Chapter 27: Simple Victory and Defeat

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 27: Simple Victory and Defeat

“Looks like there’s going to be trouble.”

Xue Wangxu watched the young man and laughed. “He’s from Guanzhong.”

Hearing Xue Wangxu’s words, Zhang Yi, whose face was still streaked with tears, could not help but turn his head. He stared at the young man walking quickly toward them and paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, “Sect Master, how do you know he’s from Guanzhong?”

“Guanzhong is the origin of the Qin Dynasty. Only cultivators from there possess an elegance even less than cultivators from Changling in the way they carry their swords. They carry them like hoes or axes for chopping wood,” Xue Wangxu said with a smile.

Zhang Yi saw that the approaching young man had a majestic bearing, but the angle of the sword slung across his back was completely odd, making him look exactly like he was carrying a hoe, devoid of any elegance at all. He found Xue Wangxu’s words so ridiculous that he could not help but laugh through his tears.

The young man carrying the purple sword stopped about a dozen steps away from Ding Ning and bowed slightly. He said, “I am Shen Yi from Guanzhong. This gentleman must be Ding Ning from the White Goat Cave?”

Hearing that the person before him was indeed from Guanzhong as expected, Zhang Yi almost burst out laughing.

Ding Ning, still holding his snow shovel, asked coldly, “What do you want?”

Shen Yi was shocked.

Although he had always been in Guanzhong and had never been to Changling before, he knew from books and others around him that the people of Changling paid even more attention to etiquette than those in Guanzhong. However, of the two people before him now—one seemed to be laughing and crying, and the other, Ding Ning, seemed completely unfriendly.

“He's come a long way. Even if you don't invite him for a cup of hot tea, at least be polite,” Seeing Shen Yi's stiff figure, Xue Wangxu shook his head and helplessly advised Ding Ning in a low voice.

“He probably came to cause trouble. I can't even shovel snow in peace for the New Year. Why should I bother being polite?” Ding Ning glanced at him and said.

Shen Yi was even more shocked. He looked at Ding Ning doubtfully and asked, “How did you know I came to fight… I mean, to challenge you?”

“Besides Xie Rou and Xie Changsheng, I don't know anyone from Guanzhong.” Ding Ning looked at him and said, “So I knew it had something to do with them without thinking. You came with such vigor and energy. If you didn't come to fight me, did you come to help me shovel snow?”

Shen Yi was still for a moment. His expression became serious. “Your thinking speed is very fast, and you yourself are truly extraordinary.

“I won’t lie to you. I fell in love with Xie Rou at first sight. I heard she swore not to marry anyone but you, so I decided to challenge you. I’ve been in Changling for two weeks, but you were away. I confirmed you were here today and came to look for you,” he said solemnly before Ding Ning could speak.

Xue Wangxu laughed even more gleefully. “Guanzhong’s true nature, as expected. He’s not the least bit shy when it comes to his jealousy of his rival.”

Ding Ning looked at the unassuming young man before him. His brows furrowed and he said, “What you think of Xie Rou has nothing to do with me. Besides, you know it’s just Xie Rou’s own idea.”

Shen Yi’s brows also furrowed. He said sincerely, “But I think if I can prove that I’m better than you, she might change her mind.”

Ding Ning said calmly, “What does that have to do with me? This is a matter between you and her. If I fight you and help you prove that you’re better than me, what benefit will it bring me?”

Shen Yi was shocked again.

He thought this should be a very simple matter: he would find Ding Ning and they could have a fair fight. But when he heard Ding Ning's words now, he had no words to refute. Because this seemed to only benefit him, and there was no benefit whatsoever to Ding Ning.

Seeing the shocked young man, Ding Ning, who had no interest in such a fight, opened his mouth, intending to say something to dispel his opponent's thoughts. However, at that moment, Xue Wangxu coughed from behind him and said childishly, “Ding Ning, I want to see you fight.”

Ding Ning was stunned and did not speak.

A glimmer of hope immediately appeared in Shen Yi's eyes.

The slightly plump merchant behind him also coughed lightly at this moment, looked at Ding Ning, and said in a negotiating tone, “If you feel this doesn't benefit you at all, perhaps we can compensate you?”

Ding Ning thought for a moment and then said, “Alright.”

Shen Yi immediately became excited.

“Youngest Sect Brother, isn't this inappropriate?” Zhang Yi, whose face was streaked with tears, immediately put on a grim expression. He had never heard of anyone compensating another party in a challenge in Changling. This was not putting on a show on the streets for a reward.

“I want the Three Yang Grass.”

Ding Ning ignored his eldest sect brother’s opinion. He looked at Shen Yi and the slightly plump merchant behind him and said. “Of course, if I win, you'll give me the Three Yang Grass. If I lose, there's no need.”

Shen Yi instinctively turned and asked the slightly plump merchant. “Uncle Jin, what is the Three Yang Grass?”

The slightly plump merchant replied calmly. “It's a kind of spirit medicine that can strengthen the spleen and kidneys. It's expensive, but it's still possible to find.”

Shen Yi was immediately delighted. He looked at Ding Ning and said, “Your request isn't excessive, and the only condition is that you win against me. If you can win against me, the Shen Family will give you as much Three Yang Grass as we can find.”

Ding Ning nodded calmly. “That's great.”

Behind him, Xue Wangxu was a little worried. He asked softly, “Why do you want the Three Yang Grass? Have you seen a pill recipe that's beneficial to your health? Is it reliable?”

Ding Ning glanced at him and said, “It's reliable, so don't worry.”

Seeing Ding Ning so certain, Xue Wangxu chuckled and said nothing more.

Shen Yi was very excited and said, “Then, shall we begin now?”

Ding Ning put down the snow shovel he was holding and wiped his hands. Looking at Zhang Yi, whose tears had formed frost on his face beside Xue Wangxu, he took two steps into the snow and said to Shen Yi, “I'm ready.”

Shen Yi grasped the hilt of the purple longsword he carried on his back. He looked at Ding Ning and asked softly, “You haven't reached the Vital Energy Realm yet?”

Ding Ning gave him a strange look and nodded.

“Please!” Shen Yi said nothing more. He drew his sword and held it horizontally across his chest in accordance with Changling etiquette.

Ding Ning's expression became very calm. He did not say a word. He grasped the hilt of the Last Flower Sword, drew it from the usual scabbard on his back, and held it horizontally across his chest.

The people in the alley who were shoveling snow around them immediately became excited.

The neighbors in the alley knew that the young wine shop owner, Ding Ning, had become a cultivator. Their initial excitement had passed, but they naturally wanted to see what abilities Ding Ning, the young wine shop owner, had acquired after becoming a cultivator.

“Don’t be afraid! Fight well!”

“Don’t lose face for the sake of Falling Parasol!”

“If you win, you’ll get free noodles tomorrow!”

A flurry of shouts rang out.

Amidst the clamor, Shen Yi’s eyebrows raised slightly when he saw that Ding Ning had no intention of attacking first.

A sharp energy flashed across his determined face.

All the chaotic shouting suddenly stopped.

Because at that very moment, Shen Yi swung his sword.

He swung it towards Ding Ning.

There was at least sixty feet between him and Ding Ning. Normally, this sword swing would not have been able to touch Ding Ning, but as he swung his sword, his body shot forward rapidly.

The remaining snow between him and Ding Ning was instantly shattered into powder by the powerful force and spread outward.

He had covered sixty feet in an instant and was in front of Ding Ning.

The golden seal inscriptions on his sword all lit up. Strands of energy seeped from the blade, forming golden thunder.

The poor families of Falling Parasol had never seen lightning formed from a sword like this before, and were all completely stunned.

Zhang Yi, who was standing next to Xue Wangxu, saw the golden lightning leaping from the purple sword's blade and his eyes widened. He praised apologetically, “He truly is a true gentleman. I measured a gentleman's heart with my own narrow-mindedness.”

He offered such praise because, when he heard Shen Yi ask about Ding Ning's cultivation, he thought Shen Yi was confirming that Ding Ning had not reached the Vital Energy Realm before daring to attack.

However, he now discovered that Shen Yi's reason for confirming Ding Ning's cultivation was because he did not to take advantage of Ding Ning's lack of cultivation.

At this moment, he controlled the power of his sword strike to only realm two first-class.

Ding Ning frowned slightly.

The moment Shen Yi moved, Ding Ning detected Shen Yi's intentions. However, he felt that this had no bearing on the outcome of the battle. If it could make his victory easier, he naturally would not refuse.

Therefore, the moment Shen Yi attacked, Ding Ning channeled his physical energy into the Last Flower Sword in his hand.

White seal lines formed on both sides of his body..

He did not even take a step back. He had been waiting for Shen Yi to attack first so that he could win by counterattacking his opponent by blocking Shen Yi's sword movements.

In an instant, wind and lightning surged in front of him.

The golden lightning was less than a foot from his chest.

However, at this very moment, two sword seals completely formed on both sides in front of him, following the swift movement of the remnant sword in his hand.

There was a loud bang!

Two majestic green energies formed in the air.

Two green mountains towered in front of Ding Ning and merged.

Golden lightning was contained within the two green mountains, unable to move forward even an inch.

“White Goat Sword Seal Manual… Youngest Sect Brother… Youngest Sect Brother…” Zhang Yi’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He could only repeat “Youngest Sect Brother” over and over again.

Shen Yi’s breathing suddenly stopped.

He felt as though his sword was being squeezed by two towering green mountains, unable to move forward or backward at all.

A buzzing sound rang out!

In the next moment, the blue energy bounced back and shot towards him!

His body shook as though he was hit by a giant hammer. He retreated dispiritedly.

Ding Ning swung his sword upward.

A square white sword seal immediately formed.

A cold energy formed in the cold air. The ice trees passed through the scattered golden threads and passed over Shen Yi's head.

Ding Ning retracted his sword. He did no't say anything, but everyone understood his meaning.

Victory had been determined.

If Ding Ning had wanted to, the ice trees could have struck Shen Yi directly as he retreated.

“Youngest Sect Brother…” Zhang Yi saw the results, feeling extremely happy, but not knowing what to say, and could only exclaim softly again.

Xue Wangxu sighed softly. “Too fast.”

He seemed to feel that it wasn't enough to satisfy him, and was somewhat discontent.

 

Notes:

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

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