"Without any evidence, I can, in accordance with the laws of the Empire, accuse you of slandering the Lord!" Li Fu lightly clapped his hands. They were fair and clean, without a speck of dust, and his nails were trimd with extre care—a perfect reflection of a nobleman’s elegance and grace.
"You... are courting death!" the middle-aged man in the yellow robe roared, his eyes blazing with fury. He reached out, grabbing for Li Fu’s neck.
A bewitchingly crimson sword blocked the man’s hand.
"The one courting death... is you."
Ling Xiao stared coldly at the yellow-robed man. "If you wish to continue."
"So you’re Ling Xiao?"
The man in the yellow robe abruptly withdrew his hand, his eyes locking onto Ling Xiao. This was a face they were all too familiar with. For months, they had been waiting for it to appear, and it was a sha they only saw it today—and only after losing three of their family’s skilled mbers.
"If you keep looking at like that, I don’t mind making you end up just like them," Ling Xiao said, gesturing to the three corpses on the ground.
"aning... you admit your people killed them?" the yellow-robed man said grimly. "Is that it?"
Ling Xiao frowned, glanced at the man, then turned his head to Li Fu and asked, "Is this man a bit of an idiot? Did you hear admit it had anything to do with ?"
Li Fu bowed humbly to Ling Xiao. "My esteed Lord, I believe this man’s brain has been addled by the shock of his companions’ deaths. Or perhaps... he wasn’t properly educated as a child and thus can’t even understand simple words. Oh, my apologies, my Lord. As a nobleman, I shouldn’t speak ill of others. I’ve lost my composure."
An extrely sharp glint flashed in the yellow-robed man’s eyes. "Fine, Ling Xiao. I’d long heard of your arrogance, and seeing it today, the rumors are true. However, those who are arrogant usually have the capital to back it up! And you... a wet-behind-the-ears brat. Do you really think you can look down on everyone just because you’re backed by so hidden family?"
Li Fu sneered in disdain. "I say, you really do have sothing wrong with your head. Your words are all jumbled and incoherent. The Lord was simply telling you that the deaths of those three have nothing to do with us, yet you insist on making a scene. It’s a rare day that the Lord even bothers to spare you a thought. If it were , I’d have had the guards tie you up and toss you into the dungeons long ago! Ah, no... the Water Prison. To let you cool your head a bit!"
"I think that’s an excellent idea," Ling Xiao said in agreent. "If... you all want to keep pestering us, I don’t mind preparing so prison als for a few more people."
"Courting death!"
The yellow-robed man’s patience finally wore out. An imnsely powerful aura erupted from his body, crashing down on Ling Xiao and Li Fu like a tidal wave.
It might have been a case of a senior bullying a junior, but he couldn’t hold back any longer. He was going to show this young... Lord, and that noisy... nobleman-wannabe exactly who had a problem with their brain, exactly who was lacking in intelligence!
Li Fu’s face instantly turned a deep purple. Then, he felt a grip tighten on his neck as he was lifted off the ground and tossed far behind him. Landing on his butt, Li Fu yelled at the iron-tower-like figure, "Hey, big guy, try a different thod next ti! That’s no way to treat a nobleman!"
Ling Xiao felt the Spiritual Power coming from the yellow-robed man and was slightly startled. The man’s Spiritual Power could actually faintly suppress his own!
But if he was startled, the yellow-robed man opposite him was utterly shocked. He stared at Ling Xiao in disbelief. ’This youth... he can actually resist my imnse pressure?’
When he saw the iron-tower-like giant appear, his heart inexplicably eased. ’As expected, this young Lord has a true expert behind him! It seems this giant is the one who repelled that Sword Sect master! Otherwise, if a re youth possessed such tyrannical strength, that would be simply too terrifying!’
The young people beside the yellow-robed man couldn’t help but retreat a dozen steps, their faces pale. They looked at the giant next to Ling Xiao, their expressions filled with fear.
"Ling Xiao... it seems that today, you are truly determined to be our enemy?"
The yellow-robed man sensed an aura from the giant that was no weaker than his own. Moreover, he had been the one on the offensive, yet his Spiritual Power had been effortlessly deflected, and with ease at that. Though he was unwilling to admit it, the yellow-robed man couldn’t help but think, ’This giant’s strength... is greater than mine!’
So, he changed his tone, speaking in a low voice, "Ling Xiao, since you have a hidden family or sect backing you, let’s not beat around the bush. We ca here with the intention of befriending you, but you never showed yourself, constantly rejecting the goodwill of all the hidden families and sects. And today, you even ordered your subordinate to kill three of my fellow disciples. Do you truly hold all the hidden families and sects in such low regard?"
A cold sneer spread across Ling Xiao’s handso face. "When it cos to sophistry, I’m afraid even ten of would be no match for you, sir. But you seem to have forgotten one thing. This... is my territory! Moreover, if you claim my people killed three of your disciples, then present the evidence! Making baseless accusations... if you don’t find it shaful, I find it laughable on your behalf!"
Ignoring the ashen-faced man, Ling Xiao continued, "Just as I’ve never asked what you’re doing in Penzes City, you... had best not co and bother ! Otherwise... I won’t care what hidden family or sect you’re from. If one cos, I’ll kill one. If ten co... I’ll kill ten! Let tell you again, your three weak underlings were not killed by my people! As the Lord here, I could have helped you investigate. But seeing as how you are so powerful and so comfortable throwing your weight around, I’ve suddenly lost all interest in helping you. So, farewell."
With that, Ling Xiao turned and left. Tiger licked his lips, a ferocious light glinting in his deep-set eyes as he scanned the group. He grumbled under his breath. ’Humans are so indecisive. These people clearly an my master harm, so why not just claw them all to death, one by one? That would be much more satisfying!’
The yellow-robed man’s icy gaze was fixed on Ling Xiao’s retreating back. The hand hidden in his sleeve was clenched into a tight fist, his knuckles CRACKING loudly as veins bulged on his forehead.
But the pressure from that giant was simply too imnse! What he found most incredible was that he couldn’t even sense the giant’s true strength. He himself was already a Tier Five Sword Sect! Even within his family, while he couldn’t rank among the masters of the Inner Hall, he was still one of the top High-tier Martial Artists in the Outer Hall. To think that this young noble Lord had such an expert by his side!
’It seems the family’s strategy concerning Penzes City needs to be re-evaluated!’
Among the crowd of onlookers, many unremarkable individuals now hid their faces and slipped away silently. Likewise, after they left, many people who looked like commoners began loudly praising the Lord’s might while exchanging aningful glances. A steady stream of information flowed into ng Li’s hands.
That evening, ng Li ca to see Ling Xiao with a summary of the information.
Ling Xiao pointed to the chair opposite him. ng Li did not sit, but instead said with a look of sha, "Young Master, this subordinate failed to protect Miss Fengling. Please punish ."
Ling Xiao smiled. "When did I ever ask you to protect that girl? Heh, since she has left our residence, none of her affairs are our responsibility. However, there’s no need to say that to those arrogant, stuck-up people."
ng Li nodded and sat down. He then said, "Young Master, how do you plan to deal with these hidden families and sects? While you were away, we stalled for as long as we could. Right now, there are representatives from more than a dozen hidden families and sects in Penzes City! Almost all of them... are interested in forming an alliance with you, Young Master. Or rather... with the hidden family or sect behind you!"
Ling Xiao gave a calm smile and leaned back slightly, suddenly changing the subject. "Fengling has truly grasped the essence of the Rhythm Sword Skill. To be able to fight three Martial Artists of the sa tier is no small feat!"
ng Li was stunned for a mont, then replied, "Indeed. The reports from our people say eyewitnesses saw it. In less than a quarter of an hour, one of the three Martial Artists died mysteriously, and the other two were killed with ease. Even I didn’t believe at first that the three who died had the strength of Demon Swordsn! Miss Fengling... she’s only a Demon Swordsman herself, and one who just recently broke through!"
Ling Xiao gave a mocking laugh. "Did you really think Fengling has spent the past six months playing her instrunt every day just to cultivate her sensibilities?"
ng Li’s old face flushed red. He couldn’t deny it; that was exactly what he had thought.
Ling Xiao’s smile vanished. "The hidden families and sects are paying attention to us for one reason only: they covet the sword skills in our possession. Fengling’s battle today, although we flatly deny it, will only make those people even more certain... that we possess incredibly powerful sword skills and... Elixirs that can enhance one’s strength!"
ng Li asked, puzzled, "Then, Young Master, why did you let Fengling go? From what I saw... she didn’t seem very willing to leave!"
Ling Xiao was silent for a mont. He then looked up, a fervent light shining in his eyes. "In this world, true powerhouses never fear a challenge! Right now, they only dare to test us. By the ti they realize we’ve beco powerful enough, it will already be too late."
ng Li stared, stunned. He looked at Ling Xiao, and it was a long mont before he recovered. His attitude beca deferential as he said, "This subordinate has been enlightened."
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If you have any recomndation tickets, please toss a few to Xiaodao! (To be continued...)
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