Chapter 93

Instantly, everyone was dumbfounded.

Translation: "Immediately, everyone was stunned like a wooden chicken." Actually the idiom means "dumb as a wooden chicken"; we can translate it as "Instantly, everyone was stunned." Keep concise.

A thought arose in the minds of the Song faction and others nearby:

Translation: "Those from the Song Clan nearby had a thought pop into their minds:" Actually the phrase means "a thought popped into their minds"; we'll translate it as "Those from the Song Clan nearby thought:" Keep simple.

"You still say you're not a Yin Kui demon!"

"You still say you're not a Yin Kui demon!"

Song Shidao and his companions felt tricked, wondering how Cihang Quiet Abbey could produce an inheritor who wasn't a woman.

Song Shidao and his companions felt tricked, wondering how Cihang Quiet Abbey could produce an inheritor who wasn't a woman.

The two sects are mortal enemies; once they roam the jianghu, they naturally dislike each other. This blue-clad youth must be from the Yin Kui Sect, which is why he keeps slinging mud at Cihang Quiet Abbey.

The two sects are mortal enemies; once they roam the jianghu, they naturally

Song Lu instantly realized he had uncovered the truth: the inheritor of Cihang Quiet Abbey entering the world—who among them isn't wielding a long sword, displaying to the martial world an unparalleled, astonishing sword technique?

Translation: "Song Lu immediately felt he'd uncovered the truth: any inheritor of Cihang Quiet Abbey who enters the world wields a long sword and displays peerless sword technique that astonishes the martial world." Keep.

Yet this blue‑clad youth not only lacks a long weapon, but also has a fickle temperament, constantly adopting an aloof, domineering attitude that treats human lives as grass, and now he is surely pretending to be the inheritor of Cihang Quiet Abbey.

Translation: "Yet this blue-clothed youth not only carries no weapon, but has a fickle temperament, constantly adopts an aloof, life‑cheapening demeanor, and is surely pretending to be a Cihang Quiet Abbey inheritor." Keep.

His demonic white hair and his deep, mysterious, uncanny martial arts unmistakably mark him as a member of the Yin Kui sect.

Translation: "His head of white hair, like a demon's, together with his profound and mysterious martial art, clearly shows he comes from the Yin Kui Sect." Keep.

"Kneel, become my disciple," Zhu Bu Ran said lightly.

Translation: "\"Kneel, become my disciple. \" Zhuang Buran said calmly."

"More than just Fu Jun tuo has praised your superb foundations, but sadly you began training too late to become a true master."

Translation: "\"It's not just Fu Juntao who says you have excellent foundations; it's a pity you started martial training too late to become masters. \"" Keep.

"The chance to become a supreme master of the martial world lies before you—will you ignore it?"

Translation: "\"The chance to become a supreme martial artist of the jianghu lies before you—will you ignore it? \""

Kou Xu and Xu Ziling stayed silent, their thoughts confused, feeling both hesitant and somewhat moved.

Translation: "Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling remained silent, their minds a little confused, both hesitant and somewhat moved."

Fu Jun tuo, utterly feeble, clutched the sleeves of Kou Xu and Xu Ziling, shaking his head over and over:

Translation: "Fu Juntao, extremely weak, grabbed the sleeves of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling and shook her head repeatedly:"

"Absolutely do not become his disciple—he possesses a demonic nature; following him is like falling into an abyss, from which you may never climb out."

"Absolutely do not become his disciple—he has a demonic nature; following him is like falling into an abyss, from which you may never climb out."

After hearing that, the two exchanged a glance, as if trying to convey something.

Translation: "The two listened, then exchanged a glance, as if conveying something."

"If we don't become his disciples, we might die."

Translation: "\"Not becoming his disciple might get you killed. \""

"Becoming his disciples could also result in an unpredictable life‑or‑death outcome."

Translation: "\"Becoming his disciple could also mean uncertain life or death. \""

Kou Xu and Xu Ziling's eyes firmed; they gently took Fu Jun tuo's hand from their sleeves and gave him a reassuring look.

Translation: "Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's gazes steadied; they carefully took Fu Juntao's hand from their sleeves and gave her a reassuring look."

Immediately, they rose and, in unison, said to the blue‑clad youth:

Translation: "Immediately, they rose and, in unison, said to the blue‑clothed youth:"

"Disciple Kou Zhong pays respects to his master."

Translation: "\"Disciple Kou Zhong pays respects to Master. \""

"Disciple Xu Ziling pays respects to his master."

Translation: "\"Disciple Xu Ziling pays respects to Master. \""

They performed the grand kowtow ritual of pushing the golden mountain and toppling the jade pillar, bowing three times and knocking their heads nine times.

Translation: "They performed the grand kowtow of three kneelings and nine head‑knocks, pushing the golden mountain and toppling the jade pillar."

Zhu Bu Ran nodded:

Translation: "Zhuang Buran nodded:"

"Good disciples, I wonder if there is a proper initiation ceremony?"

Translation: "\"Good disciples, but do you have any initiation gift? \""

The two felt speechless; although they knew taking a master could be a trap, they hadn't expected the pitfall to come to them before they even stepped into it.

Translation: "They felt speechless; although they knew taking a master could be a trap, they hadn't expected the pit to come to them before they even stepped in."

"Master, what a coincidence—we just happen to possess a priceless treasure to offer you."

Translation: "\"Master, what a coincidence—we just happen to have a peerless treasure to offer you. \""

Kou Zhong pulled from behind his back a book forged from black‑gold silk threads, handed it with both hands to the blue‑clad youth, and explained:

Translation: "Kou Zhong produced from behind him a book forged of mysterious gold‑silk thread, handed it with both hands to the blue‑clothed youth, and explained:"

"This volume is a Daoist treasure, one of the four great extraordinary books of the martial world—the Classic of Longevity. Its texture is extraordinary: it does not get wet in water nor burn in fire."

Translation: "\"This Daoist treasure is one of the martial world's four extraordinary books, the Classic of Longevity—its substance is exceptional, it doesn't get wet in water or burn in fire. \""

After Zhu Bu Ran received it, he leisurely flipped through and saw that the book was written in oracle bone script, profound and difficult to comprehend, containing roughly seven thousand four hundred character forms; those who had obtained it before had also tried to decipher it.

Translation: "After Zhuang Buran took it and leisurely flipped through, he saw the book written in oracle bone script, profound and hard to decipher, with roughly seven thousand four hundred characters; those who had obtained it before had also tried to decode it."

Consequently, the book is filled with countless annotations, yet only over three thousand of the character forms have been deciphered, and even the deciphered text often proves more bewildering than the original.

Translation: "Thus the book contains countless annotations, yet only over three thousand characters have been deciphered, and the decoded text often makes even less sense than the original."

This made the blue‑clad youth smirk, for the world never lacks those who boast of heavenly talent while being utterly incompetent; they even deliberately flaunt their foolishness, serving no purpose but to provoke laughter.

Translation: "The blue‑clothed youth couldn't help but scoff: the world never lacks incompetent braggarts who claim heavenly talent; stupidity is forgivable, but to flaunt it serves no purpose but to provoke laughter."

When Zhu Bu Ran turned to the pages illustrated with figures, he saw seven human silhouettes, none facing the same way, marked with various symbols such as red dots and arrows, as if describing a certain cultivation method.

Translation: "Zhuang Buran turned to a page with illustrations and saw seven human figures, each facing a different direction, marked with various symbols such as red dots and arrows, as if describing some cultivation method."

Soon, a deep, resonant voice came from the right riverbank:

Translation: "Soon, a deep voice came from the right riverbank:"

"I don't know which senior of the Song faction is overseeing the fleet, but please pull ashore and stop the vessel so that Yuwen Huaji may come aboard and offer greetings."

Translation: "\"I don't know which senior of the Song Clan is in charge of the fleet; please pull ashore and let Yuwen Huaji come aboard to pay his respects. \""

The crew of the great ship looked and saw a crowd of people standing on the riverbank, all armed with sharp blades and powerful bows.

Translation: "The crew of the great ships looked over and saw many troops standing on the riverbank, all holding sharp blades and strong bows."

Leading them on horseback was a man in his early thirties, tall and slender with long limbs, an ancient‑featured face that exuded an awe‑inspiring, domineering aura.

Translation: "Leading them on horseback was a man about thirty, tall and thin, with long limbs and an ancient, rugged face, exuding an aura that overawed the spirit."

Although young, Song Shidao was experienced; he immediately directed the four great vessels to pull to the left side of the riverbank, fearing a long‑range arrow attack, and then signaled Song Lu.

Translation: "Although Song Shidao was young, he was experienced; he immediately directed the four great ships to pull left of the riverbank to guard against distant arrow volleys, then signaled Song Lu."

"General Yu Wen, I hope you have been well; Song Lu offers his respects."

Translation: "\"Yuwen Huaji, I hope you've been well; Song Lu offers his respects. \""

"Ah, it's Brother Song, who carries a silver beard and a silver dragon‑headed cane; that makes things easy—please bring the fleet to shore, Brother, and I'll explain the details later."

Translation: "\"It turns out to be Brother Song, who carries a silver beard and a silver‑dragon crutch; that makes things easy—please bring the fleet to shore, Brother, and I'll explain the details. \""

Without waiting for Song Lu's reply, Zhu Bu Ran casually tossed the Classic of Longevity to Kou Zhong and proclaimed loudly:

Translation: "Without waiting for Song Lu's reply, Zhuang Buran casually tossed the Classic of Longevity to Kou Zhong and called out loudly:"

"The new master of the Quiet Abbey, Qing Jingyuan, has seen you, Commander Yu Wen; the female assassin you seek will not live much longer—within days she will be buried in the dust, a predetermined corpse, so you may now return and report your mission accomplished."

Translation: "\"The head of the New Quiet Abbey, Qing Jingyuan, has seen you, Supervisor Yuwen; the female assassin you seek will die soon—within days she'll be buried, a confirmed corpse, so you may return and report your mission accomplished. \""

Yuwen Huaji's eyes narrowed as he made out the blue‑clad youth's appearance at the bow; stunned for a moment, he assumed the Cihang Quiet Abbey inheritor had entered the world, then grew puzzled, wondering what the 'New Quiet Abbey' was and whether its master was the one he had imagined.

Translation: "Yuwen Huaji's eyes narrowed; he took in the appearance of the blue‑clothed youth at the prow, was stunned for a moment, then assumed a Cihang Quiet Abbey inheritor had appeared, giving rise to doubt—he didn't know what the New Quiet Abbey was, nor whether its head was the one he had in mind."

His bearing was solemn, and he smiled as he praised:

Translation: "His bearing was solemn; he smiled and praised:"

"I have long heard that the Quiet Abbey's fairy transcends the mundane; today, seeing her in person, I find that reputation falls short of reality, and the encounter surpasses fame."

Translation: "\"I've long heard the Quiet Abbey Immortal transcends the mundane; today I see for myself—indeed, hearing falls short of seeing, and seeing surpasses hearing. \""

"Since the Pure Fairy has already eliminated the imperial fugitive for me, I ought to hold a banquet in thanks; otherwise people would mock the Yu Wen clan for lacking propriety."

Translation: "\"Since the Qing Immortal has already removed my imperial fugitive, I shall hold a feast to thank her; otherwise people would mock the Yuwen Clan for lacking etiquette. \""

He then changed the subject:

Translation: "He shifted the topic:"

"Besides that, I have come out here to obtain the Classic of Longevity and present it to the emperor; two petty thieves have stolen the treasure, and I have not yet captured them, which truly leaves me ashamed to return to the palace."

Translation: "\"Besides that, I have come out to seize the Classic of Longevity and present it to the Holy Emperor; two petty thieves stole the treasure, and I have not caught them, so I have no face to return to the palace. \""

Those of the Song faction aboard the great ship felt speechless; they never expected this demonic figure of the Yin Kui sect to again masquerade as an inheritor of Cihang Quiet Abbey.

Translation: "On the great ships, the Song Clan felt speechless; they hadn't expected this Yin Kui Sect demon to again masquerade as a Cihang Quiet Abbey inheritor."

At a glance he is clearly a habitual offender; no wonder our people and even Yuwen Huaji have repeatedly fallen victim to his schemes.

Translation: "At a glance he's a habitual offender; no wonder our people and Yuwen Huaji have repeatedly run afoul of the Dao."

Of course, this is also because Cihang Quiet Abbey is the most mysterious sect in the martial world; it is known only that it periodically sends disciples into the world to cultivate, and each generation's inheritor possesses peerless beauty—truly a secret beyond reckoning.

Translation: "Of course, this is also because Cihang Quiet Abbey is the most mysterious sect in the martial world; only known is that it periodically sends disciples into the world to cultivate, and each generation's inheritor possesses peerless beauty—truly unfathomable."

In recent years, rumors about this sect have reached the major martial schools and the four great clans; it is said that the foremost Daoist master, Ning Daoqi, once approached the abbey's grounds seeking to discuss martial arts with its leader.

Translation: "In recent years, rumors about this sect have reached the various major martial clans and the Four Great Clans; it is said that the foremost Daoist expert, Ning Daoqi, once probed the abode of Cihang Quiet Abbey, wishing to discuss martial arts with its head."

Unexpectedly, the abbey's leader allowed him to view the treasure manual, the Cihang Sword Classic; Ning Daoqi had not even finished reading before he vomited blood from injury, realizing he was outmatched and withdrew.

Translation: "Who would have thought the Abbey Head let him view the Abbey's Treasure Vault, the Cihang Sword Classic; Ning Daoqi hadn't finished looking before he vomited blood from injury and withdrew, knowing he was outmatched."

Consequently, seeing this peerless appearance, which resembles a woman dressed as a man, it is indeed hard not to be deceived.

Translation: "Thus, seeing his peerless appearance, resembling a woman dressed as a man, it's truly hard not to be deceived."

"Lord Song the Fourth, as a lover, I believe you will send this foreign woman back to her homeland, and she could also convey my greetings to Fu Cailin; then I will not disturb you."

Translation: "\"Fourth Young Master Song, as a lover, I believe you will send this foreign woman back to her homeland, and she should also be able to ask after Fu Cailin for me—then I'll not disturb you. \""

The blue‑clad youth seized the waist belts of Kou Xu and Xu Ziling, leapt up, landed on the small boat they had arrived in, and then said:

Translation: "The blue‑clothed youth seized the waists of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, leapt up, landed on the small boat they had arrived in, and said:"

"Commander Yu Wen, could it be that your eyesight is poor? Take a good look—I am certainly not a woman."

Translation: "\"Supervisor Yuwen, could it be your eyesight is poor? Look closely—I am certainly no woman. \""

As Yuwen Huaji's small boat drew near the left bank, he examined the blue‑clad youth carefully, only then realizing something was amiss, and he sneered:

Translation: "Yuwen Huaji and the others in the small boat neared the left bank, examined the blue‑clothed youth carefully, then realized something was amiss and sneered:"

"You wretched thief, daring to impersonate even an inheritor of Cihang Quiet Abbey and colluding with an imperial fugitive!"

"You wretch, daring to impersonate even a Cihang Quiet Abbey inheritor and colluding with an imperial fugitive!"

He lunged at the small boat like a great bird, his momentum astonishing; he flew to a height of several zhang above the boat, his fierce energy pressing down, chilling the surrounding air until it seemed to freeze, the cold permeating every crevice.

Translation: "He lunged at the small boat like a great bird, his momentum astonishing; he hovered a zhang above it, his fierce qi pressing down, chilling the surrounding air until it seemed to freeze, the cold seeping through every gap."

In an instant, it made the two behind the blue-clad youth, Kou and Xu, clench their teeth and stagger about.

Zhuang Buran raised his hand and slapped; water splashed, wetting his palm, yet his fingertips followed the motion, revealing five bright, thin water swords that shot forth like lightning, their momentum like a tide, reaching everywhere.

Seeing such strange martial arts, Yuwen Huaji thought to himself, "Not good," feeling somewhat overconfident.

Previously, with little effort, he had killed the Yang Prefecture's top expert known as Push Mountain Hand Shi Long; upon seeing the blue‑clothed youth's prematurely aged appearance—at most fifteen or sixteen—he had intended to capture him in one move, never expecting the boy to possess deep inner strength that belied his years.

Just as Zhuang Buran was about to ease his force and lightly tap the river surface to retreat back to shore, his five fingers, guided by the invisible water flow that followed the changes of his internal circulating water energy, alternately swallowed and exhaled, straightened and curved, spreading across the sky and penetrating everywhere.

"Ah!"

A miserable cry rang out; Yuwen Huaji's chest, head, neck, lower back, and dantian were all pierced by the thin water swords, then he was smashed into the great river.

"I have not yet placed you among the heretical evil ways, yet you first regard me as a thief—truly excellent."

The blue‑clothed youth was as gentle as a breeze, as if he had casually slapped to death an annoying fly.

Thus, the most outstanding expert under Clan Chief Yuwen Shang of the Yuwen clan, one of the four great clans, died!

This also startled the Song clan and others stationed on the right bank of the great river; Song Lu felt most fortunate, unaware that he had just escaped disaster, for earlier someone had not really exerted themselves.

Such martial prowess makes it no wonder he dares to impersonate a successor of the Kind Harbor Quiet Studio; moreover, I cannot help but lament that he is truly worthy of being a demonic person of the Yin Kui Sect—his demonic skill is profound, awe‑inspiring.

(End of Chapter)