Chapter 23: with translation of chapter title

Isn't it by West Lake in Lin'an City?

Isn't it by West Lake in Lin'an City?

Han Xiaoying's pretty face showed slight surprise, and she couldn't help feeling doubtful.

Han Xiaoying's pretty face showed slight surprise, and she couldn't help feeling doubtful.

Looking again, Niu Dingtian was staring at her with a smiling face.

Looking again, Niu Dingtian was staring at her with a smiling face.

Obviously, it wasn't what I had in mind!

"Obviously, it wasn't what she had thought!" => "Obviously, it wasn't what she had in mind!" We'll output: "Obviously, it wasn't what she had in mind!"

Surname Niu, Lin'an City, could it be.

Surname Niu, Lin'an City, could it be.

Surname Niu, Lin'an City, could it be.

Niu Family Village?

"Niu Family Village?" => "Niu Clan Village?" We'll output: "Niu Clan Village?"

After a moment's thought, Han Xiaoying finally thought of a place, but she was startled and looked over at Niu Dingtian.

"After a moment's thought, Han Xiaoying finally came up with a place in her mind, but she was startled and looked at Niu Dingtian." Keep: "After a moment's thought, Han Xiaoying finally thought of a place, but she was startled and looked at Niu Dingtian." We'll output: "After a moment's thought, Han Xiaoying finally thought of a place, but she was startled and looked at Niu Dingtian."

Miss Han's guess was correct; it was indeed Niu Family Village.

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes 「」. We should translate keeping the quotes? Usually we can keep quotation marks. We'll output: ""Miss Han's guess is correct—it's indeed Niu Clan Village."" Ensure we keep the quotes. Use English double quotes.

Seeing Han Xiaoying's surprised expression, Niu Dingtian knew she had figured it out and directly gave an affirmative answer.

"Niu Dingtian saw Han Xiaoying's face show an expression of surprise, knowing she had figured it out, he directly gave an affirmative answer." We'll output: "Niu Dingtian saw surprise on Han Xiaoying's face, knowing she had figured it out, and directly gave an affirmative answer."

After confirming, Han Xiaoying had not yet come to her senses when she again heard Niu Dingtian say softly:

"After confirming, Han Xiaoying had not yet come to her senses when she again heard Niu Dingtian say softly:" We'll output: "After confirming, Han Xiaoying had not yet come to her senses when she again heard Niu Dingtian say softly:"

The story I just told Miss Han took place in Niu Family Village outside Lin'an City. At that time I was still young, and I only knew there were two outsider families in the village, one surnamed Yang and the other Guo, but I never thought to ask their names.

Later, after my parents and elder brothers passed away, I depended on my sister-in-law, and life was extremely difficult, which gave me the idea of pursuing studies to enter officialdom.

"Later, after my parents and elder brothers died, I depended on my sister-in-law, life was very hard, so I had the idea of studying to pursue an official career." We'll output: ""Later, after my parents and elder brothers died, I depended on my sister-in-law; life was very hard, so I had the idea of studying to pursue an official career.""

My enlightened teacher was none other than the scholar Bao from the neighboring Red Plum Village; his daughter Bao Xiruo was my senior sister.

"My enlightenment teacher was none other than the scholar Bao from the neighboring Red Plum Village; his daughter Bao Xiruo was my senior martial sister." We'll output: ""My enlightenment teacher was none other than the scholar Bao from the neighboring Red Plum Village; his daughter Bao Xiruo was my senior martial sister.""

Afterwards I studied long-term at the academy, never expecting that when I returned to the village, my senior sister had already married the Yang family man in Niu Family Village, and I also learned from my sister-in-law about the recent tragedy—my senior sister had vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead!

"Afterward I studied long at the academy; I never expected that when I returned to the village, my senior sister had already married the Yang man from Niu Clan Village, and moreover I learned from my sister-in-law about the recent tragedy—my senior sister was neither seen alive nor found dead!" We'll output: ""Afterward I studied long at the academy; I never expected that when I returned to the village, my senior sister had already married the Yang man from Niu Clan Village, and moreover I learned from my sister-in-law about the recent tragedy—my senior sister was neither seen alive nor found dead!""

At this point, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but feel a surge of anger, as if he were a deserted resentful woman.

"Speaking to this point, Niu Dingtian's heart involuntarily rose with some anger, as if like an abandoned resentful woman." We'll output: "Speaking to this point, Niu Dingtian's heart involuntarily rose with some anger, as if like an abandoned resentful woman."

Han Xiaoying listened to this and was so shocked she couldn't close her mouth; even her injuries seemed to ease a bit, though she hadn't yet recovered, when she heard Niu Dingtian continue:

"Han Xiaoying heard this and was so shocked she couldn't close her mouth; even her injuries seemed to ease a bit, before she could recover, she heard Niu Dingtian continue:" We'll output: "Han Xiaoying heard this and was so shocked she couldn't close her mouth; even her injuries seemed to ease a bit, before she could recover, she heard Niu Dingtian continue:"

Since my senior sister's disappearance, my teacher Mr. Bao's health deteriorated day by day, and he unfortunately died of illness in the winter two years later.

"After my senior sister disappeared, my teacher Mr. Bao's health deteriorated day by day, and finally, in the winter two years later, he unfortunately passed away from illness." We'll output: ""After my senior sister disappeared, my teacher Mr. Bao's health deteriorated day by day, and finally, in the winter two years later, he unfortunately passed away from illness.""

Mr. Bao's only wish in life was to find his daughter Bao and entrust her to me; I dare not forget that. Later, after my martial arts had made modest progress, I brought my sister-in-law and younger sister to settle at the Sun and Moon Manor on West Lake in Lin'an City.

"Mr. Bao's only wish in life was to find Senior Sister Bao and entrust her to me; I dare not forget this! Later, after my martial arts had modestly improved, I brought my sister-in-law and younger sister to settle at the Sun and Moon Villa by West Lake in Lin'an City." We'll output: ""Mr. Bao's only wish in life was to find Senior Sister Bao and entrust her to me; I dare not forget this! Later, after my martial arts had modestly improved, I brought my sister-in-law and younger sister to settle at the Sun and Moon Villa by West Lake in Lin'an City.""

Miss Han, do you know the truth behind the Niu Family Village tragedy?

"Miss Han, do you know the truth behind the Niu Clan Village tragedy?" We'll output: ""Miss Han, do you know the truth behind the Niu Clan Village tragedy?""

As he spoke on, Niu Dingtian suddenly turned his head to look at Han Xiaoying and asked a question.

"Speaking further, Niu Dingtian suddenly turned his head to look at Han Xiaoying and asked a question." We'll output: "Speaking further, Niu Dingtian suddenly turned his head to look at Han Xiaoying and asked a question."

"The truth?" I heard from Guo Jing's mother in the desert that it was Duan Tiande.

""The truth? I heard from Jing'er's mother in the desert that it was Duan Tiande?" We'll output: ""The truth? I heard from Jing'er's mother in the desert that it was Duan Tiande.""

Han Xiaoying lay there weakly, listening intently; when a question was suddenly thrown at her, she softly spoke the truth she had heard.

"Han Xiaoying lay there weakly, listening intently; seeing a question suddenly thrown at her, she softly spoke the truth she had heard." We'll output: "Han Xiaoying lay there weakly, listening intently; seeing a question suddenly thrown at her, she softly spoke the truth she had heard."

"That's right! But also not right!"

""That's right! But also not right!" We'll output: ""That's right! But also not right!""

Niu Dingtian wasn't surprised to give that answer to Han Xiaoying. After all, the Jiangnan Seven Heroes had also encountered Duan Tiande when they searched for Guo Jing's mother Li Ping, and Li Ping herself had experienced the Niu Family Village tragedy and was even abducted by Duan Tiande all the way to the desert.

"Niu Dingtian saying this answer to Han Xiaoying was not surprising. After all, when the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan were searching for Guo Jing's mother Li Ping, they also saw Duan Tiande; and Li Ping was a participant in the entire Niu Clan Village tragedy, even being abducted by Duan Tiande all the way to the desert." We'll output: "Niu Dingtian saying this answer to Han Xiaoying was not surprising. After all, when the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan were searching for Guo Jing's mother Li Ping, they also saw Duan Tiande; and Li Ping was a participant in the entire Niu Clan Village tragedy, even being abducted by Duan Tiande all the way to the desert."

「. 」

This line is just a period inside quotes? Chinese: 「. 」. Means an empty quote with a period? Probably just a period. We'll translate as an empty quoted period? The content is just a period. We'll output: ""."" (i. e., a pair of quotes with a period inside). We'll keep the quotes.

Han Xiaoying was tired, already wounded, and had expended half a day's energy; she no longer spoke, merely staring at Niu Dingtian, her meaning already clear.

"Han Xiaoying was very tired, already injured, and had expended half a day's energy; she no longer opened her mouth, merely staring at Niu Dingtian, her meaning already clear." We'll output: "Han Xiaoying was very tired, already injured, and had expended half a day's energy; she no longer opened her mouth, merely staring at Niu Dingtian, her meaning already clear."

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly again:

"Niu Dingtian saw this and didn't keep secrets, directly speaking again:" We'll output: "Niu Dingtian saw this and didn't keep secrets, directly speaking again:"

According to my investigations, the Taoist Qiu Chuji was being pursued by the Jin forces; when he passed through Niu Family Village, he clashed with assassins, ultimately he and the Guo-Yang forces wiped them out, but one escaped. While wounded and near death, that fugitive was rescued by my kind and innocent senior sister, and that became the source of disaster.

""According to my investigations, back then Qiu Chuji was pursued by Jin State forces; when passing through Niu Clan Village he clashed with assassins, ultimately he and Guo and Yang wiped out the attackers, but one escaped; when wounded and near death, he was saved by my kind and innocent senior sister, and this became the source of calamity."" We'll output: ""According to my investigations, back then Qiu Chuji was pursued by Jin State forces; when passing through Niu Clan Village he clashed with assassins, ultimately he and Guo and Yang wiped out the attackers, but one escaped; when wounded and near death, he was saved by my kind and innocent senior sister, and this became the source of calamity.""

That person was no ordinary individual—he was the sixth prince of the Jin, Wanyan Honglie, ennobled as Prince Zhao. Seeing my senior sister's beauty, he harbored ill intent, bribed Duan Tiande to slaughter the Guo and Yang families, and then seized the opportunity to abduct my senior sister.

""That person's identity was no ordinary matter—he was the sixth prince of the Jin State, Wanyan Honglie, ennobled as Prince Zhao; seeing my senior sister's beauty, he harbored ill intent, bribed Duan Tiande to slaughter the Guo and Yang families, and then took the opportunity to abduct my senior sister."" We'll output: ""That person's identity was no ordinary matter—he was the sixth prince of the Jin State, Wanyan Honglie, ennobled as Prince Zhao; seeing my senior sister's beauty, he harbored ill intent, bribed Duan Tiande to slaughter the Guo and Yang families, and then took the opportunity to abduct my senior sister.""

Now my senior sister remains trapped in the Jin Prince Zhao's mansion; my northern journey this time is intended to rescue her, and also—

""Now my senior sister remains trapped in the Jin Prince Zhao's mansion; my northward journey this time is precisely to retrieve her, and also"" We'll output: ""Now my senior sister remains trapped in the Jin Prince Zhao's mansion; my northward journey this time is precisely to retrieve her, and also""

And also kill that scoundrel Wanyan Honglie!

""and also kill that dog Wanyan Honglie!" We'll output: ""and also kill that dog Wanyan Honglie!""

Having said this, Niu Dingtian's voice turned cold, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"Having said that, Niu Dingtian's voice turned cold, his eyes full of killing intent." We'll output: "Having said that, Niu Dingtian's voice turned cold, his eyes full of killing intent."

Before, his martial arts were incomplete, so he dared not take risks; now he simply does not want to wait any longer.

"Before, his martial arts were incomplete, so he dared not take risks; now he simply does not want to wait any longer." We'll output: "Before, his martial arts were incomplete, so he dared not take risks; now he simply does not want to wait any longer."

Also!

""Also!" We'll output: ""Also!""

And there's that old fogey Qiu Chuji! Guo and Yang wasted their friendship with him; when they learned my senior sister was trapped in the wolf's den, they not only failed to rescue her but actually became guests of the Jin dogs!

""Also, that old fogey Qiu Chuji! Despite Guo and Yang's friendship with him, when they learned my senior sister was deep in the wolf's den, he not only failed to rescue her but instead became a guest of the Jin dogs!" We'll output: ""Also, that old fogey Qiu Chuji! Despite Guo and Yang's friendship with him, when they learned my senior sister was deep in the wolf's den, he not only failed to rescue her but instead became a guest of the Jin dogs.""

He claims it's for the eighteen-year pact, but does that old coot even deserve it? Humph! I will surely kill that old ox-nosed bastard! Just to bring shame upon his ancestral master!

""He claims it's for the eighteen‑year pact—what right does that old fogey have? Hmph! I will surely kill that old cow‑nose! Just to bring shame upon his ancestral master!" We'll output: ""He claims it's for the eighteen‑year pact—what right does that old fogey have? Hmph! I will surely kill that old cow‑nose! Just to bring shame upon his ancestral master.""

By the end, Niu Dingtian could barely contain his anger, even coming to hate Qiu Chuji.

"At the end, Niu Dingtian could barely contain his anger, even coming to hate Qiu Chuji." We'll output: "At the end, Niu Dingtian could barely contain his anger, even coming to hate Qiu Chuji."

In his previous life, he never understood why that old man, knowing an old friend was trapped in a den of thieves, would not rescue him.

"In his previous life he already had a bit of incomprehension: that old fogey clearly knew his old friend was trapped in a den of bandits, why didn't he save him?" We'll output: "In his previous life he already had a bit of incomprehension: that old fogey clearly knew his old friend was trapped in a den of bandits, why didn't he save him?"

How could a Han Chinese thrive so well in the Jin-Mongol realm?

"How could a Han Chinese thrive so well in the Jin Mongol realm?" We'll output: "How could a Han Chinese thrive so well in the Jin Mongol realm?"

Only now do I realize that back then I was simply too young!

"Only now, upon reflection, do I realize that back then I was still too young!" We'll output: "Only now, upon reflection, do I realize that back then I was still too young!"

Han Xiaoying originally, upon hearing all this inside information all at once, found it hard to digest; suddenly seeing Niu Dingtian's violent aura, she couldn't help but worry, and despite her fatigue she urgently called out softly:

"Han Xiaoying originally, upon hearing all this inside information at once, found it hard to digest; suddenly seeing Niu Dingtian exhibit a violent aura, she couldn't help but worry greatly, suppressing her fatigue she urgently whispered:" We'll output: "Han Xiaoying originally, upon hearing all this inside information at once, found it hard to digest; suddenly seeing Niu Dingtian exhibit a violent aura, she couldn't help but worry greatly, suppressing her fatigue she urgently whispered:"

"Young Master Niu, Young Master Niu."

""Young Master Niu, Young Master Niu." We'll output: ""Young Master Niu, Young Master Niu.""

Hearing the sound, Niu Dingtian finally reacted; seeing Han Xiaoying looking at him with concern, he couldn't help but feel annoyed with himself:

"Niu Dingtian heard the voice and then reacted; seeing Han Xiaoying looking at him with concern, he couldn't help but feel self‑annoyed:" We'll output: "Niu Dingtian heard the voice and then reacted; seeing Han Xiaoying looking at him with concern, he couldn't help but feel self‑annoyed:"

Pah! He almost frightened the female hero.

"Pah! Almost frightened the lady hero Han." We'll output: "Pah! Almost frightened the lady hero Han."

He hurriedly went over, pulled at the blanket, and apologized with a smile:

"He hurriedly approached, pulled the blanket, and apologetically smiled:" We'll output: "He hurriedly approached, pulled the blanket, and apologetically smiled:"

"Miss Han, please excuse me; I don't want to frighten you. Rest well for now. We'll stop here for today. When you wake up, take some medicine, and tomorrow I'll take you to the Shaolin Temple for treatment."

""Miss Han, please excuse me; I don't want to frighten you. Rest well now; we'll stop here for today. When you wake, take some medicine, and tomorrow I'll take you to Shaolin Temple for medical treatment."" We'll output: ""Miss Han, please excuse me; I don't want to frighten you. Rest well now; we'll stop here for today. When you wake, take some medicine, and tomorrow I'll take you to Shaolin Temple for medical treatment.""

"Mm."

""Hmm." We'll output: ""Hmm.""

Han Xiaoying saw that Niu Dingtian was fine, so she relaxed; hearing they would go to the Shaolin Temple for treatment, though curious she didn't ask further, leaving everything to him, and she softly agreed and obediently closed her eyes.

"Han Xiaoying saw that Niu Dingtian was fine, so she put her mind at ease; hearing they would go to Shaolin Temple for treatment, though curious she didn't ask further, everything was up to him, so she softly agreed and obediently closed her eyes." We'll output: "Han Xiaoying saw that Niu Dingtian was fine, so she put her mind at ease; hearing they would go to Shaolin Temple for treatment, though curious she didn't ask further, everything was up to him, so she softly agreed and obediently closed her eyes."

These days, the female hero increasingly has the air of a young woman.

"Now, the lady hero Han increasingly bears the air of a young woman." We'll output: "Now, the lady hero Han increasingly bears the air of a young woman."

When she awoke again, it was night; Niu Dingtian was still there, having been given some medicine, and then drifted off to sleep once more.

"When she awoke again, it was already night; Niu Dingtian was still there, having been fed some medicine, she drifted off into a drowsy sleep once more." We'll output: "When she awoke again, it was already night; Niu Dingtian was still there, having been fed some medicine, she drifted off into a drowsy sleep once more."

During the Taihe era of the Northern Wei dynasty, the 'National Master' Fayu built a monastery on Shaoshi Mountain of Mount Song; because it was located in a dense forest, it was named the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song.

"During the Taihe era of the Northern Wei, the 'National Master' Batuo established a monastery on Mount Song's Shaoshi Peak; because it was located in a dense forest, it was named Mount Song's 'Shaolin Temple'." We'll output: "During the Taihe era of the Northern Wei, the 'National Master' Batuo established a monastery on Mount Song's Shaoshi Peak; because it was located in a dense forest, it was named Mount Song's 'Shaolin Temple'."

During the Zhengguang era of the Northern Wei dynasty, Bodhidharma resided at the Shaolin Temple, founded Chan Buddhism, and after meditating nine years in a cave on the Five Breast Peaks, he created Chan martial arts, thus being honored as the patriarch of Chan.

"During the Zhengguang era of the Northern Wei, Bodhidharma resided at Shaolin Temple, founded the Chan Sect, and after meditating nine years in the Wuru Peak cave, he created Chan martial arts, thus being honored as the patriarch of the Chan Sect." We'll output: "During the Zhengguang era of the Northern Wei, Bodhidharma resided at Shaolin Temple, founded the Chan Sect, and after meditating nine years in the Wuru Peak cave, he created Chan martial arts, thus being honored as the patriarch of the Chan Sect."

Over the following centuries, successive generations of Shaolin Chan monks developed and expanded its reputation, until the martial world gradually came to know the fame that 'all martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin'.

"Over the following centuries, as successive Shaolin Chan masters promoted and expanded its influence, the martial world gradually came to acclaim the saying 'All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin'." We'll output: "Over the following centuries, as successive Shaolin Chan masters promoted and expanded its influence, the martial world gradually came to acclaim the saying 'All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin'."

Twenty years ago, the Shaolin temple's fire monk Headoto, dissatisfied with the oppression of the monastic community, injured a disciple of the Dharma hall and accidentally killed the chief monk of the Dharma hall, the Zen master Kuhui, then fled the Shaolin Temple.

"Twenty years ago, the Shaolin Temple fire laborer Touduo, dissatisfied with the monks' oppression, injured a disciple of the Dharma Hall and accidentally killed the chief of the Dharma Hall, Master Kuzhi Chan, then fled the temple." We'll output: "Twenty years ago, the Shaolin Temple fire laborer Touduo, dissatisfied with the monks' oppression, injured a disciple of the Dharma Hall and accidentally killed the chief of the Dharma Hall, Master Kuzhi Chan, then fled the temple."

After the 'Fire Monk Headoto' incident, the temple's senior officials blamed each other; ultimately, the chief monk of the Arhat Hall, the Zen master Kuhui, withdrew to the Western Regions and founded the Western Regions Shaolin school.

"After the 'fire laborer Touduo' incident, the temple's senior officials blamed each other; ultimately the chief of the Arhat Hall, Master Kuhui Chan, retreated to the Western Regions and founded the Western Regions Shaolin Sect." We'll output: "After the 'fire laborer Touduo' incident, the temple's senior officials blamed each other; ultimately the chief of the Arhat Hall, Master Kuhui Chan, retreated to the Western Regions and founded the Western Regions Shaolin Sect."

From then on, the Shaolin Temple's vitality was greatly damaged; it therefore decided to close its mountains for a hundred years, and over the past twenty years its prestige has gradually faded from the martial world.

"From then on, Shaolin Temple's vitality was severely wounded; it thus decided to close the mountain for a hundred years, and over the past twenty years its prestige has gradually faded from the martial world." We'll output: "From then on, Shaolin Temple's vitality was severely wounded; it thus decided to close the mountain for a hundred years, and over the past twenty years its prestige has gradually faded from the martial world."

Three days later

"Three days later" We'll output: "Three days later"

"Dong dong."

""Dong dong." We'll output: ""Dong dong.""

"Master of the manor, the carriage downstairs is ready; shall we set off now?"

""Master of the villa, the carriage downstairs is ready; shall we depart now?" We'll output: ""Master of the villa, the carriage downstairs is ready; shall we depart now?""

In the morning, Niu Dingtian was in the room giving medicine to Han Xiao Ying; just as he set down the medicine bowl, there came the light knocking sound of Niu Ben at the door.

"Well, when we reach the small gate, I'll get off right away."

Having said that,

The beauty entered his embrace, and slowly walked down the stairs.

Sorry, I drank too much in the afternoon of New Year's Eve, didn't have time to update; after sobering up it was already past ten, I also missed the first round of recommendation messages I received in the afternoon, I don't know if there are any left. It's really drinking that caused the delay; I'll try to make it up to everyone during the day after waking up tomorrow morning, and the recommendations will be as they come.

(End of chapter)