Chapter 373

Heng De and his son, along with Heng Yue Ruo, were chatting here, while in the Song family residence, Song Nantian and his wife, several elders, Song Dou'er, and his cousins were also discussing.

Translation: Heng De and his son, along with Heng Yue Ruo, were chatting here, while in the Song family residence, Song Nantian and his wife, several elders, Song Dou'er, and his cousins were also discussing.

We need to keep it concise but include all info. Let's craft: "Heng De and his son, together with Heng Yue Ruo, were chatting here, while in the Song family residence, Song Nantian and his wife, several elders, Song Dou'er, and his cousins were also discussing."

Check: includes all: Heng De and his son, Heng Yue Ruo, they were chatting here, in the Song family residence, Song Nantian and his wife, several elders, Song Dou'er, and his cousins were also discussing. Good.

"The Grand Ancestor has gone back into seclusion again?" Song Nantian asked.

Translation: "Has the Grand Ancestor gone back into seclusion again?" Song Nantian asked.

"He's gone back! I never expected that the Grand Ancestor is no match for Heng Xian!" the Song family Great Elder nodded and said.

Translation: The Song family Great Elder nodded and said, "He's gone back! I never expected the Grand Ancestor to be no match for Heng Xian either!"

Check: The Song family Great Elder nodded and said: "He's gone back! I never expected that the Grand Ancestor is also no match for Heng Xian!" Good.

Song Nantian sighed: "At this time, don't say such things anymore!"

Translation: Song Nantian sighed and said, "Now is not the time to say such things!"

The Great Elder remained silent.

Translation: The Great Elder remained silent.

Song Nantian asked Song Dou'er again: "Is this Heng Xian... also a core disciple? Dou'er? Dou'er?"

Translation: Song Nantian asked Song Dou'er again, "Is this Heng Xian... also a core disciple? Dou'er? Dou'er?"

After being called three times, Song Dou'er finally snapped out of her daze; since leaving the hunting ground, she often drifted into a dazed state, and now she looked slightly panicked: "Ah, what's wrong, Dad?"

Translation: After being called three times, Song Dou'er snapped out of her daze; since leaving the hunting ground, she often drifted into a dazed state, and now she looked slightly panicked: "Ah, what's wrong, Dad?"

Check: After being called three times, Song Dou'er finally snapped out of her daze; since leaving the hunting ground, she often drifted into a dazed state, and now she looked slightly panicked: "Ah, what's wrong, Dad?" Good.

Madam Song sighed: "Your father is asking you, is Heng Xian also a core disciple?"

Translation: Madam Song sighed and said, "Your father is asking you whether Heng Xian is also a core disciple."

Everyone in the hall turned their gaze to Song Dou'er.

Translation: Everyone in the main hall turned their gaze to Song Dou'er.

Song Dou'er explained seriously: "He is a true disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, ranked first on the Earth Ranking, the youngest Sword Venerable in the Dongyu cultivation world, having comprehended three sword intents fully integrated, and it is said that he alone can fight a hundred and eighty peers of the same realm!"

Translation: Song Dou'er earnestly explained, "He is a true disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, ranked first on the Earth Ranking, the youngest Sword Venerable in the Dongyu cultivation world, has comprehended three sword intents, fully integrated them, and it is said he can fight a hundred and eighty peers of the same realm alone!"

Check: Ranked first on the Earth Ranking; the youngest Sword Venerable in the Dongyu cultivation world; has comprehended three sword intents, fully integrated; it is said he can fight a hundred and eighty peers of the same realm alone! Good.

"What... does this mean?" the Great Elder asked in a trembling voice.

Translation: "What does that mean?" the Great Elder asked tremulously.

Song Dou'er said: "It means his future achievements will surely be great; either his cultivation will reach the heavens and he will become a mighty figure who can suppress a region, or he will contend for the position of Sect Leader of the Tianyuan Sect; after all, throughout history, sect leaders have always been chosen from those who once ranked in the top three of the Earth or Heaven Rankings."

Translation: Song Dou'er said, "It means his future achievements will surely be great—either his cultivation will reach the heavens and he'll become a mighty figure who can suppress a region, or he will contend for the position of Sect Leader of the Tianyuan Sect; after all, throughout history, sect leaders have always been chosen from those who once ranked in the top three of the Earth or Heaven Rankings."

Check: It means his future achievements will surely be great; either his cultivation will reach the heavens and he'll become a mighty figure who can suppress a region; or he will contend for the position of Sect Leader of the Tianyuan Sect; after all, throughout history, sect leaders have always been chosen from those who once ranked in the top three of the Earth or Heaven Rankings. Good.

The Great Elder gasped: "In that case, this child truly has limitless prospects!"

Translation: The Great Elder drew a sharp breath and said, "In that case, this child truly has limitless prospects!"

Song Nantian thought for a moment and also said: "If our Song family could find such a backer, that would not be bad either!"

Translation: Song Nantian thought for a moment and said, "If our Song family could find such a backer, that wouldn't be bad either!"

The Great Elder said: "But he has no relation to our Song family, so he cannot be our backer; moreover, he is currently staying in the guest courtyard, his mood unpredictable!"

Translation: The Great Elder said, "But he has no connection with our Song family, so he can't be our backer, and besides, he's currently staying in the guest house, his mood unpredictable!"

Alas!

Translation: "Alas!"

The two sighed simultaneously, their eyes unintentionally glancing at Song Dou'er.

Translation: The two sighed simultaneously, their eyes unintentionally flicking toward Song Dou'er.

Song Nantian fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Dou'er, what do you think of Heng Xian?"

Translation: Song Nantian fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Dou'er, what do you think of Heng Xian?"

"Oh, ah?" Song Dou'er's face turned slightly red, her expression a bit flustered.

Translation: "Oh, ah?" Song Dou'er's face flushed slightly, her expression a bit flustered.

Madam Song sighed and said: "I have to say, Heng Xian is outstanding in talent and demeanor; you can't find a young man like him even among the twenty-one cities; it's said he's about the same age as Dou'er; someone with such talent, appearance, and background is truly one in ten thousand; he is more than a match for our Dou'er!"

Translation: Madam Song sighed and said, "I have to say, Heng Xian is outstanding in talent and demeanor; you can't find a young man like him even among the twenty-one cities. It's said he's about the same age as Dou'er, and someone with such talent, appearance, and background is truly one in ten thousand—more than a match for our Dou'er!"

Check: You can't find a young man like him even among the twenty-one cities; it's said he's about the same age as Dou'er; someone with such talent, appearance, and background is truly one in ten thousand; more than a match for our Dou'er! Good.

"Mother!" Song Dou'er's face turned even redder.

Translation: "Mom!" Song Dou'er's face flushed even more.

By her feelings, even if Heng Xian had taken liberties with her today, she would not feel much resentment or humiliation.

Translation: Speaking from the heart, even if Heng Xian had frivolously offended her today, she wouldn't feel much resentment or humiliation.

Because they were close, she noticed that Heng Xian was truly clean; his delicate, handsome features left her speechless, even his breath was fragrant, and his person exuded an intoxicating aura.

Translation: Because they were close, she only then noticed that Heng Xian was truly clean-cut, his features delicate and handsome to the point of being speechless, his breath fragrant, and his very presence exuded an intoxicating aura.

Even when he kissed her forehead, it was very gentle, with no roughness at all.

Translation: Even when he kissed her forehead, it was extremely gentle, with no roughness at all.

Most importantly, when he held her, his hands were properly placed, with no hint of improper offense.

Translation: Most importantly, when he held her, his hands were properly placed, with no hint of molestation.

But having said that…

Translation: But having said that……

Her purity, after all, is ruined!

Translation: Her purity was ultimately ruined!

"Let's talk later!" Song Nantian glanced at his daughter, not making things difficult for her.

Translation: "Let's talk later!" Song Nantian glanced at his daughter, not wanting to make things difficult for her.

……

Translation: ……

"Creak!"

Translation: "Creak!"

Heng Xian pushed open the door and walked out.

Translation: Heng Xian pushed open the door and walked out.

Aunt Heng Yue Ruo had already gone to rest.

Translation: Aunt Heng Yue Ruo had already gone to rest.

Father also dozed off to sleep.

Translation: Father also dozed off to sleep.

What needed to be said has been said; tomorrow we will set out for Qi Prefecture, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, to keep our appointment with Ji Yaoyue!

Translation: Everything that needed to be said has been said; tomorrow we will set out for Qi Prefecture, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, to keep the appointment with Ji Yaoyue!

Check: Qi Prefecture, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Good.

Time is a bit tight; we might have to spend the New Year in Qi Prefecture.

Translation: Time is tight; we might even have to spend the New Year in Qi Prefecture.

Outside, the snow had melted halfway, the sky was filled with stars, and in the distance, the Song family building that had collapsed stood out prominently.

Translation: Outside, the snow had melted halfway, the sky was full of stars, and in the distance, the Song family building that had collapsed stood out prominently.

Check: the Song family building that had collapsed. Good.

Heng Xian sighed and walked toward his own room on the other side.

Translation: Heng Xian sighed and walked toward his room on the other side.

"Immortal Master!" the few maidservants guarding the door bowed respectfully and solemnly.

Translation: "Immortal Master!" the gatekeeping maids greeted respectfully and formally.

Heng Xian waved his hand: "Go rest!"

Translation: Heng Xian waved his hand and said, "Go rest!"

"Yes!" the maidservants obediently left.

Translation: "Yes!" the maids obediently left.

Entering the room, he lit the lamp, first circulated his energy through a few cycles of his cultivation technique, then took out the Gathering Spirit Ancient Array engraved with the engagement token Ji Yaoyue had given him.

Translation: Entering the room, he lit the lamp, first circulated his qi through a few cycles of his cultivation method, then took out the Gathering Spirit Ancient Array engraved with the engagement token Ji Yaoyue had given him.

Check: the Gathering Spirit Ancient Array engraved with the engagement token Ji Yaoyue gave him. Good.

This device has already begun to work; over the past two days it has slowly absorbed some of his spiritual energy and then fed it back, which is quite remarkable.

Translation: This device had already begun to work; over the past two days it slowly absorbed some of his qi and then fed it back, which was quite remarkable.

At that moment, Heng Xian glanced at the ceiling and then pretended to casually continue admiring the jade pendant.

Translation: At that moment, he glanced at the ceiling and then pretended to casually continue admiring his jade pendant.

"Cang Lang!"

Translation: "Clerk!"

Just then, a faint sword-drawing sound came from above, and immediately a figure leapt down, a long sword in hand heading straight for his neck.

Translation: Just then, a faint sword-drawing sound came from above, and a figure leapt down, his long sword aiming straight for his neck.

Heng Xian remained seated, unmoving, until the sword tip was about to reach him, then he shifted like a ghost and flicked a finger.

Translation: Heng Xian remained seated, unmoving, until the sword tip was about to reach him, then he shifted like a ghost and flicked out a finger.

"Ding!"

Translation: "Ding!"

His finger accurately struck the sword tip.

Translation: His finger struck the sword tip precisely.

The long sword, together with its wielder, flew out and slammed into the wall with a "thud".

Translation: The long sword, together with its wielder, flew out and slammed into the wall with a "thud."

It was Song Dou'er, dressed in white, deliberately adorned, looking extremely handsome.

Translation: It was Song Dou'er, dressed in white and deliberately made up to look exceptionally handsome.

However, at that moment she struggled to sit up, glaring at him with fierce eyes.

Translation: At this moment, she struggled to sit up, glaring at him with fierce eyes.

Heng Xian exclaimed in surprise: "You? Assassination? Why?"

Translation: Heng Xian exclaimed in surprise, "You? Assassination? Why?"

Song Dou'er did not answer the question, coldly looking at the jade pendant in his hand: "Butterfly jade, the top choice for engagement tokens among noble ladies! Do you have a beloved?"

Translation: Song Dou'er ignored the question, coldly looking at the jade pendant in his hand and said, "Butterfly Jade, the top choice for engagement tokens among noble ladies! Do you have a beloved?"

She had just acted on a whim, coming to see what Heng Xian was doing; in fact she herself didn't know what she was thinking, or perhaps she was simply observing; suddenly seeing Heng Xian affectionately examining an engagement jade pendant, she felt an inexplicable surge of resentment welling up inside.

Translation: She had just come on a whim to see what Heng Xian was doing; she herself didn't even know what she was thinking, or perhaps she was simply observing, when she suddenly noticed Heng Xian affectionately examining an engagement jade pendant, and a surge of resentment welled up in her heart for no reason.

Heng Xian put away the jade pendant and said: "What's it to you?"

Translation: Heng Xian put away the jade pendant and said, "What's it to you?"

Song Dou'er coldly replied: "If you already have a beloved yet still take liberties with other women, that is disloyalty to your beloved!"

Since you already have a sweetheart, yet you still want to take liberties with Dou'er, you are ruining my chastity and reputation; when people gossip later, who won't know that I was kissed by you, Heng Xian? How am I to conduct myself?

Speaking, he again drew his sword and lunged.

Heng Xian shook his head, extended two fingers and lightly pinched, seizing the sword tip; no matter how hard Song Dou'er struggled, he could not budge it.

In an instant he flashed aside, slapped the sword away, grabbed Song Dou'er's neck, and said coldly: "Keep causing trouble, and don't blame me for being rude!"

"How can you still be rude to me?" Song Douer said with difficulty, suddenly breaking free of Heng Xian's hand with force, she lunged forward and bit his shoulder.

Heng Xian frowned slightly, intending to slap her away with one palm, but discovered she was tightly gripping his shoulder.

He snapped: "Let go!"

Song Douer didn't listen.

Heng Xian steeled himself, grabbed her outer coat and pulled it off: "Will you loosen or not?"

Song Douer kept biting.

Heng Xian pulled off another piece of her clothing.

Song Douer still wouldn't let go.

One piece, then another.

In the blink of an eye, only a bellyband remained, revealing her snow-white, delicate, slender figure before his eyes.

Heng Xian reached out his hand, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to strike.

Taking advantage of his momentary stupor, Song Douer suddenly released his shoulder, lifted her head and bit his lower lip.

There was no feeling of a kiss at all; it was painful, and his mouth already tasted of blood.

Heng Xian was about to slap her away with one palm.

Song Douer had already retreated to the side, tears blurring her vision as she picked up her clothes and ran toward the door: "Tomorrow I'll return to Mile Temple for ascetic practice, Heng Xian—either kill me, or we'll meet again someday; I'll make you know what regret is!"

"Clang!"

The door was flung open, and she had already run far away.

Heng Xian pulled open his collar, only to see a conspicuous bite mark on his shoulder, blood flowing freely; he touched his lips and found his lower lip split.

Who knows why he didn't just kill her a moment ago!

He couldn't help but look toward the doorway.

What damned pure-and-innocent act, a little wildcat—she bites people, even the lips; who's taking advantage of whom? Damn it!

(End of chapter)