The glow on the tombstone faded after a moment of resonance.
Yun Jin withdrew the sword aura surrounding her body.
She stood quietly, gazing at the words carved into the stone.
My companion sword was named Tian Po. It followed me for many years and in my final battle, it helped me slay tens of thousands of invaders from beyond the heavens. I once comprehended the Supreme Intent: the Intent of All Living Beings. Now that I am to perish, I use this intent to forge this sword tomb.
These swords once fought on the battlefield. Though they no longer shine with divine edge, they form their own space, able to teach the younger generation, pass on battle experience, and possess countless marvelous uses.
Treat them well.
Compared to the previous tombstones, this one was densely packed with words.
The more Yun Jin read, the more inexplicably sorrowful she felt.
A thousand years ago—the final battle.
The owner of this sword tomb had most likely led everyone into war against the foreign beasts from beyond the sky.
And yet—
In the thousand years since, the world had never spoken of any such beasts, nor of this elder's tale. Even these heroic swords simply stood here in silence, unknown and unmourned. Those invaders from beyond the heavens must have been driven back.
Otherwise, there would be records. If today's demonic race had ever colluded with them, things would've turned far worse.
So what exactly happened in between?
Yun Jin wanted to know.
In the next moment—
A long and ancient sigh echoed in her mind.
Then, her figure vanished from the spot.
Outside the watery veil, everyone saw Yun Jin zone out for a moment, then suddenly disappear. Within the water curtain, only the giant sword piercing the heavens remained.
The crowd stared in a daze.
So—was the final tenth trial inside that giant sword?
Though they couldn't see her anymore, no one left. No one found it dull.
The treasures within this sword tomb had been worthy of such careful planning by the Yuehua Sect.
Naturally, everyone else was keen to find out why.
"Elder Mu," Qin Ping said with a genial smile. "Your Yuehua Sect has been plotting around this place for years. Surely you have some idea what lies within? Since there's nothing to do at the moment, why not share with the rest of us? Open our eyes a little."
With Qin Ping taking the lead, the others all looked over with curiosity.
Mu Lan gave a cold snort and said expressionlessly, "Just a cultivator clan's inheritance. What treasures could they possibly have? Yuan Wu merely gave it a try on a whim."
Qin Ping smiled. "On a whim? Yet the difficulty of this sword tomb seems rather beyond expectations. If you ask me, this could be called a secret realm in its own right. Most secret realms under the heavens are controlled by the four Holy Lands. Could it be… Elder Mu, you wish for Yuehua Sect to claim one of its own?"
Mu Lan's expression darkened. "Preceptor Qin, this has nothing to do with you."
Qin Ping chuckled but said nothing more.
A flicker of calculation passed through Mu Lan's eyes.
In truth, he didn't know what the final treasure was either.
But just as Qin Ping had said, this secret realm was tremendously helpful for training younger disciples in sword arts. Yuehua Sect had long considered this place their own.
This time, their plan was simple.
Ma Yuanwu would break through the trials first. Then the Yu family would publicly present the secret realm to Yuehua Sect.
Those from Yuehua Sect tasked with claiming the realm were already en route. The process would be handled with dignity.
A small hiccup had occurred.
Ma Yuanwu had failed. The one who passed… turned out to be an unknown disciple from a mid-tier sect.
However—
The people coming to receive the realm were already on the way.
So what if Yun Jin passed? So what if she obtained the treasure?
She couldn't take it with her.
This secret realm belonged to Yuehua Sect.
Yun Jin helping them clear the trial? A good deed, really.
Now that things had come to this point, Mu Lan finally settled into calm.
Yuanwu's reputation could be restored over time. But this secret realm—and the greatest treasure hidden within—it was no simple thing. Once Yun Jin brought it out, it would naturally fall into Yuehua Sect's hands.
That much, no one could change.
Inside the sword domain space, Yun Jin had just arrived when she saw the many swords of the tomb staring at her in unison.
[Emotional Value +50]
[Emotional Value +100]
[Emotional Value +150]
[Emotional Value +200]
The system's chimes echoed nonstop in Yun Jin's mind.
Though these swords gave no outward sign, the emotional fluctuations were intense.
During the trial, Yun Jin had grumbled and mocked these swords at every turn.
But now, faced with them directly, she gave a soft cough and greeted respectfully, "Greetings, elders."
She wasn't doing it for appearances.
These swords had once fought and died resisting the foreign beasts. Without their sacrifice, humanity might not exist as it did today.
They deserved her sincere respect.
Yun Jin's sudden formality left the swords momentarily baffled—suspicious, even.
Wait.
Was their future Young Master plotting something?
Why did this sudden politeness feel so ominous?
[Emotional Value +200]
[Emotional Value +200]
Another wave of Emotional Value landed in her account.
Yun Jin felt a twinge of emotion.
It had to be her sincerity.
These sword elders… had been moved by her respectful attitude.
Really now.
She had only behaved for a short while—did that really warrant such an emotional reaction?
The swords grew increasingly uneasy.
They quickly parted to form a path.
Better let the boss handle this.
At the end of the path stood the silent giant sword. Yun Jin walked over, curiosity in her eyes.
Unlike its weathered appearance outside, inside the sword domain, all the swords had returned to their original forms.
The giant sword was no exception.
It stood quietly, its design plain, yet exuding a brutal sense of force. An overwhelming aura of dominance surged from it.
Yun Jin could imagine vividly how unstoppable it must have been, charging through battle alongside its master.
She bowed politely. "Senior."
The giant sword accepted the gesture and spoke in a deep voice. "You already guessed—the swords here all retain their consciousness."
Yun Jin scratched her cheek, slightly sheepish. "Not from the start."
If these swords hadn't been so petty, tossing her out repeatedly, she wouldn't have suspected.
She didn't say that aloud, but her expression made the thought perfectly clear.
The giant sword paused, then said, "You absorb energy too quickly. The sword domain space can't sustain it for long. Others wouldn't be a problem—they never reach the core energies. But you triggered the true trial, and every moment burns through a massive amount of power."
It was, in a way, an explanation.
Yun Jin looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. This junior was careless."
The swords exchanged glances again.
Wait a minute.
Was this really the same person?
Why was she bowing and apologizing left and right?
How much mischief was she holding back?
The giant sword seemed flustered too and quickly added, "Your senior brother's petrification disease flared up during his trial. I helped suppress it."
Better to earn some goodwill first.
Otherwise, if the Young Master held grudges, they'd all be in for a hard time.
Yun Jin blinked, then offered sincere thanks. "Many thanks, senior."
She was truly grateful.
But silence fell again across the sword domain.
The swords were more and more terrified.
They would rather Yun Jin mock them to their faces than act so proper and polite.
This… this was too scary.
The giant sword coughed lightly. "Actually, we all saw how you behaved during the trials."
"Mhm," Yun Jin answered, then froze.
Wait a second.
Was this… sarcasm?
Was he calling her out for putting on an act?
She coughed again and solemnly replied, "Senior, this junior truly feels remorse. I now understand that you all gave your lives to resist the beasts beyond the heavens. Such valor deserves to be called heroic. I spoke carelessly before. That was my fault."
She bowed deeply once more.
The swords stared at one another.
It seemed… she really meant it this time?
===
I've just finished translating The Villainess Refuses to Repent up to the latest serialized chapter!
(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Right now, I have one free slot open. I'm thinking about picking another short novel this time — something with either short chapters or a smaller overall word count. It could be another xianxia or maybe a modern story.
I'll share my final choice later in a little blurb about the novel I pick. Stay tuned! (・ω<)