Chapter 239: with translation of chapter title

Translate: "239. Chapter 239: Handling the Wu Clan, the Heavenly Might King of the Western Cosmos". Keep "239." prefix.

Qi's eyes glimmered as he saw Kunpeng and the others arrive; he then withdrew to the rear hall, and the moment the twelve ancestral witches left PanGu Hall, his gaze had already settled on them.

Line: "Qi's eyes glimmered slightly, seeing Kunpeng and the others arrive, he then retreated to the rear hall; at the moment the twelve ancestral witches left PanGu Hall, they had already fallen into Qi's sight."

Need to keep same meaning, not add. Let's produce concise: "Qi's eyes glimmered slightly; seeing Kunpeng and the others arrive, he retreated to the rear hall, and at the moment the twelve ancestral witches left PanGu Hall, they had already fallen into Qi's sight."

Make sure each clause present.

"The heavenly realm sits atop Mount Buzhou; I never expected there to be such a secret hidden within the mountain, able to mask its aura and keep it from my eyes."

Translate: ""The Heavenly Realm sits atop Mount Buzhou; I never expected there to be such a secret within Mount Buzhou, capable of concealing its aura, keeping it from my sight.""

Need to keep quotes. Use double quotes.

His forehead eyes flared open, and an invisible divine light swept over the spot where the twelve ancestral witches had just appeared, shattering stone and meeting no resistance, yet showing nothing out of the ordinary.

Translate: "The eyes on his forehead opened wide, and an invisible divine light swept toward the place where the twelve ancestral witches had just appeared, shattering rocks, encountering no obstruction, yet seeing nothing unusual."

Make sure each clause.

"I have reached the peak of the wilderness, yet there remains something beyond my reach—the witch tribe's secret, which appears even greater than we thought."

Translate: ""I have now reached the pinnacle of the Wilderness, yet there remains something unattainable; the secret of the Wu Clan appears to surpass even what we imagined.""

"If it were just me alone, we couldn't even talk about this today; but with this secret, should they make a breakthrough, their wild nature would surely spur them to contend with the heavenly court."

Translate: ""If it were only me, today's matter would hardly be discussable; with this secret, should they make a breakthrough, given their unrestrained nature, they would surely develop a heart to contend with the Heavenly Court.""

Qi tapped his finger on the armrest, hesitated a moment, then messaged Taiyi, inviting him to join him in receiving the twelve ancestral witches.

Translate: "Qi tapped his fingers on the armrest of his seat; after a slight hesitation, he sent a message to Taiyi, inviting him to appear together to receive the twelve ancestral witches."

Every race has its own way of surviving; unless it's essential, Qi prefers not to let the heavenly court interfere, because imposing change easily disturbs traditions and ultimately is wrong.

Translate: "All clans have their own way of survival; unless necessary, Qi does not want the Heavenly Court to intervene, for forcing change upon people ultimately is improper."

Qi selected two options for the witch tribe: first, to have them take on some weak tribes as vassals to assist with farming.

Translate: "Qi chose two paths for the Wu Clan: first, to have them accept some weak clans as vassals, who would help them farm."

This offers many advantages for both parties: it solves the issue of spiritual lands lying waste, and it also stabilizes the witch people's activity area, facilitating heavenly court oversight.

Translate: "This brings many benefits to both sides; the waste of spiritual lands can be resolved, and it can also fix the Wu people's activity range, making it easier for the Heavenly Court to administer."

Furthermore, they would not need to labor themselves yet still have food and clothing; a life of ease would eventually sap their fighting spirit and valor.

Translate: "Moreover, they would need not lift a finger to have food and clothing; over time, a life of ease would erode their fighting spirit and blood courage."

To Qi, this is a comparatively gentle option and also the optimal choice for the heavenly court, since it leaves tax income untouched while covertly diminishing the ancestral witches' influence.

Translate: "In Qi's view, this is the milder option and also the best for the Heavenly Court: it does not affect tax revenue and can invisibly weaken the ancestral witches' influence."

The alternative is to enroll the witch tribe's people into the heavenly court as heavenly soldiers and generals under the Department of Battle, having them relinquish their wilderness lands and be sustained by the court.

Translate: "As for the other path, it is to enroll the Wu Clan members into the Heavenly Court, becoming heavenly soldiers and generals under the Department of Battle, letting them abandon their lands in the Wilderness and be supported by the Heavenly Court instead."

This is also a good option for the heavenly court, despite the added logistical burden, because it enables direct control of the witch tribe.

Translate: "For the Heavenly Court, this is also a good method; although the logistical burden increases greatly, it allows direct control over the Wu Clan."

It puts a distance between them and the ancestral witches, and should the heavenly court wish to weaken the witch tribe, there are many means available.

Translate: "It creates a separation between them and the ancestral witches, and if the Heavenly Court wishes to weaken the Wu Clan, there are plenty of ways to do so."

If granted honor, power, and prestige, they might eagerly compete for it, seeing sacrifice and death in battle as glory, thus constantly weakening themselves in warfare.

Translate: "If honor, power, and fame are bestowed upon them, they might even vie eagerly, regarding sacrifice and death in battle as glory, continually weakening themselves in war."

If they reject both options, Qi will have to resort to harsh measures, amending heavenly law to limit the mutual hunting of sentient beings.

Translate: "If they accept neither, Qi can only resort to harsh measures, amending heavenly laws to restrict mutual predation among sentient beings."

This would maximally slow the witch tribe's growth, since they cultivate their blood and flesh; without external qi and blood replenishment, and without farming, it would be hard for them to keep their cultivation from declining.

Translate: "This can maximally slow the Wu Clan's growth, for they cultivate blood and flesh; without external blood replenishment and without farming, it is doubtful they can even maintain their cultivation level."

Even if they could barely get by, they would spend most of their lives hunting, leaving little time for cultivation.

Translate: "Even if they can barely sustain themselves, most of their lives would be spent hunting, leaving little leisure for cultivation."

Furthermore, a rationale for the law is easy to find: simply lament that cultivation is difficult for all beings and hope to lessen killing and sin.

Translate: "Moreover, the justification for such legislation is easy to find: merely lament that cultivation is hard for all beings, hoping to reduce killing karma."

Upon Taiyi's arrival, Qi explained his ideas in detail; seeing no opposition, he waited in the rear hall for the twelve ancestral witches to arrive.

Translate: "When Taiyi arrived, Qi laid out his ideas one by one; seeing no opposition, he then waited in the rear hall for the twelve ancestral witches to arrive."

At that moment, beneath Mount Buzhou, the twelve ancestral witches, accompanied by Sheche, rode the clouds toward the heavenly realm.

Translate: "At that moment, beneath Mount Buzhou, the twelve ancestral witches, accompanied by Sheche, rode the clouds toward the Heavenly Realm."

Originally, Mount Buzhou could not be flown over, and it still cannot; but the heavenly court, using the divine dao rhythms of the myriad gods, has opened a road.

Translate: "Originally, Mount Buzhou was impassable by flight, and it still is; however, the Heavenly Court, through the divine rhythms of the gods, has opened a great road."

On this road, Pangu's overwhelming aura is nearly gone, allowing the gods to fly.

Translate: "On this great road, the awe of PanGu the Great God is nearly absent, giving the gods room to fly."

However, to display the heavenly court's dignity, unless summoned by the Heavenly Emperor or there is a heavenly council, flight is forbidden; one must ascend the long staircase step by step to reach the heavenly realm.

Translate: "Nevertheless, to manifest the Heavenly Court's dignity, unless summoned by the Heavenly Emperor or there is a Heavenly Court assembly, flight is forbidden; one must ascend the long stairway step by step to the Heavenly Realm."

The twelve ancestral witches' faces were all somewhat grim; having previously inquired without success, this god-general Sheche is ignorant of etiquette and shows them little respect.

Translate: "The faces of the twelve ancestral witches were somewhat grim; having found no answer to their earlier inquiries, this divine general Sheche seemed ignorant of propriety, showing them little respect."

Such cold reception inevitably breeds a hint of gloom in their hearts about this journey, leaving them feeling it is not a good thing.

Translate: "Such cold treatment inevitably gave them a sense of gloom about this journey, feeling it was not auspicious."

Moreover, having just spoken rashly in PanGu Hall, they were immediately summoned by the heavenly court; lacking confidence, they also find it hard to speak out and turn against them.

Translate: "Moreover, having just spoken rashly in PanGu Hall, they were immediately summoned by the Heavenly Court, lacking confidence and finding it hard to turn hostile."

Thus came the present scene: Sheche leads the way ahead, while the twelve ancestral witches follow with grim faces, and only after a hundred years do they finally enter the heavenly realm.

Translate: "Thus came the present situation: Sheche led the way ahead, the twelve ancestral witches followed with grim faces, and after a hundred years they finally entered the Heavenly Realm."

Fortunately, upon entering the heavenly realm, a formation guides them straight into the Divine Azure Heaven.

Translate: "Fortunately, upon entering the Heavenly Realm, a formation guided them directly into the Divine Azure Heaven."

Seeing the gates of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall shut tight, Emperor Jiang and the others thought they'd have to wait longer, but they were instead ushered straight into the rear hall by the attendants.

Translate: "Seeing the gates of the Hall of Divine Closure tightly shut, Di Jiang and the others expected to wait longer, but they were unexpectedly ushered directly into the rear hall by the attendants."

"Emperor Jiang, Hou Tu… paying respects to His Majesty Qi, His Majesty Donghuang."

But need to keep the ellipsis? Probably we can keep as "...", but we can translate as "Di Jiang, Hou Tu…". We'll keep the ellipsis as three dots.

Seated at the place of honor, Qi slightly lifted his brows, gestured to raise everyone, and, realizing they might not grasp why he'd summoned them, he spoke plainly: "This gathering is because of the witch tribe's taxes. Look: this shows the land they have occupied since their founding, and how their tax payments have changed."

Translate: "Qi, seated at the head, raised his brows slightly, lifted them all with an invisible hand, knowing they might not realize why he had summoned them, he spoke plainly: "This gathering of you all is due to the Wu Clan's taxes; please look, this is the change in land occupied and tax paid since the Wu Clan's founding.""

"The same spiritual land, when in the hands of the witch tribe versus the myriad peoples, produces yields and pays taxes that differ as greatly as heaven and earth."

Translate: ""The same parcel of spiritual land, in the hands of the Wu Clan versus in the hands of the myriad clans, yields output and tax that differ almost as heaven and earth.""

"What do you fellow Daoists think of this situation?"

Translate: ""What do a few fellow Daoists think of this situation?""

After some thought, Qi spoke tactfully, hoping to hear their explanation or learn if they had any solution.

Translate: "After some consideration, Qi tactfully said, wanting to see what explanation they had, or whether there was a solution."

The jade slip recording the witch tribe's territorial and tax changes since its birth lay before the twelve ancestral witches, letting them examine it.

Translate: "The jade slip bearing the record of the Wu Clan's land and tax changes since its birth fell before the twelve ancestral witches, allowing them to view it."

After they passed the slip around to view it, Qi then asked:

Translate: "After they passed it among themselves, Qi then asked:"

"What solutions do you fellow Daoists have? After all, spiritual lands lie at the heart of the wilderness; your expansion is natural, but you must not let them lie fallow."

Translate: ""What solution do you esteemed Daoists have for this? After all, the location of spiritual lands is the essence of the Wilderness; your expansion is normal, but you should not let them lie waste.""

The twelve ancestral witches also frowned; eventually Emperor Jiang spoke up, saying: "Your Majesty, this is not our witch tribe's fault; according to heavenly tax law, we have made no errors or omissions."

Translate: "The twelve ancestral witches also frowned; finally Di Jiang spoke up: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is also not the fault of my Wu Clan; according to the Heavenly Court's tax law, we have made no omission or error.""

"As for those spiritual lands, it's not that we don't want to manage them carefully; we simply aren't skilled at it."

Translate: ""As for those spiritual lands, it is not that my Wu Clan does not wish to manage them carefully; we simply lack skill in this.""

"Our witch tribe lives by hunting and fishing; we roam the mountains and forests hunting, and at dusk we roast and eat our catch."

Translate: ""My Wu Clan has always lived by fishing and hunting, roaming the mountains and forests by day, and at dusk we roast and eat our catch.""

"Or we maintain pastures, letting the game roam freely, and we eat their flesh; day after day, this cycle repeats."

Translate: ""Or we raise pastures, letting the game roam freely within, feeding on their flesh, day after day, in endless cycle.""

"We rise with the sun and rest at sunset; each day we work diligently, barely managing to fill our stomachs—this too is the way of heaven."

Translate: ""We rise with the sun and rest at dusk, diligent each day, barely filling our stomachs; this too is the Heavenly Dao.""

"The taxes we have paid are already a surplus, with no excess or concealment."

Translate: ""The tax we pay is already a surplus, with no excess or concealment.""

Qi frowned upon hearing this; even Taiyi was displeased, and with some dissatisfaction he spoke up to question:

Translate: "Qi heard this, his brows furrowed; even Taiyi was rather displeased, opening with a hint of dissatisfaction to question:"

"If that's what you mean, then these spiritual lands should be left waste, and the heavenly court's questioning of you would be going against the Way of Heaven."

Translate: ""If that is your meaning, then these spiritual lands ought to be left waste; is the Heavenly Court's inquiry of you a violation of the Heavenly Dao?""

Emperor Jiang was momentarily speechless; beside him, Hou Tu quickly added an apology: "Please forgive us, Your Majesty Donghuang; my elder brother didn't mean that—he's simply inept with words and doesn't know how to put it."

Translate: "Di Jiang was momentarily speechless; Hou Tu beside him quickly added an apology: "Please forgive, Your Majesty Dong Huang; my elder brother's meaning is not that, he is simply inept with words and does not know how to express it.""

Taiyi then turned his gaze to Hou Tu; his eyes shone with the awe-inspiring majesty of the Primordial Dao, as if heavenly might had descended upon him, making Hou Tu barely able to stand.

Translate: "Taiyi then turned his gaze to Hou Tu; his eyes bore the solemn majesty of the Primordial Dao, as if heavenly might had descended, making Hou Tu hardly able to stand."

Only hearing Taiyi speak: "Since you say he's inept with words, then I ask you: the witch tribe occupies so much land, yet you let it lie waste and useless."

Translate: "Only hearing Taiyi speak: "Since you say he is inept with words, then I ask you: the Wu Clan occupies so much land, yet you let them lie waste and useless.""

"You must know that the witch tribe now dwells on the Eastern Continent, the very essence of the wilderness; myriad peoples, after countless generations of painstaking cultivation, have achieved what we see today."

Translate: ""You should know that the Wu Clan now resides in the Eastern Continent, the very essence of the Wilderness; myriad peoples, after countless ages of painstaking cultivation, have achieved what we see today.""

"This is fertile soil nourished by blood and flesh, yet you let it lie waste for pasture; such wanton destruction of heavenly bounty—how can you claim to follow the Way of Heaven?"

Translate: ""This land, irrigated with blood and flesh, is fertile soil; yet you let it lie waste for pasture, squandering heavenly bounty—how can you claim to follow the Heavenly Dao?""

"Furthermore, I have never heard of the witch tribe following the Way of Heaven; have you not always merely revered the Great God Pangu?"

Translate: ""Furthermore, I have never heard of the Wu Clan ever following the Heavenly Dao; have you not always revered only PanGu the Great God?""

Faced with Taiyi's pressure, the twelve ancestral witches' vital energies intertwined to resist; this also exposed Emperor Jiang's strength, making it impossible for him to stay hidden. Qi, surprised by Emperor Jiang's rapid progress, thought: "No wonder he dares to answer in such a tone—his cultivation has advanced, giving rise to thoughts he ought not have."

Translate: "Faced with Taiyi's pressure, the twelve ancestral witches' vital energies intertwined to resist; this also exposed Di Jiang's strength, making concealment impossible. Qi, surprised by Di Jiang's rapid progress, thought to himself: "No wonder he dares to answer in such a tone; his cultivation has advanced, giving rise to thoughts he ought not have.""

This also caused Qi to abandon his original plan to play the good cop, and he let out a cold snort, saying:

Translate: "This also caused Qi to abandon his original idea of playing the good cop, and he let out a cold snort, saying:"

"The witch tribe occupies such a spiritually blessed and exquisite land, yet they do not put it to use, leaving it waste; I ask, do you have any way to change that?"

Translate: ""The Wu Clan occupies such a spiritually rich and exquisite land, yet they do not put it to use, leaving it waste; I ask, do you have any alternative?""

"If I recall correctly, the witch tribe was born about fifty yuanhui ago; its history is not short, yet do they have even the slightest inclination to change?"

Translate: ""If I recall correctly, the Wu Clan's birth was about fifty yuanhui ago; its history is not short, yet do you harbor even a hint of willingness to change?""

"All I see is that you think only of the gains from conquest, seizing land everywhere, yet you do not put it to use; why take it at all?"

Translate: ""I see only that you think of the profit of conquest, seizing lands everywhere, yet you do not put them to use; what is the point of taking them?""

Emperor Jiang wanted to leave outright, but knowing he presently lacked the means to overturn the table, he could only grit his teeth and reply: "Your Majesty, my witch tribe has an enormous demand for qi and blood; without a large supplement of qi and blood, it is truly difficult to develop."

Translate: "Di Jiang wanted to leave outright, but knowing he lacked the means to overturn the table, he gritted his teeth and replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, my Wu Clan has an extremely high demand for blood and qi; without a massive supplement of blood and qi, development is truly difficult.""

If we take farming as our main pursuit, the clansmen's cultivation will progress slowly; if this continues, we will only lose our fighting spirit and abandon the foundation of our livelihood.

But as the clansmen advance, their cultivation consumption grows daily; if we do not wage war, how can we meet the clansmen's living needs?

Letting it lie fallow is truly an unavoidable measure!

Di Jiang never imagined that, besides Qi, the Heavenly Court would actually produce a new Primordial Dao cultivator, and furthermore one famed for his martial strength—Taiyi.

Otherwise, when Taiyi pressured Houtu, he would have already turned against the Heavenly Court; how could he still be suffering humiliation here?

Although there were two Primordial Dao cultivators on the field, Di Jiang felt no fear at all; he was confident the Heavenly Court could not keep him, yet his eleven brothers remained.

If a fight truly broke out, facing two opponents, Di Jiang could only defend himself to his limit, unable to look after them.

It is precisely because he thought of this that Di Jiang restrained his ambition and anger, forcing himself to explain.

Qi pondered, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he devised an extremely satisfactory solution, supplementing his earlier second idea.

After a brief consideration of the details, Qi then said: "Alright, I no longer wish to hear your excuses. Since you are wholeheartedly devoted to herding, it is just right that the Heavenly Court now intends to assist the West and carry out regulatory measures."

The Wu Clan will, following the later balance of three policies, migrate en masse to Xifang Dalu; I know you wish to greatly prosper your clan.

From today onward, I promise that Xifang Dalu can become a grazing ground for the Wu Clan; from now on, none shall be permitted to leave lightly.

At the same time, enfeoff the Ancestor Wu Di Jiang as Heavenly Might King of the Western Realm, overseeing Xifang Dalu; all matters shall fall under his jurisdiction.

Henceforth, the western taxes shall be set at the average of the remaining three continents, levied from the Wu Clan; any disturbances shall be handled by themselves, unrelated to the Heavenly Court.

Regarding the Heavenly Court's governance, the Wu Clan must cooperate closely and may not violate it.

Is that acceptable?

When Qi's words fell, everyone in the field was shocked; Taiyi was astonished that Qi's statement differed from their prior discussion, and it almost directly severed the West from Heavenly Court management.

Di Jiang, meanwhile, was overjoyed, yet constantly weighed the gains and losses in his mind, for Xifang Dalu was impoverished and the tax Qi mentioned was rather high.

Moreover, being confined to Xifang Dalu in the future inevitably made him hesitate a little, but for the Wu Clan at present, this was undoubtedly a heavenly-sent windfall.

Houtu and the others were also overjoyed, yet they knew that if they heeded Qi's words, the western continent would inevitably see the rise of martial strife.

Gonggong and Zhurong originally harbored some dissatisfaction and humiliation, but now they feel no problem at all, instead being overjoyed.

Big brother, agree to it—that's an entire continent!

Right, big brother, and you've also been conferred a kingly title; in the primordial world, only the Three Pure Ones receive such.

They are called the Orthodoxy of Pangu; the Heavenly Court granted them kingship, and we too are the Orthodoxy of Pangu, so we should also have the corresponding.

Although Xifang Dalu is impoverished, it is nonetheless the second-largest vast continent in the primordial world; its immense qi fortune absolutely surpasses what one might imagine.

Even the likes of Shebi Shi, merely thinking of it now feels crazy; know that this is a promise from the Heavenly Court, certified by the primordial overlord as their lordship over the West.

As long as Di Jiang receives the imperial edict, the surging western qi fortune will be enough to let them achieve astonishing progress in a short time.

Receiving the imperial edict simultaneously signifies the Wu Clan's submission to the Heavenly Court, regarding it as the orthodoxy of the primordial world; the edict represents the Wu Clan's acknowledgment of its authority.

In the future, if they contend with the Heavenly Court, it would be considered rebellion, inherently losing their orthodox standing and placing themselves in the wrong.

At this moment, Di Jiang is extremely hesitant, his brothers' urgings, his own ambition, and his expectations for the future intertwining in his heart.

Qi perceived Di Jiang's wavering; his finger twitched slightly in the air, a talisman appeared, and Qi took out the imperial seal representing the Heavenly Court's Emperor Qi, imprinting it upon the talisman.

Holding the decree in hand, Qi rose and smiled at Di Jiang: "Heavenly Might King of the Western Realm, why not swiftly kneel to receive the edict?"

Gazing at Qi enthroned above the hall, with his many brothers and sisters' eager looks behind him, Di Jiang's gaze gradually focused on the talisman.

"Your servant Di Jiang receives Your Majesty Emperor Qi's imperial edict; thank you for your great grace! May Your Majesty's Great Dao endure forever, and the Heavenly Court's qi fortune remain evergreen!"

Qi looked at Di Jiang kneeling on one knee, head bowed in submission, then turned his gaze to the eleven Ancestor Wu still standing behind him; the meaning in his eyes needed no words.

Gonggong and the others saw Qi's gaze fall upon them, naturally understanding its meaning; anyway, the elder brother had already knelt, so they naturally had nothing to resist.

Under the leadership of Gonggong and Zhurong, the remaining Ancestor Wu who individually felt somewhat uneasy could only reluctantly comply.

"We, your servants, thank Your Majesty for your great grace; may Your Majesty's Great Dao endure forever, and the Heavenly Court's qi fortune remain evergreen!"

Qi then burst into laughter:

"Excellent!"

Casually tossing the edict into Di Jiang's raised hands, Qi again smiled: "Heavenly Might King, do not betray my trust in you; Xifang Dalu is of utmost importance, and must not be lost."

"If handled properly, the Wu Clan's subsequent rewards will naturally not be lacking."

Di Jiang immediately replied:

"Your servant will certainly not forget Your Majesty's deep affection; Xifang Dalu will surely forever obey Your Majesty's orders."

Qi then nodded in satisfaction and spoke again. (End of chapter)