Chapter 13 Vibration (Part 2)
Luo Family’s inner court. Shadows danced across a luxurious building, appearing serene and austere in the evening light.
Luo Tian Zheng paused for a moment outside the most prestigious residence therein. Shadows immediately moved in the darkness on both sides of the residence but concealed back in the night soon after.
Suddenly, a deep voice came from the center of the hall, “Zheng’er, why did you come?”
Luo Tian Zheng respectfully bowed toward the doorway and said, “I have something to report.”
Just as his words just came out, the large door automatically opened all of a sudden.
Luo Tian Zheng kept a straight face despite his surprise and immediately walked into the residence.
An old man wearing a gray chang pao was sitting inside holding a teacup in hand with a book placed on the side. The old man looked remarkably bright, light flickering in his eagle eyes, of medium stature, and as straight as a ramrod with not a hint of a stoop. The old man is Luo Xiang Ming, the patriarch of the Luo Family, sixty-six years old, and one of the top experts of Falling Stone City rumored to have already reached the spirit master rank.
“What is so important that you have to come to report at night.” Luo Xiang Ming said indifferently.
Thereupon, Luo Tian Zheng briefly reiterated what Luo Biao told him.
“Oh? That Ling Family boy unexpectedly can cultivate again. Not too shabby.” Luo Xiang Ming said as if he wasn’t too concerned.
“Father, there’s no issue if it’s just as simple as him cultivating again, but…” Luo Tian Zheng said rather hesitantly.
“What’s the matter? If there’s something you have to say, then say it.” Luo Xiang Ming looked up and said.
“It’s just that Biao’er said Ling Xiao used a single sword stroke to defeat Shuang’er even after joining forces with Biao’er. It’s clear that this sword’s might. And from what Biao’er told me, Ling Xiao’s still not a xuan pract.i.tioner but only an eighth-rank martial apprentice at most. This move can defeat an intermediate-rank xuan pract.i.tioner and force a high-rank xuan pract.i.tioner to retreat. Can this be…” Luo Tian Zheng said clearly.
“You want to say that Ling Family boy has some amazing xuan skill?” Luo Xiang Ming interrupted.
“That was my thought.” Luo Tian Zheng agreed.
“Do you think Ling Xiao will have a cyan-order cultivation method?” Luo Xiang Ming’s brows creased slightly and said.
Xuan Spirit Continent’s xuan skills are divided into nine major orders, respectively “gray, yellow, cyan, green, blue, red, violet, brown, and black.”
Luo Tian Zheng remained silent but nodded his head.
“Ling Family only has one cyan-order Golden Spear Scripture as a family inheritance. If that Ling Family boy used a sword move, is it possible that Ling Family has two cyan-order xuan skills? Impossible. If this were the case, they’d never teach it to a junior and let him come out and show off. Could it be that the boy obtained it by chance himself?” Luo Xing Ming guessed.
“I think that it’s possible. Ling Family’s Elder Taishang confirmed there’s nothing to be done to restore the boy’s xuan strength, but he’s now an eighth-rank martial apprentice. This is worth thinking over.” Luo Tian Zheng mused.
Both men were silent for a moment before Luo Xiang Ming said, “You can leave. I’ll deal with this matter.”
When Luo Tian Zheng was preparing to leave, Luo Xiang Ming spoke again. “Shuang’er seems particularly concerned about the boy. When she has time, have her visit the Ling Family more often.”
Luo Tian Zheng’s eyes lit up, nodded and left the residence.
After Luo Tian Zheng had departed, Luo Xiang Ming said indifferently, “Feng Ying, you go have a look at that Ling Family boy’s situation. You must not let anyone find out; report back immediately if anything comes up.”
A cold, quiet voice came from a corner of the residence, “Yes, Patriarch.”
……
Inside an underground chamber below a secluded Ling Family courtyard.
After the family conference finished, Fifth Elder Ling Yan and a gangly old man quietly came here for a secret meeting.
The old man is Ling Family’s Second Elder, Ling Mo. Both men are siblings; their status in the Ling Family is only second to the Patriarch, Ling Cang. In some respect, Ling Mo is even stronger than Ling Cang.
As the head of Falling Stone City’s three major family clans, Ling Family’s strength is formidable, but everyone knows Ling Family is not as united as they appeared. And Ling Family’s Second Elder Ling Mo and Fifth Elder Ling Yan are included among those fomenting dissent.
Ling Mo and Ling Yan are the sons of the previous generation’s patriarch. After the former patriarch had pa.s.sed away, Ling Mo didn’t get his wish of becoming the patriarch as Ling Cang a.s.sumed the position of patriarch. The brothers took this slight personally and would often undermine Ling Cang’s authority and create trouble for the patriarch. And because many people in the family support the two brothers, Ling Cang was never able to consolidate his hold over the family.
Take Ling Zhan’s incident for example. Originally, Ling Zhan is Ling Cang’s second son and was also regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent. But when Ling Zhan became disabled, he was unexpectedly arranged to live in Ling Family’s smallest and most secluded courtyard without any servants. This was all Ling Mo and Ling Yan’s handiwork. Otherwise, they would have been arranged a relatively beautiful and secluded home to settle down using Ling Cang’s ident.i.ty.
From this, it can be seen how deep Ling Mo and his brother’s resentment for Ling Cang is.
“Big Brother, what’s to be done about this?” Ling Yan immediately asked after they entered the chamber.
“I was wondering what made you so anxious, but even if that little b.a.s.t.a.r.d can restore his xuan strength, he’s nothing more than a weak little martial apprentice. What are you so worried for? Ling Mo said coldly and waved his hand.
“I-I’m just worried on behalf of Kuang’er.” Ling Yan said unhappily.
“You don’t have to worry about this. Kuang’er has already broken through to xuan warrior. He’ll definitely take first when the family test arrives. At that time, Elder Taishang will receive Kuang’er as his last disciple.” Ling Mo said in a low voice.
“Rui’er did not beat him to death one month ago but instead let him experience a reversal of fortune, that little b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s life is too tenacious.” Ling Yan sighed.
“Humph! I haven’t even looked for you to settle this matter. How dumb can you be? You are fully aware the boy already cannot restore his xuan strength so just let the father and son run their course. Fortunately, the boy didn’t die this time, or else…Humph! Ling Cang would not let you have an easy time.” Ling Mo said coldly.
“Would he fight me to the death for a cripple?” Ling Yan said stubbornly.
He won’t fight you to the death but will make your grandson disappear. That’s all.” Ling Mo said rather resentfully. He continued after a moment, “Okay, you go back first. I’ll handle the little b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
Ling Yan still had something to say and hesitated for a moment before sighing and leaving the secret chamber.
“Humph! Want to experience a reversal of fortune? Impossible.” After Ling Yan came out, Ling Mo’s old eyes filled with an intense desire for murder.
North part of the city. Li Family’s residence.
Li Guang Han kept watch for Ling Xiao at the only road back to the Ling Family for an entire night, but with no trace of Ling Xiao, he was had no choice but to give up the ambush. He immediately heads back to the family to report to his father.
Thinking back to Ling Xiao’s sword move, Li Guang Han can’t help but feel a cold chill run down his spine.
Ling Xiao is currently still an eighth-rank martial apprentice, and it appears that he needed to use all his xuan strength to support the move. With his high-level xuan pract.i.tioner’s strength, he may be able to block barely but must also sustain serious injuries. When Ling Xiao breaks through to xuan pract.i.tioner, won’t he become invincible among those of the same rank?
Antic.i.p.ating this, he must try every means to have his family eliminate this potential rival. If the other party is allowed to grow up, then Falling Stone City will be dominated solely by the Ling Family.
Li Guang Han found his father Li Yuan Hua intending to make a report, but Li Yuan Hua already knew everything.
Li Yuan Hua said to Li Guang Han, “I know what happened at the restaurant yesterday. You don’t have to concern yourself with this matter; the family has its arrangements. We’ll first release the news of the marriage with Luo Family; that old fox Luo Xiang Ming may not necessarily look favorably upon our Li Family. You immediately go into closed-door training and must break through to xuan warrior in six months. Our Li Family must not fall behind among the three top families one year from now.”
Li Guang Han wordlessly nodded his head and turned around to leave.
……
The midday sun shone brightly high in the sky.
Inside a nondescript inn, Ling Xiao is drinking wine and eating small side dishes, accompanied by a beauty, and not familiar at all with what’s happening in the world outside.
“Come, eat some chicken. You look too thin; you’ll look better if you fatten up a bit.” Ling Xiao said as he placed a drumstick in Bai Yu Xi’s bowl.
After Ling Xiao meditated yesterday evening and early in the morning, his condition became a lot better—at least his face has regained some of its colors.
“Thank you, Young Master.” A bashful red flush suffused Bai Yu Xi’s soft and glowing face. As her bright and beautiful eyes looked at the fat and oily drumstick, an indescribable sweetness rose in her heart.
Yesterday evening, Bai Yu Xi guarded Ling Xiao all night and developed a high fever early in the morning. Fortunately, Ling Xiao found out in time and transferred a trace of xuan strength so that her fever came down after her sleep.
“Why so polite? What kind of relationship do we have? You’re not allowed to be so polite from now on, got it?” Ling Xiao spoke with his mouth full.
Hearing Ling Xiao talk about their relationship this way, Bai Yu Xi’s beautiful eyes couldn’t help but mist up.
Upon seeing this, Ling Xiao stood up fl.u.s.tered and quickly comforted, “Yu Xi, why are you like this?” Ling Xiao aggravated his wound in his excitement and couldn’t help but cough twice.
Bai Yu Xi stood up quickly and hurried over to Ling Xiao’s side and patted his back, “Young Master, I’m fine. I…I was just so touched. I had originally thought that only my mother is good to me in this world, but now I found…I found Young Master is sincerely good to me. I didn’t mean to worry Young Master.”
Bai Yu Xi was like a child who did something wrong—patting Ling Xiao’s back while trying to explain herself. She feared that Ling Xiao would exacerbate his injuries again, which would make her feel awful.
“Silly girl, you’re not just my adopted sister, and you’re also my friend. If I don’t treat you well, who else would I be good to? Okay, I’m fine. Quickly eat your fill. We need to return home or father and mother will be very worried.” Ling Xiao pinched Bai Yu Xi’s nose and said.
Bai Yu Xi obediently nodded and then returned to her seat and started eating.
When the two left the inn, they first made their way to the tailor shop to receive their order and then prepared to go home.
On the way home, Ling Xiao faintly felt that someone was following behind him, but when he saw no one when he turned back to look. He couldn’t help silently scolding himself for being too suspicious.
However, danger arrived just as they made their way out of the market.
A sharp cold breath came from behind and completely locked on to Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao had felt something wrong all along and had already taken secret precautions earlier.
When the surprise attack came, the ma.s.sive sword in Ling Xiao’s hand instantly reacted.
“Dong!” Weapons collided, and Ling Xiao was immediately sent flying by the attack.
“Young Master!” Bai Yu Xi turned pale with fright but immediately ran towards Ling Xiao.
TL Note: So I’m a bit conflicted here and wanted to take this opportunity to gauge everyone’s honest opinion of the story. I’ve read over a hundred chapters and while the story isn’t bad, there’s nothing that really stands out from the stories that have already been translated. The story becomes more or less like a combination of Against the G.o.ds and Tales of Demons and G.o.ds. I’m leaning on picking up another series that I’ve been following instead of continuing this series. That being said, I want to see how many of you’d like me to continue to translate this series. I’ve translated up to chapter 18 and will release them all by this week. Please leave a comment and let me know your opinion.