Chapter 518

Wu Tie carried a water bucket–thick, four- or five-zhang-long great white snake, stepping on wind and dust, he walked unhurriedly toward Golden Flower Prefecture City.

But we need to keep meaning exactly. Let's parse Chinese:

Wu Tie hoisted a massive white snake as thick as a water bucket, forty or fifty zhang long, stepping on wind and dust, unhurriedly racing toward Jin Hua Prefecture City.

Interpretation: Wu Tie carried a water bucket–thick, four- or five-zhang-long great white snake, stepping on wind and dust, he walked unhurriedly toward Golden Flower Prefecture City.

Note: we need to output translation of the phrase using given translations.

We must not add extra info.

Let's craft:

【1】 Wu Tie carried a water bucket–thick, four- or five-zhang-long great white snake, stepping on wind and dust, he walked unhurriedly toward Golden Flower Prefecture City.

Check: we kept all info.

Now line 2:

Behind him, on the summit of a great mountain, a white-clothed scholar with a cold aura stood silently, squinting his eyes as he watched Wu Tie.

Behind him, atop a great mountain, a white‑clad scholar with a cold, stern aura stood silently, narrowing his eyes at Wu Tie.

Note: we need to output translation using the given translations (same as above). So output same line: "Behind him, atop a great mountain, a white‑clothed scholar with a cold aura stood silently, squinting as he watched Wu Tie."

Line 3:

This is a terrifyingly cultivated thousand-year white flower snake; Wu Tie carried that great white snake all the way, swaggering through the market, quickly drawing the attention of the White Flower Snake Clan, and this scholar followed Wu Tie closely all the way, monitoring his departure.

This is a fearsome thousand‑year white‑flower snake; Wu Tie carried the huge white snake through the streets, flaunting it, and soon attracted the attention of the white‑flower snake clan. The scholar followed him closely all the way, monitoring his departure.

Note: output same translation as above.

We'll produce:

【3】 This is a terrifyingly cultivated thousand-year white flower snake; Wu Tie carried that great white snake all the way, swaggering through the market, quickly drawing the attention of the White Flower Snake Clan, and this scholar followed Wu Tie closely all the way, monitoring his departure.

Line 4:

However, the White Flower Snake Clan had no reaction to the white snake snatched away by Wu Tie.

However, the white‑flower snake clan showed no reaction to the white snake that Wu Tie had snatched away.

Note: output same.

Thus:

【4】 However, the White Flower Snake Clan had no reaction to the white snake snatched away by Wu Tie.

Line 5:

Not a clansman, merely a beast without spiritual intelligence; snakes are naturally cold-hearted, they have no such old-fashioned warmth to speak up for an outsider's misfortune.

It's not one of their own; it's merely a senseless wild beast. Snakes are naturally cold‑blooded—they don't have that warm‑hearted loyalty to champion the misfortune of an outsider.

Note: output same.

【5】 Not a clansman, merely a beast without spiritual intelligence; snakes are naturally cold-hearted, they have no such old-fashioned warmth to speak up for an outsider's misfortune.

Line 6:

Wu Tie carried the great white snake flying all the way; the escape technique he employed was ordinary, his speed only a bit more than double that of a galloping horse.

Wu Tie fled at full speed carrying the great snake; his escape technique was ordinary, yet his speed was more than twice that of a galloping horse.

Interpretation: "Wu Tie carried the great white snake flying all the way; the escape technique he employed was ordinary, his speed only a bit more than double that of a galloping horse."

We'll produce:

【6】 Wu Tie carried the great white snake flying all the way; the escape technique he employed was ordinary, his speed only a bit more than double that of a galloping horse.

Line 7:

After spending a full two or three shichen, it was only at noon the next day that he returned to the gate of Golden Flower Prefecture City; after being questioned by the city guards, he then entered the city proudly and vigorously.

It took him a full two to three hours; only at noon the next day did he reach the gates of Jin Hua Prefecture City. After being questioned by the city guards, he marched in proudly and confidently.

Note: output same.

Thus:

【7】 After spending a full two or three shichen, it was only at noon the next day that he returned to the gate of Golden Flower Prefecture City; after being questioned by the city guards, he then entered the city proudly and vigorously.

Line 8:

Carrying the great white snake, Wu Tie went to the commercial district of Golden Flower Prefecture City, wandered through a few shops, caused a ruckus, and then brought the great snake to the Golden Sparrow Pavilion.

Carrying the great white snake, Wu Tie went to the commercial district of Jin Hua Prefecture City, visited a few shops, stirred up trouble, and then brought the snake to the Golden Sparrow Pavilion.

Interpretation: "Carrying the great white snake, Wu Tie went to the commercial district of Golden Flower Prefecture City, wandered through a few shops, caused a ruckus, and then brought the great snake to the Golden Sparrow Pavilion."

Note: output same.

Thus:

【8】 Carrying the great white snake, Wu Tie went to the commercial district of Golden Flower Prefecture City, wandered through a few shops, caused a ruckus, and then brought the great snake to the Golden Sparrow Pavilion.

Line 9:

"Little waiter, little waiter, call your boss over! A thousand-year white flower snake—bring out one million taels of gold!" Wu Tie slammed the great white snake onto a large square table with a "dong," then shouted at the top of his lungs.

Hey, waiter, waiter, call your boss out! A thousand‑year white‑flower snake—hand over one million taels of gold! Wu Tie slammed the huge white snake onto a large square table with a thundering thump and shouted at the top of his lungs.

Note: output same.

But we need to keep the quote marks? The original uses Chinese quotes 「」. We can keep English quotes or not? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add or omit. The Chinese quotes are part of the text; we should translate them into English quotes? Usually we would keep the quoted speech in English quotes. We'll use double quotes.

Thus:

【9】 "Little waiter, little waiter, call your boss over! A thousand-year white flower snake, hey, bring out one million taels of gold!" Wu Tie slammed the great white snake onto a large square table with a "dong," then shouted at the top of his lungs.

Line 10:

"Ay!" the two little waiters at the entrance of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion tried to stop Wu Tie from entering the building, but he slapped each of them, sending them sprawling to the ground; after Wu Tie entered the pavilion, they covered their faces and came running in, crying and shouting.

With an "aiyo", the two waiters at the entrance of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion tried to stop Wu Tie from entering, but he slapped one of them, sending them sprawling to the ground. After Wu Tie went inside, they covered their faces and rushed in, crying and shouting.

Note: output same.

Thus:

【10】 "Ay!" the two little waiters at the entrance of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion tried to stop Wu Tie from entering the building, but he slapped each of them, sending them sprawling to the ground; after Wu Tie entered the pavilion, they covered their faces and came running in, crying and shouting.

Line 11:

The little waiters, their faces grim, gathered around.

Several waiters, their faces grim, gathered around.

Thus:

【11】 The little waiters, their faces grim, gathered around.

Line 12:

A thousand-year white flower snake?

A thousand‑year white‑flower snake?

Thus:

【12】 A thousand-year white flower snake?

Line 13:

Did this guy really bring a thousand-year white flower snake?

This brat actually brought a thousand‑year white‑flower snake?

Thus:

【13】 Did this guy really bring a thousand-year white flower snake?

Line 14:

But even if it were a thousand-year white flower snake, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is a high-end restaurant; bringing such a huge white snake inside would frighten the guests—what's that about?

But even if it is a thousand‑year white‑flower snake, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is a high‑class restaurant; dragging such a huge white snake inside and frightening the guests—what is that supposed to be?

Thus:

【14】 But even if it were a thousand-year white flower snake, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is a high-end restaurant; bringing such a huge white snake inside would frighten the guests—what's that about?

Line 15:

Old Master Hu sat in his usual seat, smiling as he held a bowl of winter melon soup, sipping the delicious broth while glancing sideways at Wu Tie; with Old Master Hu's eyesight, he naturally saw that this was just an ordinary large white snake, not some thousand-year white flower snake.

Old Master Hu sat again in his usual spot, chuckling as he held a bowl of winter melon soup, sipping the delicious broth while glancing sideways at Wu Tie. With his keen eyesight, he naturally saw that this was just an ordinary large white snake, not a thousand‑year white‑flower snake at all.

Thus:

【15】 Old Master Hu sat in his usual seat, smiling as he held a bowl of winter melon soup, sipping the delicious broth while glancing sideways at Wu Tie; with Old Master Hu's eyesight, he naturally saw that this was just an ordinary large white snake, not some thousand-year white flower snake.

Line 16:

Four attendants stood in a row beside Old Master Hu, each with a grim face, expressionlessly staring at Wu Tie.

Four attendants stood in a line beside Old Master Hu, each with a grim expression, staring impassively at Wu Tie.

Thus:

【16】 Four attendants stood in a row beside Old Master Hu, each with a grim face, expressionlessly staring at Wu Tie.

Line 17:

"Sir, this is a place of business; the item in your hand…… could you……" a little waiter, face cold, tried to be as polite as possible while speaking to Wu Tie.

Sir, this is a place of business; that thing in your hand… could you…? a waiter said, trying to keep a polite tone despite his cold face.

Thus:

【17】 "Sir, this is a place of business; the item in your hand…… could you……" a little waiter, face cold, tried to be as polite as possible while speaking to Wu Tie.

Line 18:

"Item? What do you mean by 'item'? This is one million taels of gold, one million taels of gold! You said yesterday that I'd get one million taels of gold for a thousand-year white flower snake—I remember it clearly—so is it or isn't it?" Wu Tie swung the great white snake, already tossed about until it was a mess and nearly faint, roaring fiercely.

"Thing? What do you mean 'thing'? This is one million taels of gold, one million taels of gold! You said yesterday—I remember it crystal clear—a thousand‑year white‑flower snake for one million taels of gold, right?" Wu Tie waved the huge white snake, already battered and nearly unconscious, and roared furiously.

Note: output same.

【18】 "Item? What do you mean by 'item'? This is one million taels of gold, one million taels of gold! You said yesterday that I'd get one million taels of gold for a thousand-year white flower snake—I remember it clearly—so is it or isn't it?" Wu Tie swung the great white snake, already tossed about until it was a mess and nearly faint, roaring fiercely.

Line 19:

"Give me the money, give me the money, settle the bill and we'll leave!" Wu Tie grabbed the great white snake with one hand and pointed at the little waiter's nose with the other, spitting and shouting: "If you don't hand over the money today, heh heh, we're not done!"

"Hand over the money, hand over the money—settle the bill and we'll leave." Wu Tie grabbed the great white snake with one hand and pointed at the waiter's nose with the other, spitting and shouting: "If you don't produce the money today, heh heh, we're not done!"

Thus:

【19】 "Give me the money, give me the money, settle the bill and we'll leave!" Wu Tie grabbed the great white snake with one hand and pointed at the little waiter's nose with the other, spitting and shouting: "If you don't hand over the money today, heh heh, we're not done!"

Line 20:

The proprietor of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, accompanied by more than a dozen sturdy little waiters, rushed out from the accounting room in the back.

is original line.

Thus:

【20】 The proprietor of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, accompanied by more than a dozen sturdy little waiters, rushed out from the accounting room in the back.

Line 21:

It was high noon, the peak business time for the Golden Sparrow Pavilion; they couldn't let an outsider barbarian disturb the customers. Especially such a huge snake, frightening the coming and going guests—would the Golden Sparrow Pavilion still be able to do business?

original.

Thus:

【21】 It was high noon, the peak business time for the Golden Sparrow Pavilion; they couldn't let an outsider barbarian disturb the customers. Especially such a huge snake, frightening the coming and going guests—would the Golden Sparrow Pavilion still be able to do business?

Line 22:

The backer of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion was no soft-hearted pushover; if they ruined the Pavilion's business, the proprietor couldn't afford to take the blame.

original.

Thus:

【22】 The backer of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion was no soft-hearted pushover; if they ruined the Pavilion's business, the proprietor couldn't afford to take the blame.

Line 23:

"Sir, sir, we said that if you bring a thousand-year white flower snake, we, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, will accept it." The proprietor of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, a round-faced, fortunate-looking man, came up to Wu Tie, smiling and bowing: "But this…… is it a white flower snake?"

original.

Thus:

【23】 "Sir, sir, we said that if you bring a thousand-year white flower snake, we, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, will accept it." The proprietor of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion, a round-faced, fortunate-looking man, came up to Wu Tie, smiling and bowing: "But this…… is it a white flower snake?"

Line 24:

Wu Tie forcefully straightened the great white snake on the square table, then pointed at the line of dark silver characters on its back and shouted: "Are you blind? A thousand-year white flower snake—those five big characters—can't you see them?"

original.

Thus:

【24】 Wu Tie forcefully straightened the great white snake on the square table, then pointed at the line of dark silver characters on its back and shouted: "Are you blind? A thousand-year white flower snake—those five big characters—can't you see them?"

Line 25:

That line of dark silver characters was crude in stroke, skewed in structure, clearly the work of a rough hand, like a dog's paddle.

original.

Thus:

【25】 That line of dark silver characters was crude in stroke, skewed in structure, clearly the work of a rough hand, like a dog's paddle.

Line 26:

Only, unknown what method was used for those dark silver characters, they seemed to have grown naturally from the snake's own scales, not written by any other means.

original.

Thus:

【26】 Only, unknown what method was used for those dark silver characters, they seemed to have grown naturally from the snake's own scales, not written by any other means.

Line 27:

The proprietor stared, then slowly lifted his head to look at Wu Tie, who towered over him by a good margin.

original.

Thus:

【27】 The proprietor stared, then slowly lifted his head to look at Wu Tie, who towered over him by a good margin.

Line 28:

"Sir, don't joke—this is certainly not a thousand-year white flower snake." The proprietor narrowed his eyes.

original.

Thus:

【28】 "Sir, don't joke—this is certainly not a thousand-year white flower snake." The proprietor narrowed his eyes.

Line 29:

"Open your dog eyes wide—this is a thousand-year white flower snake! Can you read? Look, let's read together with me: thousand, year, white, flower, snake! Those five big characters—can't you understand them?" Wu Tie punched the great white snake's head, knocking it unconscious, then grabbed the proprietor's collar and lifted him up.

original.

Thus:

【29】 "Open your dog eyes wide—this is a thousand-year white flower snake! Can you read? Look, let's read together with me: thousand, year, white, flower, snake! Those five big characters—can't you understand them?" Wu Tie punched the great white snake's head, knocking it unconscious, then grabbed the proprietor's collar and lifted him up.

Line 30:

"This is a genuine, fairly priced thousand-year white flower snake—you said that if we have it, we'll pay one million taels of gold, and you'll collect it!" Wu Tie grinned, laughing loudly at the proprietor.

original.

Thus:

【30】 "This is a genuine, fairly priced thousand-year white flower snake—you said that if we have it, we'll pay one million taels of gold, and you'll collect it!" Wu Tie grinned, laughing loudly at the proprietor.

Line 31:

The proprietor's face was grim.

original.

Thus:

【31】 The proprietor's face was grim.

Line 32:

He instinctively glanced at the two waiters who had teased Wu Tie yesterday; this disaster, once today's affair is over, he'll fire those two. The Golden Sparrow Pavilion is a place of business; the proprietor doesn't want such trouble every day—should they even keep the doors open for business?

original.

Thus:

【32】 He instinctively glanced at the two waiters who had teased Wu Tie yesterday; this disaster, once today's affair is over, he'll fire those two. The Golden Sparrow Pavilion is a place of business; the proprietor doesn't want such trouble every day—should they even keep the doors open for business?

Line 33:

Smiling faintly, the proprietor said softly: "Sir, if you're temporarily short on funds, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is willing to front you some travel expenses; please leave the Golden Sparrow Pavilion as soon as possible. This isn't a genuine thousand-year white flower snake—we clear‑eyed folks shouldn't be spouting nonsense."

original.

Thus:

【33】 Smiling faintly, the proprietor said softly: "Sir, if you're temporarily short on funds, the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is willing to front you some travel expenses; please leave the Golden Sparrow Pavilion as soon as possible. This isn't a genuine thousand-year white flower snake—we clear‑eyed folks shouldn't be spouting nonsense."

Line 34:

He patted Wu Tie's forearm, which was almost as thick as his own waist, and adopted the air of an old sparrow on Dongting Lake, saying calmly: "The Golden Sparrow Pavilion, in Golden Flower Prefecture City, is also one of the top establishments; our backer, just a stomp of the foot, can shake the whole prefecture—so when you're out and about, don't……"

original.

Thus:

【34】 He patted Wu Tie's forearm, which was almost as thick as his own waist, and adopted the air of an old sparrow on Dongting Lake, saying calmly: "The Golden Sparrow Pavilion, in Golden Flower Prefecture City, is also one of the top establishments; our backer, just a stomp of the foot, can shake the whole prefecture—so when you're out and about, don't……"

Line 35:

Wu Tie punched the proprietor in the face, sneering: "Trying to pull a martial‑world trick on me? Heck, when I was mixing in the martial world, you were just a puddle of juice—either pay up and take this thousand‑year white flower snake, or…"

is original line with Chinese.

Thus:

Wu Tie punched the proprietor in the face, sneering: "Trying to pull a martial‑world trick on me? Heck, when I was mixing in the martial world, you were just a puddle of juice—either pay up and take this thousand‑year white flower snake, or…"

Line 36:

Wu Tie opened his left hand; a ball of three‑colored blazing flame erupted with a "boom," rising over three feet high, and the temperature inside the Golden Sparrow Pavilion shot up in a straight line.

original.

Thus:

【36】 Wu Tie opened his left hand; a ball of three‑colored blazing flame erupted with a "boom," rising over three feet high, and the temperature inside the Golden Sparrow Pavilion shot up in a straight line.

Line 37:

The turtle‑jelly gel in front of Old Master Hu quickly melted into a pool of black liquid.

original.

Thus:

【37】 The turtle‑jelly gel in front of Old Master Hu quickly melted into a pool of black liquid.

Line 38:

Old Master Hu grabbed a silk cloth and wiped his mouth, then glanced askance at the three‑colored flame spouting from Wu Tie's palm.

original.

Thus:

【38】 Old Master Hu grabbed a silk cloth and wiped his mouth, then glanced askance at the three‑colored flame spouting from Wu Tie's palm.

Line 39:

This is the true Threefold True Fire, and an extremely orthodox one at that—followed the proper path. Martial‑world ruffians could never obtain such a high‑level method; even if they cultivated fire‑attribute divine abilities, they'd only get ordinary plant fire. This kind of spirit‑energy‑heaven‑human unity, born from touching the great Dao of heaven and earth, the Threefold True Fire, ordinary martial‑world folks simply cannot receive the true transmission.

original Chinese.

Thus:

This is the true Threefold True Fire, and an extremely orthodox one at that—followed the proper path. Martial‑world ruffians could never obtain such a high‑level method; even if they cultivated fire‑attribute divine abilities, they'd only get ordinary plant fire. This kind of spirit‑energy‑heaven‑human unity, born from touching the great Dao of heaven and earth, the Threefold True Fire, ordinary martial‑world folks simply cannot receive the true transmission.

Line 40:

Being able to wield the Threefold True Fire proves that Wu Tie's cultivation method is not weak.

original.

Thus:

【40】 Being able to wield the Threefold True Fire proves that Wu Tie's cultivation method is not weak.

Line 41:

A strand of spiritual light shot up from Wu Tie's head, red and black light mingling together—red is the power of flame, blazing upward, scorching heat; black is actually a bolt of thunder, thunderclaps rumbling, making the pots, pans, bowls, and utensils inside the Golden Sparrow Pavilion tremble and clash, producing a "ding‑ding" sound.

original.

Thus:

【41】 A strand of spiritual light shot up from Wu Tie's head, red and black light mingling together—red is the power of flame, blazing upward, scorching heat; black is actually a bolt of thunder, thunderclaps rumbling, making the pots, pans, bowls, and utensils inside the Golden Sparrow Pavilion tremble and clash, producing a "ding‑ding" sound.

Line 42:

This is the Divine Fetus Phenomenon; from this phenomenon, outsiders can observe the cultivator's cultivated method and the Dao they have comprehended.

original.

Thus:

【42】 This is the Divine Fetus Phenomenon; from this phenomenon, outsiders can observe the cultivator's cultivated method and the Dao they have comprehended.

Line 43:

Wu Tie cultivates the Primordial Classic; the three thousand Dao and eighty‑four thousand side paths are all fused into his divine fetus, allowing him to display the Divine Fetus Phenomenon at will; outsiders cannot judge his origin through his Divine Fetus Phenomenon, and instead are easily led into a trap by it.

original.

Thus:

【43】 Wu Tie cultivates the Primordial Classic; the three thousand Dao and eighty‑four thousand side paths are all fused into his divine fetus, allowing him to display the Divine Fetus Phenomenon at will; outsiders cannot judge his origin through his Divine Fetus Phenomenon, and instead are easily led into a trap by it.

Line 44:

Just like now, he's displaying fire and thunder power—who would associate him with the Great Jin Eastern Gardens Colonel "Huo Xiong"?

original.

Thus:

【44】 Just like now, he's displaying fire and thunder power—who would associate him with the Great Jin Eastern Gardens Colonel "Huo Xiong"?

Line 45:

Anyone with insight knows that "Huo Xiong"'s divine fetus integrates the Yin‑Yang Five Elements Dao, so it's impossible for him to be the mighty man now standing in the Golden Sparrow Pavilion of Golden Flower Prefecture City.

original.

Thus:

【45】 Anyone with insight knows that "Huo Xiong"'s divine fetus integrates the Yin‑Yang Five Elements Dao, so it's impossible for him to be the mighty man now standing in the Golden Sparrow Pavilion of Golden Flower Prefecture City.

Line 46:

Appearance and form can be transformed, but only the Divine Fetus Phenomenon is hard to conceal if one wishes to hide it.

original.

Thus:

【46】 Appearance and form can be transformed, but only the Divine Fetus Phenomenon is hard to conceal if one wishes to hide it.

Line 47:

"Interesting." Old Master Hu nodded, saying calmly: "Old Man Hu, Golden Flower Prefecture City is a place with the law; you're acting so lawlessly—be careful, even if you get the gold, you might not be able to leave the city."

original.

Old Man Hu, Jin Hua Prefecture City is a place of law; you're behaving so unlawfully—be careful, even if you obtain the gold, you might not be able to leave the city.

Thus:

【47】 "Interesting." Old Master Hu nodded, saying calmly: "Old Man Hu, Golden Flower Prefecture City is a place with the law; you're acting so lawlessly—be careful, even if you get the gold, you might not be able to leave the city."

Line 48:

Wu Tie laughed brightly: "The gold I earned by my own strength—who can do anything to me?"

original.

Thus:

【48】 Wu Tie laughed brightly: "The gold I earned by my own strength—who can do anything to me?"

Line 49:

"All right, everyone bear witness—the Golden Sparrow Pavilion destroyed the thousand‑year white flower snake I caught… how should this debt be settled?" Wu Tie glared menacingly at the proprietor and shouted: "Either pay up, or…… heh heh……"

original.

Thus:

【49】 "All right, everyone bear witness—the Golden Sparrow Pavilion destroyed the thousand‑year white flower snake I caught… how should this debt be settled?" Wu Tie glared menacingly at the proprietor and shouted: "Either pay up, or…… heh heh……"

Line 50:

Old Master Hu stared, then shook his head with a smile.

original.

Thus:

【50】 Old Master Hu stared, then shook his head with a smile.

Line 51:

At first he thought this was a violent extortion.

original.

Thus:

【51】 At first he thought this was a violent extortion.

Line 52:

But now it looks like violent extortion has turned into a "bumping" scam.

original.

Thus:

【52】 But now it looks like violent extortion has turned into a "bumping" scam.

Line 53:

These are martial‑world tactics, but really, it's interesting—the true backer of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is none other than Old Master Hu himself; the Pavilion is merely an insignificant speck among his countless enterprises in Jin Hua Prefecture.

original Chinese.

Thus:

These are martial‑world tactics, but really, it's interesting—the true backer of the Golden Sparrow Pavilion is none other than Old Master Hu himself; the Pavilion is merely an insignificant speck among his countless enterprises in Jin Hua Prefecture.

Line 54:

Wu Tie has extorted Old Master Hu's fox‑old‑man…… such talent, he's very interested!

original.

Thus:

【54】 Wu Tie has extorted Old Master Hu's fox‑old‑man…… such talent, he's very interested!

Line 55:

So Old Master Hu waved his hand, and the four attendants beside him rushed forward, opening their arms to grapple Wu Tie.

original.

Thus:

【55】 So Old Master Hu waved his hand, and the four attendants beside him rushed forward, opening their arms to grapple Wu Tie.

Line 56:

Wu Tie stared, then let out a great roar; his body jerked, he flung off the proprietor, his two arms suddenly trailing afterimages, and with a terrifying tearing‑wind sound he smashed toward the four attendants.

original.

Thus:

【56】 Wu Tie stared, then let out a great roar; his body jerked, he flung off the proprietor, his two arms suddenly trailing afterimages, and with a terrifying tearing‑wind sound he smashed toward the four attendants.

Line 57:

The four attendants, unafraid, employed their movement techniques and fought Wu Tie to a melee.

original.

Thus:

【57】 The four attendants, unafraid, employed their movement techniques and fought Wu Tie to a melee.

Line 58:

All five are masters of the Fetal Storage Realm; as their Fetal Storage Realm aura just began to surge, the city's defensive prohibitions of Golden Flower Prefecture City boomed into action, a tremendous sealing force descended, pressing their power tightly within a radius of about one zhang, leaving no ripple of energy to leak out.

original.

Thus:

【58】 All five are masters of the Fetal Storage Realm; as their Fetal Storage Realm aura just began to surge, the city's defensive prohibitions of Golden Flower Prefecture City boomed into action, a tremendous sealing force descended, pressing their power tightly within a radius of about one zhang, leaving no ripple of energy to leak out.

Line 59:

"Boom boom boom"—three heavy blows, each attendant took a punch from Wu Tie, nose blood streaming as they flew backward.

original.

Thus:

【59】 "Boom boom boom"—three heavy blows, each attendant took a punch from Wu Tie, nose blood streaming as they flew backward.

Line 60:

Boom boom boom, three loud bangs, three servants each took a punch from Wu Tie, nose blood flowing continuously as they flew backward.

Master Hu stared blankly, then suddenly jumped to his feet.

The four servants at his side were also top-notch fighters under his command, yet all four together were somehow beaten and sent flying—three of them—by Wu Tie.

Quite impressive—indeed a mighty dragon that crossed the river, not just some ordinary barbarian roaming the martial world.

No wonder they dare, in Jin Hua Zhou City, to extort and scam using such strong-arm buy-and-sell tactics.

From outside the Golden Sparrow Tower came a heavy, muffled footstep; the city defense troops of Jin Hua Zhou City mobilized, over ten thousand soldiers in bright armor forming a battle array, slowly descending from high altitude; twelve Fetal Storage realm commanders coordinated with the array, everyone's mana merging as one, then a silver chain as thick as a wrist rang out 'clang-clang' as it fell from the array, instantly wrapping Wu Tie up like a zongzi.

Four of Master Hu's servants rushed forward, raining hammer blows on Wu Tie.

Wu Tie stood rooted, not moving an inch, gritting his teeth as he stared at Master Hu; eight fists rained down on him, quickly beating him until his nose was bruised and his face swollen, his eye sockets swelling and quickly turning black.

"Good, good, good, you people of Jin Hua Zhou City, protecting each other and shielding the locals, good, good, good, I'll remember this!"

"Seize them, seize them!" shouted from high above, the city defense troops of Jin Hua Zhou City yelled, a group of officers surged forward, in a few quick moves they trussed Wu Tie up tight, then placed several sealing secret treasures on him.

Jin Hua Zhou City is a prosperous and wealthy place; where there is money there are resources, and where there are resources experts can be cultivated.

In Jin Hua Zhou City alone, the city garrison boasts over a hundred Fetal Storage realm experts; the city's prison is extraordinarily sturdy, and moreover, there are three shifts each day, each shift guarded by a Fetal Storage realm expert.

Wu Tie was dragged and shoved into the prison, taken straight to the underground black cell on the ninth level, the lowest floor, and shackled to a thick metal pillar.

Wu Tie was bound so tightly he couldn't move, then a few prison guards came up, whipping him with a barrage of lashes.

No one questioned him; first came the whip, then the branding iron, followed by various cruel torture devices, and over the next few hours and throughout the night, Wu Tie endured every kind of torment used in Jin Hua Zhou City.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, a minor official in a light-green robe sauntered up to Wu Tie.

After examining Wu Tie's body covered in scars from head to toe, the clerk shook his head with a smile: 'Xiong Kuang, also called Xiong Mo Wang? A person from the far north Han Mo Prefecture? A longtime bandit skilled at extortion and blackmail, occasionally kidnapping for ransom? How is it that you've been roaming free in Han Mo Prefecture for hundreds of years, yet you've come to my Jin Hua Zhou City to seek death?'

Wu Tie opened his eyes and coldly stared at the clerk: 'You guys, you're impressive—you actually managed to dig up my background? Han Mo Prefecture isn't exactly close to here.'

The clerk nodded with a smile: 'If we want to know something, we'll definitely find out. Half a year ago, Han Mo Prefecture changed its Prefect of the Punishment Hall; you've been put on a wanted list in quite a sorry state, right? Although we don't have a detailed portrait of you, based on our judgment you're surely Xiong Kuang.'

Wu Tie looked at the clerk with a grim face.

The identity of Xiong Kuang was just one of many backup identities that Mr. Li had given him.

Although Wu Tie was using Wu Jin's appearance and looks, his build and bearing happened to resemble the legendary Xiong Kuang quite closely, which directly led some perceptive people to trace that identity back to him.

But their efficiency is truly a bit frightening.

"I haven't committed any crimes in Jin Hua Zhou City," Wu Tie said, lifting his chin and letting out a cold snort.

"We don't concern ourselves with Han Mo Prefecture's affairs; how to deal with you is the business of the Han Mo Prefecture Punishment Hall branch." The clerk chuckled, looking at Wu Tie: 'Are you interested in working for the noble one?'

"If you ally yourself with that noble one, I'll guarantee you a life of luxury and endless enjoyment."

"If you refuse, we'll subject you to every one of those tortures again; even if you were a diamond-like vajra, we'd beat you to death."

Wu Tie drooped his eyelids and said in a grim tone: 'How much benefit is there?'

The clerk's face instantly lit up with a smile: 'This depends on how great your abilities are, Xiong Mo Wang. Under that noble one, how much benefit you can reap each month is entirely up to your own skill.'