Chapter 164: with translation of chapter title

The young emperor hid, trembling, and constantly observed the outside through a small hole.

Translation: "The young emperor hid, trembling constantly, and at all times observed the outside through a small hole."

The young emperor hid, shivering, and constantly observed the outside through a small hole.

Eunuch Wang emerged from the sleeping quarters and happened to see Zhu Shuang, sword in hand and drenched in blood, coming straight toward him; Wang Gonggong hastily stepped back in fear and said:

Translation: "Eunuch Wang came out of the Sleeping Palace and happened to see Zhu Shuang, sword in hand and covered in blood, walking straight toward him; Eunuch Wang hurriedly stepped back in fear and said:"

We need to keep punctuation? We'll produce a single line.

"General Zhu, what are you doing? Bringing troops to slaughter into the palace is a capital crime! Don't be foolish any longer—leave at once, and I will convince His Majesty that you were merely momentarily confused."

Translation: "\"General Zhu, what are you doing? Bringing troops to slaughter into the Imperial Palace is a capital crime! Please don't be foolish any longer; leave quickly, and I will convince His Majesty that you were merely momentarily confused. \""

We need to keep quotes? We'll keep the Chinese quotes as English quotes.

Eunuch Wang naturally pretended not to understand what Zhu Shuang intended, but upon hearing this, Zhu Shuang's face filled with contempt.

Translation: "Eunuch Wang naturally pretended not to understand what General Zhu intended; however, upon hearing this, General Zhu's face filled with contempt."

"You old fool, get out of my way, General! I stormed the palace solely to kill that little emperor and make myself emperor."

Translation: "\"You old fool, get out of my way, General! I stormed the Imperial Palace to kill that young emperor and make myself emperor. \""

"If you're sensible, I'll let you continue serving me after I take the throne; if not, I'll have you spill your blood right here."

Translation: "\"If you're sensible, I'll let you continue serving me after I take the throne; if not, I'll have you bleed out right here. \""

Eunuch Wang feigned extreme terror, continually backing away, trembling as he spoke:

Translation: "Eunuch Wang pretended to be terrified, continually stepping back, trembling as he spoke:"

"General Zhu, don't be foolish—even if you killed the emperor and took the throne, what then? You know what kind of person Shen Tianxing is."

Translation: "\"General Zhu, don't be foolish; even if you kill His Majesty and seize the throne, you know what kind of person Shen Tianxing is. \""

"If he marches into the capital and finds the emperor dead, with no legitimate emperor having abdicated for him, what do you think he would do?"

Translation: "\"If he storms the Capital and finds His Majesty dead, with no legitimate emperor abdicating for him, what do you think he will do? \""

"He would surely choose to kill you, avenge the emperor by claiming credit for slaying General Zhu, and then seize the throne—this would be legitimate and justified."

Translation: "\"He will surely choose to kill you, avenge His Majesty by claiming credit for slaying General Zhu, and thus ascend the throne—this would be legitimate and proper. \""

Indeed, Eunuch Wang's mind is sharp; his words left Zhu Shuang standing there, stroking his chin and furrowing his brows, as if pondering whether this reasoning made sense.

Translation: "It must be said that Eunuch Wang's mind is sharp; his words made General Zhu stand there, constantly stroking his chin and furrowing his brows, as if pondering whether this reasoning was correct."

"General Zhu, at present only you command troops in the capital. Don't all civil and military officials have to obey the generals' orders? If you could lead the civil and military officials to defect to Shen Tianxing when he arrives, that would be a great achievement."

Translation: "\"General Zhu, at present only you command troops in the Capital. Don't all civil and military officials have to obey the generals' orders? If you could lead the civil and military officials to defect when Shen Tianxing arrives, that would be a great achievement. \""

"Then wealth and honor would be within easy reach. Conversely, if you were to kill the emperor, you would merely be cutting off your own retreat—what point is there in seizing a throne that will ultimately end up in Shen Tianxing's hands?"

Translation: "\"By then, wealth and honor would be within easy grasp. Conversely, if General Zhu were to kill His Majesty, he would merely be cutting off his own retreat—what point is there in seizing a throne that will ultimately end up in Shen Tianxing's hands? \""

Zhu Shuang was convinced; Eunuch Wang's words were sound reasoning, he wasn't stupid, he naturally understood, and realized his earlier thoughts had been overly simplistic.

Translation: "General Zhu was convinced; Eunuch Wang's words were sound reasoning, he wasn't stupid, he naturally understood, and realized his earlier thoughts had been too simplistic."

"The young emperor has an experienced eunuch like you by his side; he will surely grow into a wise person."

Translation: "\"With a veteran eunuch like you by his side, the young emperor will surely grow into a wise person. \""

A sudden sound rang out; everyone looked up to see Shen Tianxing and Ru Yan slowly descending from midair.

Translation: "A sudden sound rang out; everyone jerked their heads up to see Shen Tianxing and Ru Yan slowly descending from midair."

"Who are you? How dare you intrude upon the palace—do you wish to die?"

Translation: "\"Who are you? How dare you intrude upon the Imperial Palace—do you not wish to live? \""

Zhu Shuang brandished his blood‑stained long blade, pointing it at Shen Tianxing and shouting angrily—his mind was addled; could someone who descends from the heavens really be questioned by him?

Translation: "General Zhu pointed his blood‑stained long blade at Shen Tianxing and shouted angrily, his mind addled—could someone who descends from the heavens be questioned by him?"

"Your servant pays respects to Minister Shen; I beg you to save His Majesty, who is willing to abdicate, issue an edict, and let you ascend the throne as the emperor of the Great Zhou."

Translation: "\"Your servant pays respects to Lord Shen; I beg Lord Shen to save His Majesty, who is willing to abdicate, write an edict, and let Lord Shen ascend the throne as emperor of the Great Zhou. \""

Eunuch Wang is truly perceptive; upon seeing him appear, he immediately guessed Shen Tianxing's identity, and despite being confined within the palace walls, he had learned much about Shen Tianxing.

Translation: "Eunuch Wang is truly sharp; upon seeing him appear, he immediately guessed Shen Tianxing's identity, and even though he resides within the palace walls, he knows much news about Shen Tianxing."

Knowing that Shen Tianxing is a master capable of flight, this is because Eunuch Wang himself oversees an intelligence network, though those operatives are not particularly strong—generally at most around sixth rank, and their numbers are no more than about one hundred eighty.

Translation: "Knowing that Shen Tianxing is a Grandmaster capable of flight, this is because Eunuch Wang himself commands an intelligence section, but those people's martial prowess is low—at best around sixth rank—and they number no more than one or two hundred."

"What? You say he's Shen Tianxing—how could that be? How could Shen Tianxing possibly arrive here so quickly?"

Translation: "\"What? You say he's Shen Tianxing—how could that be? How could Shen Tianxing possibly arrive here so quickly? \""

Zhu Shuang certainly knew how terrifying Shen Tianxing was; having not realized the intruder was Shen Tianxing, he had acted arrogantly, but upon hearing it was Shen Tianxing, he cried out in alarm and nearly fell to his knees—he was genuinely frightened.

Translation: "General Zhu certainly knows Shen Tianxing's terror; previously, not knowing the comer was Shen Tianxing, he dared to act arrogantly, but upon hearing it was Shen Tianxing, he exclaimed in shock and nearly fell to his knees—he was truly frightened."

"Rest assured, since he is willing to abdicate, I will naturally not make things difficult for him, and I will guarantee he lives out his life in safety and comfort—not speaking of riches and honor, but fine clothing and ample food will certainly be provided."

Translation: "\"Rest assured, since he is willing to abdicate, I will naturally not make things difficult for him, and I will guarantee he lives out his life in safety and comfort—not speaking of wealth and honor, but fine clothes and ample food are certainly attainable. \""

Shen Tianxing paid no heed to Zhu Shuang's shouting; he simply said a sentence to Eunuch Wang.

Translation: "Shen Tianxing paid no heed to General Zhu's shouting; he merely said a sentence to Eunuch Wang."

Eunuch Wang, tears of gratitude streaming down his face, knelt and kept kowtowing to Shen Tianxing.

Translation: "Eunuch Wang wept with gratitude, kneeling there and continuously kowtowing to Shen Tianxing."

Seeing this, Zhu Shuang could no longer care about anything; he fell to his knees with a thud, joining in the kowtowing while begging for mercy.

Translation: "Seeing this, General Zhu could no longer care about anything; he fell to his knees with a thud and began kowtowing, begging for mercy while doing so."

"Please spare my life, Lord Shen; I have eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai. I beg you, Lord Shen, to spare this dog's life—I did not know it was your arrival, which is why I spoke nonsense."

Translation: "\"Lord Shen, spare my life—I have eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai; I beg Lord Shen to spare this dog's life—I did not know it was your arrival, otherwise I would not have spoken nonsense. \""

From beginning to end, Shen Tianxing never regarded Zhu Shuang as anything—he was like an untrainable dog, certainly not one he owned, and he certainly doesn't like keeping such dogs.

Translation: "From beginning to end, Shen Tianxing never regarded General Zhu as anything—he was like an untrainable dog, certainly not one he raised, and he certainly does not like keeping such dogs."

Growing weary of the noise, he simply raised his hand casually; a thrusting sword pierced Zhu Shuang's skull, and he collapsed without uttering a sound.

Translation: "Finding it truly annoying, he simply raised his hand casually, and a piercing sword thrust through General Zhu's skull; he didn't even utter a groan before collapsing."

Be aware that Shen Tianxing now possesses truly terrifying strength; it's not an exaggeration to say that even a first‑tier earthly immortal might not be his match.

Translation: "Be aware that Shen Tianxing now possesses truly terrifying strength; it is no exaggeration to say that even a first‑layer Land Immortal might not be his match."

Having completed the task of subduing the masters, Shen Tianxing now possesses seventy percent of ninth‑rank strength; with various enhancements, he has already surpassed the power of a first‑tier earthly immortal, though he has not yet broken through that barrier.

Translation: "Having completed the task of subduing the Grandmaster, Shen Tianxing's strength is now at nine‑grade seventy percent; with various boosts, he has already surpassed the power of a first‑layer Land Immortal, though he has not broken through that threshold."

Thus Zhu Shuang died just like that; Eunuch Wang merely swallowed his saliva, and Shen Tianxing smiled and waved his hand.

Translation: "General Zhu died just like that; Eunuch Wang merely swallowed his saliva, and Shen Tianxing smiled and waved his hand."

"You need not fear anything; let the young emperor come out. He is abdicating—such a good thing, I would never take his life; everyone values legitimacy."

Translation: "\"You need not fear anything; let the young emperor come out. His abdication is a good thing—I could never take his life, for everyone values legitimacy. \""

Eunuch Wang nodded repeatedly, hurried to the sleeping quarters, quickly opened the mechanism, and brought the young emperor out.

Translation: "Eunuch Wang nodded repeatedly, hurried to the Sleeping Palace, quickly opened the mechanism, and brought out the young emperor."

The young emperor, looking at Shen Tianxing, couldn't stop trembling—he was truly afraid.

Translation: "The young emperor looked at Shen Tianxing and could not stop trembling; he was truly afraid."

"Your Majesty, this is Shen Tianxing, the Governor of Leizhou; he killed Sun Zhongquan, and this time, by arriving promptly, he slew Zhu Shuang and saved Your Majesty."

Translation: "\"Your Majesty, he is the Leizhou Governor, Lord Shen Tianxing—he also killed Sun Zhongquan, and this time, by arriving promptly, he slew General Zhu and saved Your Majesty. \""

Now our Great Zhou faces internal troubles and external threats; only Minister Shen can prop up the collapsing edifice. I dare to implore Your Majesty to abdicate the throne to Minister Shen, also for the sake of the people.

Translation: "Nowadays the Great Zhou faces internal troubles and external threats; only Lord Shen can support the collapsing edifice. I dare to ask Your Majesty to abdicate the throne to Lord Shen, also for the sake of the people."

Eunuch Wang knelt, having said everything that needed to be said; the young emperor also knew he could no longer be emperor, and frankly it didn't matter to him.

Translation: "Eunuch Wang knelt, said everything that needed to be said, and the young emperor also knew he could not remain emperor; in fact, it made no difference to him."

These days as emperor have been miserable; he survived smallpox by a narrow margin, and whatever Sun Zhongquan said he had to obey, unable to refute anything.

Translation: "These days as emperor have been miserable; having contracted smallpox and nearly dying was bad enough, but Sun Zhongquan's every word had to be obeyed, with no room for rebuttal."

Moreover, he had to pretend everyone was delighted; at court, neither civil nor military officials paid him any attention—they merely asked Sun Zhongquan how to handle matters, and any major issue was discussed with Sun Zhongquan.

Translation: "Moreover, he had to pretend everyone was delighted; in court, no civil or military official took him seriously, all asking Sun Zhongquan how to handle matters, and every major issue was discussed with Sun Zhongquan."

He was merely a puppet emperor; besides, being only eight years old, simply surviving was already a great fortune.

Translation: "This emperor is merely a figurehead; besides, he is only eight years old, so merely surviving is already a great happiness."

"I can yield the throne to Minister Shen, but I have only one request: I wish to stay alive, not seeking riches and honor, merely wanting food and clothing without worry. Furthermore, I hope Eunuch Wang can remain by my side; can Minister Shen agree to that?"

Translation: "\"I can abdicate the throne to Lord Shen, but I have only one request: I wish to stay alive, not seeking wealth and honor, but merely wanting food and clothing without worry. Furthermore, I hope Eunuch Wang can remain by my side—can Lord Shen agree to that? \""

The young emperor's request is also simple, and with his pitiful, pleading gaze he looks at Shen Tianxing—anyone would soften.

Translation: "The young emperor's request is also simple, and with his pitiful, pleading gaze upon Lord Shen, anyone would soften."

"No problem, I agree, Your Majesty—but you must accompany me back to Leizhou, naturally after I inherit the throne; then I will have a most comfortable residence built for you, so you may live without want of food or clothing."

Translation: "\"No problem, I agree, Your Majesty—but you must accompany me back to Leizhou, of course after I inherit the throne; then I will have a most comfortable residence built for you, so you may live without want of food or clothing. \""

The young emperor understands that this is essentially a 'soft landing,' but it's already quite good, considering that during his time as emperor he has eaten poorly, slept poorly, and the palace maids and eunuchs have disregarded him entirely—except for Eunuch Wang, no one has shown him respect.

Translation: "The young emperor understands this is actually called a 'soft landing,' but it's already quite good; knowing that as emperor these days he has eaten poorly and slept badly, and that palace maids and eunuchs altogether disregarded him—except for Eunuch Wang, no one respected him."

What should have been his three meals were all given to those powerful eunuchs and palace maids to share; he could manage to get a steamed bun, that would be good enough, and this is still thanks to Eunuch Wang.