Chapter 369

After resting a while and feeling some strength return, I and Fatty each supported Chen Mo on one side as we walked out of this pitch‑black little alley.

Translation: After resting a while and feeling some strength return, I and Pangzi each supported Chen Mo as we walked out of this dark little alley.

After resting a while and feeling some strength return, I and Fatty each supported Chen Mo on one side as we walked out of this dark little alley.

Make it concise: After a brief rest, feeling some strength return, I and Pangzi each supported Chen Mo as we walked out of this dark little alley.

That's one line.

The atmosphere on the street was oppressive and eerily quiet; Macau is a city that never sleeps, so at night the lights should be blazing and the streets thronged with pedestrians.

Translation: The street atmosphere was oppressive and quiet; Aomen is a city that never sleeps, so after nightfall the lights should be blazing and pedestrians should be coming and going nonstop.

Make concise: The street felt oppressive and still; Aomen is a sleepless city, so after dark the lights should be blazing and pedestrians should be coming and going nonstop.

Yet at that moment there wasn't a single pedestrian in sight, not even a taxi, adding an extra layer of gloom to our already weary bodies and minds.

Translation: Yet at this moment there wasn't a single pedestrian on the street, not even a taxi, adding another layer of oppression to our already exhausted bodies and minds.

Make concise: Yet at this moment the street had no pedestrians, not even a taxi, adding another layer of oppression to our already exhausted minds and bodies.

Fortunately, it was just strange; nothing eerie appeared on the street, and no wandering spirits lingered there.

Translation: Fortunately, it was just strange; no weird phenomena appeared on the street, and no ghosts lingered there.

Make concise: Fortunately, it was merely odd; the street showed no strange phenomena, and no ghosts lingered.

"What should we do now? We can't even flag down a taxi," Fatty gasped, asking me.

Translation: "What should we do now? We can't even hail a taxi," Pangzi asked, panting.

Make concise: "What now? We can't even get a taxi," Pangzi panted.

"What else can we do? We'll just walk; luckily it's not far." I gave a wry smile and felt a bit relieved.

Translation: "What else can we do? Naturally we walk; luckily it's not far." I couldn't help feeling a bit relieved despite my wry smile.

Make concise: "What else can we do? We'll just walk; luckily it's not far." I couldn't help feeling a bit relieved despite my wry smile.

No sooner had those words finished than a rather magnetic voice came from behind us.

Translation: As his words fell, a rather magnetic voice came from behind.

Make concise: No sooner had he spoken than a magnetic voice came from behind.

"How did you end up here?"

Translation: "How did you end up here?"

We turned around and saw Fan Wuchang dressed in black, a cigarette dangling from his lips, slowly walking toward us.

Translation: We turned to see Fan Wuchang in black clothing, a cigarette dangling from his lips, walking slowly toward us.

Make concise: We turned and saw Fan Wuchang in black, a cigarette dangling from his lips, walking slowly toward us.

"Didn't I have your lawyer get you bail? Why aren't you staying at the hotel?" Fan Wuchang gave us a puzzled glance.

Translation: "Didn't I have the lawyer bail you out? Why aren't you staying at the hotel?" Fan Wuchang glanced at us, puzzled.

Make concise: "Didn't I have the lawyer bail you out? Why aren't you staying at the hotel?" Fan Wuchang glanced at us, puzzled.

"Ah… explaining this would be too complicated. Long story short, short story still wouldn't be clear enough—let me explain when I have the time." Fatty sighed and replied.

Translation: "Sigh… explaining this would be too complicated; long story short, short story still wouldn't be thorough enough—let me explain when I have time." Pangzi sighed and replied.

Make concise: "Sigh… explaining this would be too complicated; long story short, short story still wouldn't be thorough—let me explain when I have time." Pangzi sighed and replied.

Fatty's tone gave Fan Wuchang a black line of frustration on his forehead.

Translation: Pangzi's tone directly made a black line appear on Fan Wuchang's forehead.

Make concise: Pangzi's tone made a black line spike on Fan Wuchang's forehead.

"I'm only worried about Zheng Ge's ancestral home—how are you doing with that?" Fan Wuchang wearily rubbed his forehead.

Translation: "I only worry about Elder Zheng's ancestral home—how did you handle it?" Fan Wuchang wearily rubbed his forehead.

Make concise: "I only worry about Elder Zheng's ancestral home—how did you handle it?" Fan Wuchang wearily rubbed his forehead.

"We've already dispelled the yang sha, but the feng shui still needs to be set up on an auspicious day; otherwise we can't change the deadly mansion's fortune." As I said that, I lightly placed my hand on the handle of an umbrella floating in mid‑air. Little Fatty and Red Granny, as well as Murong Jiaja, are spirits, so I don't worry that Fan Wuchang can see them. Yet an umbrella floating in the air for no reason is bound to seem strange.

Translation: "We've already dispelled the Yang Sha, but the geomancy still needs to be set on an auspicious day; otherwise we can't change the fate of this dead house." As I said that, I lightly placed my hand on the handle of an umbrella floating in midair. Little Fat, Red Granny, and Murong Jia Jia are all spirits, so I don't worry that Fan Wuchang can see them. But an umbrella floating in midair for no reason would certainly seem strange.

Make concise: "We've already dispelled the Yang Sha, but the geomancy still needs to be set on an auspicious day; otherwise we can't change the fate of this dead house." As I spoke, I lightly placed my hand on the handle of an umbrella floating in midair. Little Fat, Red Granny, and Murong Jia Jia are spirits, so I don't worry that Fan Wuchang can see them. But an umbrella floating for no reason would certainly seem strange.

Fortunately, Fan Wuchang's attention wasn't on the umbrella behind me; he was only concerned about how long it would take to improve Zheng Cheng's ancestral home.

Translation: Fortunately, Fan Wuchang's attention wasn't on the umbrella behind me; he only worried about how long it would take to improve Elder Zheng's ancestral home.

Make concise: Fortunately, Fan Wuchang's attention wasn't on the umbrella behind me; he only worried about how long it would take to improve Elder Zheng's ancestral home.

Fatty gave Fan Wuchang a full rundown of what had happened, telling him that they needed to lay out a Nine Yin formation in twelve days, borrowing heavenly power to change the mansion's qi flow.

Translation: Pangzi gave Fan Wuchang a full rundown of events, telling him that we must set up the Nine Yin Formation in twelve days, borrowing heavenly power to change the residence's qi flow.

Make concise: Pangzi gave Fan Wuchang a full rundown, telling him we must set up the Nine Yin Formation in twelve days, borrowing heavenly power to change the residence's qi flow.

After listening, Fan Wuchang nodded slightly and warned us not to be careless, insisting we must properly handle the mansion's feng shui.

Translation: After listening, Fan Wuchang nodded lightly, urging us not to be careless and to properly handle the residence's geomancy.

Make concise: After listening, Fan Wuchang nodded lightly, urging us not to be careless and to properly handle the residence's geomancy.

"By the way, Brother Chang, how did you end up here?" I was utterly puzzled by Fan Wuchang's appearance, especially since he had no bodyguard with him—highly unusual for a crime boss's right‑hand man.

Translation: "By the way, Brother Chang, how did you end up here?" I was very puzzled by Fan Wuchang's appearance, and it seemed odd that he had no bodyguards, which is hardly fitting for a crime boss's right-hand man.

Make concise: "By the way, Brother Chang, how did you end up here?" I was puzzled by Fan Wuchang's appearance, and it seemed odd that he had no bodyguards—hardly fitting for a crime boss's right-hand man.

Moreover, Fan Wuchang tonight gave me a strange feeling; although his stern face remained calm, the pallid light revealed a hint of pallor, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Translation: Moreover, Fan Wuchang tonight gave me a strange feeling; though his stern face remained calm, under the pallid light I could see his face was somewhat pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Make concise: Moreover, Fan Wuchang tonight gave me a strange feeling; though his stern face remained calm, under the pallid light I could see his face was somewhat pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

"Nothing much… yesterday the Tiger Gang announced they were going to war with the Dong Ling gang, the battle taking place on the neighboring street. I just came from there, worried you'd run around recklessly, so I came specially to give you a warning." Fan Wuchang pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Translation: "Nothing… yesterday the Fierce Tiger Gang declared war on Dong Ling, the battleground being the next street over; I just came from there, worried you'd run around recklessly, so I came specially to give you a warning!" Fan Wuchang pulled out a tissue and lightly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Make concise: "Nothing… yesterday the Fierce Tiger Gang declared war on Dong Ling, the battleground being the next street over; I just came from there, worried you'd run around recklessly, so I came specially to warn you." Fan Wuchang pulled out a tissue and lightly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I guess that's why the street is deserted—you two gangs are fighting?" I and Fatty don't usually want to get involved in underworld affairs, but judging by Fan Wuchang's condition, he likely suffered serious injuries in this big fight.

Translation: "I said, no wonder the street is deserted—it's because you two gangs are at war?" I and Pangzi don't really want to get involved in underworld affairs, but judging by Fan Wuchang's condition, he likely suffered serious injuries in this big fight.

Make concise: "I said, no wonder the street is deserted—it's because you two gangs are at war?" I and Pangzi don't want to get involved in underworld affairs, but Fan Wuchang's condition suggests he likely suffered serious injuries in this big fight.

"Be careful…" I warned him, and instinctively patted his waist, only to feel a long, cylindrical hard object there.

Translation: "Be careful…" As I reminded him, I instinctively patted his waist, and this habitual gesture let me feel a long, round hard object there.

Make concise: "Be careful…" As I reminded him, I instinctively patted his waist and felt a long, round hard object.

That sensation made me instinctively think of a gun—equally cold, tucked at the waist; if it isn't a gun, what else could it be?

Translation: This feeling involuntarily made me think of a gun—equally cold, worn at the waist; if it's not a gun, what else could it be?

Make concise: This feeling made me think of a gun—equally cold, worn at the waist; if it's not a gun, what else could it be?

It seems this matter is no small thing; even Fan Wuchang, who usually prefers a knife, is now wearing a pistol.

Translation: It seems this matter is no small thing; even Fan Wuchang, who usually wields a blade, is now wearing a pistol.

Make concise: It seems this matter is no small thing; even Fan Wuchang, who usually wields a blade, is now wearing a pistol.

"Heh, I'm fine," Fan Wuchang chuckled, unable to deny it, sidestepping my hand on his waist. He gave us a couple more reminders not to wander about, then handed me and Fatty a cigarette and walked past us.

Translation: "Hehe, I'm fine…" Fan Wuchang gave an uneasy smile, dodged my hand on his waist, gave us two more warnings not to wander about randomly, then handed me and Pangzi a cigarette and walked past us.

Make concise: "Hehe, I'm fine…" Fan Wuchang gave an uneasy smile, dodged my hand on his waist, warned us not to wander about, then handed me and Pangzi a cigarette and walked past.

I and Fatty lit our cigarettes, supported Chen Mo, and continued forward.

Translation: I and Pangzi lit our cigarettes, supporting Chen Mo as we continued forward.

Make concise: I and Pangzi lit our cigarettes, supporting Chen Mo as we continued forward.

When we returned to the hotel, it was already 5 a. m. On the table lay a note from Yuan Qiu, saying Old Zhang had taken him out for drinks and would probably be gone for a day or two, telling us not to worry and to call the number at the bottom of the note if anything came up.

Translation: When we returned to the hotel, it was already 5 a. m. On the table lay a letter from Yuan Qiu, saying Old Zhang had taken him out for drinks, likely to play for a day or two, telling us not to worry, and to call the phone number at the bottom of the note if anything happened.

Make concise: When we returned to the hotel, it was already 5 a. m. On the table lay a letter from Yuan Qiu saying Old Zhang had taken him out for drinks, likely to play for a day or two, telling us not to worry and to call the phone number at the bottom of the note if anything happened.

There were three of us and three rooms; after Yuan Qiu left, one room happened to be vacant. But when I tried to put the unconscious Chen Mo into Yuan Qiu's room, I found it locked. With no other choice, I placed Chen Mo in Fatty's room instead.

Translation: Three people, three rooms; after Yuan Qiu left, one room happened to be vacant. But when I tried to place the unconscious Chen Mo in Yuan Qiu's room, I found it locked. Having no choice, I put Chen Mo in Pangzi's room instead.

Make concise: Three people, three rooms; after Yuan Qiu left, one room happened to be vacant. But when I tried to place the unconscious Chen Mo in Yuan Qiu's room, I found it locked. Having no choice, I put Chen Mo in Pangzi's room instead.

At that moment, neither I nor Fatty felt any sleepiness; our minds kept replaying that bizarre serpent infant. Although we're young and inexperienced, having seen little doesn't mean we've heard little. Even after listening to Uncle Qing Song recount countless supernatural tales and reading many fragmentary ancient texts, we had never encountered a creature that was neither fully human nor snake, with a double‑headed humanoid form.

Translation: At this moment, I and Pangzi felt no sleepiness, our minds still replaying that weird snake infant. Although we're young and inexperienced, having seen little doesn't mean we've heard little. Even after hearing all sorts of supernatural tales from QingSongShu in our free time, and reading many fragmentary ancient texts, we had never heard of such a creature—neither human nor snake, with a double-headed human body.

Make concise: At this moment, I and Pangzi felt no sleepiness, our minds still replaying that weird snake infant. Although we're young and inexperienced, having seen little doesn't mean we've heard little. Even after hearing all sorts of supernatural tales from QingSongShu and reading many fragmentary ancient texts, we had never heard of such a creature—neither human nor snake, with a double-headed human body.

"What exactly is this laughter‑inducing flower?" I asked, taking a puff of my cigarette and turning to Red Granny and Murong Jiaja.

Translation: "What exactly is that Laughing Nightmare Flower?" I took a puff of cigarette and asked Red Granny and Murong Jia Jia beside me.

Make concise: "What exactly is that Laughing Nightmare Flower?" I took a puff and asked Red Granny and Murong Jia Jia beside me.

Red Granny pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "I've only heard that it's an evil flower cultivated with virgin's blood; anyone who smells its fragrance becomes intoxicated in body and soul, and once entranced they may spend their whole life trapped in that haze, never waking. But I don't know the details of this flower."

Translation: Red Granny pondered a moment, then shook her head: "I've only heard that it's an evil flower cultivated with virgin's blood; those who smell its fragrance have their souls intoxicated, and once entranced they may spend a lifetime immersed in its environment, never waking—but I cannot know the details of this flower."

Make concise: Red Granny pondered, then shook her head: "I've only heard that it's an evil flower cultivated with virgin's blood; those who smell its fragrance have their souls intoxicated, and once entranced they may spend a lifetime immersed in its environment, never waking—but I cannot know the details of this flower."

In the end, it was Murong Jiaja who told me the origin of the laughter‑inducing flower.

Translation: In the end, it was Murong Jia Jia who told me the origin of the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Make concise: In the end, it was Murong Jia Jia who told me the origin of the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

She said that to understand the flower's origin we must go back to the Han dynasty.

Translation: She said, to trace the origin of the Laughing Nightmare Flower we must go back to the Han Dynasty.

Make concise: She said, to trace the origin of the Laughing Nightmare Flower we must go back to the Han Dynasty.

She recounted that in the late Eastern Han, an old man in Julu possessed a copy of the Tai Ping Tian Shu, took on eight disciples, formed the Yellow Turban militia, and then, using supernatural power, forcibly severed the Han imperial dragon vein. As a result, the Han dynasty teetered on collapse and war flared across the land.

Translation: Speaking of the late Eastern Han, in Julu there was an old man who held a copy of the Taiping Heavenly Book, taught eight disciples, formed the Yellow Turban Warriors, and then, with heaven-defying ability, personally cut off the Great Han imperial dynasty's Dragon Vein. Consequently the Han house teetered on collapse and war flared across the land.

Make concise: Speaking of the late Eastern Han, in Julu there was an old man who held a copy of the Taiping Heavenly Book, taught eight disciples, formed the Yellow Turban Warriors, and then, with heaven-defying ability, personally cut off the Great Han imperial dynasty's Dragon Vein. Consequently the Han house teetered on collapse and war flared across the land.

That old man was the founder of the Way of Great Peace, later honored as the Grand Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jue. Although he severed the dragon vein and broke the Han's fortune, his defiance of heaven brought divine punishment; afterward the Yellow Turban army was crushed by the combined forces of warlords such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian, finally disappearing into the loess of history. Still, the Yellow Turbans had their moment of glory; it is said that after Zhang Jue's death, the Tai Ping Tian Shu split in two, the upper strategy falling into the hands of Zhuge Liang's father‑in‑law Huang Chengyan, while the lower strategy's whereabouts remain unknown.

Translation: This old man was the founder of the Taiping Dao, later honored as the Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jue. Although he cut off the Dragon Vein and broke the Han's qi flow, Zhang Jue suffered heavenly retribution for his heaven-defying act; afterward the Yellow Turban Army was besieged by the combined forces of warlords such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian, and finally vanished into history's yellow earth. Despite this, the Yellow Turban Army once shone brightly; it is said that after Zhang Jue's death, the Taiping Heavenly Book split in two, its upper strategy falling into the hands of Zhuge Liang's father-in-law Huang Chengyan, while the lower strategy's whereabouts remain unknown.

Make concise: This old man was the founder of the Taiping Dao, later honored as the Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jue. Although he cut off the Dragon Vein and broke the Han's qi flow, Zhang Jue suffered heavenly retribution for his heaven-defying act; afterward the Yellow Turban Army was besieged by the combined forces of warlords such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian, and finally vanished into history's yellow earth. Despite this, the Yellow Turban Army once shone brightly; it is said that after Zhang Jue's death, the Taiping Heavenly Book split in two, its upper strategy falling into the hands of Zhuge Liang's father-in-law Huang Chengyan, while the lower strategy's whereabouts remain unknown.

Of course, all that is later history; worth noting is that besides the well‑known Way of Great Peace, the populace at the time saw a surge of various organizations, all flying the banner of rebellion, yet behind the scenes many engaged in bestial practices—truly nefarious cults.

Translation: Of course, all that came later; it's worth mentioning that besides the famous Taiping Dao, at that time the populace also saw a surge of various organizations raising the banner of rebellion, yet behind the scenes many engaged in bestial deeds—truly wicked cults.

Make concise: Of course, all that came later; it's worth mentioning that besides the famous Taiping Dao, at that time the populace also saw a surge of various organizations raising the banner of rebellion, yet behind the scenes many engaged in bestial deeds—truly wicked cults.

The Han dynasty was an age when sorcery flourished, and the rise of these sects is inseparable from it. Among them was a group called the Gate of Joy, which advocated achieving unity of heaven and man through yin‑yang union. Within the Gate of Joy lurked a grotesque, humanity‑destroying "treasure" known as the Laughter‑Inducing Flower.

Translation: The Han Dynasty was an era when witchcraft prevailed; the rise of these evil cults is naturally tied to witchcraft. Among these cults there is one named the Happy Gate, which advocates achieving unity of heaven and man through yin-yang union. Within the Happy Gate lies a bizarre, humanity-erasing "treasure" called the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Make concise: The Han Dynasty was an era when witchcraft prevailed; the rise of these evil cults is naturally tied to witchcraft. Among these cults is the Happy Gate, which advocates achieving unity of heaven and man through yin-yang union. Within the Happy Gate lies a bizarre, humanity-erasing "treasure" called the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

He used a peculiar flower as the source, irrigating it with the pure blood of virgins; even more heinous, the flower is gestated inside an infant's body.

Translation: He used a peculiar flower as the source, irrigating it with the blood of pure maidens; even more inhumane is that this flower is gestated within an infant's body.

Make concise: He used a peculiar flower as the source, irrigating it with the blood of pure maidens; even more inhumane is that this flower is gestated within an infant's body.

One takes an infant less than a hundred days old, plants the flower's seed inside its body, treats the child like a plant by burying it in soil, then uses dark arts to bewitch a maiden; when her lust is aroused, they mercilessly destroy her spirit and draw her blood to nourish the Laughter‑Inducing Flower.

Translation: Take an infant less than a hundred days old, plant the flower's seed inside its body, treat the infant like a plant by burying it in soil, then use dark arts to bewitch maidens; when their lust is aroused, mercilessly destroy their souls and take their blood to irrigate the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Make concise: Take an infant less than a hundred days old, plant the flower's seed inside its body, treat the infant like a plant by burying it in soil, then use dark arts to bewitch maidens; when their lust is aroused, mercilessly destroy their souls and take their blood to irrigate the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

When the seed sprouts, it pierces out of the infant's body, leaving the child mentally and physically shattered, in agony. On the day the flower blooms—the day the infant dies—all that remains of the child is its consciousness, which merges with the flower.

Translation: When the seed sprouts, it will burst from the infant's body; at that point the infant suffers complete mental and physical rupture, agony beyond endurance. On the day the flower blooms—also the day the infant's life ends—the infant remains only as a spirit that merges with the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Make concise: When the seed sprouts, it bursts from the infant's body; the infant then suffers complete mental and physical rupture, agony beyond endurance. On the day the flower blooms—also the day the infant's life ends—the infant remains only as a spirit that merges with the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Because the flower contains the infant's purity and the maiden's lifelong hopes and dreams, it fuses these elements in an utterly perverse way.

Translation: Because the flower contains the infant's purity and the maiden's beautiful hopes and wishes for a lifetime, it combines all of these in an extreme, alternative way.

Make concise: Because the flower contains the infant's purity and the maiden's beautiful hopes and wishes for a lifetime, it combines all of these in an extreme, alternative way.

Anyone who inhales its scent is instantly plunged into a delirious fantasy—hazy, with shifting light and shadow, suffused with spring's breath, eroding the mind and soul of all who encounter it.

Translation: Those who smell the flower's fragrance immediately fall into a bewildering illusion, hazy and dreamlike, with shifting light and shadow, carrying the scent of spring, eroding everyone's mind and soul.

Make concise: Those who smell the flower's fragrance immediately fall into a bewildering illusion, hazy and dreamlike, with shifting light and shadow, carrying the scent of spring, eroding everyone's mind and soul.

This is the Laughter‑Inducing Flower, bred in a manner that obliterates humanity, so horrifying that at the brink of death you won't even sense death's approach; instead you'll feel as if you're lying on a vibrant spring meadow, imbued with the feeling of home.

Translation: This is the Laughing Nightmare Flower, conceived in a way that destroys humanity; it can be horrifying to the extreme—perhaps at the moment of death you won't even sense death's approach, only feeling as if you lie on a vibrant spring meadow, filled with the breath of spring and a sense of home.

Make concise: This is the Laughing Nightmare Flower, conceived in a way that destroys humanity; it can be horrifying to the extreme—perhaps at the moment of death you won't even sense death's approach, only feeling as if you lie on a vibrant spring meadow, filled with the breath of spring and a sense of home.

Although the Gate of Joy was later exterminated and the method for crafting the Laughter‑Inducing Flower was lost, Murong Jiaja and Red Granny both insist that the bloodstains on the twin‑headed serpent infant carry the flower's essence.

Translation: Although the Happy Gate was later exterminated and the method of refining the Laughing Nightmare Flower was lost, Murong Jia Jia and Red Granny both firmly assert that the bloodstains of the double-headed snake infant carry the scent of the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

Make concise: Although the Happy Gate was later exterminated and the method of refining the Laughing Nightmare Flower was lost, Murong Jia Jia and Red Granny both firmly assert that the bloodstains of the double-headed snake infant carry the scent of the Laughing Nightmare Flower.

"You said the Gate of Joy was wiped out, so the method for making the Laughter‑Inducing Flower should have been lost, right?" Fatty said, chin in hand, looking grave.

Translation: "You didn't say the Happy Gate was later exterminated? Then the method of refining the Laughing Nightmare Flower should have been lost, right?" Pangzi rested his chin, solemn.

Make concise: "You didn't say the Happy Gate was later exterminated? Then the method of refining the Laughing Nightmare Flower should have been lost, right?" Pangzi rested his chin, solemn.

Murong Jiaja raised her delicate brows, exhaling like an orchid, and whispered: "All Daoist sects and Buddhist teachings are intertwined with sorcery; the Gate of Joy sprang from sorcery, and the technique for nurturing the Laughter‑Inducing Flower is itself a sorcerous art. Though the Gate of Joy knows it, we can't be sure other schools haven't dabbled in it."

Translation: Murong Jia Jia raised her elegant brows, her breath like orchids, and softly said: "All Daoist sects and Buddhist teachings are inseparable from witchcraft; the Happy Gate originated from witchcraft, and the method of nurturing the Laughing Nightmare Flower is a kind of witchcraft. Though the Happy Gate understands it, we cannot guarantee that other sects haven't dabbled in it."

Make concise: Murong Jia Jia raised her elegant brows, her breath like orchids, and softly said: "All Daoist sects and Buddhist teachings are inseparable from witchcraft; the Happy Gate originated from witchcraft, and the method of nurturing the Laughing Nightmare Flower is a kind of witchcraft. Though the Happy Gate understands it, we cannot guarantee that other sects haven't dabbled in it."

"But that serpent infant looks human yet not quite, its whole body covered in scales, even its tongue and eyes identical to a snake's—how can that be, and how does it not match the legend of the Laughter‑Inducing Flower at all?" Fatty paused, then asked Murong Jiaja with deep doubt.

Translation: "But that snake infant looks human yet not snake, yet its whole body is covered in scales, even its tongue and eyes exactly match those of a snake—how is that possible, and it bears no resemblance to the legendary Laughing Nightmare Flower at all." Pangzi paused, doubtful, and asked Murong Jia Jia.

Make concise: "But that snake infant looks human yet not snake, yet its whole body is covered in scales, even its tongue and eyes exactly match those of a snake—how is that possible, and it bears no resemblance to the legendary Laughing Nightmare Flower at all." Pangzi paused, doubtful, and asked Murong Jia Jia.

"Gu" — almost at the same moment, I and Murong Jiaja blurted out the word.

Translation: Almost at the same moment, I and Murong Jia Jia blurted out the word "Gu."

Make concise: Almost at the same moment, I and Murong Jia Jia blurted out the word "Gu."

The Han dynasty valued both witchcraft and gu poison; toward the end of Emperor Wu's reign the infamous Wu‑Huang gu catastrophe arose. The origins of witchcraft and gu are anciently intertwined, and in Han times they were never separated.

Translation: The Han Dynasty valued both witchcraft and Gu; by the end of Emperor Wu's reign the infamous Wu-Gu disaster had emerged. The origins of witchcraft and Gu are anciently intertwined, and in the Han era they were never separated.

Make concise: The Han Dynasty valued both witchcraft and Gu; by the end of Emperor Wu's reign the infamous Wu-Gu disaster had emerged. The origins of witchcraft and Gu are anciently intertwined, and in the Han era they were never separated.

For example, after I and Fatty returned from Anhui, the old woman who brought eggs to the Chan‑Yi Hall mixed gu insects with corpses to create another kind of evil entity.

Translation: For example, after I and Pangzi returned from Anhui, the old woman who delivered eggs in the Chan Yi Hall mixed Gu worms with corpses to create another kind of evil thing.

Make concise: For example, after I and Pangzi returned from Anhui, the old woman who delivered eggs in the Chan Yi Hall mixed Gu worms with corpses to create another kind of evil thing.

From this it's easy to infer that the serpent infant is a hybrid of the Laughter‑Inducing Flower and one of the Five Poisons—the snake. After all, sorcery has been passed down, altered by countless hands, giving rise to both orthodox and heterodox arts. In this world, besides geniuses, there are those who stray onto the wrong path and become masters of evil.

Translation: From this it's not hard to infer that the snake infant is a blend of the Laughing Nightmare Flower and one of the Five Poisons, the snake. After all, witchcraft has been transmitted through the ages, altered by countless people, giving rise to both righteous and deviant arts. In this world, besides geniuses, there are those who stray onto the wrong path and become evil geniuses.

Make concise: From this it's not hard to infer that the snake infant is a blend of the Laughing Nightmare Flower and one of the Five Poisons, the snake. After all, witchcraft has been transmitted through the ages, altered by countless people, giving rise to both righteous and deviant arts. In this world, besides geniuses, there are those who stray onto the wrong path and become evil geniuses.

At this moment, everyone's hearts in the hotel felt chilled; the strangeness of the serpent infant far exceeded anyone's expectations. If it weren't for Little Fatty, I think we'd all die without ever knowing what this was. Thinking of that, a surge of post‑disaster panic rose in me.

Translation: At this moment, everyone's hearts in the hotel felt chilled; the strangeness of the snake infant far exceeded anyone's expectations. If not for Little Fat, I think even if we died we wouldn't know what this was. Thinking of that, a surge of post‑catastrophe palpitations rose in my chest.

Make concise: At this moment, everyone's hearts in the hotel felt chilled; the strangeness of the snake infant far exceeded anyone's expectations. If not for Little Fat, I think even if we died we wouldn't know what this was. Thinking of that, a surge of post‑catastrophe palpitations rose in my chest.

"Fatty, what should we do now?" I exclaimed, torn with anxiety, and tossed the ball to him.

Translation: "Pangzi, what should we do now?" I exclaimed in utter turmoil, throwing the ball to him.

Make concise: "Pangzi, what should we do now?" I exclaimed in utter turmoil, throwing the ball to him.

Fatty rubbed his furrowed brow, sighed, and said: "Let's talk later—I'm not worried about the serpent infant itself, but about whoever is pulling its strings behind the scenes; someone capable of creating such a humanity‑destroying monster can't be an ordinary person."

Translation: Pangzi rubbed his furrowed brow, sighed, and said: "Let's talk later; I'm not worried about the snake infant now, but about the person pulling the strings behind him—someone capable of crafting such a humanity‑destroying monster must be no ordinary individual."

Make concise: Pangzi rubbed his furrowed brow, sighed, and said: "Let's talk later; I'm not worried about the snake infant now, but about the person pulling the strings behind him—someone capable of crafting such a humanity‑destroying monster must be no ordinary individual."

Fatty's point is sound: though the serpent infant is bizarre, the person behind it is undoubtedly far more terrifying. Even though we two could stay out of it and remain safe, such an act is so utterly inhumane that anyone with a conscience would surely do everything possible to stop it and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Translation: What Pangzi said is indeed reasonable; though the snake infant is strange, the person behind it is undoubtedly more terrifying. Even though we two could stay uninvolved and safe, such an act is so inhumane that anyone with a shred of conscience would surely do everything to stop it and bring the culprit to justice.

Make concise: What Pangzi said is indeed reasonable; though the snake infant is strange, the person behind it is undoubtedly more terrifying. Even though we two could stay uninvolved and safe, such an act is so inhumane that anyone with a shred of conscience would surely do everything to stop it and bring the culprit to justice.

Yet once we wade into this murky water, countless unknowns could arise, and we might end up facing an enormous, terrifying problem—a foe as dreadful as they come.

Translation: Yet once we step into this murky water, countless unknowns will likely arise, and we may end up provoking a tremendous trouble—a foe terrifying to the extreme.

Make concise: Yet once we step into this murky water, countless unknowns will likely arise, and we may end up provoking a tremendous trouble—a foe terrifying to the extreme.

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