Chapter 1895

Xia Changming said, "Li Chang'an... and Yan Hu Xiao together... could stand against tens of thousands of troops, my lord; let's wait until my wound heals before we discuss this."

Translation: Xia Zhangming said: "Li Chang'an and Yan Huyiao joining forces... could match ten thousand troops, my lord, you should wait until my wounds heal before speaking."

"my lord", "......"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "By the time your wound heals, the daylilies will be cold—they won't even know where they've run off to."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "By the time you heal, the yellow flowers will be cold; they don't know where they've fled to."

yellow flowers will be cold

Xia Changming coughed and asked, "Are you cursing me?"

Translation: Xia Zhangming coughed and said: "Are you cursing me?"

Hu Xiaotian burst out laughing, then said in a solemn tone, "The Xu clan wants to get rid of my dear brother and my capable assistant—I'll make them pay for that."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian burst into laughter, then said in a deep voice: "The Xu clan wants to get rid of my good brother, my capable aide; I will make them know the cost of doing this."

Just then, two eagle cries sounded outside, and Xia Changming exclaimed happily, "So the great white has come back!"

Translation: At that moment, two eagle cries came from outside; Xia Zhangming exclaimed in surprise: "It turns out Big White has returned."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "Yes!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Yes!"

Xia Changming said, "The great white is back... the flying eagle should be back too, my lord... if you want to get rid of them, strike when they least expect it—hit them where they're vulnerable, capture the leader first."

Translation: Xia Zhangming said: "Big White has returned... the Flying Eagle should also have returned... my lord... if you want to eliminate them, you can strike unexpectedly, attack when they're unprepared—capture the bandit by capturing the leader first."

Hu Xiaotian agreed, "I think so too—taking out those three, just Xiong Tianba and I will be enough."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I think the same; killing these three people, Xiong Tianba and I alone will be enough!"

Between Dongliang County and Dongluo Warehouse stands a mountain range called Mount Dingjin; crustal shifts have split its peak, creating a ravine that serves as the only passage through the range—Bailao Pass. When Hu Xiaotian once launched a surprise attack on Dongluo Warehouse, he sent Xiong Tianba to defend Bailao Pass against the Da Yong army. With just one hundred men, Xiong Tianba held off an invading force of nearly fifteen thousand, slaying the Da Yong general Fu Ping, and that victory made him renowned across the land.

Translation: Between Dongliang Jun and Dongluo Warehouse lies a mountain range called Dingjin Mountain; due to crustal movement, the peak is split, revealing a ravine that is also the necessary passage through Dingjin Mountain—White Wax Pass. When Hu Xiaotian previously raided Dongluo Warehouse, he sent Xiong Tianba to block the Da Yong troops at White Wax Pass; Xiong Tianba brought only a hundred men to hold off nearly fifteen thousand Da Yong soldiers there, slaying the Da Yong general Fu Ping, and it was relying on that battle that he became famous under heaven.

one hundred men, nearly fifteen thousand, fifteen thousand

Xiong Tianba has returned to his old haunts, but this time he isn't accompanied by a hundred warriors—he has three giant bears instead. Raised from cubs, these bears are massive, with thick hides and flesh that make them nearly impervious to blades and spears. To further strengthen their defense, Xiong Tianba had Zong Tang craft custom armor for them. Upon reaching Bailao Pass, he jumped down from the lead bear, and the three bears rose up on their hind legs together, looking under the starlight like three hulking, mighty giants.

Translation: This time, Xiong Tianba revisited the old grounds, but now he has no hundred soldiers by his side; instead, he has three giant bears. These three giant bears have been raised by him since childhood, their bodies huge, and giant bears naturally have thick skin and flesh, almost immune to blades and spears. To enhance their defense, Xiong Tianba specially commissioned Zong Tang to forge armor for the bears. After entering White Wax Pass, Xiong Tianba jumped down from the back of the eldest bear; the three giant bears simultaneously rose to stand upright, and under the starlight they resembled three burly, mighty giants.

Zong Tang giant bear eldest bear

Xiong Tianba shook his head, reached out, and the three giant bears, in perfect sync, lifted their right paws to touch his. He looked up and saw two white shapes gliding through the night sky; between them loomed a massive dark shadow that spread its wings, blotting out the moonlight and casting its silhouette over the lone man and the three bears.

Translation: Xiong Tianba shook his head, reached out his hand, and the three giant bears, in tacit understanding, extended their right palms to touch his. He lifted his head and saw two white shadows soaring in the night sky; between the white shadows was a huge black shape, which spread its wings to block the moonlight, casting its shadow over the one person and three bears below.

Hu Xiaotian stood tall on the flying eagle's back, flanked by two snow eagles flying left and right, while Zhan Peng rode the right snow eagle. His primary mission tonight is to give Xiong Tianba aerial cover.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian stood proudly on the back of the Flying Eagle, with two Snow Eagles flying left and right beside it; Zhan Peng rode on the back of the right Snow Eagle. His main task tonight is to provide aerial cover for Xiong Tianba.

Xiong Tianba's job is to stir up a commotion to draw the enemy's attention; once they show up, Hu Xiaotian will instantly lock onto them and take them out. Though this is his turf, it's not ideal for a large force to surround them, since two of the three opponents are first-rate beast masters, and Hu Xiaotian doesn't want to cause unnecessary collateral damage.

Translation: Xiong Tianba bears the task of creating noise to draw the enemy's attention; once the enemy appears, Hu Xiaotian will immediately lock onto them and eliminate them. Although this is his territory, it is not suitable for too many to come and surround them, because among the three opponents two are top-tier Beast Tamers, and Hu Xiaotian also does not want to cause excessive innocent casualties.

He nodded to Zhan Peng, then steered the flying eagle upward, while the snow eagle bearing Zhan Peng closely trailed Xiong Tianba below.

Translation: He nodded at Zhan Peng, piloted the Flying Eagle to fly higher, and the Snow Eagle carrying Zhan Peng closely followed Xiong Tianba below.

Xiong Tianba and his three giant bears have started climbing the northern peak of Mount Dingjin, with a black-beaked bird leading the way ahead of them.

Translation: Xiong Tianba and the three giant bears have begun climbing the northern peak of Dingjin Mountain; ahead of them, a Black Kiss Bird is leading the way.

Xia Changming agreed to let Hu Xiaotian come because the flying eagle has returned; its presence acts like a stabilizing divine needle, ensuring Hu Xiaotian won't be at a disadvantage when facing the feather demon Li Chang'an and the beast demon Yan Hu Xiao.

Translation: Xia Zhangming agreed to Hu Xiaotian's coming because of the Flying Eagle's return; the presence of the Flying Eagle is like a divine needle that stabilizes the sea, ensuring Hu Xiaotian will not be at a disadvantage in his battle against the Feather Demon Li Chang'an and the Beast Demon Yan Huyiao.

Although this is the first battle for Xiong Tianba's three giant bears, their strength is astonishing. They are purebred, and Xiong Tianba has raised them since childhood; Xia Changming personally taught him how to control giant bears—a method that demands time, patience, and far more effort than ordinary beast taming. The biggest advantage is that once trained, the beasts cannot be commandeered by any other beast master.

Translation: Although Xiong Tianba's three giant bears are making their debut, their power is also astonishing; the bears are of pure bloodline, and Xiong Tianba has raised them since childhood. Xia Zhangming specially taught him the method to control giant bears, which requires time and patience, usually demanding several times the effort and devotion of ordinary beast taming, but the greatest benefit is that once training succeeds, the beast cannot be controlled by any other Beast Tamer.

On the northern peak of Mount Dingjin lies a hollow called Luoxing Yuan, blanketed with maple trees. It's autumn, and the maple leaves blaze like fire; a gentle autumn breeze stirs them, they rustle, and the red leaves sway in the night, looking under the moonlight like flickering flames.

Translation: On the northern peak of Dingjin Mountain there is a hollow called Falling Star Plain; Falling Star Plain is covered with maple trees. It is autumn now, the maple leaves blaze like fire, the autumn breeze gently brushes, the leaves rustle, the red maple leaves sway in the night, and under the moonlight they look like burning flames.

In the maple grove a campfire burns, and three men sit solemnly around it, drinking. One has only his left arm left—the feather demon Li Chang'an; opposite him sits the beast demon Yan Hu Xiao, his former mortal enemy. Once sworn foes who could not coexist, they now sit together, setting aside their grudges, motivated solely by common interest.

Translation: Amid the maple forest there truly burned a bonfire; three people with solemn expressions sat around it drinking wine. One of them had only his left arm remaining—the Feather Demon Li Chang'an. Sitting opposite him was the Beast Demon Yan Huyiao, his former life-and-death adversary. The two had once been irreconcilable enemies, but now they could set aside grudges and sit together, motivated solely by shared interests.

But it's obvious they haven't released the hatred in their hearts; their eyes still hide venom, and even the slightest contact sparks hatred.

Translation: However, the two clearly have not let go of their hatred; their eyes still conceal venom, and any accidental contact sparks sparks of hatred.

Another man, clad in a blue robe with a refined, scholarly look, was Xu Fengdance, proprietor of the South Jin Island Lustrous Pavilion and a key figure of the Xu clan. He took a sip from the wine jug, then passed it to the beast demon Yan Hu Xiao, saying, "Meeting like this is fate—let's finish this jug together."

Translation: Another person wore a Lan-colored robe, his appearance refined and elegant—he was Xu Fengwu, the shopkeeper of the Gold-selling Cavern on Nanjin Island, also an important figure of the Xu clan. He picked up the wine jug, took a sip, then passed it to the Beast Demon Yan Huyiao, saying: "Meeting like this is fate; let's finish this jug together."

Yan Hu Xiao gulped a few mouthfuls, then flung the jug to Li Chang'an, who caught it with his left hand but didn't drink, tossing it back to Xu Fengdance with the words, "I never drink."

Translation: Yan Huyiao tipped his head back and gulped a few mouthfuls, then threw the wine jug to Li Chang'an; Li Chang'an caught it with his left hand but did not drink, tossing it back to Xu Fengwu: "I never drink alcohol."

Yan Hu Xiao sneered, "Master Xu, someone won't give you face."

Translation: Yan Huyiao said gloomily: "Shopkeeper Xu, someone refuses to give you face."

Li Chang'an scoffed, "Since we're face to face, why beat around the bush? Just say what you mean."

Translation: Li Chang'an sneered: "Since we're sitting face to face, why stir things up? If you have something to say, just say it directly."

When they disagreed, conflict loomed, and Xu Fengdance hastily urged, "We're all on the same side, sharing this table—let's not spoil the harmony."

Translation: When words failed, conflict was about to erupt; Xu Fengwu hurriedly urged: "We're all our own people, sharing the same boat; please don't ruin the harmony."

Yan Hu Xiao demanded, "What are we waiting for here? Xia Changming is as good as dead—why are we still standing guard?"

Translation: Yan Huyiao said: "What are we waiting for here? Xia Zhangming is surely doomed to die; why bother guarding this place?"

Xu Fengdance said, "Killing Xia Changming is only the first step; we still need to get rid of Qin Yutong after that."

Translation: Xu Fengwu said: "Killing Xia Zhangming is only the first step; afterward we still need to eliminate Qin Yutong."

Li Chang'an replied, "I'm not an assassin."

Translation: Li Chang'an said: "I am not an assassin."

Xu Fengdance said, "Just help me finish this, and your dealings with the Xu clan will be settled once and for all."

Translation: Xu Fengwu said: "In short, help me finish this, and your affairs with the Xu clan will be settled once and for all."

Yan Hu Xiao blurted, "When will this be over? How do I know you won't have more demands after we get rid of Qin Yutong?"

Translation: Yan Huyiao couldn't help but say: "When will this kind of thing end? How do I know that after eliminating Qin Yutong you won't have further demands?"

Xu Fengdance said, "This is the only request—not to kill Xia Changming on the spot, but to let him go get treatment; as for Zeng Xiaorou, I already have her under control, her mission is to kill Qin Yutong—if she succeeds we won't need to lift a finger, but if she fails we'll have to step in ourselves."

Translation: Xu Fengwu said: "The only demand is this: not to kill Xia Zhangming on the spot, but to let him return for treatment. As for Zeng Xiaorou, I already have her under control; her mission is to kill Qin Yutong. If she succeeds, we naturally need not act; if she fails, we must still act ourselves."

Li Chang'an asked, "Can Qin Yutong save him?"

Translation: Li Chang'an said: "Can Qin Yutong save him?"

Xu Fengdance replied, "I doubt he has that ability, but... He remembered how Hu Xiaotian had reattached Zeng Xiaorou's severed limbs, and secretly thought that if Hu Xiaotian stepped in, there might still be a chance."

Translation: Xu Fengwu said: "I fear he lacks that ability, but..." He recalled how Hu Xiaotian had reattached Zeng Xiaorou's severed limbs, and secretly thought that if Hu Xiaotian intervened, perhaps there might still be a chance.

Just then, a mournful wolf howl suddenly echoed from outside the woods.

Translation: Just then, a mournful wolf howl suddenly came from outside the woods.

The three of them sprang to their feet simultaneously.

Translation: The three rose to their feet simultaneously.

Li Chang'an whistled, leapt into the air, and a white light swooped down from the treetops—a snow eagle. He landed securely on its back, and as the eagle rose, he saw four dark shapes rushing toward them; the scout blue wolves had already detected their movement and raised the alarm.

Translation: Li Chang'an whistled, his body leaping into the air; a white flash shot down from the treetops—it was a Snow Eagle. Li Chang'an landed steadily on its back, and as the Snow Eagle rose, he immediately saw the scene outside the maple forest: four black shadows rapidly approaching this spot. The scouting Blue Wolves had already detected their movements and raised the alarm.

As Li Chang'an leapt onto the snow eagle's back, a black shadow like lightning shot from deep in the maple forest straight for the beast demon Yan Hu Xiao, who sprang onto a black leopard's back, clenched his legs, and the leopard bore him away toward the forest's edge, swift as wind and lightning.

Translation: As Li Chang'an leapt onto the Snow Eagle's back, a black shadow like lightning shot from deep within the maple forest, heading straight for the Beast Demon Yan Huyiao. Yan Huyiao sprang onto the back of a black panther, clamped his legs, and the panther sped off toward the maple forest's edge like the wind.

Xiong Tianba hadn't expected to be spotted so fast; he turned and glanced at the three bears—Big, Middle, and Little—whose small eyes blinked innocently, as if they thought their movements were too slight to give them away.

Translation: Xiong Tianba had not expected to be exposed so quickly; he turned and looked at Big Bear, Second Bear, and Third Bear. The three giant bears' small eyes blinked innocently, as if they thought their movements were minor and would not give away their position.

Xiong Tianba sighed and said, "Is it my fault?"

Translation: Xiong Tianba sighed and said: "Is it my fault?"

Then a mournful howl rose from the maple woods, and thousands of blue wolves surged from every direction like a tide, overwhelming Xiong Tianba and his companions. He stared in astonishment—just moments ago Luoxing Yuan had been peaceful, yet now it swarmed with wild beasts; he couldn't imagine where those blue wolves had been hiding.

Translation: At that moment, a mournful howl came from the maple forest; following it, thousands of Blue Wolves surged from all directions like a tide toward Xiong Tianba and his group. Xiong Tianba stared in astonishment—just moments ago the Falling Star Plain had been calm, yet now so many wild beasts appeared; he could not fathom where these Blue Wolves had been hiding.

Since they'd already been spotted, Xiong Tianba had nothing to fear; he let out a strange yell, "Bear cubs, time to show your stuff!" Though his main job tonight is to draw the enemy's attention, he treats every fight like a final showdown, hoisting his great hammer and charging into the wolf pack. Though this is the bears' first battle, their courage and ferocity match his, and their attack speed even exceeds his. The three beasts surged ahead of him into the wolves, swinging their massive paws—thud after thud sent more than a dozen blue wolves flying into the air.

Translation: Since he had already been exposed, Xiong Tianba naturally had nothing to fear; he let out a strange yell: "Bear cubs, the time to show your fists has come!" Although his main task tonight was to draw the enemy's attention, he always treats every battle as a decisive showdown, raising his great hammers and charging into the wolf pack. Though the three giant bears were making their combat debut, they displayed courage and ferocity no less than Xiong Tianba's, their attack speed even exceeding his. The three giant bears rushed into the wolf pack ahead of him, hefting their heavy paws; only the sound of "thud, thud, thud" came in succession, and more than ten Blue Wolves were already sent flying into the air by the bears' paws.

Xiong Tianba wasn't about to lag behind; as soon as he plunged into the pack, his two great hammers flew up and down, and any blue wolf they struck died on the spot.

Translation: Xiong Tianba would not lag behind; as soon as he plunged into the wolf pack, his two great hammers flew up and down—any Blue Wolf they touched died instantly.

A white flash flickered in the maple woods—it was Li Chang'an taking off on his snow eagle. Seeing the scene, he hesitated slightly, then urged his snow eagle upward while drawing the silver flute at his chest, summoning the birds to prepare an aerial attack.

Translation: A white flash flickered in the maple forest—it was Li Chang'an riding the Snow Eagle outward. Seeing the scene, he hesitated slightly, urged the Snow Eagle to soar higher, and at the same time took down the silver whistle at his chest, summoning the birds to prepare an aerial attack.

Hu Xiaotian had been hovering high above, watching the scene below; when he saw Li Chang'an appear, he let out a low shout—the flying eagle and he were perfectly in sync—and the instant he gave the order, the eagle swooped down from the sky.

Translation: From beginning to end, Hu Xiaotian had been hovering in high altitude, observing the situation below. Seeing Li Chang'an appear, he immediately let out a low shout; the coordination between him and the Flying Eagle had reached a point of unspoken understanding—once he gave the order, the Flying Eagle swooped down from high altitude.

Thousands of mountain birds summoned by the feather demon Li Chang'an rose like black smoke, massing in the void to form a cloud. As Li Chang'an was arranging his formation, he spotted two white lights—two snow eagles—and was stunned: had Changming returned? How could his wounds have healed so fast? He silently guided his snow eagle toward them, unaware of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Translation: In the mountains, tens of thousands of mountain birds summoned by the Feather Demon Li Chang'an rose like black smoke, thickening in the void into a cloud layer. While Li Chang'an was arranging his formation, two white lights suddenly appeared in his field of view; he recognized them as two Snow Eagles, and wondered in astonishment: Could Xia Zhangming have returned? How could this fellow's wounds have healed so swiftly? Li Chang'an silently guided his Snow Eagle toward the two Snow Eagles, unaware that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The birds' cries turned frantic and panicked; he turned and looked up—only to see the dark cloud of the flock split open, revealing a gigantic flying eagle descending soundlessly like a phantom. On its back stood a tall, imposing man gripping a jet‑black iron sword. Though he hadn't drawn the blade, his killing intent was like an unsheathed sword, tearing through the void and lunging at him!

Translation: Hearing the birds' cries turn noisy and urgent, revealing unprecedented fright, he turned and looked up—only to see the dark cloud formed by the flock of birds split open a great hole, and a huge Flying Eagle descended silently and soundlessly like a phantom. On its back stood a tall, upright man, gripping a jet-black profound iron sword. Though he had not yet drawn the blade, his killing intent was like an unsheathed sharp sword, tearing through the void and pressing upon him.

Today work was too exhausting, only then did I realize it's Monday; recommendation tickets are a routine request, so I ask for recommendation tickets, ask for support! (To be continued~^~)