Chapter 164

"Wa State, Choshu Domain." OK.

Translation: "Wa State, Long Province Domain."

But we need to keep punctuation? The line includes a comma and a period. We'll translate keeping punctuation.

Thus: "Wa State, Long Province Domain."

"The former village ruins have now become a well-planned, populous thriving town." OK.

Translation: "The former village ruins have now become a well-planned, prosperous town."

same.

"Blue brick and tile houses replaced the former thatched huts, and wide cement roads extend in all directions." OK.

Translation: "Blue-brick tile houses replaced the old thatched huts, and wide cement roads crisscrossed."

"At the town's center, the most magnificent building remains the Dongzheng Academy." OK.

Translation: "At the town's center, the most magnificent building remains the 'Eastern Town Academy'."

"Lu Bian Yitiaо is now fifteen years old." Contains "Yitiaо" with Cyrillic? Actually it's a transliteration; but it's not Chinese characters. It's okay.

Translation: "Lu Bian Yitiaо, he is already fifteen years old."

"Lu Bian Yitiaо, he is already fifteen." OK.

"He is no longer the frail child he once was." OK.

Translation: "He is no longer the weak child he once was."

"Years of physical training and ample nutrition have made him tall and sturdy, with dark skin and eyes showing a resolve and ruthlessness unmatched by his peers." OK.

Translation: "Years of physical training and ample nutrition have made him tall and sturdy, with dark skin and eyes revealing a resolve and ruthlessness beyond his peers."

"He is a member of the first batch of 'First Class' graduates from the Choshu branch of the Dongzheng Academy." OK.

Translation: "He is among the first batch of 'First Class' graduates from the Eastern Town Academy's Long Province branch."

"Note: "First Class" is the translation for the term, keeping the quotes. So: "... first batch of 'First Class' graduates..." OK.

"He can speak fluent Mandarin without any accent." OK.

Translation: "He can speak fluent, accent-free Chinese."

"He can fluently recite the Wang family teachings and sing praises of the Wang family." OK.

Translation: "He can fluently recite the Wang Family Precepts and poems praising the Wang Family."

"He knows Pangu created heaven, knows the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, knows the glorious Tang era, and even more knows how the Wang family's ancestors followed the Tang emperor and achieved great military merit." OK.

Translation: "He knows Pangu created heaven, knows the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, knows the glorious Tang Dynasty, and even more knows how his Wang Family ancestors followed the Tang emperor and achieved great military merit."

"As for what Heaven-Shining Great Deity and Martial Heaven Emperor, in his view they are nothing but ignorant and backward native myths that need to be completely swept into the trash heap of history." OK.

Translation: "As for Amaterasu Ōmikami and Emperor Jimmu, in his view they are nothing but primitive, backward native myths that need to be completely swept into the trash heap of history."

Note: The deity commonly known as Amaterasu is a proper noun; we must decide whether to translate it. Its literal meaning is "Heaven-Shining Great Deity". As a named entity (a deity), the rule for naming beasts or items says we should translate the meaning unless it is a person's name, so we could render it as "Heaven-Shining Great Deity". The passage also contains the emperor known as Jimmu, which could be translated as "Martial Heaven Emperor". Normally these names are left as "Amaterasu" and "Jimmu", but following the rule we would translate their meanings. However, the instruction to keep well‑known cultivation/fantasy terms such as Qi, Dao, dantian in their usual English forms leaves it unclear whether deity names qualify for that exception. I would prefer to translate the meanings, giving "Heaven-Shining Great Deity" and "Martial Heaven Emperor", even though the result sounds awkward, because we must obey the rule.

"Let's check: The line about Heaven-Shining Great Deity and Martial Heaven Emperor being ignorant backward native myths. If we translate, we get: "As for what Heaven-Shining Great Deity, what Martial Heaven Emperor, in his cognition, those are all ignorant and backward native myths..." That seems okay." This line contains no Chinese characters (the names are already translated). Good.

Thus we will translate.

"Today is the day he and his classmates officially graduate." OK.

Translation: "Today is the day he and his classmates officially graduate."

"At the graduation ceremony, Dongzheng City sent a prominent figure—Subordinate of the Nine Provinces Finance Minister Tian Wenjing, Song Ben Qing—who is now called Zhang Qing." OK.

Translation: "At the graduation ceremony, Dongzheng City sent a prominent figure—Subordinate of the Nine Provinces Finance Minister Tian Wenjing, Song Ben Qing—who is now called Zhang Qing."

same as 【44】 basically. OK.

We should translate this term as "Nine Provinces Finance Minister", where the first part means "Nine Provinces" and the second part means "Finance Minister".

This is a personal name, translated as Song Ben Qing.

"Of course he is now called Zhang Qing." OK.

Thus final: "At the graduation ceremony, Dongzheng City sent a prominent figure—Subordinate of the Nine Provinces Finance Minister Tian Wenjing, Song Ben Qing—who is now called Zhang Qing."

"Tian Wenjing, once a Wa person, is now one of the Wang family's highest-ranking agents in Wa, deeply admired by the students; even the Song Pu family dare not provoke him." Contains "Wa" which is okay (not Chinese). "Song Pu family" is translation. OK.

Translation: "Tian Wenjing, once a Wa person, is now one of the Wang Family's highest-ranking agents in Wa State, deeply admired by the students; even the Song Pu Family dare not provoke him."

We should render the term meaning "Song Pu Family" as such, and the verb meaning "to provoke" or "to make trouble" as "provoke him".

Now, his subordinate Zhang Qing wears the Wang family fourth-rank official uniform, standing on a high earthen platform, gazing with a scrutinizing look at the hundreds of graduates standing straight below.

Translation: "Now, his subordinate Zhang Qing wears the Wang Family's fourth-rank official uniform, standing on a high earthen platform, gazing with a scrutinizing look at the several hundred graduates standing straight below."

We should translate the phrase meaning "Wang Family fourth-rank official uniform" as such, with the component indicating the fourth rank.

"Children!" Tian Wenjing's voice, amplified through an iron horn, echoed across the square: "Congratulations, you have completed your studies! From today on, you are no longer ignorant children, but glorious subjects of the Wang family, the pillars building the new Wa!"

Translation: "\"Children! \" Tian Wenjing's voice, transmitted through an iron horn, echoed across the square: \"Congratulations, you have completed your studies! From today on, you are no longer ignorant children, but glorious citizens of the Wang Family, the pillars of building a new Wa State! \"

Note that the term meaning "iron horn" should be translated as "iron horn", and we will not consult the glossary for the character meaning "iron".

"Most of you will be assigned to mines, workshops, and farms everywhere, becoming honorable workers. You will use your sweat to create wealth for the Wang family and for yourselves!"

Translation: "\"Most of you will be assigned to mines, workshops, and farms across the land, becoming honorable laborers. You will use your sweat to create wealth for the Wang Family and for yourselves! \"

"And among you, the outstanding ones who excel in both academics and loyalty—the 'First Class' graduates—will receive the utmost honor!"

Translation: "\"And among you, the outstanding ones who excel in both academics and loyalty—the 'First Class' graduates—will receive the utmost honor! \"

Tian Wenjing's tone became excited.

Translation: "Tian Wenjing's tone grew excited."

On the square, the breathing of all the 'First Class' graduates became rapid.

Translation: "On the square, the breathing of all the 'First Class' graduates became hurried."

Lu Bian Yitiaо clenched his fists, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

Translation: "Lu Bian Yitiaо clenched his fists even tighter, his heart pounding uncontrollably."

He has sacrificed too much for this 'First Class' rating.

Translation: "He had sacrificed too much for this 'First Class' rating."

He reported three classmates who secretly spoke Wa in private, causing them to be demoted to 'Third Class' and lose their chance to continue studying.

Translation: "He had reported three classmates who secretly spoke Wa in private, causing them to be demoted to 'Third Class' and lose the chance to continue studying."

He even personally handed over a Wa-language Buddhist scripture that his mother had secretly hidden during a 'Culture Purification' operation to the education officer.

Translation: "He even personally handed over a Wa-language Buddhist scripture his mother had secretly hidden during a 'Cultural Purification' operation to the Education Officer."

His mother, the woman who gave him life, was therefore punished with an Era Name Deadline during which she could not receive rations.

Translation: "His mother, the woman who gave him life, was therefore punished with an Era Name Deadline during which she could not receive rations."

We must replace "one month" with "Era Name Deadline". So the phrase "punished with a one-month ban on receiving rations" becomes "punished with an Era Name Deadline during which she could not receive rations." We'll phrase: "was therefore punished with an Era Name Deadline during which she could not receive rations."

She clung to his leg, weeping and pleading, saying that Buddhist scripture was left by her grandmother and was her only cherished memory.

Translation: "She clung to his leg, weeping and begging him, saying that Buddhist scripture was left by her grandmother, her only cherished memory."

But Lu Bian Yitiaо merely coldly pushed her away.

Translation: "But Lu Bian Yitiaо merely pushed her away coldly."

"Mother, you are too deeply poisoned." He said in standard Mandarin: "These are trash that poison our thoughts! Only the Wang family's teachings are our true faith!"

Translation: "\"Mother, you are poisoned too deeply. \" He spoke in standard Chinese: \"These are trash that poison our thoughts! Only the Wang Family's teachings are our sole faith! \"

His mother looked at him with the eyes of a stranger, finally collapsing in despair.

Translation: "His mother looked at him with the eyes of a stranger, finally collapsing helplessly to the ground."

From that day on, his mother never spoke to him again.

Translation: "From that day on, his mother never spoke to him again."

Lu Bian Yitiaо occasionally felt a hint of guilt, but this emotion was quickly replaced by his fervent admiration for the Wang family.

Translation: "Lu Bian Yitiaо occasionally felt a twinge of guilt, but this emotion was quickly replaced by his fervent admiration for the Wang Family."

The education officer said that loyalty to the Wang family must come above all else, even family ties.

Translation: "The Education Officer said, loyalty to the Wang Family must come above all else, even family ties."

Only by completely severing ties with the past can one be reborn.

Translation: "Only by completely severing ties with the past can one be reborn."

Now he has finally awaited the moment of harvest.

Translation: "Now, he has finally awaited the moment of harvest."

"You will have the opportunity to join the Culture Purification Squad!" Tian Wenjing announced loudly.

Translation: "\"You will have the opportunity to join the Cultural Purification Squad! \" Tian Wenjing announced loudly."

Upon hearing that name, the square filled with the sound of people sucking in cold air.

Translation: "Upon hearing this name, the square filled with gasps of cold air."

"Culture Purification Squad!"

Translation: "\"Cultural Purification Squad\"!"

That is the Wang family's most highly valued organization!

Translation: "That is the Wang Family's most highly valued organization!"

They are like sickles in the night, clearing away every remnant of the old era wherever they go, leaving nothing behind.

Translation: "They are like sickles in the night; wherever they go, all remnants of the old era are wiped clean."

It is said that only those who are utterly loyal to the Wang family can join the Purification Squad.

Translation: "It is said that those who can join the Purification Squad are the most loyal warriors of the Wang Family."

Tian Wenjing's voice, full of allure: "Your mission is to travel to every corner of this land and destroy the shrines that still worship native deities,"

"to burn the Wa-language texts still being circulated, and to root out the diehards still spreading old ideas!"

Translation: "Tian Wenjing's voice, full of temptation: \"Your mission is to sweep every corner of this land, to destroy the shrines still worshiping native deities,

【43】 to burn the Wa-language texts still being circulated, and to root out the diehards still spreading old ideas! \"

We need to keep line breaks? The instruction: each translation on a single output line. So we must keep the line break between 【42】 and 【43】 as separate lines. So we will translate each separately.

Thus 【42】 translation: "Tian Wenjing's voice, full of temptation: \"Your mission is to sweep every corner of this land, to destroy the shrines still worshiping native deities,"

【43】 translation: "to burn the Wa-language texts still being circulated, and to root out the diehards still spreading old ideas!"

Note: We need to keep the opening quotation mark as in the original line: before "your mission" there is an opening quote, so we keep it.

Thus translation: "Tian Wenjing's voice, full of temptation: \"Your mission is to sweep every corner of this land, to destroy the shrines still worshiping native deities,"

to burn the Wa-language texts still being circulated, and to root out the diehards still spreading old ideas!

"You must prove with your actions that our grading is not wrong!"

Translation: "\"You must use your actions to prove to the Wang Family that our classification is not wrong! \"

"And among them, the person who performs most outstandingly will receive an opportunity that even I envy!"

Translation: "\"And whoever performs outstandingly among them will gain an opportunity that even I envy! \"

Tian Wenjing deliberately paused, whetting everyone's appetite.

Translation: "Tian Wenjing deliberately paused, whetting everyone's appetite."

"You will be selected and sent to the other side of the sea, to the Wang family's ancestral land of Yangzhou! To pay homage to our great lord!"

"Even have the opportunity to Era Name Transition the Wang family's Academy of Sciences and learn the world's most advanced knowledge!"

Translation: "\"You will be selected and sent to the other side of the sea, to our Wang Family's ancestral land, Yangzhou! To pay homage to our great Head of Family!

【48】 Even have the opportunity to Era Name Transition the Wang Family's Science Academy, to learn the world's most advanced knowledge! \"

But grammar odd. We'll just follow.

Thus 【47】 translation: "\"You will be selected and sent to the other side of the sea, to our Wang Family's ancestral land, Yangzhou! To pay homage to our great Head of Family!"

【48】 translation: "Even have the opportunity to Era Name Transition the Wang Family's Science Academy, to learn the world's most advanced knowledge!"

Boom!

Translation: "Boom!"

The entire square exploded.

Translation: "The entire square exploded."

Go to Yangzhou! Pay homage to the lord!

Translation: "To Yangzhou! Pay homage to the Head of Family!"

This is a glory that even the new generation of Wa dare not dream of!

Translation: "This is a glory that not even the new generation of Wa State dare to dream of!"

Lu Bian Yitiaо feels his blood burning.

Translation: "Lu Bian Yitiaо felt his blood boiling."

He must seize this opportunity!

Translation: "He must seize this opportunity!"

He must become the most outstanding person!

Translation: "He must become the one who stands out the most!"

Three months later.

Translation: "Three months later."

A team of twenty people, the Culture Purification Squad, has arrived at a deep mountain near Kyoto.

Translation: "A Cultural Purification Squad of twenty people arrived at a deep mountain near the Capital."

The leader is none other than Lu Bian Yitiaо.

Translation: "The leader was none other than Lu Bian Yitiaо."

Thanks to his ruthlessness and efficiency in several missions after graduation, he quickly stood out among many newcomers and was appointed captain of this squad.

Translation: "Thanks to his ruthlessness and efficiency in several post-graduation missions, he quickly stood out among the many newcomers and was appointed captain of this squad."

Their mission is to wipe out an ancient temple that is said to still conceal many former‑dynasty officials and monks.

This temple is called 'Anma Temple'.

The mountain path was rugged, but for these young people who had undergone harsh physical training since childhood, it was nothing.

They quickly arrived at the temple's mountain gate.

"Captain, what should we do? Charge straight in?" a soldier asked.

Lu Bian Yitiao shook his head.

He took out a 'thousand-mile mirror' from his pocket, a piece of equipment only captains are allowed to carry.

He used the thousand-mile mirror to observe the situation inside the temple.

Inside the temple, all was silent; not a soul could be seen, as if it were an empty temple.

"Something's off." Lu Bian Yitiao furrowed his brow.

According to intelligence, at least a hundred people are still hiding here.

"Everyone, scatter! Surround the temple! Don't rush in!" he issued the order.

The soldiers quickly dispersed, forming a encirclement.

Lu Bian Yitiao, meanwhile, led two other soldiers as they carefully climbed over the side wall.

Inside the temple, sure enough, there was not a single person.

The main hall's doors stood open; inside, the Buddha statues had been toppled and smashed to pieces.

"Where are the people?" a soldier wondered.

Lu Bian Yitiao said nothing; his gaze fell on a grove behind the main hall.

He faintly saw what seemed to be firelight in the woods.

He gave a hand signal, and the three of them crouched low, moving swiftly toward the woods.

After passing through the woods, the sight before them left everyone stunned.

In the depths of the woods lay a vast clearing.

At the center of the clearing was a huge pit that had been dug.

Dozens of people in tattered official robes and monk's garb stood around the pit's edge, throwing scroll after scroll of scriptures and classics into it.

Inside the pit, a raging fire had already been lit.

Beside them stood dozens of men wielding samurai swords.

"They're destroying evidence!" Lu Bian Yitiao immediately understood.

"Driven to desperation by us, do they intend to burn these things themselves?" another soldier sneered.

"It's probably not that simple." Lu Bian Yitiao's gaze fell on the men holding samurai swords.

Their eyes were completely different from those of the desperate officials and monks.

It was a madness that feared neither death nor danger.

Just then, the other side noticed them.

"The Wang Family's lackeys have sneaked in! Kill them!" a leading warrior shouted, raising his sword and charging forward as the first.

"Defend the scriptures! Fight them to the death!"

The remaining warriors followed suit, launching their assault.

"Fire!"

Lu Bian Yitiao calmly issued the order.

The two soldiers behind him quickly raised the firearms on their backs.

"Bang! Bang!"

Two gunshots shattered the mountain forest's silence.

The two warriors at the front burst with two blooms of blood in their chests, screaming as they fell.

But they did not retreat.

"For the loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor! Kill!"

They howled, continuing to charge forward.

"Seek death!"

Lu Bian Yitiao drew the Wang Family standard long sword from his waist and went to meet them.

His movements were simpler and deadlier than those of the traditional warriors.

Without flashy techniques, each slash was aimed at the opponent's vital points.

Pfft!

One slash cut a deep gash in a warrior's throat.

Blood spattered across his face.

He didn't wipe it off; instead, he stuck out his tongue, licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, and a hint of an excited smile appeared on his face.