Chapter 14: This Isn't a Child's Matter

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 14: This Isn't a Child's Matter

Xue Wangxu saw Feng Qianzhuo shake his head. He replied with a cold and arrogant smile. He thought to himself, “Some matters are not something a cultivator like you, who is content to live in seclusion and simply wants to enjoy the rest of your life, can understand.”

Feng Qianzhuo's eyebrows slowly raised.

He carried the painting scroll to the tall tower in the Fire Virtue Hall.

The newly built Fire Virtue Hall was specifically built to worship this painting scroll of Her Majesty the Empress. The tallest tower was taller than all the divine statues in this temple.

None of the Zheng people of Zhushan District objected to this.

They only had divine statues here because the Empress permitted it. They could maintain Zheng customs and live like this because the Empress permitted it. The Empress indeed deserved to be higher than all the divine statues here.

The tower was not connected to the temples below by stairs.

But Feng Qianzhuo continued to climb upwards, as if there was a long, invisible ladder in the air that supported his body steadily.

This kind of scene was also another miracle to the common people of Zhushan District.

In their eyes, the empress should naturally be placed higher than any divine statues, and Old Master Feng should be placed at least as high as those divine statues.

“Realm six first-class. About the same as Headmaster Di Qingmei. Just a door away from realm seven. At this moment, he still hasn't given up and is even showing off in front of me.” Watching Feng Qianzhuo walk slowly and steadily with each step in the air, Xue Wangxu smiled indifferently. “He meant to say that he and I are only separated by a single door. But he's from the Ba Mountain Sword Field, he possesses a powerful sword manual and a renowned sword from Ba Mountain. He probably wouldn't lose to me. Even now, he wants to intimidate me… he probably doesn't know that my eldest sect brother and I split the White Goat spirit vein into three to refuse the master of the painting scroll he holds.”

“It’s almost time. Follow me closely from now on.” After a faint smile, he looked at Ding Ning beside him seriously and warned softly. “The situation might get chaotic. After traveling this far for you, I don’t want you to end up getting slashed by a few swords.”

Ding Ning was currently staring at Feng Qianzhuo. Hearing Xue Wangxu’s words, he shook his head and said, “It’s almost time. But soon, I might be the first to act, not you.”

Xue Wangxu was startled. “What do you mean?”

“Although I don’t want to, it seems I’m the one he’s targeting,” Ding Ning said expressionlessly.

Xue Wangxu scanned his surroundings with some astonishment. He finally understood Ding Ning’s meaning and whispered, “He should be at the Vital Energy Realm third-class. Just as Feng Qianzhuo and I are separated by a door, he’s one door ahead of you. Are you confident?”

Ding Ning nodded and said, “He’s weaker than Su Qin.”

 

All the nobles and important figures sitting on the wooden chairs looked at Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning as they spoke quietly. Their expressions became more complicated and filled with anticipation.

After putting away the scroll, Feng Qianzhuo went downstairs.

“We thank His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress for their benevolence. Naturally, we cannot help but contribute something after coming to spectate today.”

“Feng Qianzhuo, your sword hasn’t been displayed for a long time. Mine is almost rusty. Why don’t we raise the spirits of this festival by using our swords? Xue Wangxu of White Goat Cave asks for enlightenment.” At this moment, Xue Wangxu remembered Ding Ning’s words: The best debater will not give his opponent time to react. So he spoke as soon as Feng Qianzhuo’s feet touched the ground.

His voice was soft but exceptionally clear, audible to the people of Zhushan District gathered around the Fire Virtue Hall.

Feng Qianzhuo frowned slightly. He wondered to himself, “Why doesn’t this old man know what’s good for him?”

“You're openly challenging me at a time like this. Regardless of whether you can defeat me, even if you win in the end and I return the Appearance Enhancing Pearl to you, will you be lucky enough to experience it when you return to Changling?”

“So he really came to challenge Old Master Feng?”

“Didn’t the Feng Family say they were guests?”

“The Feng Family treats them with courtesy… even if he wished to challenge, why did he have to choose a time like this?”

The sounds of discussion grew louder. At Feng Qianzhuo’s frown and his apparent displeasure, curses rose like the tide.

“What status do you have? Do you have the right to challenge Old Master Feng!” Someone shouted from within the crowd.

“What status?” Xue Wangxu did not care and simply waited for Feng Qianzhuo to speak.

But at this moment, Ding Ning's calm voice rang out. “He is the Sect Master of the White Goat Cave. The gates of the White Goat Cave have a stele bestowed by His Majesty. The officials of Changling can only enter the gates of the White Goat Cave if he agrees. Only cultivation places that have sent large numbers of cultivators to Qin have such an honor. He is a sect master who has been accepted and given a title by His Majesty… You say he is inferior to someone who isn't even a district governor and is only the head of a somewhat prosperous family? Perhaps you are underestimating His Majesty too much?”

His voice was not particularly loud, but as it spread, it enveloped the surroundings in a deathly silence.

The people who had been cursing felt endless terror and subconsciously retreated. They had been so in awe of the empress, let alone the mighty Emperor Yuanwu!!

“These rural people are no match for you in arguing and using righteousness to pressure people.”

Xue Wangxu turned to Ding Ning and smiled. Then he looked at the silent Feng Qianzhuo and said defiantly, “Speak. Do you want these Zheng people to chase me away? Aren’t you afraid they’ll say other disgraceful things?”

“You shouldn’t have come. Losing your life for an Appearance Enhancing Pearl is not profitable.” Feng Qianzhuo was slightly angry, his tone cold.

Xue Wangxu looked at him and solemnly shook his head. “This really isn’t just about the Appearance Enhancing Pearl. This is also about the blow that struck my eldest sect brother. Without that blow from you, perhaps my eldest sect brother would have already broken through the door you haven’t.”

Feng Qianzhuo’s expression grew colder, and he spoke with slight disdain. “Is realm seven so easy to break through? Especially for someone who has already been defeated.”

Xue Wangxu glanced at him indifferently and said, “It's no use talking if we can't agree on anything. Ultimately, we must speak with our swords.”

“Elders, you are already advanced in years. It would be a shame if you were injured in this battle. I'm afraid Sect Master Xue has come well-prepared, while my grandfather hasn't touched a sword in a long time. This is clearly unfair.” A childish yet cool and steady voice rang out. “Fighting with swords and gaining more battle experience are things that we young and spirited people should do.”

Upon hearing his voice, Xue Wangxu turned to look at Feng Qinghan, whose youthful face glinted with a cold and malicious glint in his eyes. He sighed softly with a hint of sincere sympathy. “This is an adult matter. It's best for children to stay out of it.”

Feng Qinghan, feeling slighted, was furious. He puffed out his chest and said in a slightly cold voice, “Why is Sect Master Xue being so pressuring? I see Sect Master Xue has brought a young disciple from your sect with you. What do you think if I challenge him?”

Xue Wangxu recalled his previous conversation with Ding Ning. He sighed and thought, “Not sending his precious grandson to Changling to study was probably Feng Qianzhuo's greatest mistake. If Feng Qinghan had been to Changling and seen so many young geniuses who were stronger and more talented than him, he wouldn't be so arrogant and domineering now.”

When he thought up to here, he felt happy. He felt that Ding Ning was becoming more and more pleasing to his eyes.

Ding Ning slowly raised his head. He had no interest in bullying Feng Qinghan. He had too many people to catch up with. He had too many great tasks to accomplish. So it was natural for him to not care about such a young man's feelings. But he was afraid of trouble.

So, he directly said, “If I win against you, will you return the Appearance Enhancing Pearl to the White Goat Cave?”

Feng Qinghan’s eyes shone with light. Unable to contain his excitement, he turned and bowed to Feng Qianzhuo. “Grandfather, please allow me.”

Feng Qianzhuo's brows furrowed.

From Ding Ning's previous remarks and the calm expression on his face, he felt that this young man from Changling, who had been following Xue Wangxu around, was dangerous. But he could sense that this skinny young man had not yet reached the Vital Energy Realm. Even if he had something special, even if Feng Qinghan lost, this was just a battle between children… this seemed to be the best response at the moment. He even praised his precious grandson from the bottom of his heart. Compared to the mediocre abilities of his three sons, this grandson was extraordinary.

“Xue Wangxu, let my grandson fight a disciple from your sect. If your disciple wins, I will return the Appearance Enhancing Pearl to you. But I must clarify. This Appearance Enhancing Pearl is a treasure found during an exploration of the ruins of an ancient sect. I won it from your eldest sect brother, and it is not something from the White Goat Cave.” After Feng Qianzhuo said this, he shouted to the crowd behind him. “Lizhu, bring over the Appearance Enhancing Pearl.”

After he shouted, a beautiful woman quickly walked forward, removed a pearl from her neck, and handed it to Feng Qianzhuo.

It was a snow-white pearl the size of a longan. It shimmered magically, as if breathing, emitting a radiant, crystal light.

Seeing the pearl, Feng Qinghan smiled, his eyes narrowing.

He turned and looked at Ding Ning, who was still standing behind Xue Wangxu. He laughed mockingly. “Stop hiding behind others … If you win against me, this pearl will belong to the White Goat Cave.”

Many of the nobles and important figures of Zhushan District sitting on wooden chairs looked at Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning with amusement. They felt that this time, Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning had been defeated and were in an awkward position.

However, to everyone's surprise, Ding Ning did not say anything unnecessary.

He took a few steps forward until he was standing in front of Xue Wangxu. Then, he drew his sword and said, “Please.”

 

Notes:

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

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