Chapter 18

translation: "Chen Yi He grabbed Xu Jia with one hand and swung his sword with the other, needing to kill enemies while protecting Xu Jia—he was momentarily surrounded on all sides! Even so, his sword was like a meat grinder, frantically slaughtering the brothers of the Eternal Joy Gate, just like Long Wang, and he had already fought his way to the gate of the Eternal Joy Gate."

"Chen Yi He grabbed Xu Jia with one hand and swung his sword with the other; he had to kill the enemy while protecting Xu Jia, and for a moment he was attacked from front and back! Even so, his sword was like a meat grinder, madly mincing the brothers of Chang Le Men, and like the Dragon King, he had already fought his way to the gate of Chang Le Men."

is a comment, not to translate. So skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

Now, we need to ensure we translate everything else meaningfully.

Let's go line by line.

Chen Yi He grabbed Xu Jia with one hand and swung his sword with the other, needing to kill enemies while protecting Xu Jia; he was attacked from front and back in an instant! Even so, his sword was like a meat grinder, frenziedly mincing the brothers of Chang Le Gate, and like the Dragon King, he had already fought his way to the gate of Chang Le Gate.

is comment, skip.

comment, skip.

comment, skip.

Now, line.

Chen Yi He and the Dragon King echoed each other, with enemies still between them.

Translate: "Chen Yi He and Long Wang echoed each other, with enemies still between them."

"You take him and go first, I'll cover the rear!" Chen Yi He shoved Xu Jia toward the Dragon King and shouted.

Translate: "\"You take him and go first, I'll cover the rear! \" Chen Yi He shoved Xu Jia toward Long Wang and shouted loudly."

"Good!" The Dragon King helped Xu Jia onto his horse and ordered, "Brothers, retreat!"

Translate: "\"Good! \" Long Wang put Xu Jia on a horse and ordered, \"Brothers, retreat! \"

The brothers of Tiger Dragon Gate fought while retreating, with Chen Yi He covering them one by one! Enemy blood splattered all over him as he wielded the Mountain River Sword Technique to its utmost!

Translate: "The Dragon Tiger Gate brothers fought while retreating, and Chen Yi He covered them one by one! Enemy blood spattered all over him, and the Mountain River Sword Technique was wielded to the utmost!"

comment, skip.

On the streets of Qunshan City, more lackeys of Chang Le Gate rushed out, intending to intercept the Dragon King!

Translate: "On the streets of Mountain Range City, more lackeys of Eternal Joy Gate rushed out, trying to intercept Long Wang!"

comment, skip.

"Brothers, kill! Carve a bloody path!" the Dragon King swung his great blade, not slowing at all, riding his horse and smashing into anyone he met, then slashing them!

Translate: "\"Brothers, kill! Carve a bloody path! \" Long Wang swung his great blade, not slowing at all, riding his horse and smashing into anyone he met, cutting down anyone he met."

Chen Yi He saw that his own people had mostly left, only then considering his own retreat.

Translate: "Chen Yi He only considered his own retreat after seeing his own people had mostly left."

A brother of Chang Le Gate wanted to kill the last horse to cut off Chen Yi He's retreat, but Chen Yi He saw through the ruse!

Translate: "A brother of Eternal Joy Gate wanted to kill the last horse to cut off Chen Yi He's retreat, but Chen Yi He saw through the scheme!"

Chen Yi He threw his long sword, which pierced that man's chest on the spot!

Translate: "Chen Yi He threw his long sword, and that man was pierced through the chest on the spot!"

Chen Yi He leapt onto his horse and galloped away.

Translate: "Chen Yi He jumped onto his horse and galloped away."

All that could be seen was the Dragon King's blade descending, carving a seven- to eight-meter-long slash mark to the side! The Chang Le Gate brothers were hacked to pieces, and the Dragon King, with his followers, carved a bloody path out by sheer force!

Translate: "Just then, Long Wang chopped down with his blade, leaving a seven- to eight-meter-long slash mark on the side! The Eternal Joy Gate brothers were hacked to pieces, and Long Wang led his men in carving out a bloody path!"

The guards of Qunshan City dared not intervene in such a jianghu brawl; they simply left the city gates open and let them fight!

Translate: "The guards of Mountain Range City dared not intervene in such a jianghu brawl, simply leaving the city gates open and letting them cause chaos!"

The Dragon King and Chen Yi He charged out of Qunshan City one after another, and the brothers of Tiger Dragon Gate basically all burst out as well!

Translate: "Long Wang and Chen Yi He successively rushed out of Mountain Range City, and the Dragon Tiger Gate brothers basically all burst out as well!"

…… (ellipsis). We need to output the line as is? The line contains only ellipsis. We should translate as "……" maybe keep as "..."? Usually we keep the ellipsis as is. We'll output "【15】 ……" but we need to translate? The instruction: translate faithfully; ellipsis is punctuation, we can keep as "……". We'll output same.

After running wildly for more than half an hour, everyone finally returned to Tiger Mountain.

Translate: "After fleeing at full speed for more than half an hour, everyone finally returned to Tiger Mountain."

"Hahaha! We finally escaped disaster!" the Dragon King laughed loudly while dismounting.

Translate: "\"Hahaha! We finally escaped disaster! \" Long Wang laughed as he dismounted."

"It's a shame the moonlight's gone; otherwise we could have had two more drinks." Chen Yi He also said with a smile, feeling the blood on his face stick together, giving off a strong fishy odor.

Translate: "\"It's a shame the moonlight's gone, otherwise we could have had two more drinks. \" Chen Yi He also said with a smile, feeling the blood on his face stick together, giving off a strong fishy smell."

"Brothers, tally the casualties!" the Dragon King turned to Chen Yi He and said, "Come on, let's keep drinking; when that kid wakes up, we'll settle the score with him!"

Translate: "\"Brothers, tally the casualties! \" Long Wang turned to Chen Yi He and said, \"Come on, let's keep drinking. When that brat wakes up, we'll settle the score properly! \"

The unconscious Xu Jia was lifted onto the Tiger's Mouth by two lackeys.

Translate: "The unconscious Xu Jia was lifted onto Tiger's Mouth by two aides."

"Is he alright?" Chen Yi He worried.

Translate: "\"Is he alright? \" Chen Yi He asked worriedly."

"He's fine, don't worry! Let's drink!" The Dragon King's killing aura from Chang Le Gate had completely dissipated; there's nothing good wine can't heal.

Translate: "\"He's fine, don't worry! Let's drink! \" The killing intent from Eternal Joy Gate had completely dissipated, for there is no ailment that good wine cannot heal."

Xu Jia's weak voice came through, coughing: "Cough cough, this... such good wine, you two drank it behind my back? Cough cough."

Translate: "Xu Jia's weak voice came faintly, \"Cough cough, this... such fine liquor, you two... you two drank it behind my back? Cough cough. \"

"You jerk, come drink!" Seeing Xu Jia awake, Chen Yi He finally perked up and urged him.

Translate: "\"You jerk, come drink! \" Seeing Xu Jia awake, Chen Yi He finally perked up and urged him."

Xu Jia struggled to rise, following the aroma of the fine wine, he crawled onto a stone bench, picked up the bowl, and inhaled deeply for a while, "Good wine, good wine!" as if the wine could cure a hundred ailments!

Translate: "Xu Jia painfully crawled up, following the aroma of the fine wine, climbed onto a stone stool, lifted his wine bowl, and inhaled deeply for a while, \"Fine wine, fine wine! \" As if the wine could cure a hundred ailments!"

"Bottoms up!"

Translate: "\"Bottoms up! \"

"Bottoms up!"

Translate: "\"Bottoms up! \"

"Bottoms up!" The three brothers clinked their cups and drank!

Translate: "\"Bottoms up! \" The three brothers clinked cups and drank!"

"Brother Xu, I really have to thank you! I never expected my affair to almost get you killed!" Chen Yi He singled out a bowl of wine for Xu Jia; in the jianghu, the most important thing is righteousness.

Translate: "\"Brother Xu, I truly owe you! I never expected my affair to almost get you killed! \" Chen Yi He singled out a bowl of wine for Xu Jia; in the jianghu, what matters most is brotherhood."

"Brothers, no need to say more!"

Translate: "\"Brothers, no need for many words! \"

"Damn it, you've cost me at least a hundred brothers, and my Tiger Dragon Gate is already short on manpower. What do you have to say, you little brat? Didn't I give you a silver note? Is there any need to steal a hundred thousand taels?" Though righteousness is righteousness, the Dragon King still ached for his men.

Translate: "\"Damn, I lost at least a hundred brothers at minimum, and my Dragon Tiger Gate already has few members. You little brat, didn't I give you a silver note? Is there any need to steal ten thousand taels? \" Brotherhood aside, Long Wang still ached for his men."

"Things aren't as you think; if you trust your brothers, just listen to me!" Xu Jia wiped the lingering liquor from his lips, shook his head, and said.

Translate: "\"It's not what you think; if you trust your brothers, listen to me! \" Xu Jia wiped the lingering wine from his lips, shook his head, and said."

"Oh? Then go ahead and tell us."

Translate: "\"Oh? Then go ahead and tell us. \"

"That jade ruyi is what I spent a hundred thousand taels to buy. I thought the gems were too many and too heavy, making me a big target on the road; what if I ran into bandits or robbers? I never expected that Ma Ming would collude with Zhang Gonggong to cheat me—I paid the money, yet he gave the jade ruyi to Zhang Gonggong, claimed I stole his treasure, and then sold it to Zhang Gonggong. I paid and got nothing; how could I bear it? Before I could even think of going back to argue, they caught me first! Do you think I'm wronged?" As Xu Jia spoke, he began to cry.

Translate: "\"That jade ruyi is what I bought for a hundred thousand taels. I thought the gems were too many and heavy, making me a big target on the road; what if I ran into bandits or robbers? I never expected Ma Ming to actually team up with Eunuch Zhang to swindle me—I paid the money, but he gave the jade ruyi to Eunuch Zhang, then claimed I stole his treasure and sold it to Eunuch Zhang. I paid and got nothing; how could I bear it? Before I could even think of going back to confront them, they caught me first! Am I wronged? \" As Xu Jia spoke, he started to cry."

"How could this happen?" the Dragon King asked.

Translate: "\"How could this happen? \" Long Wang asked."

"Who is this Zhang Gonggong?" Chen Yi He also asked.

Translate: "\"Who is that Eunuch Zhang? \" Chen Yi He also asked."

"Zhang Gonggong is the foremost power broker in the capital, the emperor's top man; in the Great Zhou dynasty he could be called a figure who summons wind and rain." The Dragon King answered Chen Yi He, "I never imagined he'd meddle in this over a hundred thousand taels. It shouldn't be like that."

Translate: "\"Eunuch Zhang is the foremost power broker in the imperial capital, the emperor's right-hand man; in the Great Zhou Dynasty, he can be called a figure who summons wind and rain. \" The one answering Chen Yi He was Long Wang, \"I never imagined he'd meddle in this over a hundred thousand taels. It shouldn't be like that. \"

"You might not know, but the Thousand Heavy Gate announced that this year they're only accepting ten disciples, a tenth of previous years." Xu Jia suddenly said.

Translate: "\"You might not know, but the Thousandfold Gate announced they're only taking ten disciples this year, a tenth of previous years. \" Xu Jia suddenly said."

"What??!" Chen Yi He panicked.

Translate: "\"What?? \" Chen Yi He panicked."

"Why would they cut the numbers? This rule hasn't changed for thousands of years; why is it different for us?" The Dragon King also felt the pressure. However, for him it's weak—he could handle a hundred, let alone ten!

Translate: "\"Why compress the numbers? This rule hasn't changed for thousands of years, yet it's different for us? \" Long Wang also felt the pressure. However, this pressure is weak for him—he could handle a hundred, let alone ten!"

"I was locked up for half a month; many others like me were also detained, and I heard this from them."

Translate: "\"I was locked up for half a month, and many others like me were also detained; I heard this from them. \"

"Where were you held?" the Dragon King asked Xu Jia.

Translate: "\"Where were you held? \" Long Wang asked Xu Jia."

"The Western Depot."

Translate: "\"Western Depot. \""

The name "Western Depot" was familiar to Chen Yi He from TV dramas; he hadn't expected it to exist in this book's world as well, counterpart to the Eastern Depot.

Translate: "The name Western Depot, Chen Yi He had heard of it in TV dramas; he didn't expect this book's world to also have it, counterpart to the Eastern Depot."

"Is it at Zhang Gonggong's place?" the Dragon King asked again.

Translate: "\"Is it at Eunuch Zhang's place? \" Long Wang asked again."

"Mm."

Translate: "\"Mm. \""

"Then it's no surprise—every ten years a prince is sent into the Thousand Heavy Gate; this year they cut the numbers, the old emperor must be up to something, afraid his own son won't get in! Hahaha!"

Translate: "\"Then it's no surprise—every ten years a prince is sent into the Thousandfold Gate; this year they cut the numbers, the old emperor must be up to something, afraid his own son won't get in! \" Hahaha!"

"So he followed this line from Brother Xu, found us, and wants to kill us to ensure the prince can enter the Thousand Heavy Gate?" Chen Yi He understood.

Translate: "\"So he followed this line of Brother Xu to find us, aiming to kill us to ensure the prince can enter the Thousandfold Gate? \" Chen Yi He understood."

"Exactly! To be precise, it's aimed at me, the Dragon King!" He grinned, "I never thought Zhang Gonggong would personally get involved. Ma Ming is just a small lackey; it seems we can't delay—we'll set out at dawn, head south to the frontier, where even the heavenly king couldn't move us!"

Translate: "\"Exactly! To be precise, it's aimed at me, Long Wang! \" Long Wang grinned, \"I never expected Eunuch Zhang to show up in person. Ma Ming is just a small fry; we shouldn't delay—we'll set out at dawn, head south to the Southern Frontier, where even the Heavenly King himself couldn't move us! \"

"What about Yi He's tuition?" Xu Jia suddenly thought of this, blaming himself, "Or maybe I'm just not careful enough and fell for a scoundrel's trick."

Translate: "\"What about Yi He's tuition? \" Xu Jia suddenly thought of this, unable to stop blaming himself, \"Or am I just not careful enough, falling for a villain's trick. \"

"Hahaha! We'll surely figure something out along the way, don't panic!" the Dragon King laughed reassuringly.

Translate: "\"Hahaha! We'll surely figure something out along the way, don't panic! \" Long Wang laughed reassuringly."

"Yeah, what are you panicking about? You probably won't need your tuition—since the Thousand Heavy Gate only takes ten disciples, my cultivation is still far behind, I'm more than capable, and I could actually save you a hundred thousand taels of gold!" Chen Yi He also said with a laugh.

Translate: "\"Yeah, what's there to panic about? You probably won't need your tuition anyway—Thousandfold Gate only takes ten disciples, my cultivation is still far from enough, more than enough to show off, and it'll save you a hundred thousand taels of gold! \" Chen Yi He also said with a laugh."

"Don't worry, we'll take it step by step—first head south to the frontier; worst case, before the fifteenth of August I'll kill all those rivals, take their money, and then with no competition left, I bet those old fogies of the Thousand Heavy Gate will be begging Yi He to join! Hahaha!"

Translate: "\"Don't worry, we'll take it step by step—first head to the Southern Frontier; worst case, before the fifteenth of August I'll kill off those rivals and loot their money, then with no competition, I bet those old fogeys of the Thousandfold Gate will be begging Yi He to join! \" Hahaha!"

"Dragon King, truly, I don't know how to express my thanks—it's all in this wine!" Chen Yi He stood to toast the Dragon King; such two brothers make his journey into this book worthwhile!

Translate: "\"Long Wang, truly, I don't know how to express my thanks—it's all in this wine! \" Chen Yi He stood up to toast Long Wang; having such two brothers, his journey into this book wasn't in vain!"

Once the wine was finished, it was already dawn. Thinking they needed to leave quickly, Chen Yi He, the Dragon King, and Xu Jia didn't even rest; they just packed up and prepared to set out.

Translate: "Once the wine was finished, it was already dawn; thinking they needed to set off quickly, Chen Yi He, Long Wang, and Xu Jia had no time to rest, just packing up to depart."

Chen Yi He asked the Dragon King, "With so many brothers, you're leaving them at Tiger Mountain—aren't you afraid Zhang Gonggong and his men will come for revenge?"

Translate: "Chen Yi He asked Long Wang, \"With so many brothers, you left them at Tiger Mountain—aren't you afraid Eunuch Zhang and his ilk will come for revenge? \""

"No need to worry; their target is just the two of us trying to enter the Thousand Heavy Gate, not these lackeys. Right now they're short on manpower—who would come looking for trouble for no reason?" the Dragon King said, unfazed.

Translate: "\"No need to worry; their target is just us two who want to enter the Thousandfold Gate, not these lackeys. Right now they're short on manpower—who would come looking for trouble for no reason? \" Long Wang showed no concern."

"Besides, Tiger Mountain is layered with peaks; most of the Tiger Dragon Gate brothers grew up here, and they can hide on any hilltop, making it hard for outsiders to find them." Xu Jia added.

Translate: "\"Besides, Tiger Mountain is layered with peaks; most of the Dragon Tiger Gate brothers grew up here, and just finding any hill to hide in would be enough to evade outsiders. \" Xu Jia added."

Since there's no more rear worry, the earlier we set out, the safer we'll be!

Translate: "With no rear worries, the earlier we set out, the safer!"

The subordinates have already prepared everything that needed to be prepared, "Dragon King, the carriage is ready."

Good, we'll set off now!

Dragon King, Yi He, this Southern Border, you guys go; as a brother, I won't go! Xu Jia saw off the two brothers.

"You really aren't coming with us?" Chen Yi He asked.

"Yeah, once the Thousand Gates open it's ten years; do we really have to be separated for ten years as the three of us brothers?" Dragon King also asked.

Hehe, going to the Southern Border, I hear it's a place even more terrifying than the western desert, a land of barbarians—what's fun about that? Moreover, this journey is perilous, and I don't know martial arts; if I go with you, I'll only hold you back. Even if I lost my life, it wouldn't be a big deal. But if I drag you down, I'd feel terrible." Xu Jia's laughter carried a hint of desolation; he pointed at the hill at Tiger Mouth, "I'll stay here at Tiger Mountain, guarding the Dragon Tiger Gate for you."

Chen Yi He stepped forward and gave Xu Jia a hug, "Then let's look forward to our next meeting!" He pulled out an Apple 17 from his pants pocket, "Come, let's stand together."

"What is this?" Dragon King wondered at the thing Chen Yi He had pulled out.

"It's a treasure! Hahaha, you finally deigned to let the brothers experience it!" Xu Jia laughed loudly, having eyed this treasure of Chen Yi He's all the way from Clear Water City to Tiger Mountain.

Obviously, the two brothers Dragon King and Xu Jia didn't know what use this treasure called a "mobile phone" had.

"Come, let's stand together, facing this."

"Click." Chen Yi He pressed the shutter.

"Look, we're in there!" Xu Jia pointed at himself in the phone, excited.

Dragon King also found it unbelievable, his face was right in the phone, exactly the same as just now, like his reflection in water, or like a reflection fixed in a bronze mirror.

"This treasure lets us freeze our beautiful moments." Chen Yi He captured a precious photo of himself and the two brothers, also serving as a keepsake for himself.

"Alright, you should set off now; you've worked hard, while I'm going to sleep." Xu Jia turned and left, waving his back to the two brothers, "Goodbye!"