Chapter 708
-> 【8】 Check we kept all info:
Possible translation: Hu Xiaotian stopped in time; the great sword Hidden Edge Sword hovered about a foot above Qiu Mubai's head. Given its earlier power, the sword qi should have already split his skull, but this time Hu Xiaotian couldn't release the sword qi smoothly. The strong wind stirred by the sword blade made Qiu Mubai shut his eyes, thinking he was surely dead, his handsome face drained of all color.
Check we kept all info:... (this is not Chinese to translate; it's a check). So for 【8】 we need to translate the Chinese given earlier? Actually there is no "【8】 Chinese:" line; we have "【8】 Check we kept all info:" So maybe the item is the check? But the instruction: "These lines still contain untranslated Chinese. Translate each FULLY into natural English. Output EXACTLY one line per item as: 【N】
Make sure not to add extra explanation. Keep concise.
Now output: 【1】 translation.
-> 【17】 Check:
Translation: Only when he realized that Hu Xiaotian's move had not released sword qi smoothly did he feel his soul return; he slowly opened his eyes, only to see Hu Xiaotian gripping Hidden Edge Sword in one hand, its point pressed against his throat.
Only when he realized that Hu Xiaotian's move had not released sword qi smoothly did he feel his soul return, slowly open his eyes, and see Hu Xiaotian holding the Hidden Edge Sword with its point against his throat.
-> 【23】 Check:
Translation: From afar came the hoarse voice of Xiang Taishi: "Spare his life beneath the sword!"
Xiang Taishi's hoarse voice cried, "Spare his life beneath the sword!"
From afar came Grand Preceptor Xiang's aged voice: "Show mercy under the sword!"
-> 【29】 Check:
Translation: Qiu Mubai's face was ashen; Xiang Taishi's plea felt like a harsh slap across his face. Naturally proud, he had always considered himself the Sword Palace's top young talent, even believing no younger expert in Yongdu could surpass him in swordsmanship—yet he was defeated by an obscure eunuch, humiliated before all.
Qiu Mubai's face was ashen; Xiang Taishi's plea felt like a harsh slap across his face. He was naturally proud, always considering himself the Sword Palace's top young talent and believing no younger expert in Yongdu could surpass him in swordsmanship, yet he was defeated by an obscure eunuch, humiliated before all, defeated utterly and shamefully.
-> 【35】 Check:
Translation: Qiu Mubai closed his eyes and said grimly, "Go ahead and kill me..."
Qiu Mubai closed his eyes and said grimly, "Go ahead and kill me..."
Qiu Mubai closed his eyes, spoke grimly: "Kill me..."
-> 【41】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian shook his head, sheathed Hidden Edge Sword, and said loudly, "You're merely a pawn being used!" He turned and walked into the crowd, his cold gaze fixed on the Dong brothers: "If you want to cause me trouble, why not come at me openly? Do you only know how to do things in the shadows?"
Hu Xiaotian shook his head, sheathed his Hidden Edge Sword, and loudly declared, "You're merely a pawn being used!" He turned and walked into the crowd, his cold gaze fixed on the Dong brothers, adding, "If you want to cause me trouble, why not come at me openly? Do you only know how to do things in the shadows?"
-> 【46】 Check:
Translation: Dong Tiejiang's eyes blazed with fury; he stepped forward, but his younger brother Dong Tianjiang grabbed him and whispered, "Let's talk later!"
Dong Tiejiang's eyes blazed with fury as he stepped forward, only to be grabbed by his younger brother Dong Tianjiang, who whispered, "Let's talk later!"
-> 【51】 Check:
Translation: Qiu Mubai clenched his trembling hand around his slender sword, his handsome face twisted in pain as he gritted his teeth; he heard scattered cheers that were not his own. What meaning is there to live after such disgrace? He raised his sword, and a figure lunged from the side—Xiang Qingyun, who seized his arm, tears streaming: "Mubai! Mubai!"
Qiu Mubai clenched his trembling hand around his slender sword, his handsome face twisted in pain as he gritted his teeth, hearing scattered cheers that were not his own. "What meaning is there to live after such disgrace?" he wondered, raising his sword—when a figure lunged from the side: Xiang Qingyun seized his arm, tears streaming, crying, "Mubai! Mubai!"
-> 【56】 Check:
Translation: Qiu Mubai gazed at Xiang Qingyun's worried, lovely face, then his body shuddered. Pfft! A mouthful of blood spurted out, splashing onto Xiang Qingyun's chest. Startled, she forgot her maidenly reserve, flung her arms around him, and cried, "Mubai! Mubai! Someone help! Please help me!"
Qiu Mubai gazed at Xiang Qingyun's worried, lovely face when his body shuddered and a mouthful of blood spurted out, splashing onto her chest. Startled, she forgot her maidenly reserve and flung her arms around him, crying, "Mubai! Mubai! Someone help! Please help me!"
-> 【61】 Check:
Translation: While some rejoiced and others despaired, Qiu Mubai suffered his greatest setback ever, but Hu Xiaotian was elated. This duel made Hu Xiaotian famous overnight, transforming the eunuch many saw in the Dakang palace into a promising young talent—a master of the sword way.
While some rejoiced and others despaired, Qiu Mubai suffered his greatest setback ever, but Hu Xiaotian was elated—this duel made him famous overnight, transforming the eunuch many saw in the Dakang palace into a promising young talent and a master of the sword way.
-> 【66】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian realized that once a person is seen as strong by others, those around stop caring about his gender—whether male, female, or neither—as long as they acknowledge his strength, they will feel reverence for him.
Hu Xiaotian realized that once a person is seen as strong by others, those around stop caring about his gender—whether male, female, or neither—as long as they acknowledge his strength, they will feel reverence for him.
-> 【71】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian hosted a banquet at Fragrant Scent Tower, inviting Zhou Mo, Xiong Tianba, Zong Tang, and Huo Shengnan. Liu Yucheng was also on the list, but he was delayed because he was treating Qiu Mubai's wounds. As for Prince Yan Xue Shengjing, though he received Hu Xiaotian's invitation, he did not want to get involved; he made an excuse to decline, lest people think he was backing Hu Xiaotian.
Hu Xiaotian hosted a banquet at Fragrant Scent Tower, inviting Zhou Mo, Xiong Tianba, Zong Tang, and Huo Shengnan. Liu Yucheng was also on the list, but he was delayed because he was treating Qiu Mubai's wounds. As for Prince Yan Xue Shengjing, though he received the invitation, he did not want to get involved, making an excuse to decline lest people think he was backing Hu Xiaotian.
-> 【76】 Check:
Translation: For Hu Xiaotian, it was better that Prince Yan Xue Shengjing not come; his presence would make everyone uncomfortable.
For Hu Xiaotian, it was better that Prince Yan Xue Shengjing not come, as his presence would make everyone uncomfortable.
-> 【81】 Check:
Translation: Compared to the banquet the day before hosted by Crown Prince Xue Daohong, this gathering at Fragrant Scent Tower was quite different; everyone was delighted by Hu Xiaotian's victory. Zhou Mo and Xiong Tianba needed no mention, and even Zong Tang and Huo Shengnan were pleased with the outcome, since the duel had nothing to do with the honor of the two states and was provoked by Qiu Mubai. They had expected Hu Xiaotian to possibly die, but instead he erupted with hidden power and unexpectedly turned the tide.
Compared to the banquet the day before hosted by Crown Prince Xue Daohong, this gathering at Fragrant Scent Tower was quite different—everyone was delighted by Hu Xiaotian's victory (Zhou Mo and Xiong Tianba needed no mention, and even Zong Tang and Huo Shengnan were pleased with the outcome), since the duel had nothing to do with the honor of the two states and was provoked by Qiu Mubai; they had expected Hu Xiaotian to possibly die, but instead he erupted with hidden power and unexpectedly turned the tide.
-> 【86】 Check:
Translation: After the cold dishes were served, Liu Yucheng finally arrived, apologizing as he set down his medicine box: "Sorry to keep you waiting."
After the cold dishes were served, Liu Yucheng finally arrived, setting down his medicine box and saying, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
-> 【91】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Brother Liu, please sit down—everyone's waiting for you."
Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Brother Liu, please sit down—everyone's waiting for you."
-> 【96】 Check:
Translation: Liu Yucheng apologized, "I said you should eat first—how could I let everyone wait for me?"
Liu Yucheng apologized, "I said you should eat first—how could I let everyone wait for me?"
-> 【101】 Check:
Translation: Zong Tang asked, "How is Qiu Mubai's injury?"—a question on everyone's mind.
Zong Tang asked, "How is Qiu Mubai's injury?" —a question on everyone's mind.
-> 【106】 Check:
Translation: Liu Yucheng washed his hands, sat beside Zong Tang, and said, "He was wearing the Sword Palace's azure rhino armor, yet even so Hu Xiaotian shattered his breastplate; he suffered chest wounds, two broken ribs, and shock to his heart and lungs—he won't recover fully in three to five months, but his life is not in danger."
Liu Yucheng washed his hands, sat beside Zong Tang, and said that though he wore the Sword Palace's azure rhino armor, Hu Xiaotian had shattered his breastplate, inflicting chest wounds, two broken ribs, and shock to his heart and lungs; he won't recover fully in three to five months, but his life is not in danger.
-> 【111】 Check:
Translation: Hearing that Qiu Mubai's life was safe, most people secretly breathed a sigh of relief; even Hu Xiaotian himself did not want to feud with the Sword Palace over this duel. Although the Sword Palace's current influence cannot compare to when Lin Bai Tao was alive, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse, and with its three thousand disciples, if they all ganged up on him, Hu Xiaotian feared he'd be worked to death.
Hearing that Qiu Mubai's life was safe, most people secretly breathed a sigh of relief; even Hu Xiaotian himself did not want to feud with the Sword Palace over this duel. Although the Sword Palace's current influence cannot compare to when Lin Bai Tao was alive, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse, and with its three thousand disciples, if they all ganged up on him Hu Xiaotian feared he'd be worked to death.
-> 【116】 Check:
Translation: Xiong Tianba shouted, "Damn, that pretty boy's got luck—Sir Hu shouldn't have shown mercy; they signed a life‑or‑death contract, so one sword strike should have killed him. See who'd still dare cause you trouble..."
Xiong Tianba shouted, "Damn, that pretty boy's got luck! Sir Hu shouldn't have shown mercy—they signed a life‑or‑death contract; one sword strike should have killed him. See who'd still dare cause you trouble..."
-> 【121】 Check:
Translation: Zhou Mo glared at him, frightening Xiong Tianba into swallowing the rest of his words.
Zhou Mo glared at him, frightening Xiong Tianba into swallowing the rest of his words.
-> 【126】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I just got lucky—I'm not strong; Qiu Mubai is simply weak."
Hu Xiaotian laughed, "I just got lucky—I'm not strong; Qiu Mubai is simply weak."
-> 【131】 Check:
Translation: Huo Shengnan smiled faintly, "If the young experts of Yongdu heard that, they'd surely come looking for trouble—do you think Da Yong has no one?"
Huo Shengnan smiled faintly, "If the young experts of Yongdu heard that, they'd surely come looking for trouble—do you think Da Yong has no one?"
-> 【136】 Check:
Translation: Zong Tang said, "Qiu Mubai isn't weak; his Chasing Wind Thirty‑Six Sword is unmatched in speed, and today Hu Xiaotian won not only because of his exquisite footwork but because he had reached the stage of external sword qi."
Zong Tang said, "Qiu Mubai isn't weak; his Chasing Wind Thirty‑Six Sword is unmatched in speed. Today Hu Xiaotian won—not only because of his exquisite footwork, but because he had reached the stage of external sword qi."
-> 【141】 Check:
Translation: Huo Shengnan glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said meaningfully, "Sir Hu hides his depth well—even I was kept in the dark." Last night, when they sparred, Hu Xiaotian had not revealed his full strength.
Huo Shengnan glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said meaningfully, "Sir Hu hides his depth well—even I was kept in the dark." Last night, when they sparred, Hu Xiaotian had not revealed his full strength.
-> 【146】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Frankly, I don't even know what external sword qi is; today it just came out of nowhere, though it works intermittently."
Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Frankly, I don't even know what external sword qi is—today it just came out of nowhere, though it works intermittently."
-> 【151】 Check:
Translation: Zhou Mo laughed, having watched the scene closely; Hu Xiaotian was indeed not lying—his external sword qi was merely a first glimpse of the gate, still far from mastery. Even so, it amazed Zhou Mo, for Hu Xiaotian had never possessed such power before; it must have arisen after he slew the Violet Lightning Giant Python, his martial arts advancing by leaps and bounds. If this pace continues, this third brother's achievements will be limitless.
Zhou Mo laughed, having watched the scene closely; Hu Xiaotian was indeed not lying—his external sword qi was merely a first glimpse of the gate, still far from mastery. Even so, it amazed Zhou Mo, for Hu Xiaotian had never possessed such power before; it must have arisen after he slew the Violet Lightning Giant Python, his martial arts advancing by leaps and bounds. If this pace continues, this third brother's achievements will be limitless.
-> 【156】 Check:
Translation: Liu Yucheng, who knows nothing of martial arts, couldn't follow the duel as closely as others, but he knew that defeating Qiu Mubai was a remarkable feat; Hu Xiaotian's medical skill is superb and his martial arts formidable, so it's no wonder his father values him highly. Liu Yucheng said, "Actually, it's best if everyone is unharmed; I don't understand martial arts, but I don't approve of settling disputes by duel—if there's a disagreement, we can reason it out, and winning people over with virtue is the best policy."
Liu Yucheng, who knows nothing of martial arts, couldn't follow the duel as closely as others, but he knew that defeating Qiu Mubai was a remarkable feat—Hu Xiaotian's medical skill is superb and his martial arts formidable, so it's no wonder his father values him highly. Liu Yucheng said, "Actually, it's best if everyone is unharmed; I don't understand martial arts, but I don't approve of settling disputes by duel—if there's a disagreement, we can reason it out, and winning people over with virtue is the best policy."
-> 【161】 Check:
Translation: No one else agreed with Liu Yucheng; Zhou Mo whispered, "In this world, most of the time you have to settle things with fists—when you try to reason with others, their blades have already cut your throat."
No one else agreed with Liu Yucheng; Zhou Mo whispered, "In this world, most of the time you have to settle things with fists—when you try to reason with others, their blades have already cut your throat."
-> 【166】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian put it more tactfully: "A scholar meeting soldiers can't make sense of reason!"
Hu Xiaotian put it more tactfully: "A scholar meeting soldiers can't make sense of reason!"
-> 【171】 Check:
Translation: Suddenly the sound of hooves rang outside; though Hu Xiaotian was indoors, his hearing remained sharp. The group numbered about twenty, the hoofbeats drawing nearer as they approached Fragrant Scent Tower. Hu Xiaotian raised his cup, thinking perhaps he was overly sensitive—maybe they were just passing by, not coming for him. But the hoofbeats gradually slowed, and the troop halted before the tower's door.
Suddenly the sound of hooves rang outside; though Hu Xiaotian was indoors, his hearing remained sharp. The group numbered about twenty, with hoofbeats drawing nearer as they approached Fragrant Scent Tower. Hu Xiaotian raised his cup, thinking perhaps he was overly sensitive—maybe they were just passing by, not coming for him—but the hoofbeats gradually slowed and the troop halted before the tower's door.
-> 【176】 Check:
Translation: Aside from Liu Yucheng, everyone else had noticed the change outside; Zhou Mo clenched his fists, sensing something amiss.
Aside from Liu Yucheng, everyone else had noticed the change outside; Zhou Mo clenched his fists, sensing something amiss.
-> 【181】 Check:
Translation: Huo Shengnan furrowed her brow, set down her cup, and said softly, "I'll go check."
Huo Shengnan furrowed her brow, set down her cup, and said softly, "I'll go check."
-> 【186】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian's expression remained calm as an ancient well; in any situation he could keep his composure, and he said softly, "No need to look—let's keep drinking."
Hu Xiaotian's expression remained calm as an ancient well; in any situation he could keep his composure, and he said softly, "No need to look—let's keep drinking."
-> 【191】 Check:
Translation: A squad of sharply armored warriors entered the hall of Fragrant Scent Tower; at their lead was Stone Kuan, commander of the Imperial Gold Scale Guard, Da Yong's palace's top expert. Stone Kuan's face was stern, his features sharp as if chiseled, his cold gaze fixed on the smiling innkeeper: "Which room houses the Dakang marriage‑history eunuch, Sir Hu?" His voice boomed like a great bell, ringing in everyone's ears and echoing throughout the tower—no need for the innkeeper to relay it.
A squad of sharply armored warriors entered the hall of Fragrant Scent Tower, led by Stone Kuan, commander of the Imperial Gold Scale Guard and Da Yong's palace's top expert. Stone Kuan's face was stern, his features sharp as if chiseled, and his cold gaze fixed on the smiling innkeeper as he boomed, "Which room houses the Dakang marriage‑history eunuch, Sir Hu?" His voice rang like a great bell, echoing throughout the tower—no need for the innkeeper to relay it.
-> 【196】 Check:
Translation: From the voice Zhou Mo judged the man's inner strength to be formidable, not inferior to his own; alarm rose in his heart—perhaps real trouble had arrived.
From the voice, Zhou Mo judged the man's inner strength to be formidable—not inferior to his own—alarm rose in his heart, perhaps real trouble had arrived.
-> 【201】 Check:
Translation: Huo Shengnan said softly, "Commander Stone Kuan of the Imperial Gold Scale Guard!" She could not imagine why he had come; in her memory, Stone Kuan and the Sword Palace had no connection, and he had no reason to champion them. Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs, and soon he stood outside Hu Xiaotian's room, knocking gently: "Sir Hu, are you in? I am Stone Kuan, and I have important matters to discuss with you."
Huo Shengnan said softly, "Commander Stone Kuan of the Imperial Gold Scale Guard!" She could not imagine why he had come, since in her memory Stone Kuan and the Sword Palace had no connection and he had no reason to champion them. Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs, and soon he stood outside Hu Xiaotian's room, knocking gently and saying, "Sir Hu, are you in? I am Stone Kuan, and I have important matters to discuss with you."
-> 【206】 Check:
Translation: Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Stone Kuan? I don't think I know you!" He gave a glance, signaling Xiong Tianba to open the door.
Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Stone Kuan? I don't think I know you!", gave a glance, and signaled Xiong Tianba to open the door.
-> 【211】 Check:
Translation: Before Xiong Tianba could reach the door, it was pushed open from outside; two Gold Scale Guard warriors swung it open, and the tower‑like Stone Kuan appeared, clasping his hands and bowing slightly: "Sir Hu, I am Stone Kuan; may we speak privately?" Speaking aside meant to talk alone, not wanting others to hear.
Before Xiong Tianba could reach the door, it was pushed open from outside by two Gold Scale Guard warriors, revealing the tower‑like Stone Kuan, who clasped his hands and bowed slightly, saying, "Sir Hu, I am Stone Kuan; may we speak privately?" Speaking aside meant to talk alone, not wanting others to hear.
Xiong Tianba shouted angrily: "Who are you! Barging in, looking for death?" He sprang to his feet, threw a punch at Shi Kuan's chest; Shi Kuan stood like a mountain, utterly still, making no move to dodge. Xiong Tianba's punch was heavy and powerful, with a bang it struck Shi Kuan's chest; with his domineering strength, Shi Kuan's body didn't budge an inch, his face still expressionless: "You are Xiong Tianba, who skillfully wields double hammers to defeat the black-bearded fierce warrior?" (To be continued~^~)
End of Chapter
