Chapter 316

"Why?"

"Why?"

But we need to ensure we output exactly the translation, not add extra spaces. We'll output: 【1】 "Why?"

Chen Wuji lowered his eyelids slightly, his tone indifferent.

Chen Wuji lowered his eyelids slightly, his tone indifferent.

His eyelids drooped slightly.

Unconsciously, he had already acquired a bit of a superior's aura, his tone carrying a strong sense of oppression.

Unconsciously, he had already acquired a bit of a superior's aura, his tone carrying a strong sense of oppression.

"He worried that I would harm his whole family, wanted to kill me, so I had to kill him. Commander Liang Renjie wanted to assassinate the commandant, I wanted to inform on him, and he wanted to side with Liang Renjie." Luo Sanhui's response was neither humble nor arrogant, clear and orderly.

Translation: "He worried that I would harm his family, wanted to kill me, so I had to kill him. Brigade Commander Liang Renjie wanted to harm the deputy commander, I wanted to report him, and he wanted to side with Liang Renjie." Luo San replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, his thoughts clear. Need to keep quotes. The Chinese includes quotation marks around the spoken line. We'll keep English quotes. So: 【4】 "He worried that I would harm his family, wanted to kill me, so I had to kill him. Brigade Commander Liang Renjie wanted to harm the deputy commander, I wanted to report him, and he wanted to side with Liang Renjie." Luo San replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, his thoughts clear.

I

"I see." Chen Wuji's expression remained calm; for something he already knew the answer to, there really wasn't anything worth making a fuss over.

Translation: "I see." Chen Wuji's expression calm, for something he already knew the answer to, there really wasn't anything worth making a fuss over. So: 【5】 "I see." Chen Wuji's expression calm, for something he already knew the answer to, there really wasn't anything worth making a fuss over.

"Wu Shuang, go mobilize the troops, so Wu doesn't have to come with Qian Fugui."

Translation: "Wushuang, go mobilize the troops, have Wu Bu Yong and Qian Fugui come over." So: 【6】 "Wushuang, go mobilize the troops, have Wu Bu Yong and Qian Fugui come over."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

After issuing the military order, Chen Wuji then looked at Luo San again: "You continue to guard the city gate; once this matter is settled, would you be willing to become my personal guard?"

Translation: After Chen Wuji finished giving the military order, he then looked toward Luo San again: "Continue guarding the city gate; once this matter is settled, would you be willing to be my personal soldier?" So: 【8】 After Chen Wuji finished giving the military order, he then looked toward Luo San again: "Continue guarding the city gate; once this matter is settled, would you be willing to be my personal soldier?"

This person may look a bit old, but he is a veteran of the garrison, decisive in action, clear-minded, and it's uncertain where he might be useful in the future.

Translation: Although this person looks somewhat old, he is an old veteran among the provincial troops, also decisive in action, clear-minded, and may prove useful later. So: 【9】 Although this person looks somewhat old, he is an old veteran among the provincial troops, also decisive in action, clear-minded, and may prove useful later.

Luo San happily raised his head, clasped his fists firmly, and said, "I am willing."

Translation: Luo San joyfully raised his head, clasped his fists firmly, and said, "I am willing." So: 【10】 Luo San joyfully raised his head, clasped his fists firmly, and said, "I am willing."

"Just a little more effort, it's no big trouble." Chen Wuji gave a light smile and flicked his whip.

Translation: "Just a bit more hardship, nothing too troublesome." Chen Wuji gave a light smile and waved his riding crop. So: 【11】 "Just a bit more hardship, nothing too troublesome." Chen Wuji gave a light smile and waved his riding crop.

Luo San watched Chen Wuji's party go away, then dared to straighten his back and let out a long sigh of relief.

Translation: Luo San watched Chen Wuji's party depart, then dared to straighten his back and let out a long sigh of relief. So: 【12】 Luo San watched Chen Wuji's party depart, then dared to straighten his back and let out a long sigh of relief.

He looked up at the dark city tower and said, "Old Gu, you're really clueless!"

Translation: He tilted his head to glance at the dark city tower, "Old Gu, you're really clueless!" So: 【13】 He tilted his head to glance at the dark city tower, "Old Gu, you're really clueless!"

"Ma de, I, the laborer, still need to borrow money to buy you a coffin, buy wine, buy paper money, buy boys and girls… well, boys and girls you probably don't need now. I'm still suffering, you shouldn't enjoy comfort either. Later, later I'll visit less often, half-close the door, and save up for you."

Translation: "Ma de, Laborer still has to borrow money to buy you a coffin, buy wine, buy paper money, buy boys and girls... Forget it, boys and girls you probably won't need now. I'm still suffering, you shouldn't enjoy comfort either; later, later I'll visit less often, half-close the door, and save up for you." So: 【14】 "Ma de, Laborer still has to borrow money to buy you a coffin, buy wine, buy paper money, buy boys and girls... Forget it, boys and girls you probably won't need now. I'm still suffering, you shouldn't enjoy comfort either; later, later I'll visit less often, half-close the door, and save up for you."

Ma de, Laborer, buy a coffin, buy wine, buy paper money, buy boys and girls, I'm still suffering, you shouldn't enjoy comfort either. Later, later I'll visit less often, half-close the door, and save up for you.

……

Translation:... (ellipsis). So: 【15】...

The stronghold of the Imperial City Guard this time wasn't behind the brothel, but directly inside it.

Translation: The Imperial City Department's outpost, this time not behind the brothel but directly inside the brothel. So: 【16】 The Imperial City Department's outpost, this time not behind the brothel but directly inside the brothel.

When Chen Wuji and his group entered, Xu Zengyi was in the midst of his colorful nightlife, embracing a beauty on the left and a slender waist on the right.

Translation: When Chen Wuji and his group entered, Xu Zengyi was in the midst of enjoying his colorful nightlife, embracing a beauty on his left and a slender waist on his right. So: 【17】 When Chen Wuji and his group entered, Xu Zengyi was in the midst of enjoying his colorful nightlife, embracing a beauty on his left and a slender waist on his right.

Even though his identity had been made clear when he knocked, Xu Zengyi didn't care about onlookers' gazes, with a lovely beauty on his left and a dainty waist on his right firmly occupying his legs.

Translation: Even though they had announced their identity when knocking, Xu Zengyi didn't care about onlookers' gazes, a lovely courtesan on his left and a petite slender waist on his right firmly occupying his two legs. So: 【18】 Even though they had announced their identity when knocking, Xu Zengyi didn't care about onlookers' gazes, a lovely courtesan on his left and a petite slender waist on his right firmly occupying his two legs.

"Get out!" Qin Zhanhong saw this scene, and his face immediately turned icy.

Translation: "Get out!" Qin Zhanhong saw this scene, his face instantly turning icy. So: 【19】 "Get out!" Qin Zhanhong saw this scene, his face instantly turning icy.

The two courtesans, upon receiving an icy stare from Qin Zhanhong's eyes, fell silent like cicadas in winter, hastily tidied their somewhat disheveled clothing, and hurriedly took their leave.

Translation: The two courtesans, upon being glared at by Qin Zhanhong's icy eyes, instantly fell silent like cicadas in winter, hastily tidying their somewhat disheveled clothing and rushing to leave. So: 【20】 The two courtesans, upon being glared at by Qin Zhanhong's icy eyes, instantly fell silent like cicadas in winter, hastily tidying their somewhat disheveled clothing and rushing to leave.

Xu Zengyi regrettably clicked his tongue, picked up his wine cup, poured himself a drink, and drank it.

Translation: Xu Zengyi regrettably clicked his tongue, picked up his wine cup, poured himself a drink, and drank it. So: 【21】 Xu Zengyi regrettably clicked his tongue, picked up his wine cup, poured himself a drink, and drank it.

"Your lord is my man; I don't care how you flirt outside, but if you dare to continue like this in front of him, I'll make you a eunuch." Qin Zhanhong slammed his sword onto the table with a bang, making the tea and wine pots on the table shake.

Translation: "Your lord is my man; I don't care how you indulge in romance outside, but if you dare to continue like this in front of him, I'll make you a eunuch." Qin Zhanhong slammed his long sword onto the table with a bang, making the tea and wine pots on the table shudder. So: 【22】 "Your lord is my man; I don't care how you indulge in romance outside, but if you dare to continue like this in front of him, I'll make you a eunuch." Qin Zhanhong slammed his long sword onto the table with a bang, making the tea and wine pots on the table shudder.

At the same time, Xu Zengyi's cheeks also trembled.

Translation: At the same time, Xu Zengyi's cheeks also trembled. So: 【23】 At the same time, Xu Zengyi's cheeks also trembled.

He hastily put down his cup and said, "Lord Qin, you've misunderstood; I wouldn't dare harm Commander Chen, I'm plagued by illness, I wouldn't dare act recklessly in such matters; I just don't need to spend my own money today, so this is merely a small diversion."

Translation: He hastily set down his wine cup and said apologetically, "Sir Qin, you've misunderstood; I would never dare to bring harm to Deputy Commander Chen, I'm plagued by myriad illnesses, I would never dare to act recklessly in such matters, it's just that today I didn't need to spend my own money, so I merely sought a little diversion." So: 【24】 He hastily set down his wine cup and said apologetically, "Sir Qin, you've misunderstood; I would never dare to bring harm to Deputy Commander Chen, I'm plagued by myriad illnesses, I would never dare to act recklessly in such matters, it's just that today I didn't need to spend my own money, so I merely sought a little diversion."

"Best that way!" Qin Zhanhong snorted coldly, grabbed his sword, and stormed out.

Translation: "That's for the best!" Qin Zhanhong snorted coldly, snatched up his long sword, and strode out the door. So: 【25】 "That's for the best!" Qin Zhanhong snorted coldly, snatched up his long sword, and strode out the door.

"You guys chat, I'll wait outside."

Translation: "You guys chat, I'll wait outside." So: 【26】 "You guys chat, I'll wait outside."

Chen Wuji didn't get a chance to say anything.

Translation: Chen Wuji didn't get a chance to say anything. So: 【27】 Chen Wuji didn't get a chance to say anything.

"Mr. Xu, you're living such a carefree little life; it seems I've come at a bad time." Chen Wuji teased, then sat down to the side.

Translation: "Mr. Xu, you lead such a carefree little life; it seems I've come at a bad time." Chen Wuji teased, then sat down at the side. So: 【28】 "Mr. Xu, you lead such a carefree little life; it seems I've come at a bad time." Chen Wuji teased, then sat down at the side.

Chen Wushuang and Chen Wuyi also went out, taking the door with them.

Translation: Chen Wushuang and Chen Wuyi also went out, and they closed the door behind them. So: 【29】 Chen Wushuang and Chen Wuyi also went out, and they closed the door behind them.

Xu Zengyi sighed wistfully and said, "Indeed, it's not the right time to come; such a soft, beautiful woman, and I only managed to drink two cups of plain wine—truly regrettable."

Translation: Xu Zengyi sighed wistfully, "It's indeed not the right time to come; such a soft, beautiful woman, and I only managed two cups of clear wine—truly a pity." So: 【30】 Xu Zengyi sighed wistfully, "It's indeed not the right time to come; such a soft, beautiful woman, and I only managed two cups of clear wine—truly a pity."

"Or perhaps you're not in a hurry; shouldn't the proper procedure be to handle business first, then drink, and savor the flavor with the wine's influence?" Chen Wuji laughed.

Translation: "Or perhaps you're not in a hurry; shouldn't the proper procedure be to handle business first, then drink, and savor the earlier flavor with the wine's influence?" Chen Wuji laughed. So: 【31】 "Or perhaps you're not in a hurry; shouldn't the proper procedure be to handle business first, then drink, and savor the earlier flavor with the wine's influence?" Chen Wuji laughed.

Xu Zengyi suddenly exclaimed "aiya!" and slapped his forehead: "How did I not think of that? I should have asked Commander Chen earlier. Now I've missed a good opportunity—regret comes too late."

Translation: Xu Zengyi suddenly exclaimed "aiya!" and slapped his forehead, "How did I not think of that? I should have asked Deputy Commander Chen earlier. Now I've missed a good opportunity—regret comes too late." So: 【32】 Xu Zengyi suddenly exclaimed "aiya!" and slapped his forehead, "How did I not think of that? I should have asked Deputy Commander Chen earlier. Now I've missed a good opportunity—regret comes too late."

"You're not about to drop dead tomorrow, so what's there to regret?" Chen Wuji was speechless.

Translation: "You're not about to die tomorrow; what's there to regret?" Chen Wuji was speechless. So: 【33】 "You're not about to die tomorrow; what's there to regret?" Chen Wuji was speechless.

Hearing him say that, it sounded as if he wouldn't be alive tomorrow.

Translation: Hearing him say that, it sounded as if he wouldn't be alive tomorrow. So: 【34】 Hearing him say that, it sounded as if he wouldn't be alive tomorrow.

Xu Zengyi then said, "Tomorrow is forever out of reach; only today's regret is true regret. If I used tomorrow's opportunity to make up for today's regret, wouldn't that be borrowing?"

Translation: Xu Zengyi, however, said, "Tomorrow is forever out of reach; only today's regret is true regret. If I used tomorrow's opportunity to make up for today's regret, wouldn't that be borrowing?" So: 【35】 Xu Zengyi, however, said, "Tomorrow is forever out of reach; only today's regret is true regret. If I used tomorrow's opportunity to make up for today's regret, wouldn't that be borrowing?"

Chen Wuji furrowed his brows, wondering what strange logic this was.

Translation: Chen Wuji furrowed his brows, "What strange logic is this?" So: 【36】 Chen Wuji furrowed his brows, "What strange logic is this?"

"Then just keep regretting; anyway, it's already like this. Later there's still business, and you truly have no chance to continue mingling among the beautiful women, embracing fragrance and jade, playing with moon and wind." Chen Wuji laughed.

Translation: "Then just regret slowly; anyway, it's already like this, later there's still business, and you truly have no chance to continue cavorting among the beauties, leaning on fragrance and jade, playing with the moon and wind." Chen Wuji laughed. So: 【37】 "Then just regret slowly; anyway, it's already like this, later there's still business, and you truly have no chance to continue cavorting among the beauties, leaning on fragrance and jade, playing with the moon and wind." Chen Wuji laughed.

Xu Zengyi's eyes suddenly lit up: "Commander Chen's phrase really fits the occasion; I wonder who wrote it?"

Translation: Xu Zengyi's eyes suddenly lit up, "The phrase 'Deputy Commander Chen' really fits the occasion; I wonder who composed it?" So: 【38】 Xu Zengyi's eyes suddenly lit up, "The phrase 'Deputy Commander Chen' really fits the occasion; I wonder who composed it?"

"I don't know." Chen Wuji said firmly.

Translation: "I don't know." Chen Wuji said decisively. So: 【39】 "I don't know." Chen Wuji said decisively.

He truly didn't know; sometimes phrases from books he'd read or things he'd studied would pop up unintentionally. As for whether it's original, what the full text is, or who the author is, that depends on his mood.

Translation: He truly didn't know; sometimes phrases from books he'd read or things he'd studied would pop up unintentionally. As for whether it's the original, what the full text is, or who the author is, that depends on his mood. So: 【40】 He truly didn't know; sometimes phrases from books he'd read or things he'd studied would pop up unintentionally. As for whether it's the original, what the full text is, or who the author is, that depends on his mood.

When his mood is good, he sometimes can recall it.

Translation: When his mood was good, he could sometimes recall it. So: 【41】 When his mood was good, he could sometimes recall it.

When his mood is bad, he just can't recall it.

Translation: When his mood was bad, he couldn't recall it at all. So: 【42】 When his mood was bad, he couldn't recall it at all.

Xu Zengyi repeated the phrase Chen Wuji had just said several times, then memorized it firmly.

Translation: Xu Zengyi repeated the words Chen Wuji had just spoken several times, then memorized them firmly. So: 【43】 Xu Zengyi repeated the words Chen Wuji had just spoken several times, then memorized them firmly.

He never doubted that the phrase was just Chen Wuji blurting it out spontaneously.

Translation: He never doubted that the phrase was something Chen Wuji had just blurted out himself. So: 【44】 He never doubted that the phrase was something Chen Wuji had just blurted out himself.

"This person must be a regular at the brothel; this phrase is vulgar, truly vulgar, but it's actually a good line." Xu Zengyi praised repeatedly; at this moment he finally seemed like a literatus.

Translation: "This person must be a regular at the brothel; the phrase is vulgar, truly vulgar, but it's actually a good phrase." Xu Zengyi praised repeatedly, and at this moment he finally seemed like a man of letters. So: 【45】 "This person must be a regular at the brothel; the phrase is vulgar, truly vulgar, but it's actually a good phrase." Xu Zengyi praised repeatedly, and at this moment he finally seemed like a man of letters.

Chen Wuji suddenly noticed that the phrase… seemed to be missing a few lines in the middle.

Translation: Chen Wuji suddenly noticed that the phrase... seemed to be missing a few lines in the middle. So: 【46】 Chen Wuji suddenly noticed that the phrase... seemed to be missing a few lines in the middle.

But never mind, these are just minor side matters.

Translation: But never mind, these are just minor side matters. So: 【47】 But never mind, these are just minor side matters.

"Tell me about the Cao family's affairs—why were you arrested?" Chen Wuji asked sternly.

Translation: "Let's talk about the Cao family's affairs—why were you arrested?" Chen Wuji asked sternly. So: 【48】 "Let's talk about the Cao family's affairs—why were you arrested?" Chen Wuji asked sternly.

Upon mentioning this, Xu Zengyi's emotions flared instantly: "The Cao clan is corrupt, worse than dogs and pigs."

Translation: Upon mentioning this, Xu Zengyi's emotions instantly flared, "The Cao clan is corrupt, worse than pigs and dogs." So: 【49】 Upon mentioning this, Xu Zengyi's emotions instantly flared, "The Cao clan is corrupt, worse than pigs and dogs."

"They don't know how they found out my identity, wanted me to join their big plans, I refused, so they arrested me, preparing to force me to comply."

Translation: "They somehow learned my identity from somewhere, wanted me to counsel them on their major affairs; I refused, so they seized me, preparing to forcefully compel my compliance." So: 【50】 "They somehow learned my identity from somewhere, wanted me to counsel them on their major affairs; I refused, so they seized me, preparing to forcefully compel my compliance."

"Even the foolish Western King knows the meaning of 'honor the virtuous and humble oneself,' yet they want to practice coercion and compulsion; those dog-and-pig scoundrels actually dare to claim supremacy—utterly oblivious to heaven and earth."

Translation: "Even the Western King, a fool, knows the meaning of 'honor the virtuous and humble oneself before scholars,' yet they intend to resort to coercion and compulsion; those base as pigs and dogs actually dare to pretend to be exalted—utterly oblivious to heaven's height and earth's depth." So: 【51】 "Even the Western King, a fool, knows the meaning of 'honor the virtuous and humble oneself before scholars,' yet they intend to resort to coercion and compulsion; those base as pigs and dogs actually dare to pretend to be exalted—utterly oblivious to heaven's height and earth's depth."

"Please, Commander, grant me three hundred troops; I'll toy with them to death, it's simply infuriating!"

Translation: "Grant me, Deputy Commander, three hundred troops, and I'll toy with them to death—it simply enrages me!" So: 【52】 "Grant me, Deputy Commander, three hundred troops, and I'll toy with them to death—it simply enrages me!"

Xu the strategist became manic, his tone growing sharper each time.

Translation: The schemer Xu became manic, his tone growing sharper each time. So: 【53】 The schemer Xu became manic, his tone growing sharper each time.

"What does the Cao family intend to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

Translation: "What does the Cao family intend to do?" Chen Wuji asked. So: 【54】 "What does the Cao family intend to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

Xu Zengyi took a furious sip of wine and said, "A certain big figure in Nan Commandery seems to intend to resist the court and establish himself as ruler; the Cao family's pastry-selling patriarch speaks with extreme arrogance, claiming that the Cao clan's hold on Yunnan is already a foregone conclusion, making it impossible for us to gain favor."

Translation: Xu Zengyi took a furious swig of wine, "A certain prominent figure in Nan Jun seems to harbor intentions of resisting the court to the north and establishing himself as sovereign; the cake-selling family head of the Cao family speaks with extreme arrogance, claiming that the Cao clan's hold over Yunan is a foregone conclusion, making it difficult for us to gain favor." So: 【55】 Xu Zengyi took a furious swig of wine, "A certain prominent figure in Nan Jun seems to harbor intentions of resisting the court to the north and establishing himself as sovereign; the cake-selling family head of the Cao family speaks with extreme arrogance, claiming that the Cao clan's hold over Yunan is a foregone conclusion, making it difficult for us to gain favor."

"These are merely my guesses, but likely eight or nine out of ten; one of the higher-ups in Nan Commandery probably intends to rebel and establish himself. They promised Yunnan to the Cao family, seemingly even providing weapons and armor to support the Cao family's uprising."

Translation: "Although these are merely my guesses, they should be about eighty or ninety percent accurate; one of the several figures above Nan Jun likely intends to rebel and establish himself. They promised Yunan to the Cao family, seemingly also providing arms and armor to enable the Cao family's uprising." So: 【56】 "Although these are merely my guesses, they should be about eighty or ninety percent accurate; one of the several figures above Nan Jun likely intends to rebel and establish himself. They promised Yunan to the Cao family, seemingly also providing arms and armor to enable the Cao family's uprising."

"Looks like I guessed right again." Chen Wuji smiled faintly, "Mr. Xu, do you think they can succeed? I mean, will Nan Commandery see western troops coming?"

Translation: "Looks like I guessed right again." Chen Wuji smiled faintly, "Mr. Xu, do you think they can succeed? I mean, will Nan Jun see western troops arriving?" So: 【57】 "Looks like I guessed right again." Chen Wuji smiled faintly, "Mr. Xu, do you think they can succeed? I mean, will Nan Jun see western troops arriving?"

"That's hard to say." Xu Zengyi shook his head.

Translation: "That's hard to say." Xu Zengyi shook his head. So: 【58】 "That's hard to say." Xu Zengyi shook his head.

"But the measly Cao family isn't worth worrying about. With you, Commander, and my three hundred troops, I'll turn these three hundred armored soldiers into a great fortune for you."

Translation: "But the mere Cao family is nothing to worry about. With the deputy commander and my three hundred troops, I'll turn these three hundred armored soldiers into a great fortune for the deputy commander." So: 【59】 "But the mere Cao family is nothing to worry about. With the deputy commander and my three hundred troops, I'll turn these three hundred armored soldiers into a great fortune for the deputy commander."

Are you confident?

"Commandant, is this looking down on me, Xu someone?"

"Good!" Chen Wuji readily agreed.

Xu Zengyi's abilities, he has now seen them.