Chapter 775

That kid is never easy to deal with!

Literal: "That brat has never been an easy person to deal with!" Could translate: "That kid has never been an easy person to deal with!" Use "kid" maybe. Keep meaning. Use "that brat". We'll output: 【1】 That brat has never been an easy person to deal with!

But need to keep punctuation? Probably keep exclamation. We'll output exactly as translation.

The Lu family elder shouldered his hoe and walked home, while telling the Lu family third elder beside him, "Jianghu Person's conduct has become so reckless; how could he possibly just parry without striking back?"

Lu family elder shouldered his hoe and walked home, while saying to the Lu family third elder beside him, "Jianghu Person's behavior has become so reckless, how could he possibly just block without striking back?"

Thus: 【2】 The Lu family elder shouldered his hoe and walked home, while saying to the Lu family third elder beside him, "Jianghu Person's conduct has become so reckless, how could he possibly just parry without striking back?"

Putting the Jianghu in order is inevitable; be obedient and perhaps there's still a path to survival, but stubborn defiance leads only to death.

Translate: "Rectifying the Rivers and Lakes is indeed necessary; be obedient, perhaps there is still a way to survive; stubborn resistance leads to a dead end." Use glossary: Rivers and Lakes. So: "Rectifying the Rivers and Lakes is indeed necessary; be obedient, perhaps there is still a way to survive; stubborn resistance leads to a dead end."

The Lu family third elder looked concerned, "What should our Lu family do?"

Translate: "The Lu family third elder looked somewhat worried, 'How should our Lu family conduct ourselves?'" Use "Lu family third elder". So: 【4】 The Lu family third elder looked somewhat worried, "How should our Lu family conduct ourselves?"

The Lu family elder laughed outright upon hearing this, "What are you worrying about? The Chen Family kid isn't your grandson-in-law? Even if he killed you right in front of you, he'd still have to call you grandpa."

Upon hearing this, the Lu family elder laughed outright, "What are you worrying about? The Chen Family kid isn't your grandson-in-law? Even if he killed you right in front of you, he'd still have to call you grandpa."

Lu family third elder hesitated, "This countermove might not be enough to protect our Lu family."

Translate: "The Lu family third elder's tone stalled, 'This backup may not be able to keep our Lu family safe.'" Use "Lu family third elder". So: 【6】 The Lu family third elder's tone stalled, "This backup may not be able to keep our Lu family safe."

"Any other news out there? Come on, tell us!"

Translate: "What other news is out there? Come, tell us!" So: 【7】 What other news is out there? Come, tell us!

The Lu family elder found a warm, sunny earthen bench and sat down again.

Translate: "The Lu family elder found a warm, sunny earthen bench and sat down again." So: 【8】 The Lu family elder found a warm, sunny earthen bench and sat down again.

Lu family third elder also sat down, saying, "Nothing else new—the Chen Family kid has mobilized the entire commandery; virtually the whole South Commandery, up and down, has simultaneously begun capturing and killing Jianghu Persons."

Translate: "The Lu family third elder also sat down on one side, 'Nothing else new, the Chen Family kid has mobilized the whole commandery; throughout Nan Jun, upper and lower, almost simultaneously, they began capturing and killing Jianghu Person.'" Use glossary: Chen Family, Nan Jun, Jianghu Person. So: 【9】 The Lu family third elder also sat down on one side, "Nothing else new, the Chen Family kid has mobilized the whole commandery; throughout Nan Jun, upper and lower, almost simultaneously, they began capturing and killing Jianghu Person."

The two old men sat on a sunny earthen platform, looking exactly like two shepherds.

Translate: "The two old men sat on the sunny earthen platform, looking completely like two shepherds." So: 【10】 The two old men sat on the sunny earthen platform, looking completely like two shepherds.

"There's a key point here—see whether he will exterminate completely or leave some leeway!" said the Lu family elder.

Translate: "There's a key point here: see whether he will exterminate completely or leave some leeway!" said the Lu family elder. So: 【11】 "There's a key point here: see whether he will exterminate completely or leave some leeway!" said the Lu family elder.

"How many years have I had you, this old thing, gathering intel, and you still forget the main point?"

Translate: "How many years have passed, letting you this old thing gather news, yet you still forget the main point." So: 【12】 "How many years have passed, letting you this old thing gather news, yet you still forget the main point."

Lu family third elder glanced over, "There's still no news on this matter; don't use it to slander me."

Translate: "The Lu family third elder glanced, 'For now there's no news on this matter; don't use this to slander me.'" So: 【13】 The Lu family third elder glanced, "For now there's no news on this matter; don't use this to slander me."

"Keep inquiring; we need to get to the bottom of this—that's the crux."

Translate: "Keep inquiring; we need to clarify this matter—that's the crux." So: 【14】 "Keep inquiring; we need to clarify this matter—that's the crux."

Lu family third elder didn't argue further, responding with a heavy tone.

Translate: "The Lu family third elder didn't argue further, responding with a tone heavy with a few hints of gravity." So: 【15】 The Lu family third elder didn't argue further, responding with a tone heavy with a few hints of gravity.

"Let's inquire first; we'll settle accounts after we clarify things," said the Lu family elder.

Translate: "First inquire; after we clarify this matter, then we'll settle accounts." said the Lu family elder. So: 【16】 "First inquire; after we clarify this matter, then we'll settle accounts." said the Lu family elder.

"If it really doesn't work, we'll just move. However, I think the Chen Family kid won't go to such extremes, so the younger generation needn't panic."

Translate: "If it really doesn't work, just move house. However, in my view, the Chen Family kid shouldn't make things so absolute as to let the younger generation panic." So: 【17】 "If it really doesn't work, just move house. However, in my view, the Chen Family kid shouldn't make things so absolute as to let the younger generation panic."

"Hmm."

Translate: "Hmm." So: 【18】 Hmm.

Lu family third elder hadn't yet set out to gather news when Chen Wují's letter arrived first at Lu family village, only two hours after Xu Shaoshang's.

Translate: "Before the Lu family third elder could even set out to gather news, Chen Wuji's letter arrived first at Lu Jia Village, only a moment later than Xu Shaoshang's." Use glossary: Chen Wuji. Also Lu Jia Village. So: 【19】 Before the Lu family third elder could even set out to gather news, Chen Wuji's letter arrived first at Lu Jia Village, only a moment later than Xu Shaoshang's.

That's just the time it took for the two esteemed elders of the Lu family to take a midday nap.

Translate: "That's just the time it took for the two esteemed elders of the Lu family to take a nap." So: 【20】 That's just the time it took for the two esteemed elders of the Lu family to take a nap.

The messenger brought two letters: one handwritten by Chen Wují, the other a family letter from Lu Wanwan.

Translate: "The envoy brought two letters: one was Chen Wuji's own handwriting, the other was Lu Wanwan's family letter." Use glossary: Envoy, Chen Wuji, Lu Wanwan. So: 【21】 The envoy brought two letters: one was Chen Wuji's own handwriting, the other was Lu Wanwan's family letter.

On the oil‑shiny mat, the Lu family elder, just awakened, held a scallion in his left hand and repeatedly rubbed his old face with his right; seeing the Lu family third elder put down his letter, he immediately asked, "What did the Chen Family kid say?"

Translate: "On the mat, polished to a shiny sheen, the Lu family elder, just awakened, held a scallion in his left hand and repeatedly rubbed his old face with his right; seeing the Lu family third elder beside him put down the letter in his hand, he immediately asked, 'What did the Chen Family kid say?'" Use glossary: Chen Family. So: 【22】 On the mat, polished to a shiny sheen, the Lu family elder, just awakened, held a scallion in his left hand and repeatedly rubbed his old face with his right; seeing the Lu family third elder beside him put down the letter in his hand, he immediately asked, "What did the Chen Family kid say?"

"He wants us to send a few people from the Lu family to hold the line," said Lu family third elder.

Translate: "'I'd like to ask our Lu family to send a few people to hold the line,' said the Lu family third elder." So: 【23】 "'I'd like to ask our Lu family to send a few people to hold the line,' said the Lu family third elder."

The Lu family elder blinked, "Just that? Such a big sheet of paper, and that's all it says?"

Translate: "The Lu family elder blinked, 'Just that? Such a big sheet of paper, and that's all it says?'" So: 【24】 The Lu family elder blinked, "Just that? Such a big sheet of paper, and that's all it says?"

"He also politely greeted us and said he'd come visit when he has time."

Translate: "He also politely greeted us and said he'd come visit when he has time." So: 【25】 "He also politely greeted us and said he'd come visit when he has time."

"That's it?"

Translate: "That's it?" So: 【26】 That's it?

"That's pretty much the gist—here, have a look," Lu family third elder said, handing over the letter.

Translate: "'That's pretty much the gist; here, have a look yourself,' said the Lu family third elder, passing over the letter." So: 【27】 "'That's pretty much the gist; here, have a look yourself,' said the Lu family third elder, passing over the letter."

The Lu family elder rolled his eyes, "Get lost—if I could recognize all those characters, would I still need you to read them to me? He didn't even explain why he's doing this."

Translate: "The Lu family elder rolled his eyes, 'Get lost; if I could recognize that many characters, would I still need you to read it to me? He didn't even explain why he's doing this.'" So: 【28】 The Lu family elder rolled his eyes, "Get lost; if I could recognize that many characters, would I still need you to read it to me? He didn't even explain why he's doing this."

Lu family third elder stroked his beard and chuckled, "The Chen Family kid wants us to hold the line—isn't the reason obvious? Naturally, it's because I'm his grandfather."

Translate: "The Lu family third elder tugged his beard and chuckled, 'The Chen Family kid asking us to hold the line—isn't the reason obvious? Naturally it's because of this grandfather of mine.'" So: 【29】 The Lu family third elder tugged his beard and chuckled, "The Chen Family kid asking us to hold the line—isn't the reason obvious? Naturally it's because of this grandfather of mine."

"No need to explain that—I can figure it out, you're not senile yet!" said the Lu family elder. "I'm asking why he treats the Jianghu people this way."

Translate: "'No need for you to explain; I can guess that, you're not senile yet!' said the Lu family elder, 'I'm asking why he treats the Rivers and Lakes people this way.'" Use glossary: Rivers and Lakes. So: 【30】 "'No need for you to explain; I can guess that, you're not senile yet!' said the Lu family elder, 'I'm asking why he treats the Rivers and Lakes people this way.'"

"It's not that simple—the reason you already mentioned: Jianghu people are reckless, we need to crack down on this corrupt influence." Lu family third elder leaned back, "We don't need to worry, but this is also a tough problem—should we send people?"

Translate: "'That's still not simple; the reason you already said—Rivers and Lakes people are reckless, we need to rectify this corrupt atmosphere.' The Lu family third elder leaned back, 'We don't need to worry, but this matter is also a dilemma—should we send people?'" So: 【31】 "'That's still not simple; the reason you already said—Rivers and Lakes people are reckless, we need to rectify this corrupt atmosphere.' The Lu family third elder leaned back, 'We don't need to worry, but this matter is also a dilemma—should we send people?'"

"Send them!" the Lu family elder said bluntly.

Translate: "'Send!' said the Lu family elder bluntly." So: 【32】 "'Send!' said the Lu family elder bluntly."

"The skies of South Commandery have long changed; we must change too, or else the younger generation in our clan will surely suffer losses. The Chen Family kid's methods and his intentions—we've already discussed them, and it's clear enough."

Translate: "The skies of Nan Jun have long since changed; we must change as well, or else the younger generation in our clan will surely suffer greatly. The Chen Family kid's methods and what he intends to do—we've already discussed them, we've seen enough." So: 【33】 The skies of Nan Jun have long since changed; we must change as well, or else the younger generation in our clan will surely suffer greatly. The Chen Family kid's methods and what he intends to do—we've already discussed them, we've seen enough.

"He will allow Jianghu Persons to exist, but it will certainly not be the Jianghu of old. He cannot tolerate anyone who uses martial prowess to violate prohibitions. Throughout history, no ruler has been able to tolerate such behavior."

Translate: "He will allow the existence of Rivers and Lakes people, but it will absolutely not be the former Rivers and Lakes. Martial Hero Breaking Prohibitions—such conduct he absolutely cannot tolerate. Throughout history, no ruler has been able to tolerate such conduct." Use glossary: Rivers and Lakes, Martial Hero Breaking Prohibitions. So: 【34】 He will allow the existence of Rivers and Lakes people, but it will absolutely not be the former Rivers and Lakes. Martial Hero Breaking Prohibitions—such conduct he absolutely cannot tolerate. Throughout history, no ruler has been able to tolerate such conduct.

"The fault isn't his, but this South Commandery land! Now he is restoring everything to its proper place."

Translate: "The fault in this matter lies not with him, but with this land of Nan Jun! Now he is putting everything back onto the right path." So: 【35】 The fault in this matter lies not with him, but with this land of Nan Jun! Now he is putting everything back onto the right path.

Lu family third elder raised a hand to interrupt the elder brother's words, "Don't lecture me on these principles—I understand what's going on. Tell me who should be sent. Since we can't avoid it, we might as well take a firm stand."

Translate: "The Lu family third elder raised a hand to interrupt his elder brother's words, 'Don't lecture me on these principles; I understand what's going on. Tell me who should be sent—since we can't avoid it, we might as well pick a side thoroughly.'" So: 【36】 The Lu family third elder raised a hand to interrupt his elder brother's words, "Don't lecture me on these principles; I understand what's going on. Tell me who should be sent—since we can't avoid it, we might as well pick a side thoroughly."

"You hold the fort; I'll go myself!" said the Lu family elder.

Translate: "'You guard the home; I'll go myself!' said the Lu family elder." So: 【37】 "'You guard the home; I'll go myself!' said the Lu family elder."

The moment he spoke, his aura shifted dramatically—like a dust‑covered sword, rust‑streaked, suddenly bursting forth with a chilling light, its sword‑qi pressing upon people.

Translate: "The moment he spoke those words, his aura shifted suddenly, like a dust-covered sword, its blade rusted, suddenly bursting forth with a chilling light, its sword qi pressing." So: 【38】 The moment he spoke those words, his aura shifted suddenly, like a dust-covered sword, its blade rusted, suddenly bursting forth with a chilling light, its sword qi pressing.

Lu family third elder's brows knitted sharply, "You're going yourself?"

Translate: "The Lu family third elder's brows knitted sharply, 'You're going yourself?'" So: 【39】 The Lu family third elder's brows knitted sharply, "You're going yourself?"

The Lu family elder gave a faint hum, "I'll pick a few capable youngsters and personally lead them. Officially, we should pay a visit to this military governor; privately, Wanwan married this kid, so we ought to meet her as well."

Translate: "The Lu family elder gave a faint hum, 'I'll pick a few capable ones from the younger generation and personally lead them there. Officially, we should pay a visit to this Regional Inspector Commander; privately, since Wanwan has married this kid, we ought to meet him as well.'" Use glossary: Regional Inspector Commander, Lu Wanwan. So: 【40】 The Lu family elder gave a faint hum, "I'll pick a few capable ones from the younger generation and personally lead them there. Officially, we should pay a visit to this Regional Inspector Commander; privately, since Wanwan has married this kid, we ought to meet him as well."

Lu family third elder, hearing this, didn't argue further, just said solemnly, "Be careful—don't break your old bones out there, and we'll have to send people to carry you back to your roots."

Translate: "Upon hearing this, the Lu family third elder didn't try to dissuade him further, merely saying in a low voice, 'Be careful; don't break your old bones out there, and we'll have to send people to carry you back to rest in the earth.'" So: 【41】 Upon hearing this, the Lu family third elder didn't try to dissuade him further, merely saying in a low voice, "Be careful; don't break your old bones out there, and we'll have to send people to carry you back to rest in the earth."

…… (ellipsis). We need to translate the ellipsis as is? Probably just "……". So: 【42】 ……

When the entire South Commandery was in an uproar over Chen Wují's few orders, with wind and rain throughout the region, Chen Wují, the instigator, had already boarded a southbound boat and was returning his troops to Hezhou.

Translate: "When the entire Nan Jun was in an uproar over Chen Wuji's few orders, with wind and rain throughout the commandery, Chen Wuji, the instigator, had already boarded a southbound vessel, returning troops to Hezhou." Use glossary: Chen Wuji, Nan Jun, Hezhou. So: 【43】 When the entire Nan Jun was in an uproar over Chen Wuji's few orders, with wind and rain throughout the commandery, Chen Wuji, the instigator, had already boarded a southbound vessel, returning troops to Hezhou.

According to the original plan, he was to lead the central army as a rearguard.

Translate: "According to the original plan, he was to lead the central army as the rearguard." So: 【44】 According to the original plan, he was to lead the central army as the rearguard.

He would be among the last to return.

Translate: "He would be among the last batches to return." So: 【45】 He would be among the last batches to return.

But because of this Jianghu affair, Lü Ji will keep his troops stationed in Songzhou, coordinating with the Qingzhou garrison to deal with the Jianghu forces of Qing, Song, and other prefectures, making it impossible to withdraw troops in the short term.

But because of this Rivers and Lakes affair, Lü Ji will continue to keep his troops stationed in Songzhou, coordinating with the Qingzhou garrison to deal with the Rivers and Lakes forces of Qing, Song, and other prefectures, making it impossible to withdraw troops in the short term.

Yu Ren's captives have now been properly dealt with; Chen Wují's continued garrisoning of Songzhou serves no purpose, and there's nothing left for him to do, so he set out first.

Translate: "Yu Ren's captives now also have a proper disposition; Chen Wuji continuing to garrison troops in Songzhou is meaningless and there's nothing left to do, so he set out first." Use glossary: Yu Ren, Chen Wuji, Songzhou. So: 【47】 Yu Ren's captives now also have a proper disposition; Chen Wuji continuing to garrison troops in Songzhou is meaningless and there's nothing left to do, so he set out first.

Although Hu Bu Gui continues to pursue Yu Ren, the war has not yet fully ended.

Although Hu Bu Gui continues to pursue Yu Ren, the war has not yet fully ended.

This battle doesn't require Chen Wují to continue overseeing Songzhou in person.

Translate: "But this battle also doesn't require Chen Wuji to continue holding down Songzhou personally." So: 【49】 But this battle also doesn't require Chen Wuji to continue holding down Songzhou personally.

With only a few thousand troops left, Yu Ren is practically a stray dog; having lost the Qiang people, his greatest ally, he can't stir up any major waves.

Translate: "Yu Ren, with only a few thousand troops left, could be called a bereft dog without exaggeration; having lost the Qiang People, his greatest aid, he can no longer stir up any major waves." Use glossary: Qiang People. So: 【50】 Yu Ren, with only a few thousand troops left, could be called a bereft dog without exaggeration; having lost the Qiang People, his greatest aid, he can no longer stir up any major waves.

Countless boats formed an arrowhead formation on the river, flowing downstream; in just two days they had entered Hezhou territory.

Translate: "Countless boats formed an arrowhead formation on the river, sailing downstream; in just two days they had entered Hezhou territory." Use glossary: Hezhou. So: 【51】 Countless boats formed an arrowhead formation on the river, sailing downstream; in just two days they had entered Hezhou territory.

Although they hadn't yet seen Hezhou's city walls or the undulating God‑Immortal Ridge, that familiar feeling had already arrived.

Translate: "Although they hadn't yet seen Hezhou's city walls, nor the undulating Shenxian Ling, that familiar feeling had already arrived." Use glossary: Hezhou, Shenxian Ling. So: 【52】 Although they hadn't yet seen Hezhou's city walls, nor the undulating Shenxian Ling, that familiar feeling had already arrived.

Chen Wují leaned on the bow, his heart surging.

Translate: "Chen Wuji leaned against the bow, his heart surging." Use glossary: Chen Wuji. So: 【53】 Chen Wuji leaned against the bow, his heart surging.

Over a year and more, he went from being a hunter roaming the God‑Immortal Ridge to becoming a regional lord commanding nearly two hundred thousand troops; looking back now, it feels dreamlike.

Translate: "In over a year's time, he went from being a hunter roaming Shenxian Ling to becoming a local lord commanding nearly two hundred thousand troops; looking back now at these steps feels dreamlike." Use glossary: Shenxian Ling. So: 【54】 In over a year's time, he went from being a hunter roaming Shenxian Ling to becoming a local lord commanding nearly two hundred thousand troops; looking back now at these steps feels dreamlike.

There is a very vague sense of unreality.

Translate: "There is a very vague sense of unreality." So: 【55】 There is a very vague sense of unreality.

Even Chen Wují himself finds it somewhat unbelievable.

Translate: "Even Chen Wuji himself finds it somewhat unbelievable." Use glossary: Chen Wuji. So: 【56】 Even Chen Wuji himself finds it somewhat unbelievable.

But he really did it!

Translate: "But he really did it!" So: 【57】 But he really did it!

There are many reasons; singling out any one of them is insufficient to achieve success.

Translate: "There are many reasons; singling out any one of them alone is insufficient to achieve success." So: 【58】 There are many reasons; singling out any one of them alone is insufficient to achieve success.

But when those reasons all came together, he succeeded.