Chapter 320

The tides of battle are gradually turning in favor of the new heavenly court.

Translation: "The victory in the battle situation gradually tilted toward the New Heavenly Court……"

We need to keep the brackets? The line includes 【】. Should we keep them? The instruction: translate the Chinese novel lines. The lines include the brackets as part of the text. We should translate the content inside, but keep the brackets? Usually we translate the whole line, including the brackets as they are punctuation. We'll keep the brackets as they are, but translate the Chinese inside. So output: 【The victory in the battle situation gradually tilted toward the New Heavenly Court……】 However the ellipsis … should be kept as …? We'll keep three dots.

Thus: 【The victory in the battle situation gradually tilted toward the New Heavenly Court……】

But note the Chinese uses two dots? Actually it's "……". We'll keep as …….

Though your forces are fewer, you have the entire human realm as your rear supply, so you fear nothing more than a war of attrition.

Translation: "Although your side has fewer numbers, because you rely on the entire human realm as a rear supply, what you fear least is a war of attrition."

We need to keep brackets: 【Although your side has fewer numbers, because you rely on the entire human realm as a rear supply, what you fear least is a war of attrition。】 Wait Chinese ends with 。 We need to keep punctuation. We'll translate to English punctuation: period. So: 【Although your side has fewer numbers, because you rely on the entire human realm as a rear supply, what you fear least is a war of attrition.】

Though the heavenly court outnumbers you, it doesn't give them an overwhelming edge—most importantly, they've lost the support of the vast majority of mortals.

Translation: "Although the Heavenly Court has more numbers, it does not therefore possess an overwhelming advantage; most importantly, they have long lost the support of the vast majority of mortals!"

Keep brackets and exclamation.

Power and duty always go hand in hand; since the heavenly court refuses to uphold its duty, it must brace itself for losing power—but clearly, they haven't done so.

Translation: "Power and duty have always existed together; since the Heavenly Court does not wish to bear its duty, it naturally must prepare itself psychologically for losing power: evidently, they have not made such preparations."

As the saying goes, 'gain the Way, gain allies; lose the Way, lose allies.' The heavenly court has thus slipped into the abyss in a way they never even imagined.

Translation: "Those who gain the Dao receive much aid; those who lose the Dao receive little aid. Thus the Heavenly Court slid into the abyss in a way they never even imagined……"

The battle has stalled into a war of attrition and patience; as time wears on, the heavenly court gradually falters.

Translation: "The battle reached a stalemate, competing in endurance and patience; as time passed, the Heavenly Court gradually could not hold on."

Seeing the tide turn against them, the Heavenly Emperor decisively reverted the incense‑formed heavenly realm to its source, bestowing another surge of power upon his gods.

Translation: "Seeing the situation unfavorable, the Heavenly Emperor decisively renewed the Heavenly Realm, which was formed from incense, returning it to its source, and thus gave another boost to the gods under his command!"

The heavenly court drained millennia of incense offerings—thousands, tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years' worth—and used it to regain some strength.

Translation: "The accumulated incense of thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands of years was completely squeezed out by the Heavenly Court! Thus the Heavenly Court regained some once again."

No matter how much they hoard, it's just stagnant water—it cannot compete with the new heavenly court, which draws on the living waters of the human realm in a war of attrition; all their self‑exploitation merely postpones the inevitable for a moment.

Translation: "But no matter how much reserve there is, it is ultimately a stagnant pool, unable to match the New Heavenly Court, which sits atop the living water source of the human realm, in a war of attrition; all means of self‑exploitation merely prolong things for a short while."

Once their reserves are spent, their doom is unavoidable—and the heavenly court is now racing headlong down that very path.

Translation: "When the reserves are exhausted, destruction is inevitable; and the Heavenly Court now races headlong down the road whose fate has already been sealed……"

To defy fate, the desperate heavenly court contemplated destroying the mortal realm's incense supply—believing that wiping out humanity might still secure victory.

Translation: "In order to defy fate, the helpless Heavenly Court considered destroying the source of incense supply in the mortal realm: as long as the human realm is destroyed, the Heavenly Court might still be able to win!"

But this crude and cruel proposal was flatly rejected by the Heavenly Emperor; the reason is simple: although the heavenly court does not wish to serve the human realm, it absolutely cannot bring harm to it—this is the final bottom line.

But this crude and cruel proposal was firmly rejected by the Heavenly Emperor; the reason is simple: although the Heavenly Court does not wish to serve the human realm, it absolutely cannot bring harm to it—this is the final bottom line!

This veto reason has the gods fuming; resentment brews in their hearts—you're the one who says 'don't bother with him', yet you're also the one who insists on upholding righteousness. Now we're at a critical juncture of survival, and you still want to play the role of Song Xiangong!

Translation: "This reason for the veto truly infuriated the gods, who all felt discontent welling up in their hearts: you are the one who says 'no need to bother with him', you are also the one who insists on upholding righteousness, and now we have reached the critical moment of survival—yet you still want to act like Song Xiangong!"

Note: "Song Xiangong" is a historical figure; we should keep pinyin: Song Xiangong. Since it's a name, we use pinyin. So: "... you still want to act like Song Xiangong!"

You're screwing over your dad!

You're screwing over your father!

Though the gods dare not openly voice opposition, the seeds of discontent have already taken deep root in their hearts and are beginning to sprout...

Translation: "Although the gods dare not voice opposition openly, the seed of dissatisfaction has already been deeply buried in their hearts and is beginning to sprout……"

……

Translation: …… (just ellipsis). We'll output …… on its own line with 【16】 prefix.

"Surrender?"

Translation: "Surrender?" Keep quotes.

Upon receiving a private missive from the heavenly court, Lin Liu raised an eyebrow: "Are they really going to surrender?"

Translation: "Upon receiving a private letter from the Heavenly Court, Lin Liu raised his eyebrows: 'Are they really going to surrender?'"

Note: we need to keep the Chinese quotes? The line includes Chinese quotes 「」. We should translate the content but keep the quote marks? Usually we replace with English quotes. We'll use English double quotes.

"Yes, Master, it's true!"

Translation: "'Replying to Master, it's true!'"

The monkey shouted excitedly: "They say the heavenly court is a ruined nest; as the saying goes, 'good birds choose a tree to roost, wise ministers choose a lord to serve'—they don't want to be broken eggs beneath a collapsed nest, so they wish to surrender to us."

Translation: "Houzi excitedly said: 'They say the Heavenly Court is already a ruined nest; the saying goes, fine birds choose a tree to perch, wise ministers choose a master to serve… they do not wish to be broken eggs beneath a ruined nest, so they are willing to surrender to us.'"

"As long as we ensure we won't harm their lives, they can turn on that false emperor!"

Translation: "'As long as we ensure we do not harm their lives, they can then strike back against that false emperor!'"

"Master, please give the order!"

Translation: "'Master, please give the order!'"

Seeing his excited disciple, Lin Liu couldn't help but ponder: the enemy's surrender hadn't really occurred to him, so it wasn't in his strategy—but if it could save trouble, he wouldn't rule out agreeing.

Translation: "Seeing his excited disciple, Lin Liu could not help but ponder: the matter of the enemy's surrender, he had indeed not thought much about it, so it was not included in the strategy; but… if it could save trouble, then it was not impossible to agree."

"Good!"

Translation: "'Good!'"

Lin Liu nodded:

Translation: "Lin Liu nodded:"

"Then let's agree to them!"

Translation: "'Then let's agree to them!'"

"Yes, Master!"

Translation: "'Yes, Master!'"

As the saying goes, 'good birds choose a tree to roost, wise ministers choose a lord to serve'—the notion of surrender may be unexpected, yet it makes perfect sense; after all, even a broken ship can still have people jump aboard, right?

Translation: "【Fine birds choose a tree to perch, wise ministers choose a master to serve…… the matter of surrender, though unexpected, is still reasonable, after all, can a broken ship not allow people to jump aboard?】"

Victory is already within sight; the biggest obstacle in the heavenly court's plan is about to be removed—once the heavenly court falls, you can use the 'alarm clock' to awaken all the gods.

Translation: "【The victory of the war is already before your eyes; the biggest nail in the Heavenly Court's plan is about to be pulled out. Once the Heavenly Court collapses, you can use an 'alarm clock' to wake all the gods!】"

Then you'll have a strong chance of finding the dream's master, and then leading people to break free from this false dream and embrace the true primordial wilderness.

Translation: "【At that time, you will have a high probability of finding the master of the dream within it, and then leading people to break free from this false dream and embrace the true Primordial Wilderness.】"

Clearing the stage is far easier than you think—you've only gone through two lifetimes at most, and you're already on the verge of clearing it.

Translation: "【Passing the level is far simpler than you imagine; you have barely managed to survive two lifetimes, and you are already about to pass the level!】"

You can't help but think of the previous protagonist, Xue Xuan: he lived three lifetimes, measuring time in yuan-hui, before barely scraping a perfect ending—truly pathetic.

Translation: "【You cannot help but think of the previous protagonist, Xue Xuan: Xue Xuan went through three lifetimes, and calculating the time in yuan, he barely managed to achieve a perfect ending—truly pathetic!】"

But it's me, Lin Liu—just two lifetimes, lasting at most a couple hundred years, and I'm about to achieve a perfect ending—truly bursting with martial virtue.

Translation: "【It has to be me, Lin Liu: with only two lifetimes, lasting at most about two hundred years, I am about to achieve a perfect ending—truly abundant in martial virtue!】"

The difference between the two protagonists is so vast it feels like a third‑degree burn on the back...

Translation: "【The gap between the two previous protagonists is so great it makes one's back suffer a third‑degree burn……】"

But is this simple approach really capable of delivering the ending you desire?

Translation: "【However, can such a simple method really produce the ending you want?】"

【……】

Translation: "【……】"

The Shogun's Fortress City is an ancient city with a history spanning over a thousand years.

Translation: "General's Shogunate City is an ancient city with a history of over a thousand years."

But for the past seven hundred years it was merely an ordinary small county town in the remote northeast; beyond its borders lay barbarian lands that dynasties rarely visited, where the natives resisted sinicization and the soil was poor and barren—truly an undesirable place.

Translation: "However, in the preceding seven hundred years, this city was merely an ordinary small county in the remote northeastern border; beyond the county lay barbarian lands rarely visited by any dynasty, where the barbarians refused to submit to imperial rule and the land was extremely barren—truly not a good place."

And then, three hundred years ago, everything changed for a single reason: the Shogun's general of the Lin clan took up residence here! He trained the Eight Banners, attacked the northeastern barbarians and introduced new customs, turning this barbaric land into a turning point of fate! He employed the shrink‑the‑land and enrich‑the‑land methods, and with divine aid the once barren soil became the finest fertile ground; moreover, impoverished people from across the nation, hoping for prosperity, flocked to this Promised Land, combining land and human strength until development became unstoppable.

Translation: "And all of this changed only three hundred years ago, with a single cause: the garrisoning of the Shogunate Commander Lin Clan here! Commander Lin trained the 'Eight Banners', attacked the northeastern barbarians and transformed customs, bringing this barbarian wilderness to a turning point of fate! The commander used the Shrinking Earth Method… used the Fertile Earth Method; under the wondrous effect of divine power, the originally barren land became the finest fertile soil, and furthermore, impoverished people from all over the country, hoping for wealth, came to this 'Promised Land'; the combination of land and human strength finally became unstoppable."

Grain harvests were abundant, the population swelled, and the once barbaric wilderness became a prosperous haven.

Translation: "Grain harvests were abundant, the population flourished, and the barbarian wilderness became a prosperous haven!"

And that's not all—the great Lin general later even entered the pass and seized control of the imperial court, thereby becoming the most honored Grand Commander of the Pacification of the Great Shun.

Translation: "And this is not all; the great Commander Lin later even entered the pass and seized control of the imperial court, thereby becoming the most honored 'Grand General of Pacifying the Barbarians' of the Great Shun."

Although he never formally took the title of emperor, the Great Shun was already a hollow shell, and the political center of the world naturally shifted to this fortunate little county town.

Translation: "Although nominally he did not take the title of emperor, the Great Shun was already in name only, and the political center of the world naturally shifted to this fortunate small county."

They kept expanding, growing from a few‑thousand‑person county seat into a capital of tens of millions, even hundreds of millions—unimaginable for locals, utterly shocking for outsiders.

Translation: "Thus it was expanded again and again, growing from a tiny county of a few thousand inhabitants to a metropolis of hundreds of thousands, even millions, becoming the capital of the world! To locals, this earth‑shaking change is unimaginable; to outsiders, it is utterly shocking."

The General's City can truly be called a city that rose overnight…

Translation: "General City can be called a city that rose overnight……"

Thereafter, thanks to the city's special political status, various privileges were enjoyed first: the technological revolution suffered a setback, yet major factories began production one after another; agriculture was the first to adopt mechanization, also the first to use new fertilizers and new techniques; steel mills were also the first to open here…

Translation: "Thereafter, due to General City's special political status, various privileges were enjoyed first: after a technological revolution fell into decline, the major factories successively began production; agriculture was the first to adopt mechanization, also the first to use new fertilizers and new techniques, and the steel mill was the first to open here……"

With its powerful productive base, the General's City remained prosperous for over three hundred years

Translation: "With strong productive power supporting it, General City has remained prosperous for over three hundred years; even today it is still the foremost city of the world, far surpassing the so‑called Capital of the Great Shun! After all, the Great Shun has been defunct for nearly three hundred years, its last emperor abdicated long ago, and the Old Shun Capital certainly cannot compare with this actual new capital…… 'Enough! Stop telling that old, worn‑out story!'"

What if we can't match? The Great Shun is already gone—what more do you want?

Translation: "The young man impatiently interrupted the white‑haired old Daoist's nagging: 'What if it can't compare? The Great Shun is already gone—what else do you want?'"

What? Of course we must restore the Great Shun!

Translation: "The white‑haired old Daoist widened his eyes: 'What? Of course it's to restore the Great Shun!'"

You're the rightful heir of the Li line of the Shun dynasty—how can you settle for an ordinary life?

Translation: "'You are the legitimate bloodline of the Shun Lineage Li Clan—how can you be content with mediocrity?'"

The Great Shun?

Translation: "Great Shun?"

He scoffed: "Give me a break! Restoring the Great Shun? I'm a law‑abiding citizen, you old fool—shut up! Keep talking and I'll report you!"

Translation: "The young man snorted: 'Cut it out! Still talking about restoring the Great Shun… I, the young master, am a law‑abiding citizen, you old coot, shut up! If you keep talking, believe it or not I'll report you!'"

You! How dare you report me?!

Translation: "'You! How could you possibly report me?!'"

The old Daoist, his beard flying and eyes blazing, shouted: "I'm your ancestor! You're being disloyal and unfilial—according to the doctrines of your West King God faith..."

Translation: "The old Daoist, his beard bristling with anger, glared: 'I am your ancestor! You are being disloyal and unfilial, according to the doctrine of your Western King God Sect……'"

He rolled his eyes, too bored to argue with this antiquated old fool, turned and walked away: "Geezer, I've got an interview! If you keep holding me up, forget restoring the Great Shun or even returning to the old capital—I won't even be able to feed myself!"

Translation: "The young man rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue with that outdated old coot, turned and walked away: 'Old coot, I still have an interview; if I keep delaying, forget about restoring the Great Shun or even returning to the old capital—I won't even be able to support myself!'"

I'm not one of those privileged Banner youths with a fortunate ancestor; their forebears suffered when they followed the Holy Lord into the pass, and they've already swallowed all the hardship for their descendants. My family, however, are descendants of the Shun emperor—we don't reap any ancestral benefits, we only inherit their burdens, face discrimination everywhere, and even finding work is a struggle.

Translation: "'I'm not one of those Eight Banners descendants who lucked out with a good ancestor; their forebears, when following the Holy Lord into the pass, had already consumed all the suffering of their posterity, whereas my family, as descendants of the Shun Emperor, not only fails to enjoy ancestral blessings but also suffers from ancestral disadvantages, facing discrimination wherever we go and finding work a hassle……'"

He continued speaking as he stepped out the door, leaving behind only the old man, beard flying and eyes blazing, shouting accusations of unfilial behavior at his descendants.

Translation: "The young man spoke while walking out the door, leaving only an old man with a bristling beard and glaring eyes behind, loudly cursing his unfilial descendants……"

Having shouted himself hoarse, the solitary old Daoist finally sighed in resignation: "My descendants are unworthy..."

Translation: "Having scolded until exhausted, the lonely old Daoist finally sighed helplessly: 'My descendants are unworthy……'"

Being of the Li bloodline, he actually has no desire to restore the Great Shun!

Translation: "As a member of the Li Clan, I actually do not want to restore the Great Shun!"

If they're unworthy, then it's all over!

Translation: "'Just being adequate is enough!'"

A black-clad neighbor slowly entered from next door, gazing at this sighing lonely old widower, and said irritably, "Other families' ancestors all hope for good descendants; how come you always hope your descendants go down a crooked path? Even wanting to revive the Shun household... You truly don't know the Li family's identity is sensitive?"

Li Xingjun, let me tell you, although His Majesty the Holy Lord only banned your cultivation but not your feet, and even does not forbid you from contacting the descendants of Emperor Shun, but you shouldn't go too far!

You've repeatedly lured others into rebellion; if they really pursue your crimes, aren't you afraid?

Me? What am I afraid of?

Li Ziliang said disdainfully:

Old man, I've been a prisoner for over a hundred years; how could I fear a harsher punishment?

If you're capable, let that dog Lin Liu cut me down! Otherwise, shut your mouth!

You……

The black-clothed man's teeth itched with anger:

This old fool is shameless; despite being over a hundred years old, he still refuses to submit, constantly scheming to lure descendants into rebellion, yet he couldn't care less whether they live or die!

The Li family's identity is already sensitive, yet this old fool jumps around—does he think it's not over unless he gets all the descendants killed? Damn it! Those are your descendants; others may not care, but don't you? The black-clothed man can't fathom this guy's logic… and he understands even less the Holy Lord's mind—why keep this antiquated old fool around? Just kill him already, it'd be satisfying! After cursing for a while, the angry black-clothed neighbor left the Li household: being a prisoner's overseer is really infuriating……

Li Ziliang gave a cold snort, then slowly walked out of the house and looked up at the sky: multicolored divine power surged in the void; for over a hundred years, these heavenly phenomena have never ceased, indicating the war has never stopped.

However, judging by Li Ziliang's experience, this protracted war is also nearing its end, because the divine power strength of the Heavenly Court side has greatly weakened……

He couldn't help but sigh softly: 'It won't be long now……'

These past days, he has had a presentiment about it, estimating that the outcome will be decided in these few days.

The Heavenly Court is about to fall, the New Heavenly Court is about to win a total victory, from then on eternally ruling heaven and earth, ushering in an almost eternal golden age!

But he, Li Ziliang, refuses to accept this result!

First, because Lin Liu destroyed his Great Shun; second, because Lin Liu back then daringly detained him, this Heavenly Emperor's Envoy, which utterly embarrassed him… All these reasons combined make him wish to quickly end his own life.

Also, because he is bent on death, he keeps jumping up and down, just so that when Lin Liu returns victorious he can decisively end his own path! But seeing that the time is truly approaching, he again feels a twinge of apprehension, for between life and death lies great terror……

And coincidentally, just as Li Ziliang was wandering in thought, the five-colored divine power in heaven, which had been evenly balanced, suddenly lost equilibrium, symbolizing that the radiance of the New Heavenly Court side surged forward and shattered the enemy's last resistance, easily gaining absolute advantage! Gradually, the heavenly phenomena that had persisted for over a hundred years faded away……

The mortal world immediately noticed the change, and everyone spontaneously burst into cheers: 'The Holy Lord is invincible! The Holy Lord wins ten thousand victories!'

Loyalty! Sincerity!

……

All kinds of shouts filled the air as humanity fell into a frenzy of celebration! The New Heavenly Court has won!

【New Heavenly Court Year 263, the Heavenly Court war that lasted over a hundred years has finally ended; you have won the war, from now on completely mastering the fate of heaven and earth!】

【History has arrived at the most crucial turning point since the creation of heaven and earth; whether it is destruction or rebirth, falsehood or reality, all hinge on a single thought of yours.】

【The test of the times and all beings has arrived……】

……

(End of chapter)