Ballad of Sword and Wine Quotes

“Xiao Chiye was like the blazing sun. He was also like the wind from the grassland. He stood out from the masses. To Shen Zechuan, hiding that handkerchief on that day with the gloomy and damp rain and snow was like hiding a rousing and passionate dream. In this dream, there was the unrestrained galloping of horses over a thousand li1 of grasslands, and the spreading of wings soaring through ten thousand li of clear sky. These eventually turned into an indescribable glimpse—one he would be hard-pressed to recount in detail.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Shen Zechuan coyly shifted closer. He leaned in and whispered into Xiao Chiye’s ear: “Even if you spare me, do you think I will spare you?”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“It’s human nature to want,” he said.

“Wanting is prelude to both joy and misery.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“I want a falcon, Shifu. I want to fly. I can learn to tame falcons. Once I tame one, his wings will belong to me. Wherever he flies, I will have flown there too.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“in this life one must tell a few lies.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Each would stain the other, letting mutual hatred spin a thread that couldn’t be severed. It was too agonizing to live like this, alone, with only the snow to listen to their howls in the night. They had no one to lean on but each other—so why not tear into each other until they were bloody?

This life was already rotten enough.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Brothers who fight among themselves and families who draw swords on each other are a rotten lot—they’ll destroy themselves before outsiders ever lift a finger.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Shen Zechuan glanced at him, his gaze far more sinister than it had been five years ago. As if a man had already died under that layer of breathtaking skin, and all that survived was an unnamed beast.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“He wanted to go home.

He wanted to go home, proudly and honestly, as himself.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Beyond their cryptic challenges and dread of each other, they shared the inexplicable empathy of fellow sufferers.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“I hope you never find yourself in such a desperate situation,” he said, eyes unfocused. “When a man faces such a decision, he will die no matter what he chooses.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“There are many things that will become your cage if you desire them.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Fortune and misfortune come hand in hand. Confinement may not necessarily be a bad thing.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Five years ago,” Shen Zechuan said softly as he drew closer to the bars and scrutinized Ji Lei’s terrified expression, “the one kneeling here was me. What was it you said, the day you sent me into the Temple of Guilt?”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Shen Zechuan caught it; the little object was an eastern pearl wrapped in a strip of cloth. A swipe of his fingertip revealed the traces of half a character on the strip of cloth—Lin. It was the same character that made up the top half of Chu.21 Shen Zechuan’s gaze swung back to Fengquan’s face. Fengquan stood and approached him. “If you succeed, the empress dowager will continue treating you as her obedient dog. If you fail, there’s no point keeping you.” “Formidable masters abound,” Shen Zechuan said. “I’ll try my best.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“But I know him; he is outwardly strong yet inwardly weak. In his heart, he fears me.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“surface. An impressive showing, Lord Ji.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“The feast drew to a close. Yao Wenyu called for the server to steam some tender and palatable meat dishes to take with him. As he stood waiting, he overheard the scholars whispering as they descended the stairs. “So much for that Unpolished Jade. Unprincipled coward is more like it. Did you see him earlier? He didn’t say a single word. Hongxuan-xiong20 is a model of benevolence compared to him.” Yao Wenyu tossed a pine nut into his mouth and laughed soundlessly. He didn’t bother to confront them. By the time he stepped outside with his wrapped-up dishes, the scholars had more or less dispersed.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Our father often said the Lu Clan are the eagles of the desert, while the Xiao Clan became the dogs of Libei. I don’t like this saying. But in recent years, the Xiao Clan has gone into battle like chained dogs; it’s never as satisfying as it was in the old days. These long years of fighting have drained the ferocity out of me. The Xiao Clan are not dogs, but A-Ye is the only one of us who still possesses the heart of a wolf. He dreams of the mountains of Libei, yet now he must stay in Qudu and forget the freedom of galloping across the plain. Both Father and I have let him down.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Grand Mentor Qi paused. “Water that brims must overflow, and every waxing moon must wane. Why does the Xiao Clan hate Shen Wei so fiercely? Do you see—no greater honor can possibly be bestowed on them after Zhongbo. Even if the Xiao Clan fights another battle, every defeat will be a loss, and every victory will also be a loss. They have come to a dead end.” “A victory is also a loss?” “Their victory is also a loss! Did Xiao Jiming not lose his younger brother to Qudu immediately after his battlefield triumph? With each battle he wins in the future, the danger will only grow. This time he traded in his brother. Next time, it might be his wife, his father—even himself.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Iron horse on river ice, Xiao Jiming; Beacon-smoke and rising sand, Lu Guangbai; Windstorm through the scorching plains, Qi Zhuyin; Thunder on jade terraces, Zuo Qianqiu.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“You’re too young to have known of him.” Ji Gang’s voice was unsteady as he held the man down. “This is wonderful, Grand Mentor Qi! You’re alive! And Lord Zhou? Is Lord Zhou here too?” Grand Mentor Qi was short in stature and thin as a rail. Too frail to land a proper kick, he resorted to glaring at them as he hissed, “He’s dead, dead! I’m dead. His Highness is dead. Everyone is dead!”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“He’s gone mad. The thought came to Ji Lei unbidden, even before he heard Shen Zechuan call out, “Lord Ji.” His voice was very calm. “We will meet again.” The doors shut with a heavy thud, stirring up a cloud of dust. Xiaofuzi covered his nose and coughed as he stepped back. Ji Lei, however, stood frozen in place.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“The empress dowager insists on preserving his life.” Lu Guangbai pursed his thin lips. “She’s gunning to raise a jackal who can rightfully reclaim Zhongbo, yet is submissive enough to eat from her hand. When the time comes, he could help her consolidate power from within while keeping Libei in check from without—a dangerous liability. Jiming, this boy must not live!”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Ji Lei watched Xiao Chiye all the way until he entered the palace. The moment he was alone with his men, he spat indignantly at the ground. The genial smile dropped, leaving only a sneer. This ruffian was usually so impudent and rash. It would be no surprise if he killed a man. Who would have expected this numbskull was crafty enough to handle the situation with such care? One kick, and he’d let Shen Zechuan go.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“The stranger removed his helmet, revealing a youthful face. The gyrfalcon wheeling overhead came to land on his shoulder, its wings scattering a puff of fine snow. He looked at Shen Zechuan as if looking at a pair of worn-out shoes. It was hard to tell if his gaze contained disdain or loathing, but it was as frigid and cutting as a blade.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“Zuo Qianqiu buried his name, Xiao Fangxu has stepped down because of illness, and Lu Pingyan has grown old. Twenty years from now, where will the current Four Generals be? They’re all but waves crashing on the shore, is built upon the sacrifice of tens of thousands,” Ji Gang said sorrowfully. “So what if he’s renowned for his exploits on the field? In the end, he’ll still become no more than a handful of yellow sand. Those who die in battle are loyal to the end; those who survive suffer onward.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“What you want for yourself, and the burdens you must shoulder as commander, are not the same " ... "When a man faces such a decision, he will die no matter what he chooses" (Vol. 1, PG 410).”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

“The nape of this man’s neck, bathed in the dim light of the nearby lamp, rose from beneath his collar like creamy white jade. It seemed defenseless, just waiting for the touch of another’s hand—as if by caressing it, one could reach ecstasy. The contours of his profile were smooth and beautiful, and the bridge of his nose sloped charmingly. But the corners of his eyes were most devastating: all that could make one’s heart itch lay within them, and the shadow of a smile seemed to rest at the tails of those upward crescents.”
― Tang Jiu Qing, Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1