Chapter 74: Lips are Like Spears Can Repel Ten Thousand Swords

Sword Dynasty

Volume 1: Great Rebel

Chapter 74: Lips are Like Spears Can Repel Ten Thousand Swords

There was no time to celebrate, or rather, Ding Ning did not feel any joy as his gaze remained calm this entire time. He sensed something and looked towards the forest behind He Zhaoxi.

The pale green mist that had calmed down suddenly swirled and churned. Su Qin's confident and composed figure slowly emerged from the mist.

“Spectacular, truly spectacular.”

He smiled as his gaze fell on Nangong Caishu and He Zhaoxi, whose expressions were displeased. He clapped his hands and praised. “Indeed, this battle was spectacular, but what was most spectacular was the result. Who would have thought that the strongest of the Green Vine Sword School, He Zhaoxi, would be defeated by the Youngest Sect Brother of the White Goat Cave, who had just joined the sect?”

He Zhaoxi turned and looked directly at Su Qin. He said, “If I had known this, I would have fought you from the start.”

“What a pity.” Su Qin smiled indifferently and said, “I also feel a little regretful. Originally, I thought the person fighting you here was Zhang Yi. That way, I could also deal with the final threat in one go.”

From the moment he emerged from the mist, Nangong Caishu realized from his gaze that Su Qin harbored no good intentions toward Ding Ning. Hearing Su Qin's words, she could not help but say coldly, “Is that the behavior of a gentleman, trying to take advantage of other people's weaknesses?”

Su Qin glanced at her and said coldly. “A gentleman knows how to make use of the resources around him. Those skilled in battle exploit the situation to their advantage. Only the reckless attack an enemy at the peak of their strength.”

“I know I haven't learned as much as you,” Nangong Caishu said angrily, “But this isn't a battle between cultivators from different enemy countries, but rather a trial between members of the same sect.”

“Since we're not on the same side, there's no point in wasting words,” Ding Ning said calmly.

Su Qin originally wanted to argue further with Nangong Caishu but was stopped by Ding Ning's words. He was not angry. He smiled faintly and looked at Ding Ning. “Actually, I admire your personality. However, it's a shame that we've always been on different sides since the gates of the White Goat Cave. So every time we meet, we always dislike each other.”

Ding Ning returned the smile and said, “Elder Sect Brother isn't being hypocritical.”

Su Qin's smile slowly faded. He said, “You took advantage of your opponent's lack of vital energy, and also used the power of a pill. You also utilized the resources around you. But what I don't know is, do you have the confidence to face my sword now?”

“What are you saying?” Suddenly, a hurried voice rang out through the thin mist. “Disciples of the same sect should support each other. The White Goat Cave and the Green Vine Sword School are now one, but even among those cultivating in the same place, people from the same year and different years, people who cultivate together or not usually, have different levels of closeness. In a trial like this, one must first face disciples from other Green Vine Sword Schools, how can you say such things about this Youngest Sect Brother?”

A figure also rushed out along with the voice.

Su Qin's eyes turned cold, as if they had turned to ice.

Ding Ning's smile remained unchanged. He bowed to the figure who had rushed out and said, “Eldest Sect Brother, how come you're here too?”

On the observation platform, Xie Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Yi, who had rushed over, did not seem to have caused any trouble for Ding Ning.

Xu Heshan, next to him, also relaxed slightly, but his expression remained solemn. While He Zhaoxi, Nangong Caishu, and Ding Ning had been fighting for a long time here, the sound barrier formation was still in effect. That Su Qin and Zhang Yi were able to find their way here meant that He Zhaoxi's strength was extraordinary and he had created so much noise. The other disciples of the Green Vine Sword School and the White Goat Cave likely did not come because they wanted to avoid a disaster. They felt they lacked strength, so they hid further away.

He felt sorry for He Zhaoxi's defeat here and his inability to win in the end. But from another perspective, this also shows how difficult it is for Ding Ning to win against He Zhaoxi.

 

Zhang Yi glanced at Ding Ning's Disheveled And Blood-Stained clothes. His eyes filled with regret. With guilt and surprise, he said, “I didn't expect it to be Youngest Sect Brother, and I was a step too late. From what Su Qin said, you won?”

Ding Ning coughed softly and said, “I took advantage of the situation. If this were a fair fight out there, the outcome would have been uncertain.”

Hearing those words, He Zhaoxi frowned. “I wasn't taken advantage of. You've won, and I accept defeat.” he said seriously.

Su Qin's expression grew colder. He stared at Zhang Yi and spoke slowly. “He Zhaoxi has already lost. If we take care of these two people, you and I will be the top two in this sword trial festival. Do you really want to protect them?”

Zhang Yi looked at him strangely. “How can a temporary victory be as important as the feelings between sect members?” he said matter-of-factly.

Su Qin sneered. “What if I refuse to listen to you and steal their tokens here?”

“Then I will do my best to stop you.” Zhang Yi replied seriously.

At that moment, Ding Ning suddenly interjected. “Eldest Sect Brother, who is stronger between you and Second Elder Sect Brother?”

Nangong Caishu suddenly wanted to laugh.

First, she found Zhang Yi very interesting, and discovered that the rumors were not without basis. He was indeed a patient and elegant man, but a bit talkative. Second, when Ding Ning said “Second Elder Sect Brother,” he emphasized the word “Second” Thus, the title “Second Elder Sect Brother” sounded completely wrong.

Zhang Yi also realized that this title was not right. His expression was awkward and his brows furrowed. However, his figure moved towards Ding Ning and Nangong Caishu, shielding them behind him.

Su Qin glanced coldly at Ding Ning and Nangong Caishu. Then he turned and left.

“There are still many enemies, and I don’t want either of us to lose. But according to the rules of the sword trial festival rules, moving in groups is not allowed. Zhang Yi, I don’t believe you will be able to protect them in the next two days.” His cold, threatening voice drifted out of the thin mist and reached the ears of Zhang Yi, Ding Ning, and the others.

“Younger Sect Brother, you’re venting your selfish anger. Listen to Eldest Sect Brother’s words; being arrogant and envious of others’ talents are taboos in cultivation!” Zhang Yi shouted worriedly at Su Qin’s back.

Su Qin’s figure simply disappeared into the mist. No response was heard.

Ding Ning and Nangong Caishu could not help but exchange  glances.

“Eldest Sect Brother, are you sincere in what you say?” Ding Ning asked skeptically.

Zhang Yi turned and looked at Ding Ning strangely. “Of course I am sincere. Youngest Sect Brother, why do you ask this?”

“It seems that Eldest Sect Brother is truly a gentleman,” Ding Ning said with a smile. “I'm measuring a gentleman's heart by the pettiness of my own heart. I thought that Eldest Sect Brother was deliberately angering him.”

Zhang Yi was surprised. “I really hope he can change himself. Otherwise, his future will be unpredictable. Why would I deliberately anger him?”

“A person’s maturity can be seen as early as three years old.” Ding Ning’s eyes showed a hint of emotion. “I'm afraid a person's personality is difficult to change.”

He Zhaoxi did not want to waste any time, especially after being defeated and losing some of his prizes. So he had to cherish his time even more. He looked at the string of tokens hanging from his waist. His eyes flickered slightly, and he began to remove his robe.

Ding Ning and Zhang Yi fell silent seeing his actions.

“What are you doing?” Ding Ning looked confusedly at He Zhaoxi who had taken off his outer robe, his upper body exposed.

“Your robe is tattered and you are injured. The night on the mountain is cold and difficult to endure. It would be inappropriate if the robe were more badly damaged. In any case, I am going out immediately and will change clothes outside.” He Zhaoxi threw his outer robe to Ding Ning.

Ding Ning smiled awkwardly. It seemed he was overthinking things. He Zhaoxi was not a man with strange habits.

“Even if you wanted to give me your clothes, you didn't have to take them off in front of me. You should have cared that there was a girl around you.” Nangong Caishu was heard saying, with a slightly displeased tone as she looked at He Zhaoxi.

He Zhaoxi's face froze slightly. He gently defended himself. “I thought it would be easier for you to turn around so you wouldn't see, rather than for me to find a place to take off my clothes. Besides, I don't want to waste time.”

“Why should I turn around?” Nangong Caishu glanced at him. “Your body is pleasing to the eyes.”

He Zhaoxi's face grew even more frozen. A blush appeared on his face.

He coughed lightly. He could not think of any response. After a pause, he turned and took a step to escape into the vine forest.

“They say the lips are like spears that repels ten thousand swords. Miss Nangong, your words have made me witness this today.” Zhang Yi's face was slightly tense, unable to relax. Then he began walking in the direction he came from. He said softly, “According to the rules, we cannot travel together. Youngest Sect Sister, in the next two days, I may be near you, but you must be careful.”

As Zhang Yi's figure disappeared into the thin mist, the sound of something flying through the air was heard. A somewhat warm White Goat Cave robe flew out of the mist and towards Nangong Caishu.

“Miss Caishu, you and Youngest Sect Brother are helping each other. Your injuries are more serious than Youngest Sect Brother’s. If you don't want to give up, I'll give you this outer robe to keep you warm if you continue fighting. I hope you don't mind.” Due to the formation, the voice was barely audible.

Nangong Caishu stilled slightly. When she received this robe, she first felt grateful. Then, when she imagined how Zhang Yi might quickly take off his robe, shrouded in a thin mist, she could not help but laugh out loud.

Ding Ning’s lips could not help but curl up. He deliberately shouted in the direction Zhang Yi was leaving. “Eldest Sect Brother Zhang Yi, what about you now, half-naked? Many people on the observation platform can see!”

“Aiya…”

An exclamation sounded, followed by a faint voice. “This is really… I have to find someone nearby to fight… I need to ask for something to cover myself…”

Ding Ning imagined the disciples of the Green Vine Sword School seeing the half-naked Zhang Yi charging out, and he could not help but burst out laughing.

“You should be careful. I might as well stay close to you.”

“The limits of traveling with others can be large or small… as long as you don't want to withdraw from this trial, I don't think the masters of the Green Vine Sword School will force you to be eliminated because of this, now that He Zhaoxi has been eliminated.” he said softly.

Then Ding Ning’s smile faded. He nodded at Nangong Caishu and slowly chose a direction.

Nangong Caishu also nodded. She put on Zhang Yi's robe. Because it was too big, she felt like she was wearing a costume. Even her hands were hidden within the sleeves. Her wounds ached, but she still felt happy. She thought, regardless of the outcome this time, she would be very happy.

 

Notes:

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

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