Chapter 242

In the sky-filling wind and snow, Wu Tie and Jin Man Cang left the small house.

Translation: In the sky-filling wind and snow, Wu Tie and Jin Mancang left the small building.

Check: The phrase means "In the sky-filling wind and snow". Good.

On the main street, bonfires flickered, countless men and women were still wildly lost in drunken dreams of death, wildly *** making merry.

On the main street, bonfires flickered, countless men and women were still wildly indulging in drunken dreams of death, wildly *** making merry.

But the idiom meaning "to live in drunken dreams, to die in a stupor" is translated as "drunken dreams of death". Keep meaning.

Thus: On the main street, bonfires flickered, countless men and women were still wildly indulging in drunken dreams of death, wildly *** making merry.

Wu Tie clasped his hands in his sleeves, stepped onto the thick snow, and walked forward step by step, steadily, with a clang. He gazed at the men and women shouting hoarsely and murmured: "Such wanton revelry—what's the point?"

Translation: Wu Tie clasped his hands in his sleeves, stepping on the thick snow, walking forward steadily step by step with a steady clang. He looked at those men and women shouting hoarsely, and muttered softly: "Such wanton revelry, what meaning does it have?"

Check: The phrase could be translated as "step by step, steadily, with a clang, walking forward". We'll keep that translation. Wu Tie clasped his hands in his sleeves, stepping on the thick snow, walking forward step by step, steadily, with a clang. He looked at those men and women shouting hoarsely, and muttered softly: "Such wanton revelry, what meaning does it have?"

We need to keep as single line.

Jin Man Cang narrowed his eyes at Wu Tie, then glanced at the men and women, and suddenly burst out laughing.

Translation: Jin Mancang narrowed his eyes at Wu Tie, then looked at those men and women, and suddenly laughed.

"Sir, you… harbor ambitions. Within you burns a spirited drive; for anything you wish to do, you must act and see it through, leaving no time to dwell on these things."

Translation: "Sir, you… have ambitions in your heart. In your heart there is a spirit; for some things, you want to do them, you must do them, and you must succeed, so you have no time to ponder these things."

"But they…"

Translation: "But they…"

Jin Man Cang pointed to each of the dozens of men and women nearest to them on the street and said: "They… they want for nothing, their future is dim; aside from indulging in reckless revelry, what else can they do?"

Translation: Jin Mancang reached out and pointed one by one at the dozens of men and women nearest to them on the main street: "They… they have no worries about food and clothing, their future is dim, besides indulging in revelry to the death, what else can they do?"

"Boundless future… the 'quantity' of quantity?" Wu Tie stared, bewildered.

Translation: "Limitless future… the 'amount' in 'limitless'?" Wu Tie exclaimed in surprise.

"A future without light… the 'brightness' of brightness." Jin Man Cang laughed brightly: "This damned world, this Triple Linked City, has shaped them and also destroyed them. It's a pleasure den where people unknowingly turn into rotting flesh."

Translation: "Future without light… the 'light' in 'without light'." Jin Mancang laughed brightly: "This damned world, this Three Linked City, has given them success and also destroyed them. It is a pleasure den, a place where people unknowingly turn into rotting flesh here, a pleasure den."

Wu Tie remained silent.

Translation: Wu Tie remained silent.

Jin Man Cang lifted his head, gazing at the dark clouds and falling snowflakes, and chuckled: "Among the Bodhi clan, there are still talented individuals; they actually tried to send out an elite force to attack foreign lands and expand their territory."

Translation: Jin Mancang raised his head, looking at the dark clouds in the sky and the falling snowflakes, and said with a chuckle: "Among the Bodhi Clan, there are still talents; they actually tried to send out an elite force to attack the outer regions and expand their territory."

"Not wanting to become utter waste in this pleasure den, the only recourse is to expand outward, to wage war, to temper the clan with blood and death." Jin Man Cang sighed: "Unfortunately, I heard that the Bodhi clan suffered a crushing defeat, and the elite force they sent out was wiped out."

Translation: "Not wanting to become utter waste in this pleasure den, one can only expand outward, wage outward war, and temper the clan with blood and death." Jin Mancang sighed: "Unfortunately, I heard that the Bodhi Clan suffered a great defeat and loss, and the elite force sent out was completely wiped out…"

With a hint of schadenfreude, Jin Man Cang smiled at the eerily expressioned Wu Tie and said: "This blow might very well snap the last shred of the Bodhi clan's backbone."

Translation: With a hint of schadenfreude, Jin Mancang smiled at the strangely expressioned Wu Tie and said: "This blow might have snapped the last bit of the Bodhi Clan's backbone."

"The Bodhi clan may never again deploy an army of that scale."

Translation: "The Bodhi Clan perhaps will never again dispatch an army of the same scale."

"Those who advocated the expedition—the Bodhi clan's 'outstanding talents'—will be seen as freaks by their own people."

Translation: "Those 'outstanding' advocates of war from the Bodhi Clan will become freaks in the eyes of the clanspeople."

"They will either be cast out and expelled from the family's power center, or they will collude with corruption, becoming the shameless waste and rotting flesh we see… or they will go all-in, using blood and death to temper the entire clan."

Translation: "They either will be expelled and driven out of the family's power center, or they will flow together into corruption, becoming the shameless waste and rotting flesh we see… or they will go all-in, using blood and death to temper the entire clan."

Jin Man Cang's body trembled slightly as he muttered softly: "I faintly sense the scent of a big deal; that's why I rushed here in haste, and so I am not fully prepared…"

Translation: Jin Mancang's body trembled slightly, and he muttered softly: "I faintly smelled the scent of a big deal, so I rushed here hastily, so I wasn't fully prepared, so…"

He touched the wound on his thigh where a dagger had sliced it during the day, and Jin Man Cang wore a resentful expression.

Translation: He touched the wound on his thigh from the dagger cut during the day, and Jin Mancang wore a resentful expression.

Wu Tie patted Jin Man Cang on the shoulder and said seriously: "Old Jin, I never expected you to be such a talent."

Translation: Wu Tie patted Jin Mancang's shoulder and said seriously: "Old Jin, I didn't expect you to truly be a talent."

Jin Man Cang bowed humbly to Wu Tie and said: "What words, Sir Xiao Tie? In your presence, what am I, Old Jin? Heh heh, I'm merely someone who knows a few unorthodox tricks and has acquaintances from all walks of life."

Translation: Jin Mancang bowed humbly to Wu Tie: "What words does Sir Xiao Tie speak? Before you, I, Old Jin, am nothing—hehe, I merely know some unorthodox methods and have acquaintances among the three teachings and nine streams."

Wu Tie smiled, gave Jin Man Cang a firm pat on the body, and then vanished into thin air.

Translation: Wu Tie smiled, gave Jin Mancang a hard pat on the body, and then he vanished into thin air.

Jin Man Cang's face suddenly stiffened; he narrowed his eyes, a glint of gold gradually appearing in his pupils, and he quickly scanned the surroundings, yet could find no trace of the escape technique Wu Tie had employed.

Translation: Jin Mancang's face suddenly stiffened; he narrowed his eyes, a glint of gold gradually appearing in his pupils, he quickly glanced around, but could find no trace of Wu Tie's evasion technique.

"This is… what an exquisite escape technique… even the Triple Linked City's Bodhi clan's nightmare evasion could not be so traceless." Jin Man Cang, feeling a bit uneasy, wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.

Translation: "This is… what a superb evasion technique… but even the Mandala Clan of Three Linked City's nightmare evasion technique could not be so traceless." Jin Mancang, feeling a bit guilty, wiped the nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead.

"Mysterious, frightening, perhaps backed by a very powerful and influential patron." Jin Man Cang muttered to himself: "Be careful, be cautious—I, the Golden Ghost, have sailed smoothly all my life; I must not capsize in old age."

Translation: "Mysterious, frightening, perhaps there is a very strong, very powerful backer." Jin Mancang muttered to himself: "Be careful, be cautious; I, Jin Gui, have had smooth sailing all my life—don't let me capsize in old age."

"Once this deal is done, my good days as the Golden Ghost are still ahead… but I must not capsize."

Translation: "Once this deal is done, my good days as Jin Gui are still ahead… but we must not capsize."

After exhaling, a flamboyantly dressed girl shrieked, clutching a wine jar and laughing "hahaha" as she lunged at Jin Man Cang. Behind her, seven or eight youths with flushed faces and skin blue from the cold chased after her.

Translation: He exhaled, a flowery maiden shrieked shrilly, clutching a wine jug and laughing "haha" as she lunged at Jin Mancang. Behind her, seven or eight youths with flushed faces and skin chilled to blue were chasing her.

Jin Man Cang licked the corner of his mouth and suddenly burst out laughing.

Translation: Jin Mancang licked the corner of his mouth and suddenly laughed.

He scooped up the girl in one arm, embraced her, and turned to walk away, saying: "Haha, I haven't tasted meat in half a month—Old Jin, I'll have some fun first, then attend to serious matters. Hey, hehe, hehehe!"

Translation: He swept the maiden into his arms, embraced her and turned to leave: "Haha, half a month without tasting meat, Old Jin I'll first enjoy myself, then attend to proper matters. Hey, hehe, hehehe!"

Wu Tie became invisible, silently soaring over the Triple Linked City.

Translation: Wu Tie concealed himself, silently flying over the skies of Three Linked City.

He flew out of the city district of the Triple Linked City and headed toward a small hill seven or eight li away.

Translation: He flew out of the urban area of Three Linked City, toward a small mountain seven or eight li away outside the city.

That small hill is exquisitely beautiful, its slopes covered in jade-green bamboo.

Translation: That small mountain was exceedingly beautiful, its slopes covered with jade-green emerald bamboo.

Among the bamboo, gorgeous, bewitching mandrake flowers are planted in abundance.

Translation: Among the emerald bamboo were planted gorgeous, bewitching Mandala flowers.

On a snowy night, under the strange light emitted by twelve towering pillars of light in the distance, the black-and-red mandrake flowers appear bewitchingly eerie, like seductive witches luring one to death, constantly exuding a hazy, frenzied aura.

Translation: On the snowy night, under the strange light emitted by twelve towering light pillars in the distance, the black-and-red Mandala flowers were bewitchingly eerie, like seductive witches luring one to death, constantly emanating a bewildering, frenzied aura around them.

At the hill's summit

Translation: At the summit of the small mountain stood a small nine-story treasure pagoda, each level about seven or eight meters square, each level encircled by a covered walkway.

Under the pagoda there is a small courtyard; on a snowy night, the courtyard is utterly still, except that the highest ninth floor of the pagoda has flickering lights, and on the outer corridor, two girls cloaked in capes keep wandering back and forth.

Translation: Beneath the pagoda lay a small courtyard; on the snowy night, the courtyard was utterly still, only the lanterns on the ninth, highest level flickered, and on the outer walkway two cloaked girls wandered back and forth.

This hill is the property of the Mandala clan, one of the twelve ruling families of Triple‑Linked City.

Translation: This small mountain is the property of the Mandala Clan, one of the Twelve Governing Families of Three Linked City.

Normally, this place is also one of the most important secret gathering spots for the younger generation of the Mandala clan, serving as their base for drinking, merrymaking, and plotting schemes.

Translation: Usually, this place is also one of the most important secret gathering spots for the younger generation of the Mandala Clan's descendants, a base for their drinking, revelry, and conspiracies.

Though the hill appears peaceful, the Mandala flowers hidden there contain a strange poison; any outsider who mistakenly enters will fall into a deep slumber within a breath, and without an antidote will surely die in their sleep.

Translation: Though this small mountain appears peaceful, the Mandala flowers hidden within hold a strange poison; an outsider who mistakenly enters will, at most after a single breath, fall into the deepest slumber, and without an antidote will surely die in their sleep.

About this hill, Triple‑Linked City still has many frightening and lascivious rumors.

Translation: Regarding this small mountain, there are still many frightening, lascivious rumors in Three Linked City.

But rumors are just rumors; based solely on them, no one can harm even a hair of the Mandala clan's direct descendants.

Translation: But rumors are just rumors; based solely on rumors, no one can harm a single hair of the Mandala Clan's direct descendants.

Two strikingly alluring girls, wearing cold smiles, pace back and forth along the corridor; whenever the sound of a bamboo branch snapping under the snow is heard, they instantly turn and stare intently in that direction.

Translation: Two rather bewitching girls, wearing stern smiles, paced back and forth along the covered walkway; whenever the sound of a bamboo branch snapping under the weight of snow came, they would immediately look carefully in that direction.

These two are the sentries posted openly.

Translation: These are two sentry posts placed openly.

Witch‑Iron lands silently atop the pagoda, cocking his ear to listen for any movement inside.

Translation: Wu Tie landed silently and soundlessly on the top of the treasure pagoda, leaning his ear to listen to the movements inside.

In the warm‑filled ninth level of the pagoda, three handsome youths lie bare‑bodied, reclining on three soft couches, each of them entwined with several delicate, glowing bodies.

Translation: In the warmly glowing ninth level of the treasure pagoda, three handsome youths bared their bodies, leaning reclined on three soft couches, each person's body entwined with several delicate, pinkish forms.

These exquisitely beautiful girls, however, have already fallen into a deep slumber.

Translation: But these exquisitely beautiful girls had already fallen into a deep sleep.

The Mandala clan's secret concoction ensures that, while they are unconscious, they hear nothing and reveal none of what occurs here.

Translation: The Mandala Clan's secret elixir was sufficient to ensure that, in their swoon, they would hear no sound and leak no information from this place.

"The Bodhi clan has suffered losses; that's certain," said one youth lazily. "Even the monster Great Snake Yi couldn't return… I hear that Miss Ji has locked herself in her room and hasn't stepped out for months."

Translation: "The Bodhi Clan has lost troops and generals; this can be confirmed." One youth said lazily: "That monster, the Great Serpent Yi, also couldn't return… I heard that Miss Chan has locked herself in her room and hasn't stepped out for months."

"If she becomes a widow… I wouldn't mind taking over," another youth said, narrowing his eyes with a wicked grin. "Well, tomorrow I'll bring her a thoughtful gift. As for women, I have experience—right now she most needs a strong arm."

Translation: "If she became a widow… I wouldn't mind taking over." Another youth narrowed his eyes, grinning wickedly: "Well, tomorrow I'll go give her a thoughtful gift. As for women, I have experience; at this time she most needs a strong arm."

"Why go through all this trouble? Just give her a special potion and enjoy her first," the third youth sneered. "I hate your roundabout schemes. Haven't you already bribed her personal maid?"

Translation: "Why go through all that trouble? A secret elixir—first enjoy her, then talk." The third youth sneered: "I despise your fussing over these empty formalities. You lot, haven't you already bribed her personal maid?"

The three youths glanced at each other and then burst out laughing together.

Translation: The three youths looked at each other, then laughed together.

"By the way, Old Thirteen hasn't been home for a few days," the first youth suddenly said. "Do you think he's out having fun, or is he dead out there?"

Translation: "Speaking of Old Thirteen, he hasn't been home for several days, has he?" The first youth suddenly said: "You say, is he out looking for fun, or did he die out there?"

"Better that he's dead…" another youth said coldly. "Everyone knows he isn't of our bloodline; if it weren't for his mother's remaining dignity, he wouldn't have survived to this day."

Translation: "Better that he died…" Another youth said coldly: "Everyone knows he isn't of our bloodline; if it weren't for his birth mother still having a bit of face, how could he be allowed to live until now?"

"So, better that he's dead…" the third youth said with a chilling tone. "Send someone to look for him—just don't let him come back. I'm sure the head of the household would be pleased to see that happen."

Translation: "So, better that he died…" The third youth said chillingly: "Send people to look for him, just don't let him come back. I imagine the clan head would also be pleased to see such a thing."

Witch‑Iron listened to the sounds inside the building and slowly nodded.

Translation: Wu Tie listened to the movements inside the building, and slowly nodded.

No wonder Jin Manchang's list had him come to this hill to capture the Mandala clan's purest, most reliable direct‑blood descendants.

Translation: No wonder Jin Mancang's list had him come to this small mountain to capture the Mandala Clan's purest, most reliable direct descendants.

Keep in mind, Jin Manchang had previously hired someone to seize a member of the Mandala clan.

Translation: Know that Jin Mancang had previously commissioned someone to seize a disciple of the Mandala Clan.

That fellow turned out not to be of Mandala blood, which explains things nicely.

Translation: That fellow, it turns out, is not a bloodline of the Mandala Clan, which explains it easily.

Witch‑Iron reflected on Jin Manchang's list… Is this fellow meant to gather the direct‑blood lines of the twelve ruling families? It seems this matter is inseparable from entering Triple‑Linked City.

Translation: Wu Tie recalled the list Jin Mancang had given… that fellow, is he supposed to collect the direct-line bloodlines of the Twelve Governing Families? It seems this matter is inseparable from entering Three Linked City.

With both hands forming seals, a faint clear light twined around Witch‑Iron's fingertips.

Translation: Forming hand seals with both hands, Wu Tie's fingertips faintly coiled with pure light.

His eyes flickered with a faint light as he carefully observed the direction of the small mountain's ley lines for a moment; counting with both hands, tiny motes of clear light flew out, and he quickly laid a small barrier around the area that sealed off sound and magical fluctuations.

The whole small hill seemed shrouded by an invisible great bell; snowflakes falling from high altitude, still a hundred or so zhang above the peak, were shifted away by an invisible force.

The two girls strolling along the gallery suddenly lifted their heads, looking up in astonishment at the sky.

Snowflakes filled the sky, yet not a single one could land on the small hill.

"Enemy..." the two girls shouted in unison.

Wu Tie pointed casually, releasing an immobilization spell; the two girls' bodies stiffened and they could no longer move.

"Who is it?" the three youths inside the house shouted together.

They twisted their bodies, trying to break free from the entanglement of those several delicate, pink‑glowing girls' bodies.

The window on the ninth floor of the pagoda suddenly opened; a cold wind howled in, and Wu Tie, in a state of invisibility, rushed into the pagoda, shaking his hand to unleash ninety‑nine immobilization spells like a storm.

Each youth wore a jade pendant shaped like a mandala flower on his chest; as the immobilization spell just touched their bodies, the pendants burst forth with black‑red light. The wondrous light flowed like water, swiftly enveloping the three bodies.

Over a dozen immobilization spells struck them in succession; the wondrous light trembled rapidly, continually canceling out the spells' force.

In the snap of a finger, the protective wondrous light was dispelled by the immobilization spells.

"Who—"

"Is—"

"Great—"

Each of the three shouted a single character; then their bodies were hit one after another by immobilization spells, stiffening their upper halves like wooden carvings, unable to move.

Wu Tie looked around, grabbed three pieces of hide to wrap the three people, tied them with a rope, then flicked his body, bringing the three out of the pagoda; he backhanded the window shut, shielding the girls inside from the outside cold.

The three direct heirs of the Mandala Clan, then the two direct descendants of the Bodhi Clan, followed by the two noble women of the Phoenix Clan, then the Heavenly Dragon Clan, the Heroic Lion Clan, the Holy Elephant Clan, the Divine Turtle Clan…

Wu Tie's efficiency was a hundred times greater than that of the cultivators hired by Jin Man Cang; according to the information provided by Jin Man Cang, Wu Tie needed only three hours to capture everyone on Jin Man Cang's list.

The Twelve Executive Families each saw their direct‑line descendants, in varying numbers, fall into Wu Tie's hands.

After a night of nonstop activity, the operation went so smoothly that even Wu Tie was left speechless.

Around the direct‑line descendants of the Twelve Executive Families there was hardly any defensive force, and Wu Tie easily seized them alive.

Perhaps it was because this place is Triple Linked City.

The Twelve Executive Families had rotted to the core; they were overconfident in their own strength, never considering that outsiders might invade Triple Linked City and abduct their direct‑line bloodlines.

These people were sent to a secret stronghold Jin Man Cang had set up in the mountains outside the city; when the False Sun rose again, Wu Tie returned to Triple Linked City.

It was still that small building from last night; in the corner of the room, over a dozen men and women remained unconscious.

As Wu Tie entered, Jin Man Cang had somehow produced a pile of food and drink, sitting at the round table pouring his own drinks, looking quite pleased.

After not seeing him for a night, Jin Man Cang appeared full of vigor, his face flushed red.

Wu Tie, with his extraordinarily sharp senses, even smelled the scents of seven different women on Jin Man Cang's body.

"Had a good night?" Wu Tie glared at Jin Man Cang across the round table and sat down opposite him.

"Running around, working hard—where's any fun?" Jin Man Cang sighed heavily, looked at Wu Tie, and said seriously: "As for the fate of those eight guys you mentioned, I only know that someone was thrown into the Udumbara Clan's water prison; as for the werewolf's news…"

Wu Tie's breath caught; he stared at Jin Man Cang without a word.

Jin Man Cang paused on purpose, seeing Wu Tie merely gazing at him in silence, then gave a bitter smile: "The werewolf's news needs no investigation. The biggest slave trader in Triple Linked City says that in three days they will auction a batch of high‑grade slaves… among them is a literate werewolf, very rare."

"You got that from inquiries?" Wu Tie looked at Jin Man Cang.

"Besides those crazy revelers, everyone in this city who struggles to earn a meal has heard the news." Jin Man Cang fixed Wu Tie with a stare: "Everyone I know has heard it… is this aimed at you?"

Wu Tie gave a wry smile: "Looks like they've strangled my thoughts."

Jin Man Cang stared at Wu Tie in shock: "Are you planning to confront the Udumbara Clan head‑on?"

Wu Tie's fingers tapped wildly on the stone round table, literally punching dozens of holes into it.

He pondered for a moment, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

After a brief silence, Wu Tie shook his head: "A head‑on clash? I'm not that stupid."

Looking at Jin Man Cang, Wu Tie suddenly laughed: "Could you send a message to Miss Ji of the Bodhi Clan for me? Please ask her, for the life of the Great Snake Yi, how much she would be willing to sacrifice?"