Chapter 489

Pangzi let out a loud shout, lightly tapping the copper coin sword's hilt with his sword finger as I dodged; his stance was like a bow and he swiftly swung forward with his hand. A scorching flame flashed past, and I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck, quickly crouching down. Just then, I heard an animal behind me cry out in pain, turned back, and my scalp exploded again as I involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

Let's break:

Pangzi let out a loud shout.

He lightly tapped the copper coin sword's hilt with his sword finger.

As I dodged,

Pangzi's stance was like a bow,

He swiftly swung forward with his hand.

A scorching flame flashed past,

I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck,

I quickly crouched down.

And just then,

I heard an animal behind me cry out in pain,

I turned back,

My scalp exploded again,

I involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

We need to keep it as one line.

Let's craft: Pangzi let out a loud shout, lightly tapping the copper coin sword's hilt with his sword finger; as I dodged, Pangzi's stance was like a bow and he swiftly swung forward. A scorching flame flashed past—I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck and quickly crouched down. Just then I heard an animal behind me cry out in pain; I turned back, my scalp exploded again, and I involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck and quickly crouched down.

Now ensure we keep each clause.

We'll output: 【1】 Pangzi let out a loud shout, lightly tapping the copper coin sword's hilt with his sword finger; as I dodged, Pangzi's stance was like a bow and he swiftly swung forward. A scorching flame flashed past—I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck and quickly crouched down. Just then I heard an animal behind me cry out in pain; I turned back, my scalp exploded again, and I involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

He lightly tapped the copper coin sword's hilt with his sword finger.

A scorching flame flashed past.

I seemed to feel a wave of heat rush at my neck.

and quickly crouched down.

Just then,

I heard an animal behind me cry out in pain,

I turned back,

My scalp exploded again,

I involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.

Now line 2.

Jinlei, Rihui..., fuck, the four mountain spirits were actually summoned by her in two types.

Translate: Jinlei, Rihui..., fuck, the four great mountain spirits were actually summoned by her in two types.

fuck

We'll translate: Gold Pile, Sunshine... fuck, the four great mountain spirits were actually summoned by her in two types.

But we need to keep the original punctuation? We'll keep as is.

Thus: 【2】 Gold Pile, Sunshine... fuck, the four great mountain spirits were actually summoned by her in two types.

Jinlei, Rihui..., fuck, the four mountain spirits were actually summoned by her in two types.

Now line 3.

On the left side of Han Duo, three humanoid figures lay on the ground, crawling like scorpions and staring at people; their bodies are bulky with only one leg and a drum‑red color. On her right side, several figures wearing bamboo hats stand nine feet tall, resembling old fishermen.

Translate: To Han Duo's left stood three humanoid creatures, but they lay prone on the ground, crawling like scorpions and staring at people. This monster was bulky, with only one foot, and a drum‑red color. On Han Duo's right stood several figures wearing bamboo hats, nine feet tall, resembling old fishermen.

drum‑red, nine feet tall, resembling old fishermen

Now line 4.

These are not human; they are mountain‑formed spirits, indeed the troops summoned by Han Duo in this short time.

Translate: These are not humans; they are mountain‑born sprites, exactly the troops Han Duo summoned in this short time.

We'll translate: These are not humans; they are mountain‑born sprites, exactly the troops Han Duo summoned in this short time.

Line 5.

The Baopuzi says: 'The form of mountain spirits is like a small child with a single leg; they walk backward and like to attack people. When people enter the mountains, if they hear loud human‑like voices at night, those are called "she"; knowing and calling them by name makes them dare not attack people. Another name is "neire" (internal heat), which can also be used. There is also a mountain spirit that is drum‑red and has a single leg; its name is "rihui". Or it resembles a person, nine feet tall, wearing furs and a bamboo hat; its name is "jinlei". Or like a dragon with five‑colored red horns; its name is "feifei". If you see it and call it by name, it will do no harm.'

Translate: The Embracing Simplicity says: "The form of mountain spirits is like a child with a single foot; walking backward, they like to attack people. When one enters the mountains and at night hears a loud human voice, its name is Chi; knowing and calling it prevents it from harming people. Another name is Internal Heat, which can also be used. There is also a mountain spirit, drum‑red and single‑footed, called Sunshine. Or like a person, nine feet tall, wearing furs and a bamboo hat, called Gold Pile. Or like a dragon with five‑colored red horns, called Flyfly; seeing it and calling its name prevents harm."

We need to keep quotes. We'll translate the quoted part.

We'll output: 【5】 Embracing Simplicity says: "The form of mountain spirits is like a child with a single foot; walking backward, they like to attack people. When one enters the mountains and at night hears a loud human voice, its name is Chi; knowing and calling it prevents it from harming people. Another name is Internal Heat, which can also be used. There is also a mountain spirit, drum‑red and single‑footed, called Sunshine. Or like a person, nine feet tall, wearing furs and a bamboo hat, called Gold Pile. Or like a dragon with five‑colored red horns, called Flyfly; seeing it and calling its name prevents harm."

Another name is Internal Heat, which can also be used.

Line 6.

Now behind Han Duo, the two types recorded in the Baopuzi have already appeared. On the left side, lying on the ground, only those with a tail‑like single leg are the rihui; while on the right side, those wearing bamboo hats are the jinlei. These two kinds of spirits are all mountain tree essences and livestock, or arise from resentment in crystalline ground. Ordinary soldiers who see them can only end up being eaten.

Translate: Now behind Han Duo have appeared the two types recorded in the Embracing Simplicity. On the left, lying prone with a single foot‑like tail, is Sunshine; on the right, wearing a bamboo hat, is Gold Pile. These two sprites are derived from mountain tree‑spirit livestock or the resentment of crystallized ground. Ordinary troops seeing them can only be eaten.

We'll translate: Now behind Han Duo have appeared the two types recorded in the Embracing Simplicity. On the left, lying prone with a single foot‑like tail, is Sunshine; on the right, wearing a bamboo hat, is Gold Pile. These two sprites are derived from mountain tree‑spirit livestock or the resentment of crystallized ground. Ordinary troops seeing them can only be eaten.

Line 7.

Fortunately, though, all mountain‑formed things fear fire; having Pangzi by my side gives me some protection.

Translate: Fortunately, all mountain‑born things fear fire; with Pangzi beside me, I have some protection.

We'll translate: Fortunately, all mountain‑born things fear fire; with Pangzi beside me, I have some protection.

Line 8.

After Pangzi knocked a rihui out of the air with his copper‑coin sword, he stood beside me, likewise frowning as he looked at Han Duo.

Translate: After Pangzi knocked a Sunshine away with his copper coin sword, he stood beside me, likewise frowning at Han Duo.

We'll translate: After Pangzi knocked a Sunshine away with his copper coin sword, he stood beside me, likewise frowning at Han Duo.

Line 9.

"Miss Han Duo, what do you mean? Why are you suddenly fighting my brothers?" Then Pangzi turned to me and asked, "You too—weren't you supposed to be chasing those net‑casting bandits? How did you end up losing your mind and fighting Miss Han Duo instead?"

Translate: "Miss Han, what do you mean? Why are you suddenly fighting my brothers?" Then Pangzi turned to me and asked, "You too—weren't you supposed to chase the net‑casting bandits? How did you lose your mind and start fighting Miss Han?"

We'll translate: "Miss Han, what do you mean? Why are you suddenly fighting my brothers?" Then Pangzi turned to me and asked, "You too—weren't you supposed to chase the net‑casting bandits? How did you lose your mind and start fighting Miss Han?"

Line 10.

Han Duo crossed her arms, tilted her head back, and snorted. Although her five‑demon mask hid her face, I couldn't see her expression, but I guessed she was feeling very pleased.

Translate: Han Duo crossed her arms, tilted her head back and snorted; although the Five Havoc mask covered her face, I couldn't see her expression, but I guessed she was extremely pleased.

We'll translate: Han Duo crossed her arms, tilted her head back and snorted; although the Five Havoc mask covered her face, I couldn't see her expression, but I guessed she was extremely pleased.

Line 11.

I stayed silent, gave Pangzi a glance, then pointed at Han Duo's clothing. Pangzi stared for a moment, then snapped back, looking at Han Duo and asking doubtfully, "Miss Han Duo, are you the net‑casting thief?"

Translate: I said nothing, gave Pangzi a look, then pointed at Han Duo's clothes. Pangzi stared for a moment, then snapped to attention, looked at Han Duo, and asked doubtfully, "Miss Han, are you the net‑casting bandit?"

We'll translate: I said nothing, gave Pangzi a look, then pointed at Han Duo's clothes. Pangzi stared for a moment, then snapped to attention, looked at Han Duo, and asked doubtfully, "Miss Han, are you the net‑casting bandit?"

Line 12.

Han Duo snorted again, tacitly admitting it. Pangzi then furrowed his brow and asked, "Miss Han Duo, do you have any grudge against the Yang family?"

Translate: Han Duo snorted again, tacitly admitting it. Pangzi then frowned and asked her, "Miss Han, do you have any grudge against the Yang family?"

We'll translate: Han Duo snorted again, tacitly admitting it. Pangzi then frowned and asked her, "Miss Han, do you have any grudge against the Yang family?"

Line 13.

Han Duo shook her head cleanly: "No."

Translate: Han Duo shook her head cleanly: "No."

We'll translate: Han Duo shook her head cleanly: "No."

Line 14.

"Then is the Yang family in debt to you?" Pangzi eyed Han Duo suspiciously and asked again.

Translate: "Is the Yang family in debt to you?" Pangzi eyed Han Duo suspiciously and asked again.

We'll translate: "Is the Yang family in debt to you?" Pangzi eyed Han Duo suspiciously and asked again.

Line 15.

Han Duo shook her head: "No!"

Translate: Han Duo shook her head: "No!"

We'll translate: Han Duo shook her head: "No!"

Line 16.

"Then why are you ruining the Yang family's ancestral feng shui land?" Pangzi was puzzled.

Translate: "Then why are you ruining the Yang family's feng shui ancestral ground?" Pangzi was puzzled.

We'll translate: "Then why are you ruining the Yang family's feng shui ancestral ground?" Pangzi was puzzled.

Line 17.

"She was bribed, paid to come and ruin the Yang family's ancestral feng shui land." I stood aside, explaining to Pangzi. Although the troops' innate suppression still gave me a jolt of fear, my strong mental resilience let me endure.

Translate: "She was bribed, paid to come and ruin the Yang family's feng shui ancestral ground." I stood aside and explained to Pangzi. Although the troops' innate suppression still made my heart race a little, my strong stress tolerance let me hold up.

We'll translate: "She was bribed, paid to come and ruin the Yang family's feng shui ancestral ground." I stood aside and explained to Pangzi. Although the troops' innate suppression still made my heart race a little, my strong stress tolerance let me hold up.

Line 18.

Han Duo saw that I had exposed her plot, nodded in agreement, and told Pangzi, "That's right, old man—I take people's money to eliminate disasters for them."

Translate: Han Duo saw me expose her plot, nodded approvingly and told Pangzi, "Exactly, I take people's money to eliminate disasters for them."

We'll translate: Han Duo saw me expose her plot, nodded approvingly and told Pangzi, "Exactly, I take people's money to eliminate disasters for them."

Line 19.

Pangzi stared in shock for a moment, finally grasping the situation. But he didn't give up; he kept trying to coax Han Duo into revealing her backer: "Miss Han Duo, since you came for money, tell me how much your boss is paying you—I'll double it. Tell me who the backer is, okay?"

Translate: Pangzi stared for a moment, then figured out the context. He didn't give up, but kept trying to lure Han Duo into revealing her backer: "Miss Han, since you came for money, tell me how much your boss pays—I'll double it. Tell me who the backer is, okay?"

We'll translate: Pangzi stared for a moment, then figured out the context. He didn't give up, but kept trying to lure Han Duo into revealing her backer: "Miss Han, since you came for money, tell me how much your boss pays—I'll double it. Tell me who the backer is, okay?"

Line 20.

Perhaps Han Duo was paid a high price that we couldn't match, but Yang Shouren would surely be willing to provide that money. So, money isn't the issue.

Translate: Perhaps Han Duo's price is high, which I and Pangzi might not afford, but Yang Shouren would surely gladly pay it. So money is not an issue.

We'll translate: Perhaps Han Duo's price is high, which I and Pangzi might not afford, but Yang Shouren would surely gladly pay it. So money is not an issue.

Line 21.

However, Han Duo clearly wasn't buying it; she snorted, gazed coldly at Pangzi, and said, "You're also a Daoist—you should know that family comes first. I promised others first, so how could I possibly agree to betray them for you?"

Translate: However, Han Duo clearly wasn't buying it; she snorted, stared coldly at Pangzi and said, "You're also a Daoist—you should know family comes first. I promised others first, so how could I agree to betray them for you?"

We'll translate: However, Han Duo clearly wasn't buying it; she snorted, stared coldly at Pangzi and said, "You're also a Daoist—you should know family comes first. I promised others first, so how could I agree to betray them for you?"

Line 22.

Before Pangzi could reply, I curled my lip, looked at Han Duo contemptuously, and said, "Since you know you're a Daoist, you should also know that the first precept of Daoism is not to lose one's original heart for money, not to harm heaven and reason for profit. But what about you? I've never seen a Daoist as greedy for money as you."

Translate: Before Pangzi could reply, I curled my lip, looked at Han Duo disdainfully and said, "Since you know you're a Daoist, you should know the first precept of Daoism is not to lose one's original heart for money, not to harm heaven and reason for profit. But you? I've never seen a Daoist as money‑obsessed as you."

We'll translate: Before Pangzi could reply, I curled my lip, looked at Han Duo disdainfully and said, "Since you know you're a Daoist, you should know the first precept of Daoism is not to lose one's original heart for money, not to harm heaven and reason for profit. But you? I've never seen a Daoist as money‑obsessed as you."

Line 23.

Pangzi hadn't even answered yet, and I curled my lip, looking at Han Duo disdainfully and said: "Since you know you're a Daoist Sect person, you should also know that the first precept of Daoist Sect precepts is not to lose your original heart for money, not to harm heaven and reason for profit. But you? I've never seen a Daoist Sect person who loves money as much as you."

"Haha, so what if I love money? As long as there's money, let me have my way with you." Han Duo looked at me provocatively, laughing angrily.

"If that's how you put it, we can't settle this peacefully; we'll have to settle it with our fists, right." I felt somewhat helpless, casually took the Eight Trigrams Mirror from Pangzi's waist, chanted the incantation, guarding against Han Duo; the Yin Mountain Sect's magic wouldn't work, so I could only use Thatch Mountain's. I warned Han Duo: "You'd better think it through—my Splendid Light magic is just the thing to counter the mountain sprites under your command. If we really fight, you might not gain any advantage; you might even be captured alive by us."

Pangzi also nodded and chimed in from the side: "Miss Han, I think you'd better cooperate honestly with us. Although you're quite capable, if the two of us join forces, you might not gain any advantage, and if we really come to blows, I'm afraid you might…"

Pangzi's kind advice, if taken in a good light, is guidance; but if taken in a bad light, it's outright looking down on someone.

Han Duo clearly leaned toward the latter, thinking that I and Pangzi looked down on her, so she laughed angrily and said: "All right, you talk big—let me have a taste of your skills." Her gaze held some contempt as she looked at me and mocked: "Don't be like that bald guy again, a pretty but useless soft persimmon."

Han Duo's words made me wryly smile—who asked her to be far superior to me in troop deployment? As I smiled wryly, she casually took something from her waist. This thing was the rope she had coiled around her waist; when she took it in hand, it turned into the long whip she had been holding when we first met her.

But when we saw Han Duo shake the whip twice, chanting the incantation to turn it into a mace, Pangzi and I couldn't help but widen our eyes.

A mace is one of the short weapons among the eighteen arms, bladeless but with ridges on all four sides, also known as a jie mace. The weapons held by the famous generals in the hall are just two jie maces.

What surprised us wasn't the weapon's shape, but the aura it emitted. Although the jie mace looks ordinary, the aura on it is older than the roar when Yao Wenju makes a move, and even more chilling. Clearly, this is a shamanic weapon, filled with a barbaric, wild aura.

Such a weapon must certainly have a great origin. In my knowledge, the Mei Shan Sect's ancestral teachings seem to have only two treasured heirlooms: one is the mountain-splitting axe of Mei Shan God Zhang Wulang; the other is…

"Wu God Mace, are you the Wu Goddess of the Mei Shan Sect?" Pangzi sucked in a breath of cold air and blurted out the origin of the mace in Han Duo's hand.

"Not bad, you've got some eyesight—do you still dare to look down on me?" Han Duo laughed triumphantly.

Pangzi and I exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes. The Wu God Mace is an heirloom of the ancestral teachings, its importance and power no less than the Three Treasures of Thatch Mountain. And in the Mei Shan Sect's lineage, a Wu Goddess appears every hundred years.

The appearance of a Wu Goddess is legendary, like that of a reincarnated living Buddha. It is said that the Wu Goddess is appointed by the Mei Shan God. Innately she can command the Five Huang troops, and she possesses strong spiritual roots; in her cultivation, she has more talent than countless cultivators. However, although the Wu Goddess is gifted in cultivation, gains come with losses; her life is destined to be solitary. As the spokesperson of the Wu, she is doomed to a lonely life, burdened by a curse.

What the curse is, I cannot know. Perhaps outsiders don't know either; only those of high status in the Mei Shan Sect, or the Wu Goddess herself, could know. But Han Duo is the Wu Goddess of the Mei Shan Sect—this is an indisputable fact. Only this can explain why Han Duo, though young, can freely command the mountain spirits.

"Scared, huh? How about you give me an IOU, or settle this with money?" Han Duo stretched out her hand with a smile, her eyes glittering with greed; seeing us hesitate, she slyly rolled her eyes and said: "Or how about I give you a discount this time?"

Pangzi and I were stunned by her money‑gesture, then burst out laughing. What a quirky, elf‑like personality Han Duo has—say she loves money, and it's not entirely true, at least she hasn't been bought off by our high prices; but if you say she doesn't love money, she's nevertheless doing things for money, her whole being seems to have fallen into a money‑eye.

She's obviously strong, yet she throws down a net and runs. After I catch up, she again summons troops to give me a beating. With such strength, why run at all? Just fight us head‑on. You say pretending to be weak, then playing the pig to eat the tiger—is that fun?

No, Han Duo isn't weak; she's……?

As I gave a wry smile, my heart suddenly thumped, a flash of lightning crossing my mind—could Han Duo's strange behavior be……a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain?

"Pangzi, think of a way to stop her—I'm heading back to the Yang family ancestral tomb." I shouted, grabbed the Eight Trigrams Mirror and hurried back. At that moment, the troops behind Han Duo flew out and lunged at me. Fortunately, Pangzi reacted in time and blocked the charging golden accumulation.

I pulled free from behind, kicked off my shoes, and ran back quickly. Han Duo's actions only reinforced my suspicion: she isn't the main player tonight; the one who truly destroyed the Yang family ancestral grave is someone else entirely. Her goal was merely to draw me and Pangzi, the tomb guardians, away.

Thinking this, I sped up, holding my breath as I ran. Just as I was about to reach the Yang family ancestral tomb, a stone tripped me, sending me rolling down the hillside; when I dazedly got to my feet, the sight that met my eyes left me stunned.

Down the mountain in the distance, at that spot of the Yang family ancestral tomb, Hao Ran appeared—blue, red, green, white, black, five-colored shadows. The five shadows stood side by side, seeming to carry something on their shoulders. Taking a closer look, I was frozen stiff, my hands and feet turning cold.

How could this be……how could it be my Yin Mountain Sect's Five Ghosts Carrying a Coffin? Could the one who ruined the Yang family's feng shui be Patriarch Yu Tai?