Chapter 73: One Strike Decides Victory

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 73: One Strike Decides Victory

“Art is forged into a sword, a thousand chariots cannot stop it. Fleeing and changing identities, consuming the wind and dew of the mountains…”

The white figure dashed dozens of feet along the alley in an instant. As he sang, there was sword light dancing around him like water. The Changling Guards who had been chasing along the alley were completely unable to fight back. They were sent flying upon contact, crashing into the roofs of the shops on both sides of the alley.

Hearing such a chant, seeing that invincible sword light, Qin Xuan trembled uncontrollably. He did not even have the courage or the mind to draw his sword from the yellow bamboo. He could only shout inwardly, “Bai Shanshui! It is Bai Shanshui!”

The man who looked like a carriage driver randomly picked one of the empty carriage. He held his sword in one hand, while the other steered the carriage. He followed closely behind the white figure. In a few breaths, he passed Qin Xuan and sped through the long alley.

The roar of chariots could be heard not far away.

Dozens of chariots bearing the seal of the Tiger-Wolf Army charged out of the flat, straight alleys and streets, attempting to surround this carriage that were speeding toward the outskirts of Changling.

“The country is destroyed, the mountains and rivers mourn. The subjects are responsible. Although we are humble, we will not hesitate. Today, we will fight Changling, and in the future, we will kill the Qin Emperor, a sacrifice for the soul of our country!”

This rebellious song, filled with indescribable pride, continued to ring out. The charging chariot formation was no match for them, unable to withstand even a single blow.

The chariots, weighing thirty thousand catties, swung out from both sides, like burdens carried by a farmer with a pole. They crashed into the buildings on both sides of the alley.

The rumbling sound of the chariot landing echoed, and thick smoke billowed from all directions.

The white figure surrounded by flowing sword light seemed to have entered a no-man's land, appearing invincible. Like a terrifying prehistoric beast, the figure passed through Changling and headed towards the shores of the Wei River.

Reinforcements failed to arrive in time. The officials of the Bureau of Divinity had just managed to reach the Jiujiang Commandery Assembly Hall. The Deputy Bureau Chief of Bureau of Divinity, Qi Beihuai, immediately saw the commander of the Changling Guards sitting dispiritedly on the ground. Then he saw pillars of smoke rising into the air like dragons in the distance. Hearing the cries of shock and anger from the streets, and the unstoppable chanting, he immediately understood what had happened.

Instantly, the blood drained from his face. He roared at the top of his lungs. “Why are the Changling Guards here? What are the Changling Guards here for?”

The commander of the Changling Guards on the ground heard Qi Beihuai's shout and struggled to raise his head. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

However, he did not answer Qi Beihuai’s question. All he did was mutter repeatedly. “Bai Shanshui. Why is Bai Shanshui here?”

 

In an alley in Changling, Bai Shanshui was carving a path to the Wei River. Meanwhile in the sword trial valley, the battle between He Zhaoxi and Ding Ning continued.

Ding Ning slowly stood up from the ground covered with fallen leaves. Blood dripped from his mouth, but he still slowly raised his Last Flower Remnant Sword.

“Still unwilling to accept defeat? Will you only give up if you injure yourself so badly that you won't be able to cultivate in the next few months?” Xie Changsheng was enraged when he saw this scene. “What is he raising his sword for? Does he believe that this broken sword will help him win?”

Standing in front of Ding Ning, He Zhaoxi also had the same thought.

He looked at Ding Ning and could not help but say softly. “You still want to fight?”

Beside him, Nangong Caishu could not control her emotions. She wanted to stop Ding Ning from fighting. But Ding Ning seemed to sense her emotions. He turned to look at her and shook his head.

He looked at He Zhaoxi. “I’m familiar with your sword moves now. So I just need the next attack.”

One strike to decide victory?

Did he still have confidence in winning?

He Zhaoxi's brows furrowed involuntarily. He sensed that Ding Ning was not lying. Therefore, he prepared to use the most reliable method to ward off Ding Ning's next strike.

“People are valued for their self-awareness. If someone isn't self-aware, they will lose badly,” Gu Xichun said indifferently at this moment.

He was very pleased. He felt even better when Xie Changsheng and the others who were at odds with him could no0t help but reprimand Ding Ning as well.

No one responded because Ding Ning, right at this moment, made his move.

At the edge of the observation platform, Xue Wangxu, who was sitting with his eyes half-closed on a vine chair, muttered to himself, “What are you really thinking?” As he muttered, he rested his hands on his knees. When he saw He Zhaoxi and Ding Ning's current stance, he felt something inexplicable, something was happening. His white beard was already thin, and if he pulled it any longer, he would look ugly.

He Zhaoxi's expression was solemn. He also began to move. His body once again faced Ding Ning in a straight line. He swiftly swung the yellow longsword in his hand, which then spun horizontally through the air in an arc.

This was a battle of pure strength. The area swept by the horizontal sword encompassed all areas Ding Ning could dodge. Ding Ning was forced to parry this strike.

This was the safest method in combat—forcing the fight to be extremely simple.

When this sword appeared, most people on the observation platform thought Ding Ning could not block this strike. In the previous sword strike, Ding Ning had been knocked back and unable to parry thise simple yet highly effective attack.

Ding Ning was still forced to swing his sword to defend as before. But unexpectedly for everyone watching, this time, the situation was different.

As he swung the remnant sword in his right hand and countless white flowers bloomed in the air, his left hand crushed a piece of wax. A yellow pill the size of an eye was thrown into his mouth. He swallowed it in one gulp.

He Zhaoxi was the first to feel a strange feeling.

This moment was too fast. The strange feeling didn't come from the pill medicine, but from Ding Ning's sword strike.

Ding Ning's sword movement did not seem any different from his previous attacks, but Ding Ning's body seemed to be thrust forward forcefully, seemingly about to collide with his longsword.

He did not have time to think.

A loud clang rang out.

A wave of shock surged through his heart.

Ding Ning's sword had almost touched the tip of his longsword!

In his previous attacks, Ding Ning's sword had struck the center of his longsword. But this time, when Ding Ning struck, his sword struck near the tip of his longsword! With such a change, he could not exert his full strength. He felt as if he was not holding a sword but a lever.

Ding Ning's figure seemed to be lifted by the force. He flashed even further and drew closer to him!

Boom!

At this moment, he seemed to hear a wild burst of medicinal power spreading through Ding Ning's body.

Ding Ning let out a muffled grunt as his body radiated tremendous power. The trembling remnant sword in his hand sent more white flowers into the air as it slashed towards He Zhaoxi's waist.

He Zhaoxi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing nearly stopped. He drew back his longsword. But his sword was very long. In close combat like this, his longsword was no't as agile as Ding Ning's shortsword. At this moment, he only had time to use his sword hilt to block Ding Ning's sword strike.

The fierce slash suddenly transformed into a vast expanse of dark green grass. The sword tip spun gracefully in the air, creating a streak of sword shadow. The blade slid down the straight hilt of the longsword and slashed at He Zhaoxi's fingers.

He Zhaoxi's mind was filled with disbelief. But he had no choice. He loosened his fingers and dodged to the side.

After being released from its master's grasp, the yellow longsword began to fall to the ground.

Ding Ning’s inky green remnant sword flicked upwards. This yellow longsword was immediately thrown swiftly towards the vine forest behind him.

Seeing the yellow longsword that had landed deep in the forest, and then seeing the inky green remnant sword blooming with white flowers, He Zhaoxi immediately stopped. His eyes sparkled with surprise. “Pill Sword Path?”

A wave of yellow medicinal energy was still flowing beneath Ding Ning's skin. Holding the remnant sword, although his clothes were in disarray, he looked even more powerful and stronger than before!

Ding Ning could see that He Zhaoxi did not want to fight, so he did not pursue. He nodded at He Zhaoxi and softly said, “Nangong Caishu gave me this pill medicine before the sword trial. I haven't specifically cultivated the Pill Sword Path, but someone has given me this pill. I will protect her with my life.”

“Ding Ning, you are a worthy friend. You are a true genius, as expected.” He Zhaoxi's eyes showed bitterness and dissatisfaction, but his face was respectful. He bowed slightly to Ding Ning and said, “I have lost.”

“You… you took the Yellow Court Gold Pill just now?” Nangong Caishu’s shocked voice sounded.

The change in that moment was so swift and subtle that even she had only just managed to react.

“What happened?”

“Ding Ning swallowed a pill medicine?”

“He Zhaoxi was defeated?”

As Nangong Caishu spoke in surprise, the observation platform erupted in an uproar, echoing with the loudest shouts since the sword trial festival began.

Duanmu Lian was utterly shocked.

Di Qingmei’s face was darker than the bottom of a wok.

Gu Xichun's disgust froze on his face, and did not disappear for a long time.

“What kind of pill medicine s this that has such potent medicinal power?” Xue Wangxu did not pull off his beard, but his hands nearly tore his robes apart.

Complicated emotions danced in his eyes… Ding Ning had given him a huge surprise. When the pill medicine entered his mouth, he looked like a swordsman who had cultivated the pill sword path. His timing was impeccable, and his maneuvers were even better than He Zhaoxi’s. Ding Ning seemed to have only been able to survive in the previous battles because he was trying to study He Zhaoxi’s movements, while thinking of solutions to defeat them.

If people had doubted Ding Ning’s talent in the past, starting from this fight, everyone would realize that Ding Ning possessed extraordinary talent in various areas.

However, the better one's talent, the more one shouldn't waste it. He was worried that this pill of unknown origin, with its immense power, would bring many dire consequences to Ding Ning.

Xie Changsheng gaped again, unable to speak for a long time.

“So worthy of admiration.” Only when Xu Heshan spoke beside him did he regain his senses.

“Thank you.” Xie Changsheng was a little embarrassed but also sincerely thanked Gu Xichun beside him.

Gu Xichun looked at him in surprise, unsure of what he was thanking him for.

“Every time you declare that he can't do something, his performance is always amazing. So, I'm grateful to you,” Xie Changsheng looked at him and explained. “From now on, you'll have to talk more about how he'll fail.”

Gu Xichun's face darkened.

“Don't cause trouble! How childish!” Xie Rou shouted harshly. She looked like she wanted to slap Xie Changsheng, but her eyebrows showed joy.

“This isn't the time to celebrate.” At this time, Xu Heshan’s grave voice rang out. “Su Qin.”

Xie Changsheng suddenly lowered his head, his expression changing.

 

Notes:

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

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