Chapter 65: A Good Sword

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 65: A Good Sword

Gu Xichun and Xu Heshan did not recognize the dark-skinned young man that Ding Ning was about to meet. From the young man's robes, they knew that he was from the Green Vine Sword School.

However, all the members of the Green Vine Sword School recognized this dark-skinned young man: Yu Lian from Liuquan Commandery.

Liuquan Commandery had many kilns and this Yu Lian was the son of a kiln master. Although he was born into an ordinary family, his progress in the Green Vine Sword School was above average, and had first-class Energy Refinement cultivation.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yu Lian and Ding Ning walked slowly, separated by a vine wall. The end of their path was the same exit where they both finally met.

 

Almost at the same time that Ding Ning saw this dark-skinned disciple of the Green Vine Sword School, next to him, Yu Lian too saw Ding Ning. Their instincts were identical. They were rooted to their spot and gripped their swords.

Ding Ning was calm, while Yu Lian stared hesitantly and appeared nervous.

This was not a competition that would end in a single day, so no one intended to waste their energy until the very end. But then he thought about how he had to defeat an opponent in a day and take their token; and he also thought about the fact that the other was a renowned genius from the White Goat Cave. If he eliminated the other, the masters on the observation platform would be overjoyed… As he thought this, the hesitation in Yu Lian's eyes turned into a burning fire.

Without a word, he focused his sight on Ding Ning and drew his sword from its scabbard. His sword was completely red and radiated a jade-like glow.

“A good sword!”

Ding Ning stared at his sword and praised. “What sword is this?”

Yu Lian paused for a moment. Out of courtesy, he responded softly. “It's called Dark Fire, and it comes from the Secret Fire Sword Workshop of the Liuquan Commandery.”

Ding Ning nodded in response and held his sword horizontally across his chest. Compared to Yu Lian’s Dark Fire Sword, his remnant sword was only a third of its length, and looked extremely small.

Everyone assumed he was preparing to fight. Yu Lian also thought he was going to attack. However, in the next moment, Ding Ning dashed towards the opening in the vine wall to his side.

The observation platform was struck by lightning.

Xu Heshan and the others were speechless.

Ding Ning had chosen to run away.

Although running away was permitted by the rules of the sword trial, in the culture of the Qin Dynasty running away from a one-on-one fight like this was something very shameful and cowardly.

Gu Xichun stilled. Then a mocking expression appeared on his face. Turning his head towards Xu Heshan, he said, “He doesn't even dare to face a cultivator's sword head-on. It seems he's not as powerful as you think.”

Xu Heshan frowned. Seeing Ding Ning desperately running away below, he was also a little displeased.

Yu Lian also completely did not expect Ding Ning to turn around and dash away. However, he was quick to react. With a low cry, he gave chase.

Ding Ning had only just reached Energy Refinement Realm, but he was already first-class Energy Refinement. There was only a small difference of two levels between them. He was also much stronger and faster than the person in front of him. With just a few leaps, he was already within ten feet of Ding Ning.

Yes, people looked down on those who ran away. But being unable to escape would only invite more ridicule.

Gu Xichun's disdain grew even more.

But at that very moment, something unexpected happened. The vine wall next to Ding Ning and Yu Lian suddenly shook, and numerous vines emerged with lightning speed.

Ding Ning did not stop moving. His remnant sword slashed and parried, cutting off two of the green vines that were approaching him. Then, he continued charging forward.

Yu Lian was shocked. A layer of red flame suddenly appeared on the red long sword in his hand. With a swing of his sword, a vine charging towards him was sliced apart, revealing a charred patch. However, at this moment, the broken leaves exploded with a popping sound, and the thick vine roared as it charged towards him.

Yu Lian knew the power of this kind of vine. His expression changed slightly. He poured a wave of physical energy into his sword. With a soft hiss, the red flames that had appeared on his sword disappeared completely, but the sword's temperature rose dramatically, and the blade turned completely red, as if it had been left in a furnace for a long time.

He raised the sword in his hand and suddenly stabbed. The red-hot tip of the sword easily pierced the thick, metal-like skin of the vine near his chest. He thrust the sword upward.

Many on the observation platform wore slightly cold expressions as they recognized the first move in the Heaven Burning Sword Manual — called the Heaven Burning Candle.

This was a sword technique with extremely fast moves used in close-quarters combat. It was used when fighting within a few feet. If one failed to dodge this swing, the sword would pierce through the lower body, all the way up to the head. Needless to say, it was a fatal move.

At this moment, the sword had already pierced through the thick, oncoming vine. Yu Lian could be seen continuing his advance and using the sword to cleave it in half with a single strike.

However, at this moment, Ding Ning suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around!

A speck of inky green light flew from his hand, aiming for Yu Lian's wrist.

This was a turn of events that no one could have imagined.

Yu Lian was shocked and furious. He screamed furiously, dust flying as the ground cracked beneath him. His feet were deeply embedded in the ground like two metal pillars.

At this moment, several slender vines were swiftly moving towards his feet. Despite being attacked from three directions, he remained calm. After ensuring he could stand firm in the next moments, he swung his sword and raised it to clash with Ding Ning’s incoming remnant sword.

Although the people on the observation platform could not hear the sound, they could see the scorching heat around his red sword exploding.

The red on the sword quickly dissipated, and the previously hovering flames spread outward. The thick vine where his sword passed through quickly turned charred black and almost burned.

Ding Ning’s remnant sword cut through these dark, scorching flames. His physical energy channeled into the seals on his inky green sword gave rise to pure jasmine flowers. However, due to the great disparity in their strengths, the scorching flames effortlessly obliterated the fragile flowers. He could feel pain from his arm due to the hot air, but still did not withdraw his sword back. His sword and the dark fire sword clashed, but barely a sound was produced.

At this moment, his inky green remnant sword was like a slippery fish sliding down the body of the dark fire sword, and slashed towards Yu Lian's fingers on the hilt.

A strong wave of disbelief swept over Yu Lian. Had the other person been practicing swordsmanship for a long time before he began cultivating, and he was reacting like this at this moment?

His face immediately paled. He forced a half turn with his sword at that moment.

A soft popping sound rang out.

Ding Ning’s remnant sword was knocked back several feet.

Pop pop pop pop…

He heard a whip-like sound around his feet as thin vines wrapped around them. The thin vines could not drag him away, only creating a cloud of dust.

Ding Ning's expression was unusually calm. He stepped gently, pure white flowers blooming once again on his remnant sword, as he slashed towards Yu Lian's wrist.

If this were any other time, Yu Lian would have had many ways to dodge this sword strike, and could even counter with his sword. But his sword was entangled in thick vines. His body was deeply embedded in the ground. If he lifted his foot, he feared he would be immediately dragged down by the thin vines. He had no choice but to abandon his sword, otherwise, Ding Ning would cut off his hand with this strike.

Yu Lian let go of his sword. His body trembled slightly.

A soft jingle sounded.

Ding Ning's sword spun in his hand. He grasped the hilt of the dark fire sword and flicked the sword out from the thick vine. At the same time, he immediately darted to the side. As the thick, scorching vine shot towards Yu Lian, he advanced along the vine wall. His remnant sword shot out once more, and he managed to cut through the thick vine in a matter of seconds. The thick vine fell at Yu Lian's feet like a piece of thick rope.

With Yu Lian’s strength, he was able to break free from the thin vines at his feet. But he did not have a sword in his hand. He could not win against Ding Ning’s sword physically, even if it was just a remnant sword. He was well aware that if this were a real battle, Ding Ning would not have cut through the thick vine first, but would have killed him.

So he lowered his head with difficulty and, with a trembling voice, said, “I lost.”

Ding Ning nodded. He did not speak, only panting as he waited for Yu Lian to hand over his token.

 

On the observation platform, silence fell.

“A good sword skill.” Xu Heshan’s voice broke the tranquility. He looked at the still-burning dark fire sword on the ground and began to applaud. “The Dark Fire Sword, crafted by the renowned craftsman of Liuquan Commandery, is a fine sword. When physical strength moves between the seal and the blade, it ignites a scorching flame. But in this battle, Ding Ning, holding his remnant sword in his hand, performed better.”

Gu Xichun's face was covered with a layer of frost. He knew that Xu Heshan was directly addressing him with those words.

“It was just a coincidence.” He stared coldly at Xu Heshan and said, “If by chance there hadn't been a trap there, right now, Ding Ning would be the one who lost.”

Xu Heshan stopped applauding and replied, “Being able to use everything around him is also a type of skill.”

Gu Xichun said expressionlessly, “But unfortunately, most battles between cultivators won't take place in places where such tricks are used. This is true for battles on ordinary battlefields, as well as in street battles and alleyways. Even the Min Mountain Sword Trials didn't have such tricks at all. Compared to these lowly tricks, I believe in absolute strength more.”

Xu Heshan was not someone who was good at debating. Gu Xichun's words infuriated him, but he could not think of any rebuttal. So he remained silent with a gloomy expression.

Beside him, the usually active Xie Changsheng was also silent.

Xie Rou’s words that he could not defeat Prince Li Ling’s retainer in the future greatly motivated him. Ding Ning’s performance just now robbed him of the mood to joke.

“He is outstanding, but what kind of lousy sword does he have? It looks much worse than his opponent's.” He could not help but speak after a moment. “Does the White Goat Cave not even have the money to buy a better sword?”

Hearing his words, Xie Rou shook her head. “Since the masters of the White Goat Cave gave him that sword, they certainly had a purpose in giving it to him. Also, don't be such a spendthrift every time you talk. You keep talking about money, money, money.”

“Being able to spend money isn't being a spendthrift; spending money and not progressing in cultivation is truly being a spendthrift.” Xie Changsheng seemed to be talking to himself, but also responding to Xie Rou. There was no smile on his face.

 

Notes:

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

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