Chapter 31: The Eldest Sect Brother of the White Goat Cave

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 31: The Eldest Senior Sect Brother of the White Goat Cave

Waiting at the door of the wine shop was the gray-robed swordsman from yesterday.

Seeing Ding Ning walk out the door, the gray-robed swordsman did not speak. He slightly bowed his head in greeting, then silently began driving the carriage after Ding Ning got on.

Sitting in the carriage, Ding Ning smiled slightly. Of course, it was a coincidence that Wang Taixu had been able to stay in Changling for so long. For example, the selection of the carriage driver was in accordance with Ding Ning's preferences.

The carriage followed a flat and straight street to drive towards the White Goat Gorge outside the city. That was the location of the White Goat Cave.

In Yuanwu's first year as emperor of the Qin Dynasty, most of the cultivation places were located near Changling. The cultivation sects and prestigious family estates scattered around Changling formed a natural fortresses alongside the Qin Dynasty's military forces.

As Changling grew, more than half of the sects were now located within Changling. Although these sects still enjoyed special privileges, the Qin Dynasty's control over them grew stronger. In the eyes of many cultivation sects with a history longer than the Qin Dynasty, the only benefits they received were some cultivation resources and the opportunity to learn from other sects.

As the carriage passed Willow Forest River, from inside the carriage, Ding Ning heard many shouts and sobs. He did not open the window curtains because he knew the sounds were caused by the corpses floating in the river.

Yesterday had been no different from any other day for most of Changling's residents. If Ding Ning had not experienced it firsthand, he would not have known that the power structure on the streets of Changling had changed drastically.

The water of the Willow Forest River was usually used to irrigate crops, and therefore, it is often used by gangsters and criminals to dispose of corpses.

Last night, only Tang Que and Tang Mengchen from Jinlintang died in the Red Charm Tower. But Ding Ning knew that many more people from Jinlintang must have died in the pitch-black night. Their bodies should be floating in this river by now.

The geography of Changling was divided from southeast to northwest. The southern part of the city was a tributary of the Wei River and the Jing River, with some flat plains and short hills. The central part of Changling was a plateau, with many areas formed by depressions left by ancient rivers after they dried up. The northern part of Changling was a plateau and hills. There were thirteen mountain ranges of varying sizes, the highest being Stone Gate Mountain and Spirit Void Mountain, the shortest being North Soldier Mountain, and Horse Bar Mountain.

The White Goat Gorge, where the White Goat Cave was located, was located on North Soldier Mountain.

After ascending the mountain path, Ding Ning’s carriage finally entered White Goat Gorge after a brief period of shaking and shuddering.

Because the entire mountain ridge was not very high, the gorge was not deep. However, for some unknown reason, this gorge held moisture. White clouds shrouded most of the gorge. Grand halls flickered in and out of sight as mist drifted by. The entire place seemed to be filled with a mysterious presence.

Looking at this cultivation place, this gray-robed swordsman finally showed some hint of admiration in his eyes.

While the White Goat Cave was barely considered a second-rate cultivation sect in the Qin Dynasty, and would soon meet a most gruesome end due to its alliance with the Green Vine Sword School, this kind of cultivation place was not a place someone like him could enter.

He began to worry.

Worry for this young man from the Falling Parasol in the carriage behind him. He was not worried about whether this young man could enter the sect, but his situation after entering the sect.

White Goat Gorge did not have any tower or gates at its entrance, only a white stone tablet.

The stone tablet was engraved with three simple words: Imperial Forbidden Grounds.

The first word represented the reward the Qin Dynasty had given the sect for their service, and the last two words represented the special power of the sect.

It was midday, which for ordinary people was mealtime. Logically, the White Goat Cave would not have many personnel stationed near the entrance tablet, but when the carriage stopped down near the tablet, the gray-robed swordsman’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Behind the tablet, several dozen young disciples stood silently on the winding path up the ascending mountain.

These disciples wore hemp robes with the insignia of a white goat on their sleeves. They silently watched the slowing carriage in a strange atmosphere.

“They probably did not come to welcome me to the White Goat Cave,” A low voice sounded behind the gray-robed swordsman.

The gray-robed swordsman paused slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ding Ning calmly get off the carriage and then walk towards the stone tablet.

His calm steps were like a pebble thrown into a pond, immediately causing a layer of ripples.

A disciple, who looked at least five years older than Ding Ning, came foward with a conflicted expression to greet Ding Ning.

He stopped in a clever position, standing parallel to the stone tablet.

In this position, Ding Ning could not step over the mountain gates.

That disciple bowed slightly to Ding Ning and said clearly, “I am Ye Ming, and I come on the sect master's orders to welcome you into the mountain.”

Ding Ning smiled slightly and returned the greeting. “If so, then thank you for your trouble.”

At this moment, a furious shout rang out from the dozens of disciples who were in a strange mood. “Since when can anyone enter the White Goat Cave if they want to?”

Ye Ming's eyebrows raised slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He had known this kind of incident would happen. If it were not for the fact that he could not disobey orders, he would not be standing here; he would be one of the disciples at the back.

Ding Ning looked up and saw that the person shouting angrily was a young man about his age. His hair was cut very short, his build was thin, but he stood upright with a two-foot-long sword hanging from his waist. The sword hilt was made from a deep yellow wood with a wavy grain and engraved with delicate scripts.

However, his gaze did not linger on the young man for long. He simply stared at Ye Ming quietly without a word. He knew that someone would settle this matter, and it would be pointless for him to speak.

Ye Ming had not expected Ding Ning to be so calm. His brow furrowed. He felt like he had been thrown a hot potato and did not know what to do.

 

There were white clouds in White Goat Gorge.

Beneath one of the clouds lay a lone Daoist temple.

From the temple terrace, one could clearly see what was happening in front of the gate.

Two people stood on the terrace.

One of them was the white-haired old man who had changed the fate of Jinlingtang and the Two Level Tower with a single sword strike last night, Du Qingjiao.

His name had been mentioned by the empress. He was the senior sect brother of the Sect Master of the White Goat Cave.

“Senior Sect Brother, you were too impulsive in last night’s incident, and today’s incident as well.”

An old man dressed as a Daoist with a white face and white brocade robes with gold trim stood beside him. He had a white jade sword, representing his status as the Sect Master of the White Goat Cave, hanging from his waist. He was the Sect Master of the White Goat Cave, Xue Wangxu.

Seeing his senior sect brother remained silent, Xue Wangxu could not help but sigh in worry. “You also know that this happened because the empress is unhappy with us. You acted last night, and so many people died. I'm afraid she'll find another excuse to use against you.”

The white-haired Du Qingjiao heard his sigh, turned, and with a smile he said. “Because it was the empress, that's why I acted last night.”

Xue Wangxu grew increasingly worried. “Senior Sect Brother, don't be so stubborn.”

“I'm not stubborn.” Du Qingjiao shook his head. “Junior Sect Brother, your cultivation and knowledge are both above mine, and your ability to disregard fame is also superior to mine. However, your understanding of the empress is inferior to mine.”

Xue Wangxu fell silent.

Du Qingjiao said calmly, “Although the Empress is decisive and ruthless in her conduct, she is more measured and cautious than the two prime ministers in her actions. Since His Majesty has issued a decree, she will not allow any mishaps to occur during my retirement. She and His Majesty must be closer than anyone else, even over trivial matters. This way, she and His Majesty will be at the peak of their power, and the Qin Dynasty will be at the peak of its power. Furthermore, although I am an old sack of bones, I still have some friends after these years in Changling. The submission of the White Goat Cave is insignificant, but if even my retirement encounters a mishap, everyone will be concerned.”

“I would not act on their behalf just because of a small benefit and the old favor from the Two Level Tower. I did so deliberately because I know that Jinlingtang has some ties with the Empress’ family. She has made me unhappy, so before I leave Changling, I will not make her happy.”

Xue Wangxu felt speechless.

Was this what is called not being stubborn?

“If both parties take a step back, everything can be resolved. Since I haven't said anything and retired, she will take a step back,” Du Qingjiao added calmly.

Xue Wangxu took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh.

 

On this highest temple in the White Goat Cave, the two oldest people of the White Goat Cave were conversing harmoniously, concerned only about each other's future. However, the situation in front of the White Goat Cave's gate was at a standstill.

Ye Ming’s expression grew stiffer. He finally took a half step back and said reluctantly, “This is the Sect Master’s order…”

“I don't believe this is the Sect Master’s order.”

His words were interrupted by an outspoken young man. His young features was cold. “Allowing him to join the sect without passing the test is completely against the rules. It's not only unfair to us, but also unfair to everyone who has been eliminated at this gate for centuries. I don't believe our wise Sect Master would make such a decision.”

Ye Ming grimaced silently. It seemed like they could only waste time here.

Did he have to go back to the sect master and ask for evidence?

“Eldest Sect Brother, Eldest Sect Brother is here!”

At this moment, the crowd shifted, and a commotion could be heard on the mountain path.

Ye Ming breathed a sigh of relief and turned around. A tall young man appeared from the thin mountain mist.

This was a handsome young man with an extraordinary presence. His handsome features had the spirit that young people usually possess, but at this moment, his expression was full of worry.

Seeing all the disciples gathered here, he said unhappily, “Don’t make a fuss, go back.”

The mountain path suddenly fell silent.

“Go back for what!”

That outspoken young man’s ace flushed red as he said loudly, “Eldest Sect Brother, do you think this is fair!”

“Fair?”

The eldest sect brother, Zhang Yi, who was usually beloved by these junior disciples, shook his head and said softly, “There is no absolute justice in the world. If there is real justice, our White Goat Cave would not be forced to join the Green Vine Sword School.”

“Eldest Sect Brother!”

The surrounding young disciples did not expect Zhang Yi to say such a thing. Instantly, many people wailed in grief, some with tears in their eyes.

That outspoken young man's eyes reddened as he said harshly, “Eldest Sect Brother, if others can't give us justice, can't we fight? If we don't care, our White Goat Cave will truly be destroyed.”

“Younger Sect Brother Shen Bai, I understand what you're saying,” Zhang Yi said gently, “but we can't doubt our Sect Master's decision. You know that Sect Master always has his reasons for what he does. I've heard the saying that it's better to surrender than to submit, but I've also heard that those who understand the situation are heroes.”

Zhang Yi's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, warming people.

Ding Ning had initially been quietly gazing at the white clouds as if he were merely a bystander unrelated to everything that was happening. But Zhang Yi's presence and words startled him.

He began to examine this Eldest Sect Brother of the White Goat Cave curiously.

Notes:

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

Preciously

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