Chapter 1: The Impossible Possibility

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 1: The Impossible Possibility

In the cold wind, the carriage wheels crushed the withered leaves into even finer pieces, only to leave them scattered across the street behind them. This carriage, with its cabin draped in thick black cotton cloth, was speeding towards the connecting station on the outskirts of Changling.

Several swordsmen from the Warden’s Office stood around the connecting station, an unusual arrangement. Dressed in civilian clothes but carrying black longswords belonging to the army, they watched the incoming carriage with their brows furrowed.

They knew exactly who was on this carriage. Thinking about how this very person managed to survive the brutal massacre that night, and the intentions they harbored today; they were wary and anxious.

Amidst the silence, the carriage stopped at the door of the connecting station.

Wearing a black brocade robe, Wang Taixu stepped out of the cabin. He pulled his collar tightly, as if he were cold. He nodded politely to the swordsmen and then stepped into the connecting station.

Yu Gu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the plum blossoms outside the window. His gray and white hair was neatly combed. Even if he were wearing the most ordinary clothes, one look at his current intimidating demeanor was enough to quickly conclude that this was a veteran general, tempered like steel by his sword and his men.

“You shouldn’t have come.”

This important official of the Warden’s Office slowly turned around after Wang Taixu walked up from behind him. He gave Wang Taixu a cold and proud glance and said, “You’re very lucky to have survived such a night. You should enjoy the rest of your life.”

Wang Taixu looked at the powerful official, shook his head, and said, “General Yu, you're wrong. I didn't survive that night by luck, but because many people died for me.”

Yu Gu's face turned slightly cold.

Wang Taixu coughed softly and took out some files from his sleeve and held them out in front of Yu Gu.

Yu Gu knew what was recorded in those files. He did not accept them immediately and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Wang Taixu smiled and softly said, “The eyes of many important people, we, small fry and shrimp on the street, can be crushed to death at will and washed away by the rain. But every one of my deceased brothers has a family, young and old. If I don't do anything, my heart will be restless, and there will be no meaning in living.”

Yu Gu glanced at him and took the files. He slowly opened them, his face growing colder as he read.

“We also have plenty of evidence against other officials. How many officials who make a living in Changling have secret businesses and stash money secretly?” Wang Taixu looked at Yu Gu calmly. “Originally, we didn't interact with each other. I don't care about other people's lives, but one of you has crossed the line.”

“Enough!”

Yu Gu gathered the files with a cold smile and threw them into the fire basin. “State your conditions.”

Wang Taixu looked at him calmly and said, “Your Warden’s Office’s only has the authority to determine transportation businesses and blacksmith workshops in Changling.”

Yu Gu laughed sarcastically.

He did not bother to answer Wang Taixu.

The Warden’s Office’s transportation business alone, transporting goods from various warehouses, was worth countless silver each year. Copper mining, armor making, sword forging… how much profit was contained in all this? It was like a lion opening its mouth so wide it was about to split open.

Wang Taixu said nothing more. He coughed softly and stood up to bid farewell.

When he was a dozen steps away, Yu Gu stared coldly at his back and calmly said, “Even if you don't care about your life, even if countless people could die for you, remember your status. Do you find your request reasonable?”

Hearing those words, Wang Taixu turned around. A hint of a sincere smile appeared on his pale face.

“A young man from a wine shop who also escaped an assassination attempt by your military experts. You know better than I what kind of opponent he killed. You should also know that he hasn't cultivated for long.”

He looked at Yu Gu with a faint smile and slowly said, “On the way here, I received news that he won the sword trial festival of the Green Vine Sword School and the White Goat Cave, one of the top three. If someone were to say that a young man from a wine shop could evade such an assassination attempt a month ago and make such astonishing progress, who would think it was possible?” He paused for amoment, then continued speaking, “Since it's possible, then what I'm doing isn't impossible.”

After speaking, Wang Taixu turned around determinedly, ignoring the feelings of the Warden's Office official behind him.

A swordsman in his thirties walked out from a side door next to Yu Gu and bowed to him. Looking at the distant carriage, he asked, “General, should we kill him?”

“No need.” Yu Gu, who had now recovered, shook his head. “Negotiation is when one party sets a high price and the other party slowly lowers it. Wang Taixu’s attitude in this meeting shows that he knows his limits. He didn’t ask for more deaths, only for more benefits in Changling to resolve this matter. This way, he and his subordinates will have a stronger foundation in Changling and will be more secure.”

“Besides, our Warden’s Office already has enough problems. If anything else happens, many of our superiors might not be able to maintain their positions.”

Yu Gu considered for a moment, observing the solemn swordsmen awaiting his orders. “Go investigate this young man Ding Ning. If he really is as Wang Taixu says, then he is a talent.”

 

In Green Vine Sword School, Li Daoji, Duanmu Lian, Xue Wangxu, and Di Qingmei… the elite of the Green Vine Sword School and the White Goat Cave waited on the mountain path to meet the three winners.

The one leading among the three of them was Zhang Yi. When he reached the group, he bowed quietly in respect. Ding Ning and Nangong Caishu followed his lead.

Their greetings were returned.

Ding Ning looked up at the stern-faced Li Daoji and expressed his gratitude. “Younger Sect Uncle Li Daoji, thank you for your sword.”

Li Daoji raised an eyebrow. He seemed to feel that Ding Ning did no need to thank him. After a moment's hesitation, he said, “You've done your best; you didn't waste this sword.”

“Most importantly, I didn't waste your good intentions.” Ding Ning smiled and turned his head towards Xue Wangxu who was stroking his beard and smiling. “Thank you, Sect Master Xue, for your special treatment and for allowing me to cultivate with the spirit vein.”

Xue Wangxu glanced at Nangong Caishu with satisfaction, then turned his head to Ding Ning and said, “This is the reward you deserve. You don’t need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Headmaster Di. The green jade amber he will give you will be more useful.”

Ding Ning seemed to notice something in his and Di Qingmei's attitudes. He bowed with a smile and thanked Di Qingmei. “Thank you, Headmaster Di.”

Di Qingmei's expression was very unnatural, but she still returned the bow sincerely. “I'm very satisfied to have a disciple like you.” He said softly.

Most of the spectating disciples were still on the observation platform. Seeing this important ceremony come to an end, they gathered around.

“Brother-in-law.”

Xie Changsheng, who was the same age as Ding Ning, was the first to arrive at Ding Ning's side. “Your performance was very pleasing. I must admit that my older sister has better eyesight than I do.” he said with admiration.

“Don't call me Brother-in-law.” Ding Ning felt awkward.

“Don't mess around!” Xie Rou sighed and walked in front of Ding Ning to bow. “Are you going to take the Min Mountain Sword Trials next year?” she asked, still keeping her head lowered.

Ding Ning did not understand her meaning in asking this question. He hesitated. “Possibly.”

“Then, I'll try my best to take the Min Mountain Sword Trials too.” Xie Rou said softly.

Xie Changsheng stilled. “Older Sister, do you want to win the Min Mountain Sword Trials with him and get the chance to study at the Min Mountain Sword Sect together?”

Xie Rou did not answer, but the blush that appeared on her fair neck betrayed her thoughts.

“Take it slow, feelings will develop over time. This is good.” Xie Changsheng said, rubbing his nose.

“Don’t expect anything from me.” As he spoke, Ding Ning’s gaze fell on the Last Flower Sword on his side, and his expression turned cold and stern. He took a step back and coldly said, “Nangong Caishu knows the reason.”

“What reason?”

Xu Heshan, Xie Changsheng, and the others looked at Nangong Caishu in confusion.

Shock spread across Xie Changsheng’s eyes. “Nangong Caishu, did you and him develop romantic feelings after studying together all night in the library cave and secretly getting engaged?”

“Don’t be so childish!”

Nangong Caishu’s expression darkened. She stared at Ding Ning’s back, knowing that Ding Ning had given her permission to tell these people the reason. She took a deep breath. “There's a problem with his body. He has a rare excessive yang body. If he doesn't have a special opportunity, by the time we reach our prime, his body will definitely have deteriorated.” She said softly.

Xie Changsheng was shocked. He only had admiration for Ding Ning's performance. So, at this moment, he could not even joke around.

“Even if he has such a physiological problem, I won't change my decision.” Xie Rou bit her lip. “I will do my best to help him.”

“I've done some research. People like this, with too much energy, age faster, and are usually incurable. But the Min Mountain Sword Sect is no ordinary sect. Perhaps the people in this sect will have a solution.”

Nangong Caishu looked at the siblings. She nodded and said, “If you really want a solution, then do your best to help him win the Min Mountain Sword Trials.”

“That's too difficult.” Xu Heshan shook his head worriedly.

The Min Mountain Sword Trial will be held in the summer of next year. There was only about half a year from now until then. Even if Ding Ning had such a cultivation speed and performed like this, his confidence would be shattered when he remembered the performances of those freaks in the Min Mountain Sword Trials in the past.

“He's fighting for his life. We'll do our best,” Nangong Caishu nodded and said solemnly.

“Alright, we'll do our best in the Min Mountain Sword Trials!”

Xie Changsheng, Xu Heshan, and Xie Rou applauded.

Applauding others for their victories is a pleasant thing.

However, this issue involves someone's life and the need to make something seemingly impossible possible. The current mood is very somber.

 

Notes:

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

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