Chapter 78

He immediately sprang up, rushed toward the deck outside the cabin, and darted over quickly.

Translation: He immediately sprang up, rushed toward the deck outside the cabin, and darted over quickly.

He immediately sprang up, rushed toward the deck outside the cabin, and darted over quickly.

The helmsman holding the rudder saw, in the blink of an eye, someone appear beside him; before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and Niu Dingtian grabbed him in a deadly one‑handed hold, leaving him unable to wriggle free.

Translation: The helmsman, who was steering the ship, saw in the blink of an eye a person flash to his side; before he could react, a sharp pain struck his shoulder, and Niu Dingtian seized him with one hand in an iron grip, making it impossible for him to break free even slightly.

The helmsman holding the rudder saw, in the blink of an eye, someone appear beside him; before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and Niu Dingtian grabbed him in a deadly one‑handed hold, leaving him unable to wriggle free.

"Turn around! Head north!"

Translation: "Turn around! Head north!"

Before the helmsman could speak, Niu Dingtian barked in a low voice, then turned and glared at the sail‑handling crewman, shouting again:

Translation: Before the helmsman could speak, Niu Dingtian barked in a low voice, then turned his head to glare at the sailor handling the sails, and shouted again:

"Turn around immediately! Sail north!"

Translation: "Turn around immediately! Sail north!"

Seeing the boss subdued with a single hand by Niu Dingtian, the crewman found himself unable to resist, momentarily at a loss, his face filled with fear as he looked toward the helmsman, his eyes seeking guidance.

Translation: Seeing the boss being subdued with one hand by Niu Dingtian, the sailor found it hard to resist, momentarily at a loss, his face filled with fear as he looked toward the helmsman, his eyes questioning.

"You… you… you still want to go to Peach Blossom Island?"

Translation: "You-you-you still want to go to Peach Blossom Island?"

After the helmsman reacted, his face suddenly changed; he didn't even bother with the sail‑handling assistant, bent his body involuntarily, endured the pain in his shoulder, and said with a mournful face:

Translation: After the helmsman reacted, his face suddenly changed; unable to attend to the sailor handling the sails, he involuntarily bowed his body, enduring the sharp pain in his shoulder, and spoke with a mournful face:

"I'll return your money, young master! It hurts! Loosen up a bit! Quickly loosen up! I—I won't run anymore, will that do?"

Translation: "I'll return your money, young master! It hurts! Loosen up a bit! Quickly loosen up! I—I I won't run anymore, will that do?"

"Cut the crap!"

Translation: "Cut the crap!"

Dong Xie, Xi Du, Nan Di, Bei Gai—among the four there are bound to be some ties; having disabled one of them, aside from Ouyang Feng possibly envying me a little, the other two may not give me a pleasant look.

Translation: Among the Four—East Heretic, West Poison, South Emperor, North Beggar—there are bound to be some ties; having disabled one of them, aside from Ouyang Feng possibly envying me a little, the other two may not give me a pleasant look.

Dong Xie, Xi Du, Nan Di, Bei Gai—among the four there are bound to be some ties; having disabled one of them, aside from Ouyang Feng possibly envying me a little, the other two may not give me a pleasant look.

Ouyang Feng

I have disabled one of them; aside from Ouyang Feng possibly envying me a little, the other two may not give me a pleasant look.

Upon hearing the threat, the helmsman's expression stalled, and he sheepishly gave in.

Translation: Upon hearing the threat, the helmsman's expression froze, and he sheepishly gave in.

"Young master, you truly don't know—around Boat Mountain there's no one who isn't afraid of that place! You say this trip of mine... sigh!"

Translation: "Young master, you truly don't know—around Boat Mountain there's no one who isn't afraid of that place! You say this trip of mine... sigh!"

"Young master, you truly don't know—around Boat Mountain there's no one who isn't afraid of that place! You say this trip of mine... sigh!"

After saying that, he patted the shoulder again, then walked alone to the bow, standing there staring unblinkingly at the churning waves.

Translation: After saying that, he patted the helmsman's shoulder again, then walked alone to the bow, standing there staring unblinkingly at the churning sea.

As time passed, the atmosphere on the deck grew increasingly oppressive, and the helmsman visibly began to tense up.

Translation: As time passed, the atmosphere on the deck grew increasingly oppressive, and the helmsman clearly began to tense up.

"Good! Full speed ahead!"

Translation: "Good! Speed up!"

Feeling that the moving vessel was no longer as steady as at the start, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but frown, glanced over, and said:

Translation: Feeling that the advancing hull was no longer as steady as at the start, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but frown, glanced over, and said:

"Two hundred taels of silver—take me to Peach Blossom Island right now!"

Translation: "Two hundred taels of silver—take me to Peach Blossom Island right now!"

The helmsman shrank back in fear, not daring to utter a sound, simply standing honestly to the side and taking hold of the rudder.

Translation: The helmsman shrank back in fear, not daring to utter another word, simply standing honestly to the side and taking hold of the rudder.

The helmsman dared not play any tricks; he shouted at the crewman behind him and then adjusted the rudder.

Translation: The helmsman dared not play any tricks; after shouting at the sailor behind him, he adjusted the rudder.

But at this point, not intimidating him won't work; trying to reason calmly will just lead to endless wrangling—if anyone's to blame, blame that damned Huang Lao Xie! Occupying a broken island, he's even more overbearing than my own self; even my Jiugong Mountain has never said outsiders aren't allowed up the mountain.

Translation: But at this point, not intimidating him simply won't do; trying to reason with him calmly would only lead to endless wrangling—blame that damned Huang Lao Xie! Occupying a broken island, he's more overbearing than I am; my Jiugong Mountain never said outsiders aren't allowed up the mountain.

Gazing at the surging sea, Niu Dingtian inevitably felt a surge of heroic fervor; he had wanted to recite a poem, but thought better of it, muttering to himself that to the onlooker the endless ocean is just water, and those unfamiliar with the classics will mostly scoff and ridicule.

Gazing at the tumultuous, heaving sea, Niuding Tian couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic fervor; he had intended to compose a poem, but after reconsidering he decided against it, and as he pondered, to onlookers it merely looked like the endless ocean was just water—those unfamiliar with the classics would mostly sneer and scoff at it in their hearts.

Translation: Gazing at the surging sea, Niu Dingtian inevitably felt a surge of heroic fervor; he had wanted to recite a poem, but thought better of it—after all, to onlookers the endless sea is just water, and those unversed in the classics would mostly sneer and curse.

Is Huang Lao Xie really that fearsome? Niu Dingtian suddenly felt a strange taste in his heart, as if a hint of jealousy had arisen; when could such fame ever appear on Jiugong Mountain?

Translation: Is Huang Lao Xie really that formidable? Niu Dingtian suddenly felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if a twinge of jealousy had arisen—when will such renown appear on Jiugong Mountain?

After calming his mind, adrift in this vast, wave‑tossed sea—body swaying with the ship, ship drifting with the waves—this scene, he let the strong be strong, the breeze sweep the hills, he remain unyielding, the moon shine on the great river. It seemed to gradually harmonize with the Nine Yang Divine Skill; slowly, he sensed a faint sign of breakthrough in his Nine Yang heart method.

Translation: After calming his mind, amidst this vast, billowing ocean, his body swayed with the ship, the ship drifted with the waves; in this scene, let the strong be strong, the clear wind sweeps the hills, he lets himself be as he pleases, the bright moon shines on the great river. It seemed to gradually harmonize with the Nine Yang Divine Skill, and slowly he sensed a faint sign of breakthrough in his Nine Yang Heart Method.

Suddenly a shout came from behind, trembling in tone, and Niu Dingtian began to regain his senses.

Translation: Suddenly from behind came the helmsman's shout, trembling in tone, and Niu Dingtian began to regain his composure.

"Young master, let go quickly—I'm turning around!"

Translation: "Young master, let go quickly! I'm turning around!"

"Quickly adjust the sail to head north!"

Translation: "Hurry and adjust the sails to head north!"

"If you dare utter another word of nonsense, I'll rip your arm off and throw you both into the sea!"

Translation: "If you dare utter another word of nonsense, I'll rip your arm off outright and throw you both into the sea!"

Although Peach Blossom Island was plainly in sight, the boat had to sail for nearly an hour before reaching a point about three hundred zhang from the shore.

Translation: Although Peach Blossom Island was clearly in sight, the ship nonetheless sailed for nearly an hour before reaching a point about three hundred zhang from the shore.

"That's more like it—bring me to Peach Blossom Island and I'll guarantee your safety; I'll be watching you here, and if you try any tricks, heh heh."

Translation: "Now that's right—bring me to Peach Blossom Island and I'll guarantee your safety; I'll be watching you right here, and if you try any tricks, heh heh."

"Since I've promised to spare your life, I will—what's there to be nervous about?"

Translation: "Having said I'll protect your life, I will protect it—what are you nervous about?"

"Young master, you're joking—I wouldn't dare."

Translation: "Young master, you're joking—I wouldn't dare."

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian immediately loosened his grip, casually tossed a packet of loose silver, then reached over and embraced the helmsman, saying with a chuckle:

Translation: Seeing this, Niu Dingtian immediately loosened his grip, casually tossed a packet of loose silver, then reached out and put his arm around the helmsman, smiling as he said:

"Young master, we're almost there—that ahead is Peach Blossom Island!"

Translation: "Young master, we're almost there—that ahead is Peach Blossom Island!"

Just now he really had the idea of turning back and sailing home; near the shore he jumped straight into the sea, he had no choice, went to Peach Blossom Island, and even if he collected more silver, it's only useful if he has the life to spend it.

Translation: Just now he actually had the idea of turning back and returning, jumping ship near the shore to dive into the sea; he also had no choice but to go to Peach Blossom Island, and even if he gathered more silver, it would be of no use if he lost his life.

Seeing the helmsman's lack of sense, Niu Dingtian bellowed angrily, then tightened his grip and snarled:

Translation: Seeing that the helmsman lacked sense, Niu Dingtian exploded in an angry shout, then tightened his grip and snarled:

"Am I afraid of him?"

Translation: "Do I fear him?"

With his excellent eyesight, Niu Dingtian spotted someone on the island looking this way from afar, who then hurriedly turned and left—likely to spread the news.

Translation: With his excellent eyesight, Niu Dingtian spotted from afar someone on the island looking this way, then hurriedly turned and left—presumably to report the news.

"Affinal relatives?"

Translation: "Affinal relatives?"

After all, they were just two outsiders dragged in by force; after a glance, he then smiled and softly reassured:

Translation: After all, they were just two outsiders forcibly dragged into this by me; after a shift in his gaze, he then smiled and softly comforted:

"Just put your mind at ease—the master of Peach Blossom Island is my relative by marriage; I'm merely visiting my father‑in‑law, so I can naturally guarantee your safety."

Translation: "Just put your mind at ease—the master of Peach Blossom Island is my affinal relative; this time I'm merely going to the island to visit my father-in-law, so naturally I can guarantee your safety."

As he finished speaking, a flash of menace crossed his eyes—the threat was clear without words.

Translation: At the end of his words, a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, the threat unmistakable.

Looking up, Niu Dingtian's gaze narrowed slightly—finally, he had arrived!

Translation: Raising his gaze, Niu Dingtian's eyes narrowed slightly—finally, they had arrived!

In the vast sea ahead, a black dot appeared in the line of sight; as time passed, the dot grew larger, gradually revealing the outline of an island.

Translation: In the vast expanse of sea ahead, a black dot appeared in his vision; as time passed, the dot grew larger, gradually revealing the outline of an island.

The day was drawing to a close; if we didn't pick up speed, we might miss dinner. As a thick‑skinned person, I'd already planned my evening meal in my mind.

Translation: The sky was already darkening; if we didn't pick up speed, we might miss dinner. As a thick-skinned person, I had already planned my dinner in my heart.

At this very moment, Niu Dingtian was the very picture of a bandit.

Translation: At this very moment, Niu Dingtian was the living image of a bandit.

Having reached Peach Blossom Island, a showdown with Huang Yaoshi is inevitable; as to how far it will go, he thought, that's not really up to him.

Translation: After setting foot on Peach Blossom Island, fighting Huang Yaoshi is inevitable; as to how far the fight will go, he thought it over and felt it wasn't up to him.

"Turn around! I'm turning around!"

Translation: "Turn around! I'm turning around!"

Seeing this feeble attitude, Niu Dingtian felt anger well up from nowhere; he was about to put on a stern face and scold a couple of times, but after thinking it over, he ended up saying nothing.

Translation: Seeing this feeble attitude, Niu Dingtian flared with anger from all sides; he was about to put on a stern face and scold a couple of sentences, but after thinking, he ultimately held his tongue.

Niu Dingtian snorted, then set aside his thoughts, silently cultivating the Nine Yang heart method to nurture his essence and energy, aiming to face Huang Yaoshi in peak condition.

Translation: Niu Dingtian snorted, then set aside his thoughts, silently cultivating the Nine Yang Heart Method to nurture his essence and energy, aiming to face Huang Yaoshi in peak condition to measure their strengths.

Upon hearing the harsh words, the helmsman's heart lurched, his shoulder throbbed as if it might break, and he hurriedly begged for mercy, agreeing.

Translation: Upon hearing the harsh words, the helmsman's heart jolted, his shoulder aching as if it might break; he hurriedly begged for mercy in a panicked voice and agreed.

The more the helmsman spoke, the more agitated he became; eventually his body stopped trembling, he let go of the rudder with both hands, and his face looked as if he were about to burst into tears.

Translation: The more the helmsman spoke, the more agitated he became; eventually his body stopped trembling, his hands left the rudder, and his face looked as if he were about to burst into tears.

Niu Dingtian suppressed his excitement and shouted loudly toward those behind him.

Translation: Suppressing his excitement, Niu Dingtian shouted loudly toward those behind him.

"Stop the ship! Drop the anchor!"

Translation: "Stop the ship! Drop the anchor!"

Niu Dingtian waved again, gazing at the lonely island about to be visited by him, and suddenly felt like a bully showing up at someone's door.

Translation: Niu Dingtian waved his hand again in greeting, looking at the isolated island about to be visited by him, and suddenly felt like a tyrant showing up at someone's door.

After the vessel steadied on the water, he was about to leap down and use his lightness skill to rush toward Peach Blossom Island, but then he paused, turned back to look at the helmsman and the crewman, and said:

Translation: After the sea vessel steadied on the water, he was just about to leap off the boat, deploy his lightness skill and rush toward Peach Blossom Island, when something occurred to him, he paused his steps, turned back to look at the helmsman and the sailor, and said:

"Are you willing to wait for me here?"

Translation: "Are you willing to wait for me here?"

"Willing, my ass!"

Translation: "Willing my ass!"

The helmsman cursed inwardly, thinking today was his eight‑generation streak of bad luck; he hadn't expected to encounter a harmless‑looking yet ruthless person who was also a relative of Peach Blossom Island, but he dared not say such a thing, merely putting on a smiling face and saying:

Translation: The helmsman cursed furiously in his heart, having suffered eight lifetimes of bad luck today; he hadn't expected to encounter such a ruthless yet harmless-to-humans person, who was also a relative of Peach Blossom Island, but he dared not utter those words, merely putting on a smiling face and saying:

Young master, just go ahead—I'll be waiting here for you!

Although he said that, he planned to turn around and leave soon, claiming he came to see his father-in-law; who knew if it would turn awkward, eventually implicating himself.

"That's excellent; not wasted the silver I spent. You two wait here for me."

Having said that, Niu Dingtian instantly turned into a blur and flashed toward the two, casually tapping to seal their acupoints.

If I don't leave a retreat here, once there's no boat on the island I couldn't swim back; I recall Zhou Botong seemingly being trapped by Huang Yaoshi on the island for years—a warning right before my eyes.

"Young master, what are you doing? We're just waiting for you here!"

The person at the bow immediately changed expression after reacting.

"All right! Wait here for me!"

Niu Dingtian directly dragged the two into the cabin, ignoring their shouts, then leapt onto the sea surface, his body technique unfolding as he stepped on the green waves and rushed swiftly toward the shore.

After a few breaths, when Niu Dingtian stepped on the reef on the island, he glanced around briefly but saw no trace of the earlier figure.

He then stepped forward, following some traces on the ground, and began to search inward on the island.

As he went deeper, although it was still the twelfth lunar month, Niu Dingtian couldn't help but be stunned by the island's beauty.

Lofty mountains, strange reefs, azure seas and golden sands, secluded streams and caves, hills layered densely, forests lush green; if one waited for spring and summer when the mountain flowers bloomed, the scenery on this island would be indescribably splendid.

After passing through a dense grove, Niu Dingtian's view began to show peach trees one after another; though it was still the twelfth lunar month, each branch was twisted and sturdy, without a hint of green.

The deeper he went, the denser the peach forest became; gradually there was no path ahead, all around was deathly silent, not a birdcall heard, the scene extremely eerie.

Niu Dingtian dared not go deeper, fearing to fall into the Peach Blossom Formation; he immediately retreated step by step along the footprints on the ground.

At that moment, the island's sky had gradually darkened; after withdrawing, he began to search the outer edge of the peach forest, but after searching a while he discovered, damn it, Huang Yaoshi had actually drawn a circle with peach trees on this island!

Those inside must know someone has come, yet they won't give face.

Niu Dingtian then dropped the pretense, standing straight at the edge of the peach forest, gathering his inner strength, and loudly shouted inside:

"Niu Dingtian visits Peach Blossom Island!"

"Please, Island Master Huang, show yourself!"

"Niu Dingtian visits Peach Blossom Island!"

"Please, Island Master Huang, show yourself!"

These shouts roared straight into the island, like a dragon's roar and tiger's howl, exploding loudly, shaking the branches and leaves, startling flocks of birds into flight, the echoes undiminished and lasting long.

Damn! Turns out there are birds on this island! I thought Huang Lao Xie had killed them all.

Watching the startled birds take flight, Niu Dingtian couldn't help muttering to himself; after just going deep into the peach forest, he had felt it deathly quiet and a bit eerie, never expecting even the birds to be hiding.

After the shouting subsided, no response came; the surroundings returned to silence, only distant wave sounds continually reaching.

Damn it!

In his anger, he suddenly felt some regret; if he had studied something properly back then, he wouldn't be helpless now.

Back when he trained Lightning Wave Microstep, he had specifically studied the I Ching Sixty-Four Hexagrams, but he had never given a proper look to the Eight Gates Nine Stars, Yin Yang Five Elements, or Three Oddities Six Instruments.

This Peach Blossom Formation is built on the principles of Mysterious Gate Escape; if you don't understand these things, wanting to enter, you'd have to cut everything down.

No! Cut down?

Niu Dingtian slapped his head in realization; the sky had already darkened, he didn't care about anything else, thinking this, he wouldn't delay further, and directly rushed into the peach forest.

Having been kept outside the door for so long, he too cared about face; today he swore to carve a path for posterity on Peach Blossom Island.

Using the moonlight, he again gradually went deeper into the peach forest; when he reached a point with no path forward, he swung his palm to chop the peach tree before him.

With a 'crack', the peach tree broke in response; he then continued stepping forward, chopping the next peach tree, repeating this, and before long he had carved a passage nearly ten zhang long.

He looked back, saw the path was somewhat curved, adjusted his position, switched to another peach tree to chop, trying to make the road as straight as possible.

He still knew the principle that the straight line between two points is the shortest.

After chopping a while more, he had already cleared a hundred zhang; he stopped, caught his breath, and looking back at the fallen peach trees covering the ground, Niu Dingtian couldn't help feeling a pang of regret:

Damn, how many peaches will this bear next year! Huang Lao Xie, you've brought sin upon yourself!

Damn! It's not even my own!

I damn well feel sorry for nothing!

Having put aside his thoughts, Niu Dingtian continued chopping with palm after palm; the scene had the spirit of Yu Gong moving the mountains.

Of course, if one day this person surnamed Niu could occupy a page in history, perhaps there would be an additional entry titled 'Taizu Moving Trees'.

Moonlight like water, the peach forest was utterly silent; as an hour began to pass, no matter how high Niu Dingtian's martial arts, each palm strike carrying inner force made him gradually feel sweat pouring like rain.

Damned Huang Lao Xie!

I'm exhausted to death!

He began moving his hands while talking, then corrected himself—should be moving his heart. Such coarse language, he would never utter lightly as a scholar; he still knows the principle of propriety: do not speak rudely.

Except toward that old eunuch.

That bastard holds a grudge deeply; the shame of his fleeing in defeat that day he will never forget in his lifetime.

Indeed, the diligent are not betrayed by heaven; this palm-after-palm effort finally managed to break through the road.

Upon seeing the bamboo forest come into view, Niu Dingtian instantly felt refreshed all over.

He turned sideways and listened carefully; finding the bamboo forest also silent, he stood in place, eased his sore neck, then tossed aside the remaining peach trees, unfolded his lightness skill, and darted swiftly into the woods.

After just a few breaths, Niu Dingtian saw a pavilion built of bamboo branches; the signboard under the moonlight clearly read the three characters 'Ji Cui Ting'.

On either side of the pavilion hung a couplet: 'Within the peach blossom's shadow flies the divine sword; with the blue sea's tide rises the jade flute.' On both sides of the bamboo pavilion grew two large pine trees side by side, green pines and verdant bamboo, tranquil and exquisite.

Entering the pavilion, one sees bamboo tables and chairs inside, clearly old objects of many years, polished to a sheen, gleaming faint yellow in the moonlight.

Niu Dingtian curiously glanced at the pavilion's layout, then stretched his weary body, and directly lay down on the bamboo chair, feet resting on the bamboo table, closed his eyes and began to think.

Not long after, hurried footsteps approached; before the person surnamed Niu could open his eyes, he heard a clear, bell-like feminine shout:

"Who's the scoundrel here!"

"Dare to cut down my peach trees!"

If there are any typos or garbled sentences, please point them out; thank you!

Recently I will make time to properly revise the earlier parts; several chapters were written while I was drunk during the New Year. I just took a look, and some sentences are rather messy and incoherent—even I can't bear to read them. I'll let you know once the revisions are done.

(End of chapter)