Free Web NovelChapter 256: Chapter 217: Where Is the Broken Sword?
Step 1: Contextual Analysis
Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese wuxia/xianxia (martial arts fantasy) web novel, focused on martial artists and cultivation.
Language style: The language is somewhat informal but descriptive, with a mix of dialogue and narration. It contains Chinese cultural elements, martial arts terminology, and relationship dynamics typical of the genre.
Tone: The tone is primarily serious with elements of tension, respect, and some subtle humor. There’s an underlying theme of martial honor and respect for strength.
Plot keywords: martial arts, cultivators, fighting, honor, family relationships, sect confrontation
Characters:
- Wu Liangchen (武良辰): Male, protagonist, a powerful young martial artist who defeated someone from Cyan Cloud Mountain, now visiting the Capital and wanting to challenge the Broken Sword Sect
- Xu Kai (徐凯): Male, an official who appears to be working with Wu Liangchen, seems to have been in trouble recently but was helped by Wu
- Jiang Feng (江丰): Male, Xu Kai’s brother-in-law, a martial artist from a family that runs the Shuntong Escort Agency
- Jiang Xiu (江秀): Female, Xu Kai’s wife and Jiang Feng’s sister
- Jiang Minghai (江明海): Male, Xu Kai’s father-in-law, founder of the Shuntong Escort Agency
- Xiaoxiu (小秀): Mentioned as brewing wine, likely a family member
Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing
Now I’ll translate the text following all the specified rules. This appears to be a Chapter where Wu Liangchen has just arrived in the Capital City and is planning to challenge the Broken Sword Sect, while we learn about the relationships between several characters.
Let me proceed with the translation:
The wine and dishes arrived quickly.
Although there weren’t any fancy dishes—just scrambled eggs, shredded pork with green peppers, and a plate of spicy tofu—everything was freshly made, steaming hot, and the portions were generous.
"I didn’t have time to prepare more elaborate dishes on such short notice. I hope Master Wu won’t mind," Xu Kai said apologetically.
After all, these dishes were quite ordinary, and the only meat was just those few shreds of pork, hardly something to be proud of.
Wu Liangchen didn’t care about such things and picked up his chopsticks to start eating.
Though the food was ordinary, the wine was excellent.
Genuine aged yellow rice wine!
In Great Yan, the upper classes generally preferred yellow rice wine. In their view, white liquor was for peddlers and commoners—its only advantage being its potency and how quickly it could get you drunk, but it lacked the elegance of yellow rice wine.
Wu Liangchen had never been able to acquire a taste for yellow rice wine, always feeling like he was drinking medicine.
However, Xu Kai’s aged yellow rice wine was an exception.
It had a rich, mellow flavor upon entry, with a remarkably long-lasting aftertaste—truly excellent.
"Good, isn’t it? This was personally brewed by Xiaoxiu and aged for at least five years. I wouldn’t bring it out for just anyone," Xu Kai said with evident pride.
Wu Liangchen nodded, tilted his head back, and drained a bowl of wine in one go before exhaling deeply.
"Where is the Broken Sword Sect located?"
Xu Kai, who was about to pick up some food, trembled at these words, nearly dropping his chopsticks.
"You... plan to make your move now?" Xu Kai asked incredulously.
"I’ll go take a look first, but if the opportunity is right, I’m not opposed to making a move," Wu Liangchen said calmly.
Xu Kai was speechless.
He really hadn’t expected that Wu Liangchen, having just arrived in the Capital City without even taking a rest, would want to act immediately.
And judging by the excitement flickering in his eyes, it was clear how much he was looking forward to it.
So this is what a pure Martial Artist is like!
Xu Kai suddenly felt a twinge of envy.
It had been a long time since he had devoted himself so completely to anything.
Years of navigating political waters and engaging in petty scheming had worn away his original nature.
He couldn’t even remember when he had last been interested in anything beyond fame and fortune.
In fact, Xu Kai himself hadn’t noticed that his attitude toward Wu Liangchen had undergone a tremendous change without him realizing it.
From initial awe, to the terror of becoming a prisoner, to the fear during his midnight interrogation, and finally to the despair after taking the "poison."
By the time he accompanied Wu Liangchen back to the capital, he had completely given up resistance.
But through their journey together, especially after witnessing Wu Liangchen stand up for that unfortunate grandfather and grandchild, his perspective had imperceptibly undergone a massive shift.
His initial resistance and hatred gradually dissipated, replaced by a growing sense of respect.
Xu Kai knew he wasn’t a good person—indeed, no good person could survive years of grinding away in officialdom.
But at least he had read the classics, and in his youth, he too had harbored ideals of helping the world.
It was just that those ideals had been ground away one by one by cruel reality.
But that didn’t prevent him from deeply respecting those who could actually live up to such ideals.
So today, upon hearing that Wu Liangchen wanted to go to the Broken Sword Sect, Xu Kai felt no joy, only concern.
But since Wu Liangchen had asked, he could only answer.
"The Broken..."
Before he could finish, the servant boy ran in excitedly shouting, "Master, Master!"
Xu Kai’s face darkened, and he felt like giving the boy a couple of slaps.
"What kind of manner is this, shouting like that?"
"Your brother-in-law is here!" the servant boy quickly stopped in his tracks and said in a low voice.
Xu Kai immediately stood up. "What? Why is he here?"
Just then, a hearty laugh came from outside. "Brother-in-law, you’re finally back! If you hadn’t returned soon, I was planning to go look for you!"
As he spoke, a tall, robust middle-aged man walked in.
The man moved with steady steps, had proper features, and indeed bore some resemblance to Xu Kai’s wife.
It was Xu Kai’s brother-in-law, Jiang Feng.
A brief introduction about the Jiang family is necessary here.
Though not a prestigious noble family, the Jiang family had some foundations, especially under Jiang Feng’s father—Xu Kai’s father-in-law, Jiang Minghai—who had expanded the family business by establishing the Shuntong Escort Agency, which specialized in serving government officials and wealthy households.
Jiang Feng had an extremely close relationship with his sister Jiang Xiu. Despite Jiang Xiu’s simple nature, she adored her brother dearly.
So when he heard that his brother-in-law was in trouble and his sister had been crying at home every day, Jiang Feng had frequently come to check on them.
Now, hearing that his brother-in-law had returned safely, he had to come see for himself.
But as soon as he entered, his attention was drawn to Wu Liangchen sitting at the table.
Though Wu Liangchen was simply sitting there, the natural aura he exuded made Jiang Feng, himself a martial artist, shudder.
So powerful!
He had to be at least a Third Realm martial artist—otherwise, he couldn’t possibly have such an imposing presence.
’But I know all the young experts in the Capital, and I’ve never seen this person before,’ Jiang Feng thought rapidly, his expression growing solemn.
Just then, Wu Liangchen, who had been eating with his head down, looked up and glanced at him.
Although he quickly looked away, that glance was enough to make Jiang Feng feel as though he faced a formidable enemy.
Fortunately, Xu Kai came forward to greet him. "Brother-in-law, your timing is perfect! You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Sit down and join us!"
It was obvious that Xu Kai had a good relationship with Jiang Feng, as he welcomed him warmly.
But Jiang Feng didn’t dare move, just staring nervously at Wu Liangchen.
At that moment, Wu Liangchen stood up. "Where is the Broken Sword Sect located?"
"In Plum Blossom Alley in East City!" Xu Kai quickly replied.
"Good. Do you have a room? I’ll go back and get ready."
"Yes, yes, yes. Take Master Wu to the study in the back!" Xu Kai hurriedly instructed the servant to lead Wu Liangchen to a room in the back.
After Wu Liangchen left, Jiang Feng finally let out a long breath, then asked very nervously:
"Brother-in-law, who is that man?"
Xu Kai smiled bitterly. "That’s Wu Liangchen."
Jiang Feng was shocked. "The Wu Liangchen who repelled Cyan Cloud Mountain?"
"Yes."
Jiang Feng couldn’t help feeling a wave of fear.
Wu Liangchen’s reputation was considerable these days. Even the Imperial Capital knew that Dinghai City had produced a young hero who could defeat martial artists at the Grandmaster Realm.
Naturally, Jiang Feng knew this as well, which explained his shock.
"Brother-in-law, how did you end up with him? And what was he asking about the Broken Sword Sect for?"
"He said he wants to test himself against the Martial Arts Grandmasters of the Capital. Can you believe it? He just got back and hasn’t even caught his breath before heading to the Broken Sword Sect," Xu Kai said helplessly.
Hearing this, Jiang Feng felt his scalp tingle, his heart filled with both fear and excitement.
Suddenly, he turned to leave.
Xu Kai asked in confusion, "Brother-in-law, where are you going? Aren’t you staying to eat?"
"No time to eat. I need to report this to my father right away!" Jiang Feng replied.
