Chapter 62: The Rules of Justice

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 62: The Rules of Justice

The sight of He Zhaoxi sprinting toward him slowly warmed Duanmu Lian's heart.

The Green Vine Thriving Withering Art that He Zhaoxi had cultivated was the strongest method in Green Vine Sword School and had special abilities. In his opinion, other people's understanding of some sword manuals was not something that the disciples of the Green Vine Sword School and the White Goat Cave could rival.

Today, this young man, who was outstanding in all areas, would shine brightly and bring glory to the Green Vine Sword School.

“Normally, making good use of time is acceptable, but it's rude to have so many people waiting for you.” Although he was lecturing, his face did not show his usual sternness.

He Zhaoxi simply bowed and apologized before walking to stand beside several disciples of the Green Vine Sword School.

Near him, a disciple of the Green Vine Sword School with a cautious expression subconsciously gripped his sword hilt. It was Mo Chen.

The sunlight grew hotter, and the morning mist surrounding the Green Vine Sword School dissipating. Everyone followed Duanmu Lian and the others through the entire Green Vine Sword School and onto Heavenly Bamboo Peak.

The valley where the sword trial festival would be held was located under Heavenly Bamboo Peak. There were about five mountains between Heavenly Bamboo Peak and the slightly shorter Metal Sword Ridge. The distance between each mountain peak was over a thousand feet. However, the Green Vine Sword School had used ropes to connect them, wrapping them with vines to grow over them. Over the centuries, these intertwined vines formed countless green vine bridges connecting the peaks, capable of even supporting a carriage.

At the intersection of these vine bridges was a spacious observation platform. The platform even had some spirit grasses and flowers planted around the perimeter. From a distance, it looked like a heavenly mansion floating in the air.

Di Qingmei, the headmaster of the Green Vine Sword School stood at the closest point to the Heavenly Bamboo Peak and flew towards it, his blue robes fluttering. Seeing Duanmu Lian leading Li Daoji and the others up the stairs, his gaze did not linger. He only nodded slightly when he saw He Zhaoxi appear in his line of sight. Then, he noticed Ding Ning next to Nangong Caishu. Seeing how this person looked younger than all the disciples of the White Goat Cave, he knew that this should be the young man from wine shop called Ding Ning. His brow furrowed slightly when he recalled that this young man from wine shop had reached Energy Refinement in a month.

However, despite his astonishing talent, he had coincidentally learned from the disciples studying in the White Goat Cave that this young man from wine shop had an average cultivation method: Three Corpses Selfless Consciousness Sutra. So in his mind, Ding Ning was just a young beast with no threat. No one knew if this young beast would grow up. What he should worry about was the old but ferocious beast with extremely sharp claws and teeth.

So, his gaze shifted from Ding Ning to Xue Wangxu, who was at the rear.

He bowed to Xue Wangxu from a distance. “The White Goat Cave and Green Vine Sword School have merged. The atmosphere of this sword trial festival is completely different. Sect Master Xue has reached realm seven and brought glory to both schools.” he said straightforwardly.

Hearing these opening words, Xie Changsheng could not help but mutter from his observation position at the back of the crowd. “This headmaster is very smart. After the White Goat Cave merged with the Green Vine Sword School, there's no mention of the White Goat Cave anymore. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't even mention the White Goat Cave, only the Green Vine Sword School. But he has already given in verbally. After all, he will be in charge of both the White Goat Cave and the Green Vine Sword School in the future. As long as someone gains tangible benefits, he can compromise verbally. Otherwise, if something happens, Xue Wangxu's cultivation might embarrass him.”

Just as Xie Changsheng was muttering, Xue Wangxu smiled slightly and said, “Headmaster Di is polite. I’m but an lazy old man and have come to watch the spectacle. If there’s anything you want the disciples of the White Goat Cave to do, just order Li Daoji.”

These words were polite, but they had a different meaning in Di Qingmei's ears.

They meant that there was no need to talk to him, but to talk to Li Daoji. He might be in charge of the Green Vine Sword School and the White Goat Cave, but was he on par with Li Daoji in terms of rank?

His anger was boiling, but his demeanor betrayed none of it.

“The sword trial festival is a tradition of our Green Vine Sword School. Today is the day our Green Vine Sword School’s founder, Qi Linfeng, reached realm six, Lifesource Realm, and successfully forged his lifebound sword, the Green Vine Wood Sword. Therefore, every year on this day, our Green Vine Sword School holds this ceremony to commemorate our ancestors. The victors will receive prizes from the school, and the school will also arrange for them to cultivate elsewhere so they can gain the best experience.”

Then, he casually spoke a few more opening remarks before nodding to Duanmu Lian. “Cultivators don't care about trivial matters but respect the rules. Now, Duanmu Lian will explain the rules of this sword trial festival.”

 

“The sword trial valley lies beneath our feet. This valley is filled with green vines and Green Vine formations unique to our school. The paths ahead are difficult to find. Although they all appear the same, some green vines will attack cultivators. Some are even vine emperors with strength greater than that of a first class Energy Refinement cultivators. If you are trapped and unable to break free, remember not to panic. Stop all movement, and the vines will stop attacking. Otherwise, they will tighten, and your life will be in danger if you are not rescued in time.”

“All participating disciples will use different entrances and must traverse the entire valley to reach the other side. We forbid groups of more than two people from traveling together. If you encounter one, you must fight to determine the victor, or flee.”

“The journey through this valley has a three-day time limit, and you are not allowed to leave early. The entire area will be divided into three. Every day, at noon, we will send out a smoke signal. Each day, you must reach the area indicated by the smoke signal before sunset. You must stay in that area until at least midnight, and then choose whether to rest or continue on your journey afterward…”

Duanmu Lian was explaining the rules in a clear and loud voice. Although Ding Ning had heard them before, he still listened intently.

“Because the White Goat Cave and the Green Vine Sword School have merged, the number of participating disciples has doubled, so the difficulty level is higher. Each disciple will receive a seal token before entering. Each day, they must fight at least once and seize one token. Otherwise, even if they reach the designated area, they will still be considered defeated.”

“There is no ready-to-eat food in the rest areas this year, only some ferocious beasts in the sword trial valley. You will have to hunt your own if you want to eat and recover your strength. Some of the ferocious beasts are not weak, and you must consider yourselves before hunting.”

As soon as those words were spoken, a buzz of discussion erupted in the field.

“This is extremely disadvantageous to disciples with lower cultivations.”

Hearing the different rules from the past, Nangong Caishu turned her head and looked at Ding Ning worriedly. She whispered, “This is especially disadvantageous to you because you haven’t cultivated for long and haven’t trained much physically. This rule will drain your strength more quickly, and you’ll have difficulty keeping up. Since you have to fight every day and need to expend energy searching for food… the further you go, the more disadvantageous it becomes.”

“These rules are more advantageous to cultivators like He Zhaoxi who are proficient in all areas. No one can say this is unfair.” Ding Ning nodded and whispered, “Because this trial is to select the strongest in all areas.”

Nangong Caishu fell silent.

Sometimes, the so-called rules and fairness were just like this. They seem neutral, but in reality, they were biased toward some and disadvantage others.

“There are ways to circumvent the rules.” Ding Ning could see her displeasure. “We live in a world full of rules. We must strive to survive under them.” he said, sincerely.

 

“Older Sister, this is very disadvantageous to Brother-in-law, but the point is, these rules are very fair.”

Xie Changsheng heard Duanmu Lian speak and then turned to Ding Ning, who was concentrating on talking with Nangong Caishu. “Alright, how do you feel about Brother-in-law?”

“Very good.”

Unexpectedly, Xie Rou did not get angry. She said dismissively, as if she knew his evil plan. “I believe in him. He can be one of the three finalists.”

Xie Changsheng was silent for a moment before shouting angrily. “You've changed so quickly! From the start, I was the one who believed in him, even betting on him to win. You were the one who underestimated him. Now you're more confident than me? He just reached Energy Refinement. The White Goat Cave has Zhang Yi and Su Qin. The Green Vine Sword School has He Zhaoxi. Nangong Caishu isn’t weak either. Why do you think he'll be in the top three?”

“I've never met him before, that's why I formed that opinion.” Xie Rou glanced at him. “Of course, it's different now that I've met him.”

Xie Changsheng was almost speechless. “What's different?”

Xie Rou looked at Ding Ning in the distance and said, “His eyes are full of confidence, and he's not the pretentious type… so he seems very calm and relaxed. It's like buying something. Some people can't afford it but pretend to be able to. But he has the confidence of someone with a lot of money and can afford anything, no matter how expensive.”

Then, Xie Rou calmly added. “I started observing the businesses in our family's many shops when I was four. I don't know how many businessmen I've met. I'm sure my eyes aren't mistaken.”

Xie Changsheng slapped his forehead “Is this business?” he asked, dejectedly.

“The logic is the same.” Xie Rou looked at him and shook her head. “You're too young. You don't understand many things. Perhaps you'll understand in the future.”

Xie Changsheng's face was ashen with anger. “Am I too young?”

“I've seen you bathe before; you're still young everywhere!” Xie Rou said disdainfully.

“That was when I was a child!” Xie Changsheng trembled with anger and was speechless.

“Just a child, what do you know,” Xie Rou said seriously. “Don't be arrogant about this. I'll explain to Father when the time comes about the things you don't understand.”

“Also…” She paused to turn and look deeply at Xie Changsheng, “I'm a woman. I won't have to carry the burden of the family on my shoulders in the future. Father will let me do some of the things I like. But you're different. You're a man.”

 

Notes:

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

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