Chapter 226

Qin Yuetong now clearly sees the surroundings; the camp where the Zhou king is located sits on the high ground of a mound, currently surrounded by guards and archers, with some distance between them and her position. At this moment, archers are firing all around to block the snakes and insects from attacking; rashly approaching would likely result in friendly fire. Looking at the side of the Shajia envoy, torches have also been lit around their camp, but the exact situation is unknown.

Possible translation: Qin Yutong had by now cleared her view of the surroundings; the camp where Prince Long Yefang was stationed sat on the high ground of a dirt mound, already surrounded by guards and archers, with some distance between them and her party. The archers were firing indiscriminately around to keep snakes and insects at bay; rashly approaching would likely draw friendly fire. Looking over at the Shajia envoy's side, torches had also been lit around their camp, but she had no idea what the situation actually was there.

We need to keep it concise but include all info.

Let's craft: Qin Yutong had already taken in her surroundings; the camp where Prince Long Yefang stayed was on the high ground of a dirt mound, now encircled by guards and archers, with a distance separating them from her party. The archers were shooting outward to block the snakes and insects, so rushing forward would likely draw friendly fire. As for the Shajia envoy's side, torches had also been lit around their camp, but she had no idea what the situation actually was there.

That seems fine.

Qin Yuetong lowered her gaze to Xi Yan and spoke softly, "Call off the snakes and insects right now, or I'll ruin your martial arts." Though her tone was calm, the meaning behind her words was indisputable.

Translation: Qin Yutong lowered her gaze to Xi Yan and spoke softly, "Call off the snakes and insects right now, or I'll ruin your cultivation." Though her tone was calm, the meaning left no room for doubt.

Xi Yan said, "You've sealed my pressure points and bound my hands and feet; what do these snakes and insects have to do with me?"

Translation: Xi Yan replied, "You've sealed my pressure points and bound my hands and feet—what do the snakes and insects have to do with me?"

Qin Yuetong said, "You come from the Five Immortals Sect; even if these snakes and insects weren't brought by you, you have ways to dispel them. I never joke—if you refuse, I will destroy your martial arts right now."

Translation: Qin Yutong said, "You're from the Wuxian Sect; even if you didn't summon these snakes and insects, you have ways to dispel them. I never joke—if you refuse, I'll cripple your cultivation right now."

Hu Xiaotian said, "There's no need to be so cruel."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "There's no need to be so cruel."

Qin Yuetong blinked in confusion, unable to understand why he would plead for Xi Yan.

Translation: Qin Yutong blinked, bewildered, unable to fathom why he would plead for Xi Yan.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually, women don't really care about martial arts. How about this: I'll slash her face with a knife, stab out her eyes, sever the tendons in her hands and feet, then sell her to the filthiest, most foul brothel."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually, women don't care much about cultivation. How about this: I'll slash her face with a knife, stab out her eyes, sever her hand and foot tendons, then sell her to the filthiest brothel."

Although Xi Yan clearly knew Hu Xiaotian was just trying to scare her, hearing those vicious words still sent a chill down her spine; if she truly ended up in the state he described, it would be worse than death.

Translation: Although Xi Yan clearly knew Hu Xiaotian was just trying to scare her, hearing those vicious words still sent a chill down her spine; if she really ended up as he described, it would be worse than death.

While speaking, Hu Xiaotian unintentionally (or intentionally) slapped Xi Yan's raised buttocks again. It had become a habit, just like his habit of taking advantage.

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian spoke, his hand unintentionally gave her butt another pat—habit made it second nature, just like his habit of taking liberties.

Xi Yan, both ashamed and angry, sighed and said, "Villain, one day I will chop off those claws of yours!"

Translation: Xi Yan, both ashamed and angry, sighed and said, "Villain, one day I'll chop off those claws of yours!"

Hu Xiaotian threw her over his shoulder, slammed her to the ground, and brought the torch close to her face: "Believe it or not, I'll burn your face right now!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian threw her over his shoulder and slammed her to the ground, then brought his torch close to her face: "Believe it or not, I'll burn this face of yours right now!"

As Hu Xiaotian had said, a woman values her appearance above all, even more than life; Xi Yan bit her lip and whispered, "Untie my ropes."

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian had predicted, a woman values her appearance above all else, even life itself; Xi Yan bit her lip and whispered, "Untie my ropes."

After obtaining Qin Yuetong's consent, Hu Xiaotian untied Xi Yan; though she was now free, she did not rise from the mire, having been badly hurt by his throw—this man truly is ruthless and vicious, lacking even the slightest pity for fragrance and jade.

Translation: After obtaining Qin Yutong's consent, Hu Xiaotian loosened Xi Yan's bonds; once free, she did not rise from the mire—he had thrown her hard, and indeed he was ruthless, lacking even the slightest pity for fragrant beauty.

Xi Yan slowly pulled a red cord from her neck, its end tied to a silver whistle; she placed the whistle in her mouth, producing a crisp sound whose sharp tone varied with her breath, carrying far away. Not long after, the same sound echoed back from the southwest.

Translation: Xi Yan slowly drew a red cord from her neck, its tip tied to a silver whistle; she placed the whistle in her mouth, producing a crisp sound whose pitch shifted with her breath, carrying far away. Not long after, the same echo came from the southwest.

The snakes and insects halted their advance; after a moment, they began to retreat in succession.

Translation: The snakes and insects halted their advance; after a moment, they began to withdraw in dribs and drabs.

The rain stopped, leaving glistening trails of slime on the muddy ground; within moments, the snake horde had completely withdrawn. A faint fish‑belly white appeared in the eastern sky—dawn was approaching.

Translation: The rain stopped, leaving glistening trails of slime on the muddy ground; in no time the snake horde had retreated completely. A pale fish‑belly white appeared in the eastern sky—dawn was approaching.

Hu Xiaotian and Qin Yuetong exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in each other's eyes.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian and Qin Yutong exchanged a glance, both seeing relief in the other's eyes.

Xi Yan was soaked through by the rain, her whole person like a lotus emerging from water, even more lovely and flower‑like. She propped herself up with her hands on the ground, her beautiful eyes filled with hatred as they fixed on Hu Xiaotian, feeling that she had never encountered such a detestable person in her life.

Translation: Soaked head to toe by the rain, Xi Yan resembled a lotus rising from the water, her beauty all the more radiant. Hands braced on the ground, her lovely eyes brimmed with vengeful hatred as she stared at Hu Xiaotian, feeling she had never encountered anyone so hateful in her life.

Seeing the snake horde disperse, Hu Xiaotian quickly picked up the rope from the ground, intending to tie Xi Yan up again.

Translation: Seeing the snake horde disperse, Hu Xiaotian quickly grabbed the rope on the ground, intending to tie up Xi Yan.

Qin Yuetong said, "No need; let her walk on her own."

Translation: Qin Yutong said, "No need—let her walk on her own."

One of Xi Yan's embroidered shoes had somehow fallen off; she simply kicked off the other and hurled it hard at Hu Xiaotian. He snatched it out of the air with quick reflexes, not angry at all. He had thought to toss the shoe aside, but its embroidery was exquisite and delicate, so he slipped it into his pocket, grinning and saying, "Thank you, Miss Xi Yan, for the gift."

Translation: One of Xi Yan's embroidered shoes had come off at some point, so she kicked off the other and hurled it at Hu Xiaotian; he snatched it out of the air with quick reflexes, unfazed. He had thought to toss it aside, but the shoe's exquisite embroidery made him slip it into his pocket instead, grinning as he said, "Thank you, Miss Xi Yan, for the gift."

Xi Yan nearly fainted from anger, but she forced herself to stand despite the pain, her delicate white feet stepping in the mire. Hu Xiaotian gazed at her exquisite, beautiful feet, his gaze unconsciously growing hotter; indeed, this enchantress was a rare beauty, no wonder Long Yefang is so captivated by her.

Translation: Xi Yan nearly fainted from anger, but she forced herself to her feet despite the pain, her delicate white feet sinking into the mire. Hu Xiaotian's gaze lingered on her exquisite, beautiful feet, heating up without him realizing it; truly, this demoness was a rare beauty—no wonder Prince Long Yefang was so enamored of her.

Qin Yuetong glanced at Hu Xiaotian and urged, "Hurry and check on the Zhou king!"

Translation: Qin Yutong glanced at Hu Xiaotian and urged, "Hurry over to the Prince's side and check on him!"

Only then did Hu Xiaotian, as if waking from a dream, nod.

Translation: Only then did Hu Xiaotian snap out of his daze and nod.

Although Zhou King Long Yefang suffered no injury, the recent peril had frightened him out of his wits; even after the snake horde had dispersed, his face remained pallid and his limbs trembled incessantly, with eight elite guards surrounding him, never leaving his side.

Translation: Prince Long Yefang had suffered no injury, but the recent peril had frightened him out of his wits; even after the snake horde had withdrawn, his face remained ashen and his limbs trembled incessantly, eight elite guards surrounding him, never leaving his side.

Hu Xiaotian assigned Qin Yuetong to guard Xi Yan, then hurriedly went to pay respects to Long Yefang. Xi Yan gazed from afar at the Zhou king's timid demeanor, instinctively comparing him to Hu Xiaotian; though the latter lacks martial skill, his courage far surpasses that of the king by countless measures.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian assigned Qin Yutong to guard Xi Yan, then hurriedly went to pay his respects to Prince Long Yefang. Xi Yan watched the prince's timid bearing from afar, inevitably comparing him to Hu Xiaotian; though the lad lacked martial skill, his courage dwarfed the prince's by countless measures.

Seeing that the Zhou king was unharmed, Hu Xiaotian relaxed, stepped forward, knelt, and said respectfully, "Your subordinate's escort arrived late; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Translation: Seeing the prince unharmed, Hu Xiaotian's heart eased; he stepped forward, knelt, and said respectfully, "Your humble servant's protection of the carriage arrived late; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

The Zhou king said, "Please rise…" His voice still trembled noticeably as he spoke.

Translation: The prince said, "Please rise…" His voice still trembled as he spoke.

Only then did Hu Xiaotian stand up; the Zhou king, still shaken, looked around in alarm and quavered, "How… could so many snakes have appeared all of a sudden?"

Translation: Only then did Hu Xiaotian stand; the prince, still shaken, glanced around and quavered, "How… could so many snakes have appeared all of a sudden?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, these snakes were likely the work of the Five Immortals Sect."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian replied, "Your Highness, these snakes are likely the work of the Wuxian Sect."

"The Five Immortals Sect?"

Translation: "The Wuxian Sect?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, leaned close to the Zhou king's ear, and whispered, "It's all because of that demoness Xi Yan; there must be her accomplices lying in ambush around us."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian nodded, leaned close to the prince's ear, and whispered, "It's all because of that demoness Xi Yan; there must be her accomplices lying in ambush nearby."

Upon hearing that this matter involved Xi Yan, the Zhou king glanced at her from afar, a shiver running through him. Although Hu Xiaotian had said Xi Yan was a demoness of the Five Immortals Sect, the king found it hard to believe that such a stunningly beautiful girl could belong to the notorious sect; now it seemed everything indeed tied to her. Though he lusted after her beauty, he valued his own life more—no woman, however lovely, was worth risking his life for. He furrowed his brow, devised a plan, and lowered his voice to Hu Xiaotian: "Why don't we let her go? That way the snakes and insects won't follow us."

Translation: Upon hearing that this matter concerned Xi Yan, the prince glanced at her from afar and felt a prickle of unease. Although Hu Xiaotian had told him Xi Yan was a demoness of the Wuxian Sect, he found it hard to believe—such a flawless beauty could hardly be a notorious sect member. Yet now everything seemed tied to her. Though the prince lusted after her beauty, he valued his own life more; no woman, however lovely, was worth risking his life for. He furrowed his brow, hit upon an idea, and lowered his voice to Hu Xiaotian: "Why don't we just let her go? That way the snakes and insects won't follow us."

Hu Xiaotian inwardly scoffed at the king's timidity and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, we cannot release her now; with her in our hands, the Five Immortals Sect will hesitate to launch a full‑scale attack for fear of harming her. If we set her free, their assault would likely become unrestrained."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed at the prince's timidity, then said respectfully, "Your Highness, we cannot release her now; she's in our hands, and the Wuxian Sect will hesitate to launch a full‑scale attack for fear of harming her. If we set her free, their assault would likely become unrestrained."

The Zhou king considered it, found Hu Xiaotian's point not without merit, nodded, and said, "Then… keep a close watch on her."

Translation: The prince considered it, found Hu Xiaotian's point not without merit, nodded, and said, "Then… keep a close watch on her."

At this moment, Liang Qing came forward to report the battle situation: in the earlier night raid, eight people had been killed by poisonous snake bites, another seven were poisoned, and they are currently being rescued.

Translation: At that moment Liang Qing came forward to report the battle situation: in the earlier night attack, eight men had died from poisonous snake bites, and seven more had been poisoned and were now being rescued.

Someone from the Shajia envoy also came over to inquire about the situation; to their surprise, not a single member of the Shajia delegation had been injured, and the snake horde had not invaded their camp at all.

Translation: Someone from the Shajia envoy's side also came over to inquire about the situation; to their surprise, the Shajia envoy had suffered no casualties at all, and the snake horde had not even encroached upon their camp.

Hu Xiaotian felt something was odd—why would the Five Immortals Sect attack only them and spare the Shajia envoy? Could their target not be the Shajia group at all? Returning to Xi Yan's side, Qin Yuetong instructed him to take Xi Yan back to the carriage, while she herself went to help detoxify the poisoned soldiers.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian found the matter odd—why would the Wuxian Sect attack only them and spare the Shajia envoy? Could their target not be the envoy at all? Returning to Xi Yan's side, Qin Yutong told him to take her back to the wagon, while she herself went to help detoxify the poisoned soldiers.

Hu Xiaotian escorted Xi Yan back to the carriage; by now the light had fully brightened, the sun had not yet appeared but the clouds had thinned considerably. Xi Yan's bare feet stepped on rain‑slick grass, crystal‑clear droplets washing away the yellow mud, leaving her feet flawless—a scene of exquisite beauty against the green backdrop. Yet beneath that lovely exterior lay a vicious, treacherous heart; recalling the recent snake siege, Hu Xiaotian felt a warning stir within him.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian brought Xi Yan back to the wagon; by now the sky was fully lit, though the sun had not yet broken through, the clouds had thinned considerably. Her bare feet stepped on rain‑wet grass, crystal droplets washing away the yellow mud, leaving her flawless soles a sight to behold amid the verdant backdrop. Yet beneath that lovely exterior lay a vicious, poisonous heart; recalling the earlier snake siege, Hu Xiaotian felt a warning stir within him.

Xi Yan said, "If you don't release me, you'll only invite more trouble."

Translation: Xi Yan said, "If you don't release me, you'll only invite more trouble."

Hu Xiaotian drawled lazily, "I'm the sort who isn't afraid of trouble."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian drawled lazily, "I'm the sort who doesn't fear trouble."

Xi Yan said, "Don't tell me you're not afraid of death."

Translation: Xi Yan replied, "Don't tell me you're not afraid of death."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Why do you only attack our camp and leave the Shajia people untouched?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian asked, "Why do you only strike our camp and leave the Shajia people untouched?"

Xi Yan retorted, "Do you even have a brain? You're the ones who seized me—grievances have a source and debts have a debtor; if not you, then who?"

Translation: Xi Yan retorted, "Do you even have a brain? You're the ones who seized me—grievances have a source and a debtor; if not you, then who?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said, "You claimed you wanted to steal the Shajia envoy's *Lotus Sutra*, but that's clearly just a pretense; what the Five Immortals Sect truly aims at is the Zhou king himself."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head. "You claimed you wanted to steal the Shajia envoy's *Lotus Sutra*, but that's clearly just a pretense—what the Wuxian Sect really wants is to take down Prince Long Yefang!"

Xi Yan sighed softly, "What's the point of targeting a prince of no consequence? Your imagination is truly abundant."

Translation: Xi Yan sighed softly, "What's the point of dealing with a prince of no consequence? Your imagination runs wild."

Hu Xiaotian's gaze fell upon Xi Yan's heaving bosom; feeling his stare, her cheeks flushed and she spat, "What are you looking at?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's gaze fell upon Xi Yan's heaving bosom; feeling his stare, her cheeks flushed and she snapped, "What are you looking at?"

"Give me the whistle!"

Translation: "Give me the whistle!"

Xi Yan glared at him fiercely, then stepped back a pace.

Translation: Xi Yan shot him a fierce glare, then stepped back.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Will you take it off and give it to me yourself, or do you want me to do it for you?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said, "Will you take it off and give it to me yourself, or do you want me to do it for you?"

Faced with Hu Xiaotian, Xi Yan truly felt at a loss; this guy says what he does and does what he says—if she didn't obey his orders, he'd surely lunge with those dog‑like claws, snatch the item and take advantage of her besides. His character is utterly devoid of scruples, so Xi Yan removed the silver whistle and handed it to him.

Translation: Faced with Hu Xiaotian, Xi Yan found herself nearly out of options—he meant what he said and could follow through; if she refused his order, she feared he'd immediately lunge with those dog‑like claws, snatch the item and take advantage of her besides. His character knew no bottom, so she removed the silver whistle and handed it to him.

Hu Xiaotian held it up for a closer look—it was just an ordinary whistle, appearing unremarkable on the surface, but Xi Yan must have used it to communicate with her accomplices. Though small, its sound carries far when blown. He pocketed the silver whistle.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian took it in hand and examined it closely—just an ordinary whistle, unremarkable on the surface, but Xi Yan must have used it to contact her accomplices. Though small, it produced a loud sound when blown. He pocketed the whistle.

Xi Yan asked, "Do you know the background of the Xuantian Pavilion?"

Translation: Xi Yan asked, "Do you know the background of the Xuantian Guan?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I don't know, and I'm not interested; my sole concern is the Zhou king's safety. As long as I escort him securely to Xiezhou, I consider my mission accomplished—everything else is irrelevant to me."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian replied, "I don't know, and I'm not interested. My true concern is the prince's safety; as long as I escort him securely to Xiezhou, I'll have fulfilled my duty—everything else is none of my business."

After breaking camp, the party resumed its march. The previous night's attack had clearly dampened morale; compared to human casualties, horse losses were even more severe—about half the mounts had died in the assault, forcing them to abandon some of their baggage. Many guards chose to proceed on foot, inevitably slowing their advance.

Translation: After breaking camp, the party set out once more; the previous night's attack had clearly dampened morale, and compared to personnel losses, horse casualties were even heavier—fully half of the mounts had died in the assault, forcing them to abandon part of their baggage. Many guards chose to march on foot, inevitably slowing their advance.

The Shajia envoy emerged completely unscathed; although they superficially expressed condolences to the Zhou king's side, they had no intention of sharing the hardship, and not even a single horse was offered for assistance.

Translation: The Shajia envoy's side emerged unscathed; although they superficially expressed condolences to the prince's faction, they had no intention of sharing the hardship, not even offering a single horse.

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