True Solution of the Sword Dao

Ping City

"What, you want to make a move?" Ding Ning calmly looked at Cheng Guang beside him.

"I’m just kindly reminding you," Cheng Guang said with a smile, as the cross in her eyes suddenly dissipated. "Take care of yourself." She walked past Ding Ning and went directly into another alley.

The golden pattern on Ding Ning’s forehead slowly faded, and he stood silently on the spot, watching her until she left, deep in thought.

After a while, he slowly walked towards the direction of his rented room.

***************

Capital City

Lin Fei and Yaofei left the Dong Family estate in silence.

At night, streetlights kept passing by the car window, one after another, like a continual onslaught of light. They created a pale yellow stream of light on the glassy, smooth surface of the Mercedes.

Lin Fei sat in the back seat, looking out of the window in profile, not speaking. Dong Yaofei was also driving quietly, not daring to disturb him.

"I heard that Japan and the United States are going to have a joint military exercise soon, is that right?" Lin Fei suddenly asked.

Dong Yaofei was startled, unable to comprehend why Lin Fei would suddenly switch the topic to this.

"Indeed, it’s true, as broadcasted in the news. This joint military exercise between Japan and the US, to be frank, is actually dominated by the United States with Japan as the auxiliary. The hypothetical enemy is clearly aimed at us. Master, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

Without replying, Lin Fei turned his head and closed his eyes slightly.

"Which are the largest forces in the United States now, do you know?"

"This? Are you asking about the forces within the Inner World? I’m not sure," Dong Yaofei said helplessly. "But Zhang Minghui should be quite familiar with these matters. Perhaps you should meet him privately? We have been out for a while now, and he should be about to leave."

"Call him," Lin Fei said indifferently.

Dong Yaofei nodded, took out his mobile phone with one hand, and dialed Zhang Minghui’s number skillfully. The phone was quickly answered.

"Hello? Yaofei?" Zhang Minghui’s distinctive deep voice came through the phone.

Dong Yaofei looked at Lin Fei in the rearview mirror.

"Minghui, my Master said he wants to meet with you to ask about something. Do you have time now?"

"Your Master? No problem, where are you now?" Zhang Minghui agreed briskly.

Dong Yaofei glanced at the navigation screen in the car, which displayed the names of the nearby neighborhoods on the map.

"Maulin District, Dongyuan Street, next to Limu Department Store," he slowed down and parked the car in a plaza next to a large department store. He turned off the headlights and switched on the car’s interior lights.

"I’ll be right there," Zhang Minghui replied affirmatively, and then hung up.

Lin Fei then opened his eyes. Just now, the fluctuation of the Power of the Divine Artifact from Ping City had allowed him to come directly in contact with a faint, strong aura. This aura was extremely foreign, somewhat resembling that of a Psychic, yet not quite. Considering the blonde American woman who had suddenly appeared by his sister’s side and the information about the woman’s nationality and flight records that had come from Lu Jun, it was very likely that this Mary Briney from the United States might come from American forces. Even though it could also be a spy from other forces, the former was more probable.

Having reached Class B, Lin Fei had gained the ability to naturally leave a part of the Divine Artifact’s aura on others, and in that instant, the confrontation between Ding Ning and Cheng Guang in Ping City, in a sense, was actually his first confrontation with the opposing forces. If there was a first time, there would surely be a second one. No matter what, the goals of the opposing side and his own were in conflict. There would definitely be more contradictions in the future. He needed to be prepared and fully understand his opponent.

The two sat in the car, both silent, and after more than ten minutes, Zhang Minghui’s Volkswagen Phideon swiftly arrived and parked alongside the Mercedes. The window slowly rolled down, and Zhang Minghui looked over from the side.

"Let’s go to the Wandering Club," he suggested.

Dong Yaofei looked at Lin Fei, who nodded in response.

The two cars drove out of the plaza, one behind the other, merging into traffic.

*******************

Ten minutes later

In a calm Quiet Room, Lin Fei and Zhang Minghui sat opposite each other. Dong Yaofei had already gone back directly, giving the two men space to talk.

The Quiet Room wasn’t particularly spacious, but it was very quiet, as if it had a high-quality soundproofing system installed.

The room had a bright yellow color scheme, and the walls featured a subtle wood grain. The lighting came from square panels on the ceiling, a design where no actual lightbulbs were visible, only light cascading down from above—it felt very soft and tranquil.

Both Lin Fei and Zhang Minghui had a cup of tea in front of them, the vibrant green tea leaves contrasting starkly against the white jade color of the porcelain cups. Wisps of steam rose gently, and a delicate aroma of tea pervaded the room.

"This is authentic Shi Feng Longjing tea, plucked before Grain Rain from the bud tips. Although I’m not fond of drinking tea, in this environment, having a cup like this feels quite comfortable," Zhang Minghui took a small sip, allowing the refreshing taste and aroma to slide down his throat.

"I don’t really understand much about the Way of Tea," Lin Fei also picked up his cup and took a sip.

"Neither do I," Zhang Minghui said calmly, "but it doesn’t matter. I just need to find someone who does, who can tell me which teas taste good and how to drink them."

"Any special news about this US-Japan joint military exercise?" Lin Fei asked evenly.

"Special messages? Which ones are you talking about?"

"The ones inside our circle."

"The United States is different from our country. Their Inner World follows a path combining technology and psychic abilities. Domestically, the main power lies with the major family clans. This joint military exercise is also a test for us. If we can’t respond with a certain level of strength, it’s very likely to trigger a series of events. The situation in the outer world is actually dominated by the Inner World, which has always been the constant theme." Zhang Minghui said with an indifferent expression. "However, I feel that with our current strength, it’s a bit too early for us to concern ourselves with these matters."

Lin Fei neither agreed nor disagreed.

"That’s also true, it is indeed early." His tone was light, but his words meant something else—now was not the best time for him to reveal himself.

"This club is just something I started for fun when I’m bored. If you’re free, you can also come over and play anytime, all expenses on the house, how does that sound?"

"I don’t take unwarranted rewards." Lin Fei smiled.

"These little things are just trivial amusements in our eyes. Now, with the upper echelons of Capital City in chaos, you local governors and emperors actually have more allure than us. It might not be long before I ’ll have to come to you for shelter. This stuff is nothing." Zhang Minghui laughed. "There’s a Five Stars selection coming up, interested in taking a look?"

"I don’t have your privileges."

"With Dong Yaofei’s current permissions, of course not. But when you come back for the holidays, how about I come to pick you up then?"

"Alright then." Lin Fei took a sip of tea. "By the way, which is the biggest and strongest family in the United States now?"

"The Nicholas Family, a huge family power entrenched in cities like San Francisco and New York. The Kewich Family, dominating Washington, ranks alongside the Nicholas as the top, neither superior nor inferior."

"Then, is the Silver Cross the emblem of which family? Do you know?" Lin Fei continued to ask.

"What? You’ve encountered it?" Zhang Minghui was taken aback.

"I’ve come into contact with a person who has silver crosses in her eyes."

"That’s from the Nicholas Family. That family..." Zhang Minghui pondered briefly, "is quite troublesome. I advise you to stay away from that person."

"Is that so?" Lin Fei nodded and said no more.

********************

Leaving the clubhouse, Zhang Minghui drove Lin Fei to the street in front of Yan Capital University.

Lin Fei checked his phone, and it was already past midnight. Outside the university, it was quiet with very few people around, but internet cafes, bars, and KTV venues near the entrance continued to do brisk business as usual.

Entering the university from the street gate, the surroundings immediately became quiet. On the plaza, one could occasionally hear the noise of travel cases being wheeled along, and some students carried heavy bags and luggage, clearly planning to catch a midnight train. Compared to these students rushing home, Lin Fei’s steps as he walked back seemed somewhat lonely.

Back at the dormitory building, looking up from the ground floor, there were only a few floors still lit, even fewer people than yesterday—most likely more had left.

He made his way to the second floor, to the entrance of his dorm room. The hallway was desolate, and almost all students from his class had left. Maybe a few remained, but at this hour, they were either asleep or out for the night. The silence seemed even more profound.

Lin Fei took out his keys to unlock the door. Suddenly, a pink card fell from the crack. He caught it and looked at it.

’To Lin Fei— I won’t give up. — Zhao Yuqing.’

On the back of the Wind-colored card was a large heart shape printed.

Lin Fei, speechless, pushed the door open and entered the dormitory.

Finding the dormitory so quickly showed that this Zhao Yuqing was highly efficient. Recalling the encounter at the hotel entrance, Lin Fei felt a shiver run down his spine. Although he wasn’t the type to judge people by their appearance, when it came to romance, he was wholly unprepared, or rather, he simply didn’t have the time for it.

Currently, everything—cultivation, study, paying attention to intelligence, controlling situations—all of it occupied most of his free time. He had no time to spare for romance, and by nature, he wasn’t one to place much importance on love.

He was even somewhat indifferent by nature. In his previous life, his relationship with his ex-girlfriend was just mutual reliance at best. There was no so-called passionate love.

He casually threw the card into the trash bin.

"It’s just a little girl’s momentary excitement, she’ll get over it soon." He shook his head slightly, opened his closet, and changed into comfortable sportswear.

With a flicker of his figure, he instantly entered the Sword Canon Space.

The soft, emerald-green grass occasionally dotted with a few small white flowers, and a warm breeze blew past, causing the white clouds in the sky to drift with the wind.

Lin Fei looked up, puzzled; he didn’t remember seeing clouds in the sky here before.

But now wasn’t the time to delve into this.

Ever since he was utterly defeated by the woman in the black dress last time, that profound sense of despair had taken him over a day to slowly recover from.

"Sword Canon, select Millennium Sword Dao, Ren Ling."

"Selection failed. This person’s imprint has completely disappeared," the Sword Canon responded impassively.

"Disappeared?" Lin Fei was startled. He remembered being able to repeatedly face the same opponent in past trials. How come now, after just one time, the opponent had completely disappeared? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote with a Monthly Ticket at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)