Chapter 14

Zhou Shuo finished speaking in one breath, feeling inexplicably relieved, but a cold wind swept through the palace, making skin prickle, and the air fell into a deathly silence. Zhou Shuo saw the three of them staring at him, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but he truly didn't like this Gu Long-style dialogue.

Check we didn't add extra info. Good.

【10】

Translate:

Eh hehe, Brother Zhou, you're not wrong. Having one more friend who can mutually benefit is better than having one more enemy; let's make a choice!

【14】

He gave an embarrassed smile while looking at Tian Ze.

【20】

Combine.

Brother Wei Zhuang

Now line 2 translation:

"Eh hehe, Elder Brother Zhou, you're not wrong. Having one more friend who can mutually benefit is better than having one more enemy; let's make a choice!" Han Fei looked at the embarrassed Zhou Shuo, probably sensing something, gave an embarrassed smile while looking at Tian Ze, and secretly thought that later, when drinking with Brother Wei Zhuang and the others, perhaps they could rope this guy in, so that when he livened up the atmosphere, he wouldn't have to be so awkward.

Check we didn't add extra. Good.

【31】

Translate:

Hmph, what delusion makes you think you're qualified to be my friends?

【35】

Each snake head was connected to a finger‑thick iron chain studded with spikes.

【44】

Combine.

"Hmph, what delusion makes you think you're qualified to be my friends?" Tian Ze's face cold and hard, six metal snake heads slid out behind him, each connected to a finger-thick iron chain covered in spikes; the chains whipped up and down as the snake heads lunged to bite Han Fei.

Check we kept all info.

Line 4: "Pa!" The air cracked with a burst, the snake‑head iron chains snapped back like an electric shock, and the ground suddenly sank, forming a dent.

Translate:

【50】

The air cracked with a burst.

【54】

The ground suddenly sank, forming a dent.

Combine.

"Pop!" The air cracked with a burst, the snake-head chains retracted as if shocked, and the ground suddenly sank, forming a dent.

【63】

Translate:

That's exactly this delusion.

【67】

He handed the gauze lantern to Han Fei.

【71】

He gave the ice‑pattern steel sword to Li Kai.

【76】

Combine.

That's exactly this delusion. Zhou Shuo watched Tian Ze manipulate the six iron chains like spirit snakes, handed the gauze lantern to Han Fei, flicked his steel‑string whip into the air, had given the ice‑pattern steel sword to Li Kai, and had specially made a whip for easy carrying and use.

【84】

Now line 5 translation:

【5】 "That's exactly this delusion." Zhou Shuo watched Tian Ze manipulate the six iron chains like spirit snakes, handed the gauze lantern in his hand to Han Fei, flicked his steel string whip into the air, had given the ice-pattern steel sword to Li Kai, and had specially made a whip to carry and use conveniently.

Line 3:... (actually line 3? Wait they repeated line numbers)

Translate:

【90】

Han Fei looked at Zhou Shuo, couldn't help but wryly smile as he took the gauze lantern and stepped back.

【97】

Combine.

"Hehe!" Han Fei looked at Zhou Shuo, couldn't help but wryly smile as he took the gauze lantern and stepped back; talks had broken down.

Line 7: "You will find that this is ultimately an illusion." Tian Ze looked at the whip‑wielding man, his eyes darkened, and the six iron chains behind him shot out again.

Translate:

【103】

Tian Ze looked at the whip‑wielding man, his eyes darkening.

【110】

Combine.

"You will find that this is ultimately an illusion." Tian Ze looked at the whip-wielding man, his eyes darkening, and behind him the six iron chains thrust out again.

Line 8: "Then let's see how long you can keep up this illusion!" Zhou Shuo looked at the bared teeth and claws, like the Bai Yue prince with seven heads like a monstrous python, flicked his wrist, and the steel whip swept across; the six iron chains were struck, instantly like a snake whose spine had been snapped, its head drooping as it slid back to Tian Ze's side.

Translate:

【116】

Zhou Shuo looked at the bared teeth and claws, like the Bai Yue prince with seven heads like a monstrous python.

【120】

The six iron chains were struck.

【127】

Combine.

"Then let's see how long you can keep up this illusion!" Zhou Shuo looked at the bared teeth and claws, like the Bai Yue Prince with seven heads like a monstrous python, flicked his wrist, and the steel whip swept horizontally, striking the six iron chains; instantly, like a snake whose spine had been whipped, they lowered their heads and slithered back to Tian Ze's side.

Line 9:... (long)

Translate:

【133】

Zhou Shuo shook his wrist again, and the steel‑string whip instantly unfurled like a spirit snake.

【137】

As Zhou Shuo swung his arm, a stone pillar as thick as a person was whipped out of the ruins.

【141】

However, when the boulder came within three zhang of Tian Ze, it exploded with a bang into rubble.

Combine.

One whip forced open Tian Ze's snake-head iron chains; Zhou Shuo shook his wrist again, and the steel string whip instantly unfurled like a spirit snake, reaching into the distant ruins. As Zhou Shuo swung his arm, a stone pillar as thick as a person was whipped out of the ruins, flying toward Tian Ze dragging debris, but when the boulder came within three zhang of Tian Ze, it exploded with a bang into rubble.

Line 10:... (long)

Translate:

"Ha!" With a clear shout,

【154】

Zhou Shuo's brow twitched.

【158】

Naturally he could see that black qi.

【162】

But the difference is that the practitioner's true qi, while filling the area, conceals a killing intent.

【169】

Combine.

"Ha!" With a clear shout, invisible black qi swirled from all directions; Zhou Shuo's brow jumped. His Dao method, having penetrated the Ren and Du meridians, was already considered accomplished, so he could naturally see that black qi—this was the aura Tian Ze released, like the blood and qi of a Martial Saint, but the difference is that the practitioner's true qi, while filling the area, hides a killing intent, whether against a person or a soul.

Line 11:... (long)

Translate:

【175】

It loomed high, looking down.

【179】

Zhou Shuo coiled the steel‑string whip around his hand.

【183】

He raised his right hand, turned the palm, and struck upward.

【187】

An invisible qi burst flew out.

【194】

Combine.

The black qi condensed into a giant python looming high and looking down; a suffocating pressure welled up in Zhou Shuo's chest. He coiled the steel string whip around his hand, circulated his own true qi to cancel the pressure, raised his right hand, turned the palm, and struck upward like a white crane spreading its wings, sending out an invisible qi burst that hit the descending black python, flipping its head upward and turning it into a puddle of black qi.

Line 12:... (long)

Translate:

【200】

Zhou Shuo made an inhaling motion.

【204】

Then he mixed it with true qi.

【208】

It flew out from his mouth.

【212】

The sound wave spread.

【219】

Combine.

One strike of the Wave-Breaking technique dispersed the black qi python; Zhou Shuo made an inhaling motion, drawing air through his throat into his stomach, small intestine, and dantian, mixed it with true qi, and shot it upward like an arrow from his mouth, turning into a long crane-like cry whose sound wave spread, instantly throwing Tian Ze's released aura into disarray.

Line 13:... (long)

Translate:

【225】

Tian Ze felt the air vibrating from the long cry.

【229】

In the blink of an eye.

【233】

The steel‑string whip in his hand unfurled three zhang.

【240】

Combine.

"Hn!" Tian Ze felt the air vibrate from the long cry, unconsciously narrowing his eyes; in the blink of an eye, Zhou Shuo from afar was already three zhang in front of him, the steel string whip in his hand unfurling three zhang and coming down on him with a sonic boom.

Line 14:... (long)

Translate:

【246】

The ground sank into a groove.

【250】

Tian Ze felt his brow jump as well.

【254】

The six iron chains behind him flew out.

【258】

The whip was unstoppable,

【265】

Combine.

"Boom!" The ground sank into a groove, stone fragments flew up, and Tian Ze felt his brow jump as well; with a thought, the six iron chains behind him flew out to meet the incoming steel string whip, which was unstoppable, but the six chains twisted up and down, entangling the whip and pulling it back instead of letting it advance.

Line 15:... (long)

Translate:

【271】

Zhou Shuo felt the force on the steel‑string whip.

【275】

Indeed, he was smiling.

【279】

But after a brief exchange,

【283】

did not have the ferocious momentum and indomitable will of a vulture as he had imagined.

Combine.

"Nice fellow." Zhou Shuo felt the force on the steel string whip, grinned, and indeed was smiling; he had thought the strength of this Red Eyed Dragon Snake was terrifying, but after a brief exchange he found that this guy, aside from having good internal strength superior to his own, did not have the ferocious momentum and indomitable will of a vulture as he had imagined.

Line 16:... (long)

Translate:

One steel‑string whip, six iron chains, and seven major lines instantly tensed in the air.

【296】

Tian Ze's pale blue face instantly flushed red.

【300】

Thuds sounded repeatedly.

【304】

Tian Ze watched, his original snake pupils constricting further, and he inwardly cried out that he had miscalculated.

Combine.

One steel string whip, six iron chains, seven major lines instantly tensed in the air as the two began a tug-of-war at a distance; Tian Ze's pale blue face instantly flushed red, Zhou Shuo gave an evil grin and stepped back with his feet, thuds sounding repeatedly as he stomped his feet, creating cracks as he retreated hastily, and Tian Ze watched, his original snake pupils constricting further, inwardly crying out that he had miscalculated.

Line 17:... (long)

Translate:

Just as Zhou Shuo overestimated Tian Ze,

【317】

and in some sense also underestimated Zhou Shuo.

【321】

this is no different from showing off one's skills before an expert.

【325】

but his physique is surprisingly good,

【329】

his strength far exceeds that of ordinary people,

【336】

Combine.

Just as Zhou Shuo overestimated Tian Ze, Tian Ze came from a noble background and in some sense also underestimated Zhou Shuo; with one overestimation and one underestimation, still wanting to beat Zhou Shuo in strength, this is no different from showing off one's skills before an expert—Zhou Shuo's martial arts are not particularly high, but his physique is surprisingly good, and he further trained in the Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow Washing Fist Art, so his strength far exceeds that of ordinary people, whereas although Tian Ze's martial arts are high, in terms of strength he absolutely cannot compare to Zhou Shuo.

Line 18:... (long)

Translate:

【342】

Just as he was inferior to Zhou Shuo in strength and physique,

【346】

After losing the tug‑of‑war,

【350】

a muffled thud.

【354】

forcing his stance to stay in place.

【358】

Behind him it formed several rearing snake heads.

Combine.

"Bang!" Just as he was inferior to Zhou Shuo in strength and physique, Tian Ze's internal arts exceed Zhou Shuo's by a hundredfold; after losing the tug-of-war, his body suddenly sank downward with a muffled thud, his lower legs instantly sinking into the ground to lock his stance in place, while the black qi emanating from his body recongealed behind him into several rearing snake heads.

Line 19:... (long)

Translate:

"Damn it."

【371】

He couldn't help but widen his eyes.

【375】

within those black‑smoke snake heads there were scarlet gazes,

【379】

this damn thing had already gone beyond normal martial arts.

Combine.

"Damn it." Zhou Shuo looked at the snake heads condensed behind Tian Ze, couldn't help but widen his eyes; what he saw was that within those black-smoke snake heads there were scarlet gazes, like a man-eating serpent monster—this damn thing had already gone beyond normal martial arts.

Line 20:... (long)

Translate:

The giant python condensed from black smoke, as soon as it emerged thrust its head forward to lunge.

【392】

while maintaining the force in his hand,

【396】

As soon as the thought moved,

【400】

A beam of silver light entered his body.

【407】

Combine.

The giant python condensed from black smoke lunged forward as soon as it emerged; Zhou Shuo hastily closed his eyes while maintaining the force in his hand, his soul's thought leapt out of his body, and as soon as the thought moved, the newly refined Qi Spirit Golden Elixir in his flesh's womb instantly flew out, a beam of silver light entered his body, and it instantly dissipated.

Line 21:... (long)

Translate:

【413】

Tian Ze looked at the incoming attack,

【417】

and then Zhou Shuo, with a beam of silver light flying out from his bosom,

【421】

couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Combine.

"What is this?" Tian Ze looked at the facing attack, suddenly closed his eyes, and then Zhou Shuo, with a beam of silver light flying out from his bosom, looked up at that silver light flying into the sky, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Line 22:... (long)

Translate:

In the sky, a mass of silver qi burst outward,

【434】

but also Zi Nu and Han Fei beside him,

【438】

especially Zi Nu,

【442】

but had never heard of cultivating martial arts to such a degree as Zhou Shuo,

【446】

yet her entire strength is extremely strong,

【450】

is a martial art never seen before.

Combine.

In the sky, a mass of silver qi burst outward; not only Tian Ze, but also Zi Nu and Han Fei beside him were stunned, especially Zi Nu, who herself is a martial artist but had never heard of cultivating martial arts to such a degree as Zhou Shuo—although her internal arts are lowly, her entire strength is extremely strong, and especially that sudden burst of silver qi is a martial art never seen before.

Line 23:... (long)

Translate:

In the sky, the silver qi burst forth,

【463】

but it did not disperse,

【467】

it quickly recoiled,

【471】

silver helmet and plain armor,

【475】

hovering in the sky,

【479】

frightening Tian Ze so he had to manipulate the iron chains to release the steel‑string whip,

【486】

Combine.

In the sky, the silver qi burst forth forming a mushroom cloud that did not disperse; after a moment of stagnation it quickly recoiled, condensing into a silver-armored heavenly god up to five meters tall with silver helmet, plain armor, and frost-white face, hovering in the sky and extending a silver-white giant hand to slap down at Tian Ze, frightening him so he had to manipulate the iron chains to release the steel string whip and then dodge away.

Line 24:... (long)

Translate:

【492】

the ground Tian Ze had avoided,

【496】

and Tian Ze, seeing the situation,

【500】

before he could even react,

【504】

touching the ground with the tip of the foot,

【508】

and a somewhat smaller silver‑armored heavenly god,

【512】

and he hastily retreated to dodge.

Combine.

With a booming crash, the ground Tian Ze had avoided was blasted by the silver-armored heavenly god into a cracked expanse; Tian Ze, seeing the situation, couldn't help but widen his eyes, and before he could even react he saw a figure as light as paper touching the ground with the tip of the foot and flying like a swallow—a somewhat smaller silver-armored heavenly god that gave him a start, so he hastily retreated to dodge.

Line 25:... (long)

Translate:

"Miss Zi Nu, what kind of martial art is this exactly?"

【525】

his stature continually shrinking,

【529】

he couldn't help but open his mouth wide,

【533】

and also has martial arts courses,

【537】

but he also knows quite a bit about the martial arts of various schools in the jianghu,

【544】

Combine.

"Miss Zi Nu, what kind of martial art is this exactly?" Han Fei watched as he chased and struck Tian Ze, his stature continually shrinking from the silver-armored heavenly god into a normal silver-armored warrior, couldn't help but open his mouth wide; the Little Sage Villa where he studied is orthodox Confucian and also has martial arts courses, although he hasn't studied martial arts he also knows quite a bit about the martial arts of various schools in the jianghu, but he has never heard of such a martial art.

Line 26:... (long)

Translate:

【550】

Zi Nu looked at the silver‑armored warrior,

【554】

but she suddenly furrowed her brow slightly,

【558】

the chain sword in her hand like a spirit snake,

【562】

the thin scale‑like sword blade aimed at the protruding palm and stabbed,

【569】

Combine.

"Me too…… hm!" Zi Nu looked at the silver-armored warrior, her expression in shock, but she suddenly furrowed her brow slightly, lightly flicked her wrist, and the chain sword in her hand like a spirit snake swam to behind Han Fei, the thin scale-like sword blade aiming at the protruding palm and stabbing, causing the hand that suddenly reached toward Han Fei to have to retract.

Line 27:... (long)

Translate:

【575】

Zi Nu swung her right arm,

【579】

forming an extremely thin red‑spined long sword,

【583】

Zi Nu's wonderful gaze fixed on the retreating figure to the side,

【587】

holding a bent copper staff with hanging bells,

【591】

bore faint silver runes,

【598】

Combine.

One strike repelled the sudden attacker; Zi Nu swung her right arm, the scale blades automatically linked along the line forming an extremely thin red-spined long sword, holding this soft sword her wonderful gaze fixed on the retreating figure to the side, and all she saw was a youth wearing fine armor and a cloak standing there, holding a bent copper staff with hanging bells, under the hood his pale jaw bore faint silver runes—a subordinate of Tian Ze, the chief of the Hidden Witches, the Corpse-Driving Demon.

Line 28:... (long)

Translate:

【604】

narrowed her eyes,

【608】

and at the same time gave a glance,

【612】

just then,

【616】

and escorted him.

Combine.

Zi Nu looked at the youth all dressed in Gothic style, narrowed her eyes, silently handed over the gauze lantern in her hand, and at the same time threw a glance; Han Fei also naturally gave a wry smile, holding two gauze lanterns as he slowly retreated. Just then, many Korean soldiers gathered around, escorting him.

Seeing Han Fei being escorted, Zi Nu rolled her eyes, at the same time twisted her slender waist, and thrust her long sword at the Corpse-driving demon. The Corpse-driving demon hastily blocked with its staff; this youth dressed in Gothic style, though his martial skill was poor, his bronze staff could adequately parry the chained sword, but with a wave of his hand he could emit strands of green phosphorescent fire, forcing Zi Nu to dodge, lest poisonous substance get on her.

While Zi Nu was entangled with the Corpse-driving demon, Zhou Shuo in the distance, aided by the Qi Spirit Golden Core, manifested his soul as a silver-armored heavenly deity, then reduced his form to a silver-armored warrior, fighting fiercely alongside Tian Ze; relying on his invulnerable body and wind-like agility, he wielded fists as big as a sand basin, chasing and striking Tian Ze.

Bang, the silver fist smashed a square stone; Tian Ze dodged from beneath the fist, lifted his head, panting as he looked at the silver silver-armored warrior, turned his head to glance at the motionless Zhou Shuo standing far away, and also saw a silver-armored warrior rushing forward, whose face was identical to Zhou Shuo's but utterly cold and emotionless. He couldn't help but grit his teeth; like Zi Nu and Han Fei, he was bewildered, unable to recognize this soul-manifestation technique, yet having personally experienced it, he knew that striking that metallic-like body would at most scatter a few specks of silver powder, not hindering the opponent in the slightest, and his punches were incredibly heavy, moreover utterly unaffected by the Netherworld Prison Dragon Serpent.

"Stop!" Tian Ze condensed the black airflow into an air wall to block the silver-armored warrior, and at the same time let out a loud shout; the Corpse-driving demon engaged in combat nearby, hearing this, instantly shoved a burst of green fire to push Zi Nu aside, then flashed back to its master's side and flung a burst of green fire toward Zhou Shuo, who had manifested as the silver-armored warrior.