Chapter 40

Feng Yi shook the item from Yan Daping's pocket, tossed it aside with a slap, and Yan Daping fell headfirst, his eyes rolling white from the impact.

Translation: Feng Yi shook out whatever Yan Daping had in his bosom, tossed it aside casually—with a slap, Yan Daping fell headfirst, his eyes rolling white.

His eyes rolled white from the direct impact.

We need to ensure we keep all info: Feng Yi shook out the things in Yan Daping's bosom, casually threw them, with a pa sound, Yan Daping fell headfirst, his eyes rolled white.

We'll produce: Feng Yi shook out the things in Yan Daping's bosom, tossed them aside casually—with a slap, Yan Daping fell headfirst, his eyes rolling white.

with a slap

He heard a clang; Yan Daping saw Feng Yi draw his waist sword, tried to get up, but his whole body felt weak and limp, and he couldn't stand.

Translation: Then came a clang; Yan Daping caught sight of Feng Yi drawing his waist sword, tried to rise, but his whole body went limp and weak, unable to stand.

clang

All he could do was watch Feng Yi approach with his sword, giving him a bright smile; seeing that smile, Yan Daping's heart turned cold, and he trembled, saying, "You're just angry out of embarrassment—you have no reason!"

Translation: All he could do was watch Feng Yi walk up sword in hand, giving him a bright smile; seeing that smile, Yan Daping's heart turned cold instantly, and he trembled, saying, "You're just angry out of embarrassment—you have no reason!"

angry out of embarrassment

Feng Yi pressed the sword tip to Yan Daping's chest and sneered, "It's not that I lack reason, nor that there is no reason."

Translation: Feng Yi rested the sword tip on Yan Daping's chest and sneered, "It's not that I lack reason, nor that there is no reason."

We need to keep the quote exactly.

But I only want you, together with Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa, to be ruined in reputation and die without a grave—that's enough.

Translation: All I want is for you, Wan Zhenshan, and Qi Changfa to be ruined in reputation and die without a burial place—that's enough.

ruined in reputation

Before his words even finished, Feng Yi swung his sword like the wind, producing several swishing sounds, and Yan Daping's long robe was instantly slit open.

Translation: Before his words finished, Feng Yi swung his sword like wind—several swishing sounds—and Yan Daping's long robe was cut open directly.

several swishing sounds

When Feng Yi lifted his robe's collar with his sword, Yan Daping's heart tightened, and he trembled with fear, saying, "A scholar may be killed but not humiliated—what are you trying to do?"

Translation: As Feng Yi used his sword to lift Yan Daping's collar, Yan Daping's heart tightened instantly; frightened, he said, "A scholar may be killed but not humiliated—what are you trying to do?"

you

Feng Yi glanced at him, seeing his expression, as if he thought Feng Yi wanted to do that kind of thing to him, he snorted, placed his sword tip on Yan Daping's inner pocket, and said, "You know your martial skills are no match, yet you dare come looking for me—do you think I'm young, want to curry favor with me, and then use this to force me to comply?"

Translation: Feng Yi glanced at him, seeing his expression, as if he thought Feng Yi wanted to do that kind of thing to him, he snorted, placed his sword tip on Yan Daping's inner pocket, and said, "You know your martial skill is inferior, yet you dare come to me—do you think I'm young, want to befriend me, then use this thing to force me to comply?"

force me to comply

In an instant, Yan Daping felt a chill run through his body, hardly believing his own ears, feeling that in Feng Yi's eyes—deep as a dark pool—he had no secrets.

Translation: In an instant, Yan Daping felt a chill run through his body, hardly believing his own ears; he felt that in Feng Yi's eyes, deep as a dark pool, there were no secrets left.

eyes deep as a dark pool

Feng Yi chuckled, lightly tapped the sword blade with his finger—with a swish—slitting Yan Daping's inner pocket open, and a three-inch-long large scorpion crawled out.

Translation: Feng Yi gave a heh heh laugh, lightly tapped the sword blade—with a swish, Yan Daping's inner pocket was slit open, and a three-inch-long big scorpion crawled out.

with a swish

Seeing its mottled body, Feng Yi knew the poison was potent. He pressed the sword flat against it and said softly, "You keep this thing in your inner pocket and aren't afraid it'll bite—have you coated yourself with medicine?"

Translation: Seeing its mottled body, Feng Yi knew its poison was deep. He pressed the sword flat lightly against it and said softly, "You keep this thing in your inner pocket and aren't afraid of its bite—have you coated yourself with medicine?"

coated yourself with medicine

Yan Daping stared wide-eyed.

Translation: Yan Daping widened his eyes.

Feng Yi nodded again, chuckling, "You said, later I'll throw you into the water to soak—will this thing bite you, its master?"

Translation: Feng Yi nodded again, gave a heh heh laugh, and said, "You say, I'll later throw you into the water to soak—will this thing bite you, its master?"

later

In an instant, Yan Daping's hands and feet turned ice-cold; this variegated poison scorpion of his is no ordinary creature—it's a rare species from the Western Regions Huijiang, and a person bitten by it will wail and groan for two full months before dying.

Translation: Yan Daping's limbs turned ice-cold in an instant; his variegated poison scorpion is no ordinary creature—it's a rare species from the Western Regions Huijiang, and a bite makes the victim wail and groan for two full months before death.

variegated poison scorpion, Western Regions Huijiang

He originally thought Feng Yi was young and vigorous, with high martial skills; after a few dealings with him, he planned to let the scorpion bite him! This scorpion was raised by Yan Daping; since childhood he fed it various antidotes, so the scorpion became accustomed to the properties of antidotes—ordinary antidotes applied to it have no effect, and even the most skilled doctor can only use vermifuge drugs to detoxify, which is useless.

Translation: He had originally thought Feng Yi was young and vigorous, with high martial skill, and that after a few negotiations he could find a chance to let the scorpion bite him! This scorpion was raised by Yan Daping; since childhood he had fed it various antidotes, so the scorpion became accustomed to the properties of antidotes—ordinary antidotes applied to it have no effect at all, no matter how skilled a doctor, they only use medicines for poisonous insects to detoxify, which is utterly useless.

let the scorpion bite him

There is only one secret antidote, which the scorpion has never taken; only then is it effective, and in the world, besides himself, no one else knows its formula.

Translation: Only one secret antidote works—one the scorpion has never taken; apart from him, no one else knows its formula.

secret antidote

According to Feng Yi's words, after being soaked in water the medicinal scent washes off, and this beast won't care whether you raised it—it will surely bite him.

Translation: According to what Feng Yi said, once he's soaked in water and the medicinal scent washes off, this beast won't care whether you raised it—it will surely bite him.

the medicinal scent washes off

Yan Daping's mind had gone numb from the shock, unable to react to anything, he just repeatedly muttered, "Impossible? This is absolutely impossible."

Translation: Yan Daping's mind had gone numb from the shock, unable to react to anything, he just muttered repeatedly, "Impossible? This is absolutely impossible."

repeatedly

Feng Yi sneered, "Even after killing his master, he can still justify it—what else could be impossible?"

Translation: Feng Yi sneered, "Even after killing your master, you can still justify it—what else could be impossible?"

can still justify it

Feng Yi proceeds step by step, looking three steps ahead; he knows well that in the original plot, Yan Daping used the scorpion to bite Wan Zhenshan's son, and later Di Yun went to the Wan Mansion to detoxify him.

Translation: Feng Yi proceeds with caution, fully aware that in the original plot Yan Daping used the scorpion to bite Wan Zhenshan's son, and later Di Yun went to the Wan Mansion to detoxify him.

original plot

Therefore, upon meeting Yan Daping, he prepared to let him experience the taste of being bitten by the scorpion.

Translation: Therefore, upon meeting Yan Daping, he prepared to let him taste what it's like to be bitten by the scorpion.

Yan Daping felt a chill run through his body, staring fixedly at him and said, "You never intended to kill us—you only wanted us to be ruined in reputation and despised by everyone."

Translation: Yan Daping felt a chill run through his body, staring fixedly at him and said, "You, you never intended to kill us—you only wanted us to lose reputation and be despised by everyone."

Feng Yi said coldly: "As the saying goes, good and evil will eventually be repaid; it's only a matter of whether it comes sooner or later."

Translation: Then Feng Yi coldly said, "As the saying goes, 'Good and evil will eventually be rewarded; only the timing differs.'"

We need to keep the quote.

You few thieves killed your master, yet you still wear his sign and enjoy great respect. Hehe, Five Clouds Hand, Land Divine Dragon, Iron Chain Across River—such grand names—you think you can just die outright? You must be dreaming. What kind of man is Old Man Mei? When faced with a stranger, he gave a bitter smile and said, 'My three disciples are the fiercest; one of them secretly stabbed me in the back before I even noticed.' 'In this world I have only three relatives; they, for the sword manual, did not hesitate to assassinate the master. Can you imagine how painful, desperate, and heartbreaking he felt in his final moments?'

Translation: You scoundrels killed your master yet still wear his banner, enjoying great respect. Heh heh, the Five Clouds Hand, Land Divine Dragon, Iron Chain Across River—such grand names, letting you die outright, you must think that's too good to be true? Old Man Mei is what sort of person; when facing a stranger with a bitter smile, he'd say, 'My three disciples are the fiercest, one of them secretly stabbed me in the back,' and 'In this world I have only three relatives; for the sword manual they wouldn't hesitate to assassinate the master—can you imagine how anguished, desperate, and heartbroken he felt in his final moments?'

"Five Clouds Hand", "Land Divine Dragon", "Iron Chain Across River", "Old Man Mei"

Yan Daping felt both shame and anger, a surge of heat rushing to his head, and he shouted angrily, "If Ding Tian had said that today, it would be tolerable—but you saying it, I won't accept!"

Translation: Yan Daping felt both shame and anger, a surge of heat rushing to his head, and he said hatefully, "If Ding Dian had said that, it would be tolerable—but you saying it, I won't accept!"

Feng Yi glanced at him and said, "I never intended to make you submit, did I?"

Translation: Feng Yi glanced at him: "I never meant to make you submit, did I?"

Yan Daping couldn't help but be stunned.

Translation: Yan Daping stared, dumbfounded.

Feng Yi said, "I want to torment you, mentally and physically; I'm threatening you to do as I say, and I wouldn't even bother to lure you with benefits—do you really think I'm trying to win you over with virtue?"

Translation: Then Feng Yi said, "I want to torment you, breaking you mentally and physically; I'm threatening you to do as I say, and I wouldn't even bother to lure you with benefits—do you really think I'm trying to win you over with virtue?"

Yan Daping's face flushed red, and he said, "If I were truly convinced, going to Wan Zhenshan's birthday banquet to expose this would benefit you more—otherwise, why would you waste your words with me?"

Translation: Yan Daping's face flushed red as he said, "If I were convinced, going to Wan Zhenshan's birthday feast to expose this—wouldn't that benefit you more? Otherwise, why waste words with me?"

Feng Yi felt slightly taken aback, seeing his solemn expression, he chuckled, "You finally see through it—I thought those flirtatious glances were all thrown at a blind man."

Translation: Feng Yi felt slightly surprised, seeing his solemn expression, and chuckled, "You finally see through me—I thought I was throwing those flirtatious glances at a blind man."

Yan Daping let out a long breath and said, "You said my appearance could save you some effort!"

Translation: Yan Daping let out a long breath and said, "You said my appearance could save you some effort—"

Yan Daping let out a long breath and said, "You said my appearance could save you some effort!"

Now I understand—Ding Tian kidnapped Prefect Ling's daughter, and you swaggered onto the martial scene not because you're unafraid of death or trouble, but because you want to draw everyone's attention to help Ding Tian and his companions leave the right-and-wrong place safely.

Translation: I now understand—Ding Dian abducted the Prefect Ling's daughter, and you swagger onto the martial scene not because you're unafraid of death or trouble, but because you want to draw everyone's eyes for Ding Dian and them, so the two can leave the right-and-wrong place safely.

Prefect Ling's daughter in the martial scene, a place of right and wrong.

Feng Yi gave a slight nod, showing approval: "Continue!"

Translation: Feng Yi gave a slight nod, showing approval: "Continue!"

"If you go to the Wan Mansion and expose this publicly, first, you're not an eyewitness, so Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa will certainly not admit it; instead they'll claim Ding Tian plotted to steal my master's martial arts secret manual and frame them, making you and Ding Tian accomplices!"

Translation: "If you go to the Wan Mansion to expose this publicly, first, you're not an eyewitness, so Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa will surely deny it, instead claiming Ding Dian plotted to steal my master's martial arts secret manual and frame them—you and Ding Dian are accomplices!

Wan Mansion's martial arts secret manual.

Ding Tian himself won't appear, and you already bear the name of betraying Ling Tui Si, while carrying the Shen Zhao Jing, which everyone covets; if you cause trouble at Wan Zhenshan's birthday banquet, you might well be attacked by both the imperial court and martial world folks.

Translation: Ding Dian himself won't show up, yet you already bear the name of betraying Ling Tui Si and carry the Shen Zhao Jing; everyone covets it—if you cause trouble at Wan Zhenshan's birthday banquet, you might well be attacked by the imperial court and martial world folks.

The name of betraying Ling Tui Si, carrying the Shen Zhao Jing, at Wan Zhenshan's birthday banquet, in the imperial court, among martial world folks.

Feng Yi gave him a deep look, slowly nodded, and said, "You really have some cleverness—a pity it's not used on the right path!"

Translation: Feng Yi gave him a deep look, slowly nodded, and said, "You really have some cleverness—too bad you're not using it on the right path!"

Yan Daping smiled, pointed to his own nose, and said, "But if this disowned disciple of mine personally speaks of this, everyone will surely believe it."

Translation: Yan Daping smiled, pointed at his own nose, and said, "But if I, this disowned disciple, speak of it myself, everyone will surely believe."

Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa would have no room to argue; at that point we would be ruined in reputation and despised by everyone—needless to say.

Translation: Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa would have no room to argue—at that point we'd be ruined in reputation and despised by all, needless to say.

You, Young Hero Feng, could then slay the three of us on the spot, leaving no one able to utter a word, and still give you a thumbs-up, saying Hero Feng cleared Old Man Mei's door, done splendidly!

Translation: Feng Shao Xia, you could have us three killed on the spot, no one able to utter a word, and still give you a thumbs-up, saying Feng Da Xia cleared Old Man Mei's door neatly!

Give a thumbs-up, cleared the door.

If anyone dares to move against you without a just cause, it must be because they covet your secret techniques; then you can advance or retreat at will.

Translation: Whoever dares to move against you, acting without justification, must be harboring designs on your secret techniques—then you can advance or retreat at will.

secret techniques

Feng Yi gave a slight nod and said, "You guessed part of it correctly."

Translation: Feng Yi gave a slight nod and said, "You guessed right on part of it."

What you gained from Old Man Mei wasn't just martial arts, but also prestige; if I killed you outright, others would think I, Feng Yi, am ungrateful, having obtained Old Man Mei's divine skill yet slain his disciples.

Translation: What you obtained from Old Man Mei wasn't just martial skill but also fame; if I killed you outright, others would think I, Feng Yi, am ungrateful, having gained Old Man Mei's divine skill yet slain his disciples.

Old Man Mei's divine skill

This lets you wicked disciples reap big advantages—not to mention, if it provokes some earnest righteous individuals who step forward to ward off disaster and seek revenge for them, for me that's genuinely troublesome.

Translation: This lets you wicked disciples reap a big advantage—not to mention, if it arouses some earnest righteous individuals who step forward to shield them and seek revenge, for me that would indeed be troublesome.

earnest righteous individuals

But if you, the person involved, personally explain the facts, and still someone speaks up for you few, that's just like you—only knowing how to take, not to give, a petty person; I, Feng Yi, could then launch a killing spree without any psychological burden, shedding rivers of blood! After all, you know I, Feng Yi, am the legitimate heir of the Shen Zhao Gong; slaughtering the innocent is already somewhat bad, and mistakenly harming the righteous would be even more contrary to my wishes!

Translation: But if you, the person involved, openly state the facts, and still someone speaks up for you lot, that would be just like you—self‑serving, never giving—then I, Feng Yi, could unleash slaughter without guilt, letting blood flow like a river! After all, you know I am the legitimate heir of the Shen Zhao Gong; slaughtering the innocent is already not good enough, and to mistakenly harm the righteous would be even more against my will.

The legitimate heir of the Shen Zhao Gong, slaughtering the innocent, mistakenly harming the righteous.

(End of chapter)