Chapter 163

Since the matter has already been clarified, there's naturally no need for further interrogation; Murong Feiyan said, 'How should we deal with them?'

Translation: "Since the matter has already been clarified, there is naturally no need for further interrogation; Murong Feiyan said, 'How should we deal with them?'"

Make sure to keep punctuation similar? We'll produce English.

Hu Xiaotian looked at the three men and sneered, 'Either hand them over to the authorities, or kill them on the spot.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian looked at the three, coldly smiling: 'Either hand them over to the authorities, or kill them on the spot.'"

Hearing this, the three men turned deathly pale and frantically shook their heads.

Translation: "Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian say that, the three were terrified, their faces turning deathly pale as they frantically shook their heads."

Hu Xiaotian had Murong Feiyan unlock one of their mute points, grabbed the man's collar, and—swish! —drew the dagger he had just obtained from his boot; the cold gleam made Murong Feiyan's beautiful eyes blink—this dagger looks good.

Hu Xiaotian had Murong Feiyan unlock one of their mute points, grabbed the man's collar, and—swish! —drew the dagger he had just obtained from his boot; the cold gleam made Murong Feiyan's beautiful eyes blink—this dagger looks good.

swish!

Hu Xiaotian pressed the dagger against the man's throat, and the servant's voice trembled with fear: 'Sir… spare my life…'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian pressed the dagger to the man's throat; the servant trembled, his voice cracking: 'Sir… spare my life…'"

'Do you know me?' Hu Xiaotian smirked, 'It seems I really need to silence them.' He had come and gone from the Wan mansion so many times, setting up altars, performing rituals, pretending to be mystical—almost every servant and maid recognized him.

We need to keep line as single sentence? It's two sentences. We'll translate both.

Translation: "'Do you know me?' Hu Xiaotian gave a sinister grin: 'It seems I really need to silence them.' Having come and gone from the Wan manor so many times, setting up altars, performing rituals, pretending to be mystical, almost every servant and maid recognized him."

The servant was terrified out of his wits, his voice shaking: 'Sir, spare my life—I'll never dare again. It was all the lady's orders; she gave us money and forced us to do this.'

Translation: "The servant was scared out of his wits, trembling: 'Sir, spare my life; I will never dare again—it was all the lady's orders; she gave us money and forced us to do this.'"

Hu Xiaotian asked, 'Does your master know about this?'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian asked, 'Does your master know about this?'"

The servant stammered, 'It's all something the lady did privately. Since the third young madam entered the household, she's taken a dislike to the young madam, calling her a seductress who will surely bring disaster to the Wan family… so… she's always wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.'

The servant stammered:

Translation: "The servant stammered, 'It's something the lady did privately; ever since the third young madam entered the household, she has taken a dislike to the young madam, calling her a seductress who will surely bring disaster to the Wan family, so… she has always wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible…'"

Hu Xiaotian knew the servant wouldn't dare lie, and he thought to himself, 'If I now hand these servants over to the officials and press charges, I'll inevitably clash with Wan Bolin, ruining the good relationship I've painstakingly built. Besides, Wan Bolin is still useful to me now—it's not the time to turn against him. Moreover, this matter has nothing to do with me; even if blame were assigned, it would only fall on his wife, and perhaps Wan Bolin would actually welcome his wife being arrested—by taking her I'd be clearing an obstacle for him. This old lecher could then freely prey on respectable women without hindrance.'

old lecher

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian knew the servant wouldn't lie; he secretly thought, if he now handed these servants over to the authorities and pressed charges, he would inevitably clash with Wan Bo Ping, ruining the good relationship he had painstakingly built, and Wan Bo Ping was still useful to him now—it was not yet the time to turn against him. Moreover, this matter had nothing to do with him; even if blame were pursued, only his wife could be punished, and perhaps Wan Bo Ping would actually welcome his wife being arrested—if Hu Xiaotian arrested her, wouldn't that be clearing obstacles for him? This old lecher could then freely molest respectable women under the guise of legitimacy?"

We need to keep the slash? We'll just translate as "old lecher". Keep meaning.

Hu Xiaotian gave a grim chuckle, but he didn't move the dagger from the servant's neck. The man's hand was unsteady; a slight twitch sliced his skin, and blood began to pour from his neck. The servant went limp with terror, about to collapse.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe cold chuckle, but the dagger did not move from the servant's neck. However, the man's hand was unsteady; a slight tremor sliced his skin, and blood instantly gushed from his neck. The servant went limp with fright, about to collapse."

Hu Xiaotian said, 'It's not hard to spare your lives, but from now on you must obey me. Return to the Wan household and act as if nothing happened. If the lady asks how things went, say everything went smoothly and that you killed the third young madam. Do you understand?'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian said, 'It's not hard to spare your lives. But from now on you must obey me; return to the Wan household and act as if nothing happened. If Madam Wan asks how things went, you will say everything went smoothly and that the third young madam has already been killed by you. Do you understand?'"

The three men, who had been hopeless, suddenly heard there was still a chance and nodded frantically, like chickens pecking at grain.

Translation: "The three, who had been utterly hopeless, suddenly heard there was still a chance, and each nodded frantically like chickens pecking at grain."

Murong Feiyan thought to herself, 'These servants probably can't be trusted; even if they agree now, eight out of ten will change their minds once they're back at the Wan mansion.'

Translation: "Murong Feiyan secretly thought, these servants probably can't be trusted; even if they agree now, once they return to the Wan manor they will likely change their minds."

Hu Xiaotian then produced a black porcelain bottle from his pocket, shook out three black pills, and handed them one by one to the three servants, saying, 'These are Three Corpse Brain God Pills. After taking them, they will flare up every six months; when they do, you'll suffer splitting headaches, unbearable itching all over, until you scratch your flesh raw, enduring seven days and nights of torment before death.'

He then shook out three black pills.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian then produced a black porcelain bottle from his bosom, shook out three black pills, and handed them one by one to the three servants: 'These are Three Corpse Brain Divine Pills; after taking them, they will flare up every six months, causing splitting headaches, unbearable itching all over, until the skin is torn to bloody flesh, tormenting them for seven days and seven nights before they die.'"

Hearing this horrifying description, the three servants were terrified out of their wits.

Translation: "The three servants, hearing his horrifying description, were each scared witless."

Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly and said, 'If I simply let you go, eight out of ten of you would renege. So you need to show some sincerity.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian smiled narrowly: 'If I simply let you go, you would most likely change your minds. So you need to show some sincerity.'"

The servant whose mute point had been unlocked trembled and said, 'Sir, rest assured—even if you gave us a thousand courages, we would never dare betray you.'

Translation: "The servant whose mute point had been unlocked trembled: 'Sir, rest assured; even if we had a thousand courages, we would not dare betray you.'"

Hu Xiaotian sneered, 'Words aren't proof. If you take these Three Corpse Brain God Pills, I'll believe you. You needn't worry—as long as you obey me for the next six months, I'll provide the antidote before the poison takes effect. As long as you follow my orders, I guarantee you'll come to no harm.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian snorted: 'Words are meaningless; if you take these Three Corpse Brain Divine Pills, I will believe you. You needn't worry—just obey me for this half year. Before the poison acts, I will personally give you the antidote; as long as you obey me, I guarantee you will be unharmed.'"

The servant steeled himself. In truth, they had little choice—either be silenced now or wait six months to die; better to live poorly than die well, and perhaps Hu Xiaotian would really give them the antidote later. He opened his mouth, letting Hu Xiaotian slip the Three Corpse Brain God Pills inside. What were these pills? They were nothing but Hu Xiaotian's fabrication; he recalled a poison from 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' that could control people, so he renamed these ordinary cold‑relief pills as Three Corpse Brain God Pills. Anyway, the servants had no idea of the truth.

Translation: "The servant steeled himself. Actually, their options were few: either be silenced now, or wait half a year to die—better to die fighting than live in shame; perhaps Hu Xiaotian would really give them the antidote after six months. He opened his mouth, letting Hu Xiaotian stuff the Three Corpse Brain Divine Pills in. What are these Three Corpse Brain Divine Pills? Basically Hu Xiaotian's fabrication; he recalled a poison from 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' that controls people, so he renamed these ordinary cold‑relief pills as Three Corpse Brain Divine Pills—anyway, these servants wouldn't know the truth."

Murong Feiyan, however, knew Hu Xiaotian was probably lying. She helped the three servants unlock their pressure points, watching each pinch up a pill and willingly pop it into his mouth. Hu Xiaotian made them open their wide to ensure they swallowed every pill, then clapped his hands and said, 'All right, you may go. Remember, you must report every move of the Wan household to me promptly. For the next six months, you'd best pray and burn incense daily for my safety. If I run into trouble… heh heh…' His meaning was crystal clear: should anything happen to him, those three servants were destined to die with him.

Translation: "Murong Feiyan, however, knew Hu Xiaotian was most likely lying; she helped the three servants unlock their acupoints, watching them each pinch a pill and willingly pop it into their mouths. Hu Xiaotian made them open their wide mouths to ensure they swallowed the pills completely, then clapped his hands and said, 'All right, you may go. Remember, you must promptly report every move of the Wan household to me; for this half year you had best pray and burn incense daily for my safety. If I encounter any trouble, hehe…' His meaning was crystal clear: if he ran into trouble, these three servants were destined to die with him."

The three servants were completely under Hu Xiaotian's control, heads bowed, faces grim. After disciplining them, he gave each ten taels of silver—a slap followed by a sweet date—to let them feel the benefits of following him.

Translation: "The three servants were completely under Hu Xiaotian's control, heads bowed, faces grim; after disciplining them, Hu Xiaotian gave them ten taels of silver—a slap followed by a sweet date—so these lackeys would feel the benefits of following him."

The leader of the servants, Ma Qiao, told Hu Xiaotian that the lady had arranged everything; at dusk someone would go to the magistrate's office to file a report, claiming that Le Yao had been snatched by mountain bandits. Since the bandits of Tianlang Mountain are notoriously fierce and their crimes often go unsolved, becoming headless cases, no one would suspect the Wan family.

Translation: "The leader of the servants, Ma Qiao, told Hu Xiaotian that the lady had arranged everything: at dusk someone would go to the government office to file a report, claiming that Le Yao had been abducted by bandits, since the bandits of Heavenly Wolf Mountain were extremely fierce, often looting, and most of their crimes went unsolved, becoming headless cases, so no suspicion would fall on the Wan family."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, 'Go back now. Keep this matter absolutely secret. As long as you serve me honestly, you'll certainly be rewarded.'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded: 'Go back now; this matter must be kept strictly secret. As long as you honestly work for me, you will surely reap benefits later.'"

The three servants then professed their loyalty heart and soul before departing.

Translation: "The three servants again expressed their loyalty heart and soul before departing."

Although Murong Feiyan agreed with Hu Xiaotian's handling, she worried that if the servants later turned against him, it would cause trouble. Hu Xiaotian, far more skilled at reading people, smiled and said, 'Do you think I'm deceiving them? This medicine is genuine; if you don't believe me, take a pill and try it.'

Translation: "Although Murong Feiyan approved of Hu Xiaotian's handling, she also worried that if the servants later turned against him, it would be troublesome. Hu Xiaotian, far more adept at reading people's minds, smiled and said, 'Do you think I'm deceiving them? My medicine is genuine; if you don't believe me, take a pill and try it.'"

Murong Feiyan stared at the black pill; although she knew it wasn't really poison, she still dared not taste it—given her own timidity, it was clear the servants would be even less likely to try, meaning Hu Xiaotian's scheme would likely succeed.

Translation: "Murong Feiyan stared at the black pill; although she knew it wasn't really poison, she still dared not taste it—given her own courage, much less the servants—it seemed Hu Xiaotian's scheming would succeed."

Hu Xiaotian had still not seen Le Yao and asked about her whereabouts. Murong Feiyan pointed ahead to the deep woods, leading Hu Xiaotian to the great tree where Le Yao was hiding. He leapt up, soared to the treetop, and shortly thereafter descended, cradling the unconscious Le Yao.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian had still not seen Le Yao; asking about her whereabouts, Murong Feiyan pointed ahead to the deep woods, leading Hu Xiaotian to the great tree where Le Yao hid. He leapt up, soared to the treetop, and shortly thereafter descended holding the unconscious Le Yao."

Seeing that Le Yao was safe, Hu Xiaotian finally relaxed. He noticed her eyes shut tight, her face flushed, and when he touched her forehead it was burning hot—Le Yao had caught a chill the previous night, and after the recent ordeal her fever had worsened, leaving her burning with a high temperature and unresponsive.

Translation: "Seeing Le Yao safe and sound, Hu Xiaotian finally relaxed; then he noticed her beautiful eyes shut tight, her face flushed red, and when he touched her forehead he felt scorching heat—Le Yao had already caught a chill the previous night, and after just enduring a life‑or‑death ordeal her condition worsened, leaving her with a high fever and unconscious."

Murong Feiyan asked, 'What do you plan to do with her?'

Translation: "Murong Feiyan asked, 'How do you plan to settle her?'"

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows, thinking that bringing Le Yao back to the city might draw attention, yet leaving her alone here also made him uneasy.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brows; bringing Le Yao back to the city would surely attract attention, yet leaving her alone here also made him uneasy."

Seeing his dilemma, Murong Feiyan softly suggested, 'How about this: I'll take her to the upcoming Chahe Town to find a place to settle her. I'll stay with her for these two days, then we'll decide what to do once she recovers.'

Translation: "Seeing his dilemma, Murong Feiyan softly suggested, 'How about this: I will take her to the nearby Chaihe Town to find a place to stay; I will accompany her for these two days, then we can decide after she recovers.'"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, agreeing that this was the best option for now. He examined Le Yao's body and concluded her fever was merely from exposure to cold. He took out a charcoal stick, wrote down a few herbal remedies on paper—though medicine wasn't his specialty, he had taken an elective in college and knew how to handle ordinary colds and fevers. He also taught Murong Feiyan physical cooling methods, which she committed to memory.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded; for now this was the only option. He examined Le Yao's body, confident her fever was merely from exposure to cold. He then took out a charcoal stick, wrote several medicinal names on paper—though medicine was not his forte, having only taken an elective in college, he still knew how to treat ordinary cold‑induced fever—and he also taught Murong Feiyan physical cooling methods, which she memorized firmly."

Before departing, Hu Xiaotian noticed Le Yao's left hand still tightly clutching something. Seeing through the gaps between her fingers, he recognized it as the coiled‑dragon jade pendant he had entrusted her to keep. He felt a surge of emotion—she still thought of him even in the face of death. Reflecting on her tumultuous fate, a protective affection welled up in him.

Translation: "Before departing, Hu Xiaotian noticed Le Yao's left hand still tightly clutching something; peeking between her fingers he recognized it as the Coiled Dragon Jade Pendant he had entrusted her to keep. His heart warmed—it seemed that even at death's door she still thought of him. Reflecting on her tumultuous fate, a protective feeling welled up within him."

Murong Feiyan said, 'I should be going.' She unhitched one of the carriage horses and handed it to Hu Xiaotian.

Translation: "Murong Feiyan said, 'I should be going.' She unhitched one of the carriage horses and handed it to Hu Xiaotian."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, took the reins, and was about to leave when Le Yao suddenly shrieked, 'Don't look for me, don't look for me—you forced me to… you forced me to…'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian nodded, took the reins, and was about to leave when Le Yao suddenly shrieked, 'Don't look for me, don't look for me—you forced me… you forced me…'"

Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan exchanged a glance, but saw Le Yao still unconscious, her head tossing back and forth as if trying to shake off something terrifying: 'Father… Mother… the daughter cannot avenge you…' Clearly she was delirious from high fever, yet to Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan it was chilling—what vengeance was she meant to seek? Why was she so frightened? Perhaps…

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan exchanged a glance, but saw Le Yao still unconscious, her head tossing back and forth as if trying to shake off something dreadful: 'Father… mother… daughter cannot avenge you…' Clearly she was delirious from high fever, yet to Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan it sounded hair‑raising—what grudge did Le Yao seek to repay? Why was she so terrified? Perhaps…"

At that moment both felt unusually heavy-hearted. Hu Xiaotian waved a hand and said softly, 'Watch over her carefully—don't let anything happen to her.'

Translation: "At that moment both felt unusually heavy‑hearted; Hu Xiaotian waved his hand and whispered, 'Watch over her carefully—don't let anything happen to her.'"

Ma Qiao had not lied; shortly after Hu Xiaotian returned to the city, he heard the news that the Wan family's third young madam had been abducted by Tianlang Mountain bandits. The Wan household was the premier clan in Qingyun County, and its every move attracted the whole county's attention—so the report spread instantly throughout the region.

Translation: "Ma Qiao had not lied; shortly after Hu Xiaotian returned to the city he heard the news that the Wan manor's third young madam had been abducted by the bandits of Heavenly Wolf Mountain. The Wan family was the foremost household in Qingyun County, and their every move attracted the whole county's attention—almost instantly the report spread throughout the county."

For this matter, Hu Xiaotian made a special trip to the magistrate's office, where the atmosphere was unprecedentedly tense.

Translation: "For this matter, Hu Xiaotian specially went to the government office; the atmosphere there was unprecedentedly tense."

As Hu Xiaotian entered the magistrate's gate, he happened upon Constable Liu Baozu hurrying by, so rushed that he failed to notice Hu Xiaotian strolling leisurely on the other side.

Translation: "As Hu Xiaotian entered the county office gates, he happened upon County Lieutenant Liu Boju hurrying by; so rushed was he that he failed to notice Hu Xiaotian strolling leisurely on the other side."

Hu Xiaotian greeted him with a smile, 'Brother Liu, what urgent matter has you in such a hurry?'

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian greeted with a smile: 'Brother Liu, what urgent matter has you so hurried?'"

Hearing the voice, Liu Baozu finally looked up, thinking, 'You kid, your friendly tone is nice—we're just drinking buddies, yet you keep calling me big brother, trying to butter me up! This guy's also the type who hides a knife behind a smile,' he said with a grin, 'Oh, it's Commissioner Hu.'

Translation: "Upon hearing the voice, Liu Boju finally raised his head, thinking, 'You little brat calling me so familiarly—actually we're just drinking buddies, and now you're shouting "big brother, big brother" to butter me up! This guy's also a smile‑hiding‑a‑knife type,' and he said with a grin, 'So it's you, Lord Hu.'"

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, 'How do I keep running into people who take courtesy for granted? I call you big brother, yet you don't even return the favor by calling me little brother, and you address me as commissioner—what's that supposed to mean? Let's keep things official and draw clear lines.' Although dissatisfied, he understood; his rivalry with Magistrate Xu Qinglian was intensifying. All the officials in Qingyun County faced the dilemma of picking sides, and Xu Qinglian, the local boss, naturally had many supporters.

Translation: "Hu Xiaotian silently cursed, 'Why do I keep encountering people who take favor but give none? I call you big brother, yet you don't even acknowledge me as little brother—what does calling me 'lord' mean? Let's keep things official and draw clear lines?' Though dissatisfied, he also understood; his conflict with County Magistrate Xu Qinglian was steadily escalating. All officials in Qingyun County faced a question of allegiance, and Xu Qinglian, being the local bigwig, naturally attracted many followers."

For whocool Cool Alliance extra four chapters, five chapters all fulfilled!