Free Web NovelChapter 235: Chapter 204: First-Rank Official, Alien Prince Title_2
Step 1: Contextual Analysis
Literary genre: Chinese web novel/xianxia/wuxia genre - this appears to be a cultivation/martial arts fantasy novel set in imperial China.
Language style: Formal with classical Chinese elements, dialogue-heavy with political intrigue.
Tone: Serious, with elements of political tension and martial arts culture.
Plot keywords: Political intrigue, martial artists, imperial politics, negotiation, power dynamics.
Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male protagonist, appears to be a young but powerful martial artist who has gained control of Dinghai City
- Xu Kai (徐凯): Male official/envoy sent by the imperial court/Prince Jing, experienced bureaucrat
- Pang Hao (庞豪): Male, appears to be one of Wu Liangchen’s subordinates or allies
- Prince Jing (靖亲王): Male, powerful prince who seems to be nearly as powerful as the emperor
- Prince Yu (裕亲王): Male, mentioned as Prince Jing’s rival who has fallen from power
- Young martial artists: Guards or followers of Wu Liangchen who control entry to Dinghai City
The context appears to be that Wu Liangchen has taken control of Dinghai City after driving out bandits from Cyan Cloud Mountain. The imperial court has sent Xu Kai as an envoy to negotiate with him, bringing offers from Prince Jing who wants to form an alliance with Wu Liangchen.
Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing
I will now translate the text paragraph by paragraph, ensuring I follow all the guidelines.
Now I’ll start the translation:
The first paragraph explains why Xu Kai undertook this difficult mission, traveling day and night to reach Dinghai City.
The next few paragraphs describe how Xu Kai encounters difficulty entering the city, as the guards are vigilant and search everyone. Despite his official status, he has to submit to being searched.
Then we see Wu Liangchen being informed about the imperial envoy and deciding to meet him, also summoning Pang Hao and other martial artists.
The meeting occurs at what appears to be a theater hall. Wu Liangchen deliberately creates an intimidating atmosphere to test Xu Kai.
Xu Kai reveals he comes bearing gifts and an offer from Prince Jing, who wants to ally with Wu Liangchen and is willing to grant him significant power, including the title of "Alien Prince" (a title for non-royal family members).
I’ll now proceed with the full translation, paying careful attention to all the terms in the glossary.
This was why Xu Kai had undertaken this arduous task, traveling day and night without rest, finally arriving at Dinghai City.
But to his surprise, he encountered problems before he could even enter the city.
He couldn’t even get into the city now—how was he supposed to win the other party over?
However, as a seasoned official who had spent most of his life navigating the political arena, Xu Kai quickly adjusted his attitude.
Since he couldn’t intimidate them with his official authority, he immediately put on a friendly face.
"There’s no need for all this, gentlemen. If you need to search us, we’ll gladly cooperate, won’t we?"
Then he turned to his guards and said, "What are you standing around for? Get off your horses and submit to inspection immediately!"
All these guards came from the Imperial Guard.
As soldiers tasked with protecting the imperial palace, they all had impressive backgrounds—many were even distantly related to the emperor himself. This had fostered their arrogant and overbearing personalities.
But now, away from the Imperial Capital and faced with a pack of wolf-like young Martial Artists who would draw their swords at the slightest provocation, these usually domineering men wilted, obediently dismounting to be searched.
Witnessing this scene from afar, the common folk couldn’t help but point and gossip, occasionally breaking into jeers and mockery.
But as a qualified bureaucrat, Xu Kai had long developed a thick skin. He remained completely unfazed by their pointing and whispering, and even cooperatively removed his official robes, allowing the young Martial Artists to search him.
These young Martial Artists were rather surprised, but since their visitors were being so cooperative, they didn’t want to make things difficult. They secretly sent someone to notify Wu Liangchen in the city.
When Wu Liangchen received the report, he had just finished his daily Cultivation routine. Upon hearing the news, he frowned slightly.
"An imperial envoy?"
"Yes, we’ve checked his credentials. They appear genuine," the Martial Artist replied respectfully.
Wu Liangchen pondered briefly before immediately understanding what was happening, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
"Did this so-called imperial envoy say anything else?"
"This fellow named Xu Kai keeps insisting on meeting you, Master Wu. We didn’t dare make a decision ourselves, so we came to ask for your instructions."
"Let him in, and call Pang Hao and the others over as well," Wu Liangchen instructed.
"Yes, sir!"
The young Martial Artist immediately withdrew.
Wu Liangchen sat down and leisurely sipped his tea.
Now with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the summer heat was gradually dissipating, especially in the early mornings and evenings, which had grown somewhat cool.
But Wu Liangchen still preferred his cold tea, sitting in the main hall of the theater building, waiting.
Before the time it takes to drink a cup of tea had passed, Pang Hao rushed in.
Having already learned what had happened outside the city, he immediately asked, "Master Wu, how should we handle this imperial envoy?"
"Let’s meet with him first. This fellow has some courage to come to Dinghai City at a time like this just to claim credit—that’s at least better than those other officials," Wu Liangchen said with a smile.
Pang Hao felt greatly relieved, realizing that Wu Liangchen had already made up his mind.
On his way here, he had been somewhat anxious, fearing that Wu Liangchen might, due to his youth, be fooled by the empty promises of these old bureaucrats and surrender the fruits of their hard-won victory.
Now it seemed his worries had been unnecessary.
Soon, all the Martial Artists remaining in the city arrived.
Upon learning what was about to happen, they displayed various reactions.
Some looked worried, while others cracked their knuckles in anticipation.
This revealed how deeply the Great Yan’s hundreds of years of rule had marked them.
Wu Liangchen observed everyone’s reactions closely but maintained a neutral expression, waving his hand to signal for the visitors to be brought in.
Soon, Xu Kai was escorted into the theater building by several young Martial Artists.
As soon as he entered, he was met with the predatory gazes of the gathered Martial Artists. Despite his mental preparation, Xu Kai couldn’t help but tense up, feeling a sudden urge to urinate.
Fortunately, years of training in the political arena had given him sufficient composure. He forcefully suppressed his fear, greeted everyone with a smile and repeated nods as he made his way to the center of the hall.
Without needing to ask, one glance told Xu Kai that the young man sitting in the chair with a dignified presence must be Wu Liangchen.
He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed, "Greetings, Young Hero Wu!"
Wu Liangchen glanced at Xu Kai, noticing he had no foundation and was just an ordinary person. And despite his excellent disguise, the fear deep in his eyes betrayed him.
Wu Liangchen smiled, then leaned back in his chair, lightly tapping his fingers on the armrest while silently watching Xu Kai.
The entire hall grew quiet, with only the crisp tapping sound audible.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense with each rhythmic tap.
At first, Xu Kai managed to hold his composure, but soon his face turned pale, and large beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Even so, he forced himself to stand firm.
Finally, when he began to sway, Wu Liangchen suddenly spoke, "Speak. I’ll give you three sentences."
Relieved, Xu Kai took several deep breaths before looking at Wu Liangchen with lingering fear.
The fact that his mere gaze carried such immense pressure meant the reports were wrong—this Wu Liangchen hadn’t reached this position through luck or coincidence; he truly had ability.
So Xu Kai immediately changed his approach, abandoning his prepared speech and speaking with genuine sincerity.
"Young Hero Wu, the imperial court knows that you personally led righteous fighters to drive the bandits from Cyan Cloud Mountain out of Dinghai City. They greatly admire you and have specially sent me to commend you."
"First sentence!" Wu Liangchen said impassively, without even blinking.
Xu Kai bit his lip and quickly continued, "The imperial court has also allocated fifty thousand silver coins as a reward."
In fact, on his journey here, Xu Kai had contemplated skimming a little off the top.
After all, fifty thousand silver coins was a sum beyond most people’s wildest dreams.
Taking a small cut for himself shouldn’t cause any problems, he’d thought.
But after seeing Wu Liangchen’s calm demeanor, Xu Kai suddenly lost his nerve. Those petty thoughts vanished, and he offered his most sincere terms.
Yet faced with this enormous sum, Wu Liangchen merely smiled and said, "Second sentence!"
Cold sweat instantly poured down Xu Kai’s forehead as panic seized him.
He never expected Wu Liangchen would refuse to follow the usual protocol.
He wouldn’t even let him speak at length.
This way, no matter how many strategies Xu Kai had prepared, they would be useless.
But having come this far, he had to make one desperate attempt.
"My master has entrusted me with a few words for you, but I don’t know if Young Hero Wu is interested?"
Wu Liangchen fell silent.
Only then did Xu Kai breathe a slight sigh of relief, carefully watching Wu Liangchen.
After a moment, Wu Liangchen slowly asked, "Who is your master?"
Xu Kai glanced around, looking somewhat reluctant.
Seeing that Wu Liangchen had no intention of dismissing the others, he could only grit his teeth and say, "My master is Prince Jing."
Several gasps echoed through the hall.
Prince Jing was renowned, with many stories about him circulating even among commoners.
Especially after his rival Prince Yu had fallen from favor, Prince Jing had joined forces with the Empress Dowager and now even the emperor himself wasn’t in his eyes. He had essentially become the second-in-command of the empire.
No one expected that Xu Kai would be Prince Jing’s man, traveling such a long distance—he must have important business to discuss with Wu Liangchen.
Only Wu Liangchen remained calm, as he had already guessed that Xu Kai must have come with an agenda.
And it seemed that currently, only Prince Jing’s faction could still make waves at court.
"Oh? What does he wish to tell me?" Wu Liangchen asked with interest.
"My master says that you possess extraordinary talent and limitless potential. He is willing to cede all interests in Dinghai City to you—he just needs a nominal position to fulfill his duties."
Hearing this, the Martial Artists stirred again.
The offer was incredibly generous.
Meanwhile, Xu Kai observed Wu Liangchen’s reaction and, seeing that he remained calm without any sign of anger, immediately continued.
"My master also said that if you’re willing, he can immediately report to the imperial court to grant you the title of Alien Prince, with a genuine first-rank official position."
