Chapter 341

These past few days, Yunan City has become noticeably more desolate.

Translation: "These past few days, Yunan City has become noticeably more desolate."

has become noticeably more desolate

Days of fighting and brawling have given the populace a strange taste; every household keeps its doors shut, and even the morning cooking smoke has dwindled.

Translation: "Days of fighting and brawling have let the populace catch a whiff of something out of the ordinary; every household has shut its doors, and even the morning cooking smoke has dwindled."

Old Zhang remains steadfast at the doorway, unmoved by thunder, but today he is no longer basking in the sun; instead he watches the rain.

Translation: "Old Man Zhang remained steadfast at the doorway, unmoved as if by thunder, but today he wasn't basking in the sun; he was watching the rain."

Beside him stands a pale, frail-looking young man, Kong Jianshi, who seems as if a strong gust could blow him over.

Translation: "Beside him stood a pallid, effeminate young man, Kong Jianshi, who looked as if a strong gust could blow him over."

"Old boss, someone yesterday posted a bounty for Chen Wuji's head." Kong Jianshi bent slightly and whispered.

Translation: "\"Old shopkeeper, someone posted a bounty yesterday for Chen Wuji's head. \" Kong Jianshi bent slightly and whispered."

Zhang Lao, who had been dozing, suddenly opened his eyes; in that instant it was as if a sleeping tiger snapped awake, its gaze sharp and piercing.

Translation: "Zhang Lao, who had been dozing, snapped his eyes open; in that instant it was as if a napping tiger had suddenly opened its eyes, its gaze sharp and piercing."

"Do you know why I like that kid?" Old Zhang asked leisurely.

Translation: "\"Do you know why I like that kid? \" Zhang Lao asked leisurely."

"I, your subordinate, don't know and cannot understand."

Translation: "\"I, your subordinate, don't know and cannot understand. \""

Old Zhang said slowly: "I know you can't understand, and perhaps you think I'm old and muddled; we have many young people, yet we chose an outsider to inherit this business."

Translation: "Zhang Lao said slowly, \"I know you can't understand, and perhaps you think I'm old and muddled; we have so many young people, yet we chose an outsider to take over this family business. \""

"You lot, I know you all too well."

Translation: "\"You lot, I know you all too well. \""

Kong Jianshi remained silent, tacitly accepting Old Zhang's explanation.

Translation: "Kong Jianshi said nothing, tacitly accepting Zhang Lao's explanation."

"Because he is someone capable of great deeds, while you are not!" Old Zhang's words were absolute.

Translation: "\"Because he's someone who can accomplish great things, while you lot cannot! \" Zhang Lao's words were absolute."

"The Charitable Hall, which has survived nearly a century, now resembles the declining Dayu Dynasty—reaching its twilight. Hearts are no longer pure; no one is content merely with healing the sick or killing for a few silver coins; everyone now thinks of entering the world."

Translation: "\"The Charitable Hall, which has survived nearly a century, now resembles the feeble Dayu Dynasty in its dying years. People's hearts are no longer pure; none are satisfied merely with healing the sick and earning a little silver from killing, and they all ponder entering the world. \""

"In an age of great conflict and chaos, with hearts divided, do you think this Charitable Hall can still operate peacefully? Can it continue for another century? No."

Translation: "\"In an age of great contention and chaos, with hearts divided, do you think this Charitable Hall can still operate peacefully? Can it continue for another century? No. \""

Kong Jianshi glanced at the weary Old Zhang and said, "But Chen Wuji is also struggling in this mortal world, and he remains the weakest faction."

Translation: "Kong Jianshi glanced at the dazed, elderly Zhang Lao and said, \"But Chen Wuji is also struggling in this mortal world, and he remains the weakest faction. \""

"You haven't seen their former strength; besides, that's not what I value." Old Zhang wearily waved his hand, "People's hearts are restless; everyone scrambles to find a sturdier tree to lean on, seeking fame and fortune, to ennoble their wives and descendants. Why can't this old bone take a gamble?"

Translation: "\"You haven't seen their former strength, and besides, that's not what I value. \" Zhang Lao wearily waved his hand, \"People's thoughts shift; everyone is scrambling to find a sturdier tree to lean on, seeking fame and fortune, to ennoble their wives and descendants—why can't this old bone of mine take a gamble? \""

"Tell everyone, if they want to leave I won't stop them, but when we meet again in the jianghu it will be to the death. You may even kill this old bone of mine; after the dynastic change, you can choose as you wish."

Translation: "\"Tell everyone, if they want to leave I won't stop them, but if we meet again in the Rivers and Lakes, it will be to the death. You may also kill this old bone of mine; after the dynastic change, you may choose as you wish. \""

Kong Jianshi bowed, "I dare not."

Translation: "Kong Jianshi bowed and said, \"I dare not. \""

"You may also leave; I won't force you. Old age makes one useless." Old Zhang said slowly, "When people grow old, they become a burden."

Translation: "\"You may also leave; I won't force you. Old age ultimately makes one useless. \" Zhang Lao said slowly, \"When people grow old, they become a burden. \""

Kong Jianshi lowered his head again, lightly raising his clasped fists.

Translation: "Kong Jianshi lowered his head again, lightly raising his clasped fists."

Xiaoyu appeared at the doorway, leaning with his arms crossed on the aged, mottled door panel, "Big Brother Kong, haven't you finished splitting the firewood yet?"

Translation: "Xiaoyu appeared at the doorway, leaning with arms crossed against the aged, mottled door panel, \"Brother Kong, haven't you finished chopping firewood today? \""

Kong Jianshi slowly lifted his gaze, stared straight at Xiaoyu, and twitched the corner of his mouth, "Yes, it seems I haven't finished; I'll go split the firewood."

Translation: "Kong Jianshi slowly lifted his head, looked straight at Xiaoyu, and twitched the corner of his mouth, \"Yes, it seems I haven't finished; I'll go chop firewood. \""

He covered his mouth and coughed lightly a few times, passed by Xiaoyu, and went to the rear courtyard.

Translation: "He covered his mouth and coughed lightly a few times, passed by Xiaoyu, and went to the rear courtyard."

A short sword slipped from Xiaoyu's sleeve; he looked at his own nails, gnawed ragged, with a headache, picked up the sword and began to repair it.

Translation: "A short sword slipped from Xiaoyu's sleeve; he looked with a headache at his nails, gnawed into a ragged mess, picked up the short sword and began to repair them."

"Master, Senior Brother set a fierce fire last night," Xiaoyu muttered offhand.

Translation: "\"Master, the eldest senior brother set a fierce blaze last night, \" Xiaoyu muttered offhand."

"A big fire, a heavy rain—I see it as a good thing, not particularly fierce." Old Zhang's eyes narrowed again, he yawned, speaking in a drowsy murmur, "That Xu family lad has become mature and restrained these days; if he were younger, he would surely grind the Cao family's bones into powder to feed those surnamed Gu and Xue, and whatever other surnames."

Translation: "\"A big fire, a heavy rain—I think it's a good thing, not that vicious. \" Zhang Lao's eyes narrowed again as he yawned, mumbling in a drowsy tone, \"That Xu family youngster has become quite mature and restrained lately; if he were still young, he'd surely grind the Cao family's bones into powder to feed those surnamed Gu and Xue, and whatever other surname. \""

"Li, Xiao."

Translation: "\"Li, Xiao. \""

"Forget the Xiao family; the Li family… oh, was it the Li family that tried to assassinate that brat Wuji last night?"

Translation: "\"The Xiao family can be ignored, but the Li family… oh, was it the Li family that tried to assassinate that kid Wuji last night? \""

"Indeed, I saw it myself; Senior Brother was driven mad with rage."

Translation: "\"Indeed, I saw it myself; the eldest senior brother was driven to fury. \""

Old Zhang gave a soft snort, "After all, he's still young—just being assassinated makes him go crazy?"

Translation: "Zhang Lao gave a soft hum, \"After all, he's still young—just because he was assassinated, does that make him go mad? \""

"No, it was that Li shopkeeper who deceived Senior Brother with fake silver; he had people carry five or six chests, claiming they were full of silver, but only the top layer was silver, the rest stone." Xiaoyu couldn't help laughing, "Senior Brother is angry because of that."

Translation: "\"No, it was Shopkeeper Li who duped the eldest senior brother with fake silver; he had people carry five or six chests, claiming they were full of silver, but only the top layer was silver, the rest stone. \" Xiaoyu couldn't help laughing, \"The eldest senior brother is angry because of this. \""

Old Zhang smiled faintly, "Wait until Xiao Lu finishes splitting the firewood, then let him wander around the Li family's place—assassination is assassination; there's no need for fake silver tricks, which are truly despicable."

Translation: "Zhang Lao smiled faintly, \"After Xiao Lu finishes chopping firewood, let him wander around the Li family; assassination is assassination, but cheating people with fake silver is truly despicable. \""

Xiaoyu's mouth twitched slightly.

Translation: "Xiaoyu's mouth twitched slightly."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed on the street.

Translation: "Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded on the street."

Xiaoyu turned his head and saw a mass of shadow at the street's end rapidly spreading, quickly turning into a black line, then into a terrifying surge of killing intent.

Translation: "Xiaoyu turned his head and saw a mass of shadow at the street's end rapidly spreading, quickly turning into a black line, then swiftly becoming a torrent surging with shocking killing intent."

A detachment clad in raincoats was swiftly approaching.

Translation: "A unit clad in raincoats was rapidly approaching."

They jogged past the Charitable Hall's gate, their disordered steps splashing the pooled water into scattered beads that flew up in all directions.

Translation: "They jogged past the entrance of the Charitable Hall, their disordered steps trampling the standing water on the street into a scattering of beads that splashed in all directions."

Xiaoyu furtively hid his short sword behind him and craned his neck curiously to watch the troop.

Translation: "Xiaoyu furtively hid his short sword behind him and craned his neck curiously to watch the unit."

The detachment numbered only a few hundred and soon vanished into the rain.

Translation: "The unit, only a few hundred strong, soon vanished into the rain curtain."

"Master, should I follow them to see the excitement?" Xiaoyu eagerly asked in a low voice.

Translation: "\"Master, should I follow them to see the excitement? \" Xiaoyu eagerly asked in a low voice."

"Go wipe the cabinets."

Translation: "\"Go wipe the counter. \""

"... Oh." Xiaoyu's mouth twitched unwillingly as he turned and entered the clinic.

Translation: "\"... Oh. \" Xiaoyu's mouth curled slightly, unwillingly turning his head into the medical clinic."

……

Translation: "……" (ellipsis stays as is)

Chen Wuji sent people to summon the members of the Gu family, Li family, and the escort bureau inside the city—regardless of age or strength—politely inviting them all into the camp.

Translation: "Chen Wuji sent people to summon the members of the Gu family, the Li family, and the escort bureau's personnel in the city—regardless of age or strength, all were courteously invited into the camp."

Although everyone resides within the same city, they still have to rely on letters to communicate, which is too troublesome.

Translation: "Everyone resides within the same city, yet they still have to rely on letters to communicate, which is too troublesome."

Chen Wuji thought that some matters are better discussed face to face, which could reduce many misunderstandings and estrangements.

Translation: "Chen Wuji thought that some matters are better discussed face to face, which could reduce many misunderstandings and estrangements."

In the spacious side hall, Chen Wuji took the main seat, with the two Chen brothers and Chen Li to his left and right.

Translation: "In the spacious side hall, Chen Wuji took the main seat, with the two Chen family oxen and Chen Li to his left and right."

On either side of him sat a grim-faced Xu Shan Escort Bureau chief and head, Xue Chou, and the indignant third son of the Gu family, Gu Shengshen, plus a Li shopkeeper temporarily drafted to make up the numbers.

Translation: "On either side of him sat, respectively, a bitter‑faced Xue Chou, the head of the Escort Bureau and shopkeeper, and the righteous‑indignant third son of the Gu family, Gu Shengshen, plus the temporarily drafted Shopkeeper Li to make up the numbers."

Qian Fugui took a group to the Li household, brought back many people, but failed to find the person in charge; upon inquiry he learned that the Li family's current manager in the city is precisely this Li shopkeeper.

Translation: "Qian Fugui led a group on a trip to the Li family, bringing back many people, but they failed to find the person in charge; only after inquiring did they learn that the Li family's incumbent manager in the city is this very Shopkeeper Li."

He is the eldest son of the Li family's main branch, but now the Li family is run by the second branch; he follows the second branch's eldest son, who is the current head of the Li family.

Translation: "He is the eldest son of the Li family's main branch, but the Li family is currently run by the second branch; he follows the second branch's eldest son, who is now the head of the Li family."

A family is much like a miniature of the imperial household.

Translation: "A family is very much like a miniature of the imperial household."

In the Li family, Chen Wuji could almost see the shadow of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Translation: "In the Li family, Chen Wuji could almost see the shadow of the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

"Chen Wuji, what do you mean by this?" Gu Shengshen, as if a spring were under his seat, had barely sat down before he sprang up with fierce vigor.

Translation: "\"Chen Wuji, what do you mean by this? \" Gu Shengshen's bottom seemed to have a spring; having just sat down for a moment, he sprang up with fierce vigor."

"Our three families now command over ten thousand troops; do you not fear that after the city falls, our allied armies will slaughter your Chen clan? Leave a line of retreat so we can meet again later; fighting is fighting, but don't go to extremes."

Translation: "\"Our three families now command over ten thousand troops; aren't you afraid that, after the city falls, our allied armies will slaughter your Chen clan? Leave a line of retreat so we can meet again later; fighting is fighting, but don't go too far. \""

Chen Wuji smiled faintly, "So this has been your view all along; I said where does your confidence come from? Sorry, sorry, I was narrow-minded."

Translation: "Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, \"So that's what you've been thinking all along; I said where does your confidence come from—sorry, sorry, I was narrow‑minded. \""

"You sent someone to deliver a letter inviting me to the noon banquet, didn't you?"

Translation: "\"Who sent the message telling me to attend the banquet at noon? Was it you? \""

"It is I, your lord!" Gu Shengshen declared proudly.

Translation: "\"It was this young master! \" Gu Shengshen declared, lifting his head."

Chen Wuji took a light sip of tea, "What big thing do you want to talk to me about, you little bastard?"