Chapter 34: The Last Daughter of the Shang Family

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 34: The Last Daughter of the Shang Family

The woman appeared very quiet. Although she was dressed in red, she didn't attract any attention as she stood in the alley.

However, in the perception of Zhangsun Qianxue who was in the wine shop, and also in Ding Ning's eyes, there seemed to be a black bamboo stalk swaying around her.

The black bamboo appeared serene and aloof from worldly matters. But it had a presence that did not belong to the mortal world. But how could it possibly avoid the world?

This woman in red seemed to have no interaction with the people around her. However, the moment Ding Ning saw her, he knew his judgment was correct—she was the ruler of the underground kingdom of the Fish Market.

Zhang Yi, feeling ashamed and remorseful for angering Xue Wangxu, pondered Xue Wangxu's serious words. As a cultivator with high talent, he finally detected something unusual and looked in that direction.

But by the time he raised his head, the woman in red had long since turned and left, so he saw nothing. He simply stared at the spot where she had been standing, puzzled.

“What is it?” Xue Wangxu asked, looking at him.

“Nothing.” Zhang Yi shook his head, then gently and tentatively suggested. “Shall we play another round?”

Xue Wangxu was already somewhat disinterested, but seeing Zhang Yi's anxiousness to smooth things over, he suddenly felt this was another form of teaching.

So he nodded and tapped the board. “Come.”

“Ding Ning!”

Just then, Zhangsun Qianxue's cold call rang out from the inner courtyard behind the wine shop.

 

The woman in red walked into the narrow alley outside Falling Parasol. The hunchbacked old man in black, leaning on a bamboo staff, who had been waiting there, began to follow her.

“That young man is not bad.”

She walked towards the Fish Market while slowly speaking to the old man in black. Her voice carries a calmness that can even be contagious to others. “He often visits that lonely old woman every few days at the Fish Market, caring for and talking to her without expecting anything in return. This is very rare. Today, I saw that he possesses a kind of extraordinary calm that is unperturbed by glory or disgrace. I love talent, but I can't even protect myself. If he follows us, he will be neither be a person nor a ghost. I can only observe him from a distance.”

 

“That woman is filled with yin energy. She cultivates with yin and the ghost methods of the Qi Dynasty. She has reached realm seven. Who is she, and why did she come to see you?” Zhangsun Qianxue asked Ding Ning sternly in the inner courtyard behind the wine shop while looking in the direction the woman in red had left.

“The ruler of the underground Fish Market.” Ding Ning stared at her cold face and struggled to answer. “The only descendant of the Shang Family… She must have come to take a look since I frequently visit the Fish Market and news of my recent record breakthrough has already reached the Fish Market.”

Zhangsun Qianxue was silent for a moment. She said, “She is your master’s longtime supporter, and perhaps your master’s only remaining supporter. She possesses extraordinary cultivation and strength. Why don’t you want to borrow her power?”

Ding Ning was silent and did not respond.

Zhangsun Qianxue spoke in a cold voice. “Others may not understand, but I understand it better than anyone. The swift and ruthless methods used to destroy the Gongsun Family, and then the Shang Family was used as a scapegoat to quell the anger of several noble and prominent families. The Shang Family, who had pushed for reform, was executed. But the reforms led by the Shang Family slowly continued… This method, which combined total slaughter followed by subtle and cunning gentleness afterward, most likely originated from the current emperor and empress. Because I know that your master was not in Changling at the time, he was the one protecting this youngest daughter of the Shang family. He resorted to many extreme measures of revenge because of this incident. Afterward, an irreconcilable rift developed between him and the emperor… So if you have any demands, I believe she will fulfill them.”

Ding Ning did not respond. He looked at her and shook his head. “You said it yourself that this is a matter of the past. Too many people owe the Shang Family a debt of gratitude, but the Shang Family owes no one a debt of gratitude. Matters of rebellion, such as our desire to assassinate the emperor, who is in realm eight, would sound absurd to others, so we won't drag her into this matter.”

Zhangsun Qianxue glanced at him. She did not speak and turned to walk into the room.

This attitude showed that although she did not fully agree, she did not oppose Ding Ning's wishes.

 

The old year passed, accompanied by the sound of fireworks. The new year arrived.

The stable Qin Dynasty officially entered the Twelfth Year of Yuanwu. Emperor Yuanwu had reigned on the throne for twelve years.

The new year brought a new atmosphere. Wang Taixu had ordered the people to decorate Xue Wangxu's small courtyard with great fanfare. Couplets were glued to the gates, and bright red paper decorations hung on the windows. Some silk cloths even hung from the old, bare pear tree in the courtyard and also covered the ceiling.

Under the warm sunshine, Ding Ning, Xue Wangxu, Zhang Yi, and Wang Taixu sat at a small square table under the pear tree, basking in the sun and drinking tea.

Smelling the aroma of meat coming from the alley, Xue Wangxu said solemnly, “Only by ensuring the success that all families and households have enough meat to eat can His Majesty be proud.”

Wang Taixu was deeply moved and said with emotion, “Regardless of the attitude of the high-ranking nobles in the imperial court towards us now, at least in my opinion, allowing the people of Changling to eat well and dress warmly is far more meaningful than conquering many other cities.”

Zhang Yi said with admiration, “The Emperor is a virtuous and wise figure rarely seen in history. The Empress and the two ministers are certainly great and wise assistants to the Emperor. Ensuring that all the people of Changling have homes to live in and fields to cultivate is already a great achievement. Moreover, they enjoy abundant food and clothing, living a prosperous life.”

Ding Ning took a sip of hot tea. He did not express any opinion, but he laughed sarcastically in his heart.

Currently, almost everyone in Changling deeply respected Emperor Yuanwu, who had reigned for twelve years. But could the greatest achievements compensate for the crimes of a person?

If everyone said it could, he would not agree.

At least, Zhangsun Qianxue would stand by his side.

A young man dressed in new robes appeared at the courtyard gate.

Zhang Yi looked up and saw the young man in the new robe. His expression turned slightly conflicted as he said, “Shen Yi, although my Youngest Sect Brother Ding Ning has reached realm three, you don't need to be so hasty. It's not good to draw your sword in the new year.”

The visiting young man was Shen Yi from Guanzhong who had an appointment with Ding Ning to fight after he achieved a breakthrough. His expression was initially somewhat hesitant and uncertain, but after hearing Zhang Yi speak, he immediately turned around, showing his back to Zhang Yi and Ding Ning. At the same time, he quickly explained with embarrassment, “I didn't bring my sword; I didn't come to fight.”

Zhang Yi's brows immediately eased, and he said warmly, “This is very good. Please sit down and have some tea.”

Zhang Yi was born with the ability to make people relax and feel close. Shen Yi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and his nervousness disappeared.

“Thank you for your two stalks of Three Yang Grass.” Ding Ning smiled faintly at the straightforward young man from Guanzhong who stepped into the small courtyard.

Shen Yi saw Ding Ning's smile and became more at ease. He first bowed deeply to Xue Wangxu and Wang Taixu, then looked at Ding Ning and said, “I heard that you had a breakthrough two days ago. Your progress surpassed that of An Baoshi and Jing Liuli. I wanted to come see you, but when I thought about your speed of progress, I couldn't keep up, and became discouraged. I hesitated for several days before coming today.”

Ding Ning said calmly, “Rapid cultivation progress in the first three realms doesn’t mean anything.”

“Since we previously agreed to fight again after your breakthrough, it wouldn’t be right to avoid you by not coming to see you.” Shen Yi looked at him and explained. “But I also feel inferior, and as, and as your Eldest Sect Brother Zhang Yi said, it’s not good to come and fight in the new year. So, I came here to visit you for the new year.”

Xue Wangxu smiled slightly and praised. “As expected of a young man who came from the eight hundred miles of mountains in Guanzhong. You’re open and straightforward.”

Shen Yi’s face flushed slightly. He summoned his courage and said, “Sect Master Xue, I have an unreasonable request, and I wonder if you’ll agree?”

Xue Wangxu was slightly startled. His dim eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked, “What is your request?”

Shen Yi said, “I’ve never attended any sword school before… would Sect Master Xue recommend me to take the White Goat Cave entrance exam?”

“The White Goat Cave has merged with the Green Vine Sword School. You mean, you want to become a disciple of the Green Vine Sword School and become fellow sect brothers with Zhang Yi and Ding Ning?” Xue Wangxu immediately stroked his beard and laughed. “This is great.”

Ding Ning was slightly speechless.

In the past, Xue Wangxu had hinted that he was interested in Shen Yi. But he had not expected Shen Yi to take the initiative to make such a request.

Shen Yi's face was now filled with joy. He looked at the laughing Xue Wangxu and said happily, “So, Sect Master agrees?”

Xue Wangxu looked at this eager young man from Guanzhong and said, “As long as you're not worried that it will hinder your future, I've already made an exception to accept Ding Ning, so it's no problem for me to make another exception. I think Di Qingmei would also be happy if I took on the responsibility of accepting such an outstanding disciple for the Green Vine Sword School.”

Hearing Xue Wangxu's immediate agreement, Shen Yi's mouth felt dry with excitement. He opened his mouth but could not speak.

Ding Ning shook his head and did not express his opinion. He asked Shen Yi quietly, “Why did you suddenly have this idea?”

Shen Yi said, “I heard you were planning to participate in the Min Mountain Sword Trials. I thought, even if I were to fight you head-to-head now, victory wouldn’t be something to be proud of, especially since you only started cultivating last autumn. Furthermore, when I think back to your sword move that defeated me, I feel like I might still lose if we were to fight head-to-head now. Since I can’t surpass you yet, I think it’s best to follow your lead and watch your progress.”

Xue Wangxu smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, “Good, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”

Ding Ning frowned slightly, but before he could speak, Shen Yi quickly interrupted. “Ding Ning, don’t misunderstand. The reason I’m doing this isn’t entirely for Xie Rou.”

Zhang Yi’s gaze grew warmer. He increasingly understood that Shen Yi had made this decision first because Ding Ning’s performance had made Shen Yi realize some of his own shortcomings, but the more important reason was his admiration for Ding Ning and Xue Wangxu.

“Since Sect Master has agreed, you are already a disciple of my sect and must abide by certain rules.” Then he looked at Shen Yi warmly and said, “Why do you still call Ding Ning by his given name?”

Shen Yi was startled and immediately reacted. He bowed enthusiastically and respectfully to Ding Ning and Zhang Yi, saying, “Greetings to Elder Sect Brother Ding Ning, Eldest Sect Brother Zhang Yi.”

“This is good.” Xue Wangxu glanced at Zhang Yi and Ding Ning. Then he smiled at Wang Taixu. He said, “He is the one who is in between these two disciples. Honest and straightforward, but not as fussy as Zhang Yi. Intelligent and courageous, but not as cool-headed as Ding Ning, who lacks the recklessness of youth.”

Wang Taixu smiled upon hearing this and said, “Isn't it good to be cool-headed and serious?”

Xue Wangxu said seriously, “Of course it's not too good. When someone is too intelligent and considerate, they can sometimes become restrained.”

Ding Ning only said, “I have to go to the Fish Market soon.”

Shen Yi immediately said, “Can I come with you?”

Seeing Ding Ning who had turned around, he added embarrassedly, “Elder Sect Brother Ding Ning, I don’t want to keep following you, but I just came to Changling and have never been to an interesting place like the Fish Market.”

 

Notes:

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

Previously

Next