Chapter 712

The former Three Kingdoms battlefield has now become the largest barracks of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard.

Translation: "The former Three Kingdoms Battlefield has become the largest barracks of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard."

Check: 'Former Three Kingdoms Battlefield' = former Three Kingdoms Battlefield. 'Now it has become the largest barracks of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard' = now has become the largest barracks of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard. Could also be 'the largest Imperial Guard barracks of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom'. We'll keep concise.

Originally the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard, originally the Great Wei Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard, originally under the command of Wu Xie and others, the elite troops stationed at the Three Kingdoms battlefield from the Great Wu Divine Kingdom were all gathered by Linghu Qingqing with a stroke of the pen, forming the new 'Green Hill Imperial Guard'.

Translation: "The original Green Hill Divine Kingdom Imperial Guard, the original Great Wei Divine Kingdom Imperial Guard, the elite troops originally commanded by Wu Xie and others, and the elite forces stationed at the Three Kingdoms Battlefield by the Great Martial Divine Kingdom were all swept together by Linghu Qingqing into a new 'Green Hill Imperial Guard'."

We need to keep the quotes around 'Green Hill Imperial Guard' as single quotes; we'll use single quotes.

The Three Kingdoms battlefield has an obvious geographical advantage.

Translation: "The Three Kingdoms Battlefield enjoys an obvious geographical advantage."

Here the heavenly principles are exceptionally clear, making it an ideal place for cultivation. Since the Green Hill Divine Kingdom unified the Three Kingdoms, the original major clans and aristocratic families of Green Hill have been busy carving out territories on the Three Kingdoms battlefield, busy building their own cultivation holy lands.

Translation: "Here the Heavenly Dao Principles are exceptionally clear, making it an excellent place for cultivation. Since the Green Hill Divine Kingdom unified the Three Kingdoms, the various commander clans and great clans of Green Hill have been busy carving out territories on the Three Kingdoms Battlefield, busy building their own holy lands of cultivation."

Moreover, the Three Kingdoms battlefield is rich in resources, producing many extraordinary goods that the outside world cannot possess.

Translation: "Moreover, the Three Kingdoms Battlefield abounds in resources, producing many strange goods unobtainable elsewhere."

But most importantly, the Three Kingdoms battlefield is the transportation hub of the Three Kingdoms.

Translation: "But most importantly, the Three Kingdoms Battlefield is the transportation hub of the Three Kingdoms."

As long as an absolutely elite, massive legion is stationed at the Three Kingdoms battlefield, whether Wu Tie intends to launch a surprise attack or, in the original territories of the Great Wei Divine Kingdom, the Gongsun clan—which has already reaped great benefits—and the various major clans of Green Hill who wish to cause trouble will all face the most direct threat from the Green Hill Imperial Guard.

Translation: "As long as an absolutely elite massive force is stationed on the Three Kingdoms Battlefield, whether Wu Tie wants to infiltrate or the Gongyang clan, which has already gained great benefits on the original territory of the Great Wei Divine Kingdom, and the various commander clans of Green Hill wanting to cause trouble, they will all face the most direct threat from the Green Hill Imperial Guard."

With the Green Hill Imperial Guard garrisoned at the Three Kingdoms battlefield, and after re‑blocking the secret path that originally lay between the Green Hill Divine Kingdom and the Great Wu Divine Kingdom, Linghu Qingqing has effectively grasped the vital point of the Three Kingdoms and truly controls the hub of the entire world.

Translation: "With the Green Hill Imperial Guard garrisoned at the Three Kingdoms Battlefield, and the secret passage between the Green Hill Divine Kingdom and the Great Martial Divine Kingdom resealed, Linghu Qingqing effectively grasps the vital point of the Three Kingdoms, truly controlling the hub of the whole world."

A fleet flying the banner of the White Egret Merchant Guild is slowly cruising through the air above the Three Kingdoms battlefield.

Translation: "A fleet flying the White Egret Merchant Association's flag is slowly cruising through the air above the Three Kingdoms Battlefield."

Occasionally, patrols of the Green Hill Divine Kingdom's Imperial Guard fly by nearby, but upon seeing the white egret displayed on the White Egret Merchant Guild's flag— a white bird with wings spread high—the guards politely make way, having no intention to step forward and question.

Translation: "Occasionally, patrolling Green Hill Divine Kingdom Imperial Guards fly by nearby, but upon seeing the white bird with outstretched wings on the White Egret Merchant Association's flag, they obediently make way, with no intention of stopping to question."

Everyone knows that the White Egret Merchant Guild was formerly the residence of the Green Hill Prince of Peace, and is now one of the official merchant guilds serving the Green Hill Martial King. There is even a legend that the female proprietor of the White Egret Merchant Guild—a pair of twin sisters—has an ambiguous relationship with the Martial King.

Translation: "Everyone knows the White Egret Merchant Association was once the Green Hill Prince An's manor and is now one of the merchant associations employed by the Green Hill Martial King. There are even rumors that the association's female owner, a pair of twin sisters, has an unclear relationship with the Martial King."

And the Martial King Huo Xiong earned great renown in the previous Three Kingdoms decisive battle.

Translation: "And the Martial King, Huo Xiong, had previously earned great fame in the Three Kingdoms' decisive battle."

The venerable clan elders who survived the duel battlefield by luck—Li Guang, Zhao Xiang, Xiang Feiyu, and others—sternly reprimand their descendants, instructing them to be courteous when they meet Wu Tie and to venerate him as they would their own ancestors.

Translation: "The surviving elders of the dueling battlefield—Li Guang, Zhao Xiang, Xiang Feiyu, and other commander clan forefathers—sternly reprimand their descendants, teaching them to be courteous when they meet Wu Tie and to treat him as they would their own ancestors."

Meanwhile, a few such as Xiahou Rulong, who did not surrender to Wu Tie but instead defected to Linghu Qingqing's Great Wei ancestors, likewise warn their descendants, like revering spirits, to absolutely avoid provoking Wu Tie.

Translation: "Xiahou Rulong and the few who did not submit to Wu Tie but instead defected to the Great Wei ancestor under Linghu Qingqing likewise warn their descendants, like revering ghosts and gods, to absolutely avoid provoking Wu Tie."

As for the Great Wu Divine Kingdom side, the highest‑ranking royal princes such as Wu Xie have also all entered the service of Linghu Qingqing.

Translation: "As for the Great Martial Divine Kingdom, the highest-ranking royal princes such as Wu Xie have also entered Linghu Qingqing's service."

They have personally clashed with Wu Tie's invincible army, and once fought head‑to‑head against the battle formation formed by the Wu family's youths.

Translation: "They have personally clashed with Wu Tie's Invincible Army and once fought head‑to‑head against a battle formation composed of the Wu family's youths."

That battle left Wu Xie and others with a deep impression—they were pressed down and beaten by Wu Tie's subordinates, and his invincible army had an almost overwhelming advantage over the Great Wu youths.

Translation: "That battle left Wu Xie and his comrades with a deep impression—they were pressed and beaten by Wu Tie's subordinates, and his Invincible Army held an almost crushing advantage over the Great Martial youths."

Therefore, the soldiers who make up the Green Hill Imperial Guard, whether they originally belonged to Green Hill, Great Wei, or Great Wu, all understand clearly: the Martial King must not be provoked… the Martial King's palace‑appointed merchant guild must not be provoked… and the female proprietor of the White Egret Merchant Guild, who is rumored to have a scandal with the Martial King, is an existence that must not be provoked at all.

Translation: "Thus, the soldiers making up the Green Hill Imperial Guard, whether they previously belonged to Green Hill, Great Wei, or Great Martial, all know full well: the Martial King must not be provoked… the Martial King's manor's employed merchant association must not be provoked… and the female owner of the White Egret Merchant Association, rumored to be involved with the Martial King, is an existence one must absolutely avoid offending."

The White Egret Merchant Guild's hundred‑odd large cargo ships are laden with fine wine, silk, brocade, gauze, exquisite furniture and other luxuries, slowly drifting toward the territory of the Martial King's state.

Translation: "The White Egret Merchant Association's hundred‑odd large cargo ships, loaded with fine wine, silk, brocade, fine linen, exquisite furniture and other luxuries, slowly drift toward the territory of Wuguo."

White Egret, clad in a silver‑white cloak, stands at the bow watching the Green Hill Imperial Guard retreat three paces, and cannot help but sigh.

Translation: "Bai Ying, wearing a silver‑white cloak, stands at the prow watching the Green Hill Imperial Guard retreat three li, and cannot help but sigh."

'Huo Xiong, you have come into your own.' White Egret's eyes sparkled with an indescribable feeling.

Translation: "\"Huo Xiong has come into his own. \" Bai Ying's eyes flickered with a feeling hard to put into words."

She feels affection toward Huo Xiong.

Translation: "She feels affection toward Huo Xiong."

But this affection is treated with caution by everyone; they have stopped short of confessing it, stopping at the last step before crossing the line.

Translation: "But this affection is treated with caution by everyone; they have stopped short of the final step before Lei Chi, never speaking it outright."

After all, everyone's identities were somewhat awkward beforehand.

Translation: "After all, everyone's identities were somewhat awkward beforehand."

Wu Tie has a somewhat blunt, straight‑male personality; when he takes a liking to a woman, his expression shows merely that he doesn't dislike you, and at most he cautiously displays a slight appreciation.

Translation: "Wu Tie has a somewhat straight‑male personality; he feels fondness toward women, but what he shows is merely not disliking you, or at most a cautious hint of appreciation."

As for White Egret… her status is placed here.

Translation: "As for Bai Ying… her status places her here."

You cannot expect her to pull down her face, grab Wu Tie's arm, and shout loudly, 'I like you, don't you like me?'

Translation: "You can't expect her to roll up her sleeves, grab Wu Tie's arm and shout, 'I like you—don't you like me?'"

That sort of thing might be done by those two clueless fellows, Zhu Ji and Chen Long, but White Egret could never do it.

Translation: "That sort of thing is something the clueless Zhu Ji and Chen Long might do, but Bai Ying could never."

So, affection is merely affection.

Translation: "So, affection is just affection."

Furthermore, White Egret is so lofty and proud that this world can hardly contain her ambitions—she wants to tear open this veil of heaven to behold the true sun, moon, and stars, and to see what this genuine universe really looks like!

Translation: "Furthermore, Bai Ying's ambition is so lofty that this world can hardly contain it—she wants to tear open this heavenly veil to see the true sun, moon, and stars, to behold what this real universe of heaven and earth actually looks like!"

She has no mind to waste on romantic entanglements.

Translation: "She has no mind to waste on romantic entanglements."

Perhaps, in the process of ascending to heaven, she needs a companion?

Translation: "Perhaps, in the process of ascending to heaven, she needs a companion?"

White Egret glanced back at Zhu Ji, who was crouched on the deck guarding a small firepit, sharing gulps of scorching liquor with Chen Long, and she shook her head helplessly.

Translation: "Bai Ying turned to look at Zhu Ji, who was crouched on the deck guarding a small stove, taking turns with Chen Long to gulp down scorching liquor, and shook her head helplessly."

'My head aches—this twin‑sister of mine, this fellow, could she possibly become my companion on the journey to heaven?'

Translation: "My head aches—this twin‑sister of mine, this guy, can she become my partner on the journey to heaven?"

She seems a bit unreliable; just don't let her drag you down and get you killed.

Translation: "She seems a bit unreliable; just don't let her drag me down and get me killed."

'Huo Xiong, after all, is no ordinary person… he has the potential to soar straight to the heavens. But he flies too high, too fast, and I don't know…' White Egret frowned slightly, hesitating.

Translation: "\"Huo Xiong is, after all, no ordinary person—he certainly has the potential to soar straight up. But he flies too high, too fast, I don't know…\" Bai Ying frowned, hesitating."

'That brat, does he still dare to cause trouble?' Zhu Ji glared, her breath reeking of liquor, staring straight at White Egret: 'We've treated him so well—how could he dare to be ungrateful and refuse to help us?'

Translation: "\"That brat, does he still dare to mess around? \" Zhu Ji glared, eyes wide, breath reeking of liquor, staring straight at Bai Ying: 'How good we've been to him, and he'd still dare to be ungrateful and not help us?'"

'Back then, grandfather left him beside Linghu Qingqing precisely to serve as an insider, didn't he?'

Translation: "\"Back then, Grandfather left him beside Linghu Qingqing precisely to be an insider! \"

'Now that he has achieved success, helping us is only natural and proper.'

Translation: "\"Now that he's made something of himself, helping us is only natural. \"

'It's not that simple.' White Egret gazed at Zhu Ji with calm, water‑like eyes: 'Perhaps Huo Xiong still harbors the same heart he once had, but the people around him—his confidants, his clansmen, and the subordinates he has subdued—will also pressure him, turning him into another Huo Xiong.'

Translation: "\"It's not that simple. \" Bai Ying's gaze was like water as she gently looked at Zhu Ji: \"Perhaps Huo Xiong's heart remains as it was, but the people around him—his confidants, his clansmen, and those he has subdued—will also press him to become another Huo Xiong. \"

Zhu Ji looked at White Egret with a bewildered expression: 'I don't understand, eh?'

Translation: "Zhu Ji stared blankly at Bai Ying: 'I don't get it?'"

White Egret shook her head helplessly: 'If you don't get it, that's fine… hey, just live your life happily; that's best.'

Translation: "Bai Ying shook her head helplessly: 'If you don't understand, that's fine… hey, just live happily all your life—that's best.'"

Chen Long beside her quickly grabbed the pure silver liquor pot from the small stove, filled his cup with scorching liquor, downed it in one grimacing gulp, and then slapped Zhu Ji hard on the shoulder.

Translation: "Chen Long swiftly snatched the pure‑silver wine pot from the small stove, poured himself a cup of scorching liquor, gulped it down with a grimace, then slapped Zhu Ji hard on the shoulder."

'Silly girl, big sister is saying that Huo Xiong won't help us anymore… well, he's had a change of heart.'

Translation: "\"Silly girl, the elder sister is saying Huo Xiong won't help us anymore… well, he's had a change of heart. \""

Zhu Ji, feeling the alcohol rush to her head, exploded in anger upon hearing Chen Long's words, leapt up and threw a punch at the air; an invisible shockwave sliced through the void, and a poor bird that happened to be flying overhead the cargo ship burst apart in mid‑air, struck down by Zhu Ji's fist.

Translation: "Zhu Ji, a little drunk‑fueled, exploded with rage upon hearing Chen Long's words, leapt up and threw a punch at the void; an invisible punch‑wave sliced through the air, and a poor bird that happened to be flying over the cargo ship burst apart, struck down by Zhu Ji's fist."

'Had a change of heart? Well, the other day I was reading that story… what was it called… "Worldly men are fickle"... those scoundrels all deserve to be beaten to death!'

Translation: "\"A change of heart? Well, the other day I was reading that story… what was it called… 'Men are so fickle in this world'… those scoundrels all deserve to be beaten to death! \"

Zhu Ji shouted loudly.

Translation: "Zhu Ji shouted loudly."

White Egret was speechless, rubbing her temples with both hands.

Translation: "Bai Ying had no reply, rubbing her temples hard with both hands."

My head hurts, really hurts… ah, one is my biological sister, the other is practically a sister‑in‑law with no difference; besides muscle and alcohol, where did their brains go?

Translation: "My head hurts, really hurts… ah, one is my biological sister, the other is a sister‑in‑law indistinguishable from a real sister—these two, besides muscle and alcohol, where did their brains go?"

With a 'whoosh', a gust of wind reeking of earth swept in.

Translation: "With a 'whoosh', a gust of wind reeking of earth swept in."

Xi Yi's figure emerged hazily from the gale, struggling desperately to free himself, then tumbled to the ground, vomiting blood mouthful after mouthful; many places on his body had broken bones piercing the flesh, he was covered in scales and wounds, and the bleeding would not stop.

Translation: "Xi Yao's figure emerged hazily from the wind, struggling hard to break free, then tumbled onto the ground, vomiting blood mouthful after mouthful, bones broken and piercing the flesh in many places, covered in scale‑like wounds, bleeding continuously."

White Egret and Zhu Ji cried out in unison: 'Uncle?'

Translation: "Bai Ying and Zhu Ji cried out in unison: 'Uncle?'"

White Egret flung aside the cumbersome great cloak and hurried toward Xi Yi.

Translation: "Bai Ying grabbed the bulky cloak and hurried over to Xi Yao."

But Zhu Ji's speed is explosive; her reaction is far faster and more violent than White Egret's. She leapt to Xi Yi's side, seized his shoulders, and shook him with all her might: 'Uncle… wake up, wake up… who dared to strike you? Tell me, I'll tear him apart limb from limb!'

Translation: "But Zhu Ji's speed is explosive, her reaction far faster and more violent than Bai Ying's; she leapt to Xi Yao's face, seized his shoulders, and shook him with all her might: 'Uncle… wake up, wake up… who dared hit you? Tell me, I'll tear him apart limb from limb!'"

Zhu Ji possesses tremendous strength.

Translation: "Zhu Ji's strength is tremendous."

When Wu Tie was in Daze Marsh, his cultivation was low and his dao insufficient; even in close combat with Zhu Ji he could gain no advantage.

Translation: "When Wu Tie was in Great Marsh Prefecture, his cultivation was low, his dao insufficient, and in close combat with Zhu Ji he actually gained no advantage."

This is an innate talent, a god‑given strength.

Translation: "This is innate talent, a god‑given strength."

At this moment she has drunk too much wine; her heart is shaken with anger, mixed with worry and fury, so her blows lack any restraint.

Translation: "Now she has drunk too much wine, her heart filled with fury, worry, and ire, so her blows lack restraint."

Xi Yi, whose bones were already broken in who knows how many places, was seized by the shoulders and shaken violently; the sound of his bones cracking 'ka‑ka' echoed continuously— fractured bones grinding against each other, bones colliding, and even his previously intact cervical vertebrae were nearly shaken loose.

Translation: "Xi Yao, already with who knows how many broken bones, was seized by the shoulders and shaken violently; one could hear the constant 'crack‑crack' of his bones—fragments grinding, joints colliding, even his intact cervical vertebrae nearly shaken apart."

Xi You possesses the sage bloodline of primordial Fuxi and Nuwa; his talent is astonishing, but his talent lies more in exerting power through divine abilities, his physical strength, well, is considerably greater than that of an ordinary body cultivator at the first level of the ordinary divine realm, but that's all there is to it.

Bai Ying and Zhu Ji have both broken through to the Divine Realm.

Zhu Ji's power is entirely manifested in her terrifying fleshly body; her physical strength absolutely surpasses that of elite body cultivators at the fifth or sixth heaven of the Divine Realm.

This wild shaking, just a few jolts, almost killed Xi Yao outright.

Bai Ying's eyes twitched with anger as she shouted sternly, "Chen Long, knock Zhu Ji unconscious."

Bai Ying was also left with no choice; Zhu Ji's physical power was too terrifying, she knew full well there was nothing she could do against the enraged Zhu Ji.

Chen Long obediently produced a slick, gleaming bronze rod as thick as a small wine jar and over a zhang long; with a light swing, Chen Long's rod struck Zhu Ji's occiput with a resounding "thud."

Zhu Ji's movements suddenly froze, she rolled her eyes, her body swayed, and with a "thud" she collapsed onto the deck.

Bai Ying exhaled, hurried to Xi Yao's side, and gently pressed her hands lightly over his body.

Where Bai Ying's hands passed, Xi Yao's broken bones realigned themselves; all fractures, even shattered bone fragments, snapped together and rapidly healed. His internal organs, severely impacted, also healed swiftly, as a vast surge of life force flowed through Bai Ying's palms into his body.

Within just a few breaths, Xi Yao's injuries were completely stabilized.

But his injuries were not so easily healed.

Upon reaching the Divine Realm, when the divine body is wounded, the injury extends beyond the flesh to include the corresponding divine fetus that is merging with the dharma body.

Especially, after the dharma body is damaged, the Great Dao patterns already fused with it also suffer harm; these are severe injuries requiring great mental effort and painstaking work to repair and restore.

Moreover, several Witch Clan elders attacked Xi Yao together; their attributes differed, and a dozen or so Great Dao-attribute divine powers bombarded his body, these powers like bone‑eating maggots clinging near his wounds.

Unless these divine forces, etched with the faint soul imprints of the Witch Clan elders, are dispelled, Xi Yao's injuries can never fully recover.

All Bai Ying could do was let his wounds heal mostly, so he would not be in mortal danger.

As for the remaining injuries, they are the most troublesome…… and require Xi Yao himself to painstakingly repair and dispel them.

After handing him several Great Dao Treasure Pills to replenish his vital energy, Bai Ying asked coldly, "Uncle, how did you end up in such a sorry state? What were you doing? Shouldn't you have stayed behind to hold the fort?"

Xi Yao's complexion was ashen; weak all over, he sat up, took the Great Dao Treasure Pill and swallowed it, yet his face showed no improvement at all.

"It was the doing of Martial King Huo Xiong's men."

After catching his breath, Xi Yao spoke the answer Bai Ying least wanted to hear.

She gazed at Xi Yao with a cold, clear expression and said softly, "You, why did you go to Wuguo and come into conflict with his people?"

Xi Yao fell silent for a moment, then the vertical eye between his brows snapped open angrily as he said, "I merely wanted to tell him where all he now possesses truly comes from. He owes you……"

Bai Ying shook her head, cutting him off: "But he truly owes us nothing."

Rising to her feet, hands tucked into her sleeves, Bai Ying said gently, "Uncle, you are mistaken; the Witch King Huo Xiong has done far more for us than we have done for him. He owes us nothing; rather, we owe him much."

"Given his current status, position, and the authority and power he now wields… if he were to turn on us, do you think we would still have any chance of survival?" Bai Ying countered Xi Yao.

Xi Yao stared blankly at Bai Ying: "How could that be, how could that be…… he……"

Bai Ying spoke warmly: "Uncle, please rest a while…… you have handled this matter wrongly. You should not be the one to go negotiate with the Martial King; it ought to be me, that is proper and most suitable…… speaking bluntly, what qualifies you to represent me in dealing with the Martial King on these life‑or‑death matters?"

Xi Yao looked dazedly at Bai Ying: "I am, after all, your uncle……"

Bai Ying smiled and shook her head: "You are merely my uncle…… what merit or ability do you have to represent me, to represent the Great Jin, and speak with the Martial King?"

Xi Yao's pupils turned a dangerous red: "I am your uncle, that is a fact no one can change…… my little sister is dead, I must look after you……"

Bai Ying remained silent.

She found Xi Yao's hysterical state unreasonable.

"My mother is dead?"

"Do you not know in your own heart why your mother died?"

Simply put, it is indescribable.

As the most talented and promising prince of the Fuxi Divine State, he secretly took his sister and fled home, running loose in the mortal world……

No one courts death quite like you do.

The key is, having courted death you remain oblivious, now relying on your uncle's status to point fingers at the affairs of the Great Jin Divine State.

As the eldest princess of the Great Jin Divine State…… you are an outsider, what right do you have to interfere with Bai Ying's actions?

Simply put, it makes no sense.

Bai Ying glanced at the shouting, pointing Xi Yao, then extended a finger.

Xi Yao, gravely injured, had no time to react before Bai Ying's finger felled him to the ground.

Bai Ying gave a cold snort and said softly, "Zhu Ji, watch over those two; do not let them run amok."

"The Martial King's status and position are now vastly different from before. Even if I were truly the Great Jin's eldest princess in my prime, my standing before him would still be slightly lower. He now occupies a whole country as a formidable regional power."

"The strong are strong; we must afford them at least basic respect."

"The Martial King is a man who cherishes old ties…… I expect he will not let us down."

"But we cannot let Zhu Ji and…… our uncle meddle. If they truly enrage the Martial King, do they think he would not carry out such a decisive act?"

"They still do not understand what a true 'imperial heart' entails."

With a flash of her form, Bai Ying tore through the air and vanished in an instant.