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Chapter Seventy: Refusal
writer:无罪      update:2022-07-21 15:26
  Pan Ruoye’s injuries were already very serious. If not for the strong mental stimulation, she may have closed her eyes and died.

  At this time, Baili Suxue was speaking of the most stimulating things in the cultivation world. Her wounds caused her to feel that the sunlight right now was exceptionally dazzling and dizzying, but her thoughts were still clear.

  “Many people have their choices, why think about Ye Xinhe?”


  But she still could not understand Baili Suxue’s thinking at this time. Compared to the Qin defeating the Chu that Zheng Xiu spoke of, something like Ye Xinhe staying on Zheng Xiu’s side was a trivial matter. Also, so many people from Ba Mountain Sword Field had betrayed it back then, why care about Ye Xinhe?

  “Many things do not happen in isolation, there are relationships between many people and things. Especially in this world, it is always moved by some of the top people. After you think through the matters of these people, you will find the connections. For example, she said that they will quickly defeat the Chu dynasty, this will be related to the most important people in the world.”


  Baili Suxue was very satisfied with her present state. Min Mountain Sword Sect was not just the strongest sword sect in the world, they also had the best healers in the world. If she did not die in Changling, he could make sure she lived.

  Also, up until now, Huang Zhenwei had not “detected” him, which meant his guess was correct.

  Huang Zhenwei was not firmly on Zheng Xiu’s side. Regardless of whether the other thought he was right in his actions or just out of sympathy, or rather he was discontent with Zheng Xiu because of Mo Shoucheng’s death, he did not want him to die in Changling.

  He slowly breathed, trying to suppress the raging energy in his body. He then said, “While Ba Mountain Sword Field had many traitors, the reason for the collapse of the Ba Mountain Sword Field was a split from within. Ye Xinhe is not like the other people. He is the master of the Divine Peach Sword. Wang Jingmeng had a rebellious personality, he was skilled at conquering the world, but he had no interest in ruling the world. The master of the Last Flower Sword, Yan Xinlan and the others only liked fighting, they were just cultivation fanatics. The Divine Peach Sword was one of the strongest swords of the Ba Mountain Sword Field, and from a certain point of view, Ye Xinhe, who received that inheritance, was one of the main competitors to be the sect master of Ba Mountain Sword Field. Also, based on the people of the Ba Mountain Sword Field at the time, if there were no accidents, he would have been the next master of the Ba Mountain Sword Field.”


  After a pause, he resumed. “People like Liang Lian and the others were just carriage drivers, and could not have risen on top. Gu Huai is strong, but not equal to Ye Xinhe, Lin Zhujiu and the others. He wanted to become the master of Spirit Void Sword Sect, this was a clear motive of self interest. But what is Ye Xinhe’s reason? If he was of one mind with Wang Jingmeng and the others, and in the end, Ba Mountain Sword Field helped the Qin Dynasty conquer the world, as the master of Ba Mountain Sword Field, he may even have a status higher than Yuanwu. After helping Yuanwu and Zheng Xiu destroy the Ba Mountain Sword Field, his position, even if he is equal to the two ministers, is still low. So this is what I do not understand.”


  “You were good to Shen Xuan, and gave him all he could get, so why, when he should have come, he did not?”


  In the ruins of the imperial palace, Ye Xinhe walked in front of Zheng Xiu who was still swelling with energy. He said, “I cannot understand, can you?”


  “There is nothing to understand.”


  Zheng Xiu had recovered her calm and said, “I can give him what he wants, but he did not dare to accept. This means that the thing he gave me has problems. He came back with the Heaven Replenishing Divine Art in exchange. If there is a problem, then there is a problem with the wine shop youth. So if I am right, then the Nine Death Silkworm heir trapped by Ye Xiao in the formation should be the wine shop youth. He will only feel that the Nine Death Silkworm heir can give him more.”


  Ye Xinhe laughed in scorn. “So after all this time, this person was always in Changling, right under our eyes.”


  “What are you doing!”


  At this time, Ye Xinhe’s expression turned cold and he turned, shouting.

  On the path behind him, a cultivator of the palace was running over. Usually, such a cultivator coming close could not arouse such a response, but now, it was different. Zheng Xiu’s condition was so terrible that some cultivators who were usually not important could cause her to die.

  This palace cultivator felt tangible killing intent and stopped in shock. He bowed and said, “Official Shen sent a secret message.”


  “Really?”


  Ye Xinhe expressionlessly reached out with his hand, and took the message from this palace cultivator’s hand. After he quickly scanned the paper, the scorn at the corner of his lips quickly froze.

  Zheng Xiu frowned deeply. She had a bad feeling.

  Shen Xuan had been a new power in Changling, but all of his came from her, and could be taken from him at any time. But this could not change the fact that he was a powerful cultivator to start with. Shen Xuan, as one person, did not count as much, but if he truly worked with Min Mountain Sword Sect, then it was worrisome. Also, she knew that Shen Xuan had stayed in the Great Floating Water Prison for many years. To reach his goal, he would do many things that Baili Suxue disdained to do.

  “He took away Hu Hai,” Ye Xinhe said directly. His voice was not low, and many of the cultivators who were guarding this palace heard. Immediately, heavy gasps sounded.

  Hu Hai was the second imperial son. His personality was not as gentle as Fu Su, and his performance in cultivation was far lacking compared to Fu Su. His reputation among the people was not as good as Fu Su. So to this imperial dynasty, he did not seem essential. Even though he was brought along to the Deer Mountain Conference, he was ignored.

  But now, it was different.

  Fu Su was being held hostage by the Nine Death Silkworm heir, and trapped in the formation as well. If something happened to Hu Hai as well, then Yuanwu and Zheng Xiu would temporarily have no children, and this dynasty would lose all heirs who could inherit.

  What was more worrying was naturally Yuanwu and Zheng Xiu’s feelings. They could endure losing one son, but could they endure losing two?

  “A dog that barks is nothing to be feared, the silent dog is the best at biting,” Zheng Xiu said this after a long silence. Then she looked at Ye Xinhe and asked, “What does he want?”


  Ye Xinhe glanced at her and said, “He just wants one person to live.”


  “He only wants one person to live but did not say who it was…… then it means I cannot kill any of those who are fleeing right now. I must keep them alive and wait for him to trade?” Zheng Xiu rarely laughed, but at this time, she laughed in anger.

  Ye Xinhe was waiting quietly. There was no need to care about how devious Shen Xuan’s request was, the key was how would Zheng Xiu choose.

  “The start of compromise means constant compromise,” Zheng Xiu said coldly and slowly, “I refuse.”


  Volume 3 70 - Beginning of the Sword Trials

  While complicated and elaborate rituals could add to the enigma and profundity of the ceremony, everyone knew Emperor Yuanwu disliked such pomp and circumstance. So his recitation to the heavens and the ancestors was just a few dozen phrases that clearly described his accomplishments after his enthronement and the reason he was making Fu Su crown prince.

  After sealing the gold slip in his hand underneath the mountain rocks in front of the sacrificial altar, this greatest emperor in the history of the Qin turned around. His bright yellow figure started to disappear from everyone’s sight. Once again, everyone felt a stabbing pain when they looked towards the higher parts of the mountain.

  A gaze that did not carry much emotion swept across these students and the teachers.

  Many people sensed this gaze and looked back. They discovered that this was a palace attendant standing behind the officials of the Clan Law Bureau.

  The students and teachers who knew the identity of this palace attendant all suddenly became stiff. Even though their eyes were in pain, they didn’t dare to let tears fall from their eyes.

  They feared that this palace attendant would think they were crying for Xue Wangxu’s death. Perhaps, just the clear expression of sympathy would bring them detrimental consequences in the impending Min Mountain Sword Trials.

  The Min Mountain Sword Trials was held so much earlier. How would it be strange if some of the tests in the Min Mountain Sword Trials were changed?

  What’s more, the tests for the annual Min Mountain Sword Trials would be different every year. Adjusting one or two of the Min Mountain Sword Sect cultivators responsible and some of the tests was much easier than holding the Min Mountain Sword Trials early.

  The middle-aged official in black robes who had scolded Zhou Wangnian previously, slowly walked next to Zhang Yi and Shen Yi.

  Xue Wangxu had passed away. Ordinarily, he could not let Xue Wangxu’s remains stay here. But he felt great sympathy towards the experiences of Ding Ning and the others. He thought, in the management of this matter, the palace attendant had gone too far. So, he worried greatly for the emotional backlash of Zhang Yi and the others.

  Yet, unexpectedly, when he stopped and before he could speak, Zhang Yi turned around in front of him, and bowed deeply to him.

  “Please, Official, take good care of Cave Master’s remains. After the Min Mountain Sword Trials finishes, we will bring Cave Master’s remains to White Goat Cave for burial.”


  This official in black robes frowned slightly. He had not known what to say, but when Zhang Yi rose, he already had spoken.

  “Senior Sect Brother, why?”


  Shen Yi could not understand Shen Yi’s actions. He looked in sorrow and shock at Zhang Yi and exclaimed out loud.

  Zhang Yi wiped his tears. He had been crying endlessly.

  This wiping motion caused him to look extremely sentimental, but his tear-streaked face flashed with an unspeakable determination.

  “With Cave Master here, none of us can think. We need to think about what we need to do next,” he looked at Shen Yi and answered.

  The middle-aged official in black robes stopped breathing for a moment. He looked at Ding Ning who was still standing with his eyes tightly closed, as though he was separate from the world. Then he looked at Zhang Yi, and felt great respect for Xue Wangxu.

  “This is why you were able to leave so calmly. No matter who possessed such students, you are worthy of being proud,” he spoke softly and sincerely. This middle-aged official in black robes did not call other people to help. He carried Xue Wangxu like he was helping an old friend walk as he moved to the back.

  “Senior Sect Brother, what are we going to do?”


  Shen Yi had been holding his tears back. In Guanzhong, crying in front of enemies was an embarrassing display of weakness. Yet, in this moment, his tears still fell.

  He had been allowed to become a student of White Goat Cave, but in reality, he had never cultivated in White Goat Cave or even entered the library cave of White Goat Cave, always keeping Xue Wangxu company. So, in actuality, he was Xue Wangxu’s last personal student, and Xue Wangxu was his teacher.

  At this time, he was just thinking, Ding Ning had not opened his eyes, he had not seen his teacher from the last time. How could someone take Teacher away?

  He could not think of anything else.

  “Win for Teacher’s spirit in heaven.” Zhang Yi turned. He cried as he looked at Ding Ning and said, “This is what Little Sect Brother needs to do.”


  He had once again said the wrong appellation. But everyone knew that Ding Ning was the “little sect brother” he spoke of.

  Shen Yi was slightly dazed. He seemed to have an epiphany amidst his grief. If he could not help Ding Ning do something, if Ding Ning could not win at the Min Mountain Sword Trials, then everything Ding Ning was doing right now would become meaningless.

  Xie Changsheng’s cold voice sounded. “Ding Ning is not as sentimental as you.”


  Shen Yi’s gaze landed on Xie Changsheng.

  Xie Changsheng sneered at him and Zhang Yi, and continued to say “The important person in the palace won’t allow him to win, but if he does, it will be a great slap to that important person’s face…… So Ding Ning is not sacrificing to Cave Master’s soul in Heaven, but to slap the important person for Cave Master. You should know whose intentions were behind White Goat Cave merging into Green Vine Sword School. If a student of the forced White Goat Cave managed to win the Min Mountain Sword Trials, what would the cultivators of the world think?”


  At Xie Changsheng’s words, even Nangong Caishu and Xu Heshan felt a cold sweat trickle down their backs.

  “How can a student of a cultivation place abolished by that important person in the palace win with glory at the Min Mountain Sword Trials? Does not this prove that the cultivation place is excellent and should not have been abandoned?”


  Xie Changsheng sneered at the few who appeared lonely in the crowd. His words slowed. “I do not know what you think. But at the Min Mountain Sword Trials, I just want to do one thing, help Ding Ning win.”


  Nangong Caishu’s hands uncontrollably trembled. When she thought closely about Xie Changsheng’s words, she felt great terror.

  But she still nodded and said, “I am the same.”


  Shen Yi instinctively looked at Zhang Yi.

  He was not afraid, he was just in the habit of listening to Eldest Sect Brother’s opinion.

  Zhang Yi looked at Xie Changsheng and said, “I cannot represent your opinions, but of us three White Goat Cave sect brothers, the one with the greatest hope of winning is Ding Ning. The Min Mountain Sword Trials is full of experts. Shen Yi and I have no chance at all.”


  He looked very sentimental and spoke subtly, but everyone understood his meaning.

  “What is the first test?”


  He Zhaoxi’s voice sounded at this time.

  He usually came hurriedly, busy with cultivation and seldom conversed with others. Since he had seen Xue Wangxu, Ding Ning and the others, he had maintained his silence. When he said these words, Xie Changsheng suddenly grew restless.

  “How do we know what is going to happen next! Only that person who Ding Ning saved the life of knows what the next tests are.” He looked up irritably at the sacrificial altar on the horizon, and spat after he spoke.

  “This has nothing to do with Fu Su. He cannot decide anything happening here.” Xie Rou lectured in a low voice, but her eyes were filled with an insuppressible fury and anxiety.

  No matter how they discussed and how these people planned on helping Ding Ning at the cost of themselves, the final result would depend on the rules of the trial. The rules of this competition were not decided by them.

  They were like a little group of ants on a hot stove.

  **

  Thousands of young men and women stood on the mountain path to Skyscraper Peak. The mountain wind blew at their clothing, and the morning sunlight gilded them in gold.

  The ceremonial music still played, but a clear ring came from the depths of Min Mountain as though someone had lightly flicked a sword from a long distance away.

  The crowd was in uproar.

  Ripples seemed to twist on the empty mountain path. A swordsman in indigo robes stepped out of empty space and appeared in everyone’s sight.

  This indigo-robed swordsman’s clothing was only one color, but it was pure indigo. It was not possible to have this kind of indigo anywhere else in Changling. His features were dignified and stern. His age could not be estimated, and he emanated an indescribable authority and sharpness.

  The Min Mountain Sword Sect and the Spirit Void Sword Sect were the strongest sword cultivation places in the world. None of their teachers were astounding people. But the eyes of most students before the mountain path did not stay long on this indigo-robed swordsman.

  After the appearance of this indigo-robed swordsman, a strange layer of light slowly faded from the mountain path. on the empty mountain path that ascended the mountain, a door suddenly rose.

  A tightly shut green jade door.

  This indigo-robed swordsman stood to the side of the jade door. The mountain path behind the large doors seemed to have suddenly been erased. As if there had been a part of a painting that had suddenly become blank while the other scenes still existed.

  This indigo-robed swordsman was neither humble nor haughty as he looked at the people below and calmly spoke, “The trial has begun. Please enter.”


  Translator Ramblings: And the trials are finally starting!