Chapter 119: Ling Ying Takes Matters Into His Own Hands
"Miss, please calm down. Although the clan elders have made this decision, I believe the clan leader will oppose it," Ling Ying said respectfully.
Northwestern Continent, Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan – Xiao Xun Er's Room
Hearing Ling Ying's reassurance, Xiao Xun Er's anxiety only deepened. While her father, Gu Yuan, was the leader of the Gu Clan, she was well aware of the many elders in the clan who liked to wield their seniority to justify their actions, often using clan rules to override any opposition.
"Enough, Uncle Ling. Leave me alone for now. I need some time to think," Xiao Xun Er said with a wave of her hand, her tone filled with frustration.
Ling Ying, seeing her state, didn't press further. After a few comforting words, he turned into a wisp of black smoke and vanished from the room.
Left alone, Xiao Xun Er looked helpless, her usually composed demeanor shattered. Despite her young age, she had the maturity and foresight of an adult. She understood that once she was brought back to the Gu Clan and forced into a marriage alliance with a so called Xiao Clan "genius," her beauty and exceptional talent would make her a prized match.
But in such a scenario, would she ever have the chance to stay by her beloved Xiao Yan's side?
The mere thought of losing him made her feel powerless. That night, Xiao Xun Er fell ill.
Thanks to Ling Ying's timely discovery and treatment with medicinal pills, her condition gradually improved. However, while her body recovered, her spirit remained in turmoil. She became withdrawn, uninterested in both training and the world around her.
Several days passed like this. Watching her deteriorating state, Ling Ying finally couldn't bear it any longer. He decided to act. If Xiao Xun Er was unwilling to seek help from the Gu Clan, then perhaps the young man she cherished so deeply Xiao Yan could provide the answer.
Wu Tan City – The Xiao Clan
Ling Ying approached Xiao Yan's courtyard with a determined expression, only to suddenly sense a figure clad in a black robe and adorned with a patterned mask appear silently in front of him.
"Who's there?" Ling Ying demanded, his instincts screaming danger.
Though the figure exuded no discernible aura, their sudden and silent appearance was enough to alert him. Ling Ying's hand went to his weapon, his body coiled like a spring, ready for action.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's find a more suitable location," the black robed figure said calmly, their tone steady yet authoritative.
Ling Ying hesitated for a moment before nodding. He couldn't discern the other party's identity, but if they weren't mistaken, they likely hailed from the Xiao Clan. Without further discussion, both figures turned into streaks of black smoke and vanished.
Moments later, they reappeared in a secluded area outside Wu Tan City.
"Who are you?" Ling Ying demanded, his weapon still tightly gripped as he locked eyes with the figure.
"You've already guessed my identity. Why not say it out loud?" the black robed figure replied with a slight smile, remaining motionless.
Ling Ying was silent for a moment. Though he was a Dou Huang, a notable force in the Jia Ma Empire, the person before him felt like an insurmountable wall. Despite their lack of aura, Ling Ying instinctively knew he wouldn't last a single move against them.
"You're from the Xiao Clan?" Ling Ying finally asked, his voice low and wary.
"See? You've figured it out," the figure replied with an amused tone. "Relax. If I intended harm, I wouldn't have waited this long to act. I could have eliminated you the moment you entered Wu Tan City."
Ling Ying's eyes narrowed. "If you're from the Xiao Clan, why resort to such clandestine behavior? The Xiao Clan of Wu Tan City is descended from your main bloodline. Why not approach them openly instead of playing this shadowy game?"
At this, the black robed figure let out a cold chuckle. **"The reasons behind our actions are not yours to question.
You're merely a Dou Huang a respectable level of strength in this backwater Jia Ma Empire, but laughable in the face of our Xiao Clan. Even your clan leader holds no authority to meddle in our affairs."**
The figure's tone grew colder as they continued, "I appeared today to deliver a warning: stay away from Xiao Yan. I don't care what your reasons are, but I expect you to leave him alone."
"Hmph!" Ling Ying sneered, gripping his weapon tighter. "And if I refuse?"
"No one refuses the Xiao Clan," the figure replied flatly. **"Not you, not even your Gu Clan.
This is your first warning. If you persist, I won't hesitate to kill you. Believe me, you won't enjoy what comes next."**
Ling Ying fell silent, understanding all too well the weight of those words. He knew when to bow to overwhelming power, but what about Xiao Xun Er? Was he truly supposed to let her be taken back to the Gu Clan, only to marry some Xiao Clan "genius"?
Though Ling Ying always felt Xiao Yan wasn't worthy of Xiao Xun Er, he couldn't deny the girl's feelings. He had hoped Xiao Yan might take her away, far from the reach of the Gu Clan. Now, even that plan seemed impossible.
But why?
Why would the Xiao Clan care about Xiao Yan, a boy who wasn't even a Dou Zhe yet? Did he harbor some kind of hidden secret?
"You may be strong," Ling Ying finally said, his voice steady, "but aren't you afraid I'll inform the Gu Clan that Xiao Clan members are here? Once they send reinforcements, even you won't escape unscathed."
The black robed figure paused, then chuckled lightly. "You're right. If you alert the Gu Clan and they send their experts, things could get messy. What to do...?"
After a moment's silence, the figure continued, their tone chilling, "Perhaps I should just kill you now. You're only a Dou Huang. Surely your death wouldn't warrant the Gu Clan coming after us."
The threat hung in the air, icy and undeniable. Ling Ying felt a cold sweat break out across his body. For the first time in years, he truly feared for his life.
"Miss, please calm down. While the clan elders have indeed decided this, I believe the clan leader will oppose it," Ling Ying reassured Xiao Xun Er.
Northwestern Continent, Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan – Xiao Xun Er's Room
Xiao Xun Er, however, found no solace in Ling Ying's words. While she trusted her father, Gu Yuan, as the leader of the Gu Clan, she also understood how many elders in the clan relied on outdated traditions, frequently invoking clan rules to exert control over others.
"Leave me be, Uncle Ling. I need time to think," she said, waving him off, her voice tinged with frustration.
Seeing her distress, Ling Ying didn't press further. With a respectful bow and a few comforting words, he turned into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared from the room.
Left alone, Xiao Xun Er felt a heavy weight on her chest. Though still young, she possessed the insight and maturity of an adult. She knew that once the Gu Clan took her back, they would force her into a marriage alliance with the Xiao Clan. Given her unmatched beauty and exceptional talent, she would undoubtedly be sought after by countless suitors.
But what about her beloved Xiao Yan?
Would she ever see him again, let alone stay by his side? The thought made her feel powerless. That night, Xiao Xun Er fell ill, her inner turmoil taking a toll on her health.
Fortunately, Ling Ying quickly noticed and treated her with medicinal pills. Though her body recovered, her spirit remained weak, and she became withdrawn, showing little interest in anything, including her training.
Seeing her condition worsen day by day, Ling Ying finally decided to act. He couldn't bear to see Xiao Xun Er, usually so spirited, now so listless. But what could he do?
Eventually, Ling Ying resolved to seek out Xiao Yan. Perhaps he, the boy who held Xiao Xun Er's heart, could restore her will to fight. However, just as Ling Ying was preparing to approach Xiao Yan's courtyard, a figure shrouded in a black cloak and wearing an ornate mask appeared in his path.
"Who are you?" Ling Ying demanded, his instincts flaring as he gripped the weapon at his waist.
The figure exuded no discernible aura, yet their presence was suffocating. Ling Ying could tell that this person was far stronger than him strong enough to kill him effortlessly.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's move elsewhere," the cloaked figure said calmly, their tone authoritative yet measured.
Ling Ying hesitated but ultimately agreed. Transforming into a streak of black smoke, he followed the figure to a secluded area outside Wu Tan City.
Outside Wu Tan City
"Who are you, really?" Ling Ying asked, his weapon at the ready, eyes fixed on the mysterious figure.
"You already know the answer. Why ask?" the figure replied with a chuckle, remaining motionless.
Ling Ying's silence spoke volumes. Though he suspected the figure was from the Xiao Clan, he didn't dare confirm it aloud.
"You're from the Xiao Clan, aren't you?"
"See? You're not as slow as you look," the figure quipped, their tone mocking yet unthreatening. "Relax. If I wanted to harm you, I would've done so long ago. The moment you stepped into Wu Tan City, your life was in my hands."
Ling Ying scowled. "If that's true, why not reveal yourselves to the Xiao Clan here? Why resort to shadowy surveillance? Are you ashamed of your actions?"
The figure's laughter was cold. "Our methods are none of your concern. Suffice it to say, we have reasons for remaining discreet."
Their tone turned frosty. "But I didn't come here to debate. I came to deliver a warning: stay away from Xiao Yan. Whatever you're planning, abandon it. Otherwise, I won't be so lenient next time."
"And if I refuse?" Ling Ying retorted, his weapon gleaming in the moonlight.
The figure remained unfazed. **"Refuse? No one refuses the Xiao Clan not you, not even the Gu Clan.
Consider this your first and only warning. If you cross the line again, I will kill you. Do you understand?"**
Ling Ying's mind raced. He couldn't defeat this person he knew that much. But perhaps he could outsmart them. "If I run back to the Xiao Clan and report this, your secret will be out. What then?"
The figure tilted their head, chuckling. "True, that would complicate things. Perhaps I should kill you now and save myself the trouble."
Their words were calm, but the menace in their tone sent chills down Ling Ying's spine. He realized he was playing a dangerous game.
Back at Wu Tan City – Xiao Clan
Ling Ying eventually managed to escape back to the Xiao Clan. Surprisingly, the figure hadn't pursued him.
"What's their game?" he wondered. "Are they afraid of being discovered, or are they just toying with me?"
Shaking his head, Ling Ying decided not to inform Xiao Xun Er about the encounter. Instead, he resolved to stay vigilant, guarding her closely.
However, over the next few days, Ling Ying noticed something peculiar. Whenever he approached Xiao Yan's courtyard, an overwhelming pressure locked onto him. The sensation was brief, vanishing the moment he stepped away, but it left no doubt in his mind he was being closely watched.
Finally, with no options left, Ling Ying sent a message to Gu Yuan. He had failed to protect Xiao Xun Er and needed guidance.
Central Continent, Tian Wai Tian
Gu Yuan, seated beside Xiao Tiance, was watching a sparring match among the younger generation of various clans when he received Ling Ying's message.
After reading it, Gu Yuan's expression remained calm. Unlike Ling Ying, he wasn't overly concerned. The Xiao Clan's agents might have been keeping an eye on his daughter, but he doubted they intended harm.
Still, the fact that they were monitoring Wu Tan City confirmed one thing: the Xiao Clan likely knew why Xiao Xun Er had been sent there.
Turning to Xiao Tiance, Gu Yuan smiled and said, "The Xiao Clan is truly overflowing with talent. Between Xiao Qing and your other prodigies, I dare say the Xiao Clan is on track to reclaim its position as the strongest among the ancient clans."
Xiao Tiance glanced at him, smiling in return. "The Gu Clan's children are no less impressive. That boy, Gu Yao, seems particularly gifted. In time, he might even reach the Dou Sheng level."
Both men shared a knowing look.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1