Chapter 10: Changing Plans

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 10: Changing Plans

As the days passed, the winter chill grew stronger. Once entering Ba Commandery, the scenery along the way was completely different from Changling. From the low, terraced hills, plowed fields stretched as far as the eye could see. There are small towns with their small markets everywhere, but it is rare to see a large, established city. The lofty, steep peaks of the Ba Mountains stood side by side like giants supporting the sky, but even today, they were almost uninhabited.

A thousand years ago, cultivators were extremely rare throughout the land. The cultivators who could comprehend or possess certain powers were called earth immortals or sword immortals by the common people. These cultivators used the spirit veins in the mountains to cultivate. They were described as living off wind and dew, swallowing clouds and mist. They left behind endless legends.

As the nations of the world gradually became stronger, they began to form great dynasties, and as the Qin Dynasty and the Ba Mountains Sword Field prospered, the Ba Mountains area rapidly increased in population. However, the spirit veins in the Ba Mountains had been in disrepair for hundreds of years. Ancient cultivation places had disappeared over the years as if eliminated by natural selection.

The Ba Mountain Sword Field was destroyed during a storm before Emperor Yuanwu ascended the throne. Compared to Changling, the bustling capital with its numerous cultivators, the Ba Commandery had very few cultivators. The common people's understanding of cultivators remained largely unchanged. They believed that cultivators lived from wind and dew, devouring clouds and mist.

Therefore, Xue Wangxu only needed to demonstrate his skills a little along the journey and easily exchange for the best horses, speeding up their journey.

On this day, when Ding Ning lifted the curtain that had hardened from the frost, he saw a massive fortress composed of thousands of wooden towers built along the mountainside.

He knew this was Liancheng Fortress. Before the Ba Mountains were officially established as a commandery and the military was stationed here, this area had been one of the largest gathering places for the Ba Mountains natives.

Passing through here, and then crossing a gorge, there was a valley where Zhushan District was located.

 

As Ding Ning followed Xue Wangxu and drew closer to Zhushan District, at the connecting station at the Warden's Office on the outskirts of Changling, Wang Taixu and Yu Gu were holding a meeting to negotiate.

Yu Gu's gaze was mostly fixed on the winter plum tree in the courtyard. His expression remained dignified and cold, but his mind was completely calm. He knew, based on the developments of the past few days, that this was a negotiation that the Warden's Office had to complete as quickly as possible today.

“The winter air is getting thicker now. If the matter of making clothes and armor suddenly changes hands, there might be a delay.”

Wang Taixu's gaze was also fixed on the winter plum tree. He slowly said calmly, “So what General said earlier makes sense. The Two Level can let go of the clothing and armor business, but we must retain the warehouse business. Furthermore, I’ve heard that many prisons in Changling are dilapidated, having not been repaired for a long time. The prisoners inside also need clothing for the winter. It seems they need help to alleviate some of their suffering. I wonder if General can decide whether the Two Level Tower can handle these things?”

Yu Gu suddenly turned around.

His sharp, knife-like gaze shone from his eyes and landed on Wang Taixu. He asked in a deep voice, “Are you serious?”

This was completely beyond his expectations. Repairing prison buildings, providing food, clothing, and bedding for the prisoners, and handling some other administrative matters—although these also brought substantial profits, how could they compare to the staggering profits from manufacturing military clothing and armor?

Wang Taixu smiled faintly and said, “Although I’m just a commoner from the streets and cannot match General who can give orders as heavy as mountains, when I speak, I will definitely keep my word.”

Yu Gu glanced at him and immediately misunderstood. With a hint of mockery, he said, “If you have access to those prisons, if the people from Two Level Tower enter those prisons in the future, I think they’ll probably receive very good treatment. Even if they’re innocent scapegoats, they’ll have a much more comfortable time there. But those other Changling gangsters who have opposed you should first think carefully about the fate of their people there. It certainly won’t be so easy… Wang Taixu, this move of yours—retreating to advance—will allow you to avoid offending our Warden’s Office too much, and you’ll be able to gain more territory in the future in your struggle against those powerful gangsters. Your plan is indeed excellent.”

Wang Taixu smiled again. He bowed humbly to Yu Gu and said, “Thank you, General Yu, for your agreement to this matter.”

Yu Gu’s expression turned slightly cold.

Of course he had not agreed yet, but Wang Taixu already knew he would! He would agree because asking the Judicial Office to relinquish some of its interests was a small matter for the Warden’s Office. What Wang Taixu demanded had not touched the bottom line of the Warden’s Office. It could be said that he had already brought much honor to the Warden's Office.

However, both on the battlefield and in the imperial court, he disliked and was wary of people who were too intelligent and able to read their opponents' minds.

So at this moment, the obvious murderous intent in his eyes was clearly visible.

“Although I can fulfill some of your demands this time, you are an intelligent person and should understand that the situation will change after this period passes.” Yu Gu took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He continued in a cold voice. “After this winter is over, it would be best if you exercise restraint.”

Wang Taixu had not yet straightened up from his bowing position. “I will remember General’s teaching.” he whispered respectfully.

Yu Gu fell silent.

This long-running negotiation was finally over.

Although Wang Taixu was very humble in his words and demeanor, Yu Gu knew that once this man left the connecting station, accompanied by promises and military cooperation, Wang Taixu's Two Level Tower would quickly force dozens of gangs, originally dependent on this business, into a corner or join Two Level Tower.

Two Level Tower, already a major force, would become a giant entity unmatched by any other gangster except the underground ruler of the Fish Market.

 

It was only half a day's journey from Liancheng Fortress to Zhushan District. So, after seeking Ding Ning's opinion, Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning did not rest at Liancheng Fortress and continued on their journey immediately after eating.

“We'll be arriving at Zhushan District soon. Do you have any plans?” Ding Ning rubbed his knees, which were uncomfortable from sitting for so long during the journey, as he asked Xue Wangxu.

He himself has always been a person who plans things very carefully.

For example, when to kill Song Shenshu, when to appear before Xie Changsheng and the others, when to enter the cultivation place and reach a level that would allow him to join the Min Mountain Sword Sect. He had many meticulous plans and backup plans.

He would continue to carry out these things methodically, step by step.

After joining the Min Mountain Sword Sect, he would obtain the Heaven Replenishing Divine Art, which could be used with the Nine Death Silkworm, preventing him from aging prematurely, accelerating his cultivation speed, and increasing his strength in each realm.

After obtaining the Heaven Replenishing Divine Art, he could find people on the walls in the wine shop based on his cultivation, and confront them one by one.

However, some secrets revealed by Song Shenshu disrupted his plans, and he had to force several things to proceed simultaneously.

The Feng family of Zhushan District was originally not part of his main plans.

“Feng Qianzhuo is like a local lord in Zhushan, especially since he is a powerful cultivator. The locals here truly regard him as a god who can protect this area.” Xue Wangxu looked at Ding Ning who looked busy and explained. “He most likely enjoys this kind of respect. So every year during the temple festival, he appears, lights the first incense stick, donates some wealth, and speaks a few words. If I challenge him publicly at that time, he shouldn’t be able to find a reason to refuse.”

Ding Ning said, “In other places in our dynasty, everyone respects brave and strong people. They would admire both parties in a public duel like this. But in Zhushan District, challenging him at a time like this will incur hatred.”

“If I win, it won't be hatred that will arise, but fear.” Xue Wangxu said with a hint of mockery.

“Even if you're certain he hasn't reached realm seven, some of the tactics from the Ba Mountain Sword Field still have many unique aspects,” Ding Ning said calmly.

“Of course I'll be careful.” Xue Wangxu picked up the waterskin and took a sip of warm water. He looked at Ding Ning seriously. “But you… you said you want to defeat all the young geniuses in the Min Mountain Sword Trials. What plans do you have? I haven't seen you practice your sword at all on this trip. Have you already comprehended the two sword manuals you picked?”

Ding Ning hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Xue Wangxu nearly choked on the water he was drinking. He began coughing violently.

Ding Ning glanced at him, then casually made a few gestures with his fingers a few times in the air.

Although it was only a few simple movements, a unique energy was visible in the air.

Xue Wangxu stopped coughing, but he had already pulled out a few strands of his white beard. Water from his open waterskin splashed onto his chest.

“I know these sword manuals are difficult for other people, but for me, they are very simple.” Ding Ning looked at him calmly and said quietly, “So according to my plan, I only need to reach the Vital Energy Realm before the Min Mountain Sword Trials. To be safe, I need to reach at least the Vital Energy Realm second-class.”

“I’ve never seen a freak like you before.” Xue Wangxu whistled softly after a while. He slowly said, “I suddenly have an urge to see the two freaks from the Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect. I want to see what differences there are between them and you.”

“Originally, I thought the Wildfire Sword Manual wasn't difficult enough, but since you're like this with these two sword manuals… it seems I don't understand you well enough.”

The surprise in Xue Wangxu's eyes subsided, but his brows furrowed slightly. He asked softly, as if in discussion, “Are these two manuals enough? I'm afraid some people might be able to master a more powerful sword manual in the Min Mountain Sword Trials.”

Ding Ning shook his head. “There is no strongest sword manual in the world, only stronger people.”

 

Notes:

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

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