Chapter 296

On the sail of the "Xuanxiao Hao" flew a black sea monster with a gold base pattern; driven by the sea wind, it raised its chest and thrust forward with all its might, driving the hull that blended red, black, gold, and yellow toward the north.

It truly was a fine ship, with a slender hull and elegant lines that almost reminded him of his wife—but that wife had already been thrown by him onto a rock in the sea to feed the crabs.

Iron Ship Captain

Youlun

Asha

Someone reminded him that Youlun's eyes were blue, but the Iron Ship Captain's fist would tell him what the correct color was, after all, he was Youlun's brother, far more familiar than that damned sorcerer.

Weiketalilang glared ahead, seeing this brand-new throne ship constantly pushing back the waves, swiftly cutting the clear, deep‑blue seawater on both sides toward the sky and throwing out white sparkle.

Weiketaliang

Gele i Qiaoyi

Wet-haired Yilun

Heh, he had served his brother with all his might, and now he had to serve his brother's willful daughter? Preposterous! Women ought not to ascend the Haishi throne.

Stannis

If he also joined, he would surely gain the support of all the soldiers, ship captains, and leaders present, then take control of Paike Island, command that invincible iron fleet that runs rampant, sit upon the Haishi throne, and punish those who blaspheme the gods, kill their kin, and violate human ethics.

Yet, when he learned the outcome of the wedding, he was still swinging his axe, chopping the timber he had looted from Haijiang City.

After Youlun had tricked him back from the wolf‑woman's hands, he piled the logs he had seized from Haijiang City along the shore of his small harbor.

He knew what Youlun meant by this. "This is what you seized from the shore; the king has ordered us to return it to its rightful owner." The king's servant said to him with a smile. Youlun was mocking him. Youlun always knew how to mock him, and he could picture the mocking expression on Youlun's face when he spoke these words through the servant's mouth.

Paike Island

Iron Islands

Drowned God

Prime Minister

When the "Barber" Neut crossed the sea and reported the wedding news to him, he immediately decided to set out, boarding his own "Invincible Iron Seed" and sailing for Paike Island.

Those in the know related the wedding events vividly on deck, a tale so stupid he wondered how the clever Youlun could have become the protagonist of such a foolish story.

The Iron Seeds spread the rumor that Youlun had desecrated the divine, and thus the gods punished him, causing his flesh and blood to drop from his head, making him endure scorching flames, until his form and spirit vanished, turning into a pile of ashes that drifted away with the sea wind and the crows, while his various illegitimate children were hacked down in terror by the iron folk...

Sea Stone Throne

Invincible Iron Seed

He completely underestimated Asha's wickedness and also her energy.

Translation: He completely underestimated Asha's viciousness, and also underestimated her energy.

But we need to keep exact meaning: "He completely underestimated Asha's viciousness, and also underestimated her energy." Ensure we keep "also". We'll output: He completely underestimated Asha's viciousness, and also underestimated her energy.

But we need to check if we need to keep the comma. We'll keep as is.

Without a doubt, she hired assassins and arranged for the ugly woman of Tasi Island to kill Youlun; no, and also wet-haired Yilun.

Translation: Without a doubt, she hired assassins, arranged for the ugly woman of Tasi Island to kill Youlun, no, and also wet-haired Yilun.

Without a doubt, she hired assassins, arranged for the ugly woman of Tasi Island to kill Youlun; no, and also wet-haired Yilun.

Without a doubt, she hired assassins, arranged for the ugly woman of Tasi Island to kill Youlun; no, and also wet-haired Yilun.

Without a doubt, she hired assassins, arranged for the ugly woman of Tasi Island to kill Youlun; no, and also wet-haired Yilun.

Yilun personally admitted arranging one of the assassinations, but firmly denied that his later actions were connected to him.

Translation: Yilun personally admitted that he had arranged one of the assassinations, but firmly denied that his subsequent other actions were related to him.

Yilun personally admitted that he had arranged one of the assassinations, but firmly denied that his subsequent other actions were related to him.

Humph! He dreamed of shaking off the kinslayer label, but from the moment he acted he was destined to be a kinslayer too, even though Youlun wasn't killed by the assassins he hired; he is also Youlun's brother.

Translation: Humph! He fantasized about using this to shake off the label of "kinslayer," but from the moment he acted, he was destined to also be a "kinslayer," even though Youlun did not die at the hands of the assassins he hired. He is also Youlun's brother.

Humph! He fantasized about using this to shake off the label of "kinslayer," but from the moment he acted, he was destined to also be a "kinslayer," even though Youlun did not die at the hands of the assassins he hired. He is also Youlun's brother.

"kinslayer"

If I become king, I will permanently exile this madman Yilun and also Asha. He thought.

Translation: If I become king, I will definitely permanently exile this madman Yilun, and also Asha. He thought.

If I become king, I will definitely permanently exile this madman Yilun, and also Asha. He thought.

Kinslayers have no place on the Iron Islands.

Translation: Kinslayers do not deserve to stay on the Iron Islands.

Kinslayers do not deserve to stay on the Iron Islands.

He departed too late; by the time his fleet reached Paike City and saw his ancestors' fortress, Asha had already taken control of it.

Translation: He set out too late; when his fleet sailed toward Pike City, seeing his ancestors' fortress, it had already been controlled by Asha.

He set out too late; when his fleet sailed toward Paike City, seeing his ancestors' fortress, it had already been controlled by Asha.

Asha was once a beloved little girl, now just a willful woman; she cannot fully control the leaders already subdued by Youlun, nor win their sincere support, except for her scholar uncle.

Translation: Asha, she was once a beloved little girl, now merely a willful woman; she simply cannot fully control the leaders already subdued by Youlun, nor can she gain their sincere support, except for her scholar uncle.

Asha, she was once a beloved little girl, now merely a willful woman; she simply cannot fully control the leaders already subdued by Youlun, nor can she gain their sincere support, except for her scholar uncle.

The leader of Ten Towers City, Roderik, controls Harulo Island; with him, Asha has a solid foundation—occupying Paike Island and Harulo Island amounts to occupying the most valuable part of the Iron Islands, while conversely, his supporters are too few……

Translation: The leader of Ten Towers City, Rodelik, controls Haerluo Island; with him, Asha has a solid foundation—occupying Pike City and Haerluo Island amounts to occupying the most valuable part of the Iron Islands, while conversely, his supporters are too few……

The leader of Ten Towers City, Rodelik, controls Haerluo Island; with him, Asha has a solid foundation—occupying Paike Island and Haerluo Island amounts to occupying the most valuable part of the Iron Islands, while conversely, his supporters are too few……

We need to keep the ellipsis as is.

She didn't know what the girl had promised the captains and leaders; either way, she came out on top of that chaotic and disgraceful wedding.

Translation: She did not know what the girl had promised the captains and the leaders; in any case, she was the winner of that chaos and shameful wedding.

She did not know what the girl had promised the captains and the leaders; in any case, she was the winner of that chaos and shameful wedding.

When he entered Paike City to claim his Sea Stone Seat, he saw the girl shamelessly place his crown on her head and demand that he kneel and swear allegiance.

Translation: When he stepped into Paike City, demanding his Sea Stone Seat, he only saw that girl shamelessly place his crown on her head and demand that he kneel and swear allegiance.

When he stepped into Paike City, demanding his Sea Stone Seat, he only saw that girl shamelessly place his crown on her head and demand that he kneel and swear allegiance.

He immediately wanted to draw his axe, however, the axe in his hand was of tremendous weight.

Translation: He immediately wanted to draw his axe, however, the axe in his hand weighed a thousand jun.

We need to keep "千鈞" exactly. So we output: He immediately wanted to draw his axe, however, the axe in his hand weighed 千鈞.

It wasn't due to the ridiculous guards at her side, nor because the girl was excessively beautiful.

Translation: It was not because of those laughable guards beside her, nor because the girl was overly beautiful.

It was not because of those laughable guards beside her, nor because the girl was overly beautiful.

His axe shouldn't be used to behead anyone surnamed Gele i Qiaoyi, he thought, nor should it bring shame upon Paike City—this is his father Kelun's hall and also the hall of King Balon where he swore allegiance.

Translation: His axe should not be used to behead anyone surnamed Gelei Qiaoyi, he thought, nor should it bring shame upon Paike City—this is his father Kelun's hall, and also the hall of King Balon where he swore allegiance.

His axe should not be used to behead anyone surnamed Gelei Qiaoyi, he thought, nor should it bring shame upon Paike City—this is his father Kelun's hall, and also the hall of King Balon where he swore allegiance.

"Kill me, and the Sea Stone Seat is yours, uncle." He recalled the girl smiling as she said that, and she didn't believe his axe would hit her.

Translation: "Kill me, and the Sea Stone Seat is yours, uncle." He remembered the girl saying that with a smile. She also did not believe his axe would strike her.

We need to keep quotes. We'll output: "Kill me, and the Sea Stone Seat is yours, uncle." He remembered the girl saying that with a smile. She also did not believe his axe would strike her.

"You stole my throne." he said.

Translation: "You stole my throne." He said.

We'll output: "You stole my throne." He said.

"You stole my throne," he said.

Translation: "I never remember you ever wearing a crown." She said, "or are you saying you should inherit it as Youlun's brother?"

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation. We'll output: "I never remember you ever wearing a crown." She said, "or are you saying you should inherit it as Youlun's brother?"

"I don't recall you ever wearing a crown," she said, "or are you saying you want to inherit it as Youlun's brother?"

Translation: "Of course." Since Youlun defeated all opponents at the kingsmoot, he ought to be King of the Iron Islands; after Youlun's death, he would be Youlun's first heir, without a doubt.

"Of course." Since Youlun defeated all opponents at the kingsmoot, he ought to be King of the Iron Islands; after Youlun's death, he would be Youlun's first heir, without a doubt.

"Youlun's throne is illegitimate." Wet-haired Yilun stepped forward from behind him, "Those who disrespect the gods cannot sit on the Sea Stone Seat, and kinslayers are most despised by the divine—he killed King Balon, and we have ascertained that."

Translation: "Youlun's throne is illegitimate." Wet-haired Yilun stepped forward from behind him, saying, "Those who disrespect the gods cannot sit on the Sea Stone Seat, and kinslayers are most despised by the spirits—he killed King Balon, and we have ascertained this."

"Youlun's throne is illegitimate." Wet-haired Yilun stepped forward from behind him, saying, "Those who disrespect the gods cannot sit on the Sea Stone Seat, and kinslayers are most despised by the spirits—he killed King Balon, and we have confirmed this."

"You are kinslayers as well."

Translation: "You are kinslayers as well."

We'll output: "You are kinslayers as well."

"Youlun was killed by Brienne of Tasi, but I will have people say it was Shitanisi's chief minister…"

Translation: "The killer of Youlun is Brienne of Tasi, but I will have people say that the killer of Youlun is the chief minister of Shitanisi……"

"The killer of Youlun is Brienne of Tasi, but I will have people say that the killer of Youlun is the chief minister of Shitanisi……"

"They're just swords in your hand!" he recalled shouting, "You're the ones wielding the swords! You're all kinslayers!"

Translation: "They are merely swords in your hand!" he remembered himself roaring, "You are the ones wielding the swords! You are all kinslayers!"

"They are merely swords in your hand!" he remembered himself roaring, "You are the ones wielding the swords! You are all kinslayers!"

"Look at the axe in your hand—aren't you? Don't you want to become a kinslayer?" Asha shouted angrily at him, "He killed your brother, King Balon, and you still want him to praise his crown?"

Translation: "Look at the axe in your hand, aren't you? Don't you want to become a kinslayer?" Asha shouted angrily at him, "He killed your brother, King Balon, and you still want him to praise his crown?"

"Look at the axe in your hand, aren't you? Don't you want to become a kinslayer?" Asha shouted angrily at him, "He killed your brother, King Balon, and you still want him to praise his crown?"

He stood silent in the hall, cursing the two shameless ones in his heart, especially wet-haired Yilun.

Translation: He stood silently in the hall. In his heart he cursed the two shameless ones, especially wet-haired Yilun.

He stood silently in the hall. In his heart he cursed the two shameless ones, especially wet-haired Yilun.

After he rejected wet-haired's assassination plot, wet-haired turned and stood by her side—hadn't wet-haired said women shouldn't occupy the Sea Stone Throne? And hadn't wet-haired said that he, Weiketaliang, is the spokesman of the Drowned God?

Translation: After he refused wet-haired's assassination plot, wet-haired turned and stood by her side? Didn't wet-haired say that women should not occupy the Sea Stone Throne? Didn't wet-haired say that he, Weiketaliang, is the spokesman of the Drowned God?

After he refused wet-haired's assassination plot, wet-haired turned and stood by her side? Didn't wet-haired say that women should not occupy the Sea Stone Throne? Didn't wet-haired say that he, Weiketaliang, is the spokesman of the Drowned God?

"If you can't kill me, then marry me as Youlun did." Asha then sat on the throne, smiling at him and slowly spreading her legs, promising she wouldn't cut his throat with a knife at the wedding.

Translation: "If you cannot kill me, then just marry me as Youlun did." Asha then sat on the throne, smiling at him, and slowly spread her legs. "I guarantee I will not cut your throat with a knife at the wedding."

"If you cannot kill me, then just marry me as Youlun did." Asha then sat on the throne, smiling at him, and slowly spread her legs. "I guarantee I will not cut your throat with a knife at the wedding."

The Ironborn's gaze has always been sharp, and he is the Ironborn among Ironborn.

Translation: The Ironborn's gaze has always been keen, and he is the Ironborn among Ironborn.

The Ironborn's gaze has always been keen, and he is the Ironborn among Ironborn.

"What are you waiting for? To be king of the Iron Islands, you must unite the strength of the Gele i Qiaoyi family; Youlun gets this, and you should too." Asha curled the corner of her mouth, drew her legs together, "However, the queen must be me; in this situation I have more strength, but ultimately power will belong to our children."

Translation: "What are you waiting for? To become King of the Iron Islands, you must unite the strength of the Gelei Qiaoyi family; Youlun understands this, and you should too." Asha curled the corner of her mouth, drew her legs together, "However, the queen must be me; in this situation I have more strength, but ultimately, power will belong to our children."

"What are you waiting for? To become King of the Iron Islands, you must unite the strength of the Gelei Qiaoyi family; Youlun understands this, and you should too." Asha curled the corner of her mouth, drew her legs together, "However, the queen must be me; in this situation I have more strength, but ultimately, power will belong to our children."

His face was flushed.

Translation: His face flushed red.

We'll output: His face flushed red.

These bastards, fools. Youlun did so many disrespectful deeds to the gods and never came to harm, yet when he chose incest……

Translation: These bastards, fools. Youlun did so many disrespectful deeds to the gods and never came to harm, yet when he chose incest……

These bastards, fools. Youlun did so many disrespectful deeds to the gods and never came to harm, yet when he chose incest……

"Cut it out!" he snapped, turning away.

Translation: "Cut it out!" He angrily turned and left.

"Cut it out!" He angrily turned and left.

The guards stopped him.

Translation: The guards stopped him.

We'll output: The guards stopped him.

"If you don't choose, then keep what belongs to the Gelei Qiaoyi family; you know what that is."

Translation: "If you do not choose, leave behind what belongs to the Gelei Qiaoyi family; you know what that is."

We'll output: "If you do not choose, leave behind what belongs to the Gelei Qiaoyi family; you know what that is."

Ship. He had always been the commander of the Iron Islands' fleet.

Translation: Ship. He had always been the commander of the Iron Islands' fleet.

Ship. He had always been the commander of the Iron Islands' fleet.

He pushed aside the guards, walked out, and when he left Paike Dao, he only had ten ships left.

He waited at the narrow cape of Dawēikè Island, wandering back and forth, not knowing which way to go after his exile.

On the tenth day, he gained another twenty ships. Asha overestimated their own ruling power, and he also underestimated his own influence.

And when the eleventh day arrived, a dark‑red ship with only a single mast quietly reached the harbor where he was.

It bore black sails, its prow a black‑iron maiden, her beautiful arms outstretched like a naked wife greeting her beloved husband. The maiden's waist was slender, her full chest thrust toward him, her long legs shapely, and her thick black‑iron hair flowed in the wind behind her head.

Her eyes were made of pearls, but she had no mouth. It was the Tranquil.