Chapter 243

Xi Yan chuckled coldly: "What kind of thing is this powerful?" She simply thought Hu Xiaotian was threatening her.

Translation: Xi Yan gave a hehe cold laugh: "What thing is this powerful?" She only thought Hu Xiaotian was threatening himself.

But need natural English: Xi Yan gave a hehe cold laugh: "What thing is this powerful?" She only thought Hu Xiaotian was threatening her.

She only thought Hu Xiaotian was threatening her.

Thus: Xi Yan gave a hehe cold laugh: "What thing is this powerful?" She only thought Hu Xiaotian was threatening her.

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's just this thing." He drew a black box from his sleeve and pointed it at Xi Yan: "You've heard of the Rainstorm Pear Flower Needle, haven't you?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "It's just this thing." He pulled out a black box from his sleeve, aimed it at Xi Yan: "You've heard of the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle, right?"

Hearing the name "Rainstorm Pear Flower Needle," Xi Yan's face drained of color; in the moonlight she gazed at Hu Xiaotian's hand, and the black box he held was unmistakably the Rainstorm Pear Flower Needle.

Translation: Upon hearing the name Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle, Xi Yan's face turned pale instantly; by moonlight she looked at Hu Xiaotian's hand, and the black box he held was indeed the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle without doubt.

Hu Xiaotian said, "He handed this to me to use against you, but I could never bring myself to hurt you. I didn't expect that while flowers fall with intent, water flows without feeling; your deep affection for me has left me unmoved, and instead you try to kill me, girl—your heart is too cruel. Since you lack kindness, don't blame me for lacking righteousness; today I will ruthlessly destroy the flower."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "He gave this thing to me, letting me use it against you, but I've always been reluctant to strike you. I didn't expect that while the fallen flowers have intention, the flowing water is ruthless; your deep affection for me not only left me unmoved, but you actually want to put me to death, girl, your heart is too vicious. Since you are unkind, don't blame me for being unrighteous; today I will ruthlessly destroy the flower."

Xi Yan slowly nodded and said, "Hu Xiaotian, do you think you can hit me?"

Translation: Xi Yan slowly nodded and said: "Hu Xiaotian, do you think you can hit me?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know if I can hit you, but last night even the expert Yan Zhou under Li Honghan couldn't dodge my shot; there are two rounds left in this needle box, and we're less than ten feet apart—do you think your martial arts can avoid my two volleys?"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not sure whether I can hit you, but last night Li Honghan's subordinate expert Yan Zhou also couldn't dodge my shooting; there are still two shots left in this needle box, and our distance is less than one zhang—do you think your martial arts can dodge my two rounds of shooting?"

Xi Yan's gaze grew grave; the Rainstorm Pear Flower Needle is listed among the world's seven top concealed weapons, and its craftsmanship is known only within the Great Kang palace. It is said that even a first-rate master within ten feet cannot escape its killing strike. She had never encountered this weapon before and had no confidence she could dodge Hu Xiaotian's shot at this distance. Then a charming smile appeared on her lovely face: "Hu Xiaotian, you are indeed a liar full of lies—just moments ago you swore your deep devotion to me, and now you brandish this murderous weapon at me—are you still human?" Hu Xiaotian replied: "This is precisely my deep affection for you; if you insist on killing me, I can only kill you first and then take my own life beside you. Although we have no fate to become husband and wife in this life, in the underworld I am willing to accompany you." His words sounded sincere and heartfelt, but to Xi Yan they were utterly hypocritical.

Translation: Xi Yan's gaze turned solemn; the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle is ranked among the world's seven major hidden weapons, and its craftsmanship is currently mastered only inside the Dakang imperial palace. It is said that even a first-rate expert within a zhang's range finds it hard to escape the needle's killing strike; she has never touched this thing and has no confidence she can dodge Hu Xiaotian's shooting at this distance. Immediately a charming smile appeared on her pretty face: "Hu Xiaotian, you are indeed a liar full of lies; just now you said you were deeply devoted to me, yet now you wield this murderous weapon against me—are you still human?" Hu Xiaotian said: "This is precisely my expression of deep affection for you; if you insist on killing me, I can only kill you first, then commit suicide beside you. Although we have no fate to become husband and wife in this life, in the underworld I am willing to accompany you." These words were spoken sincerely, but in Xi Yan's eyes they were utterly hypocritical.

Xi Yan stepped forward. Hu Xiaotian shouted, "Stop! If you dare take another step, I'll shoot!"

Translation: Xi Yan took a step forward. Hu Xiaotian said: "Stand still! If you dare take another step, I will shoot!"

Xi Yan giggled coquettishly, "Go ahead and shoot if you want; the thing is in your hand—what does it have to do with me?"

Translation: Xi Yan giggled: "Go ahead and shoot if you want; the thing is in your hand, what does it have to do with me?"

Eh…… Hu Xiaotian thought this situation was not only not threatening, but even a bit like *, wondering if his deterrent power was inherently lacking or if his temperament was naturally lewd. Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't force me to shoot!"

Eh…… Hu Xiaotian thought this situation was not only not threatening, but even a bit like *, wondering if his deterrent power was inherently lacking or if his temperament was naturally lewd. Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't force me to shoot!"

But we need to keep the asterisk as is. So: "Eh…… Hu Xiaotian felt that this situation was not only not threatening, but even a bit like *, could it be that my deterrent power is innately insufficient, or is my temperament naturally lewd? Hu Xiaotian said: 'Don't force me to shoot!'"

"What if I push you?" Xi Yan took another step forward, and Hu Xiaotian stepped back, saying, "My patience has its limits!"

Translation: "What if I force you?" Xi Yan took another step forward, Hu Xiaotian stepped back: "My patience has its limits!"

Xi Yan said, "An empty box, right? Hu Xiaotian, you actually brought an empty box to bluff me?"

Translation: Xi Yan said: "An empty box, huh? Hu Xiaotian. You actually took an empty box to bluff me?"

Hu Xiaotian forced calm, "Yeah, it's an empty box—if you dare take another step, I'll shoot you dead!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian forced calm: "Yeah, an empty box—if you dare take another step, I'll shoot you dead!"

Xi Yan raised her curved sword and assumed an offensive stance again. Hu Xiaotian said, "Wait!"

Translation: Xi Yan raised her sabre, again assuming an offensive stance. Hu Xiaotian again said: "Wait!"

From his demeanor Xi Yan could see he lacked confidence; she sneered, "Hu Xiaotian, what other tricks do you want to pull?" Hu Xiaotian sighed, "It seems I have to use my ultimate move against you."

Translation: From his expression Xi Yan already saw he lacked confidence, she coldly said: "Hu Xiaotian, what other tricks do you want to play?" Hu Xiaotian sighed: "It seems I must use my ultimate move against you."

"Show me whatever skills you have; I'm waiting to see."

Translation: "You have what abilities? Just bring them all out; I'm waiting to see."

Hu Xiaotian lifted his robe and suddenly pulled down the waist sash. The fellow's pants swished down to the ground, revealing two sturdy thighs. Following them fell an embroidered shoe, which was exactly the one Xi Yan had lost—previously picked up by him on the way to Xiezhou.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian lifted his long robe, suddenly pulling down the waist sash. The fellow's pants swished down to the ground, revealing two sturdy thighs. Following that fell an embroidered shoe, exactly the one Xi Yan had lost. It was the one he had picked up earlier on the way to Xiezhou.

Xi Yan, as if she had stepped on a mouse, screamed loudly, covering her eyes with both hands and retreating several steps.

Translation: Xi Yan, as if she had stepped on a mouse, screamed loudly, covering her eyes with both hands immediately, then retreated several steps backward.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Don't be afraid, I'm still wearing my undershorts; as the saying goes, naked we come and naked we go—I was born naked, and if I must die, I will die naked. I'll strip off my clothes—come kill me. A real man faces death or life head‑on; dying at your hands, I have no regrets in this life."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Don't be afraid, I'm still wearing my undershorts; as the saying goes, naked we come and naked we go, unfettered. I was born naked, and if I must die, I will go naked. I've stripped off my clothes—come kill me. A real man should face death or life head‑up. Dying by your hand, I have no regrets in this life!"…

Xi Yan, eyes covered, said, "You scoundrel, hurry up and put your pants on."

Translation: Xi Yan, with her eyes covered, said: "You damned thing, quickly put your pants on."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Whether I wear them or not, I'm dead either way—I'll go like this, feeling fresh." As he spoke he kept taking off clothes, until only a pair of big underpants remained on his whole body. If it weren't to save his life, he wouldn't resort to such a shameless method; he suddenly realized this trick was still quite effective—at least Xi Yan didn't dare lift her head.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "Wearing them is death, not wearing them is death; I'll just go like this, feeling fresh." As he spoke he kept taking off clothes, until only a pair of big underpants remained on his whole body. If it weren't to save his life, he wouldn't have resorted to such a shameless method; he suddenly realized this trick was quite effective—at least Xi Yan didn't dare lift her head.

Xi Yan stamped her foot and spat, "Hu Xiaotian, you're the most shameless person I've ever seen!" Her delicate body twisted like a red cloud rising slowly; when looked at again, she had already floated out of the land temple, her bell‑like voice still echoing in the night sky: "You stripped so clean—are you trying to feed the bats?"

Translation: Xi Yan stamped her foot and spat: "Hu Xiaotian, you are the most shameless person I've ever seen!" Her delicate form twisted like a red cloud rising slowly; when looked at again, she had already floated out of the land temple, her bell‑like voice still echoing in the night sky: "You stripped so clean—are you trying to feed the bats?"

With a flapping sound, bats swooped in from all directions; Hu Xiaotian, terrified, covered his head and fled like a rat, sprinting at a hundred‑meter dash speed into the backyard of the land temple and plunging headfirst into the foul pond.

Translation: Splatter—bats flapped their wings and swarmed from all directions; Hu Xiaotian, terrified, covered his head and fled like a rat, sprinting at a hundred‑meter dash speed into the land temple's rear courtyard, where he plunged headfirst into the foul pond.

Only when he could no longer hold his breath did Hu Xiaotian surface from the foul pond; he saw the bat swarm had already dispersed, and looking around he could not see Xi Yan's figure. He still dared not leave the pond, hiding inside for half an hour, convinced there was no movement, before cautiously climbing out.

Translation: Until he could no longer hold his breath, Hu Xiaotian finally surfaced from the foul pond, found the bat swarm had already dispersed, and looking around saw no trace of Xi Yan; he still dared not leave the pond, hid inside for half an hour, confirmed there was no movement, then cautiously crawled out.

Arriving in the front courtyard, he saw the reddish‑brown horse collapsed on the ground, long dead, its blood completely sucked dry by the bats. Gazing at the horse's gruesome state, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill run down his spine; Xi Yan, that demoness, truly is ruthless. Yet upon reflection, she probably didn't truly intend to kill him—otherwise, even if he had ten lives, he would already be dead by her hand.

Translation: Arriving at the front courtyard, he saw the reddish‑brown horse collapsed on the ground, long dead, its blood sucked dry by the bats. Gazing at the horse's miserable state, Hu Xiaotian felt a chill; Xi Yan this demoness is indeed ruthless, but thinking back, she probably didn't truly intend to kill him—otherwise, even if he had ten lives he would already be dead by her hand.

Hu Xiaotian picked up his personal belongings from the ground—whether the cinnabar‑inscribed iron deed, the wooden token given by Ande Quan, or the short dagger presented by Heg when they became sworn brothers—all were there; even Xi Yan's embroidered shoe was not taken. The only thing missing was the set of clothes he had taken off; without a doubt, Xi Yan had simply taken them along.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian picked up his personal belongings from the ground—whether the Vermilion Script Iron Voucher, the Ebony Token given by Ande Quan, or the short dagger given by Huo Ge at their sworn brotherhood, all were there; even Xi Yan's embroidered shoe was not taken away. Only the clothes he had taken off vanished without a trace. No need to ask—surely Xi Yan casually took his clothes.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed his bad luck; he couldn't travel wearing just a pair of big underpants, so he managed to find a tattered old sutra banner in the ruined temple, wrapped it around his waist, where the two large characters "compassion" were plainly visible. He silently sighed, "Compassion? I'm utterly miserable!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian secretly cursed his bad luck; he couldn't travel in just a pair of big underpants. In the ruined temple he finally found a tattered scripture banner, wrapped it around his waist, on which were prominently printed the two characters "compassion". Hu Xiaotian silently sighed, "Compassion? I'm utterly miserable!"

Only the next day did Hu Xiaotian discover that Xi Yan had not only taken his clothes but also seized the little bit of travel money he had left; thus he became penniless overnight. Wearing the sutra banner around his waist, bare‑chested, barefoot, and carrying the iron deed wrapped in rags, he continued on the road.

Translation: Only the next day did Hu Xiaotian discover that Xi Yan had not only taken his clothes but also seized the little bit of travel money he had on him; thus he became penniless overnight. Wearing the scripture banner, bare‑chested, barefoot, he carried the Vermilion Script Iron Voucher wrapped in rags and continued on the road.

At first Hu Xiaotian felt a bit embarrassed, but the farther he went the more composed he became, noticing that there were not a few people on the road with a similar appearance; he had thought he was being distinctive, but once he entered the main highway he realized such an image actually blended in with the crowd.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian initially felt a bit embarrassed, but the farther he walked the more at ease he became; he noticed that figures like his were not uncommon on the road. He had thought he stood out, but after truly entering the official highway he realized such an appearance actually blended into the crowd.

After three days of walking he finally encountered a village; taking advantage of the villagers' inattention, he stole a set of clothes someone had left to dry, finally looking somewhat presentable. His soles were blistered, each step a piercing pain. The pampered scholar‑official's son finally experienced what a hard human journey entails.

Translation: After three days of walking he finally encountered a village; Hu Xiaotian, taking advantage of the villagers' inattention, stole a set of clothes someone had left to dry, finally looking somewhat presentable. His soles had blistered, each step a piercing pain. This pampered minister's son finally experienced what a human ordeal is.

If he hoped to reach the capital on foot, by the time he got there the yellow‑flower vegetables would be cold; he needed a good horse to make it back to Kangdu quickly. After these days of travel he still hadn't left Sichuan, and seeking help from local officials was unrealistic. Having been robbed clean by Xi Yan, the most valuable thing he currently carries is that short dagger; the cinnabar‑inscribed iron deed would actually be worth more, but since he relies on that metal plate for his life, he can't easily sell it.

Translation: If he relied on walking to the capital, by the time he arrived the yellow‑flower vegetables would be cold; he needed a good horse to make it back to Dakang capital quickly. After these days he still hadn't left Xichuan's region, and seeking help from local officials was unrealistic. Having been robbed clean by Xi Yan, the most valuable thing he currently carries is that short dagger; actually the Vermilion Script Iron Voucher ought to be worth more, but since he's counting on that iron slab to save his life, he can't readily sell it.

The place is called River Clear Town; although the town is not small, it has no pawnshop, so Hu Xiaotian, with no alternative, imitated Yang Zhì's method of selling swords—he attached a grass marker to the hilt and hawked it on the street.

Translation: The place is called River‑Clear Town; although the town isn't small, it has no pawnshop, so Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to imitate Yang Zhi selling his sword—he affixed a grass marker to the dagger's hilt and hawked it on the street.

However, Hu Xiaotian quickly realized that this kind of short dagger had no market locally; he squatted in the market for almost a morning, yet hardly anyone came to inquire. Around noon, a middle‑aged woman approached and said, "Young man, how much for this knife?"

Translation: However, Hu Xiaotian soon realized that this kind of short dagger had no market locally; he squatted in the market for almost a morning, yet hardly anyone came to inquire. Approaching noon, a middle‑aged woman came over: "Young man, how much for this dagger?"…

"One hundred taels of silver." Hu Xiaotian really couldn't bear to part with it; even aside from anything else, the gems inlaid in the scabbard alone are worth a fortune, but Hu Xiaotian had an extra thought—he hid the scabbard, because such fine goods in a rural market won't fetch a price.

Translation: "One hundred taels of silver." Hu Xiaotian truly couldn't bear to part with it; besides anything else, just the gemstones inlaid in the scabbard are worth a fortune, but Hu Xiaotian had an extra thought—he hid the scabbard, since such fine goods in a rural market won't fetch a price.

"Tch! You're trying to extort money? This little knife can't chop vegetables or meat—at best it can peel fruit—and you want a hundred taels? You're crazy for money!" The woman scolded Hu Xiaotian as she left, not forgetting to give him several contemptuous glances.

Translation: "Tch! Extorting money, huh? This tiny knife can't chop vegetables or mince meat—at best it can peel fruit—and you ask a hundred taels? You're crazy for money!" The woman berated Hu Xiaotian as she left, not forgetting to give him a few contemptuous glances.

Hu Xiaotian knew that people who recognize quality are always few; he kept hawking, under the September sun which was still very *, his throat grew dry from shouting, yet no one showed interest. He felt genuinely disappointed—it seemed River Clear Town was not a place to sell knives, so he could only continue his arduous journey, walking to a larger city to look for a buyer.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian knew that people who recognize quality are always few; he kept hawking, under the September sun which was still very *, he called out until his mouth was dry and throat parched, yet no one showed interest. He genuinely felt some disappointment—it seemed River‑Clear Town wasn't a place to sell knives; he could only continue his ordeal, walking to a larger city to look for a buyer.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to pack up and leave, a gang of slick, ruffian types surrounded him; their leader, big‑headed and big‑eared, with a fleshy face and a protruding belly, stepped forward and said, "Hey! You're selling knives?"

Translation: As Hu Xiaotian was about to pack up and leave, a gang of lounging ruffians gathered around; their leader, big‑headed and big‑eared, with a face full of horizontal flesh and a protruding belly, stepped up to him: "Hey! You're selling knives?"

Hu Xiaotian instantly saw these fellows were no good; he shook his head, "Not for sale, I'm just passing through!" He rose to leave, but several men blocked his path; the fat guy put his hand on Hu Xiaotian's shoulder and said, "Hey brother, don't rush off—let me have a look at that knife."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian instantly saw these fellows were no good birds; he shook his head: "Not selling, I'm just passing through!" He rose to leave, but unexpectedly several people blocked his path; the fat guy put his hand on Hu Xiaotian's shoulder: "Brother, don't rush off—let me have a look at your knife."

The short dagger in Hu Xiaotian's hand hadn't yet been put away; he gripped it tightly and raised it toward the man, saying, "This knife isn't for sale!"

Translation: Hu Xiaotian still had the short dagger in his hand, not yet put away, gripping it tightly, he raised it toward the man and said: "This knife of mine is not for sale!"

"Heh heh, brother, I've been watching you for a while; just now you were squatting here selling knives, how come when I genuinely want to buy you refuse? Do you think I have no money? Let my brothers tell you who I am."

Translation: "Heh heh, brother, I've been eyeing you for half a day; just now you were squatting here selling knives, how come when I genuinely want to buy you refuse? Do you think I have no money? Brothers, tell him who I am!"

Several people said in unison: "This is our big brother, the invincible Copper‑Head Iron‑Armed Mao San'ge of River Clear Town!"

Translation: Several people said in unison: "This is our big brother, the invincible Copper‑Head Iron‑Armed Mao San‑ge of River‑Clear Town!"

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "Damn it, Mao, your mother's head—these street thugs I've seen plenty of, all of them are bullies who extort the market." Though he was in a foreign land and didn't want to offend them, he clasped his fists and said, "Gentlemen, I'm just passing through; sorry for the intrusion, I have urgent business and need to go on ahead." Hu Xiaotian then tried to slip away again.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian thought in his heart, "Damn you, Mao, your mother's head!" This sort of street ruffian he'd seen plenty of; they're all damned extortionists. Though he was in a foreign land he didn't want to offend them, so he cupped his fists: "Gentlemen, I'm just passing through here; pardon my intrusion, I have urgent business and must go on ahead." Hu Xiaotian then tried to slip away again.

The man who called himself Copper‑Head Iron‑Armed Mao San grabbed Hu Xiaotian's arm and said, "Hand over the knife so I can have a look."

Translation: The man called Copper‑Head Iron‑Armed Mao San grabbed his arm in one motion: "Hand over the knife so I can have a look."

Hu Xiaotian said, "If you really want to look at it, pay me one hundred taels of silver, and you can examine the knife however you like once you take it back."

Translation: Hu Xiaotian said: "If big brother truly wants to see it, pay me one hundred taels of silver, then take the knife back and examine it however you wish."

Please vote for the Monthly Ticket!