Chapter 265: with translation of chapter title

265. Chapter 265: Adapting to the Times, Teaching and Testing

265. Chapter 265: Adapting to the Times, Teaching and Testing

Ying Long bade farewell to Qi and the others, and upon leaving Yunmze Marsh, he immediately returned to the East Sea, summoning the clan's elders to discuss the matter.

Translate: "Ying Long bade farewell to Qi and the others, and upon leaving Yunmze Marsh, he immediately returned to the East Sea, summoning the clan's elders to discuss the matter."

Ying Long bade farewell to Qi and the others, and upon leaving Yunmze Marsh, he immediately returned to the East Sea, summoning the clan's elders to discuss the matter.

Lord Ying Long, if you merely want to provoke trouble and create a bit of conflict with the Immortal Court, making the two sides hostile, that would be simple.

Translate: "Lord Ying Long, if you merely want to provoke trouble and create a bit of conflict with the Celestial Court, making the two sides hostile, that would be simple."

Lord Ying Long, if you merely want to provoke trouble and create a bit of conflict with the Immortal Court, making the two sides hostile, that would be simple.

Anyway, those loose cultivators who crawled out of the mud have never seen a big scene; their vision is shallow, they see profit and forget righteousness, and they cannot see the subsequent risks.

Translate: "Anyway, those loose cultivators who crawled out of the mud ditches have never seen a big scene; their vision is shallow, they see profit and forget righteousness, and cannot see the subsequent risks."

As long as we let the clansmen who go out act recklessly, without covering up, revealing a flaw, we don't need the youngsters to provoke them; they themselves will not be able to endure.

Translate: "As long as we let the clansmen who go out act recklessly, without concealment, revealing a flaw, we don't even need the youngsters to provoke them actively; they themselves will be unable to restrain."

Better: "As long as we let the clansmen who go out act recklessly, without concealment, revealing a flaw, we don't even need the youngsters to provoke them actively; they themselves will be unable to restrain."

Even if a few of them die, with their insufficient cultivation, it can only be considered a minor skirmish; reaching the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal is difficult, let alone requiring you to take action.

Translate: "Even if a few of them die, with their insufficient cultivation, it would at most be a minor skirmish; they couldn't even match a Golden Immortal of the Great Luo, let alone require you, Lord, to take action."

Moreover, most loose cultivators lack strength; although they seek profit and forget righteousness, not sparing their lives, they can still weigh priorities and dare not be too ruthless.

Translate: "Moreover, most loose cultivators lack strength; although they chase profit and forget righteousness, unafraid of death, they can still weigh the pros and cons and dare not be too ruthless."

If it's just a scuffle among the junior generation, and a couple of people die, if Lord Ying Long personally takes action, it would inevitably underestimate the wisdom of the heroes of the world.

Translate: "If it's merely a scuffle among the junior generation, with a couple of deaths, for Lord Ying Long to personally take action would inevitably slight the wisdom of the heroes of the world."

By then, even if we say it doesn't involve the Heavenly Court, even if it truly has nothing to do with the Heavenly Court, being the Dragon Clan covering up its own shortcomings, outsiders will still blame the Heavenly Court for this.

Translate: "By then, even if we say it doesn't involve the Heavenly Court, even if it truly has nothing to do with the Heavenly Court, being the Dragon Clan covering for its own, outsiders will still blame this matter on the Heavenly Court."

Heavenly Court

Then your plan can only end in failure; I'm afraid we won't be able to deliver a satisfactory answer.

Translate: "Then your plan, Lord, would only end in failure; I fear you won't be able to deliver a satisfactory answer."

The speaker was an old turtle standing upright, wearing a dark green wide-sleeved long robe, with white hair and beard; when he spoke, he trembled and swayed, making one worry he might collapse at any moment.

Translate: "The speaker was an old turtle that stood upright like a person, wearing a dark green wide-sleeved long robe, with white beard and hair; as he spoke, he trembled and swayed, making one worry he might collapse at any moment."

Upon hearing this, Ying Long furrowed his brow, only then beginning to realize the difficulty of the matter, and he asked the old turtle who had spoken:

Translate: "Upon hearing this, Ying Long furrowed his brows, only then beginning to realize the thorniness of the matter, and he asked the old turtle who had spoken:"

The Turtle Chancellor's words are those of an experienced and steady person; this matter must be considered. The Chancellor had already, when the elder brother was present, taken the position of Dragon Clan Chancellor to assist the elder brother, being one of the few wise men in the world; I wonder if you have any instruction for me?

Translate: "Chancellor Turtle, your words are those of an elder, steady and weighty; this matter cannot be overlooked. You have served as the Dragon Clan's chancellor since my elder brother's time, assisting him, and you are one of the few wise men in the world; I wonder if you have any instruction for me?"

The old turtle reached out to stroke his long beard, occasionally rubbing it with two fingers, and only after a while did he respond:

Translate: "The old turtle reached out to stroke his long beard, occasionally rubbing a strand between his fingers, and only after a while did he reply:"

Reporting to my lord, there is a method, but there is one thing this humble official does not know, so I dare not speak rashly; I need your lordship to inform me of one or two things.

Translate: "Reporting to you, Lord, there is a method, but there is one thing this humble official does not know, so I dare not speak rashly; I need you to inform me of a couple of details."

Ying Long's brow furrowed further; he dislikes this procrastinating attitude the most.

Translate: "Ying Long's brows furrowed further; he most disliked this dragging, indecisive manner."

However, considering that this old turtle is already so aged and has long been managing the Dragon Clan, he could only suppress his irritation and speak:

Translate: "But considering how ancient this old turtle is, and how long he has overseen the Dragon Clan, I could only suppress my irritation and speak:"

Chancellor, if there is anything you do not know, please speak plainly; if I know it, I will certainly not conceal it.

Translate: "Chancellor, if there is something you do not know, please state it plainly; if I learn of it, I will certainly not conceal it."

Ying Long's temperament is naturally understood by the Turtle Chancellor, after all, Ying Long is someone he has watched grow up.

Translate: "Ying Long's temperament is naturally known to Chancellor Turtle, for Ying Long has, in a sense, grown up under his watch."

Knowing Ying Long's impatience, the Turtle Chancellor still deliberately waited a moment, tempering Ying Long's nature, before asking: 'May I ask, my lord, what other instructions did the Heavenly Court originally give regarding this matter? Is there any limit set?'

Translate: "Knowing Ying Long's inner impatience, Chancellor Turtle still deliberately waited a moment, testing his temper, before asking: 'May I ask, Lord, when the Heavenly Court originally entrusted this matter, were there any other instructions? Is there any limit on the scale?'"

Is it meant to let all beings of the wilderness know that the Dragon Clan expelled the Immortal Court because of the Heavenly Court's indication? Or is it to avoid involving the Heavenly Court, making this solely a Dragon Clan affair?

Translate: "Is the intention to let all beings of the Wasteland know that the Dragon Clan expelled the Immortal Court because of the Heavenly Court's hint? Or is it to avoid involving the Heavenly Court, making it solely the Dragon Clan's affair?"

The Turtle Chancellor does not fear that Ying Long will think he is delaying; he had already followed the Ancestral Dragon since before the Dragon Clan was established, jointly building the Dragon Clan's great undertaking.

Translate: "Chancellor Turtle is not afraid that Ying Long will think he is delaying; he had already followed the Ancestral Dragon since before the Dragon Clan was established, jointly building the Dragon Clan's great undertaking."

After the Dragon Clan went into seclusion, he also managed affairs, receiving scholars externally, contacting those indebted to the Dragon Clan in karma, and asking them to help pass along a message.

Translate: "After the Dragon Clan went into seclusion, he also handled arrangements, receiving scholars abroad, contacting those indebted to the Dragon Clan in karmic ties, and asking them to help pass along a word or two."

He comforted many Dragon Clan members, allowing the desperate to retain a sliver of hope, so they would not follow the comrades of those warriors.

Translate: "He stood to pacify many Dragon Clan members, letting the despairing still retain a sliver of hope, so they would not follow the comrades of those warriors."

He steadied the radicals, preventing them from utterly falling into karmic burden, entangled cause and effect, becoming self-destructive evildoers who would drag the Dragon Clan back into the abyss.

Translate: "He kept the radicals barely stable, preventing them from utterly falling into karmic burdens, entangled in cause and effect, becoming self-destructive evildoers who would drag the Dragon Clan back into the abyss."

His character is completely clear to him; he is a natural commander, but if he were to lead a clan, he would still be somewhat shallow.

Translate: "He knows Ying Long's nature all too well—a born commander—but if let him lead a clan, he is still somewhat shallow."

Moreover, the Dragon Clan differs from others; compared to the myriad clans of the wilderness, the Dragon Clan's experiences are too rich and varied, with tumultuous ups and downs that ordinary people cannot manage.

Translate: "Moreover, the Dragon Clan differs from others; compared to the myriad clans of the Wasteland, the Dragon Clan's experiences are too rich and colorful, with tumultuous ups and downs, beyond the control of ordinary people."

The Dragon Clan's peak period was exceedingly high, overwhelming the wilderness; it could face two enemies at once, withstanding the pressure of the Phoenix and the Qilin, and even still had a chance of victory.

Translate: "The Dragon Clan's peak period was exceedingly high, overwhelming the Wasteland; it could face two foes with one, withstanding the pressure of the Phoenix and the Qilin, and even still had a chance of victory."

The Dragon Clan's low point was also exceedingly low, like a meteor falling straight down with no turn; to this day, the broken bones and tendons show no sign of healing.

Translate: "The Dragon Clan's low point was also exceedingly low, like a meteor falling straight down without any turn; to this day, the broken bones and tendons show no sign of healing."

However, his status is special; he holds an extremely high position in the Dragon Clan, yet he is not a member of the Dragon Clan, so it is not appropriate to directly instruct him; thus, the Turtle Chancellor can only gradually try to influence change, allowing the ruler to think for himself.

Translate: "However, his status is special: he holds an extremely high position in the Dragon Clan, yet he is not a member of the Dragon Clan, so it is inappropriate to directly instruct him; thus, Chancellor Turtle can only try to change things bit by bit, allowing the monarch to think for himself."

Ying Long still did not understand the Turtle Chancellor's meaning, and asked doubtfully: 'Aren't both of these for the Heavenly Court's business? What's the difference? Why do we need to consider this? Since things depend on human effort, we must first get the deed done.'

Translate: "Ying Long still did not understand Chancellor Turtle's meaning, and he wondered aloud: 'Aren't both of these for serving the Heavenly Court? What's the difference? Why must we consider it? Since success depends on human effort, we just need to get the thing done first.'"

As soon as Ying Long finished speaking, the Turtle Chancellor immediately became somewhat anxious, his tone carrying a hint of frustration at his inability to become talented: 'My lord, how can you be so obtuse! The difference here is indeed great; if the direction is wrong, the more you do, the more wrong it becomes!'

Translate: "As soon as Ying Long's words left his mouth, Chancellor Turtle instantly grew a bit anxious, his tone tinged with frustration: 'My lord, how can you be so obtuse! The difference here is huge; if the direction is wrong, the more you do, the more mistaken it becomes.'"

If the Heavenly Court wants the wilderness to know that the Dragon Clan's actions are directed by the Heavenly Court, in order to glorify the Heavenly Court's prestige.

Translate: "If the Heavenly Court wants the Wasteland to know that the Dragon Clan's actions are directed by the Heavenly Court, so as to display the Heavenly Court's prestige."

If we were to take full responsibility for this matter ourselves as the Dragon Clan, that would be stealing the Heavenly Court's spotlight, inevitably inviting annoyance; although the probability is small, it cannot be guarded against.

Translate: "If we were to take full responsibility for this matter ourselves, the Dragon Clan would be stealing the Heavenly Court's thunder, inevitably inviting annoyance; though the chance is small, it cannot be guarded against."

If the Heavenly Court does not want the wilderness to know, then if we reveal the Heavenly Court, wouldn't that damage the Heavenly Court's reputation, causing people to blame it for ineptitude?

Translate: "If the Heavenly Court does not want the Wasteland to know, then if we expose the Heavenly Court, wouldn't we be damaging its reputation, earning a label of incompetence?"

All these considerations, worldly affairs, are not easily grasped; one must attend to every aspect in order to accomplish anything.

Translate: "All these considerations, worldly affairs, are not easily grasped; one must attend to every aspect in order to accomplish anything."

Upon hearing this, Ying Long finally felt the true difficulty of the matter, and inevitably had a headache; yet if he were to consider these points, it would instead make him feel troubled.

Translate: "Upon hearing this, Ying Long finally felt the true difficulty of the matter, and he couldn't help but have a headache; yet if he were to consider these points, it would instead make him feel troubled."

Seeing Ying Long's appearance, the Turtle Chancellor immediately knew he had not thought about this at all, nor paid attention to these issues, and his head began to swell.

Translate: "Seeing Ying Long's appearance, Chancellor Turtle immediately knew he had never thought about this matter nor paid attention to these issues, and his head began to swell."

The Turtle Chancellor, wanting to make amends, then opened his mouth to ask:

Translate: "Chancellor Turtle, wanting to make amends, then asked:"

My lord, during this visit to Yunmze Marsh when you met His Majesty Emperor Qi, what changes were there in your tone and expression when discussing this matter?

Translate: "My lord, during this visit to Yunmze Marsh when you met His Majesty Qi, did your tone and expression show any change when this matter was discussed?"

In the speech, could there be any hints, and when describing the expulsion of Penglai, what further instructions were given?

Translate: "In the speech, could there have been any hint, and when mentioning the expulsion of Penglai, were there any further instructions?"

Any changes, no matter how minor, my lord, please tell them all; this humble official, having lived many years and gained some experience, might be able to make a rough inference from them.

Translate: "Any changes, however minor, my lord, please recount them all; this humble official, having lived many years, has some experience and might be able to infer a thing or two from them."

Ying Long's headache worsened; he simply had not noticed any changes or hints, not because he wasn't listening attentively, but because he had not paid attention to this aspect at all.

Translate: "Ying Long's headache worsened; he simply had not noticed any changes or hints, not because he wasn't listening attentively, but because he had never paid attention to this aspect."

Seeing the anxious old turtle, Ying Long could only mutter and say:

Translate: "Looking at the anxious old turtle, Ying Long could only mutter:"

This is Ying Long's fault; he had not noticed, what hints and changes were there?

Translate: "This is Ying Long's fault; I have not noticed, what hints and changes there are."

Immediately seeing the old turtle about to change expression, realizing it was his own problem, Ying Long hastily added: 'Several Emperors are benevolent; they should not blame us for this; if it truly cannot be done, I will go to the Heavenly Realm to inquire.'

Translate: "Seeing the old turtle about to change expression, realizing it was his own problem, Ying Long hastily added: 'The several sovereigns are all magnanimous; they should not mind this; if it truly cannot be done, I will go to the Heavenly Realm to ask.'"

The Turtle Chancellor's face turned completely black, and he could not help but speak resentfully:

Translate: "Chancellor Turtle's face turned completely black, and he could not help but speak angrily:"

Your lordship's meaning is that you want the Emperors to know that you were distracted during discussions, making the Dragon Clan incapable of handling affairs?

Translate: "Your meaning, my lord, is that you want the several sovereigns to know that you were distracted during the discussion, that the Dragon Clan is incompetent in handling affairs?"

Or do you feel that in the Heavenly Court today, there is no one who resents your lordship's current position?

Translate: "Or do you feel that in the current Heavenly Court, there is no one who envies or resents your present position?"

translation: "Moreover, even if those Emperors are indifferent, are the Kunpeng and Bai Ze factions easy to deal with? My lord, this is different from before; the Dragon Clan has long lost its glory, the Heavenly Court is not the Dragon Clan, and as subjects we cannot afford the slightest carelessness."

Moreover, even if those Emperors are indifferent, are the Kunpeng and Bai Ze factions easy to deal with? My lord, this is different from before; the Dragon Clan has long lost its glory, the Heavenly Court is not the Dragon Clan, and as subjects we cannot afford the slightest carelessness.

Thus: "Moreover, even if those several sovereigns do not mind, the likes of Kunpeng and Bai Ze are not easy to deal with. My lord, this is different from before; the Dragon Clan has long lost its glory, and the Heavenly Court is not the Dragon Clan; as subjects, we cannot afford the slightest carelessness."

The influx of fortune from the heavenly court is vital for the dragon clan today; even minor shifts in the lord's position determine when the clan will be freed.

Translate: "The influx of fortune from the Heavenly Court is of utmost importance to the Dragon Clan today; any slight change in your lord's status relates to when the Dragon Clan can be liberated."

Even the slightest fluctuation carries a penalty of thousands or tens of thousands of years; we are all aware of this, yet the lord remains so lax—how can this be?

Translate: "Even a faint fluctuation would amount to a sentence of thousands or tens of thousands of years; we all know this, yet my lord, you are still so lax—how can this be?"

I hope that from now on the lord will be more attentive, so that no similar situation arises; otherwise the dragon clan will face peril.

Translate: "Henceforth, I hope my lord can rally his spirits, so that no similar situation occurs again; otherwise, the Dragon Clan's future will be perilous."

Yinglong felt deep shame at the turtle chancellor's reprimand, but upon hearing the end he realized the chancellor might have a solution, and promptly replied: 'It should indeed be so, but this matter still needs to be finished for now; I wonder if the chancellor has any solution?'

Translate: "Upon hearing Chancellor Turtle's reproach, Ying Long felt ashamed to the core, but upon hearing the end, he realized the chancellor might already have a solution, and he promptly replied: 'Of course it should be so; however, this matter still needs to be completed now—I do not know if the chancellor has a remedy.'"

Seeing Yinglong like this, the turtle chancellor could only let out a long sigh before saying: 'What solution could there be? The lord must not act rashly; otherwise, after going to the heavenly realm and then acting, the dragon clan will have no choice left.'

Translate: "Seeing Ying Long like this, Chancellor Turtle could only let out a long sigh before saying: 'What solution could there be? My lord must not act rashly; otherwise, after going to the Heavenly Realm and then taking action, the Dragon Clan will have no choice left.'"

All we can do is have the old minister set aside some pride, move about more, and ask those who previously had dealings with the dragon clan whether they are willing to share information.

Translate: "There is nothing else but to have this humble official set aside a bit of dignity, move about more, inquire of those who once had dealings with the Dragon Clan, and see whether they are willing to inform."

The turtle chancellor's words are naturally modest; a scrawny dead camel is still larger than a horse. Though the dragon clan is weak, Yinglong's presence in the heavenly court compels those who once owed the clan karmic debts to acknowledge it.

Translate: "What Chancellor Turtle said is naturally modest talk; a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Although the Dragon Clan is weakened, with Ying Long still in the Heavenly Court, those who once owed the Dragon Clan karmic debts cannot but acknowledge it."

Without Yinglong, even if the dragon clan faced even greater crises and losses, the turtle chancellor could not possibly seek out those people.

Translate: "Without Ying Long, even if the Dragon Clan faced even greater crises and losses, Chancellor Turtle could not possibly go to seek those people."

Sometimes, when the karmic debt is too great, it may prompt the other party to repay kindness and resolve the dragon clan's predicament, but it may also invite disaster in the form of repaying kindness with enmity.

Translate: "Sometimes, when the karmic debt is too great, it may prompt the other party to repay kindness and resolve the Dragon Clan's predicament, but it may also invite disaster of repaying kindness with betrayal."

After all, the solution to karma is not merely repaying it; besides, one can also sever the other end, and without a source, there naturally would be no karma to speak of.

Yinglong was somewhat surprised; the dragon clan had already sunk to this state, yet there were still people willing to remember the past karmic debts.

Since his release, it seems that among those who went to the dragon clan to settle karma, only two could be considered good karma, while the rest were merely taking the opportunity to seize wealth.

Even among those two, one is Qi Huang, who came to the dragon clan to repay the karmic fruit of the substitution calamity, wishing to repay the dragon clan; the other is merely an insignificant Great Luo Golden Immortal.

At that time the dragon clan was weak, he had just been unsealed, and Qi was also the supreme water god of the world; given the disparity in cultivation and status, Yinglong dared not, as he had said before, demand the Dao lineage of Yunmeng Ze from Qi.

In the end he merely asked for a protective statement, pulling a bit of the other's tiger skin, to let those innate gods who came to cause trouble restrain themselves a bit.

Fortunately, he had also earned a favor, so that when Yinglong promoted the dragon transformation method, the Heavenly Court did not come down hard, but instead let him take a position in the Heavenly Court.

Since he had doubts, and everyone present were his own dragon clan members, Yinglong directly asked:

"Given the current dragon clan, who would still remember the past karma? And how could there be any possibility of repayment?"

To this, the turtle chancellor merely smiled lightly and said: "If it's an outsider, naturally they wouldn't repay, treating it as if it didn't exist; but if that person is within the Heavenly Court?"

"Moreover, we are not forcing him to do anything; we are merely asking a question or two."

"Fortunately, the lord is also in the Heavenly Court now; otherwise those karma would really let them escape, although not of great use, at least we could leak some news."

"If even this small matter is unwilling, then the karma would be great."

The turtle chancellor, speaking to this point, a flash of cold color passed in his eyes; initially the dragon clan was powerful, those who came to the dragon clan's head were not just one or two.

But with the dragon clan's decline, the former prosperity also shattered like a dream bubble; those who came to beg at the door also became strangers and pitiable.

The turtle chancellor's thoughts are unknown to Yinglong; he merely recalled in the Heavenly Court who might owe the dragon clan karma, and could also probe the emperor's attitude.

"Bai Ze? That's normal; his Dao Chang is on the coast of the Eastern Sea, impossible to avoid the dragon clan, and indeed he can point the way for us."

Yinglong murmured to himself; the turtle chancellor stood aside silently, merely not disturbing Yinglong while he thought, his palm making a slight motion, causing the surrounding people to depart.

Those who owe the dragon clan karma are too many, while the awake people in the dragon clan are too few; letting them know certain things would only bring disaster for nothing.

These things, if used properly, will be aid for the future revival of the dragon clan.

But if one tries randomly and neglects the prerequisites, it will only make the dragon clan's dormant process longer and more tortuous.

He will not easily tell Yinglong who these people are, unless he is about to die, or acknowledges that Yinglong can lead the clan, then he will make it clear.

Otherwise, with Yinglong's current cultivation, the karma he seeks would naturally be no obstacle, but he would ultimately gain a reputation for oppressing others with force, and then when the dragon clan is weak again, it would bear bitter fruit.

Yinglong suddenly asked:

"The Dao Chang of the Duke of the East is also in the Tang Valley on the coast of the Eastern Sea; does he also owe the dragon clan karma?"

Although it is a question, Yinglong's voice is full of certainty; although he was sealed after the Great Calamity of the Ferocious Beasts, he does not understand many things.

But he has a very clear understanding of his elder brother: an innate god residing on the coast of the Eastern Sea; given his elder brother's character, it is impossible for him not to bestow favor upon him.

The turtle chancellor nodded, his face finally showing some satisfaction; to infer the whole from a point, to know the whole from a part, is a quality a leader must possess.

And after experiencing dozens of yuanhui, the turtle chancellor finally saw some growth in Yinglong, making him more like a king rather than a warrior.

It's not that being a warrior is bad, but a pure warrior is not suitable to be a king leading a clan forward.

They may share some traits, but the differences will lead a clan toward completely different futures.

And the turtle chancellor saw Yinglong's transformation, which he had long awaited; in the dark silence of the dragon clan, that point represents a glimmer of hope.

"The Duke of the East indeed owes the dragon clan karma, but now faced with the Heavenly Court's order, how should the lord make his judgment?"

"This karma, in the lord's hands, what room for maneuver is there?"

Faced with the turtle chancellor's inquiry, Yinglong knew this was a teaching and test for himself, and inevitably fell into contemplation.

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