Chapter 188: with translation of chapter title

Zhou Meng ignored Ye Li's scolding and instead defended Ye Li, knowing Ye Li had always disliked Ye Qingran, so his actions were nothing more than to stir up their already precarious relationship.

Translate: Zhou Meng ignored Ye Li's recent reprimand and instead spoke up for Ye Li. He knew Ye Li had always disliked Ye Qingran, so his action was merely to stir up their already tense relationship.

He ignored it and instead spoke up for Ye Li. He knew Ye Li had always disliked Ye Qingran, so doing this was nothing more than to provoke their already ice‑thin relationship.

We'll produce concise but complete.

What Zhou Meng didn't expect was that, on that day in front of the Wují Hall, Ye Li had already formed a much more favorable opinion of his sister Ye Qingran.

Translate: What Zhou Meng didn't expect was that, on that day before Wuji Hall, Ye Li had already greatly changed his opinion of his sister Ye Qingran.

"She is the young master of the Dingyuan Marquis's household, the general's daughter; let alone her poor attitude toward me, even if she demanded my very head, I, Ye Li, would not say another word!"

Translate: "She is the young lord of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the general's daughter. Even if she wanted my head, I, Ye Li, would not say another word, let alone complain about her attitude."

let alone her bad attitude toward me

Ye Li was not normally a person of a sharp temperament, but at that moment his brows and eyes were as cutting as a blade, aimed at Zhou Meng.

Translate: Ye Li was not originally a person with a fierce demeanor, but now his eyebrows and eyes were sharp as a blade, aimed at Zhou Meng.

"Obedience without question, absolute compliance, are things etched into the very blood of every Dingyuan soldier! Zhou Meng, have you forgotten?"

Translate: "Orders must be carried out, prohibitions must be obeyed—this is etched into the very bones and blood of every Dingyuan Army soldier! Zhou Meng, could you have forgotten?"

Zhou Meng's body trembled.

Translate: Zhou Meng's body trembled.

He stared blankly at the radiant young master before him, never having imagined that Ye Li would speak so bluntly.

Translate: He stared blankly at the handsome, carefree young man before him, never expecting Ye Li to speak so bluntly.

"Ye Qingran is the young master of the Dingyuan Marquis's household, your lord; your disrespectful words constitute insubordination. Zhou Meng, as a commander, is this the example you set for the soldiers of the old Dingyuan unit?"

Translate: "Ye Qingran is the young lord of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, your master. Your rude words, your insubordination—Zhou Meng, as commander, is this how you set an example for the Old Dingyuan Units' soldiers?"

Every word landed with weight and resonance.

Translate: Every word landed with weight.

In front of so many subordinates, being spoken to like that by Ye Li made Zhou Meng feel ashamed and embarrassed, a flush of shame appearing on his dark face.

Translate: In front of so many subordinates, being spoken to thus by Ye Li, Zhou Meng felt ashamed and angry, his dark face flushing with that emotion.

He clenched his teeth, suddenly recalling something, his eyes hardening: "Young Ye, it's true that Ye Qingran is the general's daughter, but the late general also said that the future commander of the Dingyuan army should be the most capable. Ye Qingran lacks talent and virtue; how can she be worthy of being called the young master of our Dingyuan army?"

Translate: He gritted his teeth, suddenly thinking of something, his eyes turning cold: "Young Master Ye, Ye Qingran is indeed the general's daughter, but the general also said that in the Dingyuan Army, the commander's position goes to the capable. Ye Qingran lacks talent and virtue—how could she deserve to be called our young lord?"

"Commander Zhou, the commander's seat is the commander's seat, and the young master is the young master; please don't conflate the two! If you refuse to acknowledge Ye Qingran as your young master, you are denying General Dingyuan himself. So, Commander Zhou, are you planning to betray your lord?"

Translate: "Commander Zhou, a commander's position is a commander's position, a young lord is a young lord—don't mix the concepts! If you don't acknowledge Ye Qingran as your young lord, you're not acknowledging General Dingyuan. Are you planning to rebel, Commander Zhou?"

Ye Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his uniform of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect accentuating his slender figure; his handsome face, like a clear breeze under a bright moon, was unexpectedly stunning.

Translate: Ye Li stood with his hands behind his back, wearing the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect uniform, which accentuated his tall, slender figure; his handsome face, like a clear breeze and bright moon, stunned everyone unexpectedly.

He spoke with clear logic, neither hurried nor sluggish, exuding a dignified presence.

Translate: He spoke clearly, neither hurried nor slow, exuding the poise of a distinguished family.

Ye Qingran looked at his profile, raised an eyebrow, and for the first time began to look directly at this nominal older brother.

Translate: Ye Qingran glanced at that profile, raised her eyebrows, and for the first time properly regarded this nominal older brother.

The Dingyuan soldiers all inhaled sharply, their eyes flickering at Ye Li's gaze. A large hat symbolizing a traitor was suddenly placed on Zhou Meng's head, startling him so much that he shivered, his eyes bulging like copper bells.

Translate: The Dingyuan soldiers all sucked in a breath of cold air. Gazing at Ye Li's eyes, they trembled. A big hat of "traitor" was placed on Zhou Meng's head, startling him so much his whole body shook and his eyes widened like copper bells.

A traitor—yet the greatest taboo for a soldier!

Translate: Betraying one's lord—but that is the greatest taboo for soldiers!

Ye Huanhuan's eyes flashed as she looked at the outstanding man before her, now standing protectively in front of Ye Qingran, looking as if he cherished his sister above all else. A surge of boundless jealousy rose in her heart.

Translate: Ye Huanhuan's eyes flickered as she looked at the outstanding man before her, now standing in front of Ye Qingran with the demeanor of one who cherishes his sister like life itself. A surge of jealousy welled up in her heart.

Ye Li has been outstanding since childhood; even now, within the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect teeming with geniuses, he remains a prominent figure. She has always longed for Ye Li's affection, but he is cold‑hearted, showing no kindness to Ye Qingran and the same toward her.

Translate: Ye Li had been outstanding since childhood; even now, among the geniuses of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, he is a notable figure. She has always longed for his favor, but he is cold-hearted—showing no pleasant expression toward Ye Qingran, nor toward her.

She could originally tolerate Ye Li's attitude, but seeing his blatant favoritism toward Ye Qingran at this moment made it unbearable for her.

Translate: She could barely tolerate his attitude before, but now seeing him favor Ye Qingran even more, she could no longer endure it.

"Brother Li, Commander Zhou just now sincerely called sister 'young master'; is there perhaps some misunderstanding here?"

Translate: "Older brother Li, Commander Zhou just sincerely called sister 'young lord'—could there be some misunderstanding here?"

Ye Huanhuan lifted her gaze, looking at Ye Li with affectionate eyes; anyone unaware might think they were such close siblings.

Translate: Ye Huanhuan lifted her gaze, her eyes full of intimacy toward Ye Li; to an outsider, it would seem they were very close siblings.

Ye Li's eyes turned cold as he glared at Ye Huanhuan, callously spitting out, "I'm not your brother!"

Translate: Ye Li's eyes turned cold as he glared at Ye Huanhuan and said bluntly, "I am not your brother!"

The smile on Ye Huanhuan's face froze instantly. The surrounding soldiers of the old Dingyuan unit cast her complicated looks; she felt as if thorns were stabbing her back, both ashamed and angry.

Translate: The smile on Ye Huanhuan's face froze. The surrounding Old Dingyuan Units soldiers shot her complex looks; she instinctively felt like a thorn in her back, her heart mixing shame and anger.

"Damned Ye Li! When I become the Empress of Donglin, I will dig up your ancestral tomb!"

Translate: "You damned Ye Li! When I become the Empress of Donglin Country, I will surely dig up your ancestors' graves!"

Ye Huanhuan thought maliciously, but saw Ye Li turn his gaze back to Ye Qingran behind him; his icy, snow‑like eyes melted in an instant like spring water as he said, "I have only one sister."

Translate: Ye Huanhuan thought maliciously, but then saw Ye Li turn his gaze toward Ye Qingran behind him—those icy eyes instantly melted like thawing snow, becoming a pool of spring water: "My sister, there is only one."

The Dingyuan soldiers followed Ye Li's gaze, and the one he was looking at was unmistakably Ye Qingran.

Translate: All the Dingyuan soldiers, following Ye Li's gaze, saw none other than Ye Qingran.

Who that person is—everything is left unsaid.

Translate: Who that person was needed no words.

When meeting those gentle eyes, Ye Qingran felt a slight stir in her heart, but she calmly accepted without any response.

Translate: Meeting those gentle eyes, Ye Qingran's heart stirred slightly, yet she accepted it openly, without any response.

Ye Qingran's unflinching, composed demeanor only intensified the jealousy burning in Ye Huanhuan's heart by another threefold. While Ye Huanhuan strained to obtain something, Ye Qingran acquired it effortlessly and remained calm, as if it were rightfully hers all along.

Translate: Ye Qingran's calm, unmoving demeanor made Ye Huanhuan's jealous blaze burn threefold higher. What Ye Huanhuan had painstakingly sought, Ye Qingran obtained effortlessly, and she remained so composed it seemed all this was her due.

"Commander Zhou, you still haven't answered my question!" Ye Li stared at Zhou Meng, his gaze like lightning, leaving no room for evasion.

Translate: "Commander Zhou, you still haven't answered my question!" Ye Li glared at Zhou Meng, his eyes like lightning, leaving no room for retreat.

Zhou Meng felt a hidden dread; as a former member of the Dingyuan army, he knew Ye Li's temperament well—he would not stop until he achieved his goal.

Translate: Zhou Meng secretly trembled; as a former Dingyuan Army member, he knew Ye Li's temperament—he would not rest until his goal was met.

Moreover, Ye Li's words were correct; indeed, he was being unreasonable, and if Ye Li kept probing, he would be the one who suffered the loss.

Translate: Moreover, Ye Li's words were correct—he was indeed in the wrong, and if Ye Li pressed further, Zhou Meng would be the one to suffer.

Zhou Meng gritted his teeth in hatred, harboring ten thousand unwilling thoughts.

Translate: Zhou Meng gritted his teeth in resentment, harboring ten thousand unwillingness.

He had always harbored no goodwill toward the useless Ye Qingran, even despising her, believing that all his current misfortunes were caused by her incompetence.

Translate: He had never liked Ye Qingran, this waste, even loathed her intensely, believing his current situation was entirely due to her incompetence.

Therefore, he was extremely averse to acknowledging Ye Qingran as his young master.

Translate: Therefore, he deeply resented acknowledging Ye Qingran as his young lord.

However, for now...

Translate: But, for now…

After a long inner struggle, Zhou Meng clenched his fists, lowered his proud head, and declared, "I, Zhou Meng, swear to heaven that I have no intention of betraying my lord. My earlier actions were reckless; I ask the young master to punish me!"

Translate: After a long internal struggle, Zhou Meng clenched his fists, lowered his proud head, and said, "I, Zhou Meng, swear before heaven that I have no intention to betray my lord. My earlier act was rash; please punish me, young lord."

Even at this point, Ye Qingran could not detect any willingness in Zhou Meng's tone, but she didn't care.

Translate: Even at this point, Ye Qingran could not hear any willingness in Zhou Meng's tone, but she didn't care.

"When the general was alive, he said that the Dingyuan commander should be the most capable. Our old Dingyuan unit, 207 members, unanimously agree to select Miss Ye Huanhuan as the new commander of our Dingyuan army. Young master, what do you think?"

Translate: "The general once said that in the Dingyuan Army, the commander's position goes to the capable. We, the 207 members of the Old Dingyuan Units, unanimously agreed to elect Miss Ye Huanhuan as our new young commander. What does the young lord think?"

Zhou Meng bowed and clasped his fists in a seemingly respectful manner, but his words were a grave disrespect.

Translate: Zhou Meng bowed and clasped his fists, appearing respectful, yet his words were utterly disrespectful.

In front of the former young master, he announced the selection of a new leader. If the Dingyuan army chooses a new master, the old young master Ye Qingran would naturally become a thing of the past.

Translate: In front of the former young lord, he spoke of choosing a new master. If the Dingyuan Army chose a new master, Ye Qingran, the former young lord, would naturally become a thing of the past.

Upon hearing this, Ye Huanhuan felt a secret joy, but wore a modest smile and gestured, "Thank you all for your favor; I consider myself unqualified to become the new commander of the Dingyuan army." As she spoke, her eyes drifted to Ye Qingran, and she continued softly, "Since my sister is the young master of the Dingyuan army, she would be the most suitable new commander for you. Although my abilities are slightly stronger than my sister's, after all, I am not the successor of General Dingyuan..."

Translate: Hearing this, Ye Huanhuan felt secretly pleased, but put on a humble smile and waved her hand: "Thank you for your esteem, I, Huanhuan, consider myself unqualified to be the Dingyuan Army's new commander." As she spoke, her eyes shifted to Ye Qingran, and she said leisurely, "Since sister is the Dingyuan Army's young lord, she is most suited to be your new commander. Although I am somewhat stronger than sister, I am ultimately not the general's descendant…"

Not mentioning General Dingyuan is fine, but once General Dingyuan is brought up, the soldiers of the old Dingyuan unit all knit their brows, their faces turning somewhat sour.

Translate: Not mentioning General Dingyuan is fine, but once he is brought up, many Old Dingyuan Units soldiers furrow their brows, their faces somewhat grim.

What kind of person was General Dingyuan?

Translate: What kind of person was General Dingyuan?

A dazzling talent, a woman whose brilliance rivals that of any man!

Translate: Astonishingly talented, a woman who lets no man outshine her!

She once rode alone deep into enemy territory and beheaded an enemy general!

Translate: She once rode alone into enemy territory and seized an enemy commander's head!

And Ye Qingran?

Translate: And Ye Qingran?

All beauty, no spiritual roots, unorthodox and rebellious...

Translate: She has only beauty, no spiritual root, deviating from the orthodox path…

The gap between them is like clouds and mud!

Translate: The gap between them is as vast as heaven and earth!

"Miss Ye, second sister, stop being modest; in my eyes, within the vast Donglin, there is no one more suitable than you. Please join us!"

Translate: "Miss Ye, don't be modest—in my heart, across the vast Donglin, there is no one more suitable than you. Please accept our request!"

"Exactly, Miss Ye, we truly need you to become our new commander!"

Translate: "Exactly, Miss Ye, we truly need you to become our new commander!"

"Miss Ye, stop disparaging us; you are the most suitable candidate!"

Translate: "Miss Ye, don't belittle us—you are the best choice!"

…… (ellipsis) We need to output translation for line 【54】 as well. The line is just "……". We should translate as "……" (ellipsis) maybe keep as is? The instruction: translate faithfully. The ellipsis is a punctuation; we can keep as "……". So output 【54】 …… (same). Ensure it's a single line.

Just how outstanding Ye Huanhuan is—no one in the Dingyuan army can articulate it—but when compared with Ye Qingran, Ye Huanhuan's excellence is magnified infinitely.

Translate: No one in the Dingyuan Army can clearly say how outstanding Ye Huanhuan is, but when compared to Ye Qingran, her excellence is infinitely magnified.

One with extraordinary talent, a genius who joined the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, and a trash with no Spiritual Root at all—choosing between the two, it seems one doesn't even need to think.