Free Web NovelChapter 174: Chapter 155: Feihu Gorge, Returning to Dinghai City
## Step 1: Contextual Analysis
### Literary Genre:
This appears to be a Chinese fantasy/martial arts web novel (wuxia/xianxia). It focuses on martial artists, regional powers, and has elements of adventure and political intrigue.
### Language Style:
The original text uses a formal narrative style with straightforward descriptions. It includes both dialogue and third-person narration, with some internal monologue. The writing is clear and relatively concise.
### Tone:
The tone is serious but not overly formal. It has moments of reflection and light emotion, especially when dealing with characters’ reactions and personal feelings.
### Plot Keywords: freewebnovёl.ƈom
Journey, martial artist, regional politics, mountain pass, return home, tension, anticipation, reunion
### Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰) - Male protagonist, a skilled martial artist/warrior who is returning to Dinghai City
- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿) - Female character mentioned but not present in this Chapter
- Bai Erya (白二丫) - Female character, daughter of Uncle Bai
- Uncle Bai/Bai family elder (白老头/白叔) - Male, older character, used to sell wonton soup, father of Bai Erya
- Dongchuan (东川) - Male character mentioned but not present in this scene
## Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing
Now I’ll translate the text while applying the rules and guidelines:
At the border between Jing’an County and Yunmeng County lay a vast stretch of towering mountains, with only one passable road—the renowned Feihu Gorge.
Despite being early summer, the mountains still carried a chilly air.
A roe deer cautiously approached a small mountain stream to drink, occasionally lifting its head to vigilantly scan its surroundings.
Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed through the forest at incredible speed.
The startled deer attempted to flee, but in the next instant, a stone ended its life.
Wu Liangchen landed beside the stream, first taking a few sips of water before beginning to dress the deer.
Moments later, a campfire blazed, and the deer meat sizzled with dripping fat as it roasted.
After sprinkling some fine salt, Liangchen couldn’t wait for it to cool and began devouring large mouthfuls.
Since leaving the Huangpu Guard the previous evening, Liangchen hadn’t rested for a moment. Racing through the night, he had incredibly traversed half of Jing’an County to reach this place.
Once through Feihu Gorge ahead, he would officially enter Yunmeng County.
The journey ahead would be more challenging, however, as Cyan Cloud Mountain lay near the gorge’s exit.
The last time he passed through here, Liangchen had taken Yang Lian’Er and the others on a long detour to avoid trouble.
But this time was different. Having learned that Cyan Cloud Mountain planned to target Dinghai City, Liangchen naturally wanted to observe any new developments they might have.
Let me briefly describe the positions of Huai Mountain, Yunmeng, and Jing’an counties.
Huai Mountain County is the northernmost, bordering Dinghai City to the north and connecting with Yunmeng County to the south.
Jing’an County’s territory is long and needle-shaped, with much of it extending deep into Yunmeng, almost encircled by it.
The Huangpu Guard is situated at the southernmost tip of this long needle.
So calculating by actual distance, Yunmeng County is closer to Dinghai City—separated by just one county—than it is to the Huangpu Guard.
This is one reason why Cyan Cloud Mountain has consistently targeted Dinghai City to the north while rarely involving itself with the Huangpu Guard.
Of course, distance was only one factor. The Huangpu Guard was also home to deeply entangled, complex factions. So despite Cyan Cloud Mountain’s formidable strength, they found themselves unable to extend their influence that far.
Soon, Liangchen had consumed most of the deer. He extinguished the fire and continued his journey.
By now daylight had broken, and the road was filled with merchant caravans.
Feihu Gorge had been an important trade route since ancient times, and the current weather—neither too hot nor too cold—made it the perfect season for merchants to travel.
Those with strength and capital could hire carriages and horses, traveling with entourages, while those with limited funds could only venture forth alone as independent traders.
Thus, Liangchen blended in without drawing much attention.
However, the observant could tell from the long package on his back and the bow case slung across his shoulder that he was undoubtedly a trained fighter, possibly even a Martial Artist.
Along the way, several merchant caravans attempted to recruit him.
Liangchen declined them all.
Feihu Gorge stretched about seventy li. With Liangchen’s pace, he reached its end in just over half a day.
A tall mountain stood there with a checkpoint built at its foot—the place where Cyan Cloud Mountain collected tolls from passing merchants.
The fee wasn’t much—fifty copper coins per carriage, and just ten copper coins for independent traders.
This amount was less about revenue and more about making a statement.
It declared Cyan Cloud Mountain’s control over the region.
Don’t underestimate this small gesture—the power of habit is immense.
Once people became accustomed to paying Cyan Cloud Mountain, they implicitly acknowledged its legitimacy.
Liangchen didn’t argue, simply paying the ten copper toll before sitting aside to wait for the gate to open.
During this time, he surreptitiously observed the surrounding buildings and the equipment worn by the guards.
What he saw made his heart sink.
These guards all wore identical battle uniforms with red headbands and long sabers at their waists. They had clearly evolved beyond mountain bandits and now resembled an elite army.
This alone revealed Cyan Cloud Mountain’s considerable ambition.
While Liangchen was observing, a guard captain waved a flag toward the gate.
Immediately, the gates opened, and merchant caravans surged through like a tide. Liangchen followed behind, exiting the checkpoint and continuing forward until he left the mountainous area and entered the plains.
Liangchen found an abandoned temple to sleep in, then resumed his journey at dusk.
With his extraordinary speed, he left Yunmeng County and entered Huai Mountain County in just half a night.
The scenery here was even more desolate than before. Roadside fields were overgrown with weeds, and abandoned villages had half-collapsed.
Occasionally, bleached bones could be seen protruding from the tall grass.
Liangchen sighed, knowing that Huai Mountain County was thoroughly ruined. Being inland and lacking natural mountain defenses, it had historically been a battleground.
Wave after wave of armies and bandits had come and gone, leaving countless wronged souls on this suffering land.
Merchant caravans passing through would hasten their pace, fearing encounters with bandits or other unclean things.
If one were to survey Great Yan’s territory from above, they would discover that this empire resembled an elderly invalid suffering from widespread embolism. Many regions lacked not just people but even trade routes.
If not for the shipbuilding technology imported from overseas in recent years, which had sparked a maritime trade boom, Great Yan would have completely collapsed long ago.
In fact, trade between the Huangpu Guard, Dinghai City, and other coastal cities had already shifted from land to sea routes.
This explained why the Huangpu Guard remained unmoved despite Cyan Cloud Mountain’s occupation of Feihu Gorge.
Traveling by night and resting briefly during the day, Liangchen entered Dinghai City’s territory in just three days.
Looking at the increasingly familiar scenery, Liangchen felt quite emotional.
Though only half a year had passed, everything felt somehow changed, giving him a sense that while places remained the same, people had not.
Finally.
As lanterns were being lit that evening, Liangchen entered Dinghai City.
The city hadn’t changed much, though the streets had become more desolate and quiet.
Even at dinner time, restaurants stood empty, and there were fewer rickshaw pullers than before.
Liangchen didn’t linger but hurried toward the southern part of the city.
The Bai family home.
After dinner, Old Man Bai was polishing his wonton cart in the courtyard.
Though it had been unused for a long time, the cart remained spotless, polished to a bright shine by Old Man Bai.
After finishing, he caressed the gleaming cart and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
"Old friend, I’ve let you down!"
Bai Erya, who was doing needlework by the window, heard this and glanced into the courtyard before saying with a smile:
"Father, if you miss it so much, why not make wontons at home? I’ll be your customer, how about that?"
Old Man Bai shook his head helplessly. "Silly girl, it’s not the same. I just feel like my old bones are rusting away, eating and sleeping day in and day out."
Erya smiled with pursed lips. She was about to say something when suddenly she heard a knock at the door.
"Who could that be at this late hour? Perhaps it’s young Dongchuan?" Old Man Bai muttered uncertainly.
Erya felt an inexplicable wave of anxiety. She stood up instinctively and said in a trembling voice: "Father, go see who it is!"
Old Man Bai went to the door and asked softly: "Who’s there?"
A light chuckle came from outside. "Uncle Bai, it’s me!"
Old Man Bai was thunderstruck. He instinctively turned to look at his daughter.
Upon hearing that voice, Bai Erya suddenly turned and rushed back into the house.
