Chapter 94: with translation of chapter title

The Zhang family nurtures bandits.

Zhang Family nurtures bandits.

And Chen Wuji killed over a dozen lackeys of the Zhang family.

And Chen Wuji killed over a dozen lackeys of the Zhang family.

Even by the simplest logic, beating a dog still depends on the owner's attitude—this truly counts as a deep grudge.

Translation: By the simplest logic, even beating a dog depends on the owner's attitude—this truly counts as a great grudge. (We need to keep meaning). We'll translate: "By the simplest standard, even beating a dog depends on the owner's attitude; this truly counts as a great grudge."

But Chen Wuji could hardly imagine that the esteemed Imperial Censor would actually condone his subordinates to massacre villages and strongholds.

But Chen Wuji could hardly imagine that the esteemed Censor Lord would actually condone his subordinates to massacre villages and strongholds.

What is he trying to do?

Translation: What is he trying to do?

Honestly earned silver is too clean; they insist on using power and influence to stir up trouble, smearing their wealth with the blood of ordinary people before they feel secure.

Translation: Honestly earned silver is too clean; they insist on using power to stir up trouble, smearing their wealth with the blood of ordinary folk before they feel secure. (We need to keep meaning). We'll translate: "Honestly earned silver is too clean; they insist on using power to stir up trouble, smearing their wealth with the blood of ordinary folk before they feel secure."

Or perhaps the county magistrate has become disobedient, and they want to force a replacement by spilling the people's blood.

Or perhaps the county magistrate has become disobedient, and they want to force a replacement by spilling the people's blood.

"This is a bottomless mire; what do you intend to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

Translation: "This is a bottomless mire; what do you intend to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

"Send them to the county office; what else can we do? We're just killing bandits, and we don't know whose lackeys they are." Chen Buzhi said offhand, "Our Chen family versus the Zhang family isn't even worthy of an egg against a stone; if not this, what else can we do? We'll drag it out as long as we can!"

Translation: "Hand it over to the county office; what else can we do? We're just killing bandits, and we don't know whose lackeys they are." Chen Bushi said offhandedly, "Our Chen clan versus the Zhang Family isn't even a stone against an egg—if we don't do this, what else can we do? We'll just drag it out as long as we can."

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation. We'll output as a single line.

"Maybe someone will have a solution; let's leave it like this for now—I'll give it a try!" Chen Wuji thought of Qin Zhanhong, that woman who insists on actively riding him.

"Maybe someone will have a solution; let's leave it like this for now—I'll give it a try!" Chen Wuji thought of Qin Zhanhong, that woman who insists on actively riding her.

But we need to keep meaning. We'll translate: "Maybe someone will have a solution; let's leave it like this for now—I'll give it a try!" Chen Wuji thought of Qin Zhanhong, that woman who insists on actively riding her.

No matter who the Imperial City Secretariat investigates this time in Yunan, they will definitely be interested in the Zhang family.

Translation: Regardless of whom the Imperial City Department is investigating in Yunan this time, they will certainly take an interest in the Zhang Family.

The emperor's lackeys, if nothing unexpected happens, should also be seeking merit.

Translation: The Son of Heaven's Claws, if nothing unexpected happens, should also be seeking merit.

Chen Wuji looked up, "It seems there are no survivors tonight, right?"

Translation: Chen Wuji raised his head and said, "It seems there are no survivors tonight, right?"

Chen Buzhi smiled faintly, "No, what survivors? The fight was so chaotic, we chopped them all down."

Translation: Chen Bushi smiled faintly and said, "No, what survivors? The fight was so chaotic we killed them all."

Chen Wuji nodded, "The uncles and brothers outside should also know about this, but only we two know, which isn't enough."

Translation: Chen Wuji nodded and said, "The uncles and brothers outside should also know about this, but just the two of us knowing isn't enough."

"Don't worry, I'll handle this." Chen Buzhi nodded, "But, kid, who else do you know? Never mind, I won't ask who exactly. In short, you must understand: the Zhang family is a man-eating tiger crouching in Nan Commandery; without a foolproof plan, don't leak this news lightly."

Translation: "Rest assured, I'll handle this." Chen Bushi nodded and said, "But you, kid, do you know anyone else? Never mind, I won't ask who exactly. In short, you must understand: the Zhang Family is a man-eating tiger crouching in Nan Jun; without a foolproof plan, don't lightly spread this news."

"I understand!"

Translation: "I understand!"

In a few words, they settled the tone for this matter.

Translation: After a few words, they settled on the basic approach to this matter.

Seal the mouth, feign ignorance, lie low.

Translation: Seal the lips, feign ignorance, lie low.

"I'll go handle this first; we'll talk about the rest later." Chen Buzhi said.

Translation: "I'll go handle this first; we'll discuss the rest later." Chen Bushi said.

"Okay."

Translation: "Okay."

When the Chen family was about to leave, they carried Chen Wuji and Yuan Jinshi into the main house.

Translation: As the Chen family was about to leave, they carried Chen Wuji and Yuan Jinshi into the main house.

Tonight, Chen Wuji had no chance to share a big bed again; he could only share a bed and pillow with Yuan Jinshi and Yuan Xiucai.

Translation: Tonight, Chen Wuji had no chance to share the big blanket again; he could only share a bed and pillow with Yuan Jinshi and Licentiate Yuan.

Not at all pleasant.

Translation: It was not pleasant at all.

The two lads were very excited, chatting animatedly about changing their surname to Chen for most of the night.

Translation: The two lads were excited, chatting animatedly about changing their surname to Chen for most of the night.

They didn't care what surname they had; they just missed their parents, planning to visit the graves someday, to tell their parents about this and beg for forgiveness.

Translation: They didn't care what surname they bore; they merely missed their parents, planning to visit the graves someday, tell them about this, and ask for forgiveness.

They also knew this was unfilial.

Translation: They also knew this was unfilial.

But compared to being unfilial, seeking a way to survive is their greatest obsession as youths.

Translation: But compared to being unfilial, seeking a path to survival was their greatest obsession as youths.

They said their parents would surely agree to this; compared to the unfilial act of changing their surname, they believed their parents not seeing them carry on the family line would be the greatest unfiliality.

Translation: They said their parents would surely agree to this; compared to the unfilial act of changing their surname, they believed their parents would see not carrying on the family line as the greater unfilial act.

Chen Wuji just listened silently, not interfering in the brothers' night talk.

Translation: Chen Wuji merely listened silently, not interfering in the brothers' nighttime conversation.

But he never demanded that the two brothers change their surname, nor did he think of using them as servants.

Translation: But he had never demanded that the two brothers change their surname, nor had he thought of using them as servants.

Just that there are some things he needs to look into further.

Translation: He just needed to observe a few more things.

As the saying goes, you can see a person's old age at three; Chen Wuji has never seen what these two brothers looked like at age three.

Translation: As the saying goes, judge a person at three to know their old age; Chen Wuji had never seen what the two brothers looked like at three years old.

So he can only look more.

Translation: So he could only watch them more.

The next day, it rained all day.

Translation: The next day, it rained all day.

The bloody smell outside the yard spread with the rain, making Chen Wuji, lying peacefully on the kang waiting to be served, feel terrible all day.

Translation: The stench of blood outside the courtyard spread with the rain, making Chen Wuji, who lay peacefully on the kang awaiting service, feel miserable all day.

When killing, he relied solely on fierce courage, as if those smells were automatically filtered; but now he truly can't stand it. The more he smells, the worse he feels, his throat and stomach feeling knotted together, seeing who gives in first.

Translation: While killing, he relied solely on fierce courage, as if those smells were automatically filtered out; now he truly can't bear it. The more he smells, the worse he feels—his throat and stomach feel knotted together, as if competing to give out first.

In the afternoon, Chen Luozi and Chen Buzhi came together, spoke with Chen Wuji, and took away the corpses still piled outside.

Translation: In the afternoon, Chen Luozi and Chen Bushi came together for a trip, spoke with Chen Wuji, and carried away the corpses still piled outside.

Their action, in Chen Wuji's view, was nothing short of a bodhisattva's deed.

Translation: In Chen Wuji's view, their action was nothing short of a bodhisattva's deed.

Too kind!

Translation: Too kind!

After handling the corpses, the bloody smell finally faded considerably, and the house felt a bit more relaxed.

Translation: After the corpses were disposed of, the bloody smell finally faded considerably, and the house felt a bit more relaxed.

Because of these corpses, Huo Saniang and Shen Youwei were so frightened they didn't dare go out all day.

Translation: Because of these corpses, Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei were frightened and didn't dare step outside all day.

Chen Wuji lay on the kang for three full days before he could barely get up.

Translation: Chen Wuji lay on the kang for three full days before he could barely get up.

He wasn't stabbed many times, but it still hurt.

Translation: He hadn't been cut by many blades, but it still hurt.

His muscles ached all over, his bones ached, as if there was no comfortable spot.

Translation: His muscles ached all over, his bones hurt, as if there was no comfortable spot.

On the morning of the fourth day, Chen Buzhi and Chen Luozi drove two donkey carts to Chen Wuji's home.

Translation: On the morning of the fourth day, Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi drove two donkey carts to Chen Wuji's home.

Today they need to go to the county office to report merit and also file a report.

Translation: Today they were going to the county office to report merit and file a case.

After hearing this, Chen Wuji also went along.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji also joined them.

However, this kind of public-facing matter was left to Chen Buzhi, the newly appointed village chief.

Translation: However, this kind of public-facing task was left to Chen Bushi, the newly appointed village chief.

He currently looks like a ghost, really having no inclination to bring gifts to the county magistrate.

Translation: He currently looks like a ghost and really has no inclination to bring gifts to the county magistrate.

After reaching the county town, Chen Wuji had Chen Buzhi take him to the Ciji Zhai.

Translation: After reaching the county city, Chen Wuji had Chen Bushi take him to the Charitable Aid Hall.

In order to recover sooner, he had to seek help from Old Man Zhang.

Translation: In order to recover sooner, he had no choice but to seek help from Old Zhang.

Suddenly three more people joined the household; food and drink will become a huge problem from now on.

Translation: Suddenly, three more people joined the household, making food and drink a formidable challenge thereafter.

He doesn't have that much time to waste lying on the kang.

Translation: He didn't have that much time to waste lying on the kang.

"Old Zhang, wake up quickly and save my dog's life!" Chen Wuji walked up the stone steps and pushed the old man sleeping on the soft cushion at the door, who lay there like an immortal.

Translation: "Old Zhang, wake up quickly and save my life!" Chen Wuji walked up the stone steps and shoved the Zhang Lao who was sleeping like an immortal on the soft cushion at the doorway.

"Go away, go away, stop bothering me, old man!" Old Zhang irritably waved his arm without opening his eyes.

Translation: "Go away, go away, stop bothering this old man!" Zhang Lao waved his arm irritably without opening his eyes.

This old man's morning grumpiness is quite strong.

Translation: This old man's morning temper is quite big.

Little Fish poked his head out the door, giggling, "Old man, your long-awaited true disciple has come; hurry up and stop pretending to sleep."

Translation: Xiaoyu poked his head out from the doorway, giggling, "Old man, your true disciple whom you've longed for has come—hurry up and stop pretending to sleep."

Old Zhang suddenly opened his eyes, looked up and saw Chen Wuji, instantly delighted; but upon closer look, the eyebrows that had just jumped up immediately drooped again: "Kid, how did you end up looking like this? Come in, let me take a look."

Translation: Zhang Lao's eyes snapped open; upon seeing Chen Wuji, he instantly beamed, then upon closer look, the eyebrows he had just raised drooped again: "Kid, how did you end up looking like this? Come in, let me take a look."

Chen Wuji gave a wry smile and said: "This matter is a long story; simply put, I was hacked by the Bandit Refugees, and that gang sneaked into our village."

Move here! Zhang Lao said firmly, "Whether you take this disciple or not is fine for now, but the city still has the Xianya Three-Class Patrol and the Provincial Troops, which are still safer than outside."

Chen Wuji felt warm in his heart, smiling and shaking his head, "I appreciate your kindness, Zhang Lao, but bringing the whole family is really inconvenient; please first help me take a look."

"Damn it, if you're stubborn, then do as you wish; after all, you're not my disciple, so even if you died, to me it would just mean I won't hear your name or see you anymore." Zhang Lao pounded his lower back, muttering as he walked around the counter.

Chen Wuji gave a helpless, light laugh.

"Stretch out your hand!" Zhang Lao shouted angrily.

Chen Wuji rolled up his sleeve and honestly extended his arm.

Zhang Lao took Chen Wuji's pulse, then examined the wound on his hand, and his expression instantly worsened: "You know medicine too, so why not kill yourself and come see me? Checking a corpse after you die would be simpler, no effort needed."

"With this hand, if you were a few days later, I wouldn't be treating you—I'd just chop it off, settle it once and for all."