Chapter 153

At this moment, Yang Tiejiang suddenly changed the topic, saying somewhat regretfully: "It's a pity there's not enough incense; otherwise, we could actually have flattened the Zhang family tonight, completely settling your grudge. With Xiaoyu's skill, we could just set off smoke one by one, then you and I rush in and chop."

But need to be concise, not add. Let's translate precisely.

At this moment, Yang Tiejiang suddenly changed the topic, saying somewhat regretfully: "It's a pity there's not enough incense; otherwise, we could actually have flattened the Zhang family tonight, completely settling your grudge. With Xiaoyu's skill, we could just set off smoke one by one, then you and I rush in and chop."

Breakdown:

At this moment, Yang Tiejiang suddenly changed the topic, saying somewhat regretfully:

"It's a pity that there's too little incense; otherwise, we could actually have flattened the Zhang family tonight, completely settling your grudge."

"With Xiaoyu's skill, we could just set off smoke one by one, then you and I rush in and chop."

We need to keep the quotes? Probably keep the quoted speech as is but in English. We'll keep the quotation marks.

Thus translation: At this moment, Yang Tiejiang suddenly changed the topic, saying somewhat regretfully: "It's a pity that there's too little incense; otherwise, we could actually have flattened the Zhang family tonight, completely settling your grudge. With Xiaoyu's skill, we could just set off smoke one by one, then you and I rush in and chop."

Make sure it's one line.

"Finally, add a few more bamboo tubes, completely raze it to the ground, destroy all traces; it could be called perfect."

Chen Wuji stared dumbfounded: "You really dare to think that, Old Yang? The Zhang family even dares to easily kill those sent by the Emperor; how could their residence possibly lack both open and hidden guards? Though Xiaoyu's skill is good, letting him do this is still too challenging."

Before tonight, the person Chen Wuji considered most murderous in his heart was Chen Bushi.

But at this moment, his idea underwent a complete change.

Old Yang successfully topped his murderousness ranking as number one.

The honest blacksmith has a heart that gleefully kills indiscriminately.

In the darkness, the three of them twists and turns arrived before the Zhang family's tall doorframe.

The Zhang family's doorframe is so tall that standing here facing it feels less like an official's residence and more like that of a certain great general or premier.

The stone steps before the county office are only a few, while the steps before the Zhang family's door number dozens.

Standing on the street, one can't even see the Zhang family's main gate, only seeing the lofty, splendid and imposing doorframe.

"There must be guards around the gate; even if we destroy their door, do we still have to kill people?" Yang Tiejiang asked in a lowered voice.

"Just demolish the gate, why kill anyone!" Chen Wuji smiled lightly. "Killing is a fifty-fifty risk—maybe we kill them, maybe they kill us; it's not worth it."

"Having Shocking Heaven Thunder, such a great killer, yet learning to act like a brute and hack away shows he has a few screws loose; better play it safe—first give that dog Zhang Mingyuan a little surprise."

After a brief discussion, the task of setting off the Shocking Heaven Thunder was given to Xiaoyu.

He is agile in movement, ghostlike, making him the most suitable.

"Xiaoyu, it's best to find a hole to stuff these bamboo tubes into, spacing them farther apart so you don't accidentally hurt yourself," Chen Wuji urged anxiously.

Xiaoyu eagerly took the bamboo tubes, saying, "Senior brother, just watch!"

Carrying the three Shocking Heaven Thunders given by Chen Wuji, Xiaoyu, like a ghost, leapt over the Zhang family's tall wall.

"This kid... where is he going?" Chen Wuji watched his disappearing direction, suddenly feeling an ominous premonition.

Yang Tiejiang squatted nearby and said gloomily, "Anyway, he's definitely not going to demolish the main gate."

"This little brat, just a moment ago I told him to be careful," Chen Wuji muttered lowly.

He finally could feel what Zhang Lao felt; this kid truly doesn't let people rest easy.

Despite all those instructions, he still does as he pleases.

Yang Tiejiang smiled lightly: "I think your worries are a bit excessive; although this kid acts on his own, his abilities are outstanding—I've yet to see anyone with lighter skill than him, so there's no need to worry."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to explain myself to Zhang Lao," Chen Wuji said gloomily.

Yang Tiejiang paused, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

"Old Yang, given our relationship, is there anything you still can't say?" Chen Wuji asked askance.

He had noticed earlier that when Zhang Lao was mentioned, Old Yang's expression seemed off.

Yang Tiejiang shook his head: "Nothing much; do you still remember what I told you before?"

"Which one?"

"In Yunan City, anyone who can open a shop is no ordinary person."

"Is Zhang Lao formidable?"

After thinking a while, Yang Tiejiang gave Chen Wuji an answer: "He's not merely formidable; he's... extremely formidable. So you being his disciple, I don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing."

Chen Wuji's expression was like constipation: "Can't you just say it straight?"

"If I were any more direct, that old coot would want my life; let me live a few more years thanks to you. I still plan to rely on you to earn a few years' silver from him—I don't want to die young." Yang Tiejiang shook his head.

Chen Wuji:...

He didn't continue to make things difficult for Yang Tiejiang.

It's quite obvious that what Yang Tiejiang knows might be Zhang Lao's true secret.

After so long of transmigrating, he only today realized that Yunan City is fundamentally a city of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

All kinds, every sort of person exists.

But now they have all made themselves into merchants, commoners, and artisans.

These various bigwigs, each with their own tricks, presenting one face outwardly and another inwardly, can disguise this city as so tranquil and peaceful—it's no easy feat for them.

Boom!

A huge roar suddenly shattered the night's tranquility.

Chen Wuji turned his head toward the Zhang family's interior, seeing only a column of fire shooting up into the sky.

Immediately after, noisy chaotic sounds came from the Zhang family, wailing and shouting mingled together.

Shocking Heaven Thunder couldn't produce such a blaze; yet this kid Xiaoyu actually lit a fire.

Throwing the Shocking Heaven Thunder into the fire is indeed a good idea.

It's just a bit vicious...

However, Chen Wuji likes it.

The Zhang family's actions need no pity.

To achieve their political aims, they nurtured bandits who indiscriminately slaughtered villagers, sparing neither women, children, nor the elderly.

Because he killed those mountain bandits, Zhang Mingyuan intended to use his authority to exterminate the entire village's people.

Such a person cannot be summed up by the two words "evil person."

Another burst of fire shot up.

Immediately followed by an earth-shaking boom; the fire blasted bricks, stones, and debris high into the air, its momentum far surpassing what Chen Wuji had used at the Eight Immortals Tavern.

This kid Xiaoyu has figured out the proper way to use Shocking Heaven Thunder.

"This kid is truly vicious," Yang Tiejiang sighed.

He used fire to lure the Zhang Family people over, then threw Shocking Heaven Thunder into the fire; Shocking Heaven Thunder combined with the fire obviously has greater killing power—this time it's unreasonable that the Zhang Family wouldn't lose a handful or two of people.

Chen Wuji watched silently, his eyes calm and ruthless.

Boom!

Suddenly, a deafening blast rang out right beside their ears.

Immediately, in Chen Wuji's and his companion's sight, the Zhang Family's towering gate suffered a huge breach, dust and smoke billowing, debris scattering.

"Senior brother, are you satisfied with this result?" Xiaoyu's voice suddenly rang out.

Chen Wuji turned his head and saw Xiaoyu grinning with a neat set of teeth, standing beside him and laughing foolishly.

He was startled in his heart, and his amazement at Xiaoyu's abilities grew even greater.

Truly, appearing and disappearing like a ghost!

"You're not hurt, are you?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xiaoyu grinned foolishly, "Not a scratch, just like visiting relatives."

Chen Wuji:...

"The Zhang Family's people have been alarmed; let's withdraw first."

The objective achieved, this is a place of right and wrong; lingering even another second is not good.