Chapter 118

A thunderclap boomed from the flat ground.

Translation: A thunderclap boomed from flat ground! (or "A sudden thunderclap rang out on the flat ground!") Keep concise: "A thunderclap boomed from the flat ground!" We'll output: 【1】 A thunderclap boomed from the flat ground!

Lu Wang and a few other weak feudal lords suddenly formed an alliance.

Translation: Lu King and several other weak vassal kings suddenly formed an alliance. Use "Lu King". "weak vassal kings". We'll output: 【2】 Lu King and several other weak vassal kings suddenly formed an alliance.

A huge bomb was dropped in the Great Yong.

Translation: A huge bomb was dropped in this Great Yong. Or "A massive bomb was dropped into this Great Yong." We'll output: 【3】 A massive bomb was dropped into this Great Yong.

The blast left all the feudal lords' heads ringing.

Translation: The explosion left all the vassal kings' heads buzzing. We'll output: 【4】 The explosion left all the vassal kings' heads buzzing.

Including Cao Boss and Sima Yi, who were glaring at each other in the Great Qian capital.

Translation: Including Cao Boss and Sima Yi, who were at that moment glaring at each other in the Great Qian capital. We'll output: 【5】 Including Cao Boss and Sima Yi, who were glaring at each other in the Great Qian capital at that moment.

Thanks to Su Qin's schemes, Lu Wang and the other weaker lords gained great fame, suddenly becoming a new force on Great Yong's political stage.

Translation: And Lu King and the other few weaker vassal kings also gained great fame thanks to Su Qin's schemes, suddenly becoming an emerging force on the Great Yong political stage. We'll output: 【6】 And Lu King and the other few weaker vassal kings also gained great fame thanks to Su Qin's schemes, suddenly becoming an emerging force on the Great Yong political stage.

The powerful feudal lords who had long dominated the realms and possessed great strength naturally also kept a close watch on developments in Lu Wang's city.

Translation: Meanwhile, those vassal kings who had long dominated the lords and possessed great strength naturally also closely monitored the developments in Lu King's city. We'll output: 【7】 Meanwhile, those vassal kings who had long dominated the lords and possessed great strength naturally also closely monitored the developments in Lu King's city.

Upon learning that the weak lords they had deemed insignificant had formed a powerful alliance, their reactions varied, but all felt shock and unease.

Translation: Upon learning that those weak vassal kings they had originally considered insignificant had actually formed an alliance and now possessed great momentum, their reactions varied, but undoubtedly all carried a hint of shock and unease. We'll output: 【8】 Upon learning that those weak vassal kings they had originally considered insignificant had actually formed an alliance and now possessed great momentum, their reactions varied, but undoubtedly all carried a hint of shock and unease.

First is the Tiger King of southern Great Yong, a powerful feudal lord renowned for his martial prowess and conquests.

Translation: First is the Tiger King of southern Great Yong, a vassal king renowned for his martial prowess and conquests. We'll output: 【9】 First is the Tiger King of southern Great Yong, a vassal king renowned for his martial prowess and conquests.

When he heard the news, he was inspecting the troops on the drill ground.

Translation: When he heard this news, he was inspecting the troops on the drill field. We'll output: 【10】 When he heard this news, he was inspecting the troops on the drill field.

The Tiger King was tall and imposing, with a stern visage, and his tiger-like eyes flashed with a commanding light.

Translation: The Tiger King was tall and imposing, with a stern countenance, and his tiger eyes flashed with a commanding light. We'll output: 【11】 The Tiger King was tall and imposing, with a stern countenance, and his tiger eyes flashed with a commanding light.

He brandished his spear and shouted angrily: 'How dare these weak feudal lords unite against us! They have a death wish!'

Translation: He brandished his halberd and shouted angrily: "How dare these weak vassal kings unite against us! They're truly courting death!" We'll output: 【12】 He brandished his halberd and shouted angrily: "How dare these weak vassal kings unite against us! They're truly courting death!"

The Tiger King's strategist calmly said: 'My lord, please calm your anger. Although the combined strength of these weak lords is still insufficient to rival us, their actions cannot be ignored and must draw our attention.'

Translation: The Tiger King's advisor, however, calmly analyzed beside him: "Great King, please calm your anger. Although the combined strength of these weak vassal kings is still insufficient to oppose us, their actions cannot help but draw our attention." We'll output: 【13】 The Tiger King's advisor, however, calmly analyzed beside him: "Great King, please calm your anger. Although the combined strength of these weak vassal kings is still insufficient to oppose us, their actions cannot help but draw our attention."

'They dare to do this only because they have some reliance or strategy; we must not take them lightly.'

Translation: "They must have some reliance or strategy to dare this; we cannot be careless." We'll output: 【14】 "They must have some reliance or strategy to dare this; we cannot be careless."

After hearing this, the Tiger King waited a moment,

Translation: After hearing this, the Tiger King waited a moment, calmed down, pondered briefly, then said: "You're right. We cannot underestimate these weak vassal kings." We'll output: 【15】 After hearing this, the Tiger King waited a moment, calmed down, pondered briefly, then said: "You're right. We cannot underestimate these weak vassal kings."

Send someone right away to find out the exact situation of their alliance and who's backing it.

Translation: "Immediately send people to investigate the specifics of their alliance and who backs them." We'll output: 【16】 "Immediately send people to investigate the specifics of their alliance and who backs them."

I want to see what they're really plotting.

Translation: "I want to see what mischief they're up to!" We'll output: 【17】 "I want to see what mischief they're up to!"

In the vast eastern seas of the Great Yong, another powerful vassal king, Lord Ye, also heard the news.

Translation: And on the expansive eastern sea of Great Yong, another powerful vassal king—the Leaf King—also received this news. We'll output: 【18】 And on the expansive eastern sea of Great Yong, another powerful vassal king—the Leaf King—also received this news.

Lord Ye isn't famed for military strength, but his cunning and strategy make all the vassal kings wary of him.

Translation: The Leaf King was not famed for martial strength, but his stratagems and tactics made all vassal kings wary of him threefold. We'll output: 【19】 The Leaf King was not famed for martial strength, but his stratagems and tactics made all vassal kings wary of him threefold.

Seated on a pearl-studded throne, he listened to his aides' reports with an amused smile.

Translation: He sat upon a throne inlaid with pearls, listening to his subordinates' reports, a playful smile appearing on his face. We'll output: 【20】 He sat upon a throne inlaid with pearls, listening to his subordinates' reports, a playful smile appearing on his face.

Those petty vassal kings dare to try forming an alliance like us? How amusing.

Translation: "These weak vassal kings actually want to learn from us and form an alliance? How interesting." We'll output: 【21】 "These weak vassal kings actually want to learn from us and form an alliance? How interesting."

Lord Ye smiled and said, "Do they really think this will change anything? That's naive."

Translation: The Leaf King chuckled softly: "But do they think this alone can change the situation? That's far too naive." We'll output: 【22】 The Leaf King chuckled softly: "But do they think this alone can change the situation? That's far too naive."

Even so, the Dragon King didn't completely disregard the alliance's existence.

Wait line 23: "Although that's what he said, the Dragon King did not completely ignore the existence of this alliance." There's a mention of Dragon King which we haven't seen before. This is a new named entity: Dragon King. We need to include it. The line says: "Although that's what he said, the Dragon King did not completely ignore the existence of this alliance." So we need to translate Dragon King. Also note: there is a typo? The line says Dragon King but earlier we had Lord Ye. So we need to add Dragon King as a named entity. Also we need to translate it as Dragon King (meaning). So we will add Dragon King to glossary.

Now translate line 23: "Although that's what he said, the Dragon King did not completely ignore the existence of this alliance." We'll output: 【23】 Although that's what he said, the Dragon King did not completely ignore the existence of this alliance.

He knows that any rising power must have its own justification and strength.

Translation: He knew that any force capable of rising must have its justification and strength. We'll output: 【24】 He knew that any force capable of rising must have its justification and strength.

Pass the order down: have our people keep a close watch on the alliance's activities.

Translation: "Issue the order: let our people closely monitor the alliance's movements." We'll output: 【25】 "Issue the order: let our people closely monitor the alliance's movements."

If they dare to act, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine.

Translation: "If they really dare to make any move, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine!" We'll output: 【26】 "If they really dare to make any move, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine!"

He then called his men and issued the command.

Translation: Thus he summoned his subordinates and gave the order. We'll output: 【27】 Thus he summoned his subordinates and gave the order.

The Southern Sparrow King is a powerful vassal king famed for luxury and pleasure.

Translation: The Southern Sparrow King was a powerful vassal king renowned for luxury and indulgence. We'll output: 【28】 The Southern Sparrow King was a powerful vassal king renowned for luxury and indulgence.

He barely reacted to the alliance's news, even feeling a bit contemptuous.

Translation: He had little reaction to the news of the alliance, even feeling somewhat disdainful. We'll output: 【29】 He had little reaction to the news of the alliance, even feeling somewhat disdainful.

He thought that even if those petty kings banded together, they couldn't make much of a wave.

Translation: In his view, even if these weak vassal kings united, they couldn't stir up any major waves. We'll output: 【30】 In his view, even if these weak vassal kings united, they couldn't stir up any major waves.

Hmph, they're biting off more than they can chew.

Translation: "Hmph, these folks really overestimate themselves!" We'll output: 【31】 "Hmph, these folks really overestimate themselves!"

The Sparrow King sneered in his palace of beauties and jewels: "Do they think an alliance makes them our equals? That's a joke."

Translation: The Sparrow King snorted in his palace full of beauties and treasures: "Do they think forming an alliance lets them stand as our equals? What a joke!" We'll output: 【32】 The Sparrow King snorted in his palace full of beauties and treasures: "Do they think forming an alliance lets them stand as our equals? What a joke!"

Yet the Sparrow King's aide warned him: "Your Majesty, while these weak vassals pose no real threat, their alliance could still have an impact."

Translation: However, the Sparrow King's subordinates reminded him: "Great King, although these weak vassal kings' strength is indeed nothing to fear, their alliance could still have some impact on us." We'll output: 【33】 However, the Sparrow King's subordinates reminded him: "Great King, although these weak vassal kings' strength is indeed nothing to fear, their alliance could still have some impact on us."

After all, the combined strength of many foes shouldn't be underestimated.

Translation: "After all, the combined strength of multiple enemies is also not to be underestimated." We'll output: 【34】 "After all, the combined strength of multiple enemies is also not to be underestimated."

The Sparrow King, annoyed, waved his hand: "All right, all right, I get it. Just send a few men to keep an eye on them."

Translation: The Sparrow King waved his hand impatiently: "Enough, enough, I know. Just send a few people to watch them." We'll output: 【35】 The Sparrow King waved his hand impatiently: "Enough, enough, I know. Just send a few people to watch them."

If they dare to act, report it right away!

Translation: "As long as they dare to make any move, report it immediately!" We'll output: 【36】 "As long as they dare to make any move, report it immediately!"

Although the powerful vassal kings reacted differently to the weak vassals' alliance, they all kept a watchful eye on it.

Translation: Although these powerful vassal kings' reactions to the weak vassal alliance varied, without exception they all maintained a certain vigilance and attention toward it. We'll output: 【37】 Although these powerful vassal kings' reactions to the weak vassal alliance varied, without exception they all maintained a certain vigilance and attention toward it.

They know the alliance's appearance will inevitably affect the status quo, though they can't yet gauge how significant it will be.

Translation: They knew that the emergence of this alliance would inevitably affect the current situation to some extent, although they could not yet gauge just how large that effect would be. We'll output: 【38】 They knew that the emergence of this alliance would inevitably affect the current situation to some extent, although they could not yet gauge just how large that effect would be.

In this process, Su Qin's alliance-building strategy began to show its strength.

Translation: And in this process, Su Qin's vertical and horizontal alliance strategy gradually revealed its power and effect. We'll output: 【39】 And in this process, Su Qin's vertical and horizontal alliance strategy gradually revealed its power and effect.

He not only united the weak vassal kings, but also made them a force to be reckoned with.

Translation: Not only did it successfully unite these weak vassal kings, but it also turned them into a force that cannot be ignored. We'll output: 【40】 Not only did it successfully unite these weak vassal kings, but it also turned them into a force that cannot be ignored.

This is undoubtedly a challenge and threat to the powerful vassal kings.

Translation: This is undoubtedly a challenge and threat to those powerful vassal kings. We'll output: 【41】 This is undoubtedly a challenge and threat to those powerful vassal kings.

As their intelligence networks moved, the architect behind Su Qin's alliance started to come into view.

Translation: And as their intelligence organizations acted, the creator behind Su Qin's alliance began to reveal himself. We'll output: 【42】 And as their intelligence organizations acted, the creator behind Su Qin's alliance began to reveal himself.

Su Qin's challenge is only just beginning!

Translation: Next, Su Qin's challenge has only just begun! We'll output: 【43】 Next, Su Qin's challenge has only just begun!

When the vassal kings realized that the petty states they'd dismissed were now tightly bound by Su Qin's alliance strategy, they reacted as if a boulder had been dropped into a still lake, sending ripples everywhere.

Translation: When the various vassal kings learned that those weak vassal kings they had originally considered insignificant were now tightly linked together under Su Qin's vertical and horizontal alliance strategy, their reactions were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layer upon layer of ripples. We'll output: 【44】 When the various vassal kings learned that those weak vassal kings they had originally considered insignificant were now tightly linked together under Su Qin's vertical and horizontal alliance strategy, their reactions were like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layer upon layer of ripples.

First, the Southern Tiger King sat on his towering throne, his face dark as water.

Translation: First, the Southern Tiger King sat upon his lofty throne, his face grim as water. We'll output: 【45】 First, the Southern Tiger King sat upon his lofty throne, his face grim as water.

They had dismissed the weak vassal kings as a disorganized mob, not worth worrying about, until they realized a mastermind like Su Qin was pulling the strings behind them.

Translation: He had thought those weak vassal kings were merely a rabble, not worth mentioning, yet he hadn't expected that behind them stood a strategist like Su Qin pulling the strings. We'll output: 【46】 He had thought those weak vassal kings were merely a rabble, not worth mentioning, yet he hadn't expected that behind them stood a strategist like Su Qin pulling the strings.

The Tiger King clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger and frustration.

Translation: The Tiger King involuntarily clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger and resentment. We'll output: 【47】 The Tiger King involuntarily clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger and resentment.

Su Qin? The one who came from that famed strategist?

Translation: "Su Qin? The person who came out of that famed strategist?" Actually original: "Su Qin? The person who came out of that world-renowned strategist?" Means "Su Qin? The person who came out of that world-renowned strategist?" We'll translate: "Su Qin? The one who came out of that world-renowned strategist?" We'll output: 【48】 "Su Qin? The one who came out of that world-renowned strategist?"

He dares to be my enemy? He's practically begging for trouble!

Translation: "He actually dares to be my enemy—truly unbearable to live!" We'll output: 【49】 "He actually dares to be my enemy—truly unbearable to live!"

The Tiger King threw his wine cup to the ground, snarling through clenched teeth.

Translation: The Tiger King flung his wine cup away, gritting his teeth as he spoke. We'll output: 【50】 The Tiger King flung his wine cup away, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

My lord, please calm down. Su Qin is brilliantly strategic, eloquent, and masterful in the arts of alliance.

Translation: "Great King, please calm your anger. Su Qin's strategies are superb, he is eloquent and good at debate, and his vertical and horizontal alliance technique is nothing short of miraculous." We'll output: 【51】 "Great King, please calm your anger. Su Qin's strategies are superb, he is eloquent and good at debate, and his vertical and horizontal alliance technique is nothing short of miraculous."

If he can bind those petty kings together, he surely has remarkable talent - we dare not take him lightly.

Translation: "Since he can unite these weak vassal kings, he must have exceptional qualities; we must by no means underestimate him." We'll output: 【52】 "Since he can unite these weak vassal kings, he must have exceptional qualities; we must by no means underestimate him."

The Tiger King's counselor, watching his reaction, quietly reminded him.

Translation: The Tiger King's advisor, watching his reaction from the side, softly reminded him. We'll output: 【53】 The Tiger King's advisor, watching his reaction from the side, softly reminded him.

The Tiger King drew a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.

Translation: The Tiger King drew a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. We'll output: 【54】 The Tiger King drew a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He knew the advisor was correct - Su Qin is no ordinary man, and achieving this shows the strength of his foe.

Translation: He knew the advisor was right; Su Qin was no ordinary person, capable of developing the situation to this extent, which sufficiently demonstrated the opponent's strength. We'll output: 【55】 He knew the advisor was right; Su Qin was no ordinary person, capable of developing the situation to this extent, which sufficiently demonstrated the opponent's strength.

But the Tiger King is no pushover; he won't just stand by while Su Qin gains power.

Translation: However, the Tiger King was no ordinary man either; he would certainly not stand idle while Su Qin grew stronger. We'll output: 【56】 However, the Tiger King was no ordinary man either; he would certainly not stand idle while Su Qin grew stronger.

"Carry out my command," the Tiger King said gravely, "summon elite forces and fortify the borders."

Translation: "Convey my orders," the Tiger King said in a deep voice, "mobilize elite troops and strong generals, and strengthen the frontier defenses." We'll output: 【57】 "Convey my orders," the Tiger King said in a deep voice, "mobilize elite troops and strong generals, and strengthen the frontier defenses."

Also send agents to infiltrate the alliance; I want to know everything they do.

Translation: "At the same time, send spies to infiltrate the alliance; I need to know their every move!" We'll output: 【58】 "At the same time, send spies to infiltrate the alliance; I need to know their every move!"

In contrast to the Tiger King's fury, Lord Ye of the East remains much calmer.

Translation: Compared to the Tiger King's anger and resentment, the Eastern Leaf King appeared far calmer. We'll output: 【59】 Compared to the Tiger King's anger and resentment, the Eastern Leaf King appeared far calmer.

He sat on a throne inlaid with pearls, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his face showing a thoughtful expression.

Su Qin, Su Qin, no wonder you're from the School of Diplomacy!

Indeed, you didn't disappoint me.

Ye Wang murmured, "Being able to unite these weak vassal kings, the School of Diplomacy indeed has extraordinary ability."

However, do you think this is enough to oppose me? That's too naive.

Although he said that, Ye Wang did not let his guard down.

He knew that Su Qin's strategies and tactics were beyond ordinary; being able to unite these weak vassal kings must have its extraordinary aspects.

Therefore, he also began to prepare countermeasures.

And the Southern Sparrow King, upon learning the truth, flew into a rage.

He originally thought those weak vassal kings were just a rabble not worth mentioning, but he didn't expect that behind them was someone like Su Qin, a strategist, pulling the strings.

The Sparrow King felt he had been deceived, his heart filled with anger.

"Su Qin! I will make you die without a burial place!" the Sparrow King roared, "You dare to oppose me, you're really asking for trouble!"

However, anger aside, the Sparrow King also knew this was not the time to vent his emotions.

He began to calmly think of countermeasures, while ordering his subordinates to strengthen defense and reconnaissance.

And the other vassal kings, upon learning the truth, also had various reactions.

Some were shocked, not expecting Su Qin to have such means; some began to worry, fearing they would become the next target.

Others began to plot how to establish relations with this emerging alliance to seek self-preservation.

(End of chapter)