Chapter 55

Ji Shunfu, who originally wielded a heavy sword, struck first, swinging his heavy sword at Wu Wenhua, believing Wu Wenhua to be relatively weak and hoping to defeat him in one blow.

Translation: Originally, the heavy sword-wielding Ji Shunfu launched the first attack, swinging his heavy sword toward Wu Wenhua, thinking Wu Wenhua was relatively weak and attempting to defeat him with a single blow.

We need to keep meaning, not add extra. Ensure we include all info.

Let's do each.

This would make his own situation's pressure relatively lighter.

Translation: This would make his own situation pressure relatively lighter.

However, don't be fooled by Wu Wenhua's tall, sturdy build and seemingly clumsy appearance; he was actually agile and easily dodged that strike.

Translation: However, don't be fooled by Wu Wenhua's tall and sturdy build, which looks clumsy; unexpectedly, his physique is agile, and he easily dodged this strike.

At the same time, he struck Ji Shunfu's armor hard with the golden silk rake in his hand, producing a crisp sound.

Translation: At the same time, he fiercely struck Ji Shunfu's armor with the golden thread pai ba wood in his hand, producing a crisp sound.

Although Ji Shunfu had armor protecting him inside, he still felt a sharp pain.

Translation: Although Ji Shunfu had armor protecting him inside, he still felt a sharp pain.

Seeing this, the White Tiger beside him immediately charged his horse toward the general, launching a simultaneous sword and spear attack with the force of thunder.

Translation: The White Tiger beside him, seeing this, immediately spurred his horse forward to charge at the general, launching a blade and spear simultaneously, with the force of thunder.

Ji Shunfu hastily swung his heavy sword to block, but in doing so he neglected other aspects, making it difficult to cope with the White Tiger's lightning‑fast attack.

Translation: Ji Shunfu hastily swung his heavy sword to block, but in attending to one side he neglected the other, making it difficult to cope with the White Tiger's lightning-fast attack.

For a moment, smoke filled the battlefield, and the flashing blades intertwined to form a magnificent scene.

Translation: For a moment, smoke filled the battlefield, and blade and sword lights intertwined into a magnificent scene.

Faced with the siege of two top war gods, Ji Shunfu gradually felt overwhelmed.

Translation: Faced with the siege of two top War Gods, Ji Shunfu gradually felt overwhelmed.

Although his heavy sword possessed tremendous power, it seemed somewhat clumsy when facing the immensely strong Wu Wenhua and the swift White Tiger.

Translation: Although his heavy sword possessed tremendous power, it appeared somewhat clumsy when facing the boundless strength of Wu Wenhua and the swift White Tiger.

His armor was also struck multiple times by the opponents' weapons, with some areas already showing cracks.

Translation: His armor was also struck multiple times by the opponents' weapons, with some places already showing cracks.

Moreover, Wu Wenhua and the White Tiger gave Ji Shunfu no chance to catch his breath.

Translation: Moreover, Wu Wenhua and the White Tiger gave Ji Shunfu no chance to catch his breath.

Although the White Tiger was somewhat dissatisfied with Wu Wenhua's interference, it did not let those feelings affect the battle.

Translation: Although the White Tiger was somewhat dissatisfied with Wu Wenhua's intervention, it did not bring its emotions onto the battlefield.

Therefore, although they had never fought side by side before, as top war gods their keen combat instincts allowed them to coordinate perfectly, launching fierce attack after attack.

Translation: Therefore, although they had never fought side by side before, as top War Gods with an acute sense for battle, their coordination remained flawless, launching fierce attack after attack.

Ji Shunfu was struggling to cope, overwhelmed on all sides.

Translation: Ji Shunfu was struggling to cope, exhausted from trying to respond.

Finally, during a fierce clash of strength with Wu Wenhua, Ji Shunfu could barely hold on, his arms grew weak and sore, exposing a brief opening.

Translation: Finally, in a fierce clash of strength with Wu Wenhua, Ji Shunfu could barely hold on, his arms sore and weak, revealing a brief opening.

Wu Wenhua noticed that Ji Shunfu's strength had momentarily weakened significantly, and he immediately seized the opportunity.

Translation: Seeing Ji Shunfu's strength sharply weaken for a moment, Wu Wenhua immediately seized the opportunity.

Taking heavy steps forward, he struck Ji Shunfu's waist hard with the golden silk rake.

Translation: He stepped forward with heavy steps and struck Ji Shunfu's waist hard with the golden thread pai ba wood.

Hmph!

Translation: "Hmph!"

Ji Shunfu bent over in pain, unable to hold onto his heavy sword any longer, which slowly slipped from his grasp.

Translation: Ji Shunfu painfully bent at the waist, unable to grip his heavy sword any longer, which slowly slipped from his palm.

Seeing this, the White Tiger immediately charged his horse toward Ji Shunfu, thrusting his White Tiger World‑Destroying Spear through the air toward his chest.

Translation: Seeing this, the White Tiger immediately spurred his horse toward Ji Shunfu, his White Tiger Slaying World Spear piercing the sky as it thrust at his chest.

Ji Shunfu tried to dodge, but severely wounded as he was, he could not match the White Tiger's speed—it was already too late.

Translation: Ji Shunfu wanted to dodge, but with his severe injuries he could not keep up with the White Tiger's speed; it was already too late.

The spear tip pierced his armor like a bolt of lightning, penetrating his body.

Translation: The spear tip, like a bolt of lightning, pierced his armor and penetrated his body.

Ji Shunfu let out an anguished cry and collapsed to the ground.

Translation: Ji Shunfu let out a miserable cry and collapsed to the ground.

Ha ha!

Translation: "Ha-ha!"

The sword‑wielding general lay alone in a pool of blood.

Translation: The heavy sword-wielding general lay alone in a pool of blood.

His eyes stared wide open, gazing toward the northern steppes as if still reluctant to leave this world; his face was pallid, as though he had already drifted away.

Translation: His eyes stared wide open, gazing toward the direction of the northern grasslands, as if still reluctant to leave this world, his complexion pallid, as though he had already drifted away from it.

The surroundings were filled with a mournful, silent atmosphere, as if even the air had frozen.

Translation: The surroundings were filled with a mournful and still atmosphere, as if even the air had frozen.

At that moment, the eyes of the surrounding foreigners widened, and tears slipped down silently.

Translation: At that moment, the foreigners surrounding the three stared wide-eyed, tears silently sliding down.

They could not believe that Ji Shunfu, the fourth‑ranked foreign general, had already left them.

Translation: They could not believe that the fourth-ranked foreign tribe general, Ji Shunfu, had already left them.

Ji Shunfu's departure left this group of elite foreigners feeling endless grief and loss.

Translation: Ji Shunfu's departure left this group of foreign tribe elites feeling endless grief and loss.

His death was not only a sign that the battle had ended, but also the collapse of their beliefs and ideals.

Translation: His death not only signaled the end of this battle, but also the collapse of their beliefs and ideals.

They once believed, when they had just set out from the Southern Xiongnu camp, that as long as he was with them, victory was assured.

Translation: Previously, when they had just set out from the Southern Xiongnu Great Camp, they believed that with him, victory was assured.

But now they could only silently gaze upon his cold corpse, their hearts filled with endless sorrow and regret.

Translation: But now they could only silently gaze upon his cold corpse, their hearts filled with endless sorrow and regret.

Ji Shunfu's death also evoked in the foreign army a feeling of helplessness and confusion.

Translation: Ji Shunfu's death also evoked a sense of helplessness and confusion within the foreign tribe army at that time.

As Ji Shunfu fell, the atmosphere on the battlefield shifted as well.

Translation: As Ji Shunfu fell, the atmosphere on the battlefield changed accordingly.

The cheers of victory and the wails of defeat intertwined, creating a strange harmony.

Translation: The cheers of victory and the wails of defeat intertwined, forming a peculiar harmony.

Time seemed to stand still, with only grief and silence pervading the battlefield.

Translation: Time seemed to cease flowing; only grief and stillness permeated the battlefield.

Ji Shunfu's departure was not merely the end of a battle; it felt like the end of an era.

Translation: Ji Shunfu's departure was not merely the end of a battle; it resembled the end of an era.

First, the second‑ranked foreign general Helian Yuejun was shot dead with an arrow at Tai Pass.

Translation: First, the second-ranked foreign tribe general Helian Yue was shot dead with an arrow beneath Peaceful Pass.

Now, the fourth‑ranked Ji Shunfu lies buried in a foreign land.

Translation: Now, the fourth-ranked Ji Shunfu has been buried in a foreign land.

Within just a few months, the foreign generals' ranking, which had remained unchanged for over a decade, saw two of its top members fall in succession.

Translation: In these short few months, the foreign tribe general ranking, which had remained unchanged for over a decade, saw two of its members fall in succession.

Originally obscure newcomer generals are now about to emerge one after another.

Translation: The formerly obscure new-generation generals are also about to emerge one after another.

It is foreseeable that these old‑era heavenly generals will soon fall one after another.

Translation: It is foreseeable that, in the future, these old-era Heavenly God Generals will soon fall one after another.

"Ding! Detected that Wu Wenhua has slain the foreign heavenly general, the Wolf God Ji Shunfu!"

Translation: "Ding! Detected Wu Wenhua slaying the foreign tribe Heavenly God General—Wolf God Ji Shunfu!"

"Ding! Currently seizing the foreign heavenly general's position,"

Translation: "Ding! Seizing the foreign tribe Heavenly God position,"

"Ding! Congratulations, Wu Wenhua, for plundering the fate of the foreign heavenly general Ji Shunfu; you are now advancing to heavenly general."

Translation: "Ding! Congratulations Wu Wenhua for seizing the fortune of the foreign tribe Ji Shunfu Heavenly God General, now advancing to Heavenly God General"

"Ding! Detected that Wu Wenhua's skill advancement succeeded; his skill star has advanced to the exclusive heavenly general technique of the Warrior Star Lord—Power God!"

Translation: "Ding! Detected Wu Wenhua's skill advancement successful, technique energy star advanced to Force Star Lord's Exclusive Heavenly God Technique—Force God!"

"Power God: The exclusive heavenly general technique of Warrior Star Lord Wu Wenhua."

Translation: "Force God: Force Star Lord Wu Wenhua's exclusive Heavenly God Technique.

"Effect One: As the Warrior Star God, when facing enemies, his martial power increases with his battle spirit; each activation adds +6 to his martial power, up to three times."

Translation: Effect One: Force Star Star God, when facing an enemy, as battle intent in the heart increases, martial power increases accordingly, each activation adds +6 martial power, up to three activations.

"Effect Two: Against opponents smaller than himself, he suppresses their martial power by 3–6 points; when this effect applies to multiple foes, it can affect them all simultaneously."

Translation: Effect Two: When facing enemies smaller in stature than oneself, suppress their martial power by 3–6 points; when this effect applies to multiple foes, it can affect them simultaneously.

Effect III: God of Strength – when facing a skill that contains the "strength" character, increase Strength by 5 and also seal any skill that contains the "strength" character.

Translation: Effect Three: Force Lord God, when facing a skill containing the character "force", martial power +5, while sealing skills containing the character "force".

"Effect Four: Ordinary weapons cannot harm him; when this effect activates in battle, his defensive ability greatly increases, and damage from non‑divine weapons is greatly reduced—if his base martial power is 105 or lower, damage from such weapons is reduced even further."

Translation: Effect Four: Mundane weapons cannot harm; when this effect activates during battle, one's defense capability greatly increases, damage from non-divine weapons is greatly weakened, and if base martial power is below 105, damage from non-divine weapons is weakened again.

"Effect Five: When an opponent's power is greater than or equal to his own, he becomes immune to negative skill effects; when facing a weaker opponent's negative effect, he transfers half of that effect onto the enemy."

Translation: Effect Five: When the enemy's power is greater than or equal to one's own, one becomes immune to negative skill effects; when encountering negative effects from an enemy whose power is insufficient relative to oneself, one applies half of the negative skill effect received onto the enemy.

"Phew, has Wu Wenhua also successfully ascended to heavenly general?"

Translation: "Huff, has Wu Wenhua also successfully advanced to Heavenly God General?"

Su Ye, who was governing Cangzhou alongside Li Shanchang—who had just been conscripted to assist him at the governor's office—rubbed his brow and softly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Translation: Su Ye, who was jointly governing Cangzhou with Li Shan, who had just been conscripted to the Inspector's Manor to assist him, rubbed his forehead and lightly exhaled a breath of foul air.

Li Shanchang's implanted identity was that of a local sage of Cangzhou; he was erudite, perceptive, and possessed rich experience and profound insight in governing the region.

Translation: Li Shan's implanted identity was that of a local sage of Cangzhou; he is erudite, perceptive, and possesses rich experience and profound insight in governing localities.

He had long kept an eye on the young Su Ye, believing him to be a talent capable of bearing great responsibility.

Translation: He has long paid attention to the young Su Ye, considering him a talent capable of bearing important responsibilities.

Faced with the chaotic aftermath of war in Cangzhou, Su Ye and Li Shanchang understood that governing would involve countless complexities and be an arduous task.

Translation: Faced with the chaotic situation after the turmoil in Cangzhou, Su Ye and Li Shan deeply understand that governing work is myriad and the task is arduous.

They first set to work stabilizing the situation, ensuring the safety of the people; therefore, those who had originally been following Li Jing to encircle Ji Shunfu were temporarily drafted out to suppress bandits.

Li Shanchang, relying on the influence and connections he had planted locally, quickly organized a force of about one hundred thousand in Cangzhou to cooperate in suppressing the bandits and rebels who were taking advantage to cause chaos.

Then they handed it over to Li Jing for him to casually drill the troops; furthermore, after Su Ye took office, he promised the two—Lian'er Xinshan and Nian De Li, who had just been adopted as foster sons by Chang Ke but then tragically lost their foster father—to avenge their foster father Chang Ke.

At the cost of wiping out the foreign tribe army of Ji Shunfu, they brought the two under their command and also absorbed the 70,000-strong army that their foster father Chang Ke had painstakingly built up over the years.

Working together with those covert agents that had originally been infiltrated into the Cangzhou Army by the Cloud Prince's Mansion over the years, in the leaderless situation of Cangzhou.

With the help of those who showed the way, Su Ye took over the intact Cangzhou Army of over two hundred thousand without bloodshed.

At the same time, Su Ye, who had just taken office and assumed the post of Cangzhou Inspector, actively recruited talents, issued a call for virtuous persons in Cangzhou, strengthened his administration team, and formulated a series of policies and measures.

Under the joint efforts of Su Ye and Li Shanchang, Cangzhou began to gradually recover its vitality and liveliness.

(End of chapter)