Chapter 1749

Original Chinese:

Translate the whole paragraph.

We'll replace terms:

Hu Xiaotian

: 【11】 Huoge

: 【12】 Redwood River

: 【13】 Shajabi

: 【14】 Heavenly Fragrance State

: 【15】 Northeast Xichuan

a large tract of land in Northeast Xichuan

area ten times that of Redwood River

overall, his loss is not great.

Let's produce a natural English sentence.

Potential translation:

"Although Hu Xiaotian agreed with Huoge's remark, he understood Huoge's intentions even more clearly; given the current situation, Redwood River at Shajabi was of greater significance to him than to Huoge, and even if the Heavenly Fragrance State did not seize Redwood River, that place would inevitably become a hot potato due to the struggle among the various powers—'a loss may be a gain in disguise,' and temporary gains and losses are not the whole story, especially since he had already obtained a vast tract of land in Northeast Xichuan, ten times the area of Redwood River; overall, his loss was not significant."

Check we kept all info.

Now line 【2】:

: This is a long paragraph. Need to translate fully.

Translate:

"Heavenly Fragrance State's series of actions rendered the newly formed Gold and Jade Alliance nominal but empty; Hu Xiaotian began to reflect on his mistake, having previously overestimated the ability of Long Xuanjiao while underestimating Hu Buwei's strength—a figure long hidden behind the scenes who has finally revealed the tip of the iceberg of his true power, manipulating the Heavenly Fragrance State's government, controlling Xichuan, and seizing Redwood River. This series of combined strikes was executed cleanly and brilliantly, leaving even Hu Xiaotian feeling overwhelmed. He could not help but admire his own father, for the old saying 'ginger is spicier with age' was fully proven in Hu Buwei."

Gold and Jade Alliance

Long Xuanjiao

Hu Buwei

Heavenly Fragrance State

Xichuan

Redwood River

the old saying 'ginger is spicier with age'

Now line 【3】:

: Long paragraph. Need to translate fully.

Translate:

"It can be inferred that Hu Buwei had already spread an invisible vast net across the world, his subordinates including capable people like Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu, and he also had an unknown cooperative relationship with formidable figures such as Mu Rongzhan. To operate such a huge network, substantial financial backing was inevitably required. Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but recall the deep conversation he had with Elder Lady Xu in Yunze; the Xu clan of Jinling had already fallen under Hu Buwei's actual control. With the Xu clan, the richest under heaven, as his backing, Hu Buwei could handle any matter with ease."

Now we need to map terms:

Hu Buwei

across the world

Zhou Mo

Xiao Tianmu

Mu Rongzhan

Elder Lady Xu

Cloud Marsh

Gold Mausoleum Xu clan

the richest under heaven

Now line 【4】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"The palace coup in Dakang years ago happened too hastily; even Hu Buwei had not made sufficient preparations. Li Tianheng of Xichuan had once been his ally, and the two intended to seize Dakang's throne, but the sudden appearance of Ji Feihua shattered their original plan, leading to Li Tianheng's independent stance. Once a person tastes the benefits of holding sole power, they naturally no longer wish to share it with others, and from that point on, Li Tianheng and Hu Buwei grew further apart."

Now map terms:

Dakang

palace coup

Hu Buwei

Xichuan

Li Tianheng

Ji Feihua

Dakang's throne

Now line 【5】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Escaping Dakang was merely Hu Buwei's first step; after safely reaching the Heavenly Fragrance State, he began his step‑by‑step counteroffensive, restoring his former invisible network and laying plans anew in the southwest. While Da Yong was preoccupied with dealing with the Black Hu, Dakang struggled to cope, and as Hu Xiaotian was busy developing his base in the Ordinary River Basin, he finally encountered an excellent opportunity for his counterattack."

Now map terms:

Escaping Dakang

Hu Buwei

Heavenly Fragrance State

southwest

Da Yong

Black Hu

Dakang

Ordinary River Basin

Now line 【6】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Huoge waited half a day without seeing Hu Xiaotian speak, and unable to hold back, he said, 'Brother, what's wrong with you?'"

Now line 【7】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian said, 'This happened all too suddenly; I am thinking of a counter‑measure.'"

Hu Xiaotian said, 'This happened all too suddenly; I am thinking of Yingdui de ce.'

Now line 【8】:

Huo Ge said, "What Yingdui de ce? Naturally it's an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; if it were me, if someone took an inch of my land, I would take a foot of theirs."

Translate:

"Huoge said, 'What Yingdui de ce? Naturally it's an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If it were me, if someone took an inch of my land, I would surely take a foot.'"

What Yingdui de ce

Now line 【9】:

Hu Xiaotian gave a slight smile and said, "You Shajia people are quite different from us Central Plains folk; we Central Plains folk value harmony above all, seeking to calm three parts of turbulence, and by stepping back we find vast skies and open seas." In fact, he didn't truly think that.

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said, 'You Shajia people are quite different from us Central Plains folk; we of the Central Plains value harmony above all, seeking to calm three parts of turbulence, and by stepping back one finds vast skies and open seas.' In fact, he did not truly think that way."

Now map terms:

Shajia people

Central Plains folk

value harmony above all

seeking to calm three parts of turbulence

by stepping back one finds vast skies and open seas

Now line 【10】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Huoge, hearing him speak so calmly, guessed that Hu Xiaotian had accepted the present reality and had no immediate plan to retaliate, and he sighed, 'Isn't that just letting others have their way with you?'"

Now line 【11】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian walked a few steps over to the southwest map hanging on the wall, gazed at it, his eyes wandering for a moment before finally settling on the location of Southern Yue State, and he whispered, 'I've heard that Hong Yingtai has also come.' Hong Yingtai is the Sixth Prince of Southern Yue State."

Now map terms:

southwest map

Southern Yue State

Hong Yingtai

Sixth Prince of Southern Yue State

Now line 【12】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Huoge said, 'A desperate dog is not worth mentioning.' Although Shajia has not yet taken all of Southern Yue State, the occupied land already exceeds half, and Southern Yue State's defensive line is retreating; it will not be long before the entire front collapses."

Now map terms:

a desperate dog

Shajia

Southern Yue State

Now line 【13】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian said, 'His purpose in coming this time is surely not merely to offer condolences.'"

Now line 【14】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

Translate:

"Huoge frowned and said, 'You mean…?' Hu Xiaotian was clearly reminding him of the possibility of cooperation between Southern Yue State and the Heavenly Fragrance State; faced with the danger of annihilation, Southern Yue State would very likely seek aid from the Heavenly Fragrance State, and if the Heavenly Fragrance State agreed to help, the situation might be reversed."

Now map terms:

Southern Yue State

Heavenly Fragrance State

Now line 【15】:

: Paragraph. Translate.

could very well be reversed

Translate:

"Huoge's gaze also fell on the map; Shajia's incursion into Southern Yue State had seized considerable territory, but if the Heavenly Fragrance State helped, their forces deep inside Southern Yue State might face encirclement from the Heavenly Fragrance State, Xichuan, and Southern Yue State itself, and the originally advantageous situation could very well be reversed."

Now map terms:

Shajia

Heavenly Fragrance State

Xichuan

Southern Yue State

Now line 【16】:

Hu Xiaotian said, "Xichuan has actually already been controlled by Heavenly Fragrance State."

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian said, 'In fact, Xichuan is already under the control of the Heavenly Fragrance State.'"

Now line 【17】:

Huo Ge said bewilderedly, "How could Heavenly Fragrance State suddenly become so powerful? Yang Longjing is nothing but a good-for-nothing; the real power is not actually controlled by Long Xuanjiao."

Translate:

"Huoge asked, bewildered, 'How could the Heavenly Fragrance State suddenly become so formidable? Yang Longjing is nothing but a weakling; the real power is still not in the hands of Long Xuanjiao.'"

Now map terms:

Heavenly Fragrance State

Yang Longjing

Long Xuanjiao

Now line 【18】:

Hu Xiaotian gave a slight smile; Huo Ge did not grasp the true situation of Heavenly Fragrance State, and he also couldn't be bothered to explain Hu Buwei's affairs to Huo Ge. Even if he did, Huo Ge might not believe him. Hu Xiaotian said, "I can almost be certain that Yang Haoran is also a pawn planted by Heavenly Fragrance State in Xichuan."

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian gave a faint smile; Huoge did not truly understand the Heavenly Fragrance State's real situation, and he was too lazy to explain Hu Buwei's affairs to Huoge. Even if he did, Huoge might not believe him. Hu Xiaotian said, 'I can almost certainly conclude that Yang Haoran is also a pawn planted by the Heavenly Fragrance State in Xichuan.'"

Now map terms:

Heavenly Fragrance State

Hu Buwei

Yang Haoran

Xichuan

Now line 【19】:

Huo Ge sighed and said, "I never expected Long Xuanjiao to be so formidable; she has already laid out her plans in Xichuan."

Translate:

"Huoge sighed, 'I never expected Long Xuanjiao to be so formidable, having already laid out her plans in Xichuan.'"

Now map terms:

Long Xuanjiao

Xichuan

Now line 【20】:

Hu Xiaotian said, "I refuse to join forces with my elder brother, but the current timing is not ripe; the situation in the southwest has already become a settled matter, and it cannot be changed in a short time." Hu Xiaotian was not lying about this; even though he had successfully controlled northeastern Xichuan, that region's roads were damaged by an earthquake, and fully repairing them would take half a year.

I refuse to join forces with my elder brother, but the current timing is not ripe; the situation in the southwest has already become a settled matter, and it cannot be changed in a short time.

The series of actions by the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom rendered the newly formed Gold and Jade Alliance in name only; Hu Xiaotian began to reflect on his mistake, having previously overestimated Long Xuanjiao's abilities while underestimating Hu Buwei's strength—a figure long hidden behind the scenes who finally revealed the tip of his true power's iceberg, seizing control of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's government, commanding Xichuan, and occupying Red Wood River. This string of combination punches was executed cleanly and neatly, splendid to the extreme, leaving even Hu Xiaotian feeling overwhelmed. He could not help but admire his own father, for the saying "old ginger is spicier" was fully proven in Hu Buwei.

It can be inferred that Hu Buwei has already spread an invisible, hidden vast net across the world, his subordinates including capable people like Zhou Mo and Xiao Tianmu, and he also has an unknown cooperative relationship with a formidable figure like Mu Rongzhan. To operate such a huge network, substantial financial resources are inevitably required. Hu Xiaotian could not help but recall the deep conversation he had with Old Lady Xu in Yunze; the Xu family of Jinling had already fallen under Hu Buwei's actual control. With the Xu family, the richest under heaven, as his backing, Hu Buwei naturally handles everything with ease.

The court coup in Dakang occurred too hastily; even Hu Buwei had not made sufficient preparations. Li Tianheng of Xichuan had once been his ally, and the two intended to seize Dakang's realm, but the sudden emergence of Ji Feihua shattered their original plan, leading to Li Tianheng's independent establishment. Once a person tastes the benefits of monopolizing power, they naturally no longer wish to share it, and from that point on, Li Tianheng and Hu Buwei grew increasingly distant.

Escaping Dakang was merely Hu Buwei's first step; after safely reaching the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, he began his step‑by‑step counteroffensive, repairing the former invisible net and again laying plans in the southwest. While Da Yong was preoccupied with dealing with Black Hu, Dakang struggled to cope, and Hu Xiaotian was busy developing his base in the Yong River basin when he finally encountered the prime opportunity for a counterattack.

Huo Ge waited half a day without seeing Hu Xiaotian speak, unable to hold back, he said: "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "This happened all too suddenly; I am currently thinking of a Yingdui de ce."

Huo Ge said: "What Yingdui de ce? Naturally it's a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye; if it were me, if someone took an inch of my land, I would surely seize a foot of theirs."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said: "You Shajia people are quite different from us Central Plains folk; we of the Central Plains value harmony above all, believing that yielding a bit keeps the waters calm and that stepping back opens up the sea and sky." Actually, he did not truly think that.

Huo Ge, hearing him speak so nonchalantly, guessed that Hu Xiaotian had already accepted the present reality and had no immediate plan to retaliate; he sighed and said: "Isn't that just letting others slaughter us at will?"

Hu Xiaotian walked a few steps over to the southwest map hanging on the wall, gazed at it, his eyes wandering for a moment before finally settling on the position of the Southern Yue Kingdom, and he said softly: "I heard Hong Yingtai has also come." Hong Yingtai is the sixth prince of the Southern Yue Kingdom.

Huo Ge said: "A desperate stray is not worth mentioning." Although Shajia has not yet taken all of the Southern Yue Kingdom, the occupied Southern Yue territory already exceeds half, and the Southern Yue Kingdom's defense line is retreating; it will not be long before the whole line collapses.

Hu Xiaotian said: "His purpose in coming this time is surely not merely to offer condolences."

Huo Ge furrowed his brows: "You mean…?" Hu Xiaotian was clearly reminding him of the possibility of cooperation between the Southern Yue Kingdom and the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom; faced with the danger of national extinction, the Southern Yue Kingdom would very likely seek aid from the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and if the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom agreed to help, the situation might perhaps be reversed.

Huo Ge's gaze also fell on that map; Shajia had invaded the Southern Yue Kingdom and seized considerable territory, but if the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom helped, their forces deep inside Southern Yue might possibly face encirclement from the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, Xichuan, and the Southern Yue Kingdom itself, turning what was originally a favorable situation into a likely reversal.

Hu Xiaotian said: "In fact, Xichuan has already been brought under the control of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom."

Huo Ge asked, bewildered: "How could the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom suddenly become so formidable? Yang Longjing is nothing but a good‑for‑nothing; the real power is still not in his hands but in Long Xuanjiao's."

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly; Huo Ge did not truly understand the real situation of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and he was too lazy to explain Hu Buwei's affairs to Huo Ge. Even if he did, Huo Ge might not believe him. Hu Xiaotian said: "I can almost certainly conclude that Yang Haoran is also a pawn planted by the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom in Xichuan."

Huo Ge sighed: "I never expected Long Xuanjiao to be so formidable; she had already laid out her plans in Xichuan long ago."

Hu Xiaotian said: "It's not that I'm unwilling to join forces with my older brother, but the timing is simply not ripe; the situation in the southwest has already become a settled fact and cannot be changed in the short term." Hu Xiaotian was not lying about this—even though he had successfully taken control of northeastern Xichuan, that area suffered road damage from an earthquake, and fully repairing the roads would take half a year.

Huo Ge could not restrain his disappointment; Shajia's invasion of Southern Yue was really aimed at this juicy piece of Xichuan, but now that Xichuan has been seized first by the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, the difficulty of taking Xichuan has increased considerably. Yet he still harbored a sliver of hope: "Even if my father‑in‑law's death was plotted by the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, they could not possibly fully control Xichuan in the short term."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is no longer what it once was, older brother; perhaps we should first consider how to withdraw from here entirely."

Hong Yingtai did not make any major moves in Xizhou, but the Southern Yue envoy almost simultaneously arrived at the capital of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, Fragrant Drift City, had an audience with King Yang Longjing of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, and concluded an alliance; Southern Yue voluntarily requested to become a vassal of the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, while the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom sent a large army to aid Southern Yue in resisting Shajia.

Thanks to Yan Hucheng's help, Hu Xiaotian obtained considerable inside information from the Xichuan army; after the defeat at Yunyang, Yang Haoran successfully gained Li Tianheng's trust, and upon taking command of the military he began to renew the ranks from within. This situation became even more blatant after Li Tianheng's death, as under the pretext of investigating the murderer and purging traitors, nearly all of Xichuan's core officers were replaced. Of the list of officers Li Tianheng had originally left behind, half were killed in this purge, while those who fortunately escaped disaster also ******** in the army.

Hu Xiaotian originally still harbored a sliver of hope, but after learning the full situation he realized that, under the present circumstances, turning the tide was utterly impossible; the matter of Xichuan had already become a settled fact. He decided to leave, and before departing Xizhou he first paid a visit to Shadow Moon Villa to bid farewell to Wuyou.

Wuyou listened as Hu Xiaotian recounted the situation he had learned; her clear eyes showed no ripple, and she gently nodded, saying: "Big Brother Hu, you've worked hard."

Hu Xiaotian gave a bitter smile: "There's nothing to be hard about; I simply couldn't help much with this matter, and I'm truly sorry."

Wuyou shook her head: "Haste makes waste; they have laid out their plans so meticulously—how could we possibly turn the situation around in a short time?" She lifted her head, her gaze catching the white clouds drifting like cotton fluff in the sky, and a crystal‑like tear glimmered in her beautiful eyes.

Hu Xiaotian's big hand gently landed on her shoulder: "Wuyou, I will still help you."

Wuyou gave a gentle smile: "Actually, I myself don't know what to do either; the moment I learned my father had been killed, my first thought was to find the murderer and avenge him, but as the matter becomes clearer, I now hesitate about what to do."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "You can't bring yourself to do it?" The murderer can almost be pinned down to Li Honghan, and Wuyou, facing her own older brother, perhaps lacks the resolve to behead him.

Wuyou said: "Taking revenge on someone doesn't necessarily mean killing him; it's about making him live in disgrace. In my heart he is already dead—nothing more than a walking corpse, manipulated by others, pitiful and lamentable." She paused and added: "Even if I do nothing, he won't live long either; once he loses his usefulness in others' eyes, what awaits him is certainly a dead end."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, deeply feeling the same; he couldn't help but think of the fate of Prince Long Yefang—today's Li Honghan might be yesterday's prince, and Prince Long Yefang has already fulfilled his mission; as for Hu Buwei, Long Yefang no longer has any utility to him. Hu Xiaotian asked: "What do you plan to do from now on?"

Wuyou said: "Stay here and live a quiet life, observe mourning for my father, and look after my mother."

Hu Xiaotian saw from her steadfast gaze that she would certainly not easily let go of this matter, and he said softly: "Actually, this place is not meant for a long stay."

Wuyou said with a light smile: "No one would care whether a paralyzed woman lives or dies; in their eyes my life is nothing more than a speck of dust."

Hu Xiaotian said: "If you are willing, you may choose a safer place."

Wuyou extended her gentle hand and lightly patted the big hand he had placed on her shoulder: "No matter what, I want to thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for giving me a fantasy that a normal girl could have."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a sudden pang at Wuyou's words; not knowing why he felt such a strong reaction, for a moment he thought of the Marriage Pact they once had— which young woman does not long for love? Could it be that in Wuyou's heart I have already become the beloved of her fantasy?

Li Wuyou said: "I still want to ask you for a favor!" (To be continued~^~)