Chapter 273

Heavenly soldiers and generals?

Heavenly soldiers and generals?

As it turns out, that great lama's ambition is enormous.

As it turns out, that great lama's ambition is that great.

It's ridiculous that Hui Chong is so foolish, actually believing the great lama's words.

Translation: "The ridiculous thing is, Hui Cong is also that muddle-headed, truly believing the great lama's words." We'll translate: "The ridiculous thing is, Hui Cong is also that muddle-headed, truly believing the great lama's words."

From this we can see that Hui Chong is certainly not someone capable of great responsibility.

Translation: "From this, it can be seen that Hui Cong is indeed not someone capable of great responsibility." We'll translate: "From this, it can be seen that Hui Cong is indeed not someone capable of great responsibility."

No wonder Old Lady Hui looks down on him.

No wonder Old Lady Hui looks down on him.

Although Old Lady Hui is old, she is not foolish.

Translation: "Old Lady Hui may be old, but she is not muddle-headed." We'll translate: "Old Lady Hui may be old, but she is not muddle-headed."

The grand Grey Immortal Hall she has devoted her life to protecting, if it were truly handed over to Hui Chong, would mark the beginning of its downfall.

Translation: "The vast Gray Immortal Hall she has devoted her life to protecting, if it were truly handed over to Hui Cong, would be the beginning of its downfall." We'll translate: "The vast Gray Immortal Hall she has devoted her life to protecting, if it were truly handed over to Hui Cong, would be the beginning of its downfall."

Old Lady Hui is indeed very capable; at crucial moments she can let go and make the correct decision.

Translation: "Old Lady Hui is indeed quite capable, able to let go at critical moments and make the most correct decisions." We'll translate: "Old Lady Hui is indeed quite capable, able to let go at critical moments and make the most correct decisions."

Now Hui Xiao Tiao has returned, Hui Chong has completely lost his fighting spirit, with Old Lady Hui and Hui Yu Mo assisting from the side, Hui Xiao Tiao will surely grow quickly.

Translation: "Now Hui Xiaotiao has returned, Hui Cong has completely lost his fighting spirit, with Old Lady Hui and Hui Yumo assisting from the side, Hui Xiaotiao will surely grow in the shortest time." We'll translate: "Now Hui Xiaotiao has returned, Hui Cong has completely lost his fighting spirit, with Old Lady Hui and Hui Yumo assisting from the side, Hui Xiaotiao will surely grow in the shortest time."

At this moment I am also glad that I took on Old Lady Hui's order; I bet correctly.

Translation: "At this moment I also feel fortunate; taking on Old Lady Hui's order back then, I guessed right." We'll translate: "At this moment I also feel fortunate; taking on Old Lady Hui's order back then, I guessed right."

Hui Xiao Tiao's growth and the stability of the Grey Immortal Hall will be our greatest support.

Translation: "Hui Xiaotiao's growth and the stability of the Gray Immortal Hall will be our greatest assistance." We'll translate: "Hui Xiaotiao's growth and the stability of the Gray Immortal Hall will be our greatest assistance."

Hui Yu Mo said, worried: "Our biggest challenge now is the ancient battlefield Hui Chong spoke of; the ancient battlefield not only has zombies but also troops of Yin soldiers, which are well-trained, battle-hardened true soldiers!"

Translation: "Hui Yumo finished speaking, worried: 'Our biggest challenge now is the ancient battlefield Hui Cong spoke of; the ancient battlefield not only has corpse demons, but also troops of yin soldiers, which are well-trained, having experienced great battles, truly soldiers!'" We'll translate: "Hui Yumo finished speaking, worried: 'Our biggest challenge now is the ancient battlefield Hui Cong spoke of; the ancient battlefield not only has corpse demons, but also troops of yin soldiers, which are well-trained, having experienced great battles, truly soldiers!'"

"The most terrifying thing is that this ancient battlefield has existed since at least the early Tang dynasty." I pointed out the crux: "The armor on the zombies and the golden halberd he uses are both early Tang dynasty artifacts; he died there, so how did he die originally?"

Translation: "'The most terrifying thing is, this ancient battlefield has existed since at least the early Tang dynasty.' I pointed out the crux: 'The armor on the corpse demons' bodies, and the golden mace he uses, are early Tang dynasty artifacts; he died in battle there, so how did he die in battle back then?'" We need to keep the quote marks and line break? The line includes a quote and then speaker attribution. We'll keep as one line: "\"The most terrifying thing is, this ancient battlefield has existed since at least the early Tang dynasty. \" I pointed out the crux: \"The armor on the corpse demons' bodies, and the golden mace he uses, are early Tang dynasty artifacts; he died in battle there, so how did he die in battle back then? \""

But we need to keep the Chinese punctuation? We'll translate punctuation to English equivalents.

Let's produce: "\"The most terrifying thing is, this ancient battlefield has existed since at least the early Tang dynasty. \" I pointed out the crux: \"The armor on the corpse demons' bodies, and the golden mace he uses, are early Tang dynasty artifacts; he died in battle there, so how did he die in battle back then? \""

Could he have also encountered even earlier Yin soldiers, and thus become a Yin soldier after death?

Translation: "Could he also have encountered even earlier yin soldiers, and thus after death become a yin soldier?" We'll translate: "Could he also have encountered even earlier yin soldiers, and thus after death become a yin soldier?"

The early Tang dynasty battlefield saw fighting continue into the Republican era over a hundred years ago; over all those years, how many battles took place here, how many soldiers died, and how many became new Yin soldiers?

Translation: "The early Tang dynasty ancient battlefield, until over a hundred years ago in the Republican era, still saw battles; so, over these many years, how many battles have taken place here? How many soldiers died there, and how many became new yin soldiers?" We'll translate: "The early Tang dynasty ancient battlefield, until over a hundred years ago in the Republican era, still saw battles; so, over these many years, how many battles have taken place here? How many soldiers died there, and how many became new yin soldiers?"

The fact that the great lama chose this deep mountain in Changshi and lingered there for a long time shows that this ancient battlefield is worth his considerable effort.

Translation: "That great lama's choosing this deep mountain in Chang City and lingering there for a long time is enough to show that this ancient battlefield is worth his pouring sufficient effort into." We'll translate: "That great lama's choosing this deep mountain in Chang City and lingering there for a long time is enough to show that this ancient battlefield is worth his pouring sufficient effort into."

It's no wonder that after fleeing from Niuhu Mountain, he would hide out here.

Translation: "No wonder, after fleeing from Ox Tiger Mountain, he would hide out here." We'll translate: "No wonder, after fleeing from Ox Tiger Mountain, he would hide out here."

Thinking of this, I was shaken again and instinctively looked at Liu Junyan.

Translation: "Thinking of this, I was shaken again, and subconsciously looked toward Liu Junyan." We'll translate: "Thinking of this, I was shaken again, and subconsciously looked toward Liu Junyan."

Sure enough, Liu Junyan's brows were furrowed; at the moment our eyes met, I knew we were thinking the same thing.

Translation: "Sure enough, Liu Junyan's brows were tightly furrowed; at the moment our eyes met, I knew we had thought of the same thing." We'll translate: "Sure enough, Liu Junyan's brows were tightly furrowed; at the moment our eyes met, I knew we had thought of the same thing."

Back then, beneath the temple on Niuhu Mountain, they kept many corpses.

Translation: "Back then, beneath that temple on Ox Tiger Mountain, many corpses were kept." We'll translate: "Back then, beneath that temple on Ox Tiger Mountain, many corpses were kept."

Those corpses came from the prison below the mountain; upon examination, we found that the birth charts of those executed criminals were problematic.

Translation: "Those corpses came from the prison at the mountain's base; after research, it was found that the death-row inmates' birth characters all had problems." We'll translate: "Those corpses came from the prison at the mountain's base; after research, it was found that the death-row inmates' birth characters all had problems."

At the time we didn't understand why the great lama, disguised as an ascetic monk, was keeping so many corpses in the temple.

Translation: "Back then we didn't understand: why would the great lama pretending to be an ascetic monk keep so many corpses in the temple?" We'll translate: "Back then we didn't understand: why would the great lama pretending to be an ascetic monk keep so many corpses in the temple?"

Moreover, those corpses were already able to form battle formations on their own.

Translation: "Moreover, those corpses were already able to form battle formations on their own." We'll translate: "Moreover, those corpses were already able to form battle formations on their own."

Even so, the distance from the Tibetan region to Niuhu Mountain is great; the great lama could not possibly lead the entire corpse formation back to Tibet by himself.

Translation: "But even so, the Tibetan Area is far from Ox Tiger Mountain; the great lama could not possibly lead the entire corpse formation back to the Tibetan Area by himself." We'll translate: "But even so, the Tibetan Area is far from Ox Tiger Mountain; the great lama could not possibly lead the entire corpse formation back to the Tibetan Area by himself."

Furthermore, if we hadn't intervened, the great lama would have had no intention of stopping.

Translation: "Moreover, if we hadn't suddenly intervened, the great lama would have had no intention of stopping." We'll translate: "Moreover, if we hadn't suddenly intervened, the great lama would have had no intention of stopping."

He had been stationed there long-term.

Translation: "He had been stationed there long-term." We'll translate: "He had been stationed there long-term."

What we couldn't understand back then, we now suddenly understand.

Translation: "Things we couldn't understand back then have now suddenly become clear." We'll translate: "Things we couldn't understand back then have now suddenly become clear."

As it turns out, the great lama's goal was not to transport the corpse formation back to Tibet, but this ancient battlefield in Changshi.

Translation: "It turns out the great lama's purpose was not to transport the corpse formation back to the Tibetan Area, but this ancient battlefield in Chang City." We'll translate: "It turns out the great lama's purpose was not to transport the corpse formation back to the Tibetan Area, but this ancient battlefield in Chang City."

Compared to Tibet, Changshi is much too close to Niuhu Mountain.

Translation: "Compared to the Tibetan Area, Chang City is much too close to Ox Tiger Mountain." We'll translate: "Compared to the Tibetan Area, Chang City is much too close to Ox Tiger Mountain."

Even if he took detours through remote rural areas, shipping corpses in batches over the years, who knows how many corpse formations the great lama has already added to this ancient battlefield in Changshi?

Translation: "Even if one took detours through remote rural areas, transporting corpses in batches, over the years, those great lamas don't even know how many corpse formations they've already added to this ancient battlefield in Chang City." We'll translate: "Even if one took detours through remote rural areas, transporting corpses in batches, over the years, those great lamas don't even know how many corpse formations they've already added to this ancient battlefield in Chang City."

The more I think about it, the more terrifying it feels; I feel my whole scalp going numb.

Translation: "The more I thought about it, the more terrifying it felt; I felt my whole scalp go numb." We'll translate: "The more I thought about it, the more terrifying it felt; I felt my whole scalp go numb."

Perhaps it was because Liu Junyan and I both felt a chill, the atmosphere too oppressive, and Hui Yu Mo also grew nervous, looking at me cautiously and asking, "Sister... is there something wrong?"

Translation: "Perhaps it was because I and Liu Junyan simultaneously grew cold, the atmosphere too suppressive, Hui Yumo also grew nervous, looking at me anxiously she asked: 'Sister... is there something wrong?'" We'll translate: "Perhaps it was because I and Liu Junyan simultaneously grew cold, the atmosphere too suppressive, Hui Yumo also grew nervous, looking at me anxiously she asked: 'Sister... is there something wrong?'"

I shook my head: "Yu Mo, you've been busy all night; go rest first, and tell Old Lady Hui to hold off on action; we'll discuss the ancient battlefield matter later."

Translation: "I shook my head: 'Yumo, you've been busy all night; go rest first, and by the way tell Grandma Hui to hold position for now; we'll discuss the ancient battlefield matter later.'" We'll translate: "I shook my head: 'Yumo, you've been busy all night; go rest first, and by the way tell Grandma Hui to hold position for now; we'll discuss the ancient battlefield matter later.'"

Hui Yu Mo, upon hearing this, realized something was wrong: "Sister, it's quite tricky, right?"

Translation: "Hui Yumo, upon hearing my words, realized something was wrong: 'Sister, it's quite tricky, right?'" We'll translate: "Hui Yumo, upon hearing my words, realized something was wrong: 'Sister, it's quite tricky, right?'"

I gave an affirmative hum.

Translation: "I hummed in acknowledgment." We'll translate: "I hummed in acknowledgment."

Hui Yu Mo then stopped asking: "Okay, I'll tell her; you also rest a bit, and call me if you need anything."

Translation: "Hui Yumo then stopped asking: 'Okay, I'll tell her; you guys also rest a bit, just call me if you need anything.'" We'll translate: "Hui Yumo then stopped asking: 'Okay, I'll tell her; you guys also rest a bit, just call me if you need anything.'"

After seeing Hui Yu Mo off, I turned to Liu Junyan and asked, "Ah Yan, you also thought of the corpse formation on Niuhu Mountain, right?"

Translation: "Seeing Hui Yumo off, I turned to look at Liu Junyan and asked: 'Āyàn, you also thought of the corpse formation on Ox Tiger Mountain, right?'" We'll translate: "Seeing Hui Yumo off, I turned to look at Liu Junyan and asked: 'Āyàn, you also thought of the corpse formation on Ox Tiger Mountain, right?'"

Liu Junyan nodded, taking out the golden scale he had retrieved from the three-eyed toad, playing with it in his hand, thoughtfully saying: "Not only the corpse formation, but the golden scale from Niuhu Mountain and this one from Changshi actually come from the same person."

Translation: "Liu Junyan nodded, taking out the Golden Scale he had reclaimed from the three-eyed toad, playing with it in his hand, thoughtfully saying: 'Not only the corpse formation, the Golden Scale from Ox Tiger Mountain and this one in Chang City actually come from the same person.'" We'll translate: "Liu Junyan nodded, taking out the Golden Scale he had reclaimed from the three-eyed toad, playing with it in his hand, thoughtfully saying: 'Not only the corpse formation, the Golden Scale from Ox Tiger Mountain and this one in Chang City actually come from the same person.'"

Yes.

Translation: "Yes." We'll translate: "Yes."

I actually overlooked that these two golden scales should both come from the great lama disguised as an ascetic monk!

Translation: "I actually overlooked that these two Golden Scales should both come from that great lama pretending to be an ascetic monk!" We'll translate: "I actually overlooked that these two Golden Scales should both come from that great lama pretending to be an ascetic monk!"

Good heavens!

Translation: "Good heavens!" We'll translate: "Good heavens!"

Liu Junyan said: "I'm wondering whether he still has more in his hand."

Translation: "Liu Junyan said: 'I'm now wondering whether he still has any in his hand.'" We'll translate: "Liu Junyan said: 'I'm now wondering whether he still has any in his hand.'"

He paused, looked up at me, and said: "In other words, does he have anyone behind him? Whether at Niuhu Mountain or Changshi, he is merely someone who sets up and guards formations."

Translation: "He paused, lifted his eyes to look at me: 'In other words, does he still have someone behind him? Whether it's Ox Tiger Mountain or Chang City, he is merely someone who lays and guards formations.'" We'll translate: "He paused, lifted his eyes to look at me: 'In other words, does he still have someone behind him? Whether it's Ox Tiger Mountain or Chang City, he is merely someone who lays and guards formations.'"

The more Liu Junyan spoke, the more alarmed I became.

Translation: "The more Liu Junyan spoke, the more my heart trembled." We'll translate: "The more Liu Junyan spoke, the more my heart trembled."

I know he has deeper thoughts he hasn't spoken outright, but I understand.

Translation: "I know he still has deeper words he hasn't directly said, but I understand." We'll translate: "I know he still has deeper words he hasn't directly said, but I understand."

Because of the identity of this person who sets up and guards formations.

Translation: "Because of the identity of that one who lays and guards formations." We'll translate: "Because of the identity of that one who lays and guards formations."

That is a great lama from Tibet disguised as an ascetic monk.

Translation: "That is a great lama from the Tibetan Area who pretends to be an ascetic monk." We'll translate: "That is a great lama from the Tibetan Area who pretends to be an ascetic monk."

A high monk who left a Tibetan monastery to wander the world...

Translation: "A high monk who walks the world after leaving a temple in the Tibetan Area..." We'll translate: "A high monk who walks the world after leaving a temple in the Tibetan Area..."

If his wandering the world was from the start a conspiracy?

Translation: "If his walking the world was from the start a conspiracy?" We'll translate: "If his walking the world was from the start a conspiracy?"

If he did these things, it's not because he left the monastery and got lost in the temptations of the mundane world, taking a wrong turn?

Translation: "If he does these things, it's not that he left the temple to enter the mortal world, unable to resist the temptations of the flashy world, and went astray?" We'll translate: "If he does these things, it's not that he left the temple to enter the mortal world, unable to resist the temptations of the flashy world, and went astray?"

If he had been acting under orders from the beginning, holding two or more golden scales, marching and laying formations all the way to fulfill some mission?

Translation: "If he has been someone's pawn from the start, holding two or more Golden Scales, laying formations along the way, to accomplish some mission?" We'll translate: "If he has been someone's pawn from the start, holding two or more Golden Scales, laying formations along the way, to accomplish some mission?"

He comes from Buddhism.

Translation: "He comes from Buddhism." We'll translate: "He comes from Buddhism."

And Liu Xingyi is also a Buddhist.

Translation: "And Liu Xingyi is also a Buddhist." We'll translate: "And Liu Xingyi is also a Buddhist."

I suddenly grabbed Liu Junyan's hand and held it tightly.

Translation: "I suddenly grabbed Liu Junyan's hand tightly." We'll translate: "I suddenly grabbed Liu Junyan's hand tightly."

Only now did I truly feel the unspoken yearning of the Empty Silence Abbott.

Translation: "Only now did I truly feel the Empty Silence Abbott's unspoken words." We'll translate: "Only now did I truly feel the Empty Silence Abbott's unspoken words."

Only then did I truly realize the weight of the four words 'wandering the world'.

Translation: "Only then did I truly realize the weight of the four words 'wandering the world'!" We'll translate: "Only then did I truly realize the weight of the four words 'wandering the world'!"

Perhaps back then, Liu Xingyi encountered misfortune while practicing those four words.

Translation: "Perhaps back then, Liu Xingyi encountered misfortune on the path of practicing those four words." We'll translate: "Perhaps back then, Liu Xingyi encountered misfortune on the path of practicing those four words."

And Liu Junyan... will eventually walk this path as well.

Translation: "And Liu Junyan... will also eventually walk this path." We'll translate: "And Liu Junyan... will also eventually walk this path."

I opened my mouth, only feeling my throat dry, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

Translation: "I opened my mouth, only feeling my throat dry and wanting to say something, yet unable to speak." We'll translate: "I opened my mouth, only feeling my throat dry and wanting to say something, yet unable to speak."

The water vapor blurred my vision, and I could no longer see Liu Junyan's face clearly.

I turned my face aside, trying hard to push that vapor back, but I couldn't hold back.

I bowed my head, half covering my face as I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, struggling to calm my emotions, and when I looked at Liu Junyan again, I finally spoke.

My voice was a little hoarse and also trembling.

I heard myself ask him: "Āyàn, are you leaving?"

Is the calamity the Empty Silence Abbott mentioned coming just like this, silently and unnoticed?

At least ten years…

Before this, to me, this 'journey across the world' was merely a concept of time.

I only knew that once he left, it would be for a very long time.

But I was thinking, ten years? I'm barely past the age of thirty.

We will still have many, many more tens of years ahead.

But… reality is forever harsher than I imagined.

Only now do I realize that this journey across the world might cost Liu Junyan his life!

Just like Liu Xingyi back then.

Just like the Copper Coin Person.

This road, they have walked for a very long time, over and over again.

Yet they never reached the end.

They were stranded in that high tower in the Song Mountain Canyon; they were sealed in the west room of the Wufu Town Pawnshop; they were……