Chapter 371: with translation of chapter title

At this moment, Jiang Xia, who had pulled Libra out of optical camouflage, slowly walked down the stairs.

At this moment, Jiang Xia, who had pulled Libra out of optical camouflage, slowly walked down the stairs.

We must keep 【1】 prefix.

Its ferocious face showed no expression; its whip-like tail made a rustling sound like a steel cable being retracted. As the smoke and dust cleared, a long trench was gouged into the ground, and Libra lay at the end of it.

Translation: "Its ferocious face was expressionless, its whip-like tail made a rustling sound like a retracting steel cable, as the smoke and dust cleared, a long trench was dragged across the ground, and Libra lay at the end of the trench."

Its whip-like tail made a rustling sound like a steel cable being retracted.

However, despite being blown away by Jiang Xia and scraping along the ground, Libra's vitality remained strong, and it still retained some ability to move after the attack.

Translation: "However, Libra, which had been blasted away by Jiang Xia and scraped along the ground, retained strong vitality and still had some mobility after the attack."

The surrounding destruction was severe; the remaining equipment in the abandoned steel plant was crushed outright by the lingering impact force, leaving the entire plant with nothing useful left—it could now be hauled straight to a scrap yard for sale.

Translation: "However, the surrounding destruction was severe; the equipment left in the abandoned steel plant was directly crushed by the residual impact force, leaving the whole plant with nothing useful left—it could now be hauled straight to the scrap yard and sold for scrap."

In the ruins, Libra supported itself with its cane, while the stylish gold‑black cape it wore had a large tear in the center.

Translation: "In the ruins, Libra supported its body with the cane in its hand, and a large hole had been torn in the center of its handsome, elegant gold‑black cape."

He clutched his chest, staring in shock as Scorpio slowly approached from before him; the situation had surpassed his comprehension.

Translation: "He clutched his chest, staring in shock at Scorpio slowly approaching from before him; the situation had already surpassed his understanding."

In the next instant, it sensed something approaching and immediately rolled aside to dodge; this maneuver successfully saved its life.

Translation: "The next moment it sensed something approaching, it immediately rolled on the ground to dodge to the side, and this action successfully saved its life."

The next second, a greenish light column screamed past, slicing a deep, several‑meter‑wide gash in the ground; if its movement had been even a fraction slower, its cockroach‑like body would have shared the same fate as the ground—being cut apart.

Translation: "The next second, a green‑blue light column whooshed past, slicing a huge gash several meters deep into the ground; if its movement had been a bit slower, its cockroach‑like body would have shared the same fate as the ground—being cut apart."

Libra rose to its feet, its single red‑glowing eye fixed on the calm Scorpio hovering on an air cushion; its scepter and cape were now tattered and torn.

Translation: "Libra stood up, its red‑glowing single eye gazing at the calm Scorpio on the air cushion; the scepter in its hand and the cloak on its body were already torn to shreds."

Furthermore, the toxin recently injected via the Scorpion chapter's annotation is already impairing its movements, so in the upcoming battle under Scorpio's control it will be at a disadvantage.

Translation: "Moreover, the toxin that had just been injected into it via the Scorpion chapter's annotation had begun to affect its movements, so in the ensuing fight beneath Scorpio's hand it would be at a disadvantage."

We need to interpret 'toxin inserted via the Scorpion chapter's annotation'—i. e., toxin introduced through the Scorpion chapter's annotation—and we'll keep it approximate.

I never thought Virgo was telling the truth, but you are indeed powerful—not only do you look like Scorpio, but your fighting style suits you even better; if she weren't still in the hospital, I'd mistake you for the real Scorpio.

Translation: ""I didn't expect Virgo's words to be true—you are indeed very strong, not only possessing an appearance just like Scorpio's, but also having a fighting style even more suited than theirs; if she weren't still lying in the hospital, I would have thought you were the real Scorpio.""

Libra discarded its cape and pointed the tip of its scepter at Jiang Xia.

Translation: "Libra threw away its cloak and pointed the tip of the scepter in its hand at Jiang Xia."

The footsteps gradually faded; amidst the ruined ground, Jiang Xia stood before Libra, watching as it readied an attack, and said: 'I didn't expect the dean to care so much for his subordinates—Is Professor Sonoda doing okay?'

Translation: "The footsteps gradually faded; on the ruined ground, Jiang Xia stood before Libra, watching it ready its attack stance: "I didn't expect the principal to care so much about his subordinates—Teacher Sonoda should be all right, then?""

Libra froze for a moment, not expecting its identity to be exposed so quickly; it felt only a little surprised, since even if its identity were revealed, few would care or believe it.

Translation: "Libra froze for a moment, not expecting its identity to be exposed so suddenly, though it only felt a little surprised; even if its identity were revealed, few would care or believe it."

However, he instead became curious about Scorpio's identity—only a handful of people could be called 'teacher' by Fourze; who could it be?

Translation: "But he instead grew curious about Scorpio's identity—only a handful of people could be called "teacher" by Fourze; just who could it be?"

'Professor Sonoda is doing well; she'll be out of the hospital soon. However, since you know me, you should also know that all the Zodiac Apostles' powers were brought by that great one. By helping Fourze like this, aren't you afraid of being seen as a traitor?'

Translation: ""Teacher Sonoda is fine; she'll be out of the hospital soon. But since you know me, you should also know that all the Star Disciples' powers were brought by that exalted one—helping Fourze like this, aren't you afraid of being seen as a traitor?""

'A traitor?' Jiang Xia chuckled, 'One can only be called a traitor if loyalty to another is a prerequisite, and the term is usually used by superiors toward subordinates. I have never been loyal to any organization or faction; only others follow my orders, and no one can command me to do something I don't want to do. Therefore, I don't know who you mean by traitor.'

Translation: ""A traitor?" Jiang Xia chuckled, "Only when loyalty to others is a prerequisite can one be called a traitor, and the term is generally used by superiors toward subordinates. I have never been loyal to any organization or faction; only others follow my orders, and no one can command me to do what I don't want to do. So I don't know who you mean by 'traitor'—who is being betrayed.""

Everything he said was completely true; up to now, no one he has met has earned his loyalty—he is loyal only to himself, does what he believes is right, and does not act merely by obeying others' orders.

Translation: "What he said was completely true; up to now, among everyone he has met, no one has earned his loyalty—he is loyal only to himself, he does what he believes is right, rather than obeying others' orders."

If he cannot even decide his own actions, what good is his power? He wants to be free of any constraints—life, body, power—and his aim, established when he first gained the vampire blood power, has already set the course he will follow.

Translation: "If he cannot even decide his own actions, what meaning does the power he gained have? He wants to be unbound by anything—life, body, power—and his goal, set since acquiring the initial Tooth Blood Vampire power, has already determined the path he will walk."

Moreover, you've mixed up a concept: the fundamental technology of the universal switch comes from the emitter of the universal voice, not from me, Wang Guangming. Although you know the universal voice, you don't understand the source of the switch; you naturally assume that I, Wang Guangming, am the developer of universal power. Frankly, Virgo understands this better than you, which is why, despite being a senior among the twelve Zodiac Apostles, your rank still falls short of Virgo's. 'Who exactly are you? How do you know all this? Do you know my lord, Wang Guangming?' Libra raised its weapon before it, gripping it with both hands in a slanted hold—such an obvious defensive stance that Jiang Xia didn't need to guess what it was thinking.

We need to split into two sentences? The line contains a quoted speech then a question then description. We'll translate as one line.

Translation: ""Besides, you've mixed up a concept—the most fundamental technology of the Universe Switch comes from the emitter of the Cosmic Voice, not from me, Wang Guangming. You may know the Cosmic Voice, but you don't know the source of the switch; naturally you assume I, Wang Guangming, am the developer of cosmic power. Frankly, Virgo understands this better than you, which is why, although you are a senior among the Twelve Star Disciples, your rank never surpasses Virgo's." "Who exactly are you? How do you know all this? Do you know Lord Wang Guangming?" Libra raised its weapon before it, holding it with both hands in a slanted grip—such an obvious defensive stance left Jiang Xia no need to guess what it was thinking."

We need to keep quotes and punctuation.

For Libra, the expectations and recognition of Wang Guangming are the most important things in its life; it deeply reveres Wang Guangming, but now its position seems to be declining again, and losing value is more terrifying to it than death.

Translation: "For Libra, the expectation and recognition of Wang Guangming were the most important things in his life; he revered Wang Guangming immensely, but now his position seemed to be declining again, and losing value was more terrifying to him than death."

'Of course I know him; otherwise how could I know the universal voice? We are both chosen by the cosmos, and our goals align—wait, I should also include Virgo.' Jiang Xia said,

Translation: ""Of course I know him; otherwise how could I know the Cosmic Voice? We are both chosen by the universe, our goals align—wait, I should also add Virgo." Jiang Xia said,"

'Your role, as far as Wang Guangming is concerned, is merely that of a distributor of Zodiac switches; you were assigned to take over Scorpio's duties only because no other use for you could be found at the time.'

Translation: ""Your role to Wang Guangming is merely that of a worker who distributes the Constellation Switches—only because I temporarily couldn't find another use for you did I let you take over Scorpio's duties.""

'After all, Leo is Wang Guangming's most trusted subordinate and strongest fighter, Virgo is his partner, and after Scorpio's defeat only you, an insignificant Libra, remain—so you're basically useless; if I join, do you think he'll abandon you?'

Translation: ""After all, Leo is Wang Guangming's most trusted subordinate and strongest fighter, Virgo is his partner, and after Scorpio's failure only you, this utterly insignificant Libra, remain—so you're basically useless; if I join, do you think he'll abandon you?""

'Shut up!' Libra's voice trembled, and the rattling metal rings on its scepter fully revealed his current panic.

Translation: ""Shut up!" Libra's voice trembled slightly; the rattling metal rings on its scepter fully exposed his current panic."

Is that all it takes to panic? How boring.

Translation: "He's panicking already? How boring."

Libra's wielder, Kohei Hayami, is also the principal of Amanogawa High School and holds a doctorate in physics, though the origin of that degree seems questionable…

Translation: "Libra Switcher Hayami Kohei is also the principal of Heavenly River High School, holding a doctorate in physics, though the origin of that degree seems somewhat questionable…"

Brought close by Wang Guangming, he discovered her as a teacher when Sonoda Sarina was still a student, turning her into Scorpio; he deeply desired Wang Guangming's favor, and she was cultivated as a confidante, but her combat strength is weak and she has no special abilities—only illusionary arts are useful.

Translation: "Brought close by Wang Guangming, when Sonoda Sarina was still a student he discovered her as a teacher, turning her into Scorpio; he deeply desired Wang Guangming's favor, and had been cultivated as a confidant, but unfortunately her combat strength is weak and she has no special abilities—only illusionary arts are useful."

Moreover, Kohei Hayami's psychological state is also problematic; when neglected, he exhibits extreme jealousy, appearing outwardly as a cool, handsome guy, but in reality he is prone to losing composure.

Translation: "And Hayami Kohei's mental state is also problematic; once neglected he displays extreme jealousy, appearing outwardly as a calm, cool handsome guy, but in fact he is prone to losing composure."

Jiang Xia relied on Libra's personal growth history and experiences to build a psychological model of him in his mind; merely stimulating it slightly caused Kohei Hayami to break down.

Translation: "Jiang Xia relied on Libra's own growth process and experiences to build a psychological model of him in his mind; merely a slight stimulation was enough, and Hayami Kohei couldn't hold up."

'I completely don't understand what you're saying; I only know you're a traitor helping Fourze, and the fate of a traitor is only death.'

Translation: ""I completely don't understand what you're saying; I only know you're a traitor helping Fourze, and the only fate for a traitor is death.""

Libra gazed at Jiang Xia's body, examining him from head to toe; although his appearance showed no change, his power was extraordinary—even this 'elder' couldn't keep up.

Translation: "Libra stared at Jiang Xia's body, then examined him from head to toe; although his appearance showed no change, his strength was extraordinary—even this "senior" could not keep up."

'Indeed.' Jiang Xia curled a smile.

Translation: ""Indeed it is." Jiang Xia curled a smile."

Under Jiang Xia's pressure, Kohei Hayami will not report to Wang Guangming the facts about the universal voice and his acquaintance with Jiang Xia; instead, he will claim that Scorpio is a traitor helping Fourze, because only by doing so can he protect his own standing.

Translation: "Under Jiang Xia's pressure, Hayami Kohei will not only fail to report to Wang Guangming the facts about the Cosmic Voice and Jiang Xia's acquaintance with him, but will instead claim that this Scorpio is a traitor aiding Fourze, because only by doing so can he protect his own position."

However, this is merely Jiang Xia testing his own psychological model; if he truly cared about these matters, he would not have leaked information to Kohei Hayami—true secrets simply aren't spoken.

Translation: "But this is merely Jiang Xia testing his psychological model; if he truly cared about these things he wouldn't have leaked information to Hayami Kohei—how could the real secret be spoken aloud?"

(End of Chapter)