Chapter 119: with translation of chapter title

Original:... (the Chinese). So we need to translate that whole Chinese.

Translation: Sea wind carrying salty moisture swept over the Wa Country Nine Provinces coast of the Pine Bay Clan's territory. At the harbor, a huge Wang Family fortune ship lay quietly anchored, its hull entirely painted dark brown, the wave patterns embroidered on its sails glittering in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the surrounding Wa Country's crude fishing boats.

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Sea wind carrying salty moisture

swept over the Wa Country Nine Provinces coast of the Pine Bay Clan's territory

At the harbor, a huge Wang Family fortune ship lay quietly anchored

its hull entirely painted dark brown

the wave patterns embroidered on its sails glittering in the sunlight

a stark contrast to the surrounding Wa Country's crude fishing boats.

Matsura Chin, lord of the Matsura clan, wore black samurai armor, a short sword at his waist, and stood on the shore with a few retainers, his eyes filled with vigilance and curiosity. It was his first time seeing such a magnificent ship, and also his first encounter with an envoy from the Wang family of Jiangnan.

Translation: The lord of the Pine Bay Clan, Songpu Zhen, dressed in black warrior attire, a short sword at his waist, stood on the shore with a few retainers, his eyes full of vigilance and curiosity; this was his first time seeing such a magnificent vessel, and also his first time seeing an envoy from the Wang Family of Jiangnan.

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Lord Songpu Zhen, clad in black warrior garb, a short sword at his waist, accompanied by several retainers standing on the shore, his eyes full of vigilance and curiosity—this was his first time seeing such a massive vessel, and also his first time seeing an envoy of the Wang Family from Jiangnan.

Wang Meng, dressed in a brocade-colored robe, descended slowly from the fortune ship, two attendants carrying wooden boxes behind him. He glanced over Matsura Chin and his party, a faint smile touching his lips, and spoke in a measured but unquestionable tone: 'We have come to trade, bringing peace and friendship.'

Translation: Wang Meng stepped down from the fortune ship in a brocade-colored robe, two attendants carrying wooden boxes following behind him. He glanced over Songpu Zhen and his party, the corner of his mouth twitching imperceptibly, his tone slow yet undeniably authoritative: "We come bearing peace and friendship for trade."

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His words reached Matsura Chin's ears, yet left him feeling an inexplicable pressure. Wang Meng's voice was not loud, but it carried a condescending air of charity, as if the trade were not an equal partnership but a favor the Wang family was granting the Matsura clan.

Translation: These words reached Songpu Zhen's ears, yet he inexplicably felt a pressure. Wang Meng's voice was not loud, but it seemed to carry a condescending air of charity, as if this trade were not an equal cooperation but a grant from the Wang Family to the Pine Bay Clan.

Check.

Matsura Chin gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist, suppressing his discomfort, and waited for Wang Meng's next words.

Translation: Songpu Zhen gripped the hilt of his waist sword, suppressing his unease, and waited for Wang Meng's next words.

Wang Meng raised his hand to signal, and the attendants immediately opened the wooden boxes. In the first box lay a palm-sized crystal mirror, its surface smooth as ice, reflecting sunlight in a dazzling gleam; even the fine lines on Matsura Chin's face were clearly mirrored in it.

Translation: Wang Meng raised his hand to signal, and the attendants immediately opened the wooden boxes they held. In the first box lay a palm-sized crystal mirror, its surface smooth as ice, reflecting sunlight into a dazzling gleam that clearly showed even the fine lines on Songpu Zhen's face.

Matsura Chin's pupils contracted; in Wa Country, only the highest-ranking nobles in the capital could own bronze mirrors, and theirs were blurry, far inferior to the clarity of this crystal mirror.

Translation: Songpu Zhen's pupils contracted; in Wa Country, only the highest-ranking nobles of the Capital could own a bronze mirror, and its surface was blurry, far inferior to the clarity of this crystal mirror.

"This crystal mirror, and this device called a thousand‑li scope, are gifts from our great Prince Wu, presented to you as a token of our meeting," Wang Meng said. The attendants opened the second box, revealing an object made of copper tubes and glass. He picked up the thousand‑li scope and handed it to Matsura Chin, saying, "You can try using it to see distant scenery."

Translation: "This crystal mirror, and this thing called a thousand-mile mirror, are gifts from our great Prince Wu, presented as a token of our meeting," Wang Meng's voice sounded again. The attendants promptly opened the second wooden box, which held an object made of copper tubes and glass. Wang Meng picked up the thousand-mile mirror and handed it to Songpu Zhen, saying, "You can try using it to see distant scenery."

Matsura Chin took the thousand-li scope half‑believing, half‑doubting, and aimed it at the distant sea as Wang Meng instructed. Instantly, the previously blurry coastline became crystal clear; even the fishing boats on the water were now right before his eyes.

Translation: Songpu Zhen took the thousand-mile mirror half-believing, half-doubting, and aimed it at the distant sea as Wang Meng instructed. Instantly, the previously blurry coastline became crystal clear, even the fishing boats on the water looming near.

A storm surged in his heart; possessing such a treasure would surely become capital for him to show off.

Translation: A surge of shock rose in his heart; if he could possess such a treasure, it would surely become capital for him to show off.

"As long as you are willing to trade fairly with us, we have even better things to sell you," Wang Meng said, his words like bait continually tempting Matsura Chin: "for example, swords that cut iron like mud, exquisite porcelain, and rich, sweet tea and wine."

Translation: "As long as you are willing to trade fairly with us, we have even better things to sell you," Wang Meng's words were like bait, continually tempting Songpu Zhen: "for example, swords that cut iron like mud, exquisite porcelain, and mellow, sweet tea and fine wine."

With each item mentioned, Matsura Chin's eyes brightened a little more. He knew well how precious these things were in Wa Country: swords were the dream weapons of warriors, porcelain was coveted by nobles, and tea and wine were luxuries only the emperor and top daimyo could enjoy.

Translation: With each item mentioned, Songpu Zhen's eyes brightened a little more. He well knew how precious these things were in Wa Country: swords were the dream weapons of warriors, porcelain was coveted by nobles, and tea and fine wine were luxuries reserved only for the emperor and top daimyo.

If he could obtain these goods from the Wang family, his status among the many lords of Kyushu would instantly become distinct, and he could even use these treasures to win over more retainers and expand his power.

Translation: If he could obtain these goods from the Wang Family, his status among the many lords of the Nine Provinces would instantly become distinct, and he could even use these treasures to win over more retainers and expand his power.

The flames of greed burned fiercely in Matsura Chin's heart, temporarily overriding his fear of the Wang family. He took a deep breath, his voice tinged with urgency: "Trade… possible." Immediately, his most pressing question burst out: "What do you want to exchange?"

Translation: The flames of greed burned fiercely in Songpu Zhen's heart, temporarily overriding his fear of the Wang Family. He took a deep breath, his voice tinged with urgency: "Trade… can." He then blurted out his most pressing concern: "What do you want in exchange?"

"Gold, silver, or anything else we are interested in," Wang Meng said lightly, his tone showing no ripple, as if gold and silver were ordinary things to him.

Translation: "Gold, silver, or anything else we find interesting," Wang Meng said blandly, his tone devoid of ripple, as if gold and silver were ordinary things to him.

"Gold and silver?" Matsura Chin's face twitched slightly, his brows instantly knitting. In Wa Country, gold and silver are hard currency, a key measure of wealth and strength. Although he is a lord and does have some gold and silver on hand, the amount is far from enough to support large‑scale trade. If he used gold and silver to trade, his reserves would be depleted after just a few deals.

Translation: "Gold and silver?" Songpu Zhen's face twitched slightly, his brows instantly knitting. In Wa Country, gold and silver were hard currency, a key measure of wealth and strength. Although he was a lord and did have some gold and silver on hand, the amount was far from enough to sustain large-scale trade; using them for exchange would likely drain his reserves after just a few deals.

Matsura Chin hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering as he probed: "What if I don't have enough gold and silver?" He silently prayed that the Wang family would accept other trade goods, such as grain, silk, or seafood.

Translation: Songpu Zhen hesitated a moment, his eyes flickering as he probed: "…What if I don't have enough gold and silver?" He silently prayed that the Wang Family would accept other trade goods, such as grain, silk, or seafood.

"That's no problem," Wang Meng said, as if he had anticipated the question, his expression calm and confident: "We can also accept land in exchange."

Translation: "That's no problem," Wang Meng replied, as if he had anticipated the question, his expression still confident: "We can also accept land in exchange."

"Land?" Those two words struck like thunder in Matsura Chin's ears. His vigilance spiked to the extreme; he slammed his hands onto the hilt of his sword at his waist, his eyes filled with wariness.

Translation: "Land?" Those two words struck like thunder in Songpu Zhen's ears. His vigilance spiked instantly; he slammed his hands onto the hilt of his waist sword, his eyes brimming with guard.

In Wa Country, land is the lifeblood of a lord, the symbol of power and status. A lord's wealth, retainers, and influence are all built upon land. If he lost his land, he would fall from a lofty lord to a penniless commoner.

Translation: In Wa Country, land is the lifeblood of a lord, the symbol of power and status. A lord's wealth, retainers, and force all rest upon the land; lose it, and he falls from a lofty lord to a penniless commoner.

The retainers behind Matsura Chin instantly grew tense, drawing their short swords and fixing wary gazes on Wang Meng and his party. The atmosphere instantly turned tense, the sea wind seeming to grow icy, fluttering everyone's robes.

Translation: The retainers behind Songpu Zhen also tensed up at once, drawing their short swords and staring warily at Wang Meng's party. The atmosphere turned tense in an instant, the sea wind seeming to grow icy, fluttering everyone's robes.

Matsura Chin stared fixedly at Wang Meng, his voice trembling slightly but he forced himself to stay calm: "Are you joking? Land is the foundation of the Matsura clan; it could never be used for exchange!"

Translation: Songpu Zhen fixed Wang Meng with a hard stare, his voice trembling yet forcing calm: "Are you joking? Land is the foundation of the Pine Bay Clan; it cannot be used for exchange!"

Wang Meng looked at Matsura Chin's tense expression, a faint smile appearing on his face as he spoke slowly: "Lord Matsura, there's no need to be so agitated. We are not trying to seize your land by force; we merely propose a fair exchange. You could trade your idle land for the treasures you desperately need—wouldn't that be a win‑win?"

Translation: Wang Meng looked at Songpu Zhen's tense expression, a faint smile appearing on his face as he spoke slowly: "Lord Songpu, there's no need to be so agitated. We are not seeking to seize your land by force, only to trade fairly. You exchange your idle land for the treasures you urgently need—wouldn't that be a win‑win?

Moreover, our Wang family harbors no ambition over Wa Country's land; we simply need a place to serve as a trading outpost.

Translation: Moreover, the Wang Family harbors no ambition for Wa Country's land; we merely need a place to serve as a base for our trade."

Although Wang Meng spoke lightly, Matsura Chin's vigilance did not diminish in the least. He clearly understood that handing over land to the Wang family would likely invite trouble—like letting a wolf into the house.

Translation: Although Wang Meng spoke lightly, Songpu Zhen's wariness did not diminish in the slightest. He clearly understood that once he handed over land to the Wang Family, it would likely invite disaster.

But thinking of those swords that cut iron like mud, the exquisite porcelain, and the chance to stand out among the Kyushu lords, his greed stirred again. For a moment, Matsura Chin found himself in a dilemma, his gaze darting between Wang Meng and the thousand‑li scope in his hand, unsure what to choose.

Translation: Yet thinking of those swords that cut iron like mud, the flawless porcelain, and the chance to stand out among the Nine Provinces' lords, his greed stirred again. For a moment Songpu Zhen was torn, his gaze darting between Wang Meng and the thousand-mile mirror in his hand, unsure what to choose.

"What exactly do you intend to do with the land? You foreigners—do you even plan to farm on our Wa Country's soil?"

Translation: "What exactly do you intend to do with the land? You foreigners, do you even want to farm on our Wa Country's soil?"

"No, no, no," Wang Meng laughed, shaking his head. "We only need a small, uninhabited seaside wasteland to build a warehouse for storing goods."

Translation: "No, no, no," Wang Meng laughed, shaking his head. "We only need a small, uninhabited seaside wasteland to build a warehouse for storing goods."

"With a warehouse we could conduct trade with you more conveniently and on a larger scale, right?"

Translation: "With a warehouse we can conduct trade with you more conveniently and on a larger scale, right?"

His words sounded reasonable.

Translation: His words sounded reasonable.

But Matsura Chin felt that something was off.

Translation: But Songpu Zhen always felt something was off.

He looked at Wang Meng's smiling face, yet felt an inexplicable chill.

Translation: He looked at Wang Meng's smiling face, yet felt an inexplicable chill.

His retainers also began to whisper among themselves.

Translation: His attendants also began to whisper among themselves.

"My lord cannot agree to them! These people have unknown origins and wolfish ambitions!"

Translation: "My lord must not agree to them! These people have unknown origins, wolfish ambitions!"

"Yes, giving them land would be no different than inviting a wolf into the house!"

Translation: "Exactly, giving them land is no different than inviting wolves in!"

Matsura Chin fell back into hesitation.

Translation: Songpu Zhen fell back into hesitation.

Wang Meng observed all of this, knowing that mere inducement wasn't enough; he also needed to add the most direct threat.

Translation: Wang Meng observed all this, knowing that enticement alone wasn't enough; he must also add the most direct threat.

"It seems Lord Matsura still doubts our goodwill," Wang Meng's tone suddenly turned cold. He turned around and issued an order to a soldier of the Divine Machine Battalion behind him.

Translation: "It seems Lord Songpu still doubts our goodwill," Wang Meng's tone suddenly turned cold. He turned around and issued an order to a Divine Machine Battalion soldier behind him.

The soldier immediately stepped forward, raising the firearm in his hand; his target was a huge reef far out at sea, about fifty paces away.

Translation: That soldier stepped forward, raising the firearm in his hand; his target was a huge reef far out on the sea, about fifty paces away.

Matsura Chin and his retainers looked at that soldier as if he were a fool.

Translation: Songpu Zhen and his attendants looked at that soldier as if he were a fool.

"What are they trying to do? Are they going to strike the reef with that iron tube?"

Translation: "What are they trying to do? Smash the reef with that iron tube?"

"Haha, how ridiculous! That reef is harder than steel!"

Translation: "Haha, how laughable! That reef is harder than steel!"

Just as they were laughing.

Translation: As they laughed,

"Bang!"

Translation: "Bang!"

A sudden, crisp, and loud explosive sound they had never heard before rang out!

Translation: A sudden, crisp, deafening blast they had never heard before rang out!

The iron tube in the soldier's hand spewed a white cloud of smoke.

Translation: The iron tube in the soldier's hand spewed a puff of white smoke.

The next second.

Translation: The next second.

On that huge reef in the distance, a burst of stone fragments exploded! A fist‑sized crater appeared on its surface!

Translation: On that distant huge reef, a cloud of stone fragments suddenly burst open! A fist‑sized crater appeared on its surface!

The entire beach fell into instant silence; the mocking smiles on every Wa Country person's faces froze.

Translation: The entire beach fell silent in an instant; the mocking smiles on every Wa Country person's face froze.

Their mouths hung open wide enough to fit an egg.

Translation: Their mouths gaped wide enough to fit an egg.

"What… just happened?"

Translation: "What… just… happened?"

"What… is that sorcery? Or thunder?"

Translation: "What… is that sorcery? Thunder?"

"The reef… the reef, has been pierced…"

Translation: "The reef… the reef, has been pierced…"

Matsura Chin felt only a chill surge from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.

Translation: Songpu Zhen felt only a chill surge from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Before that gleaming black tube, he and his so‑called elite warriors, along with their paltry armor of bamboo, wood, and leather, were nothing but a joke.

Translation: Before that gleaming black tube, he and his so‑called elite warriors, plus the little bamboo‑wood and leather armor they wore, were nothing but a joke.

If that thunder‑like blast had been aimed at him…

Translation: If that thunderclap just now had been aimed at him…

He dared not think further; fear began to spread through his entire body, and Wang Meng slowly turned around.

Translation: He dared not think further. Fear began to spread through his body as Wang Meng slowly turned around.

His face still bore that polite, gentle smile.

Translation: His face still bore that polite, gentle smile.

But at this moment, that smile appeared more terrifying to Matsura Chin than any ferocious expression.

Translation: But at this moment, that smile appeared more terrifying to Songpu Zhen than any ferocious expression.

"Lord Matsura." Wang Meng's voice rang out again, like the gaze of the eight-forked great serpent upon him.

This is also one of our kindnesses: we can not only sell you exquisite goods, we can also sell you this weapon that can summon 'Thunderclap'—you can use it to deal with your enemies, such as your neighbor, the head of the Arima family who has always been fighting you over water sources, or even further away, those who have always looked down on you local magnates, the nobles of the Fujiwara clan in the Capital.

Every word Wang Meng spoke was like a heavy hammer striking hard at Matsura Town's heart.

The fear originally in his eyes was slowly being replaced by a flame called 'ambition'.

He glanced at the rock that had been blasted through, and then glanced at the black Iron Control pipe in Wang Meng's hand that exuded an aura of death.

If I possessed such godlike power, then his enemies would all tremble and kneel begging for mercy under his 'Thunderclap'.

And I would no longer be the petty lord of this remote seaside domain; I could become the hegemon of all Hizen Province, indeed all of Kyushu! Wang Meng watched his ever-changing expression, knowing the fish had been thoroughly hooked.

He stretched out a hand wearing a black metal glove toward Matsura Town.

Then Lord Matsura, can we now discuss the exact location of that uninhabited seaside wasteland?

Matsura Town gazed at that hand that seemed able to grasp his fate, he no longer had any hesitation, and deeply bent his proud waist.

Hey!