Chapter 89

Sunlight filters through the gaps between leaves, casting dappled patterns on the soft muddy ground.

Translation: Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the soft earth.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the soft earth.

The summer heat dissipates greatly in the forest; on the contrary, the fresh scent of plants and trees is very pronounced.

Translation: The summer heat dissipates greatly in the woods; on the contrary, the fresh scent of plants is very fragrant.

Better: "The summer heat dissipates greatly in the forest; conversely, the fresh scent of vegetation is very pronounced." Keep concise.

Chen Yi He hid behind an old tree, sealing his true qi and sword qi within himself, making him hard to detect. Seeing people fighting, he simply stopped his horse and found a spot to spy on them.

Translation: Chen Yi He hid behind an old tree, sealing his internal true qi and sword qi, making him hard to detect. Seeing people fighting, he simply stopped his horse and found a spot to peek.

We need to keep "true qi" as "true qi" (common term). "sword qi" as "sword qi". Good.

However, the battle ended extremely quickly, so fast that Chen Yi He didn't even have a chance to watch before it was over.

Translation: However, the battle ended very quickly, so quickly that Chen Yi He didn't even have a chance to watch before it was over.

That person stood two meters tall, broad and sturdy, with a burly build, a head of long, messy, dirty hair, and leather boots on his feet—one long, one short.

Translation: That person stood two meters tall, broad and sturdy, with a burly build, his long hair messy and dirty, and on his feet were leather boots, one long and one short.

We need to keep the idiom "broad and sturdy" for "five big and three thick". Good.

The slender long sword harmonized perfectly with his tall, sturdy frame.

Translation: The slender long sword matched his tall physique without any sense of incongruity.

The long sword's design was quite ordinary, but its blade was a vivid crimson.

Translation: The sword's style was quite ordinary, but the blade was entirely red.

With a single sweep of his sword, all five people surrounding him had their throats slit.

Translation: With a single sweep of his sword, all five people surrounding him had their throats slit.

Although the five individuals' abilities varied, they were all roughly at the third heavenly tier.

Translation: Although the five men's abilities varied, they were all around the Third Heaven level.

One person, with one sword, killed five experts of the third heavenly tier.

Translation: One person, one sword, killed five Third Heaven experts.

He then thrust his long sword into each of the five not-yet-dead bodies; shortly thereafter, the five corpses turned into desiccated husks.

Translation: He then plunged his long sword into each of the five not-yet-dead bodies; shortly after, the five corpses turned into desiccated husks.

The sword's blade grew even more blood-red, giving off an eerie, otherworldly aura.

Translation: The sword's blade grew even more blood-red, even carrying a faint eerie feeling.

That person himself also seemed eerie.

Translation: That person, too, was quite eerie.

The nickname "Ximo Jianmo" — Chen Yi He had heard from Xu Jia that this person supposedly came from the legendary Western Desert, had come alone to the Northern Capital, his strength was overwhelming, striking fear into the martial world. His weapon, the Bloodthirsty Sword, requires fresh blood daily to nourish it, making him stronger.

Translation: The nickname "Western Desert Sword Devil", Chen Yi He had heard from Xu Jia; rumor had it this person came from the legendary Western Desert, came alone to Bei Du, his strength was overwhelming, making jianghu folks tremble at the mere mention. His weapon, the Bloodthirsty Sword, needed fresh blood daily to nourish it, thereby growing stronger.

We need to decide on the translation of "Ximo Jianmo". We said we will pinyin it as "Ximo Jianmo". However the line says "the nickname 'Ximo Jianmo'". If we pinyin, we would say "The nickname 'Ximo Jianmo'". But then we lose meaning. However the rule says for personal names we use pinyin. So we will do that.

Thus: "The nickname 'Ximo Jianmo', Chen Yi He had heard from Xu Jia; rumor had it this person came from the legendary Western Desert, came alone to Bei Du, his strength was overwhelming, making jianghu folks tremble at the mere mention. His weapon, the Bloodthirsty Sword, needed fresh blood daily to nourish it, thereby growing stronger."

But we also need to translate "Western Desert" as the place name. Good.

Chen Yi He concluded that the person before him was Ximo Jianmo, believing he had not been discovered.

Translation: Chen Yi He concluded that the person before him was the Western Desert Sword Devil, believing he had not been discovered.

Again we need to decide: Should we use pinyin for the nickname? The line says "Ximo Jianmo". If we treat as nickname used as name, we pinyin. So: "Chen Yi He concluded that the person before him was Ximo Jianmo, believing he had not been discovered."

But then we lose the meaning of "Western Desert Sword Devil". However the rule is strict: personal names -> pinyin. We'll follow.

Yet he saw Ximo Jianmo thrust his sword forward, the direction aimed precisely at the old tree behind which Chen Yi He was hiding.

Translation: Yet he saw Ximo Jianmo thrust his sword forward, the direction aimed precisely at the old tree behind which Chen Yi He was hiding.

Chen Yi He sidestepped to dodge.

Translation: Chen Yi He sidestepped to dodge.

The sturdy old tree was pierced through by the Bloodthirsty Sword; it did not explode, but quickly withered.

Translation: The sturdy old tree was pierced through by the Bloodthirsty Sword; it did not explode, but quickly withered.

The Bloodthirsty Sword even absorbs the tree's essence!

Translation: The Bloodthirsty Sword even absorbs the tree's essence!

"Hehe, kid, spying on me?" Ximo Jianmo's burly body did not turn; he tilted his head and asked Chen Yi He.

Translation: "Heh heh, kid, spying on me?" Ximo Jianmo's burly body didn't turn; he tilted his head and asked Chen Yi He.

Chen Yi He quickly waved his hands, saying, "Just passing by, just passing by..."

Translation: Chen Yi He hurriedly waved his hands, "Just passing by, just passing by..."

"Don't be afraid; today my sword has drunk enough blood, so I won't target you." Ximo Jianmo sheathed his Bloodthirsty Sword behind his back.

Translation: "Don't be afraid; today my sword has drunk enough blood, so I won't bother you." Ximo Jianmo sheathed his Bloodthirsty Sword behind his back.

Chen Yi He finally breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Thank you... thank you..."

Translation: Chen Yi He then let out a breath of relief, "Thank you... thank you..."

"But who knows, maybe tomorrow there'll be no one left to drink blood..." Ximo Jianmo lowered his head, sizing up Chen Yi He, feeling that he looked familiar, but couldn't recall where he had seen him before, asking, "Who are you? I just feel you're very familiar—have we met somewhere, or is it just your portrait?"

Translation: "But who knows, maybe tomorrow there'll be no one left to drink blood from..." Ximo Jianmo lowered his head, sizing up Chen Yi He, feeling he looked familiar, but couldn't recall where he'd seen him, "Who are you? I just feel you're very familiar—where have I seen you... or perhaps your portrait?"

"I... I'm Zhang Fan, the Zhang from Gongchang Zhang, the Zhang meaning 'sail'." Chen Yi He dared not give his real name, fearing that if the other knew he was Chen Yi He, he would be killed and taken to the West Factory to exchange for silver notes.

Translation: "I... I'm Zhang Fan, Zhang of the Bow, Fan as in sail..." Chen Yi He dared not give his real name, fearing that if the other learned he was Chen Yi He, he'd be killed and taken to the West Factory to be exchanged for silver notes.

"The 'fan' in capsizing? Do you know my nickname?"

Translation: "Fan as in capsizing? Then you know my nickname, right?"

"The 'fan' in setting sail. Ximo Jianmo?" Chen Yi He asked symbolically.

Translation: "Fan as in setting sail. Western Desert Sword Devil?" Chen Yi He asked symbolically.

Again we need to decide: Should we use pinyin for the nickname? The line says "Ximo Jianmo". If we treat as nickname used as name, we pinyin. So: "Fan as in setting sail. Ximo Jianmo?" Chen Yi He asked symbolically.

"Yes!" Ximo Jianmo is about ten years older than Chen Yi He, yet looks about the same age; his body is constantly surrounded by a lingering demonic aura that carries a strong stench of blood, making one feel nauseous.

Translation: "Right!" Ximo Jianmo is about ten or so years older than Chen Yi He, yet looks about the same age; his body constantly emanates an inescapable demonic aura, which carries a strong bloody stench, making one want to vomit.

Chen Yi He was initially unaccustomed to Ximo Jianmo's scent, but he soon adapted, after all he had spent half a year in the hellish Thousand Layer Gate, an underground world full of corpses and graves.

Translation: Chen Yi He was initially unaccustomed to Ximo Jianmo's smell, but soon adapted, for he had spent half a year in the hellish Thousand Layer Gate, an underground world full of corpses and graves.

We translated "Thousand Layer Gate" as the term. Good.

"Alright, as long as you know my nickname." Ximo Jianmo told Chen Yi He, "Then let me have your horse."

Translation: "Fine, as long as you know my nickname." Ximo Jianmo said to Chen Yi He, "Then let me have your horse."

Ximo Jianmo had already caught the scent of Chen Yi He's horse parked far away.

Translation: Ximo Jianmo had already caught the scent of Chen Yi He's horse parked far away.

"What?" Chen Yi He naturally unwilling.

Translation: "What?" Chen Yi He naturally unwilling.

"You can keep either your life or your horse, but not both." Ximo Jianmo said coldly.

Translation: "You can keep either your life or your horse, not both." Ximo Jianmo said coldly.

Chen Yi He knew he was no match for Ximo Jianmo, who was a master of the peerless Dao. "Take the horse then..."

Translation: Chen Yi He knew he was no match for Ximo Jianmo, after all Ximo Jianmo is an unparalleled Dao master. "Take the horse then..."

"Won't you bring it over? Hahaha!" Ximo Jianmo laughed loudly, his demonic aura disturbing the creatures in the forest.

Translation: "Why don't you bring it over? Hahaha!" Ximo Jianmo laughed loudly, his demonic aura disturbing the creatures in the woods.

Chen Yi He had consulted the map; he was still half a day's journey from Divine Sword Manor. Without a horse, he would have to trek arduously for a whole day. "Just give it over; it's no big deal."

Translation: Chen Yi He had checked the map; he was still half a day's journey from God Sword Mountain Villa. Without a horse, he'd have to trek hard for a day. "Just give it over, it's no big deal."

Ximo Jianmo seized Chen Yi He's horse, mounted it, and before leaving laughed at Chen Yi He, "Zhang Fan, right? I've remembered you. However, young man, I see you're also headed to Divine Sword Manor, aren't you? You wouldn't think the Heavenly Opportunity Sword has any fate with someone like you, a nobody, would you? I kindly advise you: now is still the time to leave; don't turn back and lose your life for nothing."

Translation: Ximo Jianmo seized Chen Yi He's horse, mounted, and before leaving laughed at him, "Zhang Fan, right? I've noted that. However, kid, I see you're also headed for God Sword Mountain Villa? You wouldn't think the Heavenly Opportunity Sword has any fate with a nobody like you, would you? I'll kindly remind you: you can still leave now, don't turn back and lose your life for nothing."

Chen Yi He really wanted to retort, "I'm risking my life, what the hell does it have to do with you?" but he held back.

Translation: Chen Yi He really wanted to retort, "I'm risking my life, what the hell does it have to do with you?" but he held back.

We need to keep the profanity? The Chinese: "I'm risking my life, what the hell does it have to do with you?" Literally

"Giddyap!" the Western Desert Sword Demon rode off proudly.

Translation: "Giddyap!" Ximo Jianmo rode off.

……

Translation: "......" (ellipsis). We need to output exactly the ellipsis as is? The line contains four dots? Actually "……" is two Chinese ellipsis characters, but we treat as ellipsis. We'll output "......". Keep as is.

Inside the Divine Sword Mountain Villa.

Translation: Inside God Sword Mountain Villa.

Huang Zong looks much like his son Huang Gao Yu.

Translation: Huang Zong's appearance is similar to his son Huang Gao Yu's.

They look alike, except Huang Zong has a few more wrinkles on his face than his son.

Translation: Similar features, except he has a few more wrinkles on his face than his son.

They are about the same height, except his son's topknot is higher.

Translation: Similar height, except his son's topknot is taller than his.

They have a similar bearing, except his son is not as mature as he is.

Translation: Similar demeanor, except his son lacks his maturity.

Years of hammering iron have given him thick calluses on both palms, and the skin patterns on his hands have been worn away.

Translation: Years of hammering iron have worn thick calluses on both his palms, and the skin lines on his hands have been altered by the grinding.

At fifty, he has achieved the great accomplishment of the Triple Heaven level; as a martial artist, his talent and ability are merely above average, yet his standing in the martial world is second to none.

Translation: At fifty years old, with the level of Great Accomplishment in the Third Heaven, as a martial practitioner his talent and strength are merely above average, yet his standing in the jianghu is second to none.

No one dares to provoke him merely because they think they are stronger.

Translation: No one dares provoke him just because they think they're stronger than him.

For each sword sold, the Divine Sword Mountain Villa signs an agreement with the buyer requiring payment of a high sum in silver notes and the incurring of a favor that must be repaid.

Translation: God Sword Mountain Villa, for every sword sold, signs an agreement with the buyer stating that besides paying the seller a high sum in silver notes, the buyer must also incur a favor that must be repaid.

Thus, if the Divine Sword Mountain Villa ever falls into danger, countless swordsmen will appear from the shadows to repay that favor.

Translation: In other words, if God Sword Mountain Villa faces disaster, countless swordsmen will emerge from the darkness to repay that favor.

The sword is the king of weapons; swordsmen constitute one‑third of the martial world, so one‑third of the martial masters will pursue enemies for the Divine Sword Mountain Villa.

Translation: The sword is the king of weapons; swordsmen make up one-third of the jianghu, meaning one-third of jianghu masters will hunt down enemies for God Sword Mountain Villa.

For a thousand years, the Divine Sword Mountain Villa has stood firm on Divine Sword Mountain, unharmed, its business flourishing and its reputation in the martial world ever growing.

Translation: Thus for a thousand years, God Sword Mountain Villa has stood firm on God Sword Mountain, unharmed, its business ever improving, and its status in the jianghu ever rising.

Of course, this is all due to the ancestral sword‑forging technique handed down in the Divine Sword Mountain Villa.

Translation: Of course, this all owes to the ancestral sword-forging craft passed down in God Sword Mountain Villa.

The Divine Sword Mountain Villa's swords sell well but are hard to buy, especially those personally forged by each master—they are priceless treasures, the dream of every swordsman under heaven.

Translation: God Sword Mountain Villa's swords sell well yet are hard to buy, especially those personally forged by each villa master—they are priceless treasures! They are the dream of every swordsman under heaven.

At this moment, Huang Zong stands on the summit of Divine Sword Mountain, gazing down. Amid the verdant trees, shadows flit by now and then; Huang Zong knows they are the impending visitors to the Divine Sword Mountain Villa.

Translation: At this very moment, Huang Zong stands on the summit of God Sword Mountain, looking down at the foothills. Amid the lush foliage, a figure occasionally darts through; Huang Zong knows these are the impending guests of God Sword Mountain Villa.

"Father," Huang Gao Yu stood behind his father, and after half an hour he finally could not keep quiet and spoke.

Translation: "Father." Huang Gao Yu stood behind Huang Zong, and after half an hour he finally couldn't help but speak.

Huang Zong had nothing to say to his son, even though the son's ability was almost on par with his own. He was angry that Huang Gao Yu had lost the Divine Sword Mountain Villa's third divine sword, the Purple‑Tempered Sword, to thieves, and the scandal spread far and wide, letting everyone in the martial world know and bringing disgrace upon the villa.

Translation: Huang Zong had nothing much to say to his son, even though the son's strength was nearly catching up to his. Huang Zong resented that Huang Gao Yu had been robbed of God Sword Mountain Villa's third divine sword, the Purple Tempered Sword, and the matter had spread far and wide, making everyone in the jianghu aware, causing God Sword Mountain Villa to lose face!

Fortunately, the Heavenly Mechanism Sword temporarily regained some face for the Yellow Sect and God Sword Mountain Villa.