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Chapter Eighteen: My Turn To Kill You
writer:无罪      update:2022-07-21 15:26
  Once Lian Bo had become a marquis, his birth, and much of his history was no longer a mystery.

  From a certain point of view, all people who started as normal cultivators, and became a powerful marquis had had legendary experiences. These legends were widely spread, recorded in the history books or the books of the cultivation world, and changed into many different versions of stories.

  Lian Bo’s birth was not a secret. He was once of the Wei, but the former Wei Dynasty had accidentally fallen for the trap of the Qin, relying too much on the Cloud Water Palace. As the Qin purposefully caused the Cloud Water Palace to dominate the Wei Dynasty, the sect he had been from had been ruthlessly sacrificed because they opposed the Cloud Water Palace.

  His sect had been destroyed on the order of the Wei Emperor. He carried the great revenge of his sect, fleeing to Changling, becoming a general of the Qin. In the end, he led an army to fight his way into the Wei imperial palace. Even though he had not been able to kill the Wei emperor with his own hands, he had gotten revenge for his sect.

  His growth and his revenge were inseparable from the help of the Qin people. Especially when Emperor Yuanwu did not care that he was from the Wei, and gave him the same respect, and made him one of the thirteen marquises of the Qin based on his military service. What kind of glory was this?

  Any person who commented on this would say it was a great grace.

  At the start, thirteen Qin grandmasters had worked together to kill Consort Zhao Xiang, but because of Lian Bo and Zhang Kuandao’s betrayal, eight grandmasters were trapped by sword formations of the Tin Mountain Sword Box. Right now, the strongest swordsman under Wei Wujiu’s command had died, and the others were seriously wounded.

  While there were also two grandmasters outside, Consort Zhao Xiang still had Xiang Yan by her side.

  The two Qin grandmasters who were outside the formation and not wounded in addition to Wei Wujiu himself facing Consort Zhao Xiang and Xiang Yan. Even if they could win, they may not be able to kill. At least, they would not be able to stop Consort Zhao Xiang from fleeing, much less that she may have other tactics.

  In reality, whether or not Consort Zhao Xiang had other Chu weapons, if not for Lian Bo and Zhang Kuangdao’s betrayals, she would have undoubtedly died today.

  This was a great battle enough to change the progress of history, but it was defeated at Lian Bo’s hands. How could Wei Wujiu not feel pain? He even felt great sorrow. He felt that Lian Bo had to give an explanation. He knew that Lian Bo would give an explanation.

  Lian Bo fell to the ground, face pale. His expression was very complicated. Maybe because of his serious wounds, even his eyes were very dim.

  “It is very simple.” He took a deep breath and faced Wei Wujiu’s gaze. “A long time ago, when I was cultivating in Wei, I met her. If not for her, I would not have been able to flee Wei, and would have died long ago.”


  “Because I lived, I could continue to cultivate and fight.” He considered for a moment and then said, “I was able to become a Qin marquis mostly because of my cultivation and battles. I also contributed greatly for the Qin Dynasty in destroying the Wei. So in terms of grace, hers is greater than the Qin Dynasty’s.”


  “Can you calculate it this way?” Wei Wujiu laughed harshly in anger. “Can grace be determined simply by order of precedence?”


  “No, if something like grace is owed, it cannot be determined so simply.” Lian Bo laughed as well, his laugh was full of countless emotions. He slowly stood up. “If this is said to be shameless, then it is my matter. If I am dead, it has nothing to do with anyone else.”


  Wei Wujiu and the two other uninjured Qin grandmasters suddenly felt cold. From Lian Bo’s words, they realized what was going to happen.

  “Thank you,” Lian Bo had an even brighter smile as he said to Consort Zhao Xiang, “getting revenge is the happiest thing in the world. That day when I led the army into the Wei imperial palace, I was so happy I was willing to die right there. Later, I stayed in Changling and was made a marquis. I was slightly confused, not knowing what to do. I owed people, and felt weighted down.”


  His words were not loud, but in the ears of Wei Wujiu and the other two grandmasters, they were like thunder. The three were wary, and their vital energy started to flow furiously.

  Zzt zzt zzt zzt ……

  Before the sound landed, Lian Bo’s body seemed to be pierced by countless sharp swords. The remaining vital energy and primal energies of the universe in his body shot out of his meridian points. Then his body rose upwards and fell instantly.

  But a joyful sword essence had formed in his hand and slashed out. There were balls of wetness in the air, gathering in his sword essence. This sword light was like an enormous carp that leapt at Wei Wujiu.

  Wei Wujiu was speechless.

  This sword contained Lian Bo’s life energy, the sword essence so strong that it surpassed Lian Bo at his peak.

  At this moment, he could only defend. The lifebond sword that had returned to his hand gave off many gray frost tracks. Frosty transparent walls seemed to form in the air.

  Boom!

  His body was still standing steady, but his hands started to tremble. Many of the frost had blown back on his body. Bone deep wounds appeared, the blood flowing out like bubbling spring water.

  Two killing essences were falling towards Consort Zhao Xiang. The two grandmasters no longer cared about Wei Wujiu, just wanting to use this instant to kill Consort Zhao Xiang.

  But at this time, Consort Zhao Xiang looked up, and smiled, baring her teeth at Wei Wujiu. Her expression was unusually solemn. “Now it is my turn to try to kill you.”


  Pew!

  A figure stumbled along with the sword essence.

  Xiang Yan used his dagger axe to force this Qin grandmaster back, but once again, blood beaded in his palms.

  At this time, a snowy white sword light fell towards Consort Zhao Xiang’s waist.

  This sword essence was pure and focused, and this grandmaster came from the Autumn Mountain Sword School. His name was Qi Ruosheng. He was a legend in Changling as well. He was not astoundingly talented, and his comprehension was much worse than his fellow disciples. The Autumn Mountain Sword School was only second class in Changling. But he had focused on the relatively simple sect sword manual, and became the only realm seven cultivator of the Autumn Mountain Sword School. Because of his focus, his attack was terrifyingly steady.

  Consort Zhao Xiang moved towards Wei Wujiu like the wind, and seemed to have no time to care for this attack.

  Xiang Yan was done for after that attack. Seeing that he could not stop this attack, he did something that these Qin grandmasters did not expect. His body moved forward simply, like a shield, in front of this sword.

  The snowy sword light stabbed into Xiang Yan tearing his clothing apart, but the sword tip did not make the sound of flesh tearing and bone breaking when the sword tip entered the flesh, just a muffled sound like hitting a iron wall!

  The sword tip was unable to keep penetrating after going half a inch in! The sword energy went just half an inch further.

  Xiang Yan’s face turned ashen. Blood, mixed with powerful vital energy and primal energies of the universe sprayed out of his mouth like fine bloody swords.

  Qi Ruosheng screamed, his left hand moving in the sword art as the sword light swept away the blood energies. Due to his hurry, his own energies were suddenly shaken.

  Wei Wujiu’s pupils shrank to pin points. He looked at the charging Consort Zhao Xiang. He did not choose to flee, but howled like a wild beast. He gathered all his vital energy into his lifebond sword. His lifebond sword shrank according to his thoughts, turning to a small sword the thickness of a finger, speeding up and stabbing at Consort Zhao Xiang’s heart.

  There was a track of light left in the air, with the presence of destruction.

  Consort Zhao Xiang looked at the sword light heading for her chest and did not change her path. Her seemingly small body gave off a world shaking power. She also gave an unimaginable scream.

  With a boom, her fist hit at Wei Wujiu’s heart. In front of her fist, compressed by her power, a visible pillar of wind appeared!

  Countless people on the battlefield shouted in shock. Everyone knew that she cultivated her body, but Wei Wujiu’s sword was focused on penetrating. How could her physical body resist it?

  Sword and fist crossed. Was this going to be a destructive result?

  The sword light fell on her body, illuminating her jade-like face. But her body just shook, and the sword light did not enter her body.

  Boom!

  Her fist hit Wei Wujiu but did not manage to send him flying. Instead, her fist went through his body, and she picked up him on her arm!

  Everybody on the battlefield stopped breathing for a moment, and even time seemed to stop.

  Wei Wujiu’s feet had left the ground. His power had completely disappeared, but he had not died. He looked in disbelief at Consort Zhao Xiang’s chest, and saw a simple copper mirror flashing with dim yellow light.

  “I told you, I am the empress dowager of the Chu Dynasty. The strongest of the Chu weapons in the world are naturally with me.”


  Consort Zhao Xiang coughed up blood softly, but whispered proudly, “Pity you are too pedantic. Even the most cunning fox, if they cannot change their habits, will fall in the trap of the hunters.”


  Volume 5 18 - A War Caused by A Horse Watering Bucket

  In the night, a silver ribbon-like stream flowed across the endless grassland. This stream was a natural boundary between the Qin Dynasty and the Wuzhi country. On one side was the Wuzhi kingdom of the plains, and the other the Qin border city.

  A wooden bucket slowly floated down the stream. A large man with a long beard but a shaved head casually grabbed the floating wood bucket. The bucket was old but very clean so he casually scooped up some water with it for the grey-white horse behind him to drink.

  Footsteps sounded in the grass.

  The bearded man looked along the sound and his thick brow slowly rose in challenge.

  A black heavier than night appeared in his sight.

  This was a Qin border soldier much smaller than him, wearing black leather armor and carrying an ordinary iron sword.

  “This is my watering bucket.”


  The Qin border soldier went to the stream. Looking at the challenging gaze, his expression darkened and he nodded at the wooden bucket.

  The bearded man looked disdainfully at the soldier half a head shorter than him and said, “The wooden bucket floated down from upstream. You say it is yours. If a princess floated down, will you also say it is yours?”


  This Qin soldier coldly shook his head and said, “I will not accept a princess of your grasslands even if you give her to me. I just want my bucket.”


  The bearded man heard this and anger surged. He flushed red and said angrily, “What did you say?”


  The Qin soldier did not look at him, just the wooden bucket behind him. He repeated, “Return my watering bucket.”


  “Really?”


  The man laughed angrily and took a step back. He gripped the handle of the long blade at his saddle and he snarled. “You have the balls to cross the stream and take it?”


  The Qin soldier had a strange look flash through his eyes. He slowly said, “You forced me.”


  The bearded man smiled. He did not think the Qin soldier would dare to cross the stream. Yet in the next moment, his smile froze.

  This Qin soldier in black armor started to cross the stream.

  Clang!

  When this Qin soldier stepped onto firm ground, the bearded man’s long blade had left its sheath.

  His long blade reflected the moonlight as he pointed it at the Qin soldier’s chest and said coldly, “Go back.”


  The Qin soldier gripped his sword hilt. He did not look at the man, only the wooden bucket. “What if I do not?”


  The man stilled and said harshly, “If you do not, I will kill you.”


  The Qin soldier sneered in disbelief. He held the sword hilt, and took a step forward to get the watering bucket.

  “You want to die!”


  The bearded man shouted. He swung his blade forward. His original intention was to scare this Qin soldier and yet unexpectedly, the Qin soldier did not try to avoid his blow. With a pop, his blade passed through the Qin soldier’s chest.

  The bearded man was stunned, his face turning pale under the moonlight.

  “You ……”


  He looked at the blood coming out of the mouth of the Qin soldier hanging from his blade. He did not believe it and was unable to speak.

  “Is it worth it for a bucket?”


  The Qin soldier was not looking at the bucket now, but at the sky above, murmuring as he nostalgically gazed at the clean moon.

  A horrified scream broke through the night sky.

  Looking at the Qin soldier falling down the blade, this usually brave Wuzhi soldier trembled all over.

  He did not know what was happening.

  The Qin Dynasty had large territories. Even an eagle would have to fly for a long time from the border with Wuzhi to Changling.

  In the moonlight, a youth walked into an elegant compound and sat down in a pavilion by the lotus pond.

  A pretty palace attendant walked behind him.

  The youth did not turn around and said coolly, “Since the empress is looking for me, why does she not come see me?”


  “Her Majesty will arrive soon.” The pretty palace attendant responded softly and stood at the side.

  The youth’s eyebrows rose slightly. The moonlight and starlight seemed to suddenly brighten.

  The youth turned around and saw the empress slowly walking over, her face extremely perfect.

  The youth finally became solemn and bowed to the empress, saying, “An Baoshi greets Your Majesty.”


  The empress’ face flashed with an indescribable porcelain light. She looked at An Baoshi and said slowly without any opening, “The Yuezhi have submitted, the Wuzhi remain. If we conquer the Donghu, then there will be no trouble in fighting the Qi and Yan later.”


  An Baoshi stilled. In the span of a breath, he started to understand the terrifying meaning in the empress’ words. He frowned slightly and did not answer.

  “Some people are usable, and some are unusable.” The empress looked at him and said, “I want to hear your opinion.”


  An Baoshi thought and smiled. “One needs to do great things in life. What you are doing are the greatest things in the world.”


  The empress was very satisfied with his words and smiled as well. But her smile shone with the icy porcelain light and no joy.

  Green Vine Sword School.

  A swordsman came to the courtyard gates. His sword was very wide and large. The other swordsmen of Changling all carried swords on their back, in their hands, or by their waists, but he walked on the sword.

  He was Guo Dongshan.

  The empress had him see Zhang Shiwu to the Great Floating Water Prison. But because of the problem of delivering orders, he went to stop the cultivators of the God Killing Army. He was a grandmaster who was not well-known but many important people knew of his strength.

  This grandmaster visiting deep in the night naturally had profound meaning.

  The principal of Green Vine Sword School, Di Qingmei, immediately appeared in front of Guo Dongshan.

  Guo Dongshan appeared very humble. He first put away his sword and bowed to Di Qingmei. Then his face grew solemn and he slowly said, “Principal Di, the war between the Qin and Wuzhi will begin tonight.”


  “What!” Di Qingmei changed his expression. He thought he heard incorrectly.

  “All these words are just me speaking nonsense. Listen and forget. The world does not know when the Qin and Wuzhi war will begin, but in three days, the Qin Dynasty and the Wuzhi will fight. It is the Wuzhi who triggered the war tonight.”


  Guo Dongshan looked silently at Di Qingmei and said, “This is a battle of the dynasty so the empress has orders for all the swordsmen and students, except those who teach daily courses, to go towards the Wuzhi border, including Principal Di yourself.”


  Di Qingmei’s body shuddered and he looked in disbelief at Guo Dongshan.

  “Do not worry, it is not just the Green Vine Sword School.”


  Guo Dongshan took a deep breath and looked up at the bright moon. He slowly said, “It will be for all the Changling cultivation places …… After today, Green Vine Sword School and White Goat Cave will both exist, but the future students will obey the Warden’s Office’s orders and work for the Qin military.”


  The words made Di Qingmei even more shocked. Even though he did not dare to disobey the orders of the mistress of the palace usually, he could not help but say in a trembling voice, “Is she crazy?”


  **

  “Is she crazy?”


  During this night, someone else said the same words. But this person had calm emotions.

  This was a middle-aged man in plain robes. Behind him was an old Daoist temple.

  There was old wormwood growing on the eaves of the temple. These wormwood were a unique golden color. They would not wither in the snowy weather and gave off jewel-like light.

  This temple was the Treasure Light Temple.

  Standing in front of the middle-aged man was an official from the Warden’s Office. This official should be of high rank. Because his presence was so strong he shrouded almost all of the Treasure Light Temple.

  “Not just the Treasure Light Temple, it is the same for all cultivation places.”


  “Treasure Light Temple was built by the imperial decree of the previous emperor and also built inside Changling. Mister Chen, you are a grandmaster and should know that you should follow the will of heaven.” Hearing the man’s response, the official said patiently and calmly.

  The plain-clothed man shook his head and smiled, saying, “I have only heard that there are some things that can be done, and some that cannot.” Pausing, he looked at the official and said, “You are also a cultivator, you should know that many cultivators do not want fame and wealth, but their freedom.”


  The high ranking official from the Warden’s Office narrowed his eyes. He was about to speak when the man interrupted him. “Do not think of using some great righteousness to suppress me. You need to know that most cultivation places are like the Zhao Sword Furnace. If we bow to the strong, then what is the difference between the external and internal enemies?”


  The official from the Warden’s Office took a deep breath and said, “You are determined?”


  The middle-aged man said nothing else.

  A pure sword essence came out of his body. A plain lifebond sword silently appeared in front of him. The sound of a giant mountain moving began in the sky.

  Yet at this time, he looked up and towards a turret.

  A force came from the peak of the turret like the entire tower was falling towards him.

  Translator Ramblings: Poor guy, he was so setup.

  Volume 3 19 - Abnormal

  Chen Chu’s bones were shattered, and his organs crushed, but shockingly, he did not immediately fall down and die.

  He still stood upright, and looked oddly at Forefather Zhou’s swollen abdomen.

  “What meaning is there?”


  He was the loser of this battle. As a grandmaster of the Chu Dynasty, he was about to die on Qin soil. Yet, as he looked at Forefather Zhou, his thin voice contained a quaint sympathy.

  The words were hard to understand but Forefather Zhou knew the meaning of the words — his energy sea was so solidified, his organs were so incomplete, and his body was so old. He would need to consume large amounts of precious materials each day. Living like this was not pleasurable. What was the meaning in a person, that should have died before Emperor Yuanwu’s ascension, still living with an incomplete body like this?

  Because he understood, Forefather Zhou’s expression grew dark.

  “Even dead wood can grow in spring, much less when one is just a step away from heaven,” he said, looking coldly at Chen Chu.

  “Centipedes die, but do not grow stiff. You want to reach the heavens?” Chen Chu said scornfully. Then his sympathetic gaze landed on Fu Su and Ding Ning. “When an insect on the verge of death is travelling, it is naturally poisonous. You have to be careful.”


  Forefather Zhou smiled coldly, but said nothing.

  With a soft poof, the last trace of strength supporting Chen Chu disappeared, he collapsed to the ground. It was impossible to connect his soft body to the realm seven grandmaster that had killed his way through the Xie Family caravan.

  With his head slightly bowed, Ding Ning stood in silence.

  Even some enemies were worthy of respect.

  “What do they want to do?”


  Fu Su’s gaze was focused on the distance where the dozen of Xie family hostages were.

  While the Xie Family’s plan had succeeded, using two cultivators disguised as the Chen elder and child to put Chen Tuntian and this Chu Dynasty realm seven cultivator at odds, they had not expected the Chen Family to have such a realm seven in their midsts. As a result, the Xie Family had paid a great price with three dead and two wounded cultivators above realm five. The two cultivators disguised as the Chen old woman and child, had been exposed and killed. The Xie Family had nothing else that people had to be worried about. In his view, the remaining Chen family members would likely kill all the Xie family members being held hostage.

  Yet, the Chen family members, disguised as horse bandits, did not do so. They also did not immediately flee. They seemed to be waiting.

  “They want to talk.”


  Ding Ning looked up at Fu Su and Xie Lianying, saying, “Chen Tuntian is dead, but the Chen Family has many other family members. The people here hope the Xie Family will spare them.”


  “The key to doing business is to do business in peace. One should not steal the other’s last morsel.”


  Xie Lianying nodded and looked at Ding Ning with a satisfied gaze. He had seen countless young talents, but none of them were as satisfying as Ding Ning.

  “Who among you is in charge now?” Taking several steps forward, he spoke calmly, in a clear voice as he looked at the dispirited and miserable members of the Chen family.

  An ordinary middle-aged man with short hair dismounted his horse, took several steps forward and bowed to Xie LIanying.

  “Release our people, return our wares. The Xie Family will not directly attack the Chen Family.”


  Xie Lianying nodded slightly in return and said meaningfully, “Your horses should be very quick.”


  This middle-aged short-haired man that had replaced Chen Tuntian as the person in charge understood Xie Lianying’s meaning well.

  If the Xie Family did not attack the Chen Family, even if the events here spread, everyone would know that the Chen Family had been a pawn that the Chu Dynasty had placed in Guanzhong. They had enough time to take their family members and flee.

  “Thank you, we owe the Xie Family a favor.”


  The middle-aged short-haired man bowed deeply again and then mounted his horse.

  Today, he and the Xie Family were enemies that fought to the death. But now that victory had been determined, they were truly grateful due to the Xie Family’s promise.

  The thunder of horse hooves sounded again. All the members of the Chen family started to flee.

  Looking at the dozen Xie family members now safe in the distance, Xie Lianying turned to Ding Ning and said in a soft but serious voice, “Today, the Chen Family owes us a favor, but the Xie Family owes you a favor.”


  Ding Ning said calmly and softly, “Xie Changsheng is my friend.”


  Xie Lianying stilled slightly and laughed. He said, “This unaccomplished boy finally got a good friend.”


  Having said so, he turned around and solemnly bowed to Forefather Zhou. “The Guanzhong Xie Family thanks Elder Zhou for your help.”


  Forefather Zhou’s dark expression had faded, its benevolence and friendliness restored. “This is just a coincidence.”


  Xie Lianying said seriously, “This is just a coincidence to Elder, but it is a matter of life and death to us.”


  Forefather Zhou looked at Chen Chu’s corpse and said, “Obtaining the Chu weapons makes this worthwhile.”


  “What is the Xie Family transporting?” As Xie Lianying and Forefather Zhou talked, Ding Ning looked at Xie Rou and asked softly.

  Xie Rou hesitated for a moment before whispering. “Armaments.”


  Ding Ning frowned and asked, “Very big?”


  Xie Rou did not speak, but nodded.

  Ding Ning whispered. “To Deer Mountain?”


  Xie Rou did not speak or nod. To Ding Ning, this naturally was a tacit agreement.

  Ding Ning frowned and said, “Why are they not worried in having the Xie Family transport these?”


  Armaments were usually transported by the armies themselves. Those that could not be transported were usually things that could not accompany the army, in great numbers, or extremely heavy that would delay the movement of an army.

  The armaments that had to be transported to Deer Mountain naturally would represent the power of a dynasty and would be enormous and deterrents.

  Why were such armaments given to the Xie Family to transport, and not under the protection of cultivators of the dynasty?

  Xie Rou took a deep breath.

  This matter was extremely secret. But the Xie family had escaped the ordeal due to Ding Ning. Since he had guessed it correctly, there was no meaning in keeping it a secret.

  “We are only transporting some spare parts of the armaments, not the crucial parts.” Xie Rou looked at Ding Ning and whispered, “Even if the Chen Family steals our wares, I fear they will only obtain a part of an armament.”


  When the same words fell into Ding Ning and Fu Su’s ears, they created different ripples in their minds.

  “Other than the Golden Crow Flame, what other powerful armaments does Changling possess?” Ding Ning frowned, feeling deeply anxious.

  Fu Su was even more shocked. Had that thing finally been produced?

  The dozen Xie family members who had been held hostages galloped over on their horses. Xie Rou went over immediately to ask them questions. When she returned to Ding Ning and Fu Su, Ding Ning asked with a small frown, “Are there problems with the cargo? Even someone like Chen Chu was not able to see anything?”


  “There are no problems.”


  Xie Rou’s eyes flashed with unspeakable joy. “Fortunately I asked. Chen Chu did inspect, but found no problems. He just thought that they are shafts for making arrows.”


  Ding Ning frowned deeply, threads of cold filling his body.

  Ordinary arrow shafts were naturally round but narrow and long items. If the army could not transport them, then they must be astounding in number.

  For him, this meant that a certain idea from the former Ba Mountain Sword Field had become reality.

  If it were as he said, then Emperor Yuanwu’s throne had become even stronger.

  The Xie family members started to clean up. The members that had been held hostage were extremely tired but had not received serious injury.

  The Xie family members collected the Worryfree Horn, the Silver Rakshasa Thumb Ring, and Chen Chu’s lifebond item to deliver them to Forefather Zhou.

  Chen Chu’s lifebond item had been compressed into multiple droplets in his body, but it was in the form of a purple jade at the moment. The jade was the size of a fingernail, and not in the shape of a crescent moon. Its edges were irregular, appearing as though it had a piece that had broken off another item.

  With a casual glance, Forefather Zhou called out gently for Ding Ning and Fu Su to return to him.

  “Your sword is extraordinary, but is damaged. In the future, it will be hard to fit you. This Worryfree Horn is perfect to the White Goat Cave’s White Goat Sword Manual, but cannot be used rashly. If revealed, this Chu weapon of import will be the target of robbery by the Chu Dynasty cultivators.” As he looked at him benevolently, Forefather Zhou handed the Worryfree Horn to Ding Ning.

  “You saw the capabilities of the Silver Rakshasa Thumb Ring just now. You also have to be careful in using this.” Saying so, he handed the Silver Rakshasa Thumb Ring to Fu Su.

  These two items were truly important, and even surpassed the Snow Dandelion Sword that Li Lingjun had once given to Mo Chen.

  As Ding Ning expressed his thanks, an unusual emotion flashed through his eyes.

  Forefather Zhou could not be this generous. Even if Forefather Zhou wanted to show his generosity to him, Fu Su was just a friend keeping him company. He did not have to give such an important weapon to Fu Su.

  Forefather Zhou’s actions were definitely out of the norm.

  Translator Ramblings: I don’t think there’s been a single thing Forefather Zhou has done recently that Ding Ning doesn’t view with suspicion

  Volume 4 19 - Obsession

  Countless people had countless opinions. But this night, for most cultivators in Changling, was a torment.

  The vast and unstoppable power falling from the turret came one after another, each one usually meaning the death of a powerful cultivator or the destruction of a cultivation place. Or rather, surrender.

  They knew the old man who guarded the city was very strong, but feeling this power that came in blow after blow without any exhaustion, they were still shocked. They thought, they had underestimated this old man’s strength.

  “Madness.”


  In a small alley, a cultivator with a sword sensed the powerful blows coming off the turret. He imagined the blood contained in each blow and said to his fellow with an ugly expression, “Even if all the cultivation places submit to the imperial palace like the empress imagines so they can be commanded like the army, why does she not think? These cultivation places and these secluded grandmasters are Changling’s natural barrier. They are the true reason that the cultivators from other dynasties do not dare to easily enter Changling! Even if the empress succeeds, Changling will be empty now.”


  “So what if it is empty?” His friend had a similarly ugly expression as he said coldly, “Maybe she is deliberately making Changling and luring in those from other dynasties. That way, all of Changling will be a giant trap.”


  “Mo Shoucheng has attacked so many times today. Why does he not think of the past Shang Family?” The cultivator with the sword said angrily, but in the next moment, he grew stiff.

  A man in light yellow robes was walking ahead of him on a stone path. Behind the yellow-robed man was some officials and attendants at a distance. Many cultivators in Changling recognized this elegant man in light yellow robes was Huang Zhenwei. The Mo Shoucheng he was criticizing was the teacher Mo Shoucheng respected.

  Huang Zhenwei moved through this area. He could hear the conversation between the two cultivators, but he felt no anger, only greater pain and sorrow. He knew that the words of these two ordinary cultivators in the alley were correct. As the executor of the empress’ decree, his teacher Mo Shoucheng was fated to endure much anger.

  Many people would hate the empress but also Mo Shoucheng who killed their teachers. If Mo Shoucheng was an ambitious general like Liang Lian, Huang Zhenwei may feel better. But he knew Mo Shoucheng was an oil lamp about to go out, giving his last light for this dynasty.

  Also, he knew that with Mo Shoucheng’s health, he was very tired right now. Each blow was a heavy burden to his body. So each time the blow came from the turret, he felt more and more helpless.

  He had been chasing clues without sleep but he still could not find any. At this moment, he sensed another surge of power from the turret, and it was greater than any of the previous ones. This power fell like heavenly punishment towards the city of Changling. Huang Zhenwei knew that over there was the Half Mountain Sword School. It was one of the cultivation places with the most students and teachers in Changling.

  Sensing this vast blow, several scenes appeared in his mind.

  Many students and teachers were fighting against the army with their swords. The vast sword essence fell down, and the sword-wielding students and teachers of Half Mountain Sword School were all turned into bloody mists.

  “Teacher!” Huang Zhenwei shouted in pain.

  He knew, after this blow landed, his teacher would be even more tired, and he knew his teacher, who had attacked, was in more pain than him.

  A gully several dozen feet wide suddenly appeared in front of Half Mountain Sword School.

  Inside the gully was a wave of blood. There were faint sword lights in the bloody wave, shattered pieces of swords and the torn corners of clothing.

  The remaining Half Mountain Sword School students and teacher could not believe their eyes. They could not believe that their friends and teachers had been smashed by such an enormous force to form such a bloody wave.

  The wave surged up like a wall. It seemed to cover the moonlight and turn the clean moon blood red.

  The Half Mountain Sword School cultivators who remained trembled uncontrollably and were unable to take a step forward.

  On the turret, Mo Shoucheng’s wrinkles deepend again. HIs skin looked like it was bloodied, the wrinkles like cracks and the blood was going to seep through these cracks.

  The cold commander behind him helped him to sit in the rattan chair and asked, “How about a rest?”


  Mo Shoucheng shook his head and said, “Other people can rest, but not me.”


  The cold commander slowly bowed his head. He knew, after tonight, many people would remember Mo Shoucheng killed countless people tonight, but few would be certain Mo Shoucheng had prevented more people from dying.

  **

  Countless people in Changling turned their gazes to the clinic that the Xie Family had bought.

  Zhangsun Qianxue’s emotions were more agited than usual so the wind and snow in her room was a bit wilder. While they were on the same bed, she and Ding Ning were sitting half a foot apart.

  “You are sure my energies can help you heal?” she asked calmly as she looked at Ding Ning who was trembling because of the cold.

  “Your energies are like an addictive medicine to me,” Ding Ning looked at her and nodded certainly. “My body is already used to this energy. After I released all of it against Liang Lian, my body cannot adjust.”


  Zhangsun Qianxue was silent for a moment and said, “It’s just because we are used to each other.”


  Ding Ning shook his head without hesitation. “Not just because of habit.”


  Zhangsun Qianxue said after a long silence, “People really have another chance at life?”


  Ding Ning was silent for a long time. “In life, people have to face their own minds sooner or later. Their final pursuit is for their own inner calm. When one understands what one really wants and sees clearly, everything will go with the flow.”


  “Go with the flow?” Zhangsun Qianxue gave a rare laugh. She looked in the direction of the turret. “Many things tonight make people think of things from many years ago. Can people really put down their hatred? If their family is all killed because of a certain person, can she forgive that person?”


  Ding Ning bowed his head. He did not answer Zhangsun Qianxue’s question. He did not look at her miserable expression and slowly said, “All grievances will end sometime. If you do not like this city, then we can leave.”


  Zhangsun Qianxue suddenly turned around to look at him.

  “Tonight, the dead are those cultivators who are unwilling to follow Zheng Xiu, but the one bearing the brunt is Min Mountain Sword Sect.” Ding Ning slowly said, “If Zheng Xiu wants to succeed, she needs to prove to everyone her determination. Then she will order Min Mountain Sword Sect to follow her orders.”


  Zhangsun Qianxue said in a cold voice, “Baili Suxue will agree?”


  “He will.” Ding Ning nodded and said, “Because everything Zheng Xiu does tonight will let him understand she will continue at any cost. Min Mountain Sword Sect is at the forefront. The earlier he agrees, the less she will make him pay.”


  After a pause, Ding Ning said with slight disdain, “This is a transaction between powerful people. No one will state it but they all have their own measures. At this time, Zheng Xiu only needs him to express an attitude. Baili Suxue will agree for another reason because Jing Liuli and I are both in Changling. For him, we are Min Mountain Sword Sect’s future.”


  “Jing Liuli will be permitted to return to Min Mountain Sword Sect. Based on Zheng Xiu’s attitude, I will be sent to a border battlefield along with the students of the cultivation places that dared to disobey her orders. But I am a disciple of Min Mountain Sword Trials. So I should be allowed if I ask to take along some people.”


  Fearing Zhangsun Qianxue’s objections, Ding Ning added. “The best strategy is to go with the flow, follow the enemy’s thoughts and then use the enemy. If we move with the enemy, we can frequently anticipate their actions.”


  Zhangsun Qianxue turned her head to not look at him. She did not want to think about his words and said coldly, “In my view, this is because you understand her too well.”


  Inexplicably, Ding Ning could not help but smile and then said, “That is only one of the reasons.”