Chapter 314 - 247: In Front of Cyan Cloud Mountain, Inside the Small Tavern_2

Chapter 314: Chapter 247: In Front of Cyan Cloud Mountain, Inside the Small Tavern_2

Let me analyze this text to determine the genre, style, and tone before translating.

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: Chinese Wuxia/Xianxia novel (martial arts fantasy)

Language style: Narrative fiction with dialogue, action scenes, and character development

Tone: Serious with some tension and moments of dark humor

Plot keywords: martial artists, combat, mountain, journey, confrontation, traveler

Characters:

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male protagonist, powerful martial artist, currently on a journey

- Chen Er (陈二): Male innkeeper or shop owner

- Tong Dameng (佟大猛): Male martial artist, one of the Tong brothers

- Tong Ermeng (佟二猛): Male martial artist, the other Tong brother

- Unnamed woman: Female character who appears to be attractive and accompanying the Tong brothers

Now, I’ll proceed with the translation, carefully following all the specified guidelines.

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Starting the translation, following all the rules and guidelines specified:

Chen Er inwardly cursed his bad luck but didn’t dare say anything. He could only nod repeatedly and bow.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Soon, after throwing all of Chen Er’s cherished charcoal into the stove, the room became warm.

Though the woman was quite disgusted, she had no choice but to carefully wipe the table and chairs before sitting down.

At this time, the brothers Tong Dameng and Tong Ermeng instructed Chen Er to heat up the best wine in the shop, then took out the food they had brought with them, each eager to offer it to the woman.

"Here, little sister, try this. It’s braised beef I bought from Tongfu Restaurant in Dinghai City," Tong Dameng said, holding up a package of beef.

"In such cold weather, beef is difficult to digest. Try my braised pork knuckle instead. I heated it with steam, so it’s guaranteed clean," Tong Ermeng said as he opened a lotus leaf package containing steaming braised pork knuckle.

The woman merely sampled the food, taking only a few bites before putting down her chopsticks.

"You two brothers eat. I’m not hungry!"

After trying to persuade her a few more times and seeing she truly wouldn’t eat, the two brothers began eating themselves.

By then, the wine had been served. Though ordinary in quality, once heated it had its own special flavor.

And so the two men and one woman sat around the table, eating and chatting, occasionally bursting into loud laughter.

Chen Er wasn’t in such a good mood.

He didn’t know if he could recover the cost of the charcoal burned and the wine consumed.

If not, he would suffer a significant loss.

As he was secretly brooding, the door curtain suddenly lifted, and another person walked in from outside.

This person wore a cloak covered in snow, clearly having traveled a long distance.

Chen Er was both surprised and delighted.

Customers were like buses—none for ages, then several at once.

"Sir, what would you like to order?" Chen Er stepped forward eagerly.

"Bring me some hot dishes and a pot of warmed wine."

The voice was clear and crisp, obviously belonging to someone young.

The woman, who had finished eating and was leaning back in her chair with nothing to do, turned her head at the sound.

At that moment, the person removed his cloak, revealing a strikingly handsome face.

The woman’s eyes immediately lit up.

What a handsome young man.

Compared to him, the Tong brothers were hardly worth looking at.

Chen Er also seemed dumbfounded, as the newcomer’s attire clearly indicated he was no ordinary person, which made the innkeeper somewhat nervous.

"This... young master, my humble establishment only has simple food like boiled eggs and cured meat... you..."

"Anything will do. I’m not picky," Wu Liangchen said, then without even glancing at the woman who kept staring at him, went straight to a table and sat down.

Today was his second day since leaving Kyoto. After nearly a day and two nights of arduous travel, Wu Liangchen had crossed almost the entire Great Yan and finally arrived at Cyan Cloud Mountain, a necessary path on his way back to Huangpu Guard.

Throughout the journey, Wu Liangchen had barely rested, only occasionally stopping at roadside eateries for quick meals before continuing on his way.

Such intense travel would have exhausted other Martial Artists, but Wu Liangchen didn’t feel particularly tired.

Thanks to his abundant Qi and Blood supply, Wu Liangchen’s endurance had reached an almost terrifying level.

Without exaggeration, as long as he wanted to, he could keep going indefinitely.

However, upon reaching Cyan Cloud Mountain, Wu Liangchen decided to eat something first, and then head up the mountain to settle an old grudge.

After all, he hadn’t forgotten his past conflict with Cyan Cloud Mountain.

Strangely though, even though he’d reached the foot of the mountain, he hadn’t encountered any of Cyan Cloud Mountain’s lackeys or patrol teams.

What was going on?

Could these bandits also be on holiday for the New Year?

But Wu Liangchen soon put these doubts aside.

He would understand the situation once he went up the mountain. Speculating now would just be a waste of time.

As Chen Er went to prepare the wine and food, Wu Liangchen leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

But after only a moment, he frowned impatiently, raised his eyes to look at the distant table, and met the woman’s burning gaze.

The woman, beautiful as a flower, immediately displayed a radiant smile and even winked at Wu Liangchen.

Wu Liangchen remained completely unmoved and instead glanced at the Tong brothers beside her.

What were these second-tier Martial Artists doing here?

Just then, Chen Er brought the wine and dishes.

A plate of sliced boiled eggs, a plate of cured meat and ham, and a pot of heated wine.

Though the ingredients were simple, the food was steaming hot, which stimulated one’s appetite.

Wu Liangchen stopped paying attention to the three people and prepared to quickly finish his meal so he could go up the mountain to deal with Cyan Cloud Mountain.

But though he didn’t want to get involved in trouble, trouble came looking for him.

When the Tong brothers saw the woman staring blankly in the distance, they followed her gaze and their faces darkened.

Although they had known her for less than ten days in total and hadn’t even held hands, the two brothers already considered the woman who claimed her surname was Wen as their exclusive property, and wouldn’t tolerate anyone else coveting her.

So they exchanged a glance, put down their chopsticks without finishing their food, and stood up to walk toward Wu Liangchen.

Chen Er was startled. "Gentlemen..."

"This is none of your business. Get lost!" Tong Dameng waved his hand, and Chen Er stumbled back several steps, nearly falling over.

Meanwhile, the Tong brothers arrived at Wu Liangchen’s table, planted themselves on either side, and said with false smiles:

"Where did this pretty boy come from? With such delicate skin, you dare wander the jianghu? Aren’t you afraid of wetting your pants!"

Wu Liangchen acted as if he hadn’t heard them and continued eating.

Seeing this, disappointment flashed in the woman’s eyes.

Madams like money and girls like handsome men—she did indeed prefer good-looking men, but in this world where might makes right, strength and courage were paramount.

This handsome young man, who didn’t even dare to retort when insulted, proved by this alone that he was all show and no substance.

When the Tong brothers saw him remain silent, they became even more aggressive.

They had been worried that this young man traveling alone might be a master, but seeing his reaction, they relaxed.

Tong Dameng sneered, "I’m talking to you. Can’t you hear? All you do is eat, eat, eat. Hmph...!"

As he spoke, he was about to spit a glob of phlegm.

At that instant, a blue light suddenly flashed and pierced straight into Tong Dameng’s mouth.

THUD!

The tip of a chopstick protruded from the back of his head, trailing a streak of red and white fluid.

Tong Dameng’s mouth gaped wide, his face full of shock, confusion, and terror.

Gurgle... gurgle...

He tried to breathe, but the chopstick fragment lodged in his throat had blocked his airway.

So despite his desperate efforts, he could only make gurgling sounds.

Then Wu Liangchen, holding the only remaining chopstick, sighed slightly and said, "I just wanted to eat a meal. Why did you have to do this?"

"Brother!" Tong Ermeng finally reacted with a cry, trying to save his brother.

But it was too late. The light in Tong Dameng’s eyes quickly faded, and his corpse collapsed heavily to the ground.

"I’ll fight you to the death..." Tong Ermeng’s eyes bulged with rage as he channeled all his strength, turning his arms iron-gray before swinging at Wu Liangchen.

This punch was powerful enough to shatter a boulder, but Wu Liangchen merely raised his hand and flicked it lightly.

Then came a series of CRACK CRACK CRACK sounds. Tong Ermeng felt as if he had been trampled by ten thousand elephants. Every bone in his body shattered, blood flowed from his mouth and nose, and he collapsed like a puddle of mud.

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

Accompanied by applause, the woman stood up with bright eyes and an excited face, clapping as she exclaimed:

"What skill, what power! The Tong brothers were quite renowned in the jianghu, yet they couldn’t last two moves against you. Truly impressive!"

Wu Liangchen didn’t even glance at the woman. He simply took another chopstick from the holder and continued eating.

But the more he ignored her, the more interested in him she became.

She walked over with graceful steps, arriving at his table and preparing to sit down beside Wu Liangchen without even asking permission.

But at that moment, Wu Liangchen coldly raised his eyes.

"Get out!"