Book Two: Inheriting the Mantle, Blood on Brocade Chapter 137: The Sword God

At this moment, Yang Ning stood very close to Chi Danmei. A strange fragrance emanated from her body, filling his nostrils and stirring his heart. This enchanting woman’s skin was as white and tender as snow, and she looked at Yang Ning with a smile that was neither fully friendly nor entirely hostile. Yang Ning glanced sideways, unable to resist letting his gaze drift downward, noticing the deep, snowy cleavage that seemed bottomless. He thought to himself that her figure was truly stunning, then, with a similarly ambiguous smile, he said, “You want to compete with them? That’s easy. One day, I’ll take you to see them, and you can have a match as well.”

“Oh?” Chi Danmei smiled seductively, her voice soft and alluring. “We agreed that when I have free time, I’ll come find you.”

Only then did Yang Ning realize he had misspoken. Though this woman was alluring and sexy, her martial skills were extraordinary, and she was from the Eastern Qi State. Approaching her could bring no good. It was best not to provoke her, so he said no more.

Chi Danmei chuckled softly and fell silent, her figure graceful and seductive as she walked away like a flicker of flame. Four men in hemp garments swiftly followed her.

Seeing the disciples of White Cloud Island depart, the monks inside the hall finally breathed a sigh of relief. They thought that if Yang Ning had not won, the Pure Heart Pavilion of the Great Brightness Temple would have become a place anyone could enter and leave at will. They were filled with dread. No matter what, Yang Ning had indeed accomplished an unprecedented feat for the Great Brightness Temple, and the monks’ eyes toward him changed greatly.

Yet, some still pondered how Yang Ning’s single sword strike had defeated Bai Yuhe. Even now, few truly understood.

At last, Su Luo, the Deputy Minister of Rites, who had been silent by the side, spoke up: “Master Jingkong, today was truly perilous. Fortunately, your temple intervened, causing the Eastern Qi people to return empty-handed.”

Jingneng frowned and said, “Lord Su, today’s situation was indeed dangerous. White Cloud Island harbors deceitful intentions. You really shouldn’t have brought them here.”

He spoke bluntly. Though Su Luo was a high-ranking official in the court, Jingneng’s tone held no trace of reverence.

Su Luo, wearing a pleasant smile, replied, “Master, you may not know that the loyal and righteous old marquis is temporarily managing state affairs. Our Southern Chu intends to ally with Eastern Qi. They sent envoys this time, marking a promising start. The leader of White Cloud Island is the national teacher of Eastern Qi. His disciples came with the Eastern Qi delegation, so we cannot be rude. They repeatedly requested the court to send someone to lead them to the Great Brightness Temple. After much consideration, the old marquis sent me with them, believing that the Great Brightness Temple would ensure their return without success.”

Jingneng was about to speak further when Jingkong interrupted: “Disciples, return to your quarters. Do not neglect the Pure Heart Pavilion. You may all leave now.”

The monks closed their hands in prayer, intoning a Buddha chant, and orderly exited the hall. Yang Ning held his sword, about to hand it back and leave, but Jingkong said, “Qi Ning, stay a moment.”

Yang Ning was taken aback but nodded.

Including the young monk Zhenming, the monks lined up and departed. Within moments, only a handful remained inside the great hall.

“Lord Su, if Southern Chu faces trouble, the Great Brightness Temple will surely come to aid,” Jingneng said after the monks left. “However, agreeing to White Cloud Island disciples’ request and allowing them up the mountain so easily was improper. I only hope such events do not happen again.”

Hearing this, Yang Ning thought the Great Brightness Temple was indeed formidable. By right, all lands belong to the king, and the Great Brightness Temple was but a monastery within Southern Chu’s borders. Yet the court sent people here, and Jingneng openly declared such acts unacceptable in the future. Moreover, he was only the head of the penal hall, not even the abbot.

Su Luo showed no displeasure, only smiling: “Besides White Cloud Island’s disciples, no one else dares make such demands.” He stepped forward and said, “Masters, I have another matter to discuss. Your temple must prepare early.”

“What matter?”

“The emperor has passed away, and the whole nation mourns. Yet a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. After the mourning period, the crown prince will ascend the throne. At that time, he must climb the mountain to offer heaven sacrifices and hold a grand ceremony.” Su Luo’s tone grew serious. “Many details must be handled. We ask your temple to cooperate closely with the Ministry of Rites. Soon, officials from the ministry will arrive to prepare at your temple.”

Jingkong and Jingneng exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in unison. “Amitabha.” Gratitude and relief shone on their faces.

Yang Ning listened carefully, his body shuddering slightly. He thought to himself: Earlier, he had heard that the Southern Chu crown prince was still on a diplomatic mission to Eastern Qi and had not returned to Jianye. But now it seemed otherwise—the prince had already returned to the capital and was preparing to ascend the throne.

He knew that the Southern Chu court was rife with intrigue. The Prince of Huainan coveted the throne, and many officials supported him. The political situation was perilous beyond measure.

Throughout history, struggles for succession had led to endless bloodshed—brothers killing brothers, fathers slaying sons, countless tragedies.

Yang Ning had long worried that if the Prince of Huainan took advantage of the chaos to seize power, no matter who won, Southern Chu would inevitably face a bloody storm.

Hearing now that the crown prince was preparing to ascend showed that they feared delays only increased danger.

The Brocade Guards Marquis’s household was closely tied to the crown prince’s faction, so if the prince ascended smoothly, it would be very good for the marquis’s family.

“Lord Su, please inform the loyal and righteous old marquis that the Great Brightness Temple will begin preparations for the heaven sacrifice immediately,” Jingkong said solemnly. “Our temple will respectfully welcome the new sovereign’s ascension.”

Su Luo smiled, cupping his hands. “I dare not disturb the masters further. I will return in a few days to pay respects.” He then took his leave.

After Su Luo departed, Jingkong beckoned to Yang Ning: “Qi Ning, come forward.”

Before leaving, Zhenming had handed Yang Ning the sword sheath. Yang Ning sheathed his sword and, holding the Biluo Sword with both hands, approached and said, “Master Jingkong, thank you for lending me the sword.”

Jingkong did not immediately take back the Biluo Sword. Stroking his beard, he smiled, “Qi Ning, I should be the one thanking you. If you had not struck down Bai Yuhe, the consequences would have been unthinkable.” Then he asked with a smile, “Do you still resent me for sending you into the duel?”

Yang Ning thought to himself, “So you understand,” but he smiled and replied, “Not at all.”

“Qi Ning, how exactly did you manage that sword strike?” Jingneng asked in puzzlement. “Bai Yuhe’s swordsmanship is superb. How could you defeat him in a single move?”

So even this old monk hadn’t figured it out.

Yang Ning sneered inwardly but recalled the scene just now and suddenly understood something. He opened his mouth slightly but said nothing.

He remembered that at the life-or-death moment, lying on the ground, the sword strike he casually executed was not without reason.

He now realized that the sword strike he used unconsciously mirrored a technique from a sword manual he had once obtained.

In an old mansion in Jiangling, he had unexpectedly acquired a stack of sword diagrams. At first, he had thought those moves were merely for performance—sword dances—because their bizarre and extraordinary techniques differed greatly from conventional swordsmanship.

One technique involved striking from a prone position on the ground. Yang Ning had not fully memorized all the sword moves but had practiced that particular ground strike several times and remembered it most clearly. Today, during the duel, he had not intended to use any moves from the sword manual against Bai Yuhe, a master swordsman; it would have been foolish.

But after falling, in desperation, he instinctively used that move. He didn’t even recall if he executed it correctly. Yet that reflexive strike, born of his subconscious knowledge of the sword manual, had severely wounded Bai Yuhe.

Now, coming to his senses, he felt no joy but shock, thinking: Could it be that those sword manuals really are so powerful, that even a master like Bai Yuhe could not withstand one of their techniques?

Jingneng saw Yang Ning’s silence and didn’t know what he was thinking. Seeing his furrowed brows, he assumed Yang Ning was reluctant to answer and did not press further.

Jingkong said, “Qi Ning, though you have not shaved your head, you are considered a disciple of the Great Brightness Temple now. Would you be willing to enter the Bright Void Pavilion?”

Jingneng glanced at Jingkong, hesitating to speak.

Yang Ning immediately felt a headache. “Master, I… sigh, I really have no connection to Buddhism and never considered becoming a monk. You wouldn’t force me to ordain, would you?” He thought: You want me to join the Bright Void Pavilion just to force me into monkhood? I only barely got to travel through time once; I won’t spend my life as a monk.

“Actually, staying at the Great Brightness Temple would greatly benefit you,” Jingkong coaxed gently. “Away from worldly strife, you can cultivate yourself here, and in the Bright Void Pavilion, you can practice martial arts to strengthen your body...”

Yang Ning interrupted, “Enough, enough. Master, look outside—it’s already dark. In consideration of my helping you win earlier, could you let me go rest? Didn’t you say someone else will take my place to ordain? When will that person come? Do I have to wait until he arrives before descending the mountain? Why don’t you send someone to the Marquis’s mansion to hurry him up? I have too many things to do; I can’t be delayed here.”

Jingneng frowned but finally said, “You may return first.”

Yang Ning thought: Didn’t you want to take me to the Xing Hall at the Five Grains Hall today? I helped you out of trouble; let’s see if you still dare cause me trouble.

He placed the Biluo Sword on the ground, stretched, and said, “Masters, good evening. I’ll go rest now.” He turned and walked away, then after a few steps, he stopped and turned back. “Master Jingkong, may I offer a small suggestion?”

“Speak.”

Yang Ning said, “The people at Five Grains Hall really are a mess. You should manage them better. If someone starves to death at the Great Brightness Temple, it won’t look good.” He waved his hand. “I’m off now. Good evening to both of you!”

Watching Yang Ning leave the hall, Jingneng softly asked, “Brother, why not inquire about his whereabouts?”

“He doesn’t want to say, so we shouldn’t press,” Jingkong said solemnly. “Qi Ning has always hidden his true self; he intended to conceal it but was forced to act. However, his foundation doesn’t seem deep. That’s probably why that person taught him a set of footwork.”

Jingneng immediately asked, “Brother, do you mean that Qi Ning’s mysterious footwork was also taught by that person?”

“No one else but him,” Jingkong whispered. “Qi Ning’s sword moves are exquisite but not yet mastered. If nothing unexpected happens, he hasn’t practiced swordsmanship long. That person is likely in the capital now.”

Jingneng’s expression grew grave. “Did that person intend to pass on his skills to Qi Ning?”

“Not necessarily. Perhaps he only taught a few moves so Qi Ning could protect himself.” Jingkong pondered and slowly said, “Even if he fully passed on his skills, Qi Ning could never reach his level. Those people’s realms have surpassed the limits of the flesh, almost like demons—far beyond ordinary men.”

He sighed. “Bai Yuhe’s swordsmanship today ranks among the top five in the world. He knew Qi Ning’s background and wanted to duel him not for Qi Ning’s sake but for the person behind him. Bai Yuhe sought to challenge that person’s skill, but that person need not fight personally—he merely used Qi Ning’s hand. With one move, he defeated Bai Yuhe. This shows that his swordsmanship is beyond master level; he wields it at will, almost godlike. The title ‘Sword God’ is truly well-deserved.”