Chapter 69: with translation of chapter title

Li Zhen's army may look mighty, but it has already suffered heavy losses.

Translation: Li Zhen's army, though mighty in appearance, has suffered heavy losses.

Although Li Zhen's army appears mighty, it has already suffered heavy losses.

Watching the tenacious defenders on the city wall, he seethed with anger, never expecting his meticulously plotted assassination to fail.

Translation: Seeing the stubbornly defending garrison on the city walls, he was furious—he never expected his meticulously planned assassination to fail.

Looking at the stubborn defenders on the city wall, he was furious; he never imagined his carefully plotted assassination would fail.

"Withdraw!" Li Zhen ordered, unwilling to accept defeat.

Translation: "Retreat!" Li Zhen ordered, unwilling.

Better: "'Withdraw!' Li Zhen commanded, unwilling." We'll do: "'Retreat!' Li Zhen ordered, unwilling."

The army retreated like a tide, leaving the ground littered with corpses and broken weapons.

Translation: The army withdrew like a tide, leaving corpses and shattered weapons strewn across the ground.

We'll do: "The army retreated like a tide, leaving the ground littered with corpses and broken weapons."

Jiang Xiaomu lay on the bed, his face pale, his breathing weak; although he had won the battle, he was gravely wounded and did not know when he would recover.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu lay on the bed, pallid and weak of breath; though he had won the battle, he was gravely wounded and did not know when he would recover.

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu lay on the bed, his face pale and his breath faint; though he had won the battle, he was severely wounded and did not know when he would heal."

He waved his hand and said to Xiong Kuohai:

Translation: He waved his hand and said to Xiong Kuohai:

We'll do: "He waved his hand at Xiong Kuohai and said:"

"Alright, I'm going to rest a bit; you all can leave now."

Translation: "That's enough, I'll sleep a while; you all may leave."

We'll do: "'That's enough—I'll rest a bit; you can all go now.'"

"Yes, sir." Xiong Kuohai accepted the order and withdrew.

There's a typo: "this" (should be "like this"). We'll translate as: "Yes, sir." Xiong Kuohai accepted the order and withdrew.

We'll do: "'Yes, sir.' Xiong Kuohai acknowledged and withdrew."

The door closed gently, leaving Jiang Xiaomu alone in the room.

Translation: The door closed softly, leaving Jiang Xiaomu alone in the room.

We'll do: "The door shut gently, leaving Jiang Xiaomu alone in the room."

He closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and his consciousness sank into his mind.

Translation: He closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and sank his consciousness into his mind.

We'll do: "He shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and sank his consciousness into his mind."

"System, open the mall." Jiang Xiaomu murmured.

Translation: "System, open the shop." Jiang Xiaomu murmured.

We'll do: "'System, open the shop.' Jiang Xiaomu thought."

A dazzling array of goods instantly filled the light screen, from divine weapons to elixirs—everything one could want.

Translation: A dazzling array of goods instantly filled the light screen, from divine weapons to elixirs—everything one could wish for.

We'll do: "A dazzling array of goods instantly filled the light screen, from divine weapons to elixirs—everything one could desire."

Jiang Xiaomu's gaze swept across quickly and finally settled on a pill flashing with scarlet light—

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu's gaze swept over quickly and finally settled on a pill flashing with scarlet light—

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu's eyes scanned quickly and finally stopped on a pill flashing with scarlet light—"

Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill

Translation: 【Nine-turn Rebirth Pill】

We'll do: "【Nine-turn Rebirth Pill】"

Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill: a sacred healing elixir that can cure wounds, revive the dead, and regenerate flesh from bone.

Translation: 【Nine-turn Rebirth Pill: a holy medicine for healing wounds, capable of bringing the dead back to life and restoring flesh to white bones.】

We'll do: "【Nine-turn Rebirth Pill: a holy medicine for healing wounds, able to resurrect the dead and restore flesh to white bones.】"

After consumption, it instantly restores all injuries and clears all toxins from the body.

Translation: 【After consumption, it can instantly heal all injuries and purge all toxins from the body.】

We'll do: "【After consumption, it instantly heals all injuries and clears all toxins from the body.】"

Below, a prominent price is marked: five thousand points.

Translation: Below, a conspicuous price was marked: five thousand points.

We'll do: "Below, a conspicuous price was shown: five thousand points."

Jiang Xiaomu exclaimed in shock: "Five thousand points? That's really asking for a lion's share!"

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu exclaimed in shock: "Five thousand points? That's really a lion's big mouth!"

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu exclaimed in shock: 'Five thousand points? That's really a lion's big mouth!'"

He currently has exactly five thousand and one points, earned through bloody struggle and painstaking effort.

Translation: He currently had exactly five thousand and one points, earned through bloody battles and desperate struggles.

We'll do: "He now had exactly five thousand and one points, painstakingly earned through bloody battles and desperate struggle."

"Damn, it's worth it for Xiao Yu!"

Translation: "Damn it, it was worth it for Xiao Yu!"

We'll do: "'Damn it, it was worth it for Xiao Yu!'"

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth and clicked the purchase button.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth and clicked the purchase button.

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth and clicked the purchase button."

The scarlet pill appeared in his hand out of thin air, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance; Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all and swallowed it directly.

Note: missing punctuation; we translate as: The scarlet pill appeared in his hand out of thin air, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance; Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all and swallowed it directly.

We'll do: "The scarlet pill appeared in his hand out of thin air, giving off a faint medicinal scent; Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all and swallowed it directly."

Within just a few breaths, he felt as if he had been reborn.

Translation: In just a few breaths, he felt as if he had been reborn.

We'll do: "In just a few breaths, he felt as if he had been reborn."

He silently marveled: "This system's products are truly extraordinary."

Translation: He silently sighed: "This system's products are truly extraordinary."

We'll do: "He silently thought: 'This system's products are truly extraordinary.'"

"Li Zhen, we'll settle this score slowly!" Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with cold determination.

Translation: "Li Zhen, we'll settle this score slowly!" Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with cold light.

We'll do: "'Li Zhen, we'll settle this score slowly!' Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with cold light."

He pushed open the door to find Xiong Kuohai anxiously pacing back and forth outside.

Translation: He pushed open the door; Xiong Kuohai was anxiously pacing back and forth outside.

We'll do: "He pushed open the door; Xiong Kuohai was anxiously pacing back and forth outside."

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu walk out unharmed, he was instantly stunned.

Translation: Seeing Jiang Xiaomu walk out unharmed, he was stunned.

We'll do: "Seeing Jiang Xiaomu walk out unharmed, he was stunned."

"Big… sir? Your… your wound…"

Translation: "Sir… sir? Your… your wound…"

We'll do: "'Sir… sir? Your… your wound…'"

Xiong Kuohai widened his eyes and stammered.

Translation: Xiong Kuohai widened his eyes and stammered.

We'll do: "Xiong Kuohai's eyes widened as he stammered."

"Just a minor injury, not worth mentioning."

Translation: "Just a minor injury, not worth mentioning."

We'll do: "'Just a minor injury, not worth mentioning.'"

Jiang Xiaomu said lightly, his tone dismissive.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu said lightly, his tone full of disdain.

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu said lightly, his tone full of disdain."

Watching Jiang Xiaomu's vibrant appearance, Xiong Kuohai's mind filled with doubt:

Translation: Xiong Kuohai looked at Jiang Xiaomu's vibrant appearance, his mind filled with doubt:

We'll do: "Xiong Kuohai looked at Jiang Xiaomu's vibrant appearance, his mind full of doubt:"

"He was clearly poisoned with a deadly toxin, his life hanging by a thread—how could he recover in an instant? Could it be that Hua Tuo has returned?"

Translation: "He was clearly poisoned to the brink of death—how could he recover in an instant? Could it be that Hua Tuo has returned?"

We'll do: "'He was clearly poisoned to the brink of death—how could he recover in an instant? Could Hua Tuo have returned?'"

"Sir, you're really alright—how wonderful!"

Translation: "Sir, you're really all right—that's wonderful!"

We'll do: "'Sir, you're really all right—that's wonderful!'"

Xiong Kuohai said excitedly, his voice choking with emotion.

Translation: Xiong Kuohai said excitedly, his voice choking with emotion.

We'll do: "Xiong Kuohai said excitedly, his voice choking with emotion."

"Come here!" Jiang Xiaomu called.

Translation: "Come here!" Jiang Xiaomu called.

We'll do: "'Come here!' Jiang Xiaomu called."

A soldier immediately ran in and knelt on one knee:

Translation: A soldier immediately ran in and knelt on one knee:

We'll do: "A soldier immediately ran in and knelt on one knee:"

"What are your orders, sir?"

Translation: "Sir, what are your orders?"

We'll do: "'Sir, what are your orders?'"

"Pass the order: clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and comfort the populace."

Translation: "Pass the order: clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and comfort the populace."

We'll do: "'Pass the order: clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and comfort the people.'"

Jiang Xiaomu said in a low voice.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu said in a low voice.

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu said in a low voice."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier obeyed and left.

Translation: "Yes!" The soldier received the order and left.

We'll do: "'Yes!' The soldier received the order and left."

Jiang Xiaomu then summoned Deputy General Gao; the three of them discussed the next plan in the room.

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu then summoned Deputy General Gao, and the three discussed the next plan in the room.

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu then summoned Deputy General Gao, and the three discussed the next plan in the room."

"Sir, although Li Zhen has retreated, we can't be sure he won't come back."

Translation: "Sir, although Li Zhen has withdrawn his troops, we cannot guarantee he won't make a comeback."

We'll do: "'Sir, although Li Zhen has withdrawn his troops, we cannot guarantee he won't make a comeback.'"

Deputy General Gao said worriedly.

Translation: Deputy General Gao said worriedly.

We'll do: "Deputy General Gao said worriedly."

"Yes, we must make thorough preparations."

Translation: "Indeed, we must make thorough preparations."

We'll do: "'Indeed, we must make thorough preparations.'"

Xiong Kuohai also agreed.

Translation: Xiong Kuohai also agreed.

We'll do: "Xiong Kuohai also agreed."

"I understand." Jiang Xiaomu nodded.

Translation: "I understand." Jiang Xiaomu nodded.

We'll do: "'I understand.' Jiang Xiaomu nodded."

"What we lack most now are troops and supplies."

Translation: "What we lack most now are troops and provisions."

We'll do: "'What we lack most now are troops and provisions.'"

"Sir, I suggest we seek aid from nearby cities." Deputy General Gao proposed.

Translation: "Sir, I suggest seeking aid from nearby cities." Deputy General Gao proposed.

We'll do: "'Sir, I suggest seeking aid from nearby cities.' Deputy General Gao proposed."

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head:

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu shook his head:

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu shook his head:"

"Nearby cities can barely defend themselves; relying on them is as futile as hoping a pig will climb a tree."

Translation: "Nearby cities can barely protect themselves; hoping for their help is as futile as hoping a pig will climb a tree."

We'll do: "'Nearby cities can barely protect themselves; hoping for their help is as futile as hoping a pig will climb a tree.'"

"Then what should we do?"

Translation: "Then what should we do?"

We'll do: "'Then what should we do?'"

Xiong Kuohai scratched his head, looking bewildered.

Translation: Xiong Kuohai scratched his head, looking bewildered.

We'll do: "Xiong Kuohai scratched his head, looking bewildered."

Jiang Xiaomu curled his lip in a cold smile and said: "We can go rob!"

Translation: Jiang Xiaomu curled his lip in a cold smile and said: "We can go loot!"

We'll do: "Jiang Xiaomu curled his lip in a cold smile and said: 'We can go loot!'"

"Rob?" Xiong Kuohai and Deputy General Gao were stunned.

Translation: "Loot?" Xiong Kuohai and Deputy General Gao were stunned.

We'll do: "'Loot?' Xiong Kuohai and Deputy General Gao were stunned."

"Exactly, we'll rob!" Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with ruthlessness.

Translation: "Exactly, loot!" Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with ruthlessness.

We'll do: "'Exactly, loot!' Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with ruthlessness."

"Li Zhen stole our grain; we'll steal his back!"

Translation: "Li Zhen stole our provisions—let's steal his!"

We'll do: "'Li Zhen stole our provisions—let's steal his!'"

"But… Li Zhen's army is strong; we're afraid…"

Translation: "But… Li Zhen's army is strong; we fear…"

We'll do: "'But… Li Zhen's army is strong; we fear…'"

Deputy General Gao hesitated a bit.

Translation: Deputy General Gao hesitated a little.

We'll do: "Deputy General Gao hesitated a little."

What are you afraid of? Afraid of his bird!

Jiang Xiaomu slapped the table.

Make sure no extra line breaks inside.

Now after all lines, output a names list:

We're barefoot and unafraid of those wearing shoes—what else is there to fear?

The Commander is right! Xiong Kuohai slapped his thigh excitedly, "Damn it!"

Deputy General Gao, seeing both so resolute, no longer objected:

Commander, we'll follow your orders!

Good! Jiang Xiaomu nodded satisfactorily.

Commander, the scouts report that the supply convoys of several nearby tribes will rendezvous tonight.

Then they will all be transported to Commander Li Zhen's main camp.

Deputy General Gao leaned close to Jiang Xiaomu and lowered his voice:

Oh? Perfect timing! Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Li Zhen is really a walking blessing—delivering fat meat right to our door, we'd be foolish not to eat it!

Xiong Kuohai rubbed his hands, excitedly saying:

Commander, when do we strike? The brothers can't wait any longer!

Jiang Xiaomu looked up at the sky, then said calmly:

No rush, wait until they rendezvous, then we'll net them all in one go!

He paused, then added:

Remember, this operation must succeed—failure is not allowed!

I want every bit of the supplies—not a single grain of rice may be missing!

Yes! Deputy General Gao and Xiong Kuohai replied in unison.

Time ticked by second by second as Jiang Xiaomu's group lay hidden in a dense forest, silently awaiting the prey's appearance.

In the distance, several torches slowly approached, accompanied by noisy voices and the sound of hooves.

Get ready to strike! Jiang Xiaomu whispered the order, his eyes flashing with cold light.

At his command, the soldiers who had lain in ambush instantly surrounded the several supply convoys.

Who goes there?!

Enemy attack! Enemy attack!

Panicked cries rang out across the night sky, and the several troops fell into chaos.

Jiang Xiaomu led the charge, his long sword flashing cold light as he harvested enemy lives.

Kill!

Xiong Kuohai brandished his broadsword like a raging beast, charging through the enemy ranks, flesh and blood flying wherever he went.

Deputy General Gao also showed no weakness, leading his soldiers in brave combat, felling the enemies one by one from their horses.

Less than an hour later, the battle ended. The

Jiang Xiaomu looked at the supplies littering the ground and nodded satisfied.

Clear the battlefield and transport all the supplies back to Yun Cheng!

He gave the order.

Yes!

The soldiers sprang into action, beginning to clear the battlefield and gather the spoils.

Just then, a soldier suddenly shouted, "Commander, look!"

Jiang Xiaomu followed the soldier's pointing finger and saw in the distance a torch-bearing squad rushing quickly toward them.

Uh-oh, it's Li Zhen's reinforcements!

Deputy General Gao's face changed, and he exclaimed.

Jiang Xiaomu narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within.

Good timing! he sneered. "I was just worrying about having nowhere to settle scores with them!"

He turned to Xiong Kuohai and said:

Old Bear, you take the men and haul the supplies back to Yun Cheng; I'll hold this position!

Commander... Xiong Kuohai said, somewhat worried.

Don't worry, I'm fine! Jiang Xiaomu patted his shoulder.

This little scene won't trouble me!

Knowing Jiang Xiaomu's temperament, Xiong Kuohai ceased his protest, leading the soldiers to escort the supplies away.