Chapter 11: The Feng Family's Attitude

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 11: The Feng Family's Attitude

“So arrogant!”

Xue Wangxu's shout sounded half amused and half reproachful.

“But also quite bold.” Then he added, with emotion. “I remember That Person once said something like this.”

Ding Ning's eyes flickered. After thinking for a moment, he said, “I'd like to hear your assessment of That Person.”

“It seems that even though you're young, you've heard stories about That Person.” Xue Wangxu's expression became serious. He looked at Ding Ning and said seriously, “Before His Majesty the Emperor ascended the throne, someone also asked for my opinion on That Person. My answer was that I couldn't judge That Person because I wasn't qualified to do so. Furthermore, I won't discuss That Person with anyone because I know His Majesty the Emperor is capable of making the Qin Dynasty stronger and more prosperous. All the cultivation sects in Changling need a stronger and more prosperous Qin Dynasty to find their place and survive in the world.”

“As of today, everything has become history,” Xue Wangxu said slowly, “So I still won’t judge these stories of the past in front of you. Besides this reason, I also don’t want my feelings and thoughts to influence you. After all, you have a long road ahead in Changling. If you walk with special emotions… this path will only become more difficult to traverse.”

The voices outside the carriage grew louder.

Ding Ning lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. He saw more pedestrians passing by on the street. Some were street vendors with pushcarts, others were clearly visiting relatives and friends because of this temple festival. They were all wearing new clothes. Some were clearly devout believers carrying many offerings ready to pay their respects to the gods and Buddhas.

“I remember reading this in a book. They said that cultivation is divided into several main realms. First, one looks at the mountains and rivers, then at the heavens and earth, then at oneself, and then at all living beings.”

Ding Ning looked at the pedestrians passing by. “One who wishes to cultivate to a higher realm must be able to see others without being influenced by them. Do you think this statement is true?” He said softly.

Xue Wangxu fell silent. His brows furrowed deeply as he thought for a moment before solemnly asking, “What kind of book were you reading?”

Ding Ning shook his head. “I forget, maybe it was a storybook.”

“It seems reasonable.” Xue Wangxu’s brows remained deeply furrowed. He thought for a moment and sighed softly. “What a pity. Even if I had heard such a statement in my youth, I wouldn’t have had any special feelings before reaching realm seven. Now, I don’t have enough time to ponder and determine if it has any hidden meaning.”

 

They followed the official road through a natural gorge. In front of the carriage was a plain with a slow-flowing stream. The farmland gradually became sparse, as more and more courtyards came into view.

“Travel documents!”

Accompanied by low shouts from the road station, they officially entered Zhushan District.

“People from Changling?”

Several soldiers conducting the inspection according to regulations were stunned when they saw Ding Ning and Xue Wangxu's travel documents. Furthermore, upon seeing Xue Wangxu's birth date and status in the White Goat Cave, they were immediately shocked.

The leader of the soldiers did not even ask any further questions before quickly letting them through.

However, just as they entered Zhushan District and found an inn with several empty rooms, before they could even finish a pot of hot tea, a servant dressed in blue brocade robes appeared before them.

This middle-aged steward with a clean face bowed to Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning, who were sitting leisurely in a corner of the inn's lobby. His words carried an unusual amount of respect. “I am Feng Futang, a steward of the Feng Family. We were unaware of Sect master Xue’s arrival and therefore couldn't properly welcome you.”

They had just undergone a routine inspection of their travel documents on the road outside the city, but the Feng Family had already discovered their arrival quite quickly from the city gates and managed to react swiftly. This was enough to demonstrate the extent of the power of the Feng Family in Zhushan District. However, Xue Wangxu simply smiled indifferently and said, “My relationship with the Feng Family isn't good at all. So there's no need for such pleasantries.”

“Sect master Xue has a noble status. The Feng Family is the host and naturally must fulfill its obligations as host.” Feng Futang’s expression remained unchanged. With unusual humility, he said, “This inn is unremarkable. If Sect master Xue doesn’t mind, I can provide a secluded courtyard for Sect master Xue.”

Xue Wangxu smiled faintly and said, “There's no need for that. Even the worst inn is far more comfortable than my small stone temple.”

Feng Futang respectfully said, “I don't know what business has brought Sect Master Xue all the way to Zhushan District, if any…”

Xue Wangxu took a sip of tea and immediately interrupted his polite remarks. “There's no need for such a fuss. I simply came with my disciple to gain experience and cultivate in the Ba Mountains. I happened to be passing through Zhushan District and will be leaving tomorrow afternoon.”

Feng Futang’s voice grew even humbler. “Tomorrow happens to be the temple festival for worshipping the Kitchen God here, which is very lively. Our Feng family has recently received the favor of Her Majesty the Empress, and she has bestowed upon us a piece of calligraphy and a painting. Sect Master Xue is a knowledgeable person, so he must know that Her Majesty the Empress is skilled in calligraphy and painting. She is also a great cultivator skilled in seals. Her brushstrokes contain cultivation methods and the movement of the primal energies of the universe. That painting is full of various manifestations and is usually impossible to see. Tomorrow, during the sacrificial ceremony, that painting will be welcomed into the newly built Fire Virtue Hall for worship. Would Sect Master Xue be interested in taking a look?”

Xue Wangxu frowned slightly. He looked at Feng Futang and said, “Steward Feng is truly gifted with words… I have seen many stewards from the noble families in Changling, but none have reached Steward Feng’s level.”

The slight stiffness on Feng Futang’s face betrayed his inner thoughts, but nevertheless, his voice remained very polite. “Sect Master Xue is overpraising.”

“Don’t worry.” Xue Wangxu said coolly, “How could I not know how much Her Majesty cares for and supports the Feng Family. But we’re in a hurry, and I’m afraid we won’t be able to attend such a grand festival.”

Feng Futang’s expression eased slightly.

Xue Wangxu waved his hand, seemingly tired, and said quietly, “I prefer a quiet atmosphere.”

“This one understands.”

Feng Futang said nothing more, bowing before leaving.

“So hypocritical.” After listening intently to the entire conversation, Ding Ning whispered while watching Feng Futang's departing back.

Xue Wangxu gave him a sharp look. “Are you talking about me or that steward?”

Ding Ning chuckled. “It’s about the same.”

Xue Wangxu became serious. He frowned and spoke with concern. “The Feng family is acting like this. They probably already heard that I've reached realm seven. Do you think Feng Qianzhuo will be alarmed by this and refine that Appearance Enhancing Pearl overnight?”

“I don't think so.” Ding Ning looked at him and said calmly, “If that were the case, he wouldn't have needed to send that steward to use the empress's name to pressure you. If someone feels in their heart that they can scare you by mentioning the empress's name, then they're not being cautious; they're just trying to threaten you.”

Xue Wangxu's worries vanished. He smiled coldly. “You're right. The steward wasn't being humble, he was threatening.”

 

Feng Futang entered the carriage bearing the Feng family emblem. Along the way, several passersby looked at the carriage with respect and admiration. He headed towards a secluded courtyard.

The courtyards here were spacious and made of gray walls and black tiles. They clearly followed the Changling architectural style and were very different from the bamboo tiles and mud walls of Zhushan District.

This carriage stopped in front of a vermilion gate in one of the courtyards. Feng Futang stepped down from the carriage.

This steward, who had previously appeared humble, now stood upright. He exuded a cold aura as sharp as a sword, and his previously amiable face had become extremely cold and stern.

Two servants opened the vermilion gate. A young man dressed in brocade, who appeared to be about Ding Ning's age, was waiting on the stone path behind the gate.

This young man had a handsome face. But because he had his hands clasped behind his back, he looked fierce and dark, like a young eagle ready to strike at any moment.

“How did it go?” he asked Feng Futang, his face filled with pride and cold contempt.

Feng Futang bowed slightly and said, “Xue Wangxu keeps saying he's just passing through. But I can't confirm whether that's true or not. We must always be vigilant.”

“If he's truly passing through, our Feng Family will certainly treat him courteously. Given his cultivation, we might even grant him some conveniences.” The arrogant, dark-skinned young man grinned and said, “But if he wants to come and cause trouble for Grandfather tomorrow, I'll make him pay a terrible price.”

He paused for a moment and looked at Feng Futang, who was very agreeable. The young man asked, “Didn’t Xue Wangxu bring along a young man named Ding Ning? What do you think of him?”

After thinking for a moment, Feng Futang said, “We only learned of Xue Wangxu's arrival today. As for this young man's identity, it's impossible to get accurate information from Changling in a day or two. We only know he's a cultivator in the Vital Energy Realm. From Xue Wangxu's expression when he saw the young man, he should be a disciple he has high hopes for, and perhaps his last disciple.”

The young man laughed, his eyes closed.

“In that case, Xue Wangxu had better not think about tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll destroy his disciple first.”

His face was handsome and youthful, but because of that, the words coming from his mouth became even darker and colder.

He was Feng Qinghan, Feng Qianzhuo’s only grandson up to now.

Feng Qianzhuo had three sons, but none of them achieved much. They bore him many granddaughters, and only his youngest son, Feng Qingling, had a son.

Feng Qinghan was particularly accomplished.

Half a year ago, he entered the Vital Energy Realm, and now had a cultivation of the Vital Energy Realm third-class.

Given his age, he would be outstanding even in Changling.

 

Notes:

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

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