Chapter 17: That Cloud Pattern

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 17: That Cloud Pattern

The Qin people had straightforward personalities and fiery tempers. It was common for them to fight with swords over minor disputes. But how could the common people quarrel over matters between two dynasties? This kind of conflict disappeared when tempers cooled. No one took it seriously. Everything would remain as usual.

Ding Ning did the same thing he did every day. When he had free time, he would wander around Changling, then cultivate at night before opening his shop in the early morning.

The weather was getting colder. Ding Ning knew that autumn was passing quickly in Changling. As the frost on the door grew thicker in the morning, one could count on one hand when the first snow would fall.

Just after morning, Ding Ning finished eating a bowl of noodles and intestines. He washed the bowl that was exclusively for his use. A group of students dressed in bright robes walked in from the alley, chatting and laughing.

Looking at the patterns on the students' robes, Ding Ning's eyes lit up.

He raised his head and looked at the sky above the parasol trees that had already lost their leaves. He lamented inwardly, “It really has come?”

 

The sword was the primary weapon of the Qin Dynasty

cultivators.

The Qin Dynasty's territory had been conquered by generations of cultivators who had fought with swords through years of war.

After the disappearance of the Zhao Sword Furnace, the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect of the Qin Dynasty unanimously became the strongest sword cultivation sects in the world.

These two sword sects were extremely strict in accepting and teaching their disciples. They only opened enrollment on specific days scheduled for accepting disciples. Disciples were also allowed to leave the mountain on specific days. If a disciple could not cultivate to a certain realm, they could only remain in the sect for life to avoid being killed by others with a single blow upon leaving the mountain. That would tarnish the reputation of the two sword sects.

Besides these two sects, there were hundreds of renowned sword schools in Changling. Take the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect as examples, these cultivation schools were naturally very strict with their disciples. Most cultivation schools only allowed their disciples to travel freely outside once they had reached realm three cultivation or higher. Students who were still far from realm three were only permitted to wander and play outside the school on rare holidays.

This group of students, who looked like birds flying out of a cage, had different patterns on their robes and different swords. They clearly came from different sword schools. However, they had a good relationship, so they walked together.

Among these students, several had cloud patterns on their plain satin robes. Ding Ning's gaze swept over the cloud patterns.

Those who could join the sword school were the top young geniuses of Changling. Those who could persevere to the end would surely become cultivators. Furthermore, those who were so cheerful and relaxed during the school holidays were undoubtedly the best of those schools. Those students who were not cultivating and progressing quickly would not dare to relax even during the holidays. They would work hard to advance.

The person walking at the head of the group was a tall young man with a stern face and an intimidating posture. He was the fifth young master of the Xu Family in the south of the city, Xu Heshan.

The Xu Family in the south of the city was a prominent family from Guanzhong during the previous dynasty and had produced many outstanding generals who were ennobled with a thousand households. They could be considered to have a strong foundation, and they did not weaken like many other families after the new policies of the first year of Yuanwu.

This generation of Xu Establishment members were all highly accomplished. Except for the ninth young master, who was ill since childhood and unable to cultivate, all the other members joined different cultivation places.

This Xu Heshan cultivated at the Pine Sword Academy. Among students his age, he was unrivaled.

There was also a young man dressed in plain satin robes and a young woman dressed in purple satin robes who also had extraordinary backgrounds.

The young man in the plain satin robes appeared to be only about thirteen years old. He had a medium build. Although his face looked young, he was filled with pride, and he also had cloud motifs on his sleeves. This young man was called Xie Changsheng. The Xie family was a tycoon from Zhongnan. His mother was from a distinguished family in Zhongshan of the Wei Dynasty. Before the Qin and Wei dynasties began their war, his mother had persuaded many of her paternal family in Zhongshan to come to Changling and sever their ties with the Wei Dynasty. The Xie family was able to establish a position in Changling thanks to this foresightful decision.

As to the young woman dressed in purple satin robes, she was Nangong Caishu. She was a new noble in Changling. Her father was a general stationed in Lishi Commandery. Lishi Commandery was the largest and most important city closest to the Zhao Dynasty. Typically, generals stationed in such places were the most trusted subjects of the Emperor.

Although they were talented young people with good friendships, their family backgrounds were different. When they spoke, others were always a little wary or reserved. Because they were worried about offending these three people, they deliberately kept a certain distance from the three of them. As a result, the space around them was much larger than the others.

The three of them did not notice this. Xu Heshan, who was walking in front, smiled and spoke eloquently. When he saw the wine flag in front of him, he turned slightly and looked at the young people around him, “This should be the shop. I heard they have no logic in their winemaking, and it's terrible, but the female owner is beautiful, so their business is good. Today, I want to see if the rumors are true.”

Xie Changsheng was young, but he grinned when he heard this. He said, “If that's the case, how about you ask your father to arrange this marriage for you first and make her your concubine so that others won't snatch her away from you first?”

The surrounding young people laughed. The young woman, Nangong Caishu, dressed in purple satin robes, frowned in disgust. Looking at Xu Heshan and Xie Changsheng, she sneered coldly and said, “I'm afraid that if that's the case, Brother Xu's father will end up having another concubine.”

Xu Heshan immediately had an awkward expression. His father’s appetites were well known. He already had nine concubines.

Because it was a rare day for relaxation, these young people were all in good moods. Amidst the laughter, Xu Heshan, who was walking in front, finally stepped into an unnamed wine shop in Falling Parasol Alley.

Ding Ning calmly stared at Xu Heshan as he stepped through the doorway.

Xu Heshan looked around and then looked at Ding Ning who had not come to greet him. He thought, the environment of the wine shop was just as the rumors had suggested. He smiled kindly, looked at Ding Ning and asked, “Young Master, are you the only one here?”

Ding Ning looked at these talented young people from Changling and asked directly, "Are you here to drink or to see my aunt?”

Seeing Ding Ning's reaction, the young people of Changling paused for a moment, then realized that others must have seen this kind of thing often. Their anticipation immediately rose.

The young-looking Xie Changsheng was the most experienced. He smiled. “So, what's the problem if we drink or want to see your aunt?”

Ding Ning said neutrally, "If you want to drink, follow the rules: come here to pay and find a seat. If you want to see my aunt, you can't do so unless all the wine here is sold out.”

“This is interesting.”

The crowd laughed.

“No wonder business is so good. I hope this won't disappoint us.” Xie Changsheng shook his head and smiled. He casually took out a coin from his robes and tossed it onto the table.

The coin landed gently on the table, but the young people behind Xie Changsheng were inwardly shocked.

This was a mica knife coin.

“If you don't disappoint me, I'll reward you with this mica knife coin.” Xie Changsheng casually said this, causing the young people around him to feel the indiscernible difference between them and Xie Changsheng.

Nangong Caishu’s brow immediately furrowed deeply. Even though the Xie family was one of the richest families in Guanzhong, she was still displeased with Xie Changsheng's behavior.

Although he had shocked this ordinary young man just now, Xie Changsheng had not considered that most people probably never even used a mica knife coin in a year.

Those who were right receive more support, those who were wrong were left alone. Sometimes, it was these unintentional actions that cause people to feel like they could not get close.

But at this moment, a calm voice rang out. “If you want wine, get it yourself.”

Nangong Caishu fell silent.

She stared at Ding Ning absentmindedly as if trying to discern something from Ding Ning's face.

Everyone else was shocked.

Xie Changsheng did not expect this answer. He raised his head and glared at Ding Ning disapprovingly, saying, “Can we just buy and not drink? One needs to know how to be flexible in business. Can't you bring out a few more jars?”

Ding Ning immediately shouted towards the inner courtyard. “Auntie.”

Xie Changsheng was speechless at such a quick response.

Xu Heshan and the others exchanged smiles. They all found Ding Ning interesting. The curtain that covered the inner courtyard swayed gently, and Zhangsun Qianxue came out carrying a jar of wine.

All the young people, including Xu Heshan, Xie Changsheng, and Nangong Caishu, felt their hearts pounding as they saw Zhangsun Qianxue for the first time. This was even more shocking than seeing the elders of the sword academy display their cultivation for the firts time.

They were completely stunned. They could not believe such a beautiful woman existed in a place like Falling Parasol.

Xie Changsheng's lips parted slightly. He, who usually squandered money, was speechless at this time.

Zhangsun Qianxue stared at him with extremely cold eyes. His hands felt icy. However, all he could think about was how beautiful a woman like this would be when she smiled.

Bam. Zhangsun Qianxue put the jar onto the counter in front of Ding Ning.

Xu Heshan’s heart jumped as well and he inally came back to his senses.

Everything was as Ding Ning had imagined. However, at this time, his expression changed slightly.

The sound of horse hooves could be heard. A horse carriage slowly approached from one end of the alley.

Notes:

This novel is not my work... I just translated it from a Chinese web novel written by Wu Zui

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