Chapter 785

line: "The Five Elements' primordial qi turned into a sheet of five‑colored auspicious clouds, on which Bai Wen, Bai Wu, and the others lay." No Chinese.

Translation: Five Elements Primordial Qi transformed into a sheet of five-colored auspicious clouds, Bai Wen, Bai Wu, and others lay upon the clouds.

"and others" fine.

We must not add extra info. So: "Five Elements Primordial Qi transformed into a sheet of five-colored auspicious clouds, Bai Wen, Bai Wu, and others lay upon the clouds."

"The Five Elements' primordial qi transformed into a sheet of five‑colored auspicious clouds." fine.

"Bai Wen, Bai Wu, and the others lay upon the clouds." fine.

"Other White Lotus Palace disciples were unharmed; only Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, and Bai Lu (the five) had their bones smashed in several places by the furious Wu Tie, and their limbs were twisted oddly." Contains "Bai Lu" twice but that's okay as transliteration. No Chinese characters.

Translation: Other White Lotus Palace disciples were unharmed; only Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, and Bai Lu (the five) had their bones smashed by the furious Wu Tie, their limbs twisted strangely.

"Other White Lotus Palace disciples were fine." fine.

Alternative: Since the glossary only includes Bai Lu once, we can just list Bai Lu once and assume the reader understands there are two individuals with same name? Might be acceptable.

Given the instruction to list every named entity, we have Bai Lu once. For translation, we can just use Bai Lu for both; the meaning may be slightly off but acceptable.

Thus: "Other White Lotus Palace disciples were unharmed; only Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, and Bai Lu had their bones smashed by the furious Wu Tie, their limbs twisted strangely."

But that sounds odd. Maybe we can say "Only Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, and Bai Lu (the five)" but we can keep.

Let's go with: "Other White Lotus Palace disciples were unharmed; only Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, and Bai Lu had their bones smashed by the furious Wu Tie, their limbs twisted strangely."

"Wu Tie's eyes flashed with a ruthless, merciless look as he said, "Return Peng Feng, then we can talk. Otherwise…"" Contains English quotes, fine.

Translation: "Return Pei Feng, and everything can be discussed. Otherwise……" A flash of ruthless, merciless color passed through Wu Tie's eyes.

But need to keep quotes. We'll translate: ""Return Pei Feng, and everything can be discussed. Otherwise……" A flash of ruthless, merciless color passed through Wu Tie's eyes."

"Brutal, cruel, devoid of humanity." fine.

Translation: Brutal, cruel, devoid of human feeling.

"After all, he is the lord of the vast Martial Kingdom; the so‑called heartless sovereign, with a single order, Wu Tie could have every able‑bodied warrior of the Snowy Plains Tribe beheaded—and without realizing it, he has already become a stranger even to himself." fine.

Translation: After all, he is the lord of the vast Wuguo; so-called emperors are heartless—with a single order, Wu Tie could have all able-bodied warriors of the Snowy Plains Tribe beheaded—unbeknownst to him, he had already become an existence even he found strange.

"So-called emperors are heartless. With a single order, Wu Tie could have all able‑bodied warriors of the Snowy Plains Tribe beheaded." fine.

"Bai Wen and Bai Wu both shuddered." fine.

Translation: Bai Wen and Bai Wu both shuddered.

"They saw the murderous light in Wu Tie's eyes clearly, knowing he would not threaten them with empty words." fine.

Translation: The murderous light in Wu Tie's eyes was clear to them; they knew Wu Tie was not bluffing.

"But… return Peng Feng?" fine.

Translation: But…… return Pei Feng?

"Bai Wen coughed and said, "Martial King, if you truly care about Peng Feng's safety, you had better cooperate with my White Lotus Palace."" fine.

Translation: Bai Wen coughed: "Martial King, if you truly care for Pei Feng's safety, you had better cooperate with my White Lotus Palace."

"Wu Tie swung his right hand silently, and a sword aura whistled past; a White Lotus Palace disciple lying several zhang away let out a miserable scream, and the sword aura severed his five left fingers at once, blood spurting out with a hissing sound." Note: "zhang" is a Chinese unit but we kept it as transliteration; it's not a Chinese character? It's Latin letters. Acceptable. The instruction says no Chinese characters; "zhang" is fine.

Translation: Wu Tie silently swung his right hand; a sword light whistled past, a White Lotus Palace disciple lying ten-some zhang away let out a miserable scream, the sword light severed his left hand's five fingers cleanly, blood spurted out with a "hiss-hiss" sound.

"hiss-hiss" fine.

"Bai Wen and Bai Wu's faces twitched simultaneously, and Bai Wu shouted angrily, "No one has ever dared to humiliate my White Lotus Palace disciples like this!"" fine.

Translation: Bai Wen and Bai Wu's faces twitched simultaneously; Bai Wu shouted angrily: "No one has ever dared to humiliate my White Lotus Palace disciples like this."

"Wu Tie clenched his right hand, gathering heavenly and earthly qi; under the impetus of the Profound Ice Dao, it condensed into a wrist‑thick ice‑crystal spear. He swung it forcefully, and the spear flew out, piercing the calf of a White Lotus Palace disciple." fine.

Translation: Wu Tie clenched his right hand; heaven and earth primordial qi gathered, under the impetus of the Profound Dark Great Dao, forming a wrist-thick ice crystal spear. He swung forcefully; the spear flew out, piercing the calf of a White Lotus Palace disciple.

"The ice‑crystal spear was covered with sharp ice spikes; the bone‑chilling spikes scraped against his bones, causing the disciple to scream in agony as cold air continually jetted from the spear, quickly freezing half of his body." fine.

Translation: The ice crystal spear was covered with sharp ice spines; the bone-chilling ice spines rubbed and shattered bone, the White Lotus Palace disciple screamed in agony, cold qi continuously spewed from the spear, quickly freezing half of his body.

"\"Return Peng Feng, or else… I and your White Lotus Palace will be mortal enemies." Wu Tie stared fixedly at Bai Wen." Need to check quotes: we have opening quote then text then closing quote? Actually we wrote: "\"Return Peng Feng, or else… I and your White Lotus Palace will be mortal enemies." Wu Tie stared fixedly at Bai Wen." That's okay.

Translation: "Return Pei Feng, or else…… I and your White Lotus Palace will be mortal enemies." Wu Tie stared fixedly at Bai Wen.

"\"If the Martial King truly values Peng Feng, he should cooperate with my White Lotus Palace." Bai Wen smiled gently; despite having who knows how many bones broken, he still smiled with an easy, graceful bearing." fine.

Translation: "If the Martial King truly values Pei Feng, he should cooperate with my White Lotus Palace." Bai Wen smiled gently; despite his bones broken in who knows how many places, he still smiled with ease and grace.

"Bai Wen wagged his three‑inch immortal tongue, preparing to persuade Wu Tie with "righteousness", "morality", and the like, but Wu Tie reached out and the Canghai Daoist handed him a Canghai Divine Pearl." fine.

Translation: Bai Wen wagged his three-inch tongue that never rotted, preparing to persuade Wu Tie with "righteousness" and "morality" and the like, but Wu Tie reached out, and the Canghai Daoist beside him handed him a Canghai Divine Pearl.

"Wu Tie tightly grasped the Canghai Divine Pearl; with a slap, like a street ruffian smacking a brick, he slammed the pearl hard onto Bai Wen's face, shattering all his teeth." fine.

Translation: Wu Tie gripped the Canghai Divine Pearl; with a "pop", like a street thug slapping a brick, he smashed the pearl hard onto Bai Wen's face, shattering all his teeth.

"Then a large amount of bitter seawater gushed from the Canghai Divine Pearl; the seawater, imbued with vast water‑attribute spiritual energy, frenziedly poured into Bai Wen's abdomen, quickly swelling his belly like a pufferfish hauled ashore." fine.

Translation: Afterwards, a large amount of bitter seawater gushed from the Canghai Divine Pearl; the seawater, storing vast water-attribute spiritual energy, frenziedly poured into Bai Wen's belly, soon his belly swelled up like a pufferfish hauled ashore.

"Wu Tie, heedless, continued to control the Canghai Divine Pearl to pump water into Bai Wen's belly." fine.

Translation: Wu Tie, heedless, continued to control the Canghai Divine Pearl to pour water into Bai Wen's belly.

"Poor Bai Wen, who had never cultivated any divine technique related to his belly, whose capacity was that of an ordinary person; he never imagined that one day he would be seized alive and have water pumped into his stomach." fine.

Translation: Poor Bai Wen, having never cultivated any divine ability related to his belly, his belly's capacity is that of an ordinary person. He never imagined that one day he would be captured alive and have water forcibly poured into his belly.

"The seawater first spurted from Bai Wen's nostrils, and then everyone smelled a strange odor." fine.

Translation: The seawater first spurted from Bai Wen's nostrils, then everyone smelled a strange odor.

"Poor Bai Wen, torrents of seawater gushed from his body, expelling his feces and urine and turning his spotless white robe into a stained mess." fine.

Translation: Poor Bai Wen—feces, urine, and their flow—rolling seawater gushed from his body, turning his spotless white robe, pure as snow, into a stained color.

"Dozens of female disciples of the White Lotus Palace simultaneously screamed in terror." fine.

Translation: Dozens of White Lotus Palace female disciples simultaneously let out terrified, despairing screams.

"They were imprisoned by Wu Tie and lay not far from Bai Wen; the wastewater flowing from Bai Wen's body drifted across the five‑colored auspicious clouds, which would drive these pampered disciples—who never let even spring water touch their fingertips—into madness." fine.

Translation: They were imprisoned by Wu Tie, lying not far from Bai Wen; the foul water flowing from Bai Wen's body wandered wildly across the five-colored auspicious clouds, truly driving to madness these pampered female disciples who never let even spring water touch their fingertips.

"Bai Wu screamed hoarsely, "Martial King, how dare you humiliate my White Lotus Palace disciples like this? My White Lotus Palace and I will be mortal enemies!" fine.

Translation: Bai Wu shouted hoarsely: "Martial King, how dare you humiliate my White Lotus Palace disciples like this? My White Lotus Palace and you will be mortal enemies."

"Wu Tie glanced at the Canghai Daoist, who also raised a Canghai Divine Pearl and slammed it onto Bai Wu's face with a bang." fine.

Translation: Wu Tie glanced at the Canghai Daoist; the Canghai Daoist also raised a Canghai Divine Pearl and, with a "bang", slapped it onto Bai Wu's face.

"Bai Wu's teeth were shattered,

Translation: Bai Wu's teeth were shattered, the Canghai Daoist controlled the Canghai Divine Pearl, likewise a stream of water gushed out, quickly swelling Bai Wu's belly.

Having seen Bai Wen's terrifying state, Bai Wu turned pale with fright, shaking his head and wanting to shout curses, but with all his bones broken he could not break free from the Canghai Daoist's grasp.

Translation: Bai Wu saw Bai Wen's earlier terrifying appearance, his face turned ashen with fright, he kept shaking his head wanting to roar and curse, but with his whole body's bones broken, how could he escape the Canghai Daoist's grasp?

Soon Bai Wu fell into the same plight as Bai Wen.

Translation: Soon, Bai Wu also fell into the same predicament as Bai Wen.

Dozens of White Lotus Palace female disciples again screamed hoarsely, and some were so frightened they fainted outright.

Translation: Dozens of White Lotus Palace female disciples again let out hoarse screams; some were so frightened they fainted outright.

What they have seen and heard today will surely become an inner demon, affecting these White Lotus Palace female disciples for years to come, making it impossible for them to forget Wu Tie's demon‑like terror.

Translation: What they have seen and heard today will surely become a heart-demon, influencing these White Lotus Palace female disciples for years to come, making it impossible for them to forget Wu Tie, this demon-like terrifying existence.

Wu Tie mused, "Let me think—back when the Three Kingdoms stood in balance, how were the enemy spies processed after being captured?" He muttered, "Hmm, the torture methods recorded in those secret files… are indeed somewhat inhumane, especially for you delicate‑skinned little women; they are not only inhumane but also especially vulgar… malicious!"

Translation: "Let me think…… back when the Three Kingdoms stood in balance, capturing enemy spies, how were they processed?" Wu Tie muttered: "Hmm, the tortures recorded in those secret files…… are indeed somewhat inhumane, especially for you delicate-skinned little women—not only inhumane, but especially vulgar…… vicious!"

"Let me think, back when the Three Kingdoms stood in a tripartite standoff, when we caught enemy spies, how were they processed?" Wu Tie muttered: "Hmm, the tortures recorded in those secret files... they really aren't humane enough, especially for you delicate-skinned little women—it's not just inhumane, it's especially lewd... vicious!"

He recalled the tortures used back in the Three Kingdoms era to deal with enemy spies.

Translation: He recalled the tortures used back when the Three Kingdoms stood in balance, specifically designed to deal with enemy spies.

Many of those punishments, as Wu Tie said, are extremely cruel, brutal, utterly devoid of humanity, and base and shameless.

Translation: Many of those punishments, as Wu Tie said, were extremely cruel, brutal, utterly lacking in conscience, and despicably shameless.

Thinking of Peng Feng falling into the hands of the White Lotus Palace…

Translation: Thinking of Pei Feng falling into the hands of the White Lotus Palace……

Thinking that the White Lotus Palace even used the "substitute a peach for an apricot" tactic to forcibly abduct people shows they are certainly not the "pure and harmless" white lotus they claim to be, but a bunch of hypocritical, shameless pretenders.

Translation: Thinking that the White Lotus Palace even employed the "substitute peach for plum" tactic, using forcible abduction methods, it is clear they are far from the "pure and harmless" white lotus; they are a bunch of hypocritical, shameless pretenders.

Thinking of the inhuman torment Peng Feng might endure.

Translation: Thinking of the inhuman torment Pei Feng might suffer.

Wu Tie felt a pain in his chest, a surge of reverse blood rose, and he spat out a mouthful of blood with a "wah", while countless images flashed through his mind.

Translation: Wu Tie felt a pain in his chest, a mouthful of reverse blood surged up; he spat out a mouthful of blood with a "wah", countless images flashing through his mind.

Back then, they first met in Daze State, going from enemies to friends, and then to an even closer relationship. They supported each other, step by step arriving at today. Wu Tie could often run wild abroad without worrying about his home base catching fire, largely because Peng Feng held down the rear, managing his vast estate!

Translation: Back then, they first met in Daze Prefecture, from enemies to friends, from friends to a closer relationship. Supporting each other, step by step they arrived at today. Wu Tie could often run amok abroad without worrying about his home base's inner court catching fire, largely because Pei Feng held down the rear, managing his vast estate!

When together, they seemed to feel only a faint attachment, never speaking of solemn vows or eternal sweet nothings.

Translation: When together, they seemed to feel bland, never speaking of vows of eternal love or sweet nothings.

This is because they have walked side by side, growing accustomed to this feeling, regarding each other as a constant presence almost like part of their own bodies.

Translation: That's because they walked side by side, already accustomed to this feeling, regarding each other as a constant companion near to one's own body.

You, how could you constantly chatter nonsense about your own arms and legs every day?

Translation: You, how could you daily chatter nonsense about your own arms and legs?

Only when Peng Feng was suddenly taken away by an external force.

Translation: Only when Pei Feng was suddenly taken away by an external force.

Only then did Wu Tie realize he was missing not just an arm and a leg, but his heart, liver, and lungs had been ripped out as well.

Translation: Only then did Wu Tie realize he was missing not just an arm and a leg, but his heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys had been dug out.

A huge hollow gaped in his body, bloody and agonizing!

Translation: A large hollow in his body, bloody and agonizing!

Wu Tie's face was twisted, bearing a hint of bestial and demonic distortion, making him look hardly human.

Translation: Wu Tie's face twisted, carrying a hint of beastly and demonic distortion, making him look hardly human.

Seeing Wu Tie's appearance, Qing Feng was startled and hurriedly said, "Bai Wen, Bai Wu, you White Lotus Palace folks are used to wagging your tongues, but as the saying goes, a scholar cannot reason with a soldier; your eloquence is useless before the Martial King, so you had better…"

Translation: Beside him, Qing Feng seeing Wu Tie's appearance was suddenly startled, he hurriedly said: "Bai Wen, Bai Wu, you White Lotus Palace disciples are used to wagging your tongues, but as the saying goes, a scholar meeting soldiers cannot reason; your tongues are useless before the Martial King, you had better……"

Before his words finished, a miserable scream rang out, and Qing Feng's face changed as well.

Translation: Before his words finished, a miserable scream rang out, Qing Feng's face also changed.

Wu Tie even shaped his left hand like an eagle's claw, slowly and firmly gouging five deep tracks into Bai Wen's face that reached the bone—actually into his cheekbones—leaving deep grooves.

Translation: Wu Tie actually turned his left hand into an eagle's claw, slowly and firmly gouging five deep-to-the-bone grooves…… no, into Bai Wen's cheekbones, leaving deep marks.

Five bloody wounds stretched from Bai Wen's left ear across his face, tearing open his nasal bone and extending down to just below his right ear.

Translation: Five bloody wounds stretched from Bai Wen's left ear across his whole face, tearing open his nasal bridge, directly reaching below his right ear.

Originally Bai Wen was delicate and handsome, with looks scoring above nine out of ten; the face that daily enchanted countless noble ladies of the Su Dynasty instantly turned into a grotesque ghostly visage uglier than a demon.

Translation: Originally handsome and frail, with looks scoring above nine-tenths, the face that daily enchanted countless young ladies of the Sui Chao dynasty instantly turned into a visage more hideous than a demon's.

Several White Lotus Palace female disciples saw Bai Wen's face, screamed shrilly in terror, and two or three of them fainted outright from fright at Wu Tie's cruel methods.

Translation: Several White Lotus Palace female disciples saw Bai Wen's face, they screamed shrilly in terror; two or three of them twitched and fainted outright from Wu Tie's cruel methods.

Bai Wen's body convulsed violently.

Translation: Bai Wen's body twitched violently.

He stared wide‑eyed in disbelief at Wu Tie—Wu Tie actually laid hands on him with torture, really daring to inflict brutal mutilation on him… How could this be?

Translation: He widened his eyes in disbelief at Wu Tie——Wu Tie actually laid hands on him with torture, actually dared to ruthlessly maim him…… how could this be?

He is, after all, the White Lotus Palace's current Wen Qu (literary star) and the senior elder brother of its disciples!

Translation: He is the White Lotus Palace's current Wen Qu, the senior senior brother of its disciples!

Seawater continued to pour into Bai Wen's belly, and foul‑smelling water kept spurting from his body. The torrent was so violent that his intestines burned with excruciating pain, scraping like a steel blade, and the outflow was already tinged with blood.

Translation: The seawater kept pouring into Bai Wen's belly, his body continuously expelled foul-smelling water; the flow was so turbulent his intestines burned with pain, like a steel blade scraping his gut, the outflow already tinged with blood.

Wu Tie growled low, "Return Peng Feng, or I will surely exterminate the White Lotus Palace!"

Translation: Wu Tie let out a low growl: "Return Pei Feng, or else I will surely exterminate the White Lotus Palace!"

Wu Tie's low growl: "Return Bai Feng, otherwise, I will surely slaughter the entire Bai Lian Palace!"

The white deer at the side gritted his teeth watching Bai Wen and Bai Wu being tormented by Wu Tie, his eyes flashed with a strange light, suddenly he shouted: "Bai Wen senior brother, hold on... my Bai Lian Palace disciple's integrity stands here, might cannot be bent, wealth cannot be indulged..."

Bai Lu was shouting slogans with foam flying from his mouth, Wu Tie had already glared with blood-red eyes, looking over at him.

Bai Lu opened his mouth wide, but could no longer make any sound.

A flash of spiritual light, a figure leapt out from Wu Tie's body, its aura becoming immensely heavy, its strength having greatly increased compared to half a month ago — the Five Elements Daoist burst from Wu Tie's body, gave a cold smile, and with a flick of his body appeared before Bai Lu.

A huge mulberry tree surged up behind the Five Elements Daoist; on the tree, a three-legged little bird hopped about joyfully.

With a soft "xī" sound, the little bird spat out a thin thread of golden flame, striking precisely the vital spot at the center of Bai Lu's body.

His white robe was burned through by the golden flame, leaving a huge hole; a faint scent of meat wafted out, Bai Lu let out a heart-rending scream, his eyes wide open, he watched in utter terror as his "wisdom root" slowly turned to ash in the golden fire.

"Ah~~~!"

Several female disciples of the White Lotus Palace who usually got along well with Bai Lu, upon seeing this horrifying scene, were so frightened their eyes rolled back and several of them fainted.

Bai Lu screamed, howled, and cursed incoherently.

As one of the White Lotus Palace's disciples of this generation qualified to travel abroad, Bai Lu was regarded in Sui Chao as a "proud lord among princes"; even ordinary monarchs would unconsciously lower themselves by three degrees in his presence.

Wherever he went, he was greeted with flowers, cheers, fine wine, and beautiful women — the most enthusiastic welcome.

He never imagined that one day he would be treated with such cruelty.

Qing Feng beside him stared, his mouth twitching.

He unconsciously muttered: "Bai Lu, whose real name is Cheng De, is a scion of the Cheng clan of Sui Chao. The Cheng clan — that's the 'royal' family — tsk… this will forge a deadly feud."

Shaking his head, Qing Feng murmured: "However, a Cheng clan is nothing… just a Cheng clan, it's fine!"

Qing Feng kept consoling himself, though his face had already turned a bit pale.

Although the Cheng clan behind Bai Lu was irrelevant, there were still Bai Wen, Bai Wu, and so many White Lotus Palace disciples here…

Unlike the Azure Lotus Observatory, a large portion of the White Lotus Palace's disciples come from Sui Chao's aristocratic clans; they have already united, forming a tightly bound interest group where pulling one thread moves the whole body.

Bai Wen and Bai Wu's pupils shrank; they stared in shock and horror at the howling, screaming Bai Lu.

Such a terrifying thing… if it were to happen to them.

Bai Wen could only weakly raise the White Lotus Palace's banner again: "Martial King, you must not delude yourselves, we of the White Lotus Palace…"

At this moment, speaking of "righteousness" or "morality" and the like seems useless; verbal threats are far more effective.

Wu Tie lowered his gaze to look at Bai Wen, then pressed a palm against Bai Wen's lower abdomen.

A large expanse of gray mist sprayed from Wu Tie's palm, the auras of "withering" and "decay" permeating; as Bai Wen's belly shriveled and wrinkled, his once plump physique rapidly aged. Bai Wen let out a painful wail, his body undergoing changes resembling the "Five Declines of Heaven and Man".

Beside him, Bai Wu struggled furiously: "Martial King… you… you… you will die a horrible death!"

Wu Tie pointed at Bai Wu: "It seems my words can't frighten anyone… Cang Hai, kill him!"

The Cang Hai Daoist assented with a sound, flicked his right hand, and dozens of Cang Hai Divine Pearls leapt out, about to smash onto Bai Wu's head.

From afar, a deep, powerful rebuke suddenly rang out: "Sādhu, sādhu… the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and reach shore… which demon dares to bully the White Lotus Palace's senior brothers like this?"

A sheet of clear, faintly sandalwood-scented glazed light appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the White Lotus Palace disciples.

With a "ding", a Cang Hai Divine Pearl fell and slammed heavily onto Bai Wu's head.

The thin glazed light rippled slightly; the full-force strike of the Cang Hai Divine Pearl actually failed to break through this layer of glazed light.

Qing Feng shouted angrily: "Dead baldy from the Red Lotus Temple, you came fast… what? Are you trying to pick a fight?"

In the distance, a swath of auspicious clouds sped forward, atop which stood about three hundred burly monks with shining scalps, wearing various monastic robes.

The leading monk stood over ten zhang tall — the very stalwart monk who, a few days earlier, had reported the situation to the elder monks inside the Red Lotus Temple.

That great monk's right hand held a crystal-clear relic bead; the faintly sandalwood-scented glazed light emanated from that bead, protecting the White Lotus Palace disciples from afar.

Wu Tie coldly eyed the sudden appearance of these great monks, his voice icy: "You lot, do you want to die?"