Chapter 1666

PS. I present today's update, and by the way, I'm soliciting votes for the 515 Fans Festival; each person has 8 tickets, voting also gives coins, I kneel and beg everyone to support and praise!

PS. I present today's update, and by the way, I'm soliciting votes for the 515 Fans Festival; each person has 8 tickets, voting also gives coins, I kneel and beg everyone to support and praise!

We must not add extra info. Keep numbers: 515, 8.

We'll output: 【1】 PS. I present today's update, and also ask for votes for the 515 Fans Festival; each person has 8 tickets, voting also gives coins, I kneel and beg everyone to support and praise!

Check if we need to keep the exclamation mark. Yes.

Sword Palace Master Qiu Han Guang stood alone before the ruins of Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain; the sight filled him with sorrow. After the incident, in just a single day, over a thousand Sword Palace disciples left on their own—some disappointed with the Sword Palace, but many more fearing that a powerful enemy would return and implicate them, to the point that even the two elders' whereabouts became unknown.

Translate: "Sword Palace Master Qiu Han Guang stood alone before the ruins of Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain; the sight before him filled him with sorrow. After the incident, in just a single day, over a thousand Sword Palace disciples left on their own—some disappointed with the Sword Palace, but more fearful that a powerful enemy would return, implicating them, and even the two elders' whereabouts are unknown."

We need to keep "Sword Palace Master" as title. Use "Qiu Han Guang". "Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain". "Sword Palace". "over a thousand". We'll keep "over a thousand". Ensure we don't add extra.

Let's craft: 【2】 Sword Palace Master Qiu Han Guang stood alone before the ruins of Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain; the sight before him filled him with sorrow. After the incident, in just a single day, over a thousand Sword Palace disciples left on their own—some disappointed with the Sword Palace, but more fearful that a powerful enemy would return, implicating them, and even the two elders' whereabouts are unknown.

Check we didn't add "the". It's fine.

Although Li Chen Zhou rushed to the Sword Palace to offer his condolences, Qiu Han Guang could feel his disapproval behind his back.

Translate: "Although Li Chen Zhou came to the Sword Palace immediately to express his condolences, Qiu Han Guang could sense his dissatisfaction behind his back."

We need to keep "Li Chen Zhou". "Sword Palace". "Qiu Han Guang". Good.

Stepping on the ruined Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain beneath his feet and gazing at the distant, severed East-West Sword Pavilion, Qiu Han Guang suddenly realized the Sword Palace had already been finished—it had ceased to exist the moment Lin Bai Tao departed. All that remained was an empty shell; all these years he had painstakingly maintained that shell, only to prove that he and the entire Sword Palace were merely tools used by others, with no one caring for him, let alone his son's life or death.

Translate: "Stepping on the ruined Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain beneath his feet, gazing at the distant, severed East-West Sword Pavilion, Qiu Han Guang suddenly realized that the Sword Palace had long been finished—since the moment Lin Bai Tao departed, the Sword Palace had ceased to exist. All that remained was an empty shell; all these years he had painfully maintained that empty shell, ultimately proving only one thing: he and even the entire Sword Palace were merely tools used by others, nobody cared about him, and even less about his son's life or death."

We need to keep "Ten-Thousand-Ren Mountain", "East-West Sword Pavilion", "Qiu Han Guang", "Sword Palace", "Lin Bai Tao". Also "empty shell". Good.

A figure silently appeared behind him; if not for the setting sun lengthening his shadow and casting darkness over Qiu Han Guang, he would not have noticed. He turned in surprise and saw Ji Feihua. Fear instantly filled his heart—he had once thought the other might make a comeback to retaliate against the Sword Palace, but he never expected it to happen so quickly.

Translate: "A figure appeared soundlessly behind him; if not for the sunset lengthening his shadow, which shrouded Qiu Han Guang, he would not have noticed. He stared in astonishment behind him and saw Ji Feihua. Fear instantly seized his heart—he had once thought the other might return to take revenge on the Sword Palace, but he had not expected it to happen so quickly."

We need to keep "Qiu Han Guang", "Ji Feihua", "Sword Palace". Good.

Having seen the opponent's martial prowess, Qiu Han Guang knew he stood no chance of winning, and with no one else around, he didn't need to worry about saving face or pretending to be something he's not. He sighed and asked, 'You came to kill me?'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang had seen the other's martial prowess and knew he had no chance of victory in their hands; there was no one else here, and he need not worry about face, nor need he act like a swollen-faced pretender. He sighed and said, 'You came to kill me?'"

We need to keep "Qiu Han Guang". The idiom meaning "to pretend to be fat by swelling one's face" will be translated as "act like a swollen-faced pretender". That's okay.

Ji Feihua calmly looked at Qiu Han Guang and said, 'If I wanted to kill you, I would have done so already; there's no need to make a special trip back.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua calmly looked at Qiu Han Guang and said, 'If I wanted to kill you, I would have done so long ago; there's no need to make a special trip back.'"

Upon hearing that the other had not come to kill him, Qiu Han Guang felt a wave of relief. Although he had been doing poorly lately, nobody wishes to die, and besides, he still had unfinished business—his only son, Qiu Mu Bai, was still alive or dead unknown.

Translate: "Hearing that the other was not here to kill him, Qiu Han Guang's heart eased; although he had been having a rough time lately, nobody wishes to die, and besides, he still had unfinished business—his only son, Qiu Mu Bai, was still alive or dead unknown."

We need to keep "Qiu Han Guang", "Qiu Mu Bai". Good.

Ji Feihua said, 'Your son is in the hands of the Black Hu.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua said, 'Your son is in the hands of the Black Hu people.'"

Upon hearing the news about his son, Qiu Han Guang's brow twitched. Although he did not know the other person, he nevertheless believed Ji Feihua would not deceive him.

Translate: "Upon hearing news of his son, Qiu Han Guang's brow twitched. Although he did not know the other, he nevertheless believed Ji Feihua would not deceive him."

Ji Feihua said, 'Everything was plotted by King Yan Xue Shengjing, who allied with the Black Hu to eliminate Xu Yi Chong. In his plan, weakening Li Chen Zhou's entourage is also a key part, which is why he moved against you. The Sword Palace and the Black Hu have been enemies for generations; wanting the Black Hu to deal with you requires no mobilization at all.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua said, 'Everything is the plot of Prince Yan Xue Shengjing, who allied with the Black Hu people, intending to eliminate Weichi Chong; in his plan, weakening Li Chen Zhou's forces is also a crucial link, so he moved against you. The Sword Palace and the Black Hu have been enemies for generations; to have the Black Hu deal with you requires no mobilization.'"

We need to keep "Prince Yan", "Xue Shengjing", "Black Hu people", "Weichi Chong", "Li Chen Zhou", "Sword Palace", "Black Hu". Good.

Qiu Han Guang asked, 'Do you know his whereabouts?'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang said, 'Do you know his whereabouts?'"

Ji Feihua nodded and handed over the previously written address to Qiu Han Guang: 'Although I don't know your relationship with Xuantian Guan's Ren Tian Jing, I do know he is closely associated with King Yan. Belonging to the same camp, today's events show that you have been used by him.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua nodded and handed over the previously written address to Qiu Han Guang: 'Although I don't know your relationship with Xuantian Guan's Ren Tianqing, I do know he is on intimate terms with Prince Yan. We belong to the same camp; today's affair, you have been used by him.'"

We need to keep "Ji Feihua", "Qiu Han Guang", "Xuantian Guan", "Ren Tianqing", "Prince Yan". Good.

Qiu Han Guang widened his eyes, his face full of astonishment.

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang widened his eyes, his face full of astonishment."

Ji Feihua said, 'With your strength you cannot deal with those Black Hu masters; you should know what to do.'

Translate: "Ji Feihua said, 'With your strength you cannot deal with those Black Hu experts; you should know what to do.'"

Qiu Han Guang unfolded the letter and glanced at it quickly, then said in a low voice, 'How do I know you're not using me?'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang unfolded the letter and glanced at it quickly, then said in a low voice, 'How do I know you're not using me?'"

Ji Feihua chuckled and said, 'You're overestimating yourself. Your son's life is now in your own hands—whether he lives or dies is entirely up to you.' After saying this, she turned and left, instantly disappearing from Qiu Han Guang's view.

Translate: "Ji Feihua chuckled, 'You overestimate yourself. Your son's life is now in your own hands—whether he lives or dies is entirely up to you.' Having said that, she turned and left, vanishing from Qiu Han Guang's sight in an instant."

Li Chen Zhou gazed at Qiu Han Guang, his brows furrowed: 'Where did you get this news?'

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou looked at Qiu Han Guang, his sword brows furrowed: 'Where did you get this news?'"

Qiu Han Guang said, 'This came from painstaking investigation. The Black Hu National Preceptor Gang Ba La, together with several Black Hu masters, are all hidden in Dog Head Mountain; all signs indicate that Mu Bai was captured by them.'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang said, 'This came from painstaking investigation. The Black Hu National Preceptor Gang Ba La, together with several Black Hu experts, are all hidden in Dog Head Mountain; all signs indicate that Mu Bai was captured by them.'"

We need to keep "Black Hu National Preceptor", "Gang Ba La", "Black Hu", "Dog Head Mountain", "Mu Bai". Note "Mu Bai" is the given name; we could also refer to Qiu Mu Bai but the line uses Mu Bai. We'll keep "Mu Bai". However we might want to be consistent and use the full name? The instruction: list named entities; we have Qiu Mu Bai as a person. For translation, we can keep "Mu Bai" as it's how it's referred. It's acceptable.

Li Chen Zhou said, 'Have you decided to take action tonight?'

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou said, 'Have you decided to launch action tonight?'"

Qiu Han Guang nodded heavily and said, 'Whether for Mu Bai, for the Sword Palace, or for the interests of Da Yong, I will eradicate these Hu people!'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang nodded heavily and said, 'Whether for Mu Bai, for the Sword Palace, or for the interests of Da Yong, I will eradicate this gang of Hu people!'"

We need to keep "Mu Bai", "Sword Palace", "Da Yong", "Hu people". The term "Hu people" is generic but we can translate it as "Hu people". It's okay.

Li Chen Zhou slowly rose, paced a few steps, and gazed at the evening glow outside the window, feeling hesitant. Qiu Han Guang, who had previously concealed information, now reported the Black Hu National Preceptor's whereabouts to him—a change so sudden that one wonders if there is deceit involved.

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou slowly rose, paced a few steps, gazing at the evening glow outside the window, his heart torn; Qiu Han Guang, who had previously concealed information, now reported the Black Hu National Preceptor's whereabouts to him—his change was so sudden, could there be deceit?"

We need to keep "Li Chen Zhou", "Qiu Han Guang", "Black Hu National Preceptor". Good.

Qiu Han Guang said, 'May I ask, Grand Commander, where is Shangguan Yun Chong?'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang said, 'May I ask, Grand Commander, where is Shangguan Yun Chong?'"

Li Chen Zhou's motionless back stood there; it was here that the rift between him and Qiu Han Guang began. In fact, even his being used by Shangguan Yun Chong, starting from the assassination of Xu Yi Chong, caused events to gradually slip beyond his control.

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou's back stood still there; the rift between him and Qiu Han Guang originated here—in fact, even his being used by Shangguan Yun Chong, starting from Weichi Chong's assassination, the course of events had gradually slipped from his control."

We need to keep "Li Chen Zhou", "Qiu Han Guang", "Shangguan Yun Chong", "Weichi Chong". Good.

Li Chen Zhou sighed and said, 'I don't know either. This person is treacherous and disloyal; although they appear loyal to me on the surface, they actually violate orders in secret and have been covertly communicating with the Black Hu.'

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou sighed, 'I don't know either; this person is treacherous and disloyal, outwardly loyal to me but actually in secret communication with the Black Hu people.'"

We need to keep "Li Chen Zhou", "Black Hu people". Good.

Qiu Han Guang said, 'Please, Grand Commander, lend me your aid.'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang said, 'Please, Grand Commander, lend me your aid.'"

Li Chen Zhou whispered, 'Are you asking me to send troops?'

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou said softly, 'You want me to send troops?'"

Qiu Han Guang said, 'To ensure Mu Bai's safety, it is not appropriate to mobilize troops.'

Translate: "Qiu Han Guang said, 'To guarantee Mu Bai's safety, it is inadvisable to mobilize troops.'"

Li Chen Zhou turned to Qiu Han Guang, nodded, and said, 'I understand!'

Translate: "Li Chen Zhou turned to Qiu Han Guang and nodded, saying, 'I understand!'"

Hu Xiaotian, under the cover of night, arrived at the Peach Blossom Pool of Dog Head Mountain—the very place where he had once slain the Purple Lightning Giant Python and discovered the water cave. Today, Hu Xiaotian, carrying the remains of the Sword Demon Dong Fang Wu Wo, returned there once more. After confirming no one was around, he dove into the pool. Although a blizzard had passed and the weather was freezing, the pool's water remained unfrozen. As he dove deeper, he reached the depths and saw a lone crescent jellyfish drifting in the water. Though beautiful, these jellyfish possess extreme toxicity, yet they pose no threat to Hu Xiaotian; wherever he swims, they immediately flee.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian came to Dog Head Mountain's Peach Blossom Pond under cover of night, the very place where he had once slain the Purple Lightning Giant Python and discovered the water cave. Today Hu Xiaotian bore the remains of the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo and returned here; after confirming no one was around, he slipped into the pond. Although the snowstorm had passed and the weather was bitterly cold, the pond's water had not frozen. Hu Xiaotian dove deeper and deeper, reaching the depths where he saw a lone crescent moon jellyfish drifting in the water. Though those jellyfish were beautiful, they possessed extremely potent poison, yet they avoided Hu Xiaotian—whenever he swam somewhere, the jellyfish would immediately flee."

We need to keep "Hu Xiaotian", "Dog Head Mountain", "Peach Blossom Pond", "Purple Lightning Giant Python", "Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwo". Also "crescent moon jellyfish" we can keep as descriptive; it's not a proper name. We'll translate as "crescent moon jellyfish". Good.

Hu Xiaotian smoothly entered the water cave; the first thing he saw inside was a long white bone—the remains of the Purple Lightning Giant Python he had slain years ago. After killing the python, he had even stripped off its skin; over the years, its flesh and blood have rotted into mud, leaving only piles of white bone.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian smoothly entered the water cave; the first thing he saw inside was a long white bone—the remains of the Purple Lightning Giant Python he had slain years ago. After killing the python, he had even stripped off its skin; years later, its flesh had rotted into mud, leaving only piles of white bones."

We need to keep "Hu Xiaotian", "Purple Lightning Giant Python". Good.

The air inside the cave was foul; Hu Xiaotian went deep, took out the ashes of the Sword Demon Dongfang Wuwu, dug a pit on the ground, buried the ashes, piled a small mound as Dongfang Wuwu's tomb, then knelt before the tomb and kowtowed three times, saying: "Master, I have completed the two tasks you entrusted me with; from now on you and my senior fellow disciple can keep each other company here; let this purple lightning giant python serve as my offering to you."

He secretly thought, Dongfang Wuwu's sword technique was peerless, Lin Baotao a hero of unmatched prowess, yet in the end they all returned to dust; no matter how flamboyant a person, none can escape death—how could I be any different? While still young I have plenty of time to squander, I should enjoy life to the fullest. Too bad this world is too turbulent, hidden dangers abound; if I cannot eliminate the hidden perils, my good days may be numbered.

Hu Xiaotian buried Dongfang Wuwu, then retraced his steps back to Peach Blossom Pool, slowly surfacing; by then the moon was high, its light spread over the ground, illuminating the entire surroundings of Peach Blossom Pool as bright as daytime.

As soon as Hu Xiaotian's head broke the water surface, he saw a tall figure standing on the shore—it was Ji Feihua looking at him with a half‑smile.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said, "Ji elder brother, how did you find me?"

Ji Feihua smiled faintly, raised the hilt of the light sword in his hand, and a green light kept flickering.

Hu Xiaotian secretly sighed, this thing was like a GPS tracker—from now on he would have nowhere to hide before Ji Feihua; he clambered out of the pool, dripping wet, because inside he wore a specially made waterproof lining, the icy pool water could not wet his body.

Ji Feihua handed him the clothes hanging from the tree; Hu Xiaotian, while putting on his clothes, asked, "How is the situation at the Sword Palace?" It was he who had Ji Feihua pass Qiu Mubai's news to Qiu Xian'guang.

Ji Feihua said, "Li Chenzhou personally took action, and besides him there are many other experts."

Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Looks like there will be a good show tonight."

Ji Feihua gave him a sideways glance and said, "Li Chenzhou is no simpleton; do you think he'll be so easily used?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Although Li Chenzhou is shrewd, his curiosity is also strong; Shangguan Yun Chong used him, and Qiu Xian'guang, because of his son's matter, has grown resentful toward him; if he does not act this time, it will be as good as pushing Qiu Xian'guang away from his side—the Sword Palace should still have some use for him."

Ji Feihua said, "Your original intention surely wasn't to help the Sword Palace, was it?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "Xue Shengjing, that old fox, has colluded with the Black Barbarians and used Qin Yutong to set a trap against me; how could I let him get away with it?"

Ji Feihua couldn't help but laugh and said, "But there is no solid evidence showing that Xue Shengjing is colluding with the Black Barbarian experts here."

Hu Xiaotian whispered, "Better to mistakenly kill a thousand than to let one slip."

Ji Feihua's eyes brightened; the words pleased her greatly, yet she did not know that Hu Xiaotian's saying was borrowed wisdom, and moreover Hu Xiaotian's purpose tonight was crystal clear—even if these Black Barbarians have no connection with Xue Shengjing, the Black Barbarian national master Gangbala comes from Fan Yin Si; Hu Xiaotian had once promised his master Dongfang Wuwu that this second condition was to help eradicate Fan Yin Si, and killing Gangbala would be equivalent to dealing a heavy blow to Fan Yin Si.

Li Chenzhou's party had already arrived at the ruins east of Dog Head Mountain; this place had once been an estate belonging to the Black Barbarian merchant Zayan, but later, because they fought Hu Xiaotian for the Treasure of the Swift Steed Records, to conceal their tracks and cut off clues, the Black Barbarians burned it down.

Although Li Chenzhou and his companions knew this place had some connection with the Black Barbarians, they all assumed the ruins were uninhabited—little did they expect it to have become the place where the Black Barbarians imprisoned Qiu Mubai.

The commander of the Golden Scale Guard, Shi Kuan, said, "This doesn't look like anyone is here." As he spoke, his gaze fixed on the Sword Palace master, Qiu Xian'guang.

Qiu Xian'guang, at this moment, also felt somewhat uneasy; he had merely received the news from Ji Feihua and come rashly, without having conducted any on‑site investigation.

Li Chenzhou turned around; a black‑clad figure beside him, completely wrapped up with only his eyes exposed, nodded; the hawk on the black‑clad man's shoulder fluttered its wings, like a bolt of lightning shooting toward the sky above the ruins.

Li Chenzhou's eyes followed the hawk, and he whispered, "As long as they are here, even if we dig three feet deep, we will dig them out!"

【It's almost 515; hope we can keep pushing for the 515 red‑packet list, so that on May 15 the red‑packet rain will reward readers and also promote the work. One more is also love—definitely keep updating well!】(To be continued~^~)