Chapter 229

"The Heirloom Jade Seal?" Zhang Gonggong asked Tianming back.

Translation: "The Imperial Jade Seal?" Zhang Gonggong asked Tianming back.

But need to keep punctuation: maybe "The Imperial Jade Seal?" Zhang Gonggong asked Tianming. We'll keep as single line.

"Yes." Tianming reached out his hand to Zhang Gonggong, "We only need that thing; it's more important than anything else. If you can produce it, we'll agree to your terms; if you can't, then prepare to be buried alongside your Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Translation: "Yes." Tianming reached out his hand to Zhang Gonggong, "We only need that thing; it's more important than anything. If you can produce it, we'll agree to your terms; if you can't, just wait to be buried alongside your Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Check: "Embroidered Uniform Guard" translated as Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"The Heirloom Jade Seal is not in my hands." Zhang Gonggong shook his head, denying it.

Translation: "The Imperial Jade Seal is not in my hands." Zhang Gonggong shook his head, denying.

Tianba stepped out from the side, he was putting on his clothes, fastening the collar button, saying, "Whether it exists or not is your concern; whether we cooperate is ours."

Translation: Tianba stepped out from the side, he was putting on his clothes, fastening the button on his collar, "Whether it's there or not is your concern; whether we cooperate is ours."

Whether it exists or not is your business; whether we cooperate is ours.

Zhang Gonggong glanced at Tianba, stunned; he seemed to be looking at a true powerhouse, unable to comprehend that extraordinary strength.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong glanced at Tianba, stunned, as if he had seen a true expert, unable to comprehend that kind of extraordinary power.

"The Heirloom Jade Seal may not be in your hand, but you definitely know where it is." Another person stepped out from the side, resembling Tianming except he lacked a fierce fang at the corner of his mouth, and in his hand he was holding a person.

Translation: "The Imperial Jade Seal may not be in your hands, but you definitely know where he is." Another person stepped out from the side, his appearance similar to Tianming's, except he lacked a fierce fang at the corner of his mouth, and in his hand he held a person.

Zhang Gonggong saw clearly; the person being held was the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Kai, his master. He exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

Translation: Zhang Gonggong saw clearly that the person being held was the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Kai, his master. He exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhou Wen, still unconscious, was awakened by Zhang Gonggong's shout; he rubbed his eyes, looked at Zhang Gonggong as if seeing a savior, and quickly cried out, "Zhang Huayu! Quickly save me! Save me! Hurry!"

Translation: Zhou Wenhuang, in a coma, was awakened by Zhang Gonggong's shout; he rubbed his eyes, looked at Zhang Gonggong, as if seeing a savior, and hurriedly shouted, "Zhang Huayu! Quickly save me! Save me! Quickly!"

"Your Majesty, how did you end up here?" Zhang Gonggong stepped forward two paces, approached Emperor Zhou Wen, and asked, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Translation: "Your Majesty, what are you doing here?" Zhang Gonggong stepped forward two paces, approached Zhou Wenhuang, and asked, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"I'm not well, I'm not well; I know your cultivation reaches the heavens, quickly, quickly take me out!" Emperor Zhou Wen lunged forward like a madman, lunging at Zhang Gonggong, straining his voice, opening his mouth wide as if wanting to devour Zhang Gonggong, "Quick! Please!"

Translation: "I'm not well, not well, I know your cultivation reaches the heavens; quickly, quickly take me out!" Zhou Wenhuang lunged forward like a madman, lunging at Zhang Gonggong, shouting at the top of his lungs, opening his mouth wide as if to devour Zhang Gonggong, "Quick! Please!"

The emperor's majesty no longer exists; his imperial aura and dragon countenance have vanished.

Translation: The Son of Heaven's majesty no longer exists; the imperial aura has vanished completely.

No matter how Emperor Zhou Wen struggles, he cannot break free from the hand of Heaven's Calamity.

Translation: No matter how Zhou Wenhuang struggled, he could not break free from Tianzai's grasp.

Zhang Gonggong looked at Emperor Zhou Wen, a hint of pity in his eyes, but it quickly vanished like the emperor's demeanor; he even pressed his hand on the emperor's forehead, saying, "Stay calm, Your Majesty, calm down; you need to see the situation clearly."

Translation: Zhang Gonggong looked at Zhou Wenhuang, a trace of pity in his eyes, but it quickly vanished just like Zhou Wenhuang's demeanor; he even pressed his hand on Zhou Wenhuang's head, saying, "Stay calm, Your Majesty, stay calm—you ought to see the situation clearly."

Upon hearing Zhang Gonggong's words, Emperor Zhou Wen instantly deflated, looking at him with a fearful and desperate gaze; the minister before him seemed utterly strange.

Translation: Upon hearing Zhang Gonggong say that, Zhou Wenhuang instantly lost his spirit, gazing at Zhang Gonggong with a look of terror and despair; the subject before him, how could he be so unfamiliar!

He was actually a stranger!

Translation: He was actually a stranger!

They had served together in the court for decades; he even suppressed his own younger brother Zhou Ke for Zhang Gonggong's sake, both to limit princely power and out of the trust Zhang Gonggong gave him.

Translation: They had served together in the court for decades; he even suppressed his younger brother Zhou Ke for Zhang Gonggong's sake—both out of limiting princely power and from the trust Zhang Gonggong gave him.

"See the situation..." Emperor Zhou Wen murmured to himself, clutching his head, "See the situation... see the situation..."

Translation: "See the situation clearly..." Zhou Wenhuang muttered to himself, clutching his head, "See the situation clearly... see the situation clearly..."

Zhang Gonggong added, "Your Majesty, your era has passed; as an old servant, I still address you as 'Your Majesty' out of respect for our past service together, but I cannot save you either."

Translation: Zhang Gonggong added, "Your Majesty, your era has passed; as an old subject, I still call you 'Your Majesty' out of regard for our past service together, but I cannot save you either."

Heaven's Calamity grabbed Emperor Zhou Wen like a dog on a leash, "Hahaha, bark twice, imitate a dog's bark twice, and I'll let you go!"

Translation: Tianzai grabbed Zhou Wenhuang like a dog on a leash, "Hahaha, bark twice, imitate a dog's bark twice, and I'll let you go!"

"Pah! I am the Son of Heaven; how could I endure your insult?" Although Emperor Zhou Wen lost his status, his integrity remained; he could beg his former subjects, but he would never yield to his enemy: "Kill me or cut me, do as you wish!"

Translation: "Pah, I am the exalted Nine-Five; how could I suffer your insult? Ah!" Although Zhou Wenhuang had lost his status, his integrity remained; he could ask his former subjects for help, but he would never yield to his enemies, "Kill me, cut me—do as you wish!"

"Hahaha. What fun would there be in killing you?" Heaven's Calamity laughed, saying, "Zhang Gonggong, you have only one path: obtain the Heirloom Jade Seal; otherwise, wait to die alongside your master."

Translation: "Hahaha. Killing you would be no fun for us," Tianzai laughed, saying, "Zhang Gonggong, you have only one path: obtain the Imperial Jade Seal; otherwise, wait to die alongside your master."

"Zhang Huayu, if you still remember my past kindness to you, you must absolutely not work for them! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is in your hands; you can easily turn back and rescue me!" Emperor Zhou Wen shouted.

Translation: "Zhang Huayu, if you still remember my past kindness to you, you must absolutely not work for them! The Embroidered Uniform Guard is in your hands; you can easily fight your way back to save me!" Zhou Wenhuang shouted.

Zhang Gonggong ignored Emperor Zhou Wen, instead telling Heaven's Calamity, "I'll do my best." Having said that, he left the cavern without looking back; behind him, Emperor Zhou Wen's angry shouts faded away.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong ignored Zhou Wenhuang, turned to Tianzai and said, "I'll do my best." Having said that, he left the cave without looking back; behind him, Zhou Wenhuang's angry shouts faded away.

……

Translation: ……

In the Prince's mansion.

Translation: In the Prince's mansion.

The prince's mansion, splendid and magnificent, with its gold and brilliant halls, compared to its former bustling gates, is now truly much more desolate.

Translation: The magnificent Prince's mansion, the splendid Prince's mansion, compared to its former bustling gates, is now truly much more deserted.

The prince's mansion is no longer what it once was; if not for Zhou Ke holding it up, it might now be as empty as the palace, a deserted city.

Translation: The Prince's mansion is no longer what it once was; if not for Zhou Ke holding it up, it might now be like the Imperial palace, an empty city.

Zhou Ke was drinking tea; having stayed too long in the Buddhist scripture pavilion, he finally had a rare moment of rest, and naturally he took the opportunity to enjoy a good cup of tea.

Translation: Zhou Ke was drinking tea; having stayed too long in the Sutra Library, he finally had a rare moment of rest, and naturally he wanted a good cup of tea.

"The tea is good, but I don't know how much longer I'll be able to enjoy it!" Zhou Ke held the cup, watching the tea leaves drift through the liquid, and sighed.

Translation: "The tea is good, but I don't know how much longer I'll be able to drink it!" Zhou Ke held his cup, watching the tea leaves drift on the surface, and couldn't help but sigh.

"The prince can drink as long as he wishes; naturally he will be able to." Said Situ Qing, standing nearby.

Translation: "The Prince can drink as long as he wishes, and naturally he will be able to do so." Situ Qing, standing nearby, said.

"Heh, you must be tired from standing; sit down and have a cup as well."

Translation: "Hehe, tired from standing? Sit down, have a cup too."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Situ Qing sat down respectfully and drank tea respectfully.

Translation: "Thank you, Prince." Situ Qing sat down respectfully and drank tea respectfully.

"No need to be formal." Zhou Ke glanced at Situ Qing and said lightly.

Translation: "No need to be formal." Zhou Ke glanced at Situ Qing and said lightly.

Situ Qing had drunk three cups of tea, then finally could not restrain his curiosity and said to Zhou Ke, "Your Highness, may I ask you a question?"

Translation: Situ Qing had drunk three cups of tea, then finally could no longer suppress his thought, and said to Zhou Ke, "Prince, may I ask you a question, subordinate?"

"Of course." Zhou Ke appeared somewhat surprised, yet also felt it was expected.

Translation: "Of course." Zhou Ke showed a bit of surprise, yet also felt it was expected.

At that moment, a fierce wind sprang up outside the prince's mansion gates, extinguishing the lanterns on either side, snapping the candles, and overturning the stone lions, which fell and shattered into several pieces.

Translation: At that moment, a fierce wind rose outside the Prince's mansion's main gate, blowing out the lanterns on both sides, snapping the candles, and overturning the stone lions, which fell to the ground and shattered into several pieces.

The wind continued to blow inside the mansion, overturning tea sets, tables and chairs, famous calligraphy and paintings, everything in disarray—as if an invisible hand were ransacking the house! Ransacking the prince's mansion!

Translation: The wind kept blowing into the mansion, overturning tea sets, tables and chairs, famous calligraphy and paintings, everything in a chaotic mess! It was as if an invisible hand were ransacking the house! Ransacking the Prince's mansion!

Situ Qing braved the gale, knife in hand, and rushed out.

Translation: Situ Qing braved the wind, knife in hand, and rushed out.

"Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!" The laughter, carried on the wind, surged forth, shaking the entire prince's mansion.

Translation: "Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!" The laughter, carried on the wind, surged forth, shaking the entire Prince's mansion.

Zhou Ke struggled to rise from the grand chair; at the very moment he stood, the chair was blown apart into fragments. He stepped slowly to the doorway, gazed at the black sky, and sensed a familiar presence.

Translation: Zhou Ke struggled to rise from the grand chair; at the very moment he stood, the chair was blown into fragments. He stepped step by step to the doorway, gazed at the dark sky, and felt a familiar aura.

"Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!" …

Translation: "Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!"……

"Bold bandit, dare to cause havoc in the prince's mansion! Show yourself at once, or you're dead!" Situ Qing pointed his knife at the sky and shouted loudly.

Translation: "Bold bandit, dare to cause havoc in the Prince's mansion! Show yourself now, or it's a dead end!" Situ Qing pointed his knife at the sky and shouted loudly.

"Weakling, step aside; let me speak with your master!" Though the speaker had not yet appeared, the words were already spoken.

Translation: "Weakling, step aside; let me speak with your master!" Though the speaker had not yet appeared, the words were already spoken.

Zhou Ke stood behind Situ Qing, who drew a protective circle with his knife in front of him, vowing to ensure Zhou Ke's safety.

Translation: Zhou Ke stood behind Situ Qing, who drew a circle with his knife in front of him; he had to ensure Zhou Ke's safety.

Zhang Gonggong approached from afar; wherever he went, the wind ceased.

Translation: Zhang Gonggong walked from afar; wherever he went, the wind ceased.

"Zhang Huayu?" Situ Qing finally saw clearly.

Translation: "Zhang Huayu?" Situ Qing finally saw clearly.

"Long time no see, Prince Zhou." Zhou Ke said to Zhang Gonggong.

Translation: "Long time no see, Prince Zhou." Zhou Ke said to Zhang Gonggong.

"It has indeed been a while since we last met; I heard you've been looking for me?"

Translation: "It's been a while since we last met; I heard you've been looking for me?"

"Yes, you've finally appeared." Zhou Ke said calmly, patting Situ Qing's shoulder to comfort his subordinate.

Translation: "Yes, you've finally appeared." Zhou Ke said calmly, patting Situ Qing on the shoulder to comfort his subordinate.

"Why don't I see any heavy troops lying in ambush?"

Translation: "Why don't I see any heavy troops lying in ambush?"

"Someone as skilled as you could not be subdued even if you had a force of a hundred thousand troops."

Translation: "Someone as skilled as you, even with a force of a hundred thousand troops, couldn't defeat you."

This point is indeed true.