Welcome! If this is your first time reading one of my uploads, just a heads-up—I'm only the translator ヾ( `ー´)シφ__
You can find the original title and author on my Patreon: [patreon.com/rikhi]
I put the info there to make it easier for you to copy and paste, since it's a bit tricky to do that on Webnovel.
Like my other projects, this translation isn't word-for-word. I take creative liberties where needed—expanding scenes, drawing out subtext, and interpreting tone or context rather than always sticking to the literal meaning. My goal is to make the story flow smoothly in English and capture the emotions of the original.
You'll also see small translator notes sprinkled here and there. Sometimes they're for cultural context or background info, helping clarify certain phrases, traditions, or concepts so the world feels more immersive (≧◡≦).
At the same time, these notes won't just stop at explanations—I sometimes make deliberate changes in the translation as well. This might be something small, like using a different English term than the author's original, or it might be larger, such as rewriting a sentence or even adjusting the meaning of an entire paragraph if I feel it reads more naturally in English or makes better sense for the story flow. When that happens, I'll usually include what the author originally wrote (or the literal version) and then explain why I chose to change it in my translation.
For readers who know my style, you've probably also noticed that I like giving nicknames to contracted companions or pets (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧. For example, in The Villainess Refuses to Repent, I gave Song Wanning's pets nicknames, and in Stealing Luck from the Heavenly Dao's Favorite, Yun Xi's pets got the same treatment. I usually do this when the author only refers to a pet by its species name. Whenever that happens, I'll add a footnote explaining the original wording and the nickname I chose.
These "translator notes" usually appear as footnotes at the end of a chapter, marked with a divider (===) so they're easy to spot.
Now, a confession: I sometimes mess up my release timer or schedule (´;ω;`). I usually work on translations from 2 in the afternoon until 4 in the morning, so I'm often up pretty late. With multiple projects running at once, things can get a little messy sometimes. If you ever notice chapters showing up out of order or one that doesn't match the day's release, just drop me a comment and I'll fix it right away. Thanks a bunch for putting up with my clumsiness! ♡
As for my general workflow how I did my project, it might be a bit unconventional, but it works for me. I'll be the first to admit that for casual reading, I usually rely on a Google Translate browser extension.
Yeah, that one. We all know how cursed it can be (ಥ﹏ಥ)
For translation, my process is a little more involved. I always have two browser tabs open for the same chapter: one with the original text and another with a machine translation. When I hit a wall or need a second perspective on a tricky sentence, I peek at the auto-translation to compare.
To keep myself consistent, I use a simple notepad to jot down terms, names, or specific phrases I've translated. This helps me remember my choices for recurring elements. I have to confess, my system isn't perfect. Sometimes I delete an entry thinking a word was a one-time use, only to find it becomes important chapters later. The worst is when I simply not write it down at all. This is manageable if the gap between its usage is small, but it becomes a real disaster when there's a large gap between chapters or the word count is immense.
This is especially true when I return to a novel after working on others, as I usually juggle multiple projects at the same time, which can get chaotic. In those cases, it's hard to remember the exact word I used, and I often end up making a new choice, which leads to inconsistencies. Of course, sometimes I just suddenly wanted to change the term that I already used. For that, I sincerely apologize.
Some of you may already know that I keep private glossaries in Google Docs. One is for Xianxia terms. One is for ancient China history and bureaucracy. I usually link them in chapter comments. I realized some of you read on the app, and copying links there is not convenient (´･ᴗ･`). So I decided to upload both glossaries directly on Webnovel. You can access them easily, and I can keep them updated whenever I add new entries. (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
• The Xianxia Handbook: A Guide to Cultivation and BeyondIn short: for all things Cultivation, Realms, etc. Entries cover key terms like the Dao, Laws, realms and stages, sect structure. I include plain explanations, usage notes, and quick cross-references.
• The Imperial Handbook: A Practical Guide to Ancient Chinese SocietyIn short: for historical topics, courts, bureaucracy, daily life, currency, titles, and common institutions. Expect concise explanations of offices and ranks, how local government worked, and what people actually did at places like the yamen or various bureaus.
Both handbooks have passed vetting and are visible on my Webnovel profile. Please add them to your Library so you can find them fast during reading sessions.
• The Webnovel Handbook: A Guide to Slang, Tropes, and Inside JokesIn short: for community slang, memes, running jokes, and fan culture. The cover is ready. Chapters will follow after I finish the initial index.
If these resources help you, please add The Xianxia Handbook and The Imperial Handbook to your Library, give them a read, and consider leaving a rating or review. Share them with friends who are curious about cultivation or ancient China. Your comments help me refine examples and fill gaps.
And just a small reminder: I'm not paid by Webnovel or under any official contract. If you'd like to support me directly, you can do so through:
☕️: https://ko-fi.com/rikhi
🎨: https://patreon.com/rikhi]
Thank you so much for reading, and I truly hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did when I first discovered it (｡•ㅅ•｡)♡