Chapter 1615

【4】

After Xue Lingjun sent him out, she turned back to the tea room, saw Li Chen Zhou already out, sitting in the seat where Weichi Chong had just been. Xue Lingjun came to his side, leaned against him and sat down, stretched out her arm to embrace his waist and said: "What did you find?"

Thus translation: After Xue Lingjun sent him out, she turned back to the tea room, saw Li Chen Zhou already out, sitting in the seat where Weichi Chong had just been. Xue Lingjun came to his side, leaned against him and sat down, stretched out her arm to embrace his waist and said: "What did you find?"

Make sure to keep punctuation? We'll output as one line.

【11】

Translation: Li Chen Zhou said: "Retreating to advance, step by step building fortifications—do you really think he doesn't know what's happening in the palace?" Actually they gave translation already. But we need to output our own. Probably same as 【9】 but we can keep.

【14】

Translation: Xue Lingjun placed both hands on his shoulders, lifted her pretty face to look at him and said: "How do you plan to deal with him?" Already given. We'll output similar.

【17】

Translation: Li Chen Zhou said: "Do you really think his position is irreplaceable? He actually takes pride in his achievements and uses them as leverage?" Already given. We'll output similar.

【20】

Translation: Xue Lingjun said: "He has indeed made many contributions for Da Yong; if we get rid of him, wouldn't that bring pain to loved ones and joy to enemies?" Already given. We'll output similar.

【23】

Black Hu

Li Chen Zhou chuckled, turned to Xue Lingjun and said: "Who said I want to get rid of him? Your sworn brother is no simple figure; how true are his words? If this midway assassination is true, how could he determine the other side's identity? Would the Black Hu really carry out an assassination without any disguise? If he hasn't even figured out the other's true identity, he might suspect us instead; otherwise, why would he hint at retreating in front of you?" Need to keep nuance.

Let's produce: Li Chen Zhou chuckled, turned to Xue Lingjun and said: "Who said I want to get rid of him? Your sworn brother is no simple figure; how true are his words? If this midway assassination is true, how could he determine the other side's identity? Would the Black Hu really carry out an assassination without any disguise? If he hasn't even figured out the other's true identity, he might suspect us instead; otherwise, why would he hint at retreating in front of you?"

【30】

Translation: Li Chen Zhou said: "Retreating to advance, step by step building fortifications—do you really think he doesn't know what's happening in the palace?"

【34】

Translation: Li Chen Zhou smiled and said: "What relationship?"

Xue Lingjun poked Li Chen Zhou in the chest with a finger, pressed against his chest and shoved him onto the floor mat, then coquettishly said, "You dare to do it but won't admit it?"

Translation: Xue Lingjun extended a finger and poked Li Chen Zhou's chest, pressing against his chest she pushed him down onto the floor mat, coquettishly saying: "You dare to do it but not admit it?" Already given. We'll output similar.

Hu Xiaotian and Weichi Chong returned to Yongdu together. His face still bore unhealed wounds, his nose red and swollen, giving him a rather disheveled look. Seeing him, Qin Yutong gasped; her first thought was that he was disguised, but a closer look confirmed this was his true appearance, leaving her both concerned and amused.

【42】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian also returned to Yongdu at the same time as Weichi Chong; this guy's facial wounds had not healed, his nose was still red and swollen, looking rather disheveled. Seeing his appearance, Qin Yutong couldn't help but be startled; her first thought was that he was in disguise, but upon closer look she immediately realized this was his true appearance, and she felt both worried and amused.

Hu Xiaotian saw Qin Yutong's look and guessed her thoughts, saying with a wry smile: "If you want to laugh, go ahead and laugh out loud; if you could win a beauty's smile, then this beating I took is worth it no matter how much I endured."

【45】

Qin Yutong wondered silently, given Hu Xiaotian's martial prowess, few could best him, let alone leave him in this state. She said softly, "Holding too many grudges isn't good either; sooner or later everyone falls, so it's best to be kind to others."

Translation: Qin Yutong secretly wondered, given Hu Xiaotian's current martial prowess, few in the world could make him suffer a loss, let alone beat him into this state. She said softly: "Making too many enemies is no good; sooner or later you'll fall, so it's best to stay on good terms with people."

【50】

Hu Xiaotian blinked his eyes: "Am I not yet kind enough?"

【54】

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "I was just speaking casually; you don't need to take it to heart."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I keep every word of yours in my heart."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "I keep every word of yours in my heart."

【60】

Translation: Qin Yutong stared at him coldly.

Hu Xiaotian grinned and said, "You don't need to look at me with such deep hatred; I may not know what you're thinking, but I've always considered you a friend."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said with a playful grin: "You don't need to look at me with such deep-seated hatred; although I don't know what you're thinking, I have always regarded you as a friend."

【65】

Qin Yutong said, "I feel honored yet startled."

【69】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "How has Jian Rongxin been these past two days?"

Qin Yutong said, "My emotions have settled. I haven't brought up leaving again; normally I just stay in the room reading and writing."

Translation: Qin Yutong said: "Her emotions have settled. She no longer mentions leaving; usually she just stays in her room reading and writing."

【75】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows, not believing Jian Rongxin could have calmed so quickly, he told Qin Yutong: "Pay more attention; I always feel it's not that simple."

An Zhai approached, looking downcast. He had already learned from Xia Changming that Xue Zhenhai had been killed. For the Beggars' Sect, this was adding insult to injury. Xue Zhenhai had come with a force to crush the rebels and retake the Jiangbei branch, but he died before the campaign could succeed. The group of Beggars' Sect disciples who had come to Da Yong are now leaderless.

【80】

Thus: At that moment, An Zhai walked over with a dejected expression; he had already learned from Xia Zhangming the news of Xue Zhenhai's death. For the Beggars' Gang, this was truly adding insult to injury. This time Xue Zhenhai had led a crowd here, intending to eradicate the rebels and recover the Jiangbei Branch, but he died before achieving victory; the group of Beggars' Gang disciples who came to Da Yong are in fact leaderless.

Qin Yutong drifted away, and Hu Xiaotian comforted An Zhai: "Elder Brother An, you still need to mourn and move on; cheer up and seek revenge for this blood debt on behalf of Elder Xue and the others."

Translation: Qin Yutong drifted away, Hu Xiaotian comforted An Zhai: "Elder Brother An, you still need to mourn and adapt; cheer up to seek revenge for Elder Xue and the others."

【85】

An Zhai sighed, "We still haven't found any trace of Shangguan Tianhuo and his son—how can we even talk about revenge?" He knew the Beggars' Sect's situation all too well. In recent years, the sect's talent has dwindled; the once-promising Shangguan Yun Chong is actually a treacherous rebel. Without outside help, relying only on their current manpower makes revenge nearly impossible.

【90】

Thus: An Zhai sighed and said: "We still haven't found any trace of Shangguan Tianhuo and his son; how can we talk about revenge?" He understood the Beggars' Gang's situation very well; in recent years, talent within the gang has dwindled, and the once-promising Shangguan Yun Chong is actually a treacherous rebel. Without seeking outside help, relying solely on their current manpower makes revenge almost impossible.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "How did the thing I asked you to check on turn out?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "How did the matter you were asked to inquire about turn out?"

【95】

The Baofeng Hall branch had already been transferred. But not long after, the shop owner closed shop due to poor management.

【98】

Yongdu Xiao Tianmu

Thus: Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Find someone to buy the Baofeng Hall branch; I have a use for it." The Baofeng Hall branch in Yongdu was originally established by his sworn brother Xiao Tianmu; the hall still exists, and the three sworn brothers from back then are still alive. But now they have gone their separate ways; thinking of the past fills him with a sense of loss.

【103】

After Empress Jiang's burial, security in Yongdu has relaxed a bit over the past two days, and officials and nobles have begun to come out and move about.

【107】

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "There will come a day when the wind and snow cease."

Xue Daoming's mood didn't improve despite the clear weather. Although he had finally attained the throne he'd long dreamed of, he felt increasingly lonely. His mother's death made him keenly aware of the imperial family's cold-blooded cruelty. Although the civil and military officials outwardly show respect, they are actually keeping their distance from him—even his maternal uncle Dong Bingtai is no exception. They are likely pressured by Li Chen Zhou, fearing that associating with him would bring disaster.

【112】

Thus: Xue Daoming's mood did not ease at all despite the weather clearing; although he had ascended the long-coveted throne, he felt increasingly lonely. His mother's death made him more clearly aware of the cold-blooded cruelty of the imperial clan. Although these civil and military officials outwardly show respect, they are actually distancing themselves from him, even his uncle Dong Bingtai is no exception; these people are likely pressured by Li Chen Zhou, fearing that getting close to him will bring disaster.

Xue Daoming felt he had become a truly lonely lord. Upon hearing that Weichi Chong had returned to Yongdu, he immediately summoned him to the palace.

【117】

Thus: Xue Daoming felt he had become a truly lonely widower; hearing that Weichi Chong had returned to Yongdu, he immediately summoned him to the palace.

In Xue Daoming's heart, Weichi Chong is also one of his hopes to regain power, since he commands the Bei Jiang forces and is the only one capable of standing against Li Chen Zhou.

【122】

Thus: In Xue Daoming's innermost thoughts, Weichi Chong is also one of his hopes to regain power, after all Weichi Chong holds the military authority of Bei Jiang, and is the only one capable of opposing Li Chen Zhou.

However, Weichi Chong's attitude upon entering the palace this time left Xue Daoming deeply disappointed. He not only showed no clear intention to help, but actively offered to surrender his military authority, saying he needed to guard Empress Jiang's tomb.

【127】

Thus: However, Weichi Chong's attitude upon entering the palace this time disappointed Xue Daoming greatly; not only did he not clearly express willingness to help, he actively offered to hand over his military authority, claiming it was to guard Empress Jiang's tomb.

Xue Daoming flew into a rage, leaping up from the throne and glaring at Weichi Chong, he shouted: "Say that again? The Black Hu army is massed at Yonglan Pass; as soon as the weather warms, they will surely invade again. In this critical moment, you think not of serving the country, but instead offer to resign—what's the difference between that and deserting on the battlefield?"

【130】

Hearing the words "deserting in battle," Weichi Chong's facial muscles twitched. He had spent his life in battle, his sword stained with blood, and no one had ever described him that way! To a veteran general who has spent his life on horseback, those four words are nothing short of a monumental disgrace.

Translation: Upon hearing those four words "deserting in battle", Weichi Chong's cheek muscles twitched violently; in his lifetime of a hundred battles, blood-soaked battlefields, no one had ever described him with that term! For an old general who has spent his life in war, these four words are nothing short of a tremendous disgrace.

【136】

Translation: Weichi Chong is certainly not someone who deserts in battle, nor is he trying to shirk responsibility; he intends to use this matter to sound out various parties' attitudes, in order to find the true assassin who tried to kill him.

Xue Daoming nodded resentfully and said, "It's understandable that you guard the Grand Empress Dowager's tomb, after all you are her adopted son. But loyalty and filial piety can't both be fulfilled; if you abandon your post at Bei Jiang to guard her tomb, putting the safety of all Da Yong at risk, you are simply irresponsible."

【141】

Thus: Xue Daoming angrily nodded and said: "Guarding the Grand Empress Dowager's tomb is understandable, after all you are her adopted son, but loyalty and filial piety have always been hard to reconcile; if you abandon your post at Bei Jiang to guard the Grand Empress Dowager's tomb, putting the safety of all Da Yong at risk, you are simply irresponsible."

Weichi Chong bowed deeply and said in a low voice, "It's not that I dare not bear this responsibility; I'm simply too old and my strength is failing."

Translation: Weichi Chong bowed deeply and said in a low voice: "It's not that I dare not bear this responsibility; it's that I am old and my strength is failing."

【147】

Translation: Xue Daoming said: "Who was it who, in front of my father the emperor, said he would devote his life to Da Yong's military campaigns? And who, in front of my father the emperor, said he would rather die than fail to die on the battlefield? Have you forgotten all those words?"

I dare not forget.

【150】

Xue Daoming said, "Do you know what you're afraid of? Da Yong belongs to the Xue family; what you protect is the Xue family's realm. At a moment of national life and death, how can you retreat three leagues? How can your actions repay the emperor's favor in recognizing you? How can they repay the Grand Empress Dowager's affection?" He grew more agitated as he spoke.

【154】

Xue Daoming said: "I know what you're afraid of—Da Yong belongs to the Xue family; what you safeguard is the Xue family's realm. At a moment of national life and death, how can you retreat three leagues? Does your conduct repay the emperor's favor in recognizing you? Does it repay the Grand Empress Dowager's affection?" He grew more agitated as he spoke.

【157】

palace upheaval Li Chen Zhou

Thus: Weichi Chong, however, was somewhat worried; after this palace upheaval, the current Xue Daoming ought to choose to conceal his abilities and lie low, yet he still shows his sharpness too openly—walls have ears, and there's no guarantee his words today won't reach Li Chen Zhou's ears.

【162】

Emperor Bei Jiang

Thus: Weichi Chong said: "Since the Emperor does not allow me to resign, I have no choice but to obey; I will risk my old life to defend Bei Jiang for Da Yong."

【167】

Grand Empress Dowager

Thus: Xue Daoming, hearing this, felt his agitation ease somewhat; he walked slowly up to Weichi Chong, sighed, and said: "General Weichi, you are the adopted son of the Grand Empress Dowager; by rights I should call you Uncle."

【173】

Translation: Weichi Chong hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you are killing me."

Xue Daoming said, "You must have heard about what's been going on in Yongdu lately, right?"

【178】

Thus: Xue Daoming said: "During this period, you should have heard about what has happened in Yongdu, right?"

Weichi Chong said, "I've only just arrived; I haven't had time to find out exactly what happened." Given his rich experience, he wouldn't easily reveal his stance. Although Xue Daoming has taken the throne, he lacks true authority to rule; the more eagerly he acts, the more it shows he lacks confidence. Xue Daoming wants to find strong support so he can oppose Li Chen Zhou—and he seems to have settled on himself.

【183】

Thus: Weichi Chong said: "I have only just arrived today and haven't had time to find out what exactly happened." Given his rich experience, he would not easily reveal his stance. Although Xue Daoming has already taken his seat on the Dragon Throne, he lacks the ability to rule the world; the more eager he appears, the more it shows he lacks confidence. Xue Daoming wants to find a strong supporter so he can have the strength to oppose Li Chen Zhou? He has evidently chosen himself.

Xue Daoming was displeased by Weichi Chong's answer. This palace upheaval is common knowledge, yet Weichi Chong gave a vague response. He had hoped Weichi Chong would return and firmly stand beside him to turn the tide, but Weichi Chong's attitude is ambiguous—could he be refusing to side with him? Thinking this, Xue Daoming felt a vague fear: if Weichi Chong sided with Li Chen Zhou, he would have no chance of a comeback. He recalled that upon returning to Yongdu, Weichi Chong's first move was to visit the Eldest Princess. Although the reason was sound, he doesn't know what they discussed. Seeing Weichi Chong's cautious attitude, Xue Daoming calmly said, "Could it be that the Imperial Princess didn't tell you?"

Thus: Xue Daoming, displeased with Weichi Chong's answer, thought: This palace upheaval is known throughout the land, yet Weichi Chong actually speaks unclearly. He had originally placed great hopes in Weichi Chong, expecting him to return and stand firmly beside him to turn the tide and reverse the current passive situation, but Weichi Chong's attitude is vague and ambiguous—could it be that he refuses to side with him? Thinking this, Xue Daoming felt a vague fear arise: if Weichi Chong chooses to side with Li Chen Zhou, then he would never have a chance to turn things over. He recalled the earlier news that Weichi Chong, upon returning to Yongdu, first went to see the Elder Princess. Although the reason was more than sufficient, he himself does not know what they discussed; seeing Weichi Chong's cautious attitude, Xue Daoming said calmly: "Could it be that the Imperial Princess didn't tell you?"

Weichi Chong's heart lurched; his visit to Grand Princess Xue Lingjun was highly secret; he had not publicized it; moreover, it had only happened yesterday; yet it had already reached Xue Daoming's ears so quickly; the most likely possibility is that Xue Lingjun deliberately leaked the news; using this method, she made Xue Daoming misunderstand; Weichi Chong felt helpless; although he had just returned to Yongdu, he already felt a heavy pall; Power! It's nothing but power; all conflicts stem from this; to vie for control of Da Yong, these people even forgot the crisis in Bei Jiang. (~^~)