Chapter 7: Circumstances Create Heroes

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 7: Circumstances Create Heroes

It was already snowing in Changling, while the rest of Guanzhong was just beginning to show signs of snowfall.

It was early morning in Guanzhong, on Qishan District.

In a vast field, a young man was practicing his sword. His sword was purple like Su Qin's, but the seal inscriptions on its surface were gold.

A loud explosion rang out.

As he swung his sword once, a flash of gold suddenly appeared in the cold air. This flash of gold landed on the ground in front of him. Yellow soil scattered, and clumps of weeds partially ignited.

The young man turned around, his face grave, and he looked determined and serious.

“Uncle Jin!”

He sheathed his sword and said coldly to a slightly plump, middle-aged man who looked like a merchant sitting on an oxcart on the side of the road nearby. His voice was slightly chill. “I still want to go to Changling.”

The middle-aged man he called Uncle Jin sighed softly. “Because of Xie Rou?”

“I don't blame Xie Rou. Although she knew I fell in love with her at first sight, we haven't been engaged yet.” The young man looked into the distance toward Changling. “I originally thought the Heavenly Thunder Sword was more powerful than many sword manuals found in Changling's cultivation places, and that I didn't need to go to Changling's cultivation places to learn. But now I realize I was wrong. Changling not only has cultivation manuals, but also many other interesting things. I will go and challenge that Ding Ning. I believe that if I can defeat Ding Ning, Xie Rou will definitely change her mind.”

A faint smile appeared on the middle-aged man's lips. “"In that case, then we will set off today. Otherwise, if it snows in Guanzhong as well, the journey will be difficult.”

 

Some of the training grounds in the Changling Warden’s Office were covered in snow up to a knuckle-deep.

Entering the training grounds surrounded by the banners of the Tiger-Wolf Army, Yu Gu walked alone.

In the center of the training grounds stood a tall, sturdy old man dressed in metal armor. Yu Gu's presence was sharp, but he still could not compare to this old man.

The old man stood there coldly, possessing an aura capable of swallowing mountains and rivers, as if he were commanding tens of thousands of men.

“General Sikong.”

Yu Gu walked beside him and bent down slightly to listen to his teachings.

“We need to conclude our negotiations with that street hero in Changling as soon as possible.” The metal-clad old man did not turn his head. In a booming voice like the clanging of metal, he said, “Our bottom line will be the management of warehouse transportation and the manufacture of armor in Changling.”

Yu Gu’s pupils contracted in disbelief. He said coldly, “General, he’s just a common street gangster, how can he be called a hero? Wouldn’t we be giving in too much by agreeing to such conditions?”

“Circumstances create ambitious and ruthless people. Coincidentally, he’s one of those ambitious and ruthless people who found this opportunity,” the old man said solemnly. “The Bureau of Divinity has already seized this opportunity to investigate the Warden’s Office. The Empress has stated that she wants to transfer Fang Xiang to lead the Changling Guards. If this matter isn’t resolved as soon as possible, more scandals will be revealed… You should understand the consequences.”

Yu Gu’s expression immediately turned grave.

He and the people in the Warden’s Office were of course loyal to the Qin Dynasty and to His Majesty the Emperor Yuanwu. But His Majesty could not rely entirely on one person. When Emperor Yuanwu ascended the throne, he was forced to rely entirely on the Empress’s family. Over the past decade, the two prime ministers and the bureaus have done their best to change this situation. His Majesty the Emperor is wise, and as his control over the Qin Dynasty increases, he will need to rely less and less on any single faction. The Qin Dynasty will grow stronger and stronger, and their progress will become even more impressive.

This was not just a matter that concerns the future of many members of the Warden’s Office.

“I know what I must do.” Yu Gu took a deep breath and said, “I will take care of this matter and resolve it as quickly as possible.”

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard the old man's deep voice.

“The gangsters have their own ways of doing things. They have many methods of investigating things that we can't even imagine. The Bureau of Divinity is afraid of responsibility and continues to pressure us from within. While you and this street hero are talking, ask him to help investigate who is using the Changling Guards.”

 

That morning, Ding Ning woke up as usual, helped Zhangsun Qianxue make porridge, and then went to a nearby shop carrying the simple porcelain bowl he usually used to buy noodles. He was pondering what toppings to choose today when he walked past the steaming, fragrant shop and stopped in surprise.

A white-haired old man was holding a bowl of noodles and smiling at him. It was none other than Xue Wangxu.

“Why are you here?” Ding Ning looked at this smug old man in surprise.

“I’m here to take you somewhere.” Xue Wangxu took a sip of the noodle soup and replied with a smile. “No wonder people here love coming to this noodle shop for their noodles. The noodles here are truly delicious, and even the chilies are incredibly spicy. But why did you bring your own bowl?”

Ding Ning looked at him and hesitantly asked, “Do you really want me to tell you the reason?”

Xue Wangxu gave him a strange look, then looked down at the simple porcelain bowl in Ding Ning’s hand. “Will it taste better if you eat from this bowl?”

Ding Ning looked at him sympathetically. “No. Although the noodles in this shop are delicious, I know the dishwasher… he doesn’t wash the bowls properly, and he likes to pick his nose while washing them.”

Xue Wangxu stilled. He stared at the rest of his noodles with a look of utter shock.

“If you still want to eat, I can lend you a bowl,” Ding Ning said.

Xue Wangxu shook his head. “Never mind. Some things are just fleeting desires, and they won’t taste the same once they pass.”

Ding Ning walked into the shop and placed the porcelain bowl beside the noodle pot. After thinking for a moment, he ordered red noodle soup, spicy and sour cabbage, and sliced beef for his noodles. As he watched the meat and peppers cook in the wok of oil, he asked, “Where are you planning to take me?”

Xue Wangxu said, “We’re going to Zhushan District in Ba Commandery.”

Ding Ning stilled. “Why are we going so far?”

“There’s a very popular temple night festival there. We’ll be there in time if we leave now. It’s very interesting.”

Thinly sliced beef and red chili oil were stir-fried together. Then, pickled white cabbage was added, and after a few stir-fries, it was poured over the white noodles.

Ding Ning did not immediately take the prepared bowl of noodles. He frowned. Just like Li Daoji had admonished Xue Wangxu last night, he quietly said, “Can you not use such a lousy excuse? Even the greatest interest cannot force you to travel this far just to visit the temple night festival during the snowfall.”

“Eat noodles, eat noodles.” Xue Wangxu said, pointing to Ding Ning's bowl of noodles. Then he continued, “I want to get something.”

Ding Ning took the bowl of noodles and sat across from him. “What is it?”

Xue Wangxu glanced at him and said, “Something that can cure your illness.”

Ding Ning began to eat his noodles. When he finished the steaming noodles, he raised his head and said, “Fang Xiumu told me that nothing can cure my illness unless I join the Min Mountain Sword Sect and comprehend the Heaven Replenishing Divine Art.”

“Is this the real reason why you asked Wang Taixu to arrange for you to join the White Goat Cave? The White Goat Cave and the Green Vine Sword School have merged, and we have the right to participate in the Min Mountain Sword Trials.” Xue Wangxu looked at Ding Ning calmly and said, “Fang Xiumu is actually right, but nothing is absolute. You are also too weak to participate in the Min Mountain Sword Trials held next year. Based on previous years, most of the disciples recommended by the sect to participate in the Min Mountain Sword Trials have at least the cultivation of the Vital Energy Realm second-class, and occasionally, there are even those who have reached the Energy Fusing Realm.”

“You are smarter than Zhang Yi and the others. You should understand that the disciples participating in the Min Mountain Sword Trials are not just disciples from ordinary cultivation places, but also members of noble and prominent families.” After a momentary pause, Xue Wangxu continued. “They're even more terrifying than disciples from ordinary cultivation places. Many of them do have the ability to pass the trials of Min Mountain Sword Sect, but they've spent a certain amount of time receiving training from their families. This is because in the first few years of cultivation, their families can provide them with more resources, allowing them to cultivate more quickly. For those noble and prominent families, the Min Mountain Sword Sect isn't the only path to advancement, but rather a powerful aid in their cultivation journey.”

“I already understood everything you just said when I joined the White Goat Cave.” Ding Ning glanced at the Sect master, and with a frown he said, “But I also know that Zhushan District in Ba Commandery is no ordinary place.”

Xue Wangxu glanced at him and asked, “Isn't it because there are more Zheng people there?”

Ding Ning showed no weakness and turned to him, saying, “You certainly know very well that it's not just because there are more Zheng people there.”

Xue Wangxu’s embarrassment turned to anger. He said, “I am the sect master of the White Goat Cave, your master. I'm telling you to come with me, but won't you go with me?”

“You misunderstood me.” Ding Ning looked at his trembling white beard and said, “"I really want to go there, but I'm worried about your safety on your journey there.”

Xue Wangxu’s frown relaxed. He looked at Ding Ning sarcastically. “I am about to die of old age. Can't you let me gain a little glory before I die?”

Ding Ning took a deep breath.

He raised his head. Facing the white snow above the noodle shop, and after a moment of silence, he said softly, “A momentary pleasure is not glory. But if a disciple from the White Goat Cave wins the Min Mountain Sword Trials, it will be a slap to many people… is that glory enough for you?

“Of course.” Xue Wangxu laughed happily. “If such a day comes, even if I die of old age, I think I will die with a smile.”

Ding Ning turned to look at him. He shook his head. “I mean, even if you are going to die of old age, you shouldn’t die so soon. You need to live longer.”

Xue Wangxu stilled and then laughed like a child. He reached out to pat Ding Ning and said, “Deal!”

 

Notes:

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

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