Chapter 10: One Sword to Decide Life and Death
1609 Words
Ye Xuan didn’t fully grasp the mysterious woman’s explanation, but he didn’t dwell on it. As long as it wasn’t harmful, that was enough. A thought struck him.
“Senior,” he asked, “what did you think of that woman earlier?” He meant An Lanxiu.
“Average,” the mysterious woman replied coolly. “You and your sister are no worse than her. Your sister, in fact, is superior.”
“My sister?” Ye Xuan was stunned. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t concern yourself with that now,” she deflected. “You’ve mastered basic swordsmanship. It’s time to learn a Sword Skill.”
“A Sword Skill?” Ye Xuan’s eyes lit up. Such techniques were incredibly rare! The entire Ye Family, after generations of accumulation, possessed only about a dozen Martial Skills, all low-grade ones.
Martial Skills were categorized: Heaven Rank, Earth Rank, Spirit Rank, Mysterious Rank, Mortal Rank, and Common Rank. The Ye Family’s best was merely a low-grade Mortal Rank skill, reserved solely for the Clan Head. In all of Qingcheng, the most potent Martial Skill was a low-grade Spirit Rank one, guarded by the City Lord’s mansion!
Martial Skills were treasures rarer than pills. Sword Skills? Qingcheng likely had none!
The mysterious woman continued, “I offer two choices. First: a potent Sword Skill with high lethality, but limited potential. Master it, and you hit its ceiling. Second: an evolutionary type. No fixed rank, no upper limit. Its power grows with yours, potentially lifelong. But… it has a major flaw.”
Her voice turned serious. “It demands unwavering Killing Intent and Sword Dao Belief. If these weaken, so does the skill. Conversely, strengthen them, and its power becomes boundless, limitless!”
Ye Xuan considered deeply. “Senior… can I learn both?”
“No,” she stated firmly. “Greed devours mastery. Focus is key now. Later, learn others. But at this stage, with your limited understanding of the sword’s Dao? One is enough. Each true Sword Skill I offer embodies an attitude, a philosophy of life, a distinct path of the sword. Understand?”
Ye Xuan glanced around the void. “Senior… are you also a sword cultivator?”
“You ask too much,” her voice turned icy.
Ye Xuan: “……”
“Choose,” she commanded.
Ye Xuan sighed. “The second one.”
“Ambitious,” she noted. “Remember: ambition must match strength.”
“Understood,” Ye Xuan nodded.
“This skill,” she announced, “is called One Sword to Decide Life and Death. Its essence: When my sword leaves its sheath, your life is forfeit. Its cultivation differs. It’s not mere technique, but a Sword Dao Belief. Success depends entirely on your own comprehension and fortune!”
Knowledge flooded Ye Xuan’s mind – the skill’s unique energy circulation pattern. Eagerly, he summoned his Lingxiao Sword and attempted the movement. Shock hit him. Following the pattern yielded… nothing. Worse, a suffocating pressure built in his chest, intensely uncomfortable.
He looked around, bewildered. “Senior? Why?”
“Its cultivation has six stages,” she explained. “You haven’t unlocked the first. When you will? That’s your destiny to discover.”
Ye Xuan’s expression turned strange. What kind of Sword Skill requires unlocking stages?
“A true sword cultivator,” the mysterious woman’s voice resonated, “draws steel only to end a life. The core of this skill lies in your Killing Intent and Sword Dao Belief. Don’t force it. When the opportunity arises, you will succeed.”
Ye Xuan accepted this with a wry smile. For now, this was all he had.
The following days weren’t idle. He engaged in countless duels against the shadow phantom. Each clash honed his speed, power, and reflexes to new heights.
A veteran of countless battles, achieving the Hidden Realm and becoming a sword cultivator had elevated his combat prowess immeasurably. Though only at the Sixth Layer of the Qi Transformation Realm, he could now outmaneuver ordinary Qi Control Realm experts with ease!
Time flew. The day of the Life-and-Death Duel with Ye Lang arrived.
Thanks to Ye Lang’s fame, news spread through the Ye Family disciples until the entire city of Qingcheng buzzed with anticipation.
Ye Xuan.
Qingcheng remembered him – the prodigy who once saved the Ye Family from decline. The clan’s greatest hero. But now, there was Ye Lang.
Royal families lacked affection; noble clans were crueler. The strong were favored. A clan couldn’t have two tigers fighting over one throne – the position of Clan Head. The choice between Ye Xuan and Ye Lang was obvious even to a fool.
The Ye Family, capitalizing on the hype, invited prominent families from Qingcheng. They even moved the duel outside the manor, constructing a massive Dueling Platform dozens of yards wide.
The shrewd understood the Ye Family’s aim: Ye Lang was rising fast. This spectacle was fuel for his reputation, a chance to build momentum and intimidate rivals. Ye Lang rarely appeared; this was his debut, his moment to establish dominance.
The arrangement suited Qingcheng’s curious populace. They flocked to see the legendary Chosen One’s power. The area outside Ye Manor became a sea of people, packed and roaring with excitement.
Inside Ye Manor, Ancestral Hall.
All senior elders were present. Ye Lang stood among them.
He wore a black robe woven with gold threads, resistant to common blades. At his waist hung a green jade pendant – a Spirit-Concentrating Jade. It focused the mind, warded off mental fog (crucial in battle), and stored pure spiritual energy. For a Qi Control Realm cultivator like Ye Lang, it was a formidable advantage.
The Ye Family had invested heavily in him. They deemed it worthwhile.
Grand Elder bowed deeply before the ancestral tablets. “Heaven smiles upon us! Ancestors bless us! A Chosen One walks among the Ye! From this day, our family’s former glory shall return!” All present bowed solemnly.
Rising, Grand Elder addressed Ye Lang. “Today is your debut. Show Ye Lang… no mercy.”
The surrounding elders nodded firmly. Ye Xuan was a troublesome thorn best removed.
Ye Lang smiled faintly. “Naturally.”
Grand Elder nodded again. “We have word: observers from Yancheng and Luocheng are here. Sent by their local powers. Your victory over Ye Xuan will showcase your might. Those families will seek our alliance, spreading your fame far and wide. This exposure could attract the attention of mountain sects… even the prestigious Cangmu Academy!”
Ye Lang inclined his head. “Understood.”
Grand Elder stepped close, placing a hand on Ye Lang’s shoulder. “Chosen One, bearer of past memories… whoever you were before, your blood is Ye blood. You do not deny this?”
Ye Lang smiled smoothly. “Naturally. My soul and blood belong to the Ye.” Yet, a flicker of disdain touched his lips. Ye Xuan is a stepping stone. The Ye Family? Merely a larger one.
Satisfied, Grand Elder smiled. “Good. Let’s go!”
Escorted by the elders, Ye Lang strode out to the newly built platform.
His appearance ignited the crowd. A genius! A monster talent who summoned heavenly phenomena! Qingcheng had never seen his like.
Ye Lang surveyed the throng. A smile spread across his face. In a past life, he’d stood above crowds like this. This life, destiny favored him with heavenly signs. He was destined to be a blazing star across the Qingcang Realm! His name, Ye Lang, would surely grace the legendary Monstrous Talent List!
The smile widened. He turned sharply towards Ye Manor, his voice thundering across the square:
“Ye Xuan! Come forth and meet your death!”
The roar echoed. Thousands of eyes swiveled towards the manor gates.
Where was Ye Xuan?
He didn’t emerge.
“Did he flee?”
“Impossible! That’s Ye the Ruthless! He doesn’t fear death!”
“Ye the Ruthless? Ha! Look who his opponent is! A Chosen One blessed by heaven itself!”
“Quiet! The Ye Family will deliver their answer!”
On the viewing platform, Grand Elder frowned at the silent gates. “What is he playing at? Investigate!” Elder Ye Ku hurried off.
Ye Manor, Inside.
In a quiet room, Ye Xuan sat by a bed, carefully spooning medicinal cuisine into his sister’s mouth. He had emerged an hour prior.
“Brother,” Ye Ling whispered softly, “today is the duel with Ye Lang.”
Ye Xuan offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry.” He raised another spoonful. “Open up… good girl…”
Finished, he stood. “I must go out now.”
Ye Ling nodded obediently.
Ye Xuan leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. He turned towards the door. As his hand touched the handle, her voice, fragile but clear, stopped him:
“You… will come back. Right?”
Ye Xuan didn’t hesitate. “I will.”
He opened the door and stepped through.
On the bed, Ye Ling closed her eyes. Her right hand slid beneath the bedsheet, fingers closing around cold metal – a pair of scissors. Long ago, burdened by guilt, she’d contemplated ending her life to free him. But seeing his face always stopped her.
She wasn’t afraid of death. She was afraid of leaving him alone in this world.
She gripped the scissors tightly.
If Brother is gone… I have no reason to stay.
In life, I walk with my brother. In death… I follow.
- Writer
