Chapter 94: Chapter 92: Eagle Claw Sect, The Twin Pillars of Great Yan

Let’s analyze this text first:

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese wuxia/xianxia novel (martial arts fantasy).

Language style: Formal narrative with classical Chinese elements, martial arts terminology, and a mix of dialogue and action.

Tone: Tense, suspenseful, with political intrigue.

Plot keywords: Pursuit, martial artists, political factions, capture, escape, imperial politics.

Characters:

- Xiao Rong (萧荣): Male, works for Prince Jing, trying to capture the White Lotus Saintess

- Wang Tianying (王天鹰): Male, the Eagle Claw Prince, leader of Eagle Claw Sect, works for Prince Yu

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male, seems to be on the run with others

- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿): Female, the White Lotus Saintess, being pursued

- Aunt Fan (樊姨): Female, accompanying Wu Liangchen

- Yan Zongtai (严宗泰): Male, appears to have unintentionally caused conflict by bringing Wang Tianying

- Miao Jiandong (苗建东): Male, a former guard who died, mentioned as backstory

Political context:

- Great Yan Empire (大燕) ruled nominally by a 20-year-old emperor

- Real power is with the Empress Dowager

- Two princes (Prince Yu and Prince Jing) serve as power pillars

- Factions competing for influence

Now, let’s translate the text following the guidelines provided:

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

I’ll translate the text line by line while applying the polishing rules.

When he saw this old man, Xiao Rong’s whole body trembled. His eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light as he spoke in an icy tone.

"Wang Tianying, what are you doing here?"

Upon hearing this name, the Martial Artists present couldn’t help but shudder in shock.

This name was simply too renowned.

Could this old man really be Wang Tianying, the Sect Leader of the Eagle Claw Sect in the northern region of Great Yan, known as the Eagle Claw Prince?

Wasn’t he supposed to be serving as the Guard Commander at Prince Yu’s Mansion in the Capital? Why had he suddenly appeared in Dinghai City?

While everyone was pondering these questions, Wang Tianying gave a sinister chuckle.

"Master Xiao, what a question. What do you think I’m doing here?"

Xiao Rong narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Wang Tianying before slowly saying, "Wang Tianying, you certainly know how to time your arrival. The Heartless Dao rebels have been defeated, and I’ve already forced the White Lotus Saintess to reveal herself. Now you show up to reap the rewards."

"Nothing in this world comes that easily."

As he finished speaking, Xiao Rong suddenly erupted with a fierce, murderous aura directed at Wang Tianying.

Wang Tianying remained completely unfazed, not even changing his smile.

"Master Xiao, why so angry? We both serve the same dynasty. How could you think so poorly of me?"

Xiao Rong responded with a cold, silent sneer.

Wang Tianying sighed, "To be honest, I’m here on my master’s orders to capture the White Lotus Saintess."

At this point, Wang Tianying looked at Xiao Rong and said, "Master Xiao, do you dare disobey Prince Yu’s commands?"

"Don’t try that with me!" To everyone’s surprise, Xiao Rong was completely unmoved, countering with a cold sneer.

"Prince Yu’s orders may carry weight, but they don’t apply to me. You have your master, and I have mine!"

The reason Xiao Rong showed no weakness was because his own master, Prince Jing—one of Great Yan’s two pillars of power—was no less influential than Prince Yu.

At this point, a brief introduction to Great Yan’s current power structure is necessary.

Although the current Emperor of Great Yan was already twenty years old, he held no real power and had essentially become a figurehead. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The true authority rested with his mother, the Empress Dowager of the imperial harem.

However, despite ruling from behind the curtain for over a decade, it was still inconvenient for a woman to manage such a vast empire.

To silence criticism from across the land, she had selected two men from the royal family to serve as her representatives.

These were the current "Two Pillars of Great Yan"—Prince Yu and Prince Jing.

Beyond them, numerous noble families and powerful martial arts sects were also entangled in the web of power, making the political landscape of the Capital incredibly complex and impossible to fully describe in a few words.

But at least the current situation was clear.

Xiao Rong belonged to Prince Jing’s faction and had come to suppress the Heartless Dao rebels while capturing the White Lotus Saintess.

Wang Tianying was Prince Yu’s subordinate, and his timing—not coming earlier or later, but precisely now—clearly showed he was here to steal the credit.

This naturally infuriated Xiao Rong, who had already considered Yang Lian’Er as good as captured.

Wang Tianying remained silent, but his disciples quietly moved forward.

Xiao Rong’s side refused to back down. His men gripped their weapons, glaring hostilely at Wang Tianying’s group.

The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

Yan Zongtai stood dumbfounded.

He had encountered Wang Tianying by chance on his way home.

Having previously visited the Capital, Yan Zongtai had seen Wang Tianying in person before.

In fact, his guard Miao Jiandong, who had died at the Five Blessings Hall carriage house, had been a member of the Eagle Claw Sect.

So upon seeing the old master, Yan Zongtai had thought nothing of it and eagerly brought him over.

He never expected this turn of events, which now filled him with regret.

’This is bad. I’ve clearly offended Xiao Rong now.’

Just then, Wang Tianying was the first to speak: "Master Xiao, don’t be so angry. Though we serve different masters, we both work for Great Yan. I believe this matter still has room for negotiation."

"What kind of negotiation?" Xiao Rong asked coldly.

He didn’t want a direct confrontation with Wang Tianying either. After all, his urgent priority was capturing Wu Liangchen and the White Lotus Saintess.

Every quarter hour they delayed increased the chances of Wu Liangchen and his companions escaping.

"I understand the situation. If you had already captured the White Lotus Saintess, Master Xiao, I would have nothing to say and would leave immediately. But the problem is that you’re currently at a loss, unable to capture these Heartless Dao bandits despite your efforts."

"So why don’t we cooperate? What do you think?"

"Cooperate how?" Xiao Rong’s tone softened slightly as he asked gravely.

"It’s simple. The current problem is that this pine forest is too vast to locate their tracks, correct? As it happens, I have something that can solve our current predicament."

As he spoke, a young disciple from behind him stepped forward carrying something.

When the black cloth was removed, it revealed an enormous gyrfalcon.

The gyrfalcon was nearly a meter long, with glossy feathers and luminescent spots on its tail. Its eagle eyes gleamed with golden light, captivating all who looked upon them.

Wang Tianying lovingly stroked the gyrfalcon’s feathers. "This is my Prince’s most treasured possession. Countless prey have fallen to its talons over the years. When leaving the Capital, the Prince specially entrusted it to me for the purpose of capturing the Heartless Dao witch."

"This divine bird is extraordinarily intelligent. Once released, it will survey the situation from high above. If it discovers our enemies, it will circle in the sky, marking their position."

At this point, Wang Tianying looked toward Xiao Rong.

"Master Xiao, I know you’ve already spent considerable effort on this matter, and I don’t wish to steal your accomplishment. How about this: we cooperate now, and when we discover that witch’s whereabouts, we’ll move in simultaneously. Whoever captures her gets the credit. What do you think?"

Despite his reluctance, Xiao Rong knew Wang Tianying was right.

With his limited manpower, finding Wu Liangchen and the others in this vast pine forest would be extremely difficult.

So after a moment’s consideration, he finally nodded.

"Fine."

Wang Tianying laughed heartily, "Then it’s settled."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of dried meat made from some unknown material and personally fed it to the gyrfalcon, while muttering something indistinct.

A moment later, the gyrfalcon swallowed the dried meat, then flapped its wings and soared high into the sky, disappearing from view.

"Within an hour at most, we’ll certainly find that witch’s trail," Wang Tianying declared confidently.

Xiao Rong snorted coldly but said nothing.

At the same time, Wu Liangchen had already returned to their temporary camp. Aunt Fan had packed everything up, and as soon as Wu Liangchen arrived, she immediately asked:

"How did it go?"

"The scout has been dealt with, but we can’t stay here. We need to leave immediately."

"All right!"

The four of them immediately set off under the cover of night. Wu Liangchen led the way, occasionally leaping to higher ground to observe their surroundings.

Moving in this stop-and-go manner, they had covered about five or six li when Wu Liangchen suddenly noticed something strange.

Though the night sky was dark, with only a sprinkling of stars, Wu Liangchen’s extraordinary eyesight allowed him to spot a dim point of light hovering persistently in the distant sky.

This was definitely not a meteor—it looked more like some kind of bird of prey.

Suddenly, Wu Liangchen realized what it was. He immediately jumped down from the tree and called out in a low voice to Aunt Fan and the others not far away: "Take cover!"