Chapter 21: We Should Be Grateful

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 21: We Should Be Grateful

Early in the morning, at the same time as usual, Ding Ning opened the door of the wine shop and came out carrying his usual coarse porcelain bowl. But after taking a step, he seemed to remember something and returned to the shop to get another large bowl. Then he headed to the noodle shop where he usually had breakfast.

Small icicles had already begun to hang from the eaves on both sides. The noodle shop was too small to accommodate a table, so an awning had been erected at the door and some cotton cloths hung up to block the wind. White steam swirled inside the awning. Although it could not completely ward off the cold, it at least made the place feel warm.

From a distance, Ding Ning saw Xue Wangxu sitting there comfortably. He ran over to him. Seeing that Xue Wangxu indeed did not have a bowl in front of him, as he had predicted, he could not help but laugh.

“Shopkeeper, a bowl of red chili oil noodles.” Xue Wangxu smiled and called out loudly.

Ding Ning also ordered the same dish for himself. After the noodles were served, he returned with two bowls and handed one to Xue Wangxu.

The two of them lowered their heads and silently finished their noodles. Seeing the slightly sweaty forehead, Ding Ning asked, “You're here so early. Where are you planning to go?”

Xue Wangxu was silent for a moment before answering. “Today I'm going to the northern headquarters of the Tiger-Wolf Army.”

Ding Ning was silent for a moment and then asked, “Who are you going to meet?”

“General Liang,” Xue Wangxu answered honestly.

Ding Ning's brows furrowed slightly. His gaze involuntarily fell on the Last Flower Sword at his waist.

He increasingly felt that this remnant sword was like an invisible thread, entangling more and more people and events. Perhaps, it was like a curse… Before this sword appeared, many things felt very distant from him. Even if he had planned things all along and inquired about some things beforehand, when this sword appeared, many favors and grudges surfaced, and he could not extricate himself.

Was this heaven's will?

Was not he being too hasty, and the time had truly come?

Seeing his strange expression, Xue Wangxu asked, “What's wrong?”

Ding Ning looked up and asked in a whisper, “Is this the empress’s wish? You went to ask her opinion last night?”

Xue Wangxu paused slightly but nodded nonetheless.

“I’m really looking forward to your performance in the Min Mountain Sword Trials. I want to see if you can win first place. That would be truly glorious. Living a few years longer isn’t as important as my pride. But for this… I had to ask for her opinion.”

Pausing for a moment, Xue Wangxu continued warmly. “Originally, she didn’t want you to know that this was her arrangement. As for me, I also didn’t want you to know that she had arranged this because she was right. If you resent her and some people in the imperial court, it wouldn’t be good for your future growth in Changling. But I know you’re too smart. Even if I didn’t tell you, you would have guessed.”

Upon hearing these words, Ding Ning did not express any opinion of the empress. He only said, “Regardless of the reason why she’s dissatisfied with Liang Lian, if Liang Lian were only a realm six cultivator, she wouldn’t have needed to go to such great lengths.”

“So, Liang Lian must have reached realm seven.”

“You’re going to die. She wants me to see you die with my own eyes… She probably wants you to find an excuse to challenge Liang Lian. That way, even if I hate someone, I’ll only hate Liang Lian. It’s fine for the people to hate each other because they’re just swords of the Qin Dynasty, the private property of His Majesty. They can restrain each other.”

After saying that, Ding Ning was silent for a moment. “I knew she was cold-hearted, but I didn’t expect her to be this cold.”

Xue Wangxu had been listening quietly the entire time. At this moment, he shook his head and said, “You’re still too smart.”

“In terms of understanding the art of power, the villagers from Zhushan District are inferior to you, and even most people in Changling can’t compare to you. But if you’re truly smart, you should know that it’s best to pretend you don’t see these things.”

He stared into Ding Ning’s eyes and deepened his tone as he warned with unusual seriousness. “Even if you feel a bit of hatred towards her and the imperial palace, you should pretend not to.”

“Because at least this shows submission and obedience,” Ding Ning said in a cold voice. “Right now, the Empress and His Majesty don’t care whether the cultivators of the Qin Dynasty have their own thoughts, they only care whether we submit or not when the time comes.”

“A strong dynasty will sacrifice the interests and ideas of some people. We are only a minority. To be honest, the people of the Qin Dynasty live in peace and prosperity. His Majesty is indeed the strongest and wisest emperor in the history of the Qin Dynasty.” Xue Wangxu smiled faintly and said, “As long as you can understand, that's good. Even if her thoughts are cold-hearted, our original request to witness the Min Mountain Sword Trials will be fulfilled. For this, we should be grateful to her.”

Ding Ning fell silent.

Xue Wangxu seemed to have read his mind, then he laughed and said softly. “Actually, you should change your mindset. Although I've angered an unrivaled opponent, this opponent still gives me room to choose and gives me enough time. Moreover, I can guarantee that I won't spend this time in pain. If you think this way, you won't feel that her desire for you to watch me slowly die is so cruel. Moreover, at least you'll be able to witness the battle between two realm sevencultivators firsthand. This can be useful for your future cultivation,” he said warmly.

“What you said is correct.”

Ding Ning put away the two bowls, his expression returning to normal as he said this. However, his heart felt extremely cold. He mused quietly to himself, “It's a pity she thought that way. It's a pity that even without this incident, I would never have been able to forgive her cold-heartedness.”

 

The morning light was getting thicker, but the sky above Changling was getting darker, as the wind and snow storms were starting to fall again. This time, it was not just light snowflakes, but large snowflakes that swirled like goose feathers.

Liang Lian was walking on the training ground of the Tiger-Wolf Army. His military boots creaked on the fallen snow. His military boots squeaked against the accumulated snow. Watching the sight of the Tiger-Wolf Army’s chariots practicing their attacks and various formations in a meticulous and orderly manner on another nearby training ground gave him great satisfaction.

But at that very moment, he sensed an unusual presence.

This presence was enough to attract the attention of any cultivator in Changling. This presence attracted the primal energies of the universe in the camp, attracting countless large snowflakes like goose feathers. This presence also attracted the snowflakes, which gathered and formed a large flag into the sky.

Feeling the snow flag forming in the air, Liang Lian's brow furrowed. Without hesitation, in his military equipment, he walked steadily through the snow and out of the camp.

As he walked, many cultivators in the camp also sensed the unusualness. They rushed out of their tents and looked in surprise outside the camp amidst the wind and snow.

Amidst the wind and snow, a large yellow canvas umbrella slowly floated. This umbrella was very large, and beneath it were two figures, one large and the other small. The snow that landed on the shiny surface of the umbrella did not stick to it, but floated upwards. It seemed as if light reflected off the umbrella, which resembled a large banner.

Watching Liang Lian walk out of the camp gate, the white-haired old man under the umbrella smiled calmly. He said, “General Liang Lian, I am going to challenge you.”

Liang Lian silently stared at Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning under their umbrella. His cold and empty eyes initially showed a hint of confusion, but after he heard these words, he immediately understood many things.

The wind and snow that had been blowing fiercely towards him suddenly parted to either side as if frightened. His figure suddenly became clear amidst the whirlwind of wind and snow. Then, he extended his palm and clasped his fists towards the people behind him.

All the cultivators who were rushing out of the camp saw his gesture and immediately stopped walking out of the gate.

“Very well!” Then, he looked at Xue Wangxu, nodded, and calmly said, “I accept your challenge.”

Ding Ning stared at Liang Lian, who was now clearly visible amidst the wind and snow.

He confirmed that what Song Shenshu had said was true. He said nothing and retreated silently.

Liang Lian's gaze suddenly fell on Ding Ning. He seemed to remember something. “This disciple of yours is interesting,” he said expressionlessly.

Xue Wangxu smiled faintly and said, “In the future, he will need General Liang's guidance.”

Liang Lian did not answer. He averted his gaze from Ding Ning. Then, his body seemed to begin to expand, as if an iron mountain had appeared before the camp gate.

Xue Wangxu smiled and said, “General, please prepare to receive my sword.”

As he spoke, numerous snowflakes flying in front of him were attracted by the primal energies of the universe flowing within his body, then surged out from him, forming countless threads of ice amidst the wind and snow. Each of these threads of ice was a seal line.

Liang Lian's cold face suddenly turned solemn. Suddenly, he looked up.

High in the air, the faint banner suddenly changed. Countless streams of ice and torrential snow instantly formed a giant snow sword.

 

Notes:

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

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