Chapter 153

Qi wants our Dragon Clan people to take his place in facing the calamity; from a value standpoint, I should agree, after all, our clansmen cannot avoid this calamity—they will inevitably be involved.

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. We should translate the content inside quotes? The line includes the quoted speech. We should translate the whole line including the quotation marks? Usually we translate the content, but we can keep the quotes as punctuation. We'll output: "Qi wants our Dragon Clan people to bear the calamity for him; from a value perspective, I should agree, after all, no matter what, our clansmen cannot escape this calamity and will eventually be involved in it."

But we need to keep the quotes? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add or omit. The original includes Chinese quotation marks 「」. We can keep them or replace with English quotes? Usually we translate the content and keep the punctuation as appropriate. I'd keep the English double quotes? Better to keep the original Chinese quotes? The instruction didn't specify to keep Chinese punctuation; we just translate. I'll output the translation without the Chinese quotes, but include English quotes if they were part of the speech? The original line includes 「」 around the spoken content. In English we can use quotes. I'll output with English double quotes.

Thus: 【1】 "Qi wants our Dragon Clan people to bear the calamity for him; from a value perspective, I should agree, after all, no matter what, our clansmen cannot escape this calamity and will eventually be involved in it."

But we need to keep the meaning exactly: Qi wants us Dragon Clan people to substitute for him to bear the calamity; from a value standpoint, I should agree; after all, no matter what, the clansmen cannot escape this calamity; they will eventually participate in it.

We'll produce that.

Besides, taking his place in the calamity would at least add the strength of a Great Luo Golden Immortal to our clan, and we might even inherit his Dao.

Translation: "Moreover, by having him bear the calamity, the Dragon Clan will at least gain the combat power of one Great Luo Golden Immortal, and furthermore, there is even a possibility of inheriting his Dao lineage."

Ancestor Dragon looked grave and said, "But in my heart, as the Dragon Clan chief, I find this hard to accept."

Translation: "Ancestral Dragon's face was heavy, and he again said: 'But in my heart, as the clan chief of the Dragon Clan, this makes it hard for me to accept.'"

The room fell into a deathly silence, both breathing heavily; even with the Dragon Clan's qi, cultivating a Great Luo Golden Immortal in a short time is extremely difficult.

Translation: "The room fell into a deathly silence; both of their breaths were somewhat heavy. Given the Dragon Clan's qi fortune, cultivating a Great Luo Golden Immortal in a short time is also extremely difficult."

Although they, as the heads of the scale armor, can claim a large share of that qi, the qi ultimately belongs to all scale armor under heaven.

Translation: "Although they are the foremost among the scaled, they can share a large portion of that qi fortune, but the qi fortune ultimately belongs to all scaled beings under heaven."

After a moment, Azure Dragon spoke up.

After a moment, Azure Dragon proactively said:

Agree, a Great Luo Golden Immortal's impact on the battlefield cannot be ignored, and joining the great calamity is not hopeless; as Dragon Clan members, they cannot escape the great calamity either.

Translation: Agree, a Great Luo Golden Immortal's impact on the battlefield cannot be ignored, and joining the great calamity is not hopeless; as Dragon Clan people, they cannot escape the great calamity either.

Agreed, a Great Luo Golden Immortal's impact on the battlefield ultimately cannot be ignored, and participating in the great calamity is not absolutely hopeless; as members of the Dragon Clan, they also cannot escape the great calamity.

But grammar: "cannot be ignored" is fine.

Ancestor Dragon understood Azure Dragon's point: he felt the clansmen would inevitably be caught in the great calamity whether they substitute or not, so it's better to agree—at least we'd gain an extra Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Translation: "Ancestral Dragon understood Azure Dragon's meaning; it was nothing more than feeling that the clansmen would ultimately be unable to dodge the great calamity, whether they substitute for others or not, they would still participate in it; it would be better to agree, at least gaining one more Great Luo Golden Immortal."

"Brother, I know this is hard to accept, but it's ultimately the best solution."

Translation: "'Elder brother, I know this is hard to accept, but this is ultimately the best solution.'"

Ancestor Dragon stayed silent, then after a moment said, "Hmm, but not just that; after this, let him promise to grant the Dragon Clan a karmic debt."

Translation: "Ancestral Dragon fell silent, and only after a moment did he say: 'Hmm, but not only that; after this matter, let him promise, grant the Dragon Clan a karmic bond.'"

"At least, if the one who bears the calamity dies in battle, he must choose another from the Dragon Clan as his disciple, whether or not they can inherit the Dao."

Translation: "'At least, if the person who bears the calamity this time dies in battle, he must choose another from the Dragon Clan as his disciple, regardless of whether they can inherit the Dao lineage.'"

Azure Dragon nodded and said, "Good, I'll go discuss this with him now."

Translation: "Azure Dragon nodded and said: 'Good, I will go discuss this with him now.'"

After saying that, he turned and left.

Translation: "Having said that, he turned and left."

Ancestor Dragon closely followed him and also left the place; staying there, there's always a sense that he is treating the clansmen as bargaining chips.

Translation: "Ancestral Dragon closely followed, also leaving this place; staying here, there is always a feeling that he is treating the clansmen as bargaining chips."

When Azure Dragon arrived, Qi was brewing tea in the courtyard; seeing him approach, Qi knew they had agreed.

Translation: "When Azure Dragon arrived, Qi was boiling tea in the courtyard; seeing Azure Dragon come, he knew they had agreed."

Qi's earlier evasiveness also made him suspect them, thinking they might have known the purpose of his trip.

Translation: "Qi's earlier evasiveness made him also suspect them, feeling they might have known the purpose of his journey."

Azure Dragon walked straight to Qi's side, sat cross-legged on the mat with a neutral expression, and said, "Fellow Daoist, my brother and I agree with what you said, but we have a few requests—let's hear what you think."

Translation: "Azure Dragon walked straight to Qi's side, sat cross-legged on the futon, with no expression of joy or anger, and said: 'Dao friend, the matters you spoke of, I and my elder brother have agreed, but there are still some requests; let's see what you think.'"

Qi gave a slight nod and said, "Please, Fellow Daoist, speak; I'm willing to hear the details."

Translation: "Qi slightly nodded and said: 'Dao friend, please speak; I am willing to hear the details.'"

Only then did Azure Dragon speak:

Translation: "Azure Dragon then began to speak:"

"What you want, Fellow Daoist, will inevitably involve some difficulty, but in the great calamity there will always be trade-offs."

Translation: "'What you desire, Dao friend, will inevitably involve some difficulty, but in the great calamity, there will always be some choices to make.'"

"After the calamity, if the child you chose still survives, then it's fine; otherwise it's all just empty talk."

Translation: "'After this calamity, if the child selected by you, Dao friend, still manages to survive, then it's fine; everything else is just empty talk.'"

"However, the inheritance promise you mentioned should be fulfilled."

Translation: "'However, the promise of lineage you mentioned, Dao friend, ought to be fulfilled.'"

Qi nodded in agreement, saying, "This is only right; though my motives aren't pure, he is ultimately my disciple, and the Dao inheritance naturally belongs to him."

Translation: "Qi nodded in acknowledgment and said: 'This is only natural; although my motives are not pure, he is ultimately my disciple, and the inheritance of the Dao lineage rightfully belongs to him.'"

Azure Dragon was somewhat satisfied and added, "If he unfortunately dies in the calamity, you must choose another from the Dragon Clan to inherit your Dao."

Translation: "Azure Dragon became somewhat satisfied and added: 'If he unfortunately perishes in the calamity, you need to select another from the Dragon Clan to be the inheritor of your Dao lineage.'"

Qi nodded in agreement, slightly frowning, and said, "This is ultimately my debt to the Dragon Clan; if he unfortunately dies, there should be a Dragon Clan descendant among the Yunmeng Ze Dao inheritance, but the Dao inheritance is paramount—I cannot guarantee the outcome."

Translation: "Qi nodded in acknowledgment, slightly furrowed his brows, and said: 'This is ultimately my indebtedness to the Dragon Clan; if he unfortunately loses his life, among the Dao lineage inheritance of Cloud Dream Marsh, there ought to be a Dragon Clan descendant selected, but the inheritance of the Dao lineage is of utmost importance; I cannot guarantee the outcome.'"

Azure Dragon also understood the importance of the inheritance, nodded in agreement, and did not expect Qi to bind the Dao inheritance to the Dragon Clan.

Translation: "Azure Dragon also knew the importance of the lineage inheritance, nodded to show agreement, and he did not expect Qi to bind the Dao lineage to the Dragon Clan."

Now there's an opportunity to pass on the Dao inheritance—this is also what he and Ancestor Dragon originally intended.

Translation: "Now having the opportunity to pass on the Dao lineage is enough; this was also his and Ancestral Dragon's original intention."

Azure Dragon spoke again:

Translation: "Azure Dragon spoke again:"

"The final request: the Dragon Clan has always respected you, Fellow Daoist; this time, no matter what, you are ultimately the one who owes first, and I want you to grant a karmic debt."

Translation: "'The final request: the Dragon Clan has always respected you, Dao friend; no matter what, you are initially indebted, and I want you to grant a karmic bond.'"

"If the Dragon Clan fails in this great calamity, you should offer some assistance; and if you ever have a request in the future, you must not refuse."

Translation: "'If the Dragon Clan fails in this great calamity, you ought to offer some assistance; should you have any future requests, you must not refuse.'"

Qi frowned tightly, and after a moment he said:

Translation: "Qi's brows furrowed tightly, and only after a moment did he speak:"

"If that day truly comes, I will not refuse as long as it is within my ability."

Translation: "'If such a day truly comes, within my ability, I will not refuse.'"

Seeing that Qi had almost agreed, Azure Dragon's expression eased considerably, and the atmosphere between them was no longer as heavy as before.

Translation: "Seeing that Qi had agreed to almost everything, Azure Dragon's expression eased considerably, and the atmosphere between them was no longer as heavy as before."

However, his attitude had been too stiff just now, and he didn't know how to ease it; Qi also didn't want the atmosphere to stay awkward, so he spoke first.

Translation: "However, just now his attitude was overly stiff, and he currently does not know how to ease it. Qi also does not want the atmosphere to remain awkward like this, so he spoke first:"

"Now that we are in the great calamity, I suppose you're busy, Fellow Daoist; I won't keep you longer—the sea scenery is best enjoyed alone to be more flavorful."

Translation: "'Now that we are in the midst of the great calamity, I suppose you, Dao friend, are busy with affairs; I will not keep you longer. The scenery of this sea, ultimately, should be appreciated alone to be more flavorful.'"

Azure Dragon forced a smile and replied:

Translation: "Azure Dragon forced out a smile and replied:"

"Clan affairs are busy; thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your understanding; excuse me for taking my leave first—if you have any questions, feel free to ask the sea clan people."

Translation: "'Clan affairs are busy; thank you, Dao friend, for your understanding. Excuse me for taking my leave first; if there is anything unclear, you may ask the sea clan people.'"

"Although their cultivation is low, they have spent their whole lives in the sea, and their understanding of the sea sometimes even surpasses mine."

Translation: "'Although their cultivation is low, they have lived their whole lives in the great sea; their understanding of the sea, some even surpasses mine.'"

Qi clasped his hands and said:

Translation: "Qi cupped his hands and said:"

"Good."

Translation: "'Good.'"

After saying that, Azure Dragon did not linger, turned and left; he needed to calm his mind.

Translation: "Having said that, Azure Dragon did not linger further, turned and left; he needed to compose his state of mind."

Moreover, he needs to consider how to deal with the possible arrival of innate deities later.

Translation: "Moreover, he needs to consider how to deal with the possible arrival of the primordial divine sage later."

Qi then returned to the mat; Azure Dragon was indeed right—no matter what, the Dragon Clan has always been friendly toward him.

Translation: "Qi then returned to the futon; Azure Dragon was indeed correct—no matter what, the Dragon Clan has always been friendly toward him."

Moreover, he is the one who first owed the Dragon Clan; this karmic debt is one Qi should incur.

Translation: "Furthermore, it is he who is first indebted to the Dragon Clan; this karmic bond, Qi ought to incur."

After a long while, Qi finally sighed.

Translation: "After a long while, Qi finally sighed:"

"\"Great God Hunyuan, your karmic debt has caused people to suffer to this extent! \""

Translation: "'Great God Hongjun, your karmic bonds actually make people feel this miserable!'"

At the same time, he thought that from now on he should stay far from Hunyuan; the current him is completely a pit, and contacting him will only bring trouble.

Translation: "At the same time, he thought in his heart: from now on, I should still keep my distance from Hongjun; he is now completely a pitfall, and contacting him will only bring trouble."

Yunmeng Ze.

Translation: "Cloud Dream Marsh."

Yang Mei didn't see Qi's figure and realized Qi had already left for the Dragon Clan, laughing, "I actually didn't notice; I should really drink less liquor, but this youngster acts swiftly and decisively—I don't know if he'll get beaten up."

Translation: "Yangmei not seeing Qi's figure, he knew Qi had already set off for the Dragon Clan, and couldn't help but laugh: 'I actually hadn't noticed; indeed, I should still drink less alcohol, but this youngster's actions are truly swift and decisive; I don't know if he'll be beaten up.'"

Gazing at the great formation before him, Yang Mei felt very satisfied, thinking he won't be disturbed by Luo Hou and Hunyuan in the short term.

Translation: "Gazing at the great formation before him, Yangmei felt very satisfied, thinking that in a short time he would not be disturbed by Rahu and Hongjun."

Also seeing the people in the pavilion playing chess, he approached and said, "You all live so laxly; aren't you afraid the Dao will have no hope?"

Translation: "Moreover, seeing the people in the pavilion playing chess, he approached and said: 'You all live so laxly; aren't you afraid the Great Dao offers no hope?'"

Nüwa glanced at the chessboard, seeing herself at an absolute disadvantage, her eyes suddenly brightened, and she said, "Great God, if you want to join in, just say so directly—why look for such an excuse? I'll let you be."

Translation: "Nüwa glanced at the chessboard, seeing herself in an absolute disadvantage, her eyes suddenly brightened, and said: 'Great God, if you want to join in, just say so directly; why seek such an excuse? I'll let you have it.'"

Having said that, without waiting for Yang Mei's reaction, she stood up and pulled him onto her seat.

Translation: "Having said that, without waiting for Yangmei's reaction, she rose and pulled him onto her seat."

Furthermore, she smiled at Taiyi, who plays chess without mercy:

Translation: "She also turned to Taiyi, who shows no mercy in chess, and smiled:"

"Give you a different opponent; I'll first watch the battle for a moment."

Translation: "'I'll give you a different opponent; I'll first watch the battle for a moment.'"

Yang Mei, meanwhile, was looking at the chessboard before him, brows furrowed, studying whether there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

Translation: "Yangmei, meanwhile, was looking at the chessboard before him, brows furrowed tightly, researching whether there was still a chance to salvage the situation."

"\"You little girl, you're clever; with such a bad situation, you didn't even ask the poor Daoist, just threw it to him. \""

Translation: "'You little girl, you're quite clever; with such a poor situation, you didn't even ask this humble daoist, just tossed it to this humble daoist.'"

Facing Yang Mei's teasing, Nüwa's smile became even more radiant, and she said, "Great God, your cultivation is profound; after one game of chess, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

Translation: "Facing Yangmei's complaint, Nüwa's smile became even more radiant, and she said: 'Great God, your cultivation is profound; a single game of chess should pose no problem, right?'"

"\"After all, in our view, the Great God is omnipotent. \""

Translation: "'After all, in our view, the Great God is omniscient and omnipotent.'"

Yang Mei's mouth corner twitched up slightly, yet their mouth still spoke words of contempt:

"Among those people, you are the most cunning, actually bullying onto this poor Daoist's head, and you're not afraid of letting this poor Daoist lose face."

And Fuxi Di Jun merely watched the scene in silence, his heart calm and self-satisfied.

Only Taiyi was left to face Yangmei's peculiar chess style alone.

(End of chapter)