Chapter 257

Seeing Shi Song like that, Hong Zun was also angry, but he still politely smiled at Juéqíng Shītài and spoke.

Translation: "Seeing Shi Song like that, Hong Zun was also angry, but he still politely smiled at Juéqíng Shītài and said."

Seeing Shi Song like that, Hong Zun was also angry, but he still politely smiled at Juéqíng Shītài and said.

We need to keep as one line.

"Reverend, you needn't be polite; the one who exerted the most effort just now was still Senior Brother; we were merely helping."

Translation: "Shītài, you needn't be polite; the one who exerted the most effort just now was still Shīxiōng, we were merely helping."

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We should keep them? The instruction: translate lines, preserve content. Likely we should keep the quotation marks as part of translation? Usually we translate the spoken words, but we can keep the quotes to indicate speech. The original lines include the quotation marks as part of the text. We should output the translation including the quotation marks? The instruction: "Translate faithfully — never skip, summarise, or merge paragraphs." It doesn't explicitly say to keep quotation marks, but they are part of the source line. So we should keep them. We'll output the translation with the same punctuation, but in English quotes? Usually we keep the Chinese quotes replaced by English quotes? The source uses 「」. We can keep them as is or replace with English quotes. Safer to keep the same 「」? But English translation would look odd with Chinese quotes. Usually translators replace with English quotes. However the instruction says "never skip, summarise, or merge paragraphs." It doesn't say to change punctuation style. I'd keep the original Chinese quotes? Might be considered part of the text. But the output is English; using Chinese quotes might be confusing. I'd replace with standard English double quotes. However that could be considered adding/changing punctuation. But it's a minor change; the meaning remains. I think it's acceptable to use English quotes. Many translation tasks do that. I'll use English double quotes.

Thus line 2: "Shītài, you needn't be polite; the one who exerted the most effort just now was still Shīxiōng, we were merely helping."

But we need to keep the speaker tag? The line is just the quoted speech. We'll output the quoted speech.

Thus: "Shītài, you needn't be polite; the one who exerted the most effort just now was still Shīxiōng, we were merely helping."

Upon hearing that, Juéqíng Shītài turned her gaze to Shi Song, saw him lowering his head, and smiled.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Juéqíng Shītài then turned her gaze to Shi Song; seeing him lower his head, she smiled and said."

We need to keep the quotation marks? It ends with "said with a smile", indicating she spoke; the quoted speech follows in the next line. So we translate up to that point.

Thus: "Upon hearing this, Juéqíng Shītài then turned her gaze to Shi Song; seeing him lower his head, she smiled and said."

"Shi Song fellow Daoist, this morning's incident was a misunderstanding on my part; I hope you can forgive me."

Translation: "\"Shī Song Daoist, this morning's matter was a misunderstanding on my part; I hope you can forgive me. \""

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

Thus: "\"Shī Song Daoist, this morning's matter was a misunderstanding on my part; I hope you can forgive me. \""

"What are you saying all this for, Reverend? I... I didn't take it to heart."

Translation: "\"What are you saying this for, Shītài? I... I didn't take it to heart. \""

Note the ellipsis. We'll keep.

Thus: "\"What are you saying this for, Shītài? I... I didn't take it to heart. \""

As for Shi Song, upon hearing that, he didn't dare to look at the Reverend at all, kept his head down, and muttered something under his breath; besides himself, probably no one heard it.

Translation: "As for Shi Song, upon hearing this, he simply didn't dare to meet Shītài's gaze, kept his head lowered, and muttered something under his breath; besides himself, probably no one heard it."

We need to keep meaning.

Thus: "As for Shi Song, upon hearing this, he simply didn't dare to meet Shītài's gaze, kept his head lowered, and muttered something under his breath; besides himself, probably no one heard it."

Seeing that, Juéqíng Shītài was also taken aback, wondering what that mumbling was; she didn't catch a single word.

Translation: "Seeing this, Juéqíng Shītài was also taken aback, wondering what he had muttered; she hadn't caught a single word."

We need to keep the questions.

Thus: "Seeing this, Juéqíng Shītài was also taken aback, wondering what he had muttered; she hadn't caught a single word."

Fortunately, Hong Zun was nearby and quickly smoothed things over.

Translation: "Fortunately, Hong Zun was nearby and quickly smoothed things over."

Fortunately, Hong Zun was nearby and quickly smoothed things over.

"Haha, Senior Brother means he doesn't blame the Reverend."

Translation: "\"Haha, Shīxiōng meant that he bears no grudge against Shītài. \""

"Then that's good."

Translation: "\"Then that's good. \""

"Besides, Senior Brother heard there are many beautiful sights in the capital; the Reverend's Dharma assembly starts in a few days—if it's not too much trouble, may I invite the Reverend to tour the capital's beautiful sights together?"

Translation: "\"Besides, Shīxiōng heard there are many beautiful sights in the Imperial Capital; Shītài's Dharma assembly hasn't started for a few days—may I have the honor of inviting Shītài to tour the Imperial Capital's scenery together? \""

We need to keep the question mark inside quotes.

Thus: "\"Besides, Shīxiōng heard there are many beautiful sights in the Imperial Capital; Shītài's Dharma assembly hasn't started for a few days—may I have the honor of inviting Shītài to tour the Imperial Capital's scenery together? \""

Huh??

Translation: "Huh???"

We need to keep the questioning tone. Use "Huh???" maybe.

Upon hearing that, Juéqíng Shītài glanced at Shi Song suspiciously, seeing he showed no reaction, then looked toward Hong Zun.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Juéqíng Shītài eyed Shi Song suspiciously; seeing he showed no reaction, she then looked at Hong Zun."

How is it that this Shi Song made an appointment with the nun, yet it's you, Hong Zun, who's speaking?

Translation: "\"How is it that Shi Song invited the nun, yet it's you, Hong Zun, who's speaking? \""

We need to keep quotes.

Thus: "\"How is it that Shi Song invited the nun, yet it's you, Hong Zun, who's speaking? \""

Facing the Reverend's gaze, Hong Zun could only give an embarrassed smile, then nudged Shi Song from behind to signal him to speak.

Translation: "Faced with Shītài's gaze, Hong Zun could only give an embarrassed smile, then poked Shi Song from behind to signal him to speak."

"Yes.........."

Translation: "\"Yes........... \""

"Speak up a bit."

Translation: "\"Speak louder. \""

"Yes, I don't know if the Reverend is willing."

Translation: "\"Yes, I don't know if Shītài is willing. \""

He finally shouted a line, but a second later he lowered his head again; seeing that, Juéqíng Shītài smiled faintly.

Translation: "He finally shouted a sentence, but the next second he lowered his head again; seeing this, Juéqíng Shītài smiled faintly."

"Sure."

Translation: "\"Good. \""

Seeing the Reverend agree, Shi Song's face flushed even more; after the Reverend took her leave, everyone returned to the Dao One Sect's lodgings.

Translation: "Seeing Shītài agree, Shi Song's face grew ever redder; after Shītài took her leave, everyone returned to the Dao Yi Sect's lodging."

After returning to the courtyard, seeing Shi Song still not come to his senses, Hong Zun was utterly speechless: "You've got that flirtatious air from the pleasure quarters—bring it out!"

Translation: "After returning to the courtyard, seeing Shi Song still not come to his senses, Hong Zun was utterly speechless: 'You've got that flirtatious air from the pleasure quarters—bring it out!'"

After returning to the courtyard, seeing Shi Song still not come to his senses, Hong Zun was utterly speechless: "You've got that flirtatious air from the pleasure quarters—bring it out!"

You can handle seven or eight women with ease, yet when faced with an old nun, you damn well can't even let out a fart.

Translation: "You can toy with seven or eight women till they fly, yet facing an old nun you can't even let out a fart after three strikes—what the hell!"

We need to keep the exclamation; the Chinese includes a mild curse like "damn". We'll translate it as "what the hell!".

Thus: "You can toy with seven or eight women till they fly, yet facing an old nun you can't even let out a fart after three strikes—what the hell!"

I've practically chewed it up for you; just swallow it—can't you even do that?

Translation: "I've practically chewed it up for you—just swallow it down; you can't even do that?"

He patted Shi Song on the shoulder, and finally Hong Zun spoke earnestly.

Translation: "He patted Shi Song's shoulder, and finally Hong Zun said earnestly."

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother can only help you this far; after that, it's up to you."

Translation: "\"Shīxiōng, I can only help you this far; from now on it's up to you. \""

After saying that, he turned and walked toward the room; seeing that, Shi Song hurriedly followed.

Translation: "Having said that, he turned and walked toward the room; seeing this, Shi Song hurriedly followed."

"Junior Brother, no, you still need to help me."

Translation: "\"Shīdì, no, you still have to help me. \""

"How else can I help you? If I help you any further, I'll be entering the bridal chamber!"

Translation: "\"How else can I help you? If I help you any more, we'll be entering the bridal chamber. \""

"But I don't know what to say to the Reverend."

Translation: "\"But I don't know what to say to Shītài. \""

"Just chat about anything—food, clothing, cultivation..."

Translation: "\"Just chat about anything—food, clothing, cultivation... \""

"But I can't."

Translation: "\"But I can't. \""

"Then just get hands-on."

Translation: "\"Then just get hands-on. \""

"Won't that be too abrupt?"

Translation: "\"Wouldn't that be too abrupt? \""

"Then cater to his preferences."

Translation: "\"Then cater to her preferences. \""

The surrounding crowd watched the two leave one after another, and Qing Shi curled his lip.

Translation: "Those around watched the two depart one after another, and Qing Shi curled his lip."

"That's tough."

Translation: "\"That's tough. \""

The Hundred Flowers Fairy then gave a gentle smile.

Translation: "Bai Hua Xianzi gave a gentle smile."

"I actually think Senior Brother is rather cute like this."

Translation: "\"I actually think Shīxiōng's like this is rather cute. \""

While saying that, he turned his head to ask Ye Changqing a question.

Translation: "Saying that, she turned her head and asked Ye Zhangqing a question."

"What do you say, little Changqing?"

Translation: "\"What do you say, little Zhangqing? \""

"Me? I'm still young, I don't understand these lovey-dovey matters."

Translation: "\"Me? I'm still young, I don't understand these lovey-dovey matters. \""

Upon hearing that, Ye Changqing was speechless; since becoming acquainted with his own mother, the Hundred Flowers Fairy's attitude toward him has become increasingly affectionate, even to the point of being brazen.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Ye Zhangqing was speechless; since he became acquainted with his own mother, Bai Hua Xianzi's attitude toward him has grown increasingly affectionate, even to the point of being brazen."

We need to parse: "since he became acquainted with his own mother" maybe means "since he and his mother became acquainted"? Actually "since he became acquainted with his own mother" could be "since he became acquainted with his own mother"? That seems odd. Maybe it's "since he and his mother became acquainted"? But likely it's a mistake; but we translate literally: "since he became acquainted with his own mother". We'll keep.

Thus: "Upon hearing this, Ye Zhangqing was speechless; since he became acquainted with his own mother, Bai Hua Xianzi's attitude toward him has grown increasingly affectionate, even to the point of being brazen."

Just then, as his words fell, the woman flung her arms around him and gave a teasing smile.

Translation: "And just as his words fell, this woman flung her arms around him and, with a teasing smile, said."

"Yo, I didn't realize our little Changqing is still such an innocent young man; how about it, would you like me to let you experience the taste of love?"

Translation: "\"Yo, I didn't realize our little Zhangqing is still a pure-hearted young man; how about it, want me to help you experience the taste of love? \""

His mouth twitched.

Translation: "The corner of his mouth twitched."

"That probably isn't appropriate."

Translation: "\"This probably isn't appropriate. \""

"How so? Do you think Aunt Hua is too old?"

Translation: "\"How so? Do you think Aunt Hua is too old? \""

"Little Changqing, let me tell you, the saying goes well: a woman three years older brings gold bricks, thirty years older brings the country, three hundred years older brings elixirs, three thousand years older ranks among the immortals; so when looking for a woman, you should seek an older one."

Translation: "\"Little Zhangqing, let me tell you, the saying goes well: a woman three years older brings gold bricks, thirty years older brings the realm, three hundred years older brings immortal pills, three thousand years older ranks among the immortals—so when seeking a woman, you should look for an older one. \""

"Hehe.........."

Translation: "\"Hehe............ \""

Ye Changqing no longer wanted to say more; meanwhile, the three women—Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou, and Wang Yao—gazed at the Hundred Flowers Fairy with eyes full of hostility.

Translation: "Ye Zhangqing no longer wanted to say more; merely the three women beside him—Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou, and Wang Yao—gazed at Bai Hua Xianzi with eyes full of hostility."

Here at the Dao One Sect, everyone was harmonious and happy; elsewhere, the wounded Jueyuan, who had fled back to the Golden Light Temple in the capital, was gritting his teeth in anger.

Translation: "Here at the Dao Yi Sect, everyone was harmonious; elsewhere, the wounded Jueyuan, having fled back to the Golden Light Temple in the Imperial Capital, was gritting his teeth in anger."

The furnishings in the room had been smashed to pieces, and his mouth kept unleashing angry roars.

Translation: "The things in the room had been smashed to pieces, and his mouth filled with continual roars."

"Dao One Sect, damn Dao One Sect, I will eventually kill you all, every last one of you!"

Translation: "\"Dao Yi Sect, damned Dao Yi Sect, this old monk will one day kill you all, kill you all. \""

Looking at the furious Jueyuan, the five similarly injured monks beside him spoke cautiously.

Translation: "Looking at the enraged Jueyuan, the five similarly severely injured monks beside him spoke cautiously."

"Abbot, what should we do now?"

Translation: "\"Chief, what should we do now? \""

"What can we do? Keep thinking of other ways; in any case, I must obtain the flawless heart."

Translation: "\"What can we do? Keep thinking of other ways; in any case, I must obtain the Flawless Heart. \""

As he spoke, Jueyuan took out a square black object from his spatial ring, his eyes full of icy chill.

Translation: "Saying this, Jueyuan took out a square black object from his Space Ring, his eyes full of icy chill."

"Once I obtain the flawless heart of the Ruthless and successfully break through that step, Hong Zun and Shi Song, your time of death will come."

Translation: "\"Once I obtain Juéqíng's Flawless Heart and break through that step, Hong Zun, Shi Song—then it will be your time to die. \""

Jueyuan Monk came to the capital of Yanfeng Kingdom, naturally not by chance, but specifically came for Juéqíng Shītài.

By chance, Ye Changqing discovered that Juéqíng Shītài possessed the secret of the Unburdened Heart—no wonder her comprehension of Buddhist teachings was so profound; after only a short time joining the Fomen, her Buddhist mastery had already reached a level comparable to that of the sect's veteran experts.

His cultivation had even reached the Perfected Heaven-Man Realm, all thanks to the Unburdened Heart.

What the Fomen arts value most is a mind free of distracting thoughts.

But among the current Fomen experts, who can claim to have a mind free of distracting thoughts?

Power, authority, wealth, beauty, all kinds of temptations and desires—even Fomen saints cannot discard them all.

Otherwise, the Fomen wouldn't need to go to such lengths to gain followers; retreating to a remote mountain for solitary cultivation would be better.

Precisely because the Fomen arts have this limitation, the Fomen of Dongzhou have long been unable to break through the Sacred Realm and reach the next level.

Yet the Unburdened Heart can solve this problem; if Ye Changqing can obtain Juéqíng Shītài's Unburdened Heart, he is confident he can break through the Sacred Realm and achieve the supreme.

Therefore, obtaining the Unburdened Heart is essential.

Although the Dao Yi Sect ruined this attempt, Ye Changqing will not give up, for this is his only chance to advance further.

As for Juéqíng Shītài, nobody cares whether she lives or dies; in Ye Changqing's view, helping him achieve the supreme is merely good fortune for that old nun.

As the Buddha said, "If I do not enter hell, who will?"

Ha ha.............

As he thought, Ye Changqing burst out laughing, but just halfway through, his swollen face suddenly shot with intense pain, turning his grin into a savage snarl.

"Ow ow ow, pain pain pain... hahaha, the Unburdened Heart is mine; no one can take it from me—Hong Zun, Shi Song, you wait for me."

Unaware of Ye Changqing's true aim, the next morning after breakfast, Shi Song set out to find Juéqíng Shītài, since they had agreed to tour the Imperial Capital's sights together—a perfect chance for them to grow closer.

Meanwhile, standing outside Shi Song's room, Hong Zun had waited half a day and shouted with a dark face.

"Senior Brother, are you done yet? If you don't come out soon to change clothes, it'll get dark."

"Junior Brother, I'm scared."

"What are you scared of? We already agreed—just go along with his preferences."