Chapter 315

The Nine Thousand Years Old didn't intend to make things awkward; he quickly moved on and said, "Princess and Xiao Zhu came to see me—what do you want to ask?"

Interpretation: "The Nine Thousand Years Old didn't mean to make the atmosphere awkward; he quickly moved on and said, 'Princess and Young Master, you came to see me—what do you want to ask?'"

We need to apply the glossary: translate the term for 'Nine Thousand Years Old', the title 'Princess', the nickname 'Xiao Zhu', and the self-reference 'I'.

Thus line: "The Nine Thousand Years Old didn't mean to make the atmosphere awkward; he quickly moved on and said, 'Princess and Xiao Zhu, you came to see me—what do you want to ask?'"

Check: we kept meaning. Ensure we didn't add extra.

He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, lifted his full cup, and drank slowly.

Translation: "He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, and slowly drank from his full cup."

He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, lifted his full cup, and drank slowly.

We'll keep concise: "He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, and slowly drank from his full cup."

He raised his eyebrows, asking knowingly, then lifted the full cup and drank slowly.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't beat around the bush, but said directly: "Your Emperor wants me to go and marry him as a concubine."

Mu Yuanzhi didn't beat around the bush, but said directly: 'Your Emperor wants me to go and marry him as a concubine.'

We'll translate the marriage alliance as 'marry him as a concubine'.

The Nine Thousand Years Old looked a little surprised, but quickly his gaze returned to normal; he set down his tea cup, looked at Mu Yuanzhi, and smiled, saying, "Congratulations, Princess, to be taken notice of by a sovereign."

Translation: "The Nine Thousand Years Old seemed somewhat surprised, but quickly his gaze returned to normal; he set down his tea cup, looked at Mu Yuanzhi and smiled, saying, 'Congratulations, Princess, to be favored by a sovereign of a nation.'"

We need to apply the glossary: translate the term for 'Nine Thousand Years Old', the title 'Princess', and the name 'Mu Yuanzhi'.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old seemed somewhat surprised, but quickly his gaze returned to normal; he set down his tea cup, looked at Mu Yuanzhi and smiled, saying, 'Congratulations, Princess, to be favored by a sovereign of a nation.'"

"I'll give you this joy." Mu Yuanzhi's mouth twitched.

Translation: "'Here's this joy for you.' Mu Yuanzhi's mouth twitched."

'I'll give you this joy,' Mu Yuanzhi said, his mouth twitching.

"I can't accept it." the Nine Thousand Years Old smiled ambiguously, not seeming to think his earlier remark was at all abrupt.

Translation: "'I can't accept it.' The Nine Thousand Years Old smiled ambiguously, not seeming to think his earlier remark was at all abrupt."

'I can't accept it.'

"Can't you stop messing with people?!" Pei Di snapped, "Mu Jiejie is a married woman!"

'Can't you stop messing with people?!' Pei Di snapped, 'Mu Jiejie is a married woman!'

"Xiao Di." Mu Yuanzhi patted Pei Di, signaling him to calm down.

The nicknames are Xiao Di, Mu Yuanzhi, and Pei Di.

Thus: "'Xiao Di.' Mu Yuanzhi patted Pei Di, signaling him to stay calm."

They are now in a position of needing others; they cannot act rashly.

Translation: "They are now in a position of needing favors; they must not act rashly."

Pei Di pursed his lips displeasedly, then warned directly: "My father the Emperor won't agree to this; if it causes abnormal relations between our two countries, even leading to armed conflict, I imagine you, Nine Thousand Years Old, wouldn't want to see that either, would you?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di, 'father emperor' translates to Father Emperor, and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "Pei Di pursed his lips displeasedly and warned directly: 'Father Emperor won't agree to this; if it messes up relations between the two countries, even leading to war, I imagine you, Nine Thousand Years Old, wouldn't want to see that either, would you?'"

"Xiao Zhu, you're being overly serious." said the Nine Thousand Years Old.

According to the glossary, the nickname translates to Xiao Zhu and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "'You're overthinking it, Xiao Zhu.' said the Nine Thousand Years Old."

"I'm just stating a possibility; Great Zhou is not what it used to be—don't misjudge the situation!" Pei Di said solemnly.

The glossary gives the translations: Great Zhou for the dynasty name and Pei Di for the name.

Thus: "'I'm just stating the possibility; Great Zhou is not what it used to be—don't misjudge the situation!' Pei Di said solemnly."

The Nine Thousand Years Old looked at Pei Di with interest, his smile unchanged, and said, "Xiao Zhu, your words have a certain air of a crown prince."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old, the name translates to Pei Di, and the nickname translates to Xiao Zhu.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old looked at Pei Di with interest, his smile unchanged: 'Your words, Xiao Zhu, have a hint of a crown prince about them.'"

"Don't put on the airs of an elder mentor." Pei Di was displeased.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "'Don't put on the airs of an elder and mentor.' Pei Di was displeased."

The Nine Thousand Years Old said, "Our new emperor is nothing like the former little emperor; I don't understand him at all."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old, 'new emperor' translates to new emperor, and 'little emperor' translates to little emperor (former).

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old said: 'Our new emperor is not like the former little emperor; I really don't know him at all.'"

"You're lying—you do understand, you just don't want to say." Pei Di chuckled.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "'Liar, you will not understand? You just don't want to say.' Pei Di chuckled."

Mu Yuanzhi said, "Just tell me what you know about him."

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi said: 'Just tell me what you know about him.'"

"A decisive general on the battlefield, a prince skilled at winning hearts, an emperor with great ambition." the Nine Thousand Years Old concluded, "He might just be probing your new emperor's limits—or merely trying to find a way to assert his presence."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and 'new emperor' translates to new emperor.

Thus: "'A general decisive on the battlefield, a prince skilled at winning hearts, an emperor with great ambition.' The Nine Thousand Years Old concluded, 'He might just be probing your new emperor's bottom line, or merely seeking a sense of existence by any means.'"

Mu Yuanzhi said, "From what you're saying, he's not just looking for an excuse to cause trouble, is he?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi said: 'So you mean he's not looking for an excuse to cause trouble?'"

"You wouldn't be looking for a married woman, would you?" the Nine Thousand Years Old said, "Although no one is more qualified than you for this premise."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "'Wouldn't he not look for a married woman?' the Nine Thousand Years Old said, 'Although no one is more qualified than you for this premise.'"

Even if it were two legitimate princesses, it wouldn't have this effect.

Translation: "Even two legitimate princesses wouldn't have this effect."

Pei Di said, "You'd better go persuade your emperor; Great Zhou is not to be trifled with!"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di and the dynasty name translates to Great Zhou.

Thus: "Pei Di said: 'You'd better go persuade your emperor; Great Zhou is not to be trifled with!'"

"If I could persuade him, I wouldn't have had fewer than ten sentences in our entire conversation." the Nine Thousand Years Old took another sip of tea, "These past days, I've spoken the most today."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the self-reference translates to I.

Thus: "'If I could persuade him, I wouldn't have exchanged fewer than ten sentences with him the whole time.' The Nine Thousand Years Old took another sip of tea, 'These days, I've spoken the most today.'"

Mu Yuanzhi said, "It seems you and your ruler don't get along well."

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi said: 'It seems your ruler and minister get along poorly.'"

"There's nothing we can do; we guard against each other but can't eliminate one another." the Nine Thousand Years Old smiled, set down his tea cup, and said, "Perhaps he plans to have me eliminated in a foreign land."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the self-reference translates to I.

Thus: "'There's nothing we can do; we guard against each other but can't get rid of one another.' The Nine Thousand Years Old laughed, setting down his tea cup, 'Perhaps he plans to have me done away with in a foreign land.'"

Pei Di said, "Then you'd better be careful, after all, there's no one here who would help you."

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "Pei Di said: 'Then you'd better be careful, after all, no one here will help you.'"

The Nine Thousand Years Old sighed, "Xiao Zhu actually said such heartless words—it's truly painful."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the nickname translates to Xiao Zhu.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old sighed, 'Xiao Zhu actually said such heartless words—truly painful.'"

He said, glancing at the slightly worried, frowning Mu Yuanzhi, "Princess, you needn't worry; even if our emperor were foolish, he wouldn't lightly provoke war—he knows what kind of person your new emperor is."

According to the glossary, the title translates to Princess, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi, 'new emperor' translates to new emperor, and 'emperor' translates to emperor.

Thus: "He said, glancing at Mu Yuanzhi, who wore a slightly worried frown, 'Princess, you needn't worry; even if our emperor is foolish, he won't lightly provoke war, for he knows what kind of person your new emperor is.'"

"Hopefully."

Translation: "'Hopefully.'"

Although she still had no confidence in her heart, hearing the Nine Thousand Years Old's words still put her somewhat at ease.

According to the glossary, the pronoun refers to Mu Yuanzhi and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "Although she still lacked confidence in her heart, hearing the Nine Thousand Years Old's words still reassured her considerably."

"By the way, your witch doctor."

According to the glossary, the term translates to Witch Doctor, yielding the line: 'By the way, your witch doctor.'

Mu Yuanzhi, who had originally intended to find an excuse to leave, sat up straight again, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What do you want to say, Nine Thousand Years Old? Could it be that you know him?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi, who had originally intended to find an excuse to leave, sat up straight again, raised her eyebrows, and asked, 'What do you want to say, Nine Thousand Years Old? Do you know him?'"

"I've seen him." the Nine Thousand Years Old gave a mischievous smile.

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "'I've seen him.' the Nine Thousand Years Old gave a mischievous smile."

Pei Di said, "You've seen him? What kind of person is he?!"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "Pei Di said: 'You've seen him? What kind of person is he?!'"

"He seems to have once been… what was it called? Someone from the Mountain… sect?"

Translation: "'He seems to have once been… what was it called? Someone from the Mountain… sect?'"

"Mount Yin Sect!" Mu Yuanzhi finished for him, "Do you really know him?"

According to the glossary, the sect name translates to Mount Yin Sect and the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "'Mount Yin Sect!' Mu Yuanzhi finished for him, 'You really know him?'"

"A long time ago." the Nine Thousand Years Old fell into recollection, "Back then I was still a person of Frost Descent."

'A long time ago,' the Nine Thousand Years Old fell into recollection, saying, 'Back then I was still a person of Frost Descent.'

Pei Di asked, "Exactly when was that?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "Pei Di said: 'Exactly when was that?'"

"Isn't that beside the point? Xiao Zhu, you don't want to hear about the witch doctor, do you?" the Nine Thousand Years Old asked with a smile.

According to the glossary, the nickname translates to Xiao Zhu, the term translates to Witch Doctor, and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "'This isn't the point; you don't want to hear about the witch doctor, Xiao Zhu?' the Nine Thousand Years Old asked with a smile."

Pei Di could only suppress his curiosity and said, "Go ahead."

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "Pei Di could only suppress his curiosity and said, 'Go ahead.'"

"But at that time he was still a child."

Translation: "'But back then he was still a child.'"

"And you?" Mu Yuanzhi pressed.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "'And you?' Mu Yuanzhi pressed."

The Nine Thousand Years Old just smiled and didn't speak, then continued: "But even back then he already loved wearing purple, with heavy purple makeup, looking like a demon—clearly not a normal child. Yet he was extraordinarily gifted; at a young age he was already an outstanding figure of the Mount Yin Sect."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the sect name translates to Mount Yin Sect.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old just smiled and said nothing, then continued: 'But even then he already loved wearing purple, drawing on thick purple makeup, looking like a demon—obviously not a normal child; yet he was gifted, and at a young age he was already an outstanding figure of the Mount Yin Sect.'"

Mu Yuanzhi held back her question about how old the Nine Thousand Years Old was, patiently waiting for him to finish.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi restrained herself from asking the Nine Thousand Years Old his exact age, patiently waiting for him to finish."

This is already beyond the level of mere acquaintance, right?

Translation: "This is already beyond the level of mere acquaintance, right?"

Clearly, we're quite familiar.

Translation: "Obviously, we're quite familiar."

"He's from the Southern Border, grew up by the Black Sea, later went to the Mount Yin Sect, and after that I never saw him again—until today." the Nine Thousand Years Old said with a somewhat nostalgic tone.

According to the glossary, the region translates to Southern Border, the sea translates to Black Sea, the sect name translates to Mount Yin Sect, the self-reference translates to I, and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "'He's a person from the Southern Border, grew up by the Black Sea, later went to the Mount Yin Sect, and after that I didn't see him again until today.' the Nine Thousand Years Old said in a somewhat nostalgic tone."

"He's from the Southern Border and grew up by the Black Sea—no wonder he looks so eerie." Mu Yuanzhi said.

According to the glossary, the region translates to Southern Border, the sea translates to Black Sea, and the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi.

Thus: "'He's from the Southern Border and also grew up by the Black Sea—no wonder he looks so eerie.' Mu Yuanzhi said."

The Nine Thousand Years Old said, "This person keeps to himself, always pondering something unknown, but the Mount Yin Sect isn't exactly a prestigious orthodox school, nor is it an evil heretical path."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the sect name translates to Mount Yin Sect.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old said: 'This person keeps to himself, always pondering something unknown, but the Mount Yin Sect is hardly a respectable orthodox school, and certainly not an evil heretical path.'"

Pei Di couldn't help but say, "Which legitimate sect would take in someone like this?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "Pei Di couldn't help but say: 'Which proper sect would take in someone like this?'"

The Nine Thousand Years Old chuckled, "Education without discrimination."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "The Nine Thousand Years Old smiled: 'Education knows no class.'"

"Looks like he didn't learn well either." Pei Di said bluntly.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Pei Di.

Thus: "'Looks like he didn't learn well either.' Pei Di said bluntly."

"Given that, it's not surprising he could pass such a profound mental technique to Xiao Yichen." Mu Yuanzhi said.

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi and the other name translates to Xiao Yichen.

Thus: "'In that case, it's no surprise he could transmit such a profound mental technique to Xiao Yichen.' Mu Yuanzhi said."

"So, as I just said, he's extraordinarily talented—he managed to encapsulate an entire sect's martial arts into a tiny mental formula; theoretically possible, but no one has ever actually achieved it except him." the Nine Thousand Years Old said, "Being able to witness it firsthand, I'm quite delighted."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old and the self-reference translates to I.

Thus: "'So, as I just said, he's gifted—able to encapsulate an entire sect's martial arts in a tiny mental formula; theoretically possible, yet no one besides him has ever managed it.' The Nine Thousand Years Old said, 'Being able to witness it firsthand, I'm quite delighted.'"

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but ask, "Nine Thousand Years Old Sir, your visit to Great Zhou surely isn't just to accompany the Emperor, is it?"

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old, the dynasty name translates to Great Zhou, and the honorific translates to the Emperor.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but ask: 'Nine Thousand Years Old, your visit to Great Zhou this time surely isn't just to accompany the Emperor, is it?'"

"It's really that simple, Princess—don't overthink people's motives. I suppose I could count as a subject; accompanying the Emperor on this mission is a duty I cannot shirk." the Nine Thousand Years Old said, looking around, "Moreover, being able to come again to Great Zhou, this land of outstanding talent and spirit, fills me with joy as well."

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old, the title translates to Princess, the self-reference translates to I, the honorific translates to the Emperor, and the dynasty name translates to Great Zhou.

Thus: "'It's really that simple, Princess—don't think of me as overly complicated. I, for my part, am also a subject; accompanying the Emperor on this envoy is a duty I cannot shirk.' The Nine Thousand Years Old said, looking around, 'Moreover, being able to come again to Great Zhou, this land of outstanding talent and spiritual vigor, I am also filled with joy.'"

Mu Yuanzhi knew it would be hard to get any useful information out of the Nine Thousand Years Old's mouth; besides

According to the glossary, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi and 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old.

Thus: "Mu Yuanzhi knew it would be hard to get any useful words out of the Nine Thousand Years Old's mouth; besides, this person indeed had no record of troublemaking—perhaps he truly came purely on an envoy mission."

'Now she needs to pay attention to the Infant Void Emperor and that strange witch doctor.'

According to the glossary, the pronoun refers to Mu Yuanzhi and the term translates to Witch Doctor; the phrase 'Infant Void Emperor' is not a named entity and will be translated according to its meaning.

Thus: "Now she must pay attention to the Infant Void Emperor and that strange witch doctor."

We translate the term as 'Infant Void Emperor'.

Thus: "Now she must pay attention to the Infant Void Emperor and that strange witch doctor."

'After bidding farewell to the Nine Thousand Years Old, Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Di also went their separate ways—one returning to the imperial palace, the other heading to the nearly completed Grand General's Manor.'

According to the glossary, 'nine thousand years old' translates to Nine Thousand Years Old, the name translates to Mu Yuanzhi, the name translates to Pei Di, 'imperial palace' translates to Imperial Palace, and 'grand general's manor' translates to Grand General's Manor.

Thus: "After parting with the Nine Thousand Years Old, Mu Yuanzhi and Pei Di also went their separate ways—one heading back to the Imperial Palace, the other to the nearly completed Grand General's Manor."

Mu Yuanzhi gazed at this newly renewed mansion, myriad feelings welled up.

Here, someday it will rise again!

She stood outside the door, as if she could see the scene of her father and mother living back then.

They eagerly awaited her arrival, and then……

"Don't cry, little Zhiyan."