Chapter 261: line with translation of chapter title

261. Chapter 261: Two from the West Offer Strategies to the Heavenly Court

Alternatively we could translate the whole line as "261. Chapter 261: Two from the West Offer Strategies to the Heavenly Court". That seems fine.

Now proceed.

Let's go through each line.

I'll produce translations.

While the three were laughing and playing, they had also drunk quite a bit, until the music of Yunmze Marsh sounded after a long absence, the sky gradually brightened, and only then did they each go their separate ways.

Translation: "While the three were laughing and playing, they also drank quite a bit, until the sound of long‑absent music rose from Yunmze Marsh, the sky gradually brightened, and only then did they each go their separate ways."

Need to keep numbers etc. No numbers.

Make sure it's one line.

Half‑drunk, Qi vaguely saw the future crowd, just as they were now—singing in harmony, laughing and playing, right there in Yunmze Marsh.

Translation: "Half‑drunk, Qi faintly saw the future gathering, just as they were now—singing in harmony, laughing and playing, right there in Yunmze Marsh."

Half‑asleep, half‑awake, Qi recalled what Nüwa had asked earlier, and sighed to himself in his heart.

Translation: "In a half‑awake, half‑asleep state, Qi recalled what Nüwa had asked earlier, and silently sighed in his heart:"

"It's not that I intentionally concealed it; in that vague darkness, it seemed as if someone was telling me that what I planned goes against the heavenly way and cannot be spoken of to others."

Translation: "\"It's not that I intentionally concealed it; rather, in the vague depths, it seemed as if someone were telling me that the matter I planned runs contrary to the Heavenly Dao and cannot be spoken of to others. \""

"The Three Corpses method is so superior that I can't help but be moved, yet with my current collection I cannot avoid the innate twelve‑grade Pure World White Lotus."

Translation: "\"The Three Corpses Method is so superior that I cannot help but be moved, yet with my current collection I cannot avoid the innate twelfth‑grade Pure World White Lotus. \""

"The Three Corpses method is of great importance; being so excellent, it naturally has its drawbacks. Once one's life cultivation reaches a certain limit, if one does not continue to cut off the corpses, cultivation will stagnate."

Translation: "\"The Three Corpses Method is of great importance; being so excellent, it naturally has its drawbacks. Once one's life and cultivation reach a certain limit, if one does not continue to cut them off, life and cultivation will stagnate. \""

"Only when the three corpses all emerge can life cultivation attain perfection; after subduing the three corpses, one may hope to grasp the Great Dao of Primordial Unity."

Translation: "\"Only when all three corpses emerge can life and cultivation attain perfection; only after subduing the three corpses can one hope to achieve the Great Dao's Primordial Unity. \""

"The second incarnation is crucial; everyone has a heavenly mandate, and in the great calamity there is always a chance for life, but if one does not take precautions, the heart will never find peace."

Translation: "\"The second dharma body is crucial; everyone bears a heavenly mandate, and in the great calamity there is inherent vitality, but without making some preparations, the heart can never truly be at ease. \""

"Now the second incarnation has already succeeded; unlike me, I bear no karmic entanglements, and it is the fundamental basis for attaining the Dao after the great calamity."

Translation: "\"Now the second dharma body has already been successfully formed; unlike me, it carries no karmic entanglements, and it is the fundamental basis for attaining the Dao after the great calamity. \""

"After the calamity, when everyone has accomplished their deeds and withdrawn, I will then explain everything to each of you in turn."

Translation: "\"After the calamity, when everyone has accomplished their goals and withdrawn, I will then explain everything to each of you in turn. \""

Thinking of this, Qi grew drowsy, fell into a deep sleep, lying sideways on the lotus platform—an auspicious repose that surely gave him a good rest.

Translation: "Thinking of this, Qi grew drowsy, fell into a deep sleep, lying on his side on the lotus platform—a auspicious posture that surely gave him a good rest."

At the junction of the eastern and western continents, Yang Mei gazed toward the distance and discovered a blessed site that connects the earth veins of east and west, a place where the five energies converge.

Translation: "At the border between the Eastern and Western Continents, Yangmei gazed into the distance and discovered a blessed land that connects the earth veins of east and west, the place where the five energies converge."

Seeing this blessed site, Yang Mei could not help but praise it.

Translation: "Seeing this blessed land, Yangmei couldn't help but praise it:"

"I do not know whose dojo this is, but the five energies are in balance, linking the two realms; the land is fertile, the sky clear, its form spreads in all directions, taking the essence of both places."

Translation: "\"I do not know whose Daoist temple this is, but the five energies are in balanced harmony, linking the two realms; the earth is fertile, the sky azure, its aspect spreads in all directions, drawing the essence of both lands. \""

"This land is a blessed place, containing a cavern heaven, winding paths leading to seclusion, with green pines and cypresses; since leaving Yunmze Marsh, such a dojo would be the finest I have ever seen."

Translation: "\"This land is a blessed spot, containing a cave‑heaven, winding paths leading to seclusion, green pines and cypresses; since leaving Yunmze Marsh, such a Daoist temple would surely be the finest I have ever seen. \""

Luo Hu saw Yang Mei's praise and also glanced over, saying:

Translation: "Rahu saw Yangmei's praise and also glanced over, saying:"

"This place is called Wan Shou Mountain; I recall it is a small sect's dojo, known to people as Zhen Yuanzi."

Translation: "\"This place is called Mount Wanshou; I recall it is a minor Daoist temple, known to people as Zhenyuanzi. \""

"This person is indeed clever, values loyalty and righteousness, understands the principles involved, and is truly a talent."

Translation: "\"This person is also quite clever, values loyalty and righteousness, and understands the principles involved; he can be considered a talent. \""

Luo Hu briefly introduced it, then seemed to think of something and said with a hint of resentment: "Hongjun is clever; he used the Primordial Unity method as bait, drawing countless heroes into the Mystic Gate, and thereafter the Dao of Immortals flourished greatly."

Translation: "Rahu gave a brief introduction, then seemed to think of something and spoke with a hint of resentment: \"Hongjun is clever—he used the Primordial Unity method as bait, drawing countless heroes into the Mysterious Gate; from then on, the Dao of Immortals flourished greatly. \""

"Among us three, Hongjun still prevails by a margin; the Heavenly Emperor's eyes remain as shrewd as ever."

Translation: "\"It seems that among us three, Hongjun ultimately has the edge; the Heavenly Emperor's eyes are still as shrewd as ever. \""

Yang Mei glanced at Luo Hu and said indifferently: "So what? Not so what? The Earth Emperor chose you; that only shows his poor judgment—you are no match for Hongjun."

Translation: "Yangmei glanced at Rahu, rather indifferently, and said: \"So what if it is, or isn't? The Earth Emperor chose you; that only shows his poor judgment—you are no match for Hongjun. \""

"I am different from you; do not drag me into your affairs, for the Tai Emperor's inheritance has not fallen to me."

Translation: "\"I am not like you; do not drag your affairs onto me—the inheritance of the Great Emperor has not fallen to me. \""

"As for his lineage, I am not to inherit it; now that Hongjun has defeated you, what does it have to do with me?"

Translation: "\"As for his Dao lineage, I am not the one to inherit it; now that Hongjun has defeated you, what does it have to do with me? \""

"As for the Tai Emperor, a licentious man who deceived me when my knowledge was shallow and who overvalued righteousness, if I had wanted to oppose him, what would it have to do with the two of you?"

Translation: "\"As for the Great Emperor, he is a licentious man who deceived me when my knowledge was shallow and who overvalued loyalty and righteousness; if I had wanted to contend with him, what would that have to do with you two? \""

Facing Yang Mei's stubbornness, Luo Hu merely gave a contemptuous smile; in the end, it was still Hongjun who prevailed.

Translation: "Faced with Yangmei's stubbornness, Rahu merely gave a contemptuous smile; in the end, it was still Hongjun who won."

As for why the Tai Emperor did not let Yang Mei inherit his lineage, it is largely because he saw through Yang Mei's inadequacy for great responsibility—though talented, he is simply not a virtuous person.

Translation: "As for why the Great Emperor did not let Yangmei inherit his Dao lineage, it is largely because he saw through Yangmei's inadequacy for great responsibility—though talented, he is simply not a virtuous person."

Nevertheless, Luo Hu restrained himself, no longer speaking bluntly as before, so as not to leave Yang Mei without a way to save face.

Translation: "However, Rahu has restrained himself somewhat, no longer speaking bluntly as before, so as not to put Yangmei in an awkward position."

At present, I am weaker than others; if I truly let Yang Mei break through my defenses, the one who would suffer would be myself.

Translation: "At present, his own position is weak; if he truly lets Yangmei break through his defenses, the one who will be hurt is ultimately himself."

After several cycles of the elements' wanderings, Luo Hu, because of his mouth, has been dealt with by Yang Mei countless times; from the very beginning, he was almost daily tormented to the point of being unable to walk, but now he has at least learned to be sensible.

Translation: "After wandering through several eons, Rahu, because of his mouth, has been cleaned up by Yangmei an unknown number of times; from the very beginning, he was almost daily tormented to the point of difficulty walking, but by now he has at least learned to be sensible."

And after Luo Hu recognized the current situation, he naturally kept his mouth shut, at least no longer deliberately provoking as before.

Translation: "And after Rahu recognized the current situation, he naturally kept his mouth shut, at least no longer deliberately provoking as he used to."

"This Zhen Yuanzi is of ordinary ability; his only trouble is the somewhat troublesome spiritual treasure in his hand; otherwise, with his strength, the blessings in his possession would long ago have fallen into my hands."

Translation: "\"This Zhenyuanzi is of only average ability; it's just that the spiritual treasure in his hand is somewhat troublesome, otherwise, with his strength, the fortune he holds would long ago have fallen into my hands. \""

When Luo Hu spoke of this, a flash of disgust crossed his eyes; he had never seen such a vile spiritual treasure, which is actually connected to the membrane of heaven and earth.

Note: There's a typo "when" maybe. We'll translate as is.

Translation: "When Rahu spoke to this point, a flash of disgust crossed his eyes; he had never seen such a vile spiritual treasure, which actually connects with the membrane of heaven and earth."

"To break it open would have been easy for the former Luo Hu, but because of the Earth Book in his hand, he now feels somewhat hesitant, like a person who fears to shoot a rat for fear of breaking the vase."

Translation: "To break it open would have been easy for the former Rahu, but because of the Earth Book in his hand, Rahu now finds himself hesitant to act, fearing to harm what he seeks to protect."

"Let me tell you this: even a mere Luo Tianzun deity can make you, the demon lord, feel uneasy."

Translation: "\"Let me say this—just a mere Luo Heavenly Venerable deity can actually make you, this demon lord, feel uneasy. \""

Luo Hu, his expression calm, recalled a moment and then said: "This person's divine abilities are quite interesting; in the art of battle he is merely average, yet sufficient to wander the wilderness."

Translation: "Rahu's expression remained calm; after recalling, he said: \"This person's supernatural abilities are quite interesting; in the way of combat he is merely average, yet sufficient to wander the primordial wilderness. \""

"He also has a close friend named Hong Yun, who is truly the greatest fool of the wilderness—although he bears the reputation of being eager for public good and righteous, his friends are scattered throughout the wilderness, but sincere ones are few and far between."

Translation: "\"He also has a close friend named Hongyun, who is truly the greatest fool of the primordial wilderness; although he bears the reputation of being eager for public good and righteousness, his friends are spread throughout the wilderness, but sincere ones are nonexistent. \""

"In seeking a Dao partner, the innate deities do so to walk the same path, to confirm each other, and to share hardships."

Translation: "\"Innate deities seek dao companions in order to walk the same path, mutually verify each other, and share hardships. \""

"In times of disaster, one can always gain an extra helper; that is the meaning of friendship."

"In times of disaster, one can always gain an extra helper; that is the meaning of friendship."

Translation: "\"When disaster strikes, one can always gain an extra helping hand; that is the meaning of friendship. \""

"Only a few could achieve such a level; therefore friends should be chosen for quality, not quantity."

Translation: "\"Those who can achieve this are few in the world; therefore friends should be chosen for quality, not quantity. \""

"Maintaining friendship requires time and effort; one must consider every matter carefully, and when helping, not count the cost."

Translation: "\"For maintaining friendship requires time to accumulate; one must consider every matter carefully, and when offering help, one does not count the cost. \""

"If this is so, one person's effort alone is not enough; the other must also respond in kind, word for word, regardless of status—only then can one truly be called a friend, or a Dao partner."

Translation: "\"Thus, one-sided effort is not enough; the other must respond in kind, with every word echoed, regardless of status—only then can one truly deserve that companion, who may be called a dao partner. \""

"Looking across the vast wilderness, how many have found such a bond? Even I, the seat itself, have not managed to find one."

Translation: "\"Looking across the vast primordial wilderness, how many have found such a companion? Even I, the venerable one, have not managed to find one. \""

"I once thought of cultivating two individuals to become my Dao companions, so that in future disputes I would have one or two helpers."

Translation: "\"I once thought of cultivating two individuals to serve as dao companions, so that in future disputes I would also have one or two helpers. \""

"Thus I specially sought two innate deities still in gestation, moved them to Mount Sumeru, but alas, it was not to be."

Translation: "\"For this reason, I specially sought out two innate deities still in gestation and moved them to Mount Sumeru; alas, it was ultimately not meant to be. \""

"Now, having fallen on hard times, I hear the names of those two, and they are indeed a renowned Dao pair of the wilderness; this at least makes my efforts not in vain."

Translation: "\"Now that I have fallen into obscurity, hearing their names instead counts as a famous dao couple of the primordial wilderness; this at least makes my past efforts not in vain. \""

"As for Hong Yun, the object I painstakingly sought but could not obtain, he happened to encounter it; yet he does not settle down to cultivate properly, instead he recklessly associates with useless people."

Translation: "\"As for that Hongyun, the thing I painstakingly sought but could not obtain, he happened to encounter; the result is that he does not bother with earnest cultivation, and instead recklessly associates with useless people. \""

"Wasting time and opportunity like this—could he not be the greatest fool of the wilderness?!"

Translation: "\"Wasting time and opportunities like this—is he not the greatest fool of the primordial wilderness?! \""

Yang Mei rarely roams the wilderness, knows little of these matters, and is disinclined to investigate heavenly secrets; thus it was only now that he learned the wilderness actually contains such a person who wastes heavenly gifts.

Translation: "Yangmei rarely wanders the primordial wilderness, knows little of these matters, and is too lazy to probe heavenly secrets; thus only now does he learn that the primordial wilderness actually harbors such a person who wastes heavenly treasures."

Luo Hu's words did not stop there; he continued: "I observe that this person will ultimately most likely fall into others' schemes, meet the fate of bodily death and Dao extinction, and will inevitably drag others down, harming both themselves and others."

Translation: "Rahu's words had not yet ceased; only hearing him continue: \"I observe that this person will ultimately most likely fall into others' schemes, meet the fate of death and the extinction of the Dao, and will inevitably drag others down, harming both them and himself. \""

Yang Mei made no comment on this; the affairs of the wilderness are none of his concern, and as for Luo Hu's remarks, to him they are merely idle grumbling.

Translation: "Yangmei made no comment on this; affairs of the primordial wilderness are none of his concern, and as for Rahu's words, in Yangmei's view they are merely idle grumbling."

After all, who would call him a Dao partner when he has not even a single friend? It is only now, seeing others with wide circles of friends and fellow Daoists, that he feels a slight dissatisfaction.

Translation: "After all, who told him he isn't even a dao companion, let alone having a single friend? It's just that seeing now someone with wide social circles and fellow daoists, he feels a slight dissatisfaction."

Yet Yang Mei did not realize that Luo Hu's words, while containing a few grains of truth, were also a reasonable judgment on Luo Hu's part.

Translation: "However, Yangmei never realized that Rahu's remarks about this matter indeed contain some truth to his own thoughts, and are also Rahu's reasonable prediction."

Just then, the Eastern King Prince, on Penglai Isle, was entertaining two distant guests: "Guests of Invitation and Offering, Dao friends, we have been inseparable; now we are truly on the same boat—please open your hearts, can you truly break the siege of my celestial court?"

Translation: "Just then, the Eastern King Duke, on Penglai Immortal Island, was receiving two distant guests. He said: \"Jieyin Zhunti dao friends, we have been inseparable companions; now we are even more in the same boat—please open your hearts sincerely, can you truly lift the siege of the Heavenly Court upon me? \""

The Eastern King Prince's face showed delight; the celestial court assembly was about to begin, yet after tens of thousands of years, the court had never expressed a stance, leaving him somewhat uncertain.

Translation: "The Eastern King Duke's face showed surprise and joy; the Heavenly Court's great assembly was about to begin, but after tens of thousands of years, the Heavenly Court had never expressed a stance, leaving the Eastern King Duke somewhat uncertain how to grasp the situation."

"My present difficulty is known only to myself; the celestial court has remained silent, and the myriad innate deities remain unmoved."

Translation: "But his own difficulty is known only to himself; the Heavenly Court has remained silent, and many innate deities remain undisturbed."

"The Eastern King Prince once went to Western Kunlun to invite Ji Hui into the celestial court, saying he wished to share the throne with Ji Hui, but he never even saw Ji Hui's face."

Translation: "The Eastern King Duke had also once gone to Mount Xikunlun, wishing to invite Ju Hui into the Heavenly Court, saying he was willing to share the throne and co‑rule with Ju Hui, yet in the end he never even saw Ju Hui's face."

"In fact, the Eastern King Prince originally planned to become Dao partners with Ji Hui, for the Pure Yang Dao and the Dark Yin Dao are opposite yet naturally complementary."

Translation: "In fact, the Eastern King Duke originally intended to directly become dao partners with Ju Hui, for the Pure Yang Great Dao and the Mysterious Yin Great Dao stand opposite each other, naturally complementary."

"Moreover, one is the leader of male immortals, the other the leader of female immortals; their stations are essentially equal."

Translation: "Moreover, one is the chief of male immortals, the other the chief of female immortals, and their statuses are virtually identical."

Adding to that, one person is the head of the male immortals, another person is the head of the female immortals; in status they are also nearly identical.

Dong Wanggong's abode lies in Tang Valley on the shore of the Eastern Sea; it is also one of the world's few top-tier cave-heavens blessed lands, not inferior to West Kunlun in the slightest.

From these points, it's no wonder Dong Wanggong would have such thoughts; after all, if the two became Dao companions, it would indeed be beneficial to their cultivation.

Gou Hui, however, bears deep hatred and loathing for Dong Wanggong; initially, due to cultivating the Great Dao, she still retained some fondness for him, but now she wishes he would die soon.

If Dong Wanggong had never contemplated establishing a celestial court, nor requested an edict before Patriarch Hongjun, Gou Hui might still have some chance to agree.

But as for Gou Hui now, Dong Wanggong is the one who destroyed her peaceful life, leaving her still trapped in a vortex, constantly facing the risk of ruin yet unable to escape; he deserves to be hacked to pieces! As for Dong Wanggong's arrival, Gou Hui naturally would not meet him; if she knew he still harbored such delusions, the two would likely come to blows on the spot.

Jieyin and Zhunti do not clearly understand what Dong Wanggong is thinking; otherwise they would surely spit in disgust and curse him as shameless.

If they were not deeply entangled with the celestial court, and if the West could not easily open the situation, they would not dare at this time to incur the world's great disapproval and come to offer strategies to the Eastern Palace.

「That's natural. May I ask, Daoist Dong Wanggong, in this primordial world, aside from the Heavenly Court and Patriarch Hongjun, who could influence many innate divinities? 」

After Dong Wanggong thought carefully, he then spoke: 「Could you be referring to the Three Pure Ones? 」

After voicing that guess, without waiting for Jieyin and Zhunti to explain, he himself opened his mouth to deny:

「Although these three have reputations, they are not enough to influence many innate divinities of the primordial world. 」

「The Great God of the North Sea, Yu Qiang? Not suitable, not suitable. He enjoys great prestige in the Bei Fang continent, and many northern innate divinities trust him, but he could not possibly assist us. 」

「As for the lineage of the Phoenix Ancestor Dragon, it's even impossible to walk in the primordial world, and it cannot help me. 」

「But aside from myself and Gou Hui, who else in the world could influence many innate divinities, making them disregard the Heavenly Court and come to aid my grand assembly's success? 」

Seeing that Dong Wanggong really hadn't thought of it, Jieyin and Zhunti could only speak up to remind him:

「Daoist Dong Wanggong, a person capable of influencing many innate divinities need not have extremely high prestige; as long as they have a certain ability to rally others, and such rallying ability need not rely solely on prestige. 」

By this point, Dong Wanggong immediately thought of a person, though he then hesitated a bit and said:

「Is the person you two are speaking of none other than Daoist Hongyun? 」

Seeing that Dong Wanggong finally guessed correctly, Jieyin and Zhunti nodded satisfactorily and said:

「Indeed, it is Daoist Hongyun. Daoist Hongyun has wide friendships in the primordial world; friends are found everywhere across the four seas, and in influencing certain matters, he is not inferior to the person you previously mentioned. 」

But Dong Wanggong then voiced his concern, with a worried expression: 「What you say is naturally correct, but have you two considered what happened back then during the first lecture, due to seating arrangements? 」

「Although now it seems that that cushion was indeed a rare opportunity, back then however... 」

Dong Wanggong's words were not finished, but Jieyin and Zhunti also understood his meaning; it was nothing more than worrying that the past events would affect this.

After all, no matter what, back then many of Hongyun's friends, in order to listen to the lecture, did not speak up to help when Hongyun was raised high.

Although afterward there was compensation, and they together went to besiege and kill the person who spoke out, this matter ultimately still would affect him.

Looking at these gatherings of yuanhui, Hongyun mostly cultivated at the Five Zhuang Observatory.

No longer as before, wandering and playing throughout the primordial world, calling friends while walking; this can be seen, merely that the estrangement between Hongyun and many friends had already arisen.

Regarding this, Jieyin and Zhunti merely laughed and said:

「You are overthinking, Daoist; there must be some other reason for this. Daoist Hongyun is broad-minded and righteous, how could he hold a grudge over this? 」

「In my view, Daoist Hongyun has not been going out to visit friends as before; much of this is due to someone restricting him. 」

「For example, Zhenyuanzi, who shares a deep bond with Daoist Hongyun, they consider each other confidants, but Zhenyuanzi's mind is comparatively narrower than Hongyun's. 」

「Otherwise, why wouldn't Daoist Hongyun return to his Fire Cloud Cave, but instead cultivate at the Five Zhuang Observatory? 」

「I think if Zhenyuanzi were not there meddling, Daoist Hongyun would likely not take this to heart. 」

Dong Wanggong originally thought that Jieyin and Zhunti saying this was to get him to go and drive a wedge between the two, but Dong Wanggong did not wish to be that villain, so he spoke:

「I see, then what should I do? Please, two Daoists, instruct me! 」

Jieyin and Zhunti silently cursed, this guy is utterly inhumane; their vague talk is just to avoid taking blame.

Immediately, Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged glances, then chose the second plan, a more stable yet more suitable plan.

「Within the celestial court, ought there be someone acquainted with Daoist Hongyun? Why not let them go to the Five Zhuang Observatory to invite him? 」

「If not, then those friends we now invite him still have time. 」

「If we could find a few more, that would be even better; when inviting, we could speak more tragically, and if Daoist Dong Wanggong himself goes, that would be best. 」

「Daoist Hongyun values affection greatly; surely he would not refuse. As for how great an influence he could exert, that depends on the Daoists' methods. 」

Upon hearing this, Dong Wanggong was slightly stunned, and after a moment he spoke:

「Excellent! Daoist, this method is superb! The celestial court's predicament is resolved, all thanks to the Daoist's merit! 」

Jieyin and Zhunti showed a faint smile, saying nothing. (End of chapter)