Chapter 1484

He quickly used the Tendon Changing Bone Shifting technique to shrink his body to resemble that woman, then picked up an eyelash brush and brushed his eyelashes, making the difference hardly noticeable.

Translation: He quickly used Tendon Changing Bone Shifting to shrink his body to resemble that woman, then picked up an eyelash brush and brushed his eyelashes, making the difference not big.

We need to keep concise but faithful. Let's produce: He quickly used Tendon Changing Bone Shifting to shrink his body to resemble that woman, then picked up an eyelash brush and brushed his eyelashes, making the difference not big.

He quickly used Tendon Changing Bone Shifting to shrink his body to resemble that woman, then picked up an eyelash brush and brushed his eyelashes, making the difference not big.

He had just concealed the woman, and then heard urging shouts from outside.

Translation: Just then he hid that woman, and again heard the urging voices from outside.

Better: He had just hidden that woman when he again heard urging voices from outside.

We'll produce: He had just hidden that woman when he again heard urging voices from outside.

Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and walked out the door, seeing that the red‑robed woman outside showed no sign of flaw, appearing rather impatient, he muttered a few words, then handed her one of the bouquets of flowers he was holding; Hu Xiaotian took the bouquet and followed her out of the courtyard.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and walked out the door, seeing that the red-robed woman outside showed no sign of flaw, he spoke a few sentences impatiently muttering, then handed her one bouquet of flowers from his hand. Hu Xiaotian held that bouquet of flowers and followed her out of the courtyard.

We need to keep the sound "muttering" as is, translating it as "muttering".

Let's produce: Hu Xiaotian lowered his head and walked out the door, seeing that the red-robed woman outside showed no sign of flaw, he muttered a few sentences impatiently, then handed her one bouquet of flowers from his hand. Hu Xiaotian held that bouquet and followed her out of the courtyard.

The two arrived at the rear courtyard, only to see over forty red‑robed masked women waiting there; Hu Xiaotian, whose body had been altered by the Tendon Changing Bone Shifting technique, stood among them without any sense of incongruity.

Translation: The two arrived at the rear courtyard, only to see that over forty red-robed masked women were already waiting there; Hu Xiaotian, whose body had been altered by Tendon Changing Bone Shifting, stood among them without standing out.

We'll produce: The two arrived at the rear courtyard, only to see over forty red‑robed masked women already waiting there; Hu Xiaotian, whose body had been altered by Tendon Changing Bone Shifting, stood among them without standing out.

In the center of the courtyard stood a white elephant adorned with an exquisite saddle; Hu Xiaotian secretly thought that this white elephant might be the mount of the High Priestess Tongyun, but his first thought was how to use this elephant to turn back and escape.

Translation: In the center of the courtyard stood a white elephant, draped with an exquisite saddle; Hu Xiaotian secretly thought this white elephant might be the mount of High Priestess Tongyun, and his first thought was how to use this white elephant to turn back and escape.

We'll produce: In the center of the courtyard stood a white elephant draped with an exquisite saddle; Hu Xiaotian secretly thought this white elephant might be the mount of High Priestess Tongyun, and his first thought was how to use this white elephant to turn back and escape.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was busy with his own scheming, the door softly opened and the white‑robed High Priestess Tongyun stepped out, supported on either side by two red‑clad maidens holding her arms; her long robe trailed behind, lifted by two other red‑clad maidens, and finally emerging were Granny Shadow and Yan Nujiao, who today served as Dharma protectors.

Translation: Just as Hu Xiaotian was secretly scheming, the door softly opened, and the white‑robed High Priestess Tongyun walked out from inside, with two red‑clad maidens supporting her arms on either side, her long skirt trailing behind, carried by two more red‑clad maidens at the rear; finally came Old Lady Ying and Yan Nujiao, who today served as Dharma protectors.

We'll produce: Just as Hu Xiaotian was secretly scheming, the door softly opened, and the white‑robed High Priestess Tongyun walked out from inside, with two red‑clad maidens supporting her arms on either side, her long skirt trailing behind, carried by two more red‑clad maidens at the rear; finally came Old Lady Ying and Yan Nujiao, who today served as Dharma protectors.

The driver made a gesture, and the white elephant knelt on the ground. Four red‑clad women formed a step with their knees and backs, allowing Tongyun to gracefully ascend the elephant's back and sit down with utmost elegance, appearing like a white lotus unstained by mud. Seeing her lofty and extraordinary demeanor, Hu Xiaotian secretly chuckled; though she appeared pure and flawless on the surface, she was actually a wanton woman behind the scenes. If the Red Yi people knew that their revered divine high priestess had long become a plaything under the crotch of the Beggar Gang's junior chief, they would surely be furious.

Translation: The coachman made a gesture, and the white elephant knelt on the ground; four red‑clad women formed a step with their knees and backs, Tongyun slowly ascended the elephant's back and sat down with utmost grace, looking like a white lotus unstained by mud; Hu Xiaotian saw her lofty, extraordinary appearance and secretly chuckled, this woman appeared pure and flawless on the surface but was actually a little slut behind the scenes; if the Red Barbarian people knew their revered goddess‑like High Priestess had long become the plaything of the Beggar Gang's junior leader, they would not know how furious they would become.

We'll produce: The coachman made a gesture, and the white elephant knelt on the ground; four red‑clad women formed a step with their knees and backs, Tongyun slowly ascended the elephant's back and sat down with utmost grace, looking like a white lotus unstained by mud; Hu Xiaotian saw her lofty, extraordinary appearance and secretly chuckled, this woman appeared pure and flawless on the surface but was actually a little slut behind the scenes; if the Red Barbarian people knew their revered goddess‑like High Priestess had long become the plaything of the Beggar Gang's junior leader, they would not know how furious they would become.

The white elephant slowly rose, carrying High Priestess Tongyun outward. Forty temple maidens split into two lines to clear the path and follow; Hu Xiaotian happened to be in the rear line, wearing a long robe and blending in with the maidens, trying to match their pace. His adaptability was extraordinary, and under everyone's gaze he showed no flaw. Moreover, since most of the people were devout believers, they paid no attention to anything else.

Translation: The white elephant slowly rose, carrying High Priestess Tongyun outward. Forty temple maidens split into two lines to clear the way and follow; Hu Xiaotian happened to be in the rear line, wearing a long robe and mingling among the maidens, trying to keep his steps in sync with theirs; this fellow's adaptability is extraordinary, under everyone's gaze he showed no flaw at all. Moreover, most of the people are devout believers and would not pay attention to other matters.

We'll produce: The white elephant slowly rose, carrying High Priestess Tongyun outward. Forty temple maidens split into two lines to clear the way and follow; Hu Xiaotian happened to be in the rear line, wearing a long robe and mingling among the maidens, trying to keep his steps in sync with theirs; this fellow's adaptability is extraordinary, under everyone's gaze he showed no flaw at all. Moreover, most of the people are devout believers and would not pay attention to other matters.

High Priestess Tongyun rode the white elephant slowly out of the inner court of the temple and into the outer court, where tens of thousands of devotees lay prostrate on the ground. Tongyun walked and stopped intermittently, sometimes murmuring incantations, sometimes waving the peacock feather in her hand. Hu Xiaotian couldn't understand her words, but from the context it seemed to be a blessing; from the inner court to the temple gate, this short stretch took an hour to traverse. When the priestess's procession appeared at the temple gate, the scene became even more grand and magnificent, with tens of thousands lining the sides, kneeling in prayer for blessings. Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but marvel at the power of faith. At the same time, he felt indignant toward these believers, for Tongyun was nothing but a charlatan. Having deceived these followers was not enough; she now planned to aid Shangguan Yun Chong in defrauding Fire Tree City.

Translation: High Priestess Tongyun rode the white elephant slowly forward, leaving the temple's inner court and entering the outer court; the countless believers all lay prostrate on the ground, Tongyun would pause and chant, sometimes waving the peacock feather in her hand; Hu Xiaotian could not understand her words, but from the scene it seemed like a blessing; from the inner court to the temple gate, a short stretch took an hour to walk. When the High Priestess's procession appeared at the temple gate, the scene became even more grand and vast, tens of thousands lined the road kneeling in prayer for blessings; Hu Xiaotian could not help but marvel at the power of faith. At the same time he felt indignant for these believers, for High Priestess Tongyun is fundamentally a charlatan. Having deceived these believers is not enough; she now plans to help Officer Yun Chong defraud Fire Tree City.

Thus we need to add Shangguan Yun Chong to glossary.

Also "Shangguan Yun Chong" maybe "Shangguan Yun Chong". We'll add.

Now continue translation: We'll produce a faithful translation.

Let's craft: High Priestess Tongyun rode the white elephant slowly forward, leaving the temple's inner court and entering the outer court; the countless believers all lay prostrate on the ground, Tongyun would pause and chant, sometimes waving the peacock feather in her hand; Hu Xiaotian could not understand her words, but from the scene it seemed like a blessing; from the inner court to the temple gate, a short stretch took an hour to walk. When the High Priestess's procession appeared at the temple gate, the scene became even more grand and vast, tens of thousands lined the road kneeling in prayer for blessings; Hu Xiaotian could not help but marvel at the power of faith. At the same time he felt indignant for these believers, for High Priestess Tongyun is fundamentally a charlatan. Having deceived these believers is not enough; she now plans to help Shangguan Yun Chong defraud Fire Tree City.

The procession of High Priestess Tongyun passed through the divine avenue among the crowd, heading straight south toward the Tranquil Heart Pool ahead.

Translation: The High Priestess's procession passed through the divine road among the crowd, heading straight south toward the Quiet Heart Pool ahead.

We'll produce: The High Priestess's procession passed through the divine road among the crowd, heading straight south toward the Quiet Heart Pool ahead.

At the same time, a force of one thousand Red Yi warriors surrounded the Butterfly Garden; the leader of this force, renowned as the Red Yi's greatest warrior, Huang Zha, though they had encircled the garden, did not rush to attack but adhered to a strategy of courtesy before force, first sending the interpreter Jiang Shaoyang to negotiate.

Translation: At the same time, a force of one thousand Red Barbarian warriors surrounded the Butterfly Garden; the leader of this force, known as the First Warrior of the Red Barbarian Tribe, Huang Zha, though they had encircled the garden, did not rush to attack but followed a strategy of courtesy before force, first sending the interpreter Jiang Shaoyang to negotiate.

We'll produce: At the same time, a force of one thousand Red Barbarian warriors surrounded the Butterfly Garden; the leader of this force, known as the First Warrior of the Red Barbarian Tribe, Huang Zha, though they had encircled the garden, did not rush to attack but followed a strategy of courtesy before force, first sending the interpreter Jiang Shaoyang to negotiate.

After announcing his identity, Jiang Shaoyang entered the Butterfly Garden, where Princess Yingyue Long Xi Yue received him.

Translation: After Jiang Shaoyang announced his identity, he entered the Butterfly Garden, where Princess Long Xi Yue received him.

We'll produce: After Jiang Shaoyang announced his identity, he entered the Butterfly Garden, where Princess Long Xi Yue received him.

At the very least, Jiang Shaoyang maintained proper etiquette on the surface, clasping his hands in a salute and saying, "Your humble servant greets the Princess."

Translation: At least on the surface Jiang Shaoyang still maintained proper etiquette, bowing with clasped fists and saying, "Your humble servant pays respects to the Princess."

We'll produce: At least on the surface Jiang Shaoyang still maintained proper etiquette, bowing with clasped fists and saying, "Your humble servant pays respects to the Princess."

Princess Long Xi Yue calmly replied, "Is that Minister Jiang? I don't know why you have sent so many troops to lay layer upon layer of siege on this Butterfly Garden; could this be the Red Yi way of hospitality?"

Translation: Long Xi Yue calmly replied, "Is that Sir Jiang? I don't know why you have sent so many troops to lay layer upon layer of siege on the Butterfly Garden—could this be the Red Barbarian way of hospitality?"

We'll produce: Long Xi Yue calmly replied, "Is that Sir Jiang? I don't know why you have sent so many troops to lay layer upon layer of siege on the Butterfly Garden—could this be the Red Barbarian way of hospitality?"

Jiang Shaoyang smiled and said, "Princess, please do not blame me; I have come solely to explain this matter to you."

Translation: Jiang Shaoyang smiled and said, "Princess, please don't blame me; I have come solely to explain this matter to you."

We'll produce: Jiang Shaoyang smiled and said, "Princess, please don't blame me; I have come solely to explain this matter to you."

Speak!

Translation: "Speak!"

We'll produce: "Speak!"

Jiang Shaoyang said, "We received news that the daughter of our city lord's wife, who went missing, is here with you, so acting on the lady's orders, we have come specially to welcome her."

Translation: Jiang Shaoyang said, "It's because we received news that the missing daughter of our city lord's wife is here, so at her command we have come specially to receive her."

We'll produce: Jiang Shaoyang said, "It's because we received news that the missing daughter of our city lord's wife is here, so at her command we have come specially to receive her."

Princess Long Xi Yue replied, "Where did you hear that rumor? There may be no such person here."

Translation: Long Xi Yue replied, "Where did you hear that rumor? There may be no one you're looking for here."

We'll produce: Long Xi Yue replied, "Where did you hear that rumor? There may be no one you're looking for here."

Jiang Shaoyang gave a hollow chuckle and said, "Princess, please do not make things difficult for me; this is Fire Tree City, not the Fragrant Kingdom, and I have come to persuade you for your own benefit, as the Red Yi people intend to have already charged in."

Translation: Jiang Shaoyang gave a hollow cold laugh and said, "Princess, please don't make things difficult for me; this is Fire Tree City, not the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and I have come to persuade you also for your own good—according to the Red Barbarian people's intention, they would have already charged in."

We'll produce: Jiang Shaoyang gave a hollow cold laugh and said, "Princess, please don't make things difficult for me; this is Fire Tree City, not the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and I have come to persuade you also for your own good—according to the Red Barbarian people's intention, they would have already charged in."

Though usually gentle, Princess Long Xi Yue now displayed unprecedented strength, coldly staring at Jiang Shaoyang and saying, "What about Fire Tree City? Isn't Fire Tree City part of the Redwood River? The Redwood River falls under the jurisdiction of the Fragrant Kingdom, and the imperial court has already granted the Redwood River to my palace; your actions are disrespectful to me and to the imperial court."

Translation: Though usually gentle, Long Xi Yue now displayed unprecedented strength, coldly gazing at Jiang Shaoyang and saying, "What about Fire Tree City? Isn't Fire Tree City part of the Red Wood River? The Red Wood River falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and the court has already granted Red Wood River to this palace; your actions are disrespectful to this palace and to the court."

We'll produce: Though usually gentle, Long Xi Yue now displayed unprecedented strength, coldly gazing at Jiang Shaoyang and saying, "What about Fire Tree City? Isn't Fire Tree City part of the Red Wood River? The Red Wood River falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and the court has already granted Red Wood River to this palace; your actions are disrespectful to this palace and to the court."

Jiang Shaoyang laughed and said: "Princess, I must remind you of one thing: although the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom has listed Redwood River as its territory, the people living on Redwood River have never acknowledged it; only those who live here are the true masters of this land."

Long Xi Yue did not deny his words were reasonable, but now was not the time to reason; she furrowed her brows and said: "You are not qualified to speak to me; let your city lord and his wife come over!"

Jiang Shaoyang gave a sinister chuckle: "It seems the Princess prefers to be punished rather than accept a toast..." Before his threatening words finished, a figure swooped in from the side—it was Zhan Peng.

Jiang Shaoyang only felt a blur before his eyes, and a loud slap landed on his face; the blow sent him flying backward, he crashed heavily to the ground, his face burning with pain.

Zhan Peng glared at Jiang Shaoyang angrily: "Scoundrel, a filthy wretch dares to be rude to the Princess—do you believe I'll cut you down with one sword?"

Jiang Shaoyang, terrified, sat on the ground and kept scooting backward, his voice trembling: "In war between nations, envoys are not harmed… you… you don't observe the rules?"

Liang Yinghao walked over and kicked him in the chest: "This is the rule!"

Long Xi Yue sighed: "Forget it, he's just passing on a message; you needn't make things difficult for him. Sir Jiang, please be so kind as to inform your city lord that I have something to say—let him come himself. The warriors outside must withdraw within half an hour, or I will charge him with treason."

Jiang Shaoyang secretly smirked: "Princess Yingyue is really too naïve—she's like a mud Buddha crossing a river, barely able to save herself, yet she wants to charge Baher with treason? Saying that wouldn't embarrass her. Still, he didn't dare linger long in the Butterfly Garden; he could see these people were all tough characters, and if a conflict broke out, the first to suffer would be himself."

Jiang Shaoyang slinked out of the Butterfly Garden.

In the garden of the Butterfly Garden, Qiao Fangzheng sat quietly in the sunlight, while Xiao Ou played with butterflies not far away; she suddenly stopped, came to Qiao Fangzheng's side, and said in a sweet voice: "Grandpa Qiao, my mother said she would come to pick me up, why hasn't she arrived yet?"

Qiao Fangzheng smiled, reached out, and gently drew Xiao Ou into his embrace, speaking softly: "She'll come; she might already be here."

Ganuo glared at Baher, full of anger: "Let me go!"

Baher coldly stared at her and said: "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Do you really think you've found your daughter? Listen: your daughter is dead? The bastard you bore with Bage is already dead!"

Ganuo shook her head firmly: "She's still alive; I know she's still alive..."

Baher suddenly reached out and seized Ganuo's throat, choking her until she could barely breathe; Ganuo finally began to resist, desperately gripping his thick wrist. If it had been the past, she might have resigned herself to fate and died, but her daughter's appearance rekindled her will to live—she could not die, could not abandon her child alone.

Baher's expression twisted into a ferocious grimace from anger, yet he eventually chose to release her, saying in a low voice: "You originally had a choice—you could live well with me, be my wife, and we could have our own children."

Ganuo shook her head firmly: "It's you who harmed him, it's you who killed him..."

Baher roared: "He deserves to die! He stole you from my side, took you away, and took my happiness!"

Ganuo wept: "Even if he offended you, my daughter is innocent."

Baher shook his head: "As long as that bastard lives another day in this world, your heart will never truly be mine, so I must have her dead—don't think I don't know she's in the Butterfly Garden!"

Ganuo exclaimed in terror: "You… what do you intend to do to me?"

Baher's eyes were filled with killing intent.

Ganuo fell to her knees before him with a thud: "Please, please spare her—she's just a child, she… she is also a spirit maiden; harming a spirit maiden will bring heavenly retribution!"

Baher said word by word: "Right now I will personally bring her head to you!"

"No!" Ganuo screamed, suddenly drawing the dagger hidden in her boot and stabbing at Baher; Baher, quick-eyed and quick-handed, seized her wrist, wrested the dagger away, then gave her a hard slap that sent her flying sideways, her head striking the stone wall with a crack of breaking bones.

Seeing Ganuo lying there with her limbs twitching, Baher finally realized his strike had been too harsh; he rushed over, lifted her, but saw blood continually flowing from her head, panicked, and shouted: "Someone! Come!"

Ganuo, with all her strength, grabbed Baher's collar: "Let… me… my…" Before she finished, her head lolled limp, she lost all signs of life, having been killed by the impact. Baher, seeing he had killed his beloved with his own hands, was overcome with grief; he clutched Ganuo tightly, letting her blood stain his clothes, tears of regret pouring down, then he lifted his head and let out a heart-rending wail.

Baher's anguish was indescribable; soon this grief and hatred turned into a bone-deep loathing. He believed all misfortune stemmed from Hu Xiaotian and his companions—if Hu Xiaotian had not appeared, Jia Ou would not have reappeared in Flame Tree City, Ganuo would not have found the courage to oppose him, and she would not have died; everything was Hu Xiaotian's doing. Baher gritted his teeth, his words dripping with blood, he declared: "I will exterminate you all, not a single one spared!" (To be continued~^~)