Chapter 121

Inside the Eastern Sea Inn, a group of martial arts masters who could stir up storms in the jianghu were seated.

Translation: Inside the Dong Hai inn, a group of martial arts masters who could stir up storms in the jianghu sat.

We need to keep natural English, not add extra. Let's produce: "Inside the Dong Hai inn, a group of martial arts masters who could stir up storms in the jianghu sat."

martial arts masters who could stir up storms in the jianghu

The lamp light swayed, the curtains fluttered.

Translation: The lamp light swayed, the curtains fluttered.

We could say: "The lamp light swayed, the curtains fluttered."

They were originally unruly and disobedient to each other, but now they had no choice but to gather together to discuss strategies against Dongfang Wuji.

Translation: They were originally unruly and disobedient to each other, but now they had to gather together to discuss strategies against Dongfang Wuji.

They were originally unruly and disobedient to each other, but now they had to gather together to discuss strategies against Dongfang Wuji.

Zhang Gonggong advocated taking the initiative, to wipe out the Dongfang clan in one fell swoop: "From three hundred years ago until today, we have been careless; we didn't heed the proclamation that the Dongfang clan would not leave the Eastern Sea for three hundred years, which has led to this situation."

Translation: Zhang Gonggong advocated taking the initiative, to wipe out the Dongfang Clan in one fell swoop, saying, "From three hundred years ago until today, we have been careless; we did not heed the words that the Dongfang Clan would not leave Dong Hai for three hundred years, leading to today's situation."

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes. Let's produce: "Zhang Gonggong advocated taking the initiative, to wipe out the Dongfang Clan in one fell swoop, saying, 'From three hundred years ago until today, we have been careless; we did not heed the words that the Dongfang Clan would not leave Dong Hai for three hundred years, leading to today's situation.'"

"Now things have spiraled out of control; the matter left unresolved three hundred years ago, we must resolve it now, and we can no longer give the Dongfang clan any hope!"

Translation: "Now the situation is out of control; the matter unsettled for three hundred years, we must resolve it now, and we can no longer give the Dongfang Clan any hope!"

We need to keep exclamation. So: "Now the situation is out of control; the matter unsettled for three hundred years, we must resolve it now, and we can no longer give the Dongfang Clan any hope!"

Fan Mo expressed agreement, saying, "Indeed, the members of the Dongfang clan have demonic blood in their bodies; if we don't eradicate it, who knows whether another Dongfang Wuji might appear years later?"

Translation: Fan Mo said in agreement, "Indeed, the members of the Dongfang Clan have demonic blood in their bodies; if we do not eradicate it, who knows whether another Dongfang Wuji might appear years later?"

We need to keep quotes. So: "Fan Mo said in agreement, 'Indeed, the members of the Dongfang Clan have demonic blood in their bodies; if we do not eradicate it, who knows whether another Dongfang Wuji might appear years later?'"

"Hahaha! Brother Fan, you're just joking! We're still thinking about another Dongfang Wuji? This one right here hasn't even been settled yet!" Hu Bao slapped the table and laughed loudly.

Translation: "Hahaha! Brother Fan, you're just joking! Are we still thinking about another Dongfang Wuji? This Dongfang Wuji hasn't even been resolved yet!" Hu Bao laughed, slamming the table.

We need to keep the laughter and action. So: "'Hahaha! Brother Fan, you're just joking! Are we still thinking about another Dongfang Wuji? This Dongfang Wuji hasn't even been resolved yet!' Hu Bao laughed, slamming the table."

This drew loud laughter from the crowd.

Translation: This drew loud laughter from everyone.

We can say: "This drew loud laughter from everyone."

"Then let's talk about how to deal with this Dongfang Wuji right now; I've said it, do you all agree?" Zhang Gonggong placed both hands on the table, resting his chin on his palms.

Translation: "Then let's talk about how to deal with this Dongfang Wuji; I propose it—do you all agree?" Zhang Gonggong rested his hands on the table, chin on his palms.

We need to keep the action. So: "'Then let's talk about how to deal with this Dongfang Wuji; I propose it—do you all agree?' Zhang Gonggong rested his hands on the table, chin on his palms."

Zhang Gonggong's authority was immense, whether in the imperial court or in the jianghu, stemming from both his strength and his influence.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong's authority was immense, both in the imperial court and in the jianghu, whether from his strength or his influence.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Zhang Gonggong's authority was immense, both in the imperial court and in the jianghu, whether from his strength or his influence."

"Zhang Gonggong, you've said all that; what else can we say?" Ouyang Zhuo chose to agree; as the Blade Master of Bei Du, he had associated with Zhang Gonggong for a long time and knew his temperament.

Translation: "Zhang Gonggong, since you've said all this, what else can we say?" Ouyang Zhuo chose to agree; as the Blade Master of Bei Du, he had associated with Zhang Gonggong for a long time and knew his temperament.

Ouyang Zhuo chose to agree; as the Blade Master of Bei Du, he had associated with Zhang Gonggong for a long time and knew his temperament.

Zhang Gonggong either stays silent, but once he speaks, everyone must follow his words.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong either stays silent; once he speaks, one must follow his words.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Zhang Gonggong either stays silent; once he speaks, one must follow his words."

"Then let's take a vote, heh," Zhang Gonggong said coldly, his face whiter and colder than winter snow, "Who is in favor, who is against?"

Translation: "Then let's take a vote, heh," Zhang Gonggong said coldly, his face whiter and colder than winter snow, "Who is in favor, who is against?"

"'Then let's take a vote, heh,' Zhang Gonggong said coldly, his face whiter and colder than winter snow, 'Who is in favor, who is against?'"

No one explicitly objected, but Zhang Gonggong heard hesitant murmurs from below: "Everyone here is a martial arts practitioner; if you have something to say, speak up."

Translation: No one explicitly voiced opposition, but Zhang Gonggong heard hesitant murmurs from below, "Everyone here is a martial artist; if you have something to say, speak up."

We need to keep quotes. So: "No one explicitly voiced opposition, but Zhang Gonggong heard hesitant murmurs from below, 'Everyone here is a martial artist; if you have something to say, speak up.'"

Wuding looked at the crowd, made up his mind, and simply said, "Zhang Gonggong, three hundred years ago Dongfang Wuji wanted to establish a school in the jianghu, but because he and his clan came from the Eastern Sea, we rejected him, which led to his massacre. Perhaps his needs are the same now; why don't we try courtesy before force and talk it over?"

Translation: Wu Ding looked at the crowd, made up his mind, and simply said, "Zhang Gonggong, three hundred years ago, Dongfang Wuji wanted to establish a sect in the jianghu, but because he and his clan came from Dong Hai, we rejected him, which led to his massacre. Perhaps his demand is the same now; why not try courtesy before force, and talk?"

We need to keep quotes. So: "Wu Ding looked at the crowd, made up his mind, and simply said, 'Zhang Gonggong, three hundred years ago, Dongfang Wuji wanted to establish a sect in the jianghu, but because he and his clan came from Dong Hai, we rejected him, which led to his massacre. Perhaps his demand is the same now; why not try courtesy before force, and talk?'"

"Courtesy before force?" Shang Rong Shitai asked in return.

Translation: "'Courtesy before force?'" Shang Rong Nun asked in return.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Courtesy before force?'" Shang Rong Nun asked in return.

"Well, the current head of the Dongfang clan is Dongfang Jie; he is not an unreasonable person, I think we have room to talk." Wuding affirmed, "After all, the losses we suffered in our battle with Dongfang Wuji might be more than we can bear."

Translation: "Well, the clan chief of the Dongfang Clan is Dongfang Jie; he is not an unreasonable person, I think we have room to talk." Wu Ding affirmed, "After all, the losses from our battle with Dongfang Wuji could very well be beyond our bearing."

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Well, the clan chief of the Dongfang Clan is Dongfang Jie; he is not an unreasonable person, I think we have room to talk.' Wu Ding affirmed, 'After all, the losses from our battle with Dongfang Wuji could very well be beyond our bearing.'"

"Courtesy before force? Room to talk? Heh." Zhang Gonggong gave a cold, merciless laugh, "If we could talk, would we have fought three hundred years ago? Would you forgive a group that killed you?"

Translation: "'Courtesy before force? Room to talk? Heh.' Zhang Gonggong gave a merciless cold laugh, 'Can we talk? Would we have fought three hundred years ago if we could talk? Would you forgive a group that killed you?'"

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Courtesy before force? Room to talk? Heh.' Zhang Gonggong gave a merciless cold laugh, 'Can we talk? Would we have fought three hundred years ago if we could talk? Would you forgive a group that killed you?'"

Having said that, Zhang Gonggong pointed a finger straight at Wuding!

Translation: Having said that, Zhang Gonggong shot a finger toward Wu Ding!

We need to keep meaning. So: "Having said that, Zhang Gonggong shot a finger toward Wu Ding!"

A flash of light appeared in the main hall on the first floor!

Translation: A beam of bright light flashed in the hall on the first floor!

We need to keep meaning. So: "A beam of bright light flashed in the hall on the first floor!"

It came suddenly, and no one could react in time.

Translation: It came suddenly, and no one could react in time.

We need to keep meaning. So: "It came suddenly, and no one could react in time."

"Whoosh!"

Translation: "Whoosh!"

We need to keep the sound effect. So: "'Whoosh!'"

Wuding fell straight down from the grand chair.

Translation: Wu Ding fell straight down from the grand chair.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Wu Ding fell straight down from the grand chair."

On his forehead appeared a hole the width of a finger; looking through it from the front, one could see the back of his head.

Translation: On his forehead appeared a hole the width of a finger; looking through it from the front, one could see the back of his head.

We need to keep meaning. So: "On his forehead appeared a hole the width of a finger; looking through it from the front, one could see the back of his head."

"Wuding!" Yan Shan Hai shouted.

Translation: "'Wu Ding!'" Yan Shan Hai shouted.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Wu Ding!'" Yan Shan Hai shouted.

Shang Rong Shitai even drew her Hengshan sword, pointing it at Zhang Gonggong, "What are you doing!?"

Translation: Shang Rong Nun drew her Hengshan Sword, pointing it at Zhang Gonggong, "What are you doing?!"

We need to keep quotes. So: "Shang Rong Nun drew her Hengshan Sword, pointing it at Zhang Gonggong, 'What are you doing?!'"

Wuding died a miserable death.

Translation: Wu Ding died a miserable death.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Wu Ding died a miserable death."

Zhang Gonggong killed him with a single finger.

Translation: With a single finger, Zhang Gonggong killed him.

We need to keep meaning. So: "With a single finger, Zhang Gonggong killed him."

Even though he was only a fourth-tier master, neither he nor anyone else except Zhang Gonggong expected a fourth-tier master to die so easily!

Translation: Even if he were only a fourth-tier master, he himself, and everyone except Zhang Gonggong, never imagined a fourth-tier master could die like that!

We need to keep meaning. So: "Even if he were only a fourth-tier master, he himself, and everyone except Zhang Gonggong, never imagined a fourth-tier master could die like that!"

"Talk? What's there to talk about? I can kill him with a finger! Dongfang Wuji could kill us with a finger!" Zhang Gonggong stood up facing Shang Rong Shitai's Hengshan sword.

Translation: "'Talk? What is there to talk about? I can kill him with a finger! Dongfang Wuji could kill us with a finger!' Zhang Gonggong stood up, facing Shang Rong Nun's Hengshan Sword."

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Talk? What is there to talk about? I can kill him with a finger! Dongfang Wuji could kill us with a finger!' Zhang Gonggong stood up, facing Shang Rong Nun's Hengshan Sword."

Zhang Gonggong was absolutely right: a seventh-tier master could kill them with a finger, no problem.

Translation: What Zhang Gonggong said was quite correct; a seventh-tier master could kill them with a finger, no problem.

We need to keep meaning. So: "What Zhang Gonggong said was quite correct; a seventh-tier master could kill them with a finger, no problem."

"If we can kill an enemy with a finger, why should we negotiate with them?" Zhang Gonggong questioned the crowd.

Translation: "'If an enemy can be killed with a finger, why should we negotiate with them?' Zhang Gonggong questioned the crowd."

We need to keep quotes. So: "'If an enemy can be killed with a finger, why should we negotiate with them?' Zhang Gonggong questioned the crowd."

Yan Shan Hai stared at Zhang Gonggong and warned him, "If you do this, you offend the Five Peaks Sword School! We'll see!"

Translation: Yan Shan Hai glared at Zhang Gonggong and warned, "By doing this, you offend the Five Peaks Sword Sect! We'll see!"

We need to keep quotes. So: "Yan Shan Hai glared at Zhang Gonggong and warned, 'By doing this, you offend the Five Peaks Sword Sect! We'll see!'"

Yan Shan Hai wasn't angry because Wuding died; he was angry that Zhang Gonggong made the Five Peaks Sword School lose face in front of all these masters.

Translation: Yan Shan Hai's anger was not because of Wu Ding's death, but because Zhang Gonggong made the Five Peaks Sword Sect lose face before all the masters.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Yan Shan Hai's anger was not because of Wu Ding's death, but because Zhang Gonggong made the Five Peaks Sword Sect lose face before all the masters."

Zhang Gonggong lightly flicked away Shang Rong Shitai's Hengshan sword with his finger, then sat back down in the grand chair and asked again, "Who is in favor, who is against?"

Translation: Zhang Gonggong lightly flicked away Shang Rong Nun's Hengshan Sword with his hand, then sat back down in the grand chair, and asked again, "Who is in favor, who is against?"

We need to keep meaning. So: "Zhang Gonggong lightly flicked away Shang Rong Nun's Hengshan Sword with his hand, then sat back down in the grand chair, and asked again, 'Who is in favor, who is against?'"

This time, no one hemmed and hawed; everyone agreed.

Translation: This time, no one hesitated; everyone agreed.

We need to keep meaning. So: "This time, no one hesitated; everyone agreed."

"I think the Palace Master wouldn't object either," Zhang Gonggong said expressionlessly.

Translation: "'I think the Palace Master wouldn't object either.'" Zhang Gonggong said expressionlessly.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'I think the Palace Master wouldn't object either.'" Zhang Gonggong said expressionlessly.

"Then let's settle it like this: we fight, we fight, and after the fight we'll talk again!" Yan Shan Hai stepped over Wuding's corpse, walked straight upstairs, and after his long journey, he needed to rest.

Translation: "'Then let's settle it like that—fight if we must, we'll talk after the fight!' Yan Shan Hai stepped over Wu Ding's corpse, went straight upstairs, and after his long journey, he needed rest."

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Then let's settle it like that—fight if we must, we'll talk after the fight!' Yan Shan Hai stepped over Wu Ding's corpse, went straight upstairs, and after his long journey, he needed rest."

After a moment of silence, someone finally broke the ice.

Translation: After a moment of silence, someone finally broke the silence.

We need to keep meaning. So: "After a moment of silence, someone finally broke the silence."

Nan Zhongyi asked, "When do we set out?" He had remained silent because half a year ago he lost face at Qianzhongmen, losing much of his influence in the martial world, but compared to his old partner Xiao Feng, he considered himself fortunate.

Translation: Nan Zhong Yi asked, "When do we set out?" He had remained silent because half a year ago he lost face at the Thousand Layers Gate, losing too much influence in the jianghu, but compared to his old partner Xiao Feng, he considered himself fortunate.

We need to keep quotes. So: "Nan Zhong Yi asked, 'When do we set out?' He had remained silent because half a year ago he lost face at the Thousand Layers Gate, losing too much influence in the jianghu, but compared to his old partner Xiao Feng, he considered himself fortunate."

If Xiao Feng weren't disabled, he would also be sitting here now.

Translation: If Xiao Feng were not disabled, he would also be sitting here.

We need to keep meaning. So: "If Xiao Feng were not disabled, he would also be sitting here."

"As early as possible, maybe tomorrow," Zhang Gonggong replied; he always acts with urgency.

Translation: "'The sooner, the better—tomorrow.'" Zhang Gonggong replied, he always acted in haste.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'The sooner, the better—tomorrow.'" Zhang Gonggong replied, he always acted in haste.

"What about the Eighteen Riders of the Western Depot?" Nan Zhongyi knew that the token Zhang Gonggong held was a valuable piece, "With them, our chances of victory would be great."

Translation: "'What about the West Depot Eighteen Riders?'" Nan Zhong Yi knew that piece in Zhang Gonggong's hand, "With them, our chances of victory would be great."

We need to keep quotes. So: "'What about the West Depot Eighteen Riders?'" Nan Zhong Yi knew that piece in Zhang Gonggong's hand, "With them, our chances of victory would be great."

"Hahaha! You know you're thinking about that!" Zhang Gonggong pointed at Nan Zhongyi and laughed, his face almost touching the table, "Since I left the capital, the emperor's safety is no longer guaranteed, so they must protect the emperor's safety; moreover, I believe that our twenty people are enough to change the world!"

Translation: "'Hahaha! I know you're thinking about this!'" Zhang Gonggong pointed at Nan Zhong Yi and laughed loudly, his face almost touching the table, "I have left the imperial capital; without me, the emperor's safety cannot be guaranteed, so they must protect the emperor's safety. Moreover, I believe our twenty people are enough to change the world!"

We need to keep quotes. So: "'Hahaha! I know you're thinking about this!'" Zhang Gonggong pointed at Nan Zhong Yi and laughed loudly, his face almost touching the table, "I have left the imperial capital; without me, the emperor's safety cannot be guaranteed, so they must protect the emperor's safety. Moreover, I believe our twenty people are enough to change the world!"

Everyone present, nineteen people, are masters of at least the fourth tier, while the Eighteen Riders of the Western Depot, excluding their leader Zhang Gonggong, the remaining seventeen have unfathomable strength, certainly not weaker than anyone here.

Translation: Of the nineteen people present, all were masters above the fourth tier, and the West Depot Eighteen Riders, aside from their leader Zhang Gonggong, the remaining seventeen have unfathomable strength, certainly not weaker than those present.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Of the nineteen people present, all were masters above the fourth tier, and the West Depot Eighteen Riders, aside from their leader Zhang Gonggong, the remaining seventeen have unfathomable strength, certainly not weaker than those present."

Just how great is Zhang Gonggong's influence, that he can make those seventeen serve him loyally unto death, when they could easily make their own legends in the jianghu?

Translation: Just how capable is Zhang Gonggong to make those seventeen serve him loyally unto death, when they could clearly make their own legends in the jianghu?

We need to keep meaning. So: "Just how capable is Zhang Gonggong to make those seventeen serve him loyally unto death, when they could clearly make their own legends in the jianghu?"

Nan Zhongyi spread his hands, "You decide."

Translation: Nan Zhong Yi spread his hands, "You decide."

We need to keep quotes. So: "Nan Zhong Yi spread his hands, 'You decide.'"

Just as everyone was about to disperse, Zhuge Tieying interjected with a new topic: "I've heard that this year in the jianghu there's a kid named Chen Yi He who's been doing extremely well; is that true?" He had been quietly asking Tie Gang beside him, but others noticed.

Translation: Just as everyone was about to disperse, Zhuge Tie Ying interjected a new topic, "I've heard that this year in the jianghu there's a kid named Chen Yi He who's doing splendidly; is that true?" He had originally been quietly asking Tie Gang beside him, but others noticed.

We need to keep quotes. So: "Just as everyone was about to disperse, Zhuge Tie Ying interjected a new topic, 'I've heard that this year in the jianghu there's a kid named Chen Yi He who's doing splendidly; is that true?' He had originally been quietly asking Tie Gang beside him, but others noticed."

"Logically, among these twenty people, we should give him a spot." Tie Gang said to Zhuge Tieying.

Translation: "'By rights, among these twenty people, a place should be made for him.'" Tie Gang said to Zhuge Tie Ying.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'By rights, among these twenty people, a place should be made for him.'" Tie Gang said to Zhuge Tie Ying.

"I really want to give it a try! It's been too long since I've moved my hands, they're itching!" Zhuge Tieying paid no attention to the looks of those around him.

Translation: "'I really want to give it a try! It's been too long since I've last moved my hands, they're itching!'" Zhuge Tie Ying paid no attention to the looks of those around him.

We need to keep quotes. So: "'I really want to give it a try! It's been too long since I've last moved my hands, they're itching!'" Zhuge Tie Ying paid no attention to the looks of those around him.

Especially the looks of Zhang Gonggong, Nan Zhongyi, and others.

Translation: Especially the gazes of Zhang Gonggong, Nan Zhong Yi, and others.

We need to keep meaning. So: "Especially the gazes of Zhang Gonggong, Nan Zhong Yi, and others."

Zhang Gonggong glanced at Zhuge Tieying and said, "If Chen Yi He is not restrained, he could very well become the next Dongfang Wuji; if problems arise later, don't blame me for not warning you!" Having said that, he stood up and flicked his sleeves away.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong glanced at Zhuge Tie Ying and said, "If Chen Yi He is not restrained, he could very well become the next Dongfang Wuji; if problems arise later, don't blame me for not warning you!" Having said that, he rose and flicked his sleeves away.

We need to keep quotes. So: "Zhang Gonggong glanced at Zhuge Tie Ying and said, 'If Chen Yi He is not restrained, he could very well become the next Dongfang Wuji; if problems arise later, don't blame me for not warning you!' Having said that, he rose and flicked his sleeves away."

Zhuge Tieying was made very embarrassed, and he sheepishly left his last seat.