Chapter 4: Jade Cave and the Stable

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 4: Jade Cave and the Stable

At the gates of the White Goat Cave, the dozen or so White Goat Cave masters who remained at the school were elated when the group saw the people and horses of the White Goat Cave appear on the mountain path.

The final results of the sword trial festival had reached them. The White Goat Cave had secured two of the three winners, and the newly joined genius, Ding Ning, had performed exceptionally well. This not only brought glory to all the members of the White Goat Cave, whose faces were now beaming, but also brought hope to their hearts.

After Ding Ning stepped off the carriage, he could not avoid a round of greetings and congratulations.

“Where's Su Qin?”

A master who had not seen Su Qin but knew about his crippled left hand asked Li Daoji in a low voice.

Li Daoji replied, “After the sword trial festival ended, he left the Green Vine Sword School without saying goodbye. Since he hasn't returned here yet, it means he won't be back.”

This master immediately sighed. “His edge is too sharp, too aggressive. He even targets someone as honest and gentle as Zhang Yi. He's beyond… It's just a pity for his talent.”

“Are you going to rest in the White Goat Cave today, or return to your home in the alley of the Falling Parasol?”

Walking at the front, Xue Wangxu turned his head slightly and asked, looking at Ding Ning.

“I haven’t been home for a few days. I think my aunt will be worried about me, so I’m going back to my home in Falling Parasol to rest.” Ding Ning frowned slightly, seemingly thinking, before adding softly. “I was considering talking to you. I grew up on the streets and am used to such places. I feel uncomfortable in a quiet place like the White Goat Cave, so I still want to cultivate more outside.”

“Feeling comfortable and relaxed is a prerequisite for cultivation. The most comfortable place is the best place for cultivation.”

Xue Wangxu did not refuse, but the moment he turned his head, many complicated emotions appeared in his eyes. “First, please follow me.”

Ding Ning calmly followed Xue Wangxu.

“That green jade amber is a truly extraordinary item. What do you plan to use it for?” Xue Wangxu asked.

“I plan to refine it tonight so I don’t have to worry about it,” Ding Ning answered.

Xue Wangxu was silent for a few seconds before finally saying, “That’s a good plan. Although green jade amber is most effective during the breakthrough from realm three to realm four and can help a cultivator obtain some natal objects in realm six, the future holds so many uncertain variables. It’s best to just focus on the present.”

Ding Ning looked at him strangely. “Sect Master, you seem a little gloomy today, and not as cheerful as usual.”

Xue Wangxu laughed. “Really? You can see even the slightest worry in my mind?”

Talking and laughing, the two of them walked one after the other, climbing higher and higher on the mountain path carved into the cliffside of the White Goat Cave. Although their pace was not fast, they still managed to create some distance between themselves and the rest of the members of the White Goat Cave behind them.

Because all the members of the White Goat Cave behind them had stopped walking and were staring at them in surprise.

Xue Wangxu led Ding Ning to a small temple on the highest peak.

Ever since Du Qingjiao left the White Goat Cave, only Li Daoji had been qualified to enter the small temple. This small temple was the site where White Goat Cave was founded and held extraordinary significance.

Although Ding Ning was certain that Xue Wangxu was not normal today, he said nothing and silently followed.

The mountain path stopped at Library Cave.

Xue Wangxu continued to advance forward and stepped into the void.

Ding Ning also did not hesitate. Just as he had followed him before, he stepped into the empty space in front of him.

His body fell slightly.

Then a wave of primal energies of the universe flooded in from in front of him and steadily supported him. As if an invisible staircase had appeared between heaven and earth, he and Xue Wangxu walked among the clouds.

On the mountain path, Li Daoji and the others' expressions grew increasingly solemn.

The furnishings in the small temple were very crude. Because the building was carved into the mountain wall, even the light was dim.

Xue Wangxu did not explain and continued walking until he faced the innermost wall of the temple. He slung a small white jade sword at his waist.

This was the sword of the sect master of the White Goat Cave, and also the key to opening the forbidden grounds.

A wave of pure white energy swept across the mountain wall. The seemingly smooth wall suddenly dissipated the air waves. Then, it slowly moved to reveal the inner cave.

A ball of soft white light appeared in front of Ding Ning.

He saw that this cave, only a few dozen feet in diameter, had walls made of white jade. Engraved on the surface of the walls were characters and diagrams that recorded several sword manuals.

“The sword manuals in the Library Cave are good, but these are more unique. The Wildfire Sword Manual is more than adequate for defense but lacks offense.” Xue Wangxu looked at Ding Ning, who was calmly looking around. He said, “Your comprehension ability is extraordinary. I won't give you any suggestion. You can choose one to cultivate.”

Ding Ning nodded. He slowly walked into the white jade cave. He frowned and examined every line engraved on the jade.

His brows furrowed deeply.

After reading through all the jade walls, he turned to Xue Wangxu and with unusual seriousness said, “Then, may I choose two?”

Xue Wangxu stilled slightly.

He did not answer immediately. After staring at Ding Ning for a moment, he smiled faintly. “I've only learned one, but if you find it useful, you can learn all of them, let alone two.”

 

Su Qin stood with his head bowed in front of the tightly closed gate.

Behind the gate were layers upon layers of spacious and magnificent courtyards.

This was the establishment of Prince Li Ling.

After the sword trial festival ended, he left the Green Vine Sword School alone. No one knew that in the end he would come here, to wait with his head bowed.

Looking at his left hand which was still numb, he pursed the corners of his lips into a smile full of pain.

He came from a poor family background, so even though he had extraordinary talent in cultivation, every time he participated in the sect entrance competition, he was always ostracized and received numerous threats. Ultimately, he had to settle in the White Goat Cave.

In the White Goat Cave, he stood out like a crane among chickens. Even the headmaster of the Green Vine Sword School, Di Qingmei, wanted to recruit him. The White Goat Cave was a cultivation place that also received the Empress's attention. If he acted according to the Empress's wishes, he would certainly have a bright and glorious future.

His greatest fear was returning to poverty, to being ostracized and threatened again. He only wanted to be someone important, someone who could threaten and ostracize others. However, the sudden appearance of a young man from a wine shop, a trial, and a single sword slash had destroyed everything he had worked for.

Compared to the pain in his heart, he felt nothing from the physical pain.

 

In an elegant study in a deep courtyard, Prince Li Ling looked at Lu Siche. “That young man from the wine shop surprised me again.” he said softly.

Lu Siche apologized. “It was my fault.”

“This has nothing to do with you. No one expected him to display such a performance, especially after I spoke to him face to face. I can’t associate him with a monster like this.” Prince Li Ling glanced at Lu Siche. “Is Su Qin still standing outside the gate?”

Lu Siche nodded. “Still waiting.”

With a slight sneer, Prince Li Ling said, “What did he say to you? Why does he feel he qualifies to wait for my response?”

Lu Siche calmly said, “When he requested an audience, he said that his left hand was now crippled, but he could still channel his energy and sense the primal energies of the universe. He still possesses a comprehension of sword techniques that surpasses that of ordinary cultivators. Even if his right hand can't perform subtle sword techniques, he has already reached the Vital Energy Realm at such an age. If he one day reaches realm five, once he begins using a flying sword, the loss of his left hand will no longer be a hindrance.”

“His thinking is quite sound. If he uses a flying sword, he won't need to use his hand. But flying swords are only for long-range combat, and they lack defensive capabilities in close combat. So, among the realm five cultivators in Changling, who doesn't use two swords? Or does he expect us to find bodyguards to guard him when he reaches realm five?” Prince Li Ling shook his head and slowly said, “Being able to control his emotions in such a short time and devising a counter-strategy, in addition to his past performance, his personality is too fierce and cruel. Compared to Mo Chen, who still fought to the end despite knowing it was impossible just because of a sword I gave him, I value Mo Chen more. I think the Snow Dandelion Sword you sent him has already demonstrated its worth.”

Lu Siche's thoughts echoed his master's. He said, “Then should I chase him away?”

Prince Li Ling thought for a moment.

“I need people to use… Let's see if he can be educated and useful to me first.” He made up his mind after a few seconds. He looked at Lu Siche and said, “Have him take care of the horses for me and clean the stables.”

 

Su Qin suddenly looked up.

The gate, which had been closed for a long time, finally opened.

But only a blue-robed servant girl appeared before him.

He immediately sensed something, and his face turned pale.

“Follow me.”

The blue-robed servant girl glanced at him and said as if she was ordering a servant who was lower in rank than her. Then she turned away without looking at Su Qin outside the gate.

Su Qin took a deep breath and followed.

They passed through many courtyards. The blue-robed servant girl took out a handkerchief and covered her nose in disgust as they stopped outside the stables. She turned to Su Qin. Seeing the blood and yellowish-blue medicine seeping out of the bandage on Su Qin's left hand, her gaze also filled with disgust, as if Su Qin was as smelly as the excrement in the stables. She clenched her handkerchief tighter and quickly said, “The Master said that you can stay here to help clean the stables and take care of the horses.”

Su Qin's face grew paler.

He looked at the flowing dung inside the stables behind this blue-robed servant girl. He imagined how he would have to face these things and endure such humiliation. He could not even speak.

“Do you actually want to stay in the establishment? If you don't, then follow me out,” the blue robed servant girl said viciously and then walked away.

Su Qin still did not speak.

The blue-robed servant girl’s eyebrows raised. She was about to explode in anger when Su Qin, unexpectedly, took a deep breath and walked towards the stables.

He began carrying water and cleaning the stables.

 

Notes:

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

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