Chapter Fifty-Three: Empty City
writer:
无罪 update:2022-07-21 15:26
This gray crystal was the key to the formation of this turret. When his vital energy merged with the crystal and entered the center of the formation, the formation of the turret was activated. Yet, during this flash of time, when the gray crystal appeared in his hand, a patch of gray dust fell down from the roof beam about his head and perfectly floated behind his head.
This was some dust that was insignificant, so much so that even cultivators did not notice, but when it floated behind the general’s head, it was like his body was crushed to the ground by a heavy mountain. He hit the ground with a bang, and created a wave of dust!
The gray crystal in the general’s hand hit the edge of the metal disc ahead of him with a clear sound and created a spray of sparks. His face and eyes seemed to be infected with the light of the gray crystal, turning an odd gray.
Many sharp piercing sounds occurred. Multiple sword lights shot upwards towards a figure that had almost merged into one with the black and gray beams.
The multiple swordsmen behind the general were shocked and angry as they attacked. They could not understand what kind of toxin was this that was able to instantly destroy a realm six cultivator’s body and resolve. Who was able to sneak into the top of the turret without anyone noticing!
“Astrology Bureau!”
But when these swordsmen saw the figure almost merged with the surroundings, they immediately understood.
The academians of the Astrology Bureau.
The six academians of the Astrology Bureau were mysterious cultivators, but these were cultivators of the Qin Dynasty and into the Ye Celeng. Were all these people going to rebel with Ye Celeng?
Pang, pang, pang, pang!
The multiple sword lights missed under their angry and frightened gazes. There were mean holes between the eaves. Sunlight came through the holes, and formed bright rays.
The general on the ground was not breathing at all. The Astrology Bureau academian who had been on the beam had moved into the shadow of the turret below. When the multiple swords furiously spun in the air and gave chase, the faint figure who had changed color to fade in with the street bowed to the general on the turret like they were apologizing.
The several flying swords created many cyclones below the turret, but just passed through the afterimages of the Astrology Bureau academian.
The swordsmen who were controlling the swords did not have their mind on this academian. They knew the person they had to keep here was Ye Celeng, but there was no moment from the surrounding turrets.
The gray crystal was the key to activating the formations of the turret. Each general on the turret had one. Even if the general on this turret was dead, and no one on the turret knew the way to activate the turret with the crystal, as long as any general was able to activate the formation, then all of the turrets would be activated.
Then, on the turrets which should have discovered this already, what had happened?
“Do not move.”
On a turret closest to this turret, the general was already gripping the gray crystal in his sleeve, but one of his closest deputies said softly by his ear. “If you do not move, you may be punished, but if you move, your case in the Spring Wind Alley will be leaked, and I fear you may not be able to leave the Great Floating Water Prison in this lifetime.”
This general suddenly froze, and his hand which held the gray crystal slacked.
Back then, he had been fighting over a woman in the Spring Wind Alley, and he killed an important person of the Dugu Marquessate establishment. Compared to the Astrology Bureau discovering this, he was more shocked and disbelieving that his deputy knew of this.
“You are from the Astrology Bureau?” He stiffly turned his head, glancing at the deputy, and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
This deputy looked at where Ye Celeng was walking, and answered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “It is not important whether I am of the Astrology Bureau or not. What is important is that even if Ye Celeng leaves Changling, her power in the Astrology Bureau will still exist in Changling. If you want to live well, do not do extreme things to her.”
**
There were many screams coming from under the ground. This voice was like the sound of many women buried alive wailing in their desire for revenge.
The turrets started to tremble. Unusual dark clouds appeared in the sky ahead. The edges of the dark clouds twisted like there were countless ghosts fighting to burrow out.
All of Changling was alarmed. Most people were afraid and knew not what was happening. But the important people and cultivators who knew what was happening had a sharp chill in their hearts.
All the formations of the turrets had been activated, but it was because of the turrets in the distance. The turrets in the area where Ye Celeng and Marquis Xu fought were not the first to react.
These turrets had dense arrangements and defensive methods cultivators on the outside could not imagine. To be able to take care of five or six turrets silently mentality that in these years, the female bureau chief of the Astrology Bureau had not been as dispirited as the outside thought.
Her hidden power had reached a terrifying level…… This was the true reason she had stayed in Changling for so many years.
What shocked people the most was her own cultivation and strength. The method of Marquis Xu would create a terrifying amount of vital energy and primal energy to surge out in one moment.
In a case like this, when both sides used one move, then the power of his one move would be terrifying.
But the result of his clash with Ye Celeng was he was seriously injured, and Ye Celeng floated away like she was fine.
Then, in all Changling, how many people had the power to stop her by themselves?
Ye Celeng floated as she walked on the street. She was not walking quickly, but water kept on forming in the streets, turning to mist, and then into thick white mist.
She heard the sounds from the turrets, she knew that the Falling Dark Moon had been activated, but she was not in a hurry for she had won enough time. This time was enough for her presence to disappear from the perception of the people on the turrets, and the surrounding cultivators.
At this time, she suddenly looked up, and sensed that there was star light flashing high up in the sky. She narrowed her eyes slightly, but then her lips showed a hint of scorn.
In the Changling imperial palace, Zheng Xiu was feeling fear. She had no more restraints, and had no need to hide herself. So at this time, when Zheng Xiu could still sense a bit of her presence, Zheng Xiu did not dare to attack her.
She proudly walked among the streets. The white mist slowly shrouded her body.
The surrounding streets were completely silent, like this was an empty city.
Volume 5 53 - The Price of A Life
In the dark night, the Wuzhi cavalry that had suffered serious losses did not retreat too far. They only moved to a meadow where they could barely make out Guyu Pass’s shadow in the darkness.
As the hoofbeats of the entire cavalry stopped tapping the ground, one rider appeared abnormal. At this moment, only this horse was moving, and in the next moment, multiple horses surrounded this rider.
“Why?”
A strong Wuzhi commander carrying an enormous curved blade and wearing a tiger robe shouted in fury as he looked at this rider.
Facing the angry question from this general half a head taller, the rider dressed in ordinary robes and a black cloth over his face looked back calmly and said, “Why what?”
This response immediately caused the strong Wuzhi commander’s eyes to burn in anger.
“Why pay that kind of price to assassinate that youth?” He gritted through his teeth in a cold voice. “Why retreat immediately? You should understand, even if the assassination succeeds, us cultivators cannot return, then what? Still want to retreat?”
Horses whined.
These horses, long trained and almost one with their owner, could only make such sounds when their riders’ hands changed tension. The sounds meant all these riders wanted to question this person.
Clearly, if this rider did not furnish a satisfactory answer, he would be reduced to flesh and bones on the ground as a tribute to those Wuzhi soldiers who had died due to his orders.
Yet this rider with the black cloth over his face and what was clearly not a Wuzhi accent did not care. He coldly raised his head and looked towards the mountain slope. “Before you question me, you all first have to understand one thing. It’s not me who wanted to be the Wuzhi leader, but your Wanyan queen who invited me to be the leader. And even your General Yelu agrees. So do not suspect that I have other goals in leading. You suspect me, you suspect your Wanyan queen and your General Yelu.”
His words and tone were very rude, evoking a louder wave of whines. Yet while the riders’ hands were unnaturally tense, the expression changed.
“You are angry now only because you do not know who that youth is.” This rider’s gaze fell onto the strong Wuzhi commander and his tone became unusually gentle. “The lives of those cultivators, and many more, cannot compare to that youth’s life.”
“Why?”
A familiar opening word, yet the strong Wuzhi commander had bowed his head already to show respect and a wish for guidance.
“Because that youth is Ding Ning, the victor of the Qin Dynasty Min Mountain Sword Trials. Purely to this battle, he represented Min Mountain Sword Sect. Your General Yelu is not personally leading because of him, so the people of Min Mountain Sword Sect would not participate in this battle.”
The rider said coolly, “For the greater situation which you may not understand, if our entire army can be traded for his death, it is worth it because until now, he is the fastest person in the world, and also the person with the greatest comprehension. The previous genius of the Qin Dynasty could only be his student.”
Min Mountain Sword Sect, General Yelu …… the words were like lightning that struck the surrounding riders, causing them to shudder.
Heavy breathing sounded like the horse whines.
“People like him, even without the protection of Min Mountain Sword Sect’s cultivators, will not easily die. I do not believe the Qin Dynasty would let someone like him die easily. At least, based on my understanding of Yuanwu and Zheng Xiu, they will use these so-called experts as best as they can if they can be controlled, they will let them burn out before letting them die.” This rider did not care about the changes in expression of these people and continued slowly with irony. “I created a likely chance to kill this youth because I wanted to see what powerful cultivators are behind this youth …… I had not expected this youth to be so strong, and that young person beside him to be this strong.”
“Your knowledge is too sparse. You do not know that this youth, other than his terrifying advancement, has great judgement and perception. I am certain that he is the most terrifying opponent I have met as a commander up until now.”
“In a sense, whether we can complete the mission and keep these tens of thousands of Qin soldiers on the plains depends on whether we can kill this youth. If we can kill him, it means this army has no more trump cards. If we cannot, then we can only give up on our mission, return, and try to kill as many Qin soldiers as we can.”
These Wuzhi people knew what kind of price they had paid to force these tens of thousands of Qin soldiers to scatter like stray dogs. It was almost unbelievable to hear that they would give up on the last siege just because of a youth. Yet as the rider explained, even the low ranking soldiers who only knew fighting knew that this was likely the cruel truth.
“Then why do you not send us all in?” The strong Wuzhi commander had long lost his anger. He bowed his head humbly and said, “We do not fear death.”
“I know you do not fear death.” The rider looked seriously at him and said, “But as a commander, you do not need to consider a matter of life and death, but whether this is useful for victory. If you cannot kill him, and all five thousand cavalry are killed here, you will not win, and the tens of thousands of Qin soldiers can return to Yin Mountain.”
“Then what should we do next?” The Wuzhi commander raised his head and asked helplessly, his mouth wide like a fish about to die.
“Wait.” The rider said calmly, “I have already sent a message to the main army for them to send enough powerful cultivators. We will attempt to kill the youth. If not possible, we will retreat.”
All the Wuzhi riders did not know when this rider had sent the message and by what means, but they naturally believed that this rider spoke the truth now.
On the slope in the darkness, Ding Ning did not talk with the Imperial Guard Army commanders and Guyu Pass’s commanders. He sat down next to Zhangsun Qianxue’s carriage.
“You have come twice now. I just reminded you that those two were unusual, but I have nothing else to tell you. What do you want to do?” Zhangsun Qianxue’s cool voice reached Ding Ning’s ears when he passed in the food box and charcoal basin that a soldier had delivered.
Ding Ning hesitated and then said seriously, “I do not want you to act.”
Zhangsun Qianxue said, “Why should I act?”
Ding Ning put the charcoal basin at the head of the carriage and said, “Because I want to gamble. The commander from the formation just now wants to try killing me …… Being reactive and waiting for someone’s next step is forever the stupidest idea. I want to see if I can kill the commander first.”
Zhangsun Qianxue did not speak.
Ding Ning looked up and took a deep breath. He said softly, “Do not be angry. You know I understand Zheng Xiu too well. She definitely arranged for people to follow me …… Her people will only appear if I truly encounter death. I want to force out her people. Otherwise, we will never be safe and escape her sight.”
The carriage was silent for many moments and then Zhangsun Qianxue’s icy voice sounded. “I will not act.”
Ding Ning was silent for a moment and stood up to walk slowly down the slope. He watched the brightening moon in the night sky, and thought, using one lifetime to understand and see a person clearly cost too much.
Translator Ramblings: Ding Ning just cannot stop scheming.
Volume 3 53 - The Spring of Yuanwu Year Twelve
The chaotic primal energies of the universe were scattered around the peak of Deer Mountain, ringing like giant bells that seemed to resound through the world.
A pale faced Yuanwu stood with his hands behind his back. Those hands were trembling uncontrollably as blood dripped from his fingers.
After doing his best to fight these great grandmasters of the world, he was extremely exhausted. But he felt that each of his breaths was unusually sweet. An unprecedented feeling of power surged his body.
The mountains, rivers, and ground are below me, who in the world can stand with this Lonely One?
He raised his head proudly and thought as he looked at the distant mountains and rivers.
Almost all of the flora on Deer Mountain was destroyed. Gullies had been made on the faces of the mountain due to the rain and primal energies of the universe. The water flowed with threads of blood.
The Qin Dynasty troops stationed on the mountain watched as the chaotic primal energies disappeared and the bright sun appeared. Then they looked at the bright yellow figure standing upright. Even though their surroundings were filled with damaged armaments, blood and corpses, they couldn’t help but start cheering.
“Long Live the emperor!”
“Long Live the emperor! Long live the emperor!”
Amidst the cheers, the emperor of Yan wore an ugly expression. He turned and left without looking back.
The emperor of Qi was stunned for a long time. Then he sighed. He felt very sad inside, but he also found he admired Yuanwu greatly.
Emperor Chen of Han had fled in an excrement cart, and hid for more than a decade from the cultivators of the Qin Dynasty outside the forts ……
Yan Ying had been halfway into realm eight, but had sacrificed to start the last trap ……
Song Chaosheng had lost his family due to the Qin people’s scheme before the destruction of the Wei Dynasty. He had helplessly watched the destruction of his country, his tears had been a tide ……
Guo Dongjiang had desired to avenge his friend. Though mad, he had endured for more than a decade ……
These great grandmasters had wanted to kill Emperor Yuanwu all this time, waiting and scheming for more than a decade. They had finally obtained a possible chance to kill Emperor Yuanwu, yet suffered defeat at his hands.
Taking into account Li Caitian and Fang Xiang, almost all the great grandmasters that could equal Emperor Yuanwu were gone after Deer Mountain.
Was Emperor Yuanwu only strong in his cultivation?
“So Ye Xinhe …… is one of the Holy One’s pawns.”
Huang Zhenwei was fighting the strong drowsiness engulfing him. He tried to keep his eyes open, looking with shock and true respect at Emperor Yuanwu who was bathed in the light.
Ye Xinhe had been the most important piece to set up this situation. He had been a lure for all those involved. Yuanwu had even moved this piece and hid it for so many years before ascending the throne…… Even Huang Zhenwei had not known that Ye Xinhe’s loyalty had been for Emperor Yuanwu.
Li Lingjun’s body could not stop trembling.
The king of Chu’s health was extremely bad. Coughing blood when his emotions were stirred was enough for anyone to know he did not have many days left. Li Lingjun would quickly become the new monarch of the Chu Dynasty.
But Emperor Yuanwu had taken back Yangshan Commandery, pushed the border a hundred miles forward, and set up such a great trap to kill all the great grandmasters that could threaten him. Even if the people of the Chu Dynasty did not doubt him and Consort Zhao Xiang, and supported him, he still felt terror and a lack of confidence.
Beside him, the emperor of Chu gazed at Emperor Yuanwu’s figure. For some inexplicable reason, his expression grew calm and then thoughtful.
His calmness attracted Emperor Yuanwu’s attention. His gaze moved towards this old man who was about to die.
Looking at the expression of power and contentment in Emperor Yuanwu’s eyes, this old person gave a small smile.
Emperor Yuanwu was even more puzzled. In his view, the Chu Dynasty had suffered the greatest loss in this event, so he could not understand the emperor of Chu’s emotions.
“Congratulations, Imperial Son.” Hearing the cheers coming from Deer Mountain, Mo Shoucheng turned and sincerely expressed his wishes to Fu Su.
Fu Su was still in a daze due to the great shock and could not immediately understand the meaning of Mo Shoucheng’s words.
But Ding Ning, his heart cold, knew very well.
After the Deer Mountain Conference, the Qin Dynasty would ascend to become the strongest dynasty in the world. Fu Su would naturally become the crown prince of the strongest dynasty in the world. Everything seemed to advance under the control of Zheng Xiu and Emperor Yuanwu.
Ding Ning, as though he feared facing the peerless authority on Deer Mountain, slowly turned around. His gaze landed on the peak that had produced that exceptionally long sword light that seemed able to circle Deer Mountain.
That was the Yearning Sword.
There was no emotion like yearning that was as lingering and incomprehensible, as hard to stop and cut through as yearning.
Prime Minister Li, one of Emperor Yuanwu’s two prime ministers, had comprehended the other ultimate sword manual of the Ba Mountain Sword Field. Unimportant Marquis Li and that nameless Daoist had been strong, but slightly weaker than this Minister Li. If they hadn’t left when they did, the two may have not been able to ever leave.
Ding Ning’s gaze fell upon the mountain valley that Ye Xinhe had fallen into.
At this moment, the valley was filled with smoke. The collision of primal energies of the universe summoned by these great grandmasters had caused the valley floor to sink multiple feet. But Ding Ning was certain that Ye Xinhe, based on the wounds he had received, would not have died due to his fall.
Ye Xinhe! Ding Ning closed his eyes, mentally shouting with all his might.
The wall in the Falling Parasol wine shop appeared in his mind.
An enormous flower was eerily blooming on an empty spot on the wall.
As Ding Ning was thinking of the painting on Falling Parasol wine shop’s wall with his eyes closed, many were quietly waiting in Changling.
In the small courtyard, Zhangsun Qianxue was cooking glutinous rice. Her fingers seemed to be whiter than the rice.
The spring wind was like scissors. They cut the green leaves of Changling’s trees, gently filling the courtyard and occasionally lifting the door curtain.
Looking at the painted wall occasionally peeking out behind the curtain and thinking of the meanings contained within, Zhangsun Qianxue’s cool countenance suddenly betrayed some restlessness.
She stopped watching the fire and in irritation let the flames die out.
She was certain, even if Ding Ning were to have a mishap on Deer Mountain or Wu Mountain, she would still remain in Changling and await the day she could kill Zheng Xiu and Yuanwu. However, she was almost sure that she would be unaccustomed to his absence.
Why did you die?
Why did you die!
As she thought of that person, hatred and anger mixed in her eyes, her eyelashes fluttered.
In a small courtyard not far from her, Zhang Yi was boiling water. He was focused on the dry wood in the stove. Each time he shoved multiple pieces of wood in, threads of primal energy would fly from him into the red coals under the dry wood.
The dry wood burned unusual ferocity. In a few moments, the water seethed, steam ascended.
He pointed with his fingers. The boiling water in the pot flew out like a snake and landed in the large wooden bathtub next to him. He added some cold water, tested the temperature and added extra water to the pot before shouting towards the courtyard. “Little Sect Brother, you can come with Cave Master to wash.”
Shen Yi helped Xue Wangxu slowly appear in his sight.
Watching as Shen Yi helped Xue Wangxu into the bathtub and use an old loofah to wash his back, Zhang Yi was reassured. He started to soak the clothes Xue Wangxu had taken off with hot water and started to wash them.
As he did these things, Zhang Yi seemed like an ordinary youth that had lived in Falling Parasol for many years. He had completely forgotten how restrained he was when he first came here when he didn’t even dare to shout.
But when he had shouted “Little Sect Brother,” he couldn’t help but think of Ding Ning.
Before Shen Yi had joined the sect, Ding Ning had been the little sect brother of White Goat Cave. Xue Wangxu lived in this Falling Parasol and seemed to enjoy each day. But he knew that the cave master’s health was on a decline.
“I wonder where Junior Sect Brother Ding Ning is. Is he safe?” He looked at the steam and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Although he knew, he still couldn’t help asking Shen Yi and Xue Wangxu. “The Deer Mountain Conference is concluding today?”
“Today is the main day for the Deer Mountain Conference.” Shen Yi looked at Zhang Yi through the white steam and said seriously, “Senior Brother Ding Ning is able to grasp a situation better than anyone. He is just watching from a distance and will not be in danger. After today, he will be returning and preparing to attend the Min Mountain Sword Trials.”
While he said so, Shen Yi himself lacked confidence. What if something happened at the conference? If the Holy One did not gain anything in the negotiations with the three dynasties, and something unexpected happened?
Zhang Yi made a sound of acknowledgement as though he agreed with Shen Yi’s words, but he was also anxious.
Xue Wangxu knew better than his young disciples how capricious life was. He smiled faintly and said, “Silly Ones. There is no use in worrying. I can wait, how come you cannot?”
Zhang Yi and Shen Yi stopped speaking.
In this spring of Yuanwu Year Twelve, the news that the Qin army had reclaimed Yangshan Commandery and Emperor Yuanwu had razed a mountain with a sword had not had the time to travel back to Changling.
Changling was waiting with exceptional weight, slightly restless and anxious.
Volume 2 53 - Old Forefather
This chapter has been brought to you by me, and larkspur.
"Senior Sect Brother, what are you searching for?"
Shen Yi couldn’t help but ask softly as he looked at Ding Ning who had bent down to closely look at the marks of the broken tiles and even scenting them.
Ever since the Zhou Garden, he knew that his senior sect brother who came from the commoners could not be judged ordinarily. Maybe, at the start, he had entered Li Lingjun’s establishment to search for clues connected to cultivation. With the Min Mountain Sword Trials close at hand, everything Ding Ning did, in his view, was for the Min Mountain Sword Trials.
Yet, after coming to Li Lingjun’s establishment multiple times in these days, and staying for a long time each day, Shen Yi increasingly felt that what Ding Ning was doing had nothing to do with cultivation. Ding Ning’s actions at this moment seemed more like an investigation.
Ding Ning frowned deeply. He did not immediately respond to Shen Yi’s question. He had some powder stuck on his fingers that he carefully rubbed. Then he stood up among the broken tiles. He looked at Shen Yi and said, "You are from a wealthy family in Guanzhong and should know more about the expenses of a mansion like this better than I do. In these days, you have followed me and seen Li Lingjun’s establishment multiple times. How much do you think a place like this, with all its retainers, will cost each day?"
Shen Yi stilled and responded, "Based on the construction of this building and so many people, the expenses are so great I have to carefully calculate. Senior Sect Brother, why are you asking this?"
Ding Ning still did not answer his question and said, "Li Lingjun came to Changling in the third year of Yuanwu as a hostage from the Chu. While this establishment continued to expand and build in the last nine years, it formed something like this."
"Senior Sect Brother, you mean that Li Lingjun’s wealth is too bizarre?" Shen Yi finally realized.
There were more luxurious and large compounds than Li Lingjun’s establishment in Changling. However, those compounds had accumulated through many years, or the people who had built their compounds had been in Changling before starting construction. Yet, if they exchanged the previous Li Lingjun Establishment into gold and silver, the gold and silver were a matter of years.
Thinking of the items he had seen in these last days that were not especially beautiful but made from valuable materials, Shen Yi couldn’t help but think how big of a gold and silver mountain would be created if it was exchanged for the compound.
"Previously, not many were able to enter this Chu hostage’s compound. Even if they did, they could not come deep. But now, I see clearly. Some wealthy families will fake it, spending easily in public to obtain their reputation of wealth. However, they would be extremely frugal at home. The places in plain view would be new, but those hidden would be saved as much as possible." Ding Ning glanced at Shen Yi and said, "Li Lingjun was famed for being wealthy and treating his retainers well. But you and I have moved through this establishment for many days, and seen that he is the same in private as in public. Simply said, he really has money."
"The emperor of Chu could not have given him so much wealth to take along. If he would have beared to do such a thing, the emperor of Chu would not have let him be a hostage." Pausing, Ding Ning looked at Shen Yi and deepened his voice, "If he received the help of a wealthy family …… no family would be able to endure taking out such a huge sum at once."
Shen Yi took a deep breath, he was shocked. He said, "Yes, even the Xie Family could not take out such a large sum over many years. Unless they touch their ancestral wealth. But if it were not a year of calamity and one were unsustainable, who would touch one’s ancestral wealth?"
Ding Ning said, "There is a kind of person who would use their ancestral wealth. For example, if they suffered great calamity and their family no longer exists."
"Suffered a great calamity and their family no longer exists?" Shen Yi’s eyes unconsciously widened. "You refer to the old aristocracy?"
Ding Ning nodded.
Shen Yi looked at him in shock. "Which family can take out such a huge sum?"
Ding Ning reached out in front of him, his thumb and forefinger apart and facing up.
Under the sunlight, Shen Yi could see a faint layer of fluorescence on the fingerpads. Ordinary people could not see what kind of light this was, but Shen Yi knew.
This was the light of pearls.
Gold and silver took up too much room and they were too heavy. If they were transported by wagons, they could easily be distinguished. So, the wealthy of Qin liked to change their gold and silver into pearls and precious stones.
A first-class pearl would be worth ten thousand gold and it would be insignificant in weight. The Changling noblewomen liked to crush the pearls into powder to maintain their beauty while the cultivators valued the powder for its nourishing effect.
So the powers of Changling especially liked pearls.
The families who were so wealthy they could rival countries would not have gold and silver piled up in their family treasuries, but pearls. Only pearls, when they reached a certain amount and rubbed against each other as they were moved, would leave fine powder behind on other objects and the ground when they were being transported.
"The Lu Family!"
Shen Yi learned the answer and looked in shock at Ding Ning.
Among the old powers of Changling, only the Lu Family had such astounding wealth.
"When the Lu Family was seized, they confiscated astounding wealth, but the legendary ancestral treasury did not appear." Ding Ning looked at Shen Yi and nodded.
Shen Yi struggled to swallow and murmured, "So it was because of the Lu Family’s support …… Senior Sect Brother, you spent so much energy just to find Li Lingjun’s secret supporter?"
Ding Ning was silent for a moment. Then he said, "This will be of great importance in the future."
Shen Yi could not understand. In his view, even if the Lu Family and Li Lingjun were in cahoots, Li Lingjun had returned to the Chu Dynasty. In the future, Li Lingjun would become the emperor of the Chu. Even if there was any importance, it would be of importance to the Holy One and the marquises. What did it have to do with Ding Ning?
"Someone is coming."
Ding Ning did not explain but turned and looked behind him.
Shen Yi originally did not care. Li Lingjun’s establishment had become a place for the numerous surrounding families to take materials. There were an unknown amount of people who came and left each day. He could imagine that in the future, many of Changling’s houses and even walls would have the wood and stone materials from Li Lingjun’s establishment.
Yet, when his gaze followed Ding Ning’s gaze, his body instinctively shook.
He saw a young person. This young person’s robes and body looked unusually clean, but felt exceptionally dusty. Also, he was certain that this young person was a cultivator, and a cultivator who was many times stronger than him and Ding Ning. This young person’s demeanour was especially calm and solemn.
Seeing Ding Ning and Shen Yi looking at him, this young person bowed deeply to Ding Ning but did not speak.
Ding Ning’s eyebrows rose slightly. He had seen many solemn expressions like his, so he immediately sensed the special meaning from this young person.
"You recognize me?" he asked, looking at this young person.
The young person slowly stood up and said respectfully, "White Goat Cave’s Ding Ning."
Ding Ning looked at him and asked, "Why have you come to find me?"
The young person said, still respectful, "I was asked by someone. Could I talk to you alone?"
Ding Ning frowned slightly but did not say anything. He nodded simply and said, "Alright."
Then he walked towards a secluded damaged building.
This young person was Li Yunrui. Seeing Ding Ning’s presence, his gaze flashed with an unusual light. As he followed Ding Ning into the deserted building, he took something out of his sleeve and handed it to Ding Ning.
Ding Ning’s frown deepened further.
He looked at the cube-shaped object in Li Yunrui’s hand that was wrapped up in ordinary rough cloth. He said, "What is this?"
Li Yunrui looked at this Changling common youth’s clean and serious brows. He shook his head and said, "I do not know what this is. I just have to give this item to you…… Also, only you and I know of this in the world. Only I know that this item has reached your hands."
Ding Ning thought for a moment. He did not immediately accept the object from Li Yunrui’s hand. His perception gently permeated into the cloth and onto what was inside.
In the next moment, his gaze became extremely serious.
"You do not know what is inside?" Looking up at Li Yunrui, he asked seriously.
Li Yunrui shook his head.
"Alright."
Ding Ning nodded. He accepted the clothed parcel and held it in his hand.
Li Yunrui made a deep bow and turned to leave without a word.
Ding Ning looked at the back of this young man, genuine respect suffusing his eyes.
He knew this young person came from the Chu.
He knew that in the future, it would be difficult to see this young person from the Chu……
After leaving Li Lingjun’s establishment, Li Yunrui slowly walked towards the Wei River along the quiet streets. On the shore of the Wei River, he looked in the direction of Deer Mountain and Chu. Then he calmly stepped into the slightly cold water.
When the river water drowned his body, he released all of the vital energy and primal energies of the universe gently out of his body. Then, he thought of the flowers blooming on the streets of the Chu capital as he closed his eyes and threw himself into darkness.
Translator Ramblings: I’m very conflicted on how to call these "old powers." I think I’ve used aristocracy and powers interchangeably because I’m not sure these "old aristocracy" had any titles. Also, "powers" imply a more general class of people than the aristocracy.
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