cross-legged on the auspicious clouds, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit; divine patterns flowed around his body, and rosy light shimmered.

That seems fine.

The South Pole Immortal Elder returned from Chaoge and immediately went to report to Yuanshi Tianzun: "Master, Jiang Ziya's original fate has indeed been changed, and many events that have happened to him show a considerable discrepancy with our sect's plan."

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder returned from Morning Song and immediately reported to Yuanshi Tianzun: "Master, Jiang Ziya's fate has indeed been altered; many events on him differ greatly from our sect's plan."

Check: many events that happened to him show a considerable discrepancy with our sect's plan.

We need to keep "our sect" as "our sect". Could also be "our sect's". We'll use "our sect's plan".

After Jiang Ziya descended the mountain, his fate had already been arranged by the Sect of Enlightenment; barring any mishap, he was to follow the planned Investiture path. Yuanshi Tianzun fell silent for a moment and asked: "Has Jiang Ziya recently been in contact with anyone?"

Translation: Jiang Ziya's fate after descending the mountain had long been arranged by the Chan Sect; if nothing unexpected, he would follow the arranged Investiture path. Yuanshi Tianzun fell silent for a moment: "Has Jiang Ziya recently been in contact with anyone?"

Check: the Investiture path; Yuanshi Tianzun fell silent for a moment.

Upon hearing the inquiry, the South Pole Immortal Elder said: "According to the disciple's gathered information, Jiang Ziya will go to the Western Queen Mother's palace because of the deceit of Apophis,"

Translation: Upon hearing the question, South Pole Immortal Elder said: "According to the disciples' gathered news, Jiang Ziya would go to the Queen Mother of the West Palace because Shen Gongbao's deceit led to it,"

Note: The sentence seems incomplete; but we translate as is.

We need to keep the line exactly as given, no extra punctuation changes? We'll keep the meaning.

The disciple brought him back to East Kunlun; after descending the mountain, he should have gone to Chaoge, but instead he ran to the rebels' territory, where he happened to meet Wen Zhong suppressing the rebellion, aided him in suppressing it, and then returned to Chaoge together with Wen Zhong, where, for his merit, King Zhou appointed him Junior Grand Master.

Translation: The disciples brought him back to East Kunlun; after descending the mountain, he should have gone to Morning Song, but instead he ran to the rebellious feudal lords' territory, coincidentally met Wen Zhong suppressing the rebellion, aided him in suppressing the rebellion, and thus returned to Morning Song together with Wen Zhong; for his merit, King Zhou appointed him as Junior Grand Master.

Check: Wen Zhong suppressing the rebellion; aiding him in suppressing the rebellion; and for his merit King Zhou appointed him Junior Grand Master.

Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent; many things had greatly changed from the original fate, and for a moment he could not say what would happen next.

Translation: Yuanshi Tianzun remained silent; many things had greatly deviated from the original fate, and for a moment he could not say how things would proceed from here.

But if Jiang Ziya does not come to believe that the Yin-Shang dynasty's fate is exhausted, he will not willingly go to Xiqí to support the Zhou house and oppose the Shang; this would affect the Investiture plan, making it even harder for the Twelve Golden Immortals to dispel the killing calamity.

Translation: But if Jiang Ziya does not believe in his heart that the Yin-Shang dynasty's fate is exhausted, he will not willingly go to Western Qi to support the Zhou house and oppose Shang; this would affect the Investiture plan, making it even harder for the Twelve Golden Immortals to dispel the killing calamity later.

Check: the Yin-Shang dynasty's fate is exhausted; supporting the Zhou house and opposing the Shang; the Investiture plan; dispelling the killing calamity.

Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly; the Twelve Golden Immortals are the foundation of the Jade Void Palace, and he could not bear to see the Investiture plan thwarted, which would leave the Twelve Golden Immortals unable to dispel the killing calamity, causing them to fall.

Translation: Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly; the Twelve Golden Immortals are the foundation of the Jade Void Palace, and he could not bear to see the Investiture plan thwarted, which would prevent the Twelve Golden Immortals from dispelling the killing calamity, causing them to fall.

Check: they are the foundation of the Jade Void Palace; he could not bear to see the Investiture plan thwarted; leading to the Twelve Golden Immortals being unable to dispel the killing calamity, thus falling.

"Many of our sect's schemes have been sabotaged, likely by the Jie Sect; you should go to Chaoge and pay close attention, making Jiang Ziya recognize that he is the Investiture person, and going to Xiqí to support the enlightened ruler is the correct course."

Translation: "Many of our sect's schemes have been sabotaged, likely by the Jie Sect; you should go to Morning Song and pay close attention, making sure Jiang Ziya realizes he is the chosen one for the Investiture, and that going to Western Qi to support the enlightened ruler is the proper course."

Check: many of our sect's schemes have been sabotaged, likely the Jie Sect's doing; you should go to Chaoge and pay close attention; must make Jiang Ziya recognize he is the Investiture person; going to Xiqí to support the enlightened ruler is the correct course.

"Master, rest assured; leave this to the disciple."

Translation: "Master, rest assured; I'll handle this as a disciple."

Check: leave it to the disciple; it's fine.

Although the South Pole Immortal Elder accepted this task, he currently had no leads, and thinking that Apophis might be plotting some scheme against the Sect of Enlightenment, he asked a question.

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder accepted the task, but currently had no leads; thinking that Shen Gongbao might be plotting some conspiracy against the Chan Sect, he asked:

"Master, what should we do about Apophis? Should we go and deal with him?"

Translation: "Master, what should we do about Shen Gongbao? Should we go and deal with him?"

Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment: "Apophis, this hairy‑horned rabble, is insignificant and need not be worried about; as long as Jiang Ziya presides over the Investiture, he will surely grow jealous and come to obstruct, drawing out all the Jie Sect disciples so that we can defeat them one by one and get them on the list; as for Wen Zhong, although he is a Jie Sect disciple, He Chang is not our pawn but a piece used to lure the Jie Sect disciples out so we can defeat them one by one."

Translation: Yuanshi Tianzun pondered for a moment: "Shen Gongbao, this sort of hairy-horned rabble, is insignificant and need not be worried about; as long as Jiang Ziya presides over the Investiture, he will surely grow jealous and come to obstruct, we will draw out all the Jie Sect disciples to defeat them one by one and get them on the list; as for Wen Zhong, although he is a Jie Sect disciple, He Chang is not our pawn, but a piece used to lure the Jie Sect disciples out so we can defeat them one by one."

Check: hairy‑horned rabble; insignificant; need not be worried

The teacher is wise.

Translation: "Master, you are wise."

……

Translation: ……

We need to output the ellipsis as is? Probably just three dots.

Having left the Jade Void Palace, the South Pole Immortal Elder was thinking about Jiang Ziya as he walked, when suddenly he saw the Golden Dragon True Person approaching from a short distance away.

Translation: Leaving the Jade Void Palace, South Pole Immortal Elder was pondering Jiang Ziya's affairs as he walked; suddenly he saw Yellow Dragon True Person approaching from not far ahead.

The South Pole Immortal Elder felt a stir in his heart, thinking perhaps he could make use of the Golden Dragon True Person.

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder's heart stirred, thinking perhaps he could make use of Yellow Dragon True Person.

"South Pole Senior Brother," the Golden Dragon True Person hurried over, clasping his hands in greeting.

Translation: "Senior Brother South Pole." Yellow Dragon True Person hurried forward, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Golden Dragon Junior Brother, what a coincidence!" the South Pole Immortal Elder nodded and returned the salute with clasped hands, a simple reply.

Translation: "Junior Brother Yellow Dragon, quite a coincidence." South Pole Immortal Elder nodded, returned the salute with clasped hands, a simple response.

The Golden Dragon True Person, face full of enthusiasm, said: "Senior Brother, it's no coincidence at all; I don't know what new orders the Master has given you—do you need extra help? I, your junior, can assist."

Translation: Yellow Dragon True Person beamed with enthusiasm: "Senior Brother, it's no coincidence at all; I don't know what new orders the Master has given you, do you need help? I, as Junior Brother, can assist."

The South Pole Immortal Elder is a favored figure before the Primordial Heavenly Venerable; although he is not one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, his status far exceeds that of Guang Chengzi, and he is highly esteemed by the Primordial Heavenly Venerable.

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder is a favored one before Yuanshi Tianzun; although not among the Twelve Golden Immortals, his status far exceeds that of Guang Chengzi, and he is deeply trusted by Yuanshi Tianzun.

Therefore, the Golden Dragon True Person wanted to assist the South Pole Immortal Elder, to curry favor with him; if the South Pole Immortal Elder would speak a good word for him before the Primordial Heavenly Venerable and share some merit, the Venerable would surely look upon him more favorably.

Translation: Therefore Yellow Dragon wanted to assist South Pole Immortal Elder, to curry favor with him; if South Pole Immortal Elder would say a good word for him before Yuanshi Tianzun and grant him some merit, Yuanshi Tianzun would surely look upon him more favorably.

The Golden Dragon True Person thought this to himself.

Translation: Yellow Dragon thought thus.

But the South Pole Immortal Elder always had his own considerations; as an outsider, the Golden Dragon True Person was not valued nor favored by the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, so he dared not get too close, fearing to provoke the Venerable's displeasure and lose his favor.

Translation: But South Pole Immortal Elder always had his own considerations; Yellow Dragon, as an outsider, was not valued nor favored by Yuanshi Tianzun, so he dared not get too close to Yellow Dragon, lest he provoke Yuanshi Tianzun's displeasure and lose his favor.

But now we are short-handed, and the Golden Dragon True Person has happened to come forward, so we can make use of him,

Translation: But now they are short-handed, and Yellow Dragon happened to come forward, so they could make use of him.

He gave a light smile.

Translation: He gave a light smile.

"Golden Dragon Junior Brother, the Master has indeed given me a task; are you certain you wish to assist your senior brother and complete this task?"

Translation: "Junior Brother Yellow Dragon, the Master has indeed given me a task; are you certain you wish to assist Senior Brother and complete this task?"

The Golden Dragon True Person blinked, thinking he had misheard, for the South Pole Immortal Elder usually paid him no mind and would never let him join a task, yet now he was taking the initiative.

Translation: Yellow Dragon True Person blinked, thinking he had misheard; usually South Pole Immortal Elder paid him no mind and would not let him join tasks, yet now he actually took the initiative.

He could not help but be overjoyed, hastily agreeing lest the South Pole Immortal Elder change his mind.

Translation: Overjoyed, he hastily agreed, fearing South Pole Immortal Elder might change his mind.

"South Pole Senior Brother, certainly—I am determined to assist my senior brother."

Translation: "Senior Brother South Pole, certainly, I am certain to assist Senior Brother."

The South Pole Immortal Elder smiled, his expression warm: "Very well, senior brother indeed has a matter for junior brother to attend to."

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder smiled warmly: "All right, Senior Brother indeed has a task for Junior Brother to undertake."

"Please tell me, senior brother; I will certainly carry it out," said the Golden Dragon True Person, agreeing without even asking what the matter was.

Translation: "Senior Brother, please speak; Junior Brother will certainly comply." Yellow Dragon True Person agreed without asking what the task was.

The South Pole Immortal Elder nodded satisfactorily: "The situation is this: the Master ordered Jiang Ziya to descend the mountain and preside over the Investiture, but Jiang Ziya's mind is filled with distracting thoughts, unprepared; we need to find a way to make him resolute."

The South Pole Immortal Elder nodded satisfactorily: "The matter is thus: the Master ordered Jiang Ziya to descend the mountain and preside over the Investiture, but Jiang Ziya's mind is filled with distracting thoughts, unprepared; we need to find a way to make him resolute."

Check: "His mind is filled with too many distracting thoughts" means he is preoccupied; "not prepared" means he is unprepared; "we need to find a way to make him resolute" means we need to find a way to make him determined.

After a pause, the South Pole Immortal Elder continued: "After thinking it over, I feel that you, Junior Brother, are the most suitable to persuade him; your straightforward nature and your acquaintance with Jiang Ziya mean your words might enlighten him, but you must also reason with him and appeal to his emotions, so he understands that the Investiture is heaven's mandate and cannot be avoided."

Translation: After a pause, South Pole Immortal Elder continued: "I think it best for Junior Brother to persuade him; you are straightforward and somewhat acquainted with Jiang Ziya, your words might enlighten him, but you must also reason with him and appeal to his emotions, making him understand that the Investiture is heaven's mandate and cannot be shirked."

The Golden Dragon True Person nodded solemnly; since he was not valued, in the Sect of the Cutting Edge he usually only spoke with peripheral disciples, but whenever he passed by Jiang Ziya's peach plantation on the back hill, they would exchange a few words, so they were indeed fairly acquainted.

Translation: Yellow Dragon True Person nodded solemnly; being unimportant, in the Chan Sect he usually only conversed with marginal disciples, but whenever he passed by Jiang Ziya's peach-planting on the back hill, they would exchange a few words, so they were fairly acquainted.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother South Pole; I will devote my full effort and not disgrace the mission."

Translation: "Senior Brother South Pole, rest assured; Junior Brother will devote his utmost and not disgrace the mission."

The South Pole Immortal Elder said: "Thank you, Junior Brother; this matter is of great importance, so you must not be careless. Moreover, you must inform Jiang Ziya that in the imperial palace, Daji, the Lady Su, is a demon who has been bewitching King Zhou."

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder said: "Thank you, Junior Brother; this is of great importance, must not be taken lightly; also inform Jiang Ziya that in the imperial palace, Daji, the Lady Su, is a demon who has been bewitching King Zhou."

Check: The sentence means "Inform Jiang Ziya that in the imperial palace, Daji, also known as Lady Su, is a demon who has been bewitching King Zhou."

"Senior Brother, rest assured; I will go find Jiang Ziya now." Having said that, the Golden Dragon True Person turned and departed.

Translation: "Senior Brother, rest easy; Junior Brother will now go find Jiang Ziya." Having said that, Yellow Dragon True Person turned and left.

Watching the Golden Dragon True Person's retreating figure, the South Pole Immortal Elder smiled with deep meaning.

Translation: Watching Yellow Dragon True Person's receding back, South Pole Immortal Elder smiled with deep meaning.

"If Jiang Ziya believes that Daji is a demon and removes her, he will no longer trust that the Three Demons of the Xuanyuan Tomb will remain in power, and he will certainly try to get rid of this thorn—Jiang Ziya himself."

Translation: "As long as Jiang Ziya believes Daji is a demon and removes her, he will surely not think the Three Demons of the Xuanyuan Tomb will remain in power; he will certainly try to pull out this thorn, Jiang Ziya."

Check: "He will not believe the Three Demons of the Xuanyuan Tomb will still be in power" means he will doubt their continued authority; "He will certainly try to remove this thorn, Jiang Ziya" means he will certainly attempt to eliminate Jiang Ziya.

The South Pole Immortal Elder was contemplating this in his mind.

Translation: South Pole Immortal Elder pondered thus.

Since the Jade Stone Pipa Sprite will not go to the capital, we can directly send Jiang Ziya to the palace to eliminate demons.

Translation: Since the Jade Stone Pipa Spirit does not go to Morning Song, we can directly have Jiang Ziya remove demons from the imperial palace.

Daji is deeply favored by King Zhou; if Jiang Ziya angers her, a single command from her can have the king seize Jiang Ziya and have him executed.

Translation: Daji is deeply favored by King Zhou; if Jiang Ziya provokes her, a single command from her can have King Zhou seize Jiang Ziya and push him out to be beheaded.

At that point, to save his life, Jiang Ziya can only flee to Xi Qi and assist the Zhou house.

Translation: Then, to save his life, Jiang Ziya can only flee to Western Qi and assist the Zhou house.

He sorted out his thoughts, the South Pole Immortal smiled and said: "This plan is flawless; it will surely succeed. However, Jiang Ziya's marriage requires that Strange Person Song put in extra effort and find a matchmaker to make the match."