Chapter 1657

A hunchbacked old man with a pigeon chest appeared before them. Hu Xiaotian had once disguised himself in a similar guise using the 'change appearance, transform muscles and bones' technique, but even at his ugliest he was nowhere near as hideous as this person— not even one ten‑thousandth as bad.

We need to render: "A pigeon-chested, hunchbacked old man appeared before them; Hu Xiaotian had also used change appearance, Tendon Changing Bone Shifting to play such a role, but even at his ugliest he couldn't compare to one ten‑thousandth of this person."

Even at his ugliest, he's not even one ten‑thousandth of this person.

Thus: "【1】 A pigeon‑chested, hunchbacked old man appeared before them; Hu Xiaotian had also used change appearance, Tendon Changing Bone Shifting to play such a role, but even at his ugliest he wasn't even one ten‑thousandth of this person."

Make sure no extra words.

Although the old man had a pigeon chest and a hunchback, he was still about eight feet tall; his face was covered in tumors that distorted his features, making him look ferocious and terrifying. He wore a pair of wooden clogs, and the heavy, dragging footsteps we heard just now were his.

Translate: "Although the old man was pigeon‑chested and hunchbacked, his height was still about eight feet, his face covered in tumors that distorted his features, making him look ferocious and terrifying. He wore a pair of wooden clogs, and the heavy dragging footsteps just heard were his."

about eight feet

The old man tucked a sword under his left armpit, and that sword was twice the size of an ordinary iron sword.

Translate: "The old man tucked a sword under his left armpit; that sword was twice the size of a normal iron sword."

The Meizhuang mistress's voice rang out again: 'He is called Sword Slave; he was once a master of swordsmanship, but his obsession with the sword ultimately enslaved him to it— his swordsmanship may be superb, yet he is nothing more than a walking corpse with only outward form. Qin Yuetong, if you refuse to listen to me, would you like me to turn your beloved into the same state?' Her tone was gentle and soft, yet her words were utterly malicious. Qin Yuetong's beloved clearly referred to Hu Xiaotian, but at that moment Hu Xiaotian had no leisure to trade barbs, for he saw the hunchbacked old man's eyes fixed directly on him.

Let's break: "The Mei Manor Master's voice sounded again: 'He is called Jian Nu; originally he was also a sword master, but obsessed with the sword, he was ultimately ruined by it and became the sword's slave. Though his swordsmanship is high, he is merely a walking corpse with only outward form. Qin Yutong, if you refuse to listen to me, shall I turn your beloved into this as well?' Her tone was gentle and soft, yet her words were utterly malicious. Qin Yutong's beloved clearly referred to Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian had no time to retort, for he saw the hunchbacked old man's eyes fixed straight on him."

Make sure to keep quotes.

We'll produce: "【4】 The Mei Manor Master's voice sounded again: "He is called Jian Nu; originally he was also a sword master, but obsessed with the sword, he was ultimately ruined by it and became the sword's slave. Though his swordsmanship is high, he is merely a walking corpse with only outward form. Qin Yutong, if you refuse to listen to me, shall I turn your beloved into this as well?" Her tone was gentle and soft, yet her words were utterly malicious. Qin Yutong's beloved clearly referred to Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian had no time to retort, for he saw the hunchbacked old man's eyes fixed straight on him."

The Meizhuang mistress was right in saying that this old man is merely a walking corpse with only outward form.

Translate: "【5】 The Mei Manor Master spoke truly: this old man is merely a walking corpse with only outward form."

Qin Yuetong warned Hu Xiaotian: 'Don't look at him.'

Translate: "【6】 Qin Yutong reminded Hu Xiaotian: "Don't look at him.""

Hu Xiaotian bitterly smiled to himself; it wasn't that he was staring at the sword slave, but rather the sword slave was staring at him, and Hu Xiaotian couldn't fathom why he had attracted such attention.

Translate: "【7】 Hu Xiaotian secretly gave a bitter smile—it wasn't him staring at Jian Nu; Jian Nu was staring at him, and even Hu Xiaotian couldn't fathom why he attracted Jian Nu's attention."

The old man slowly raised his sword and stepped forward; a suffocating killing intent surged from all directions, making Hu Xiaotian feel his breath catch. Though he had faced many experts before and even clashed with Ren Tianjing just moments earlier, none compared to the overwhelming pressure this old man exerted.

Translate: "【8】 The old man slowly raised his sword and stepped forward; a suffocating killing intent surged from all directions, making Hu Xiaotian's breath catch. Though he had faced many experts before and just clashed with Ren Tianqing, none matched the pressure this old man exerted."

'Sword Slave?' Hu Xiaotian racked his brains but couldn't recall ever hearing of such a person. He said nothing, merely stepping in front of Qin Yuetong; when danger arose, his first thought was to protect his female comrades, and his protective stance warmed Qin Yuetong's heart.

Translate: "【9】 "Jian Nu?" Hu Xiaotian racked his brains but couldn't recall such a person existing. He said nothing, merely stepping in front of Qin Yutong; when danger arose, his first thought was to protect his comrades, and his action warmed Qin Yutong's heart."

Hu Xiaotian twisted his light sword, only to find its blade reduced to half an inch. At such a critical moment the light sword was utterly useless, leaving him both laughing and crying; it was strange— he had just drawn a single stroke, could that have exhausted all its energy? With a formidable foe before him, he had no time to ponder; he scanned the area for weapons while secretly urging Qin Yuetong to retreat via voice transmission. The sword slave's oppressive pressure was intense, and Hu Xiaotian guessed that once the slave attacked, it would be a violent, storm‑like assault, so he needed to get Qin Yuetong away from the battlefield first.

Translate: "【10】 Hu Xiaotian twisted the Light Sword, only to find its blade reduced to half an inch. At this critical moment the Light Sword was utterly useless, leaving him laughing and crying—how strange, he had clearly just swung it once; had that single strike drained all its energy? With a formidable foe before him, he couldn't linger in thought; he scanned for weapons while secretly telling Qin Yutong to retreat. Jian Nu's oppressive pressure was immense; he guessed that once Jian Nu attacked, it would be a violent storm, so he first had to get Qin Yutong away from the battlefield."

The sword slave stared fixedly at Hu Xiaotian, his grotesque face twitching. Then he gripped the sword's hilt with his right hand but did not launch an attack immediately, as if waiting for something.

Translate: "【11】 Jian Nu stared fixedly at Hu Xiaotian, his grotesque face twitching. Then he gripped the hilt with his right hand but did not attack immediately, as if waiting for something."

Clang! A low, resonant bell tone echoed through the cavern, its reverberation fading. The sword slave's dull eyes instantly turned frenzied and blazing; he slowly drew the great sword from under his armpit. His eyes fixed on the blade, his gaze filled with an indescribable affection, as if the sword were not a weapon but a beautiful lover.

Clang!

Translate: "【12】 Clang! A low, resonant qin tone echoed through the cavern, its vibration lingering. Jian Nu's dull eyes instantly turned frenzied and blazing; he slowly drew the great sword from under his arm. His gaze fixed on the sword, his eyes brimming with indescribable feeling, as if the blade before him were not a weapon but a beautiful lover."

Qin Yuetong cocked her ear, trying to locate the source of the sound.

Translate: "【13】 Qin Yutong leaned in to listen, seeking the source of the sound."

Hu Xiaotian saw the sword slave suddenly freeze in place. He felt a secret gladness— the slave had lost consciousness, standing there dazed and foolish— why not take advantage of his stupor to slip away? Qin Yuetong had the same idea; they tip‑toed backward, but after only a few steps the bell tone sounded again.

Translate: "【14】 Hu Xiaotian saw Jian Nu suddenly stand there dazed. He secretly rejoiced—Jian Nu had finally lost consciousness, standing stupidly; why not slip away while he was lost in a daze? Qin Yutong had the same idea, and they retreated tip‑toeing backward. After just a few steps, the qin sounded again."

The sword slave's gaze shifted from the great sword to Hu Xiaotian, and in a hoarse throat he commanded: 'Draw your sword!'

Translate: "【15】 Jian Nu's gaze left the great sword and settled on Hu Xiaotian, his hoarse throat uttering: "Draw your sword!""

Hu Xiaotian had thought the fellow was mute, never expecting him to speak; he raised his empty hands and said: 'What's the point of drawing a sword? I didn't bring one— if you're brave, throw your sword down and let's fight bare‑handed.'

Translate: "【16】 Hu Xiaotian had thought this guy was mute, never expecting him to speak; he raised his empty hands: "What's the point of drawing a sword? I didn't bring one—if you're brave, throw yours down and let's fight bare‑handed.""

The sword slave nodded slowly, then pulled an iron sword from his back and hurled it at Hu Xiaotian; the blade spun like a windmill and struck the ground just a foot in front of Hu Xiaotian's feet, its edge so sharp it easily sank half a foot into the stone.

Translate: "【17】 Jian Nu slowly nodded, then pulled an iron sword from his back and hurled it at Hu Xiaotian; the blade spun like a windmill and struck the ground just one foot in front of Hu Xiaotian's feet, its edge so sharp it easily sank half a foot into the stone."

Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected such luck; he had thought they'd have to disarm the slave bare‑handed, but instead the sword slave voluntarily handed him a sword.

Translate: "【18】 Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected such luck; he had thought they'd have to perform an empty‑hand sword‑snatch, but Jian Nu actually volunteered a sword."

Hu Xiaotian grabbed the hilt and gave a light tug, pulling the sword free from the rock; the blade was jet‑black, felt quite heavy in hand, and was surely not ordinary iron.

Translate: "【19】 Hu Xiaotian grabbed the hilt and gently pulled the sword free from the rock; the blade was jet‑black, heavy in hand, surely not ordinary iron."

With a dead‑fish stare, the sword slave fixed his gaze on Hu Xiaotian and said: 'Let me test your swordsmanship!'

Translate: "【20】 Jian Nu's dead‑fish eyes locked on Hu Xiaotian: "Let me see your swordsmanship!""

Hu Xiaotian gripped his sword without a word, tapped the tip of his foot on the ground and lunged at the sword slave like a great peng bird, swinging a single strike—not to unleash sword energy but merely to get a feel for the weapon and probe the opponent's strength.

Translate: "【21】 Hu Xiaotian gripped the sword, said nothing more, tapped his toe and lunged like a great roc, swinging a single strike at Jian Nu—this first move was merely to get a feel for the weapon and test his opponent's strength, not to unleash sword qi yet."

The slave's heavy great sword felt weightless in his hand; after seeing Hu Xiaotian strike, he finally moved, his counter‑strike arriving first despite being later, the great sword flashing like lightning to clash with Hu Xiaotian's blade. The swords met with a resounding 'Dong!' that sent sparks flying in the darkness, illuminating Hu Xiaotian's astonished expression and the sword slave's ferocious face.

Dong!

Translate: "【22】 The heavy great sword was weightless in Jian Nu's hands; only after Hu Xiaotian struck did he react, his counter‑strike arriving first despite being later, the great sword flashing like lightning to clash with Hu Xiaotian's blade. The swords met with a loud Dong! —sparks flew in the darkness, illuminating Hu Xiaotian's astonished expression and Jian Nu's ferocious face."

Since Hu Xiaotian absorbed Yuan Kong Monk's inner energy with the Void Grand Method, he had never encountered anyone whose inner power surpassed his own— yet in this exchange with the sword slave his right arm went numb, his chest surged with hot blood, and he was forced to retreat to dispel the slave's tremendous, brutal force before his feet even touched the ground; another wave of power then welled up within him. The slave had not rushed to attack, but in that single strike he had unleashed a tide‑like force, wave after wave, and the true source of his immense power lay in this delayed, lingering strength.

Translate: "【23】 Since using the Void Grand Method to draw internal energy from Monk Yuan Kong, Hu Xiaotian had never felt anyone's internal power surpass his own—yet this clash with Jian Nu numbed his right arm, surged hot blood in his chest, forcing him to retreat to dispel the tremendous force of the opponent's sword; even before his feet touched the ground, another wave of power welled up. Jian Nu did not rush to attack, but the force he had just released in that single strike was like a tide, wave after wave, and his true immense power lay in this delayed surge."

After landing, Hu Xiaotian had to retreat another three steps to fully neutralize the opponent's force, and he inwardly cursed his own inadequacy.

Translate: "【24】 After landing, Hu Xiaotian had to retreat three more steps to fully neutralize the force, inwardly cursing his own inadequacy."

The bell tone sounded again, and the sword slave's gaze grew ever more frenzied.

Translate: "【25】 The qin sounded again, and Jian Nu's gaze grew ever more frenzied."

Hu Xiaotian's expression became unprecedentedly cautious; though he did not know the sword slave's true identity, from their brief exchange he could tell that the slave's martial skill was at least on par with that of Master Bu Wu and Master Xulingkong, and possibly even superior.

Translate: "【26】 Hu Xiaotian's expression became unprecedentedly cautious; though he did not know Jian Nu's true identity, from their exchange he could tell Jian Nu's martial arts were at least on par with Monk Bu Wu and Xu Lingkong, possibly even superior."

Hu Xiaotian gripped his sword with both hands, pouring continuous inner energy into it, while the sword slave remained expressionless, his great sword angled toward the ground, his eyes fixed not on his opponent but on the blade itself.

Translate: "【27】 Hu Xiaotian gripped the sword with both hands, feeding it a steady stream of internal energy; Jian Nu remained expressionless, his great sword angled toward the ground, his gaze fixed on the blade rather than his opponent."

Hu Xiaotian suddenly raised his sword and, with a full‑speed swing, unleashed a icy, domineering sword‑qi that shot forth from the blade and lunged at the sword slave— one of the forms of the Seven Slays of Heaven Sword. Through years of rigorous practice his sword‑qi projection has improved; though it never reaches a perfect success rate, it still works about eighty percent of the time. This time the projection succeeded, and had he not been facing such a formidable opponent as the sword slave, Hu Xiaotian would not have led with his full strength right away.

Translate: "【28】 Hu Xiaotian suddenly raised his sword and, with a full‑speed swing, released a icy, domineering sword qi that tore through the air toward Jian Nu—a stance from the Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords. After years of practice, his external sword qi release had improved; though not perfect, it succeeded about eighty percent of the time. This successful release, had he not faced such a formidable opponent as Jian Nu, he would not have led with his full power right away."

The sword slave's ear twitched; without even looking, he swung his great sword forward with the force of thunder, striking squarely against Hu Xiaotian's invisible sword‑qi. Though the qi had no form, it carried energy within a radius, and the slave's blow hit the back of that qi, producing a resounding 'Peng!' that kicked up dust— the material sword had dispersed Hu Xiaotian's formless qi. Then a slight flick of his wrist sent a silent sword‑qi straight for Hu Xiaotian's throat.

Peng!

Translate: "【29】 Jian Nu's ear twitched; without even looking, he swung his great sword, the blow thunderous as a myriad‑ton lightning strike, accurately smashing into Hu Xiaotian's invisible sword qi. Though the qi was formless, it possessed a field, and Jian Nu's strike hit its back, producing a loud Peng! that kicked up dust—he had dispersed Hu Xiaotian's formless qi with a solid blade. Then a slight wrist motion sent a silent sword qi straight for Hu Xiaotian's throat."

Hu Xiaotian twisted and turned his body, barely managing to dodge the opponent's sword‑qi, his face filled with astonishment as he recognized that the slave had just employed one of the Seven Slays of Heaven Sword techniques. Those seven forms were once the supreme treasure of the Sword Palace, but after Master Lin Bai Tao's death they were never passed down to any disciple; Lin Bai Tao had learned them from his own master, the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo.

Translate: "【30】 Hu Xiaotian twisted and turned, barely dodging the sword qi; his face filled with astonishment, for he recognized that Jian Nu's recent move was a technique from the Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords. The Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords were the supreme treasure of the Sword Palace, but after Lin Baotao's death they were never passed to any disciple; Lin Baotao's Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords had been received from his master, the Sword Devil Dongfang Wuwo."

Hu Xiaotian immediately thought of that name— Dongfang Wuwo surely understood the Seven Slays of Heaven Sword, yet he had vanished from the human world fifty years ago; if he were still alive he'd be an octogenarian. Could this hideous old man before us actually be the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo?

Translate: "【31】 Hu Xiaotian instantly thought of that name—Dongfang Wuwo surely understood the Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords, yet he had vanished from the human world for fifty full years; if he were still alive he'd be over eighty. Could this hideous old man before him actually be the Sword Devil Dongfang Wuwo?"

Hu Xiaotian stared at the sword slave in shock; if this person had always remained hidden within the Sword Palace, why would the palace's followers go to such lengths to search for the whereabouts of the Seven Slays of Heaven Sword?

Translate: "【32】 Hu Xiaotian stared at Jian Nu in shock—if this person had always remained hidden within the Sword Palace, why would its members spare no effort to seek the whereabouts of the Slay‑Heaven Seven Swords?"

After delivering his strike, the sword slave paused again, as if lost in thought.

Translate: "【33】 After striking, Jian Nu paused again, as if pondering something."

Hu Xiaotian knew that people under mental control often share a flaw: they lack initiative and react far more slowly than normal folk; if the sword slave pressed his advantage, Hu Xiaotian feared he would already be defeated— yet at that moment he noticed Qin Yuetong had disappeared from behind him.

Translate: "【34】 Hu Xiaotian knew that those under mental control often share a flaw: they lack initiative and react far more slowly than normal people; if Jian Nu pressed the attack, he would likely already be defeated—yet he noticed Qin Yutong had vanished from behind him."

Hu Xiaotian jumped in shock and shouted loudly: 'Yuetong!'

Translate: "【35】 Hu Xiaotian gasped loudly and shouted, "Yutong!""

At that moment the bell's rhythm suddenly quickened; the sword slave snapped out of his brief reverie, brandishing his great sword in wide arcs as streams of sword‑qi burst forth and rushed toward Hu Xiaotian.

Translate: "【36】 At that moment the qin's rhythm suddenly grew urgent; Jian Nu snapped out of his brief reverie, his great sword sweeping back and forth as wave after wave of sword qi tore through the air toward Hu Xiaotian."

Having guessed that his opponent might be the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo, Hu Xiaotian felt a twinge of fear; seeing Qin Yuetong suddenly disappear, his fighting spirit waned. When the sword slave unleashed his icy sword‑qi, Hu Xiaotian turned and fled, relying on nimble footwork to stay out of the slave's reach— avoiding the blade's edge was the wisest course under the circumstances.

Translate: "【37】 Since suspecting his opponent might be the Sword Devil Dongfang Wuwo, Hu Xiaotian's heart faltered; seeing Qin Yutong suddenly missing, his fighting spirit waned. When Jian Nu unleashed icy sword qi, Hu Xiaotian turned and fled, relying on exquisite footwork to stay out of the blade's reach—a wise tactic under the circumstances."

The Meizhuang mistress's fingers, like orchid petals, danced wildly over the zither strings— but then she suddenly stopped, for Qin Yuetong's silhouette had appeared behind her.

Translate: "【38】 The Mei Manor Master's fingers, like orchid petals, danced wildly over the qin strings—then she suddenly stopped, for Qin Yutong's figure had appeared behind her."

The Meizhuang mistress was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Qin Yuetong to find her so quickly. Beneath her silver mask, her cold, gloomy eyes fixed on Qin Yuetong and she said: 'You've come at just the right time— you've saved me a lot of trouble. Hand over the Heart of Creation Sutra, and I'll spare your life.'

Translate: "【39】 The Mei Manor Master was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Qin Yutong to find her so quickly. Beneath her silver mask, her gloomy eyes coldly fixed on Qin Yutong: "You've come at just the right time—you've saved me much trouble. Hand over the Creation Heart Sutra, and I'll spare your life.""

Qin Yuetong nodded and replied: 'My master once told me that if you ever dare to harm me, then I would have just cause to kill you.'

Translate: "【40】 Qin Yutong nodded and said: "Master once said that if you ever dared to harm me, I would have cause to kill you.""

'You would kill me?' the Meizhuang mistress laughed, as if she'd heard the funniest thing in the world. She rose slowly, brushed a stray lock from her forehead, and then green flames erupted around her body, bathing the entire cavern in emerald light.

Translate: "【41】 "You'd kill me?" the Mei Manor Master laughed, as if hearing the funniest thing in the world. She rose slowly, smoothed a stray lock of hair on her forehead, then green flames ignited around her, bathing the entire cavern in green light."

Qin Yuetong brought her right hand to the edge of her cherry lips, then puffed her cheeks as if blowing something; after the zither fell silent, a hush fell— yet the Meizhuang mistress, like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, let out a shrill cry, her green flames flaring as she crashed heavily to the ground. The fire vanished instantly, and she clapped her hands over her head, whispering 'No… no…'

She brought her right hand to her cherry lips, puffing her cheeks as if blowing something.

Translate: "【42】 Qin Yutong brought her right hand to her cherry lips, cheeks puffing as if blowing something; after the qin fell silent, all was quiet—yet the Mei Manor Master let out a shrill cry like a cat stepped on its tail, her green flames flaring as she crashed to the ground. The fire vanished instantly, and she clutched her head with both hands, whispering, "No… no…""

First Update delivered, pushed hard for several days, always eating dust behind, today the top six is not far away, charge into the top six, Four more! (To be continued~^~)