Chapter 16 Ling Family’s Inner Court
In the past, Wind G.o.d Nie Feng used the peerless Wind G.o.d Kick to shake jianghu and became a legend of a generation.
Ling Xiao had long already deduced the essence of Wind G.o.d Kick and only need to promote his xuan strength in order to recreate the Wind G.o.d’s awe-inspiring power from all those years ago.
All of his xuan strength poured into his two legs as he stomped on the two guards before they had a chance to react.
The two guards’ defense was insufficient; their noses broke on the spot, blood spraying, as they fell far away.
Ling Xiao landed coolly on the ground, his complexion slightly pale, took a deep breath and said indifferently to Ling Tao, “Let’s leave Third Uncle. I’m convinced these two dogs won’t dare to randomly bite people again.”
Ling Tao looked at the two fallen bodyguards; his body involuntarily shuddered before he gave Ling Xiao a complicated look, and then together with Ling Xiao walked into the inner court.
As soon as he walked in, Ling Xiao found himself in a wide open s.p.a.ce. This can be considered his first stepping into Ling Family’s inner court.
A perfectly straight road led directly ahead, surrounded on both sides by fields of blooming flowers, releasing a fragrance that seeped into the bottom of people’s heart. There were exotic rock gardens that resembled spirit beasts surging forward. Small bridges spanned over winding streams and connected the scattered pavilions as the soothing sounds of trickling water filled the air. This kind of arrangement is just like the imperial palace’s inner court; extremely elegant, beautiful and serene.
A large, square training field is situated at the end of the road. A high platform is raised in the middle of the training field; this is obviously the stage where Ling Family holds their martial arts compet.i.tion and where the annual family test is hosted.
A grand and majestic residence stands directly ahead of the main road. This residence reaches seven stories high and is constructed using thousand years old red fir. Extremely fine spirit inscriptions are engraved on the wood walls, exceedingly intricate and emitting a faint glow that adds to the building’s imposing and extravagant appearance.
If a formation master is present, he will be able to make out that a formation is arranged around the entire residence.
Ling Xiao can’t help sigh lightly in his heart, “Ling Family’s worthy of being the head of the three major families for the inner court to be so extraordinary.”
There were quite a few youths aged ten to sixteen on the training field practicing their martial arts according the honor guard’s guidance.
Many of the older youths recognized Ling Xiao since he was someone that they had idolized prior to two years ago. But that image had long been shattered, and he is now nothing more than an object of derision.
“Isn’t that the shame of our family, Ling Xiao?”
“Yea, why did he come to the inner court? This cripple is not qualified to take even half a step inside the inner court.”
“Isn’t that right? He’s simply a stain on our family’s reputation; our family has no need for this cripple.”
“You cannot talk like that about Brother Ling Xiao. He is my idol. Even if he cannot cultivate xuan strength, I believe he will stand back up again.”
“What a joke. Elder Taishang has already confirmed that he can no longer cultivate xuan strength. He is doomed to be a cripple for the rest of his life.”
A majority of the youths on the training field were talking among themselves in contempt of Ling Xiao. Only one small girl dressed in pink supported Ling Xiao.
This small girl is Ling Xiao’s cousin, Ling Ling, and the daughter of his uncle, Ling Jue. Only eight years old, her delicate pouting face is extremely adorable.
The tall and robust youth next to Ling Ling is one of Second Elder Ling Mo’s grandsons, Ling Zhi. At fifteen years old, he’s already reached the peak of low-level xuan pract.i.tioner and is on course to break through to intermediate-level xuan pract.i.tioner in six months. This level of talent could be considered among the best in Falling Stone City, many times stronger in comparison to the eighteen years old Ling Rui, who is still just a low-level xuan pract.i.tioner.
“I forbid you from talking about Brother Ling Xiao. He’s stronger than you all.” Ling Ling said as she raised her little fists in anger. She is already a third-rank martial apprentice, so there was a bit of strength behind her little fists.
“Humph! Watch carefully little girl. Look at how I discipline your Brother Ling Xiao.” Ling Zhi rolled up his sleeves, glanced at Ling Ling, and then walked over in large strides toward Ling Xiao.
Although he is Ling Mo’s grandson, he was too young, and didn’t know anything regarding Ling Family’s affairs. He only knows Ling Xiao was seriously injured yesterday, but was unaware that Ling Xiao had not only restored his xuan strength but has even become stronger than yesterday. If he knew, perhaps he would not be so eager to look for trouble.
“Humph! Cripple, you’re not qualified to enter out family’s inner court. You’d leave right now if you’re sensible, or else I’ll humiliate you.” Ling Zhi’s naturally domineering and simply looked down upon Ling Xiao as he spoke to him.
There is an unwritten rule in the family: members of the same generation can spar with each other and the older generation may not interfere so long as no one’s life is endangered. Therefore, Ling Zhi dares to disrespect Ling Xiao in front of Ling Tao. This was also why Ling Rui had disregarded Ling Tao previously at the main gate.
Ling Tao had already seen Ling Xiao’s strength, so he did not say much regarding Ling Zhi’s provocation. He just wants to watch the show.
Ling Xiao looked at him with a thoughtful expression and said, “You’re talking to me?”
Ling Zhi put his hands on his waist and said, “Who else besides you is a cripple in our Ling Family? Both you and your father are of the same ilk, just an embarra.s.sing stain on our family’s name. Why don’t you do us all a favor and die.”
Ling Tao scowled after hearing Ling Zhi’s sharp and heartless words. The youths close by gathered around to watch, antic.i.p.ating Ling Xiao’s miserable condition after Ling Zhi’s tough lesson.
Only Ling Ling clenched her little fists and shouted, “Brother Ling Xiao isn’t trash! Brother Ling Xiao, beat up Ling Zhi. He’s so irritating.”
Ling Xiao smiled at Ling Ling, “Xiao Ling’er is right. He even looks as stupid as a donkey. It really is irritating.”
“Haha, Ling Zhi is a donkey!” Ling Ling was innocent and charming, immediately echoing Ling Xiao’s words and laughing.
“What audacity! YOU dare to insult ME!? I’ll teach you a thing or two!” Ling Zhi roared as he threw himself toward Ling Xiao, He condensed eighty percent of his strength into his fists and punched at Ling Xiao.
“If I say you’re a donkey, then you’re a donkey.” Ling Xiao disdainfully watched as Ling Zhi’s fists exploded towards him. If this was a contest of strength, Ling Xiao cannot hope to compete with a xuan pract.i.tioner. However, even a high-level xuan practioner is not his match in terms of speed. Only a xuan warrior can pose a threat to him.
Ling Xiao no longer spoke, his legs already in mid-swing, leaving the ground where he originally stood destroyed.
Ling Zhi immediately tried to receive his attack and shouted out loud, “Not good!”
Unfortunately it was too late, as Ling Xiao had already arrived behind him with his palm raised.
“Flowing Water Element Cloud.”
“Bang!”
Ling Xiao’s palm landed directly on the back of Ling Zhi’s head and sent him flying several meters. He lost consciousness before he even landed.
In that instant, all the youth on the training field looked at Ling Xiao in disbelief. Before they knew what happened, they saw that Ling Zhi was sent flying and now he’s incapacitated.”
Is…is this really the cripple who can’t cultivate?
They all ask themselves this question in their head. The final answer is no. It wasn’t just that Ling Xiao is not a cripple, but he is also stronger than they are. Even an intermediate-level xuan pract.i.tioner may not have the strength to defeat a peak low-level xuan pract.i.tioner with one palm strike!
Of all the people at the scene, only Ling Tao and the Honor Guard who was instructing the children earlier noticed something was off as the same thought crossed their minds, “There’s something really strange about this movement technique!”
“Wow! Elder Brother Ling Xiao’s awesome!” Ling Ling jumped up and down cheerfully.
Ling Xiao took two steps forward and picked up the loveable little girl into his embrace and kissed her on the forehead. “Not as awesome as my Xiao Ling’er! You’re so young and have already become a third-rank martial apprentice. Just work a little harder and you’ll quickly become a xuan pract.i.tioner!”
Ling Ling’s little face turned red as she said, “Brother Ling Xia, you’re really bad! You took my first kiss, what will you do if I can’t get married later?”
Little Ling Ling’s words immediately caused Ling Xiao and Ling Tao to laugh out loud. He could not help but think that this little girl really is precocious.
“All right, let’s hurry up. We don’t want to make the Patriarch wait.” Ling Tao rubbed little Ling Ling’s head and said to Ling Xiao.
After putting down little Ling Ling, Ling Xiao and Ling Tao finally entered the inner court’s residence.
Inside the residence, nine old men seem to be already waiting.
Sitting in the highest position is Ling Xiao’s grandfather and the patriarch of the Ling Family, Ling Cang. He was wearing a dark gold chang pao with his tied-up hair revealing streaks of gray and shallow wrinkles on his thin old face that gives him a kindhearted impression. But it was the old man’s eyes that gave off an indescribable prestige that people do not dare look straight into.
Sitting to his lower right is Second Elder Ling Mo, his expression look very stiff, constantly tapping on the armrest with his fingers, producing a crisp “da…da…” sound.
Sitting to his lower left is Third Elder Ling Yuan, fat like a round ball, his face was so squished up that it was hard to make out his facial features. Only two eye slits penetrate sharp look
Only a sharp look penetrated through his two slit-like eyes to size Ling Xiao up.
Under Ling Mo and Ling Yuan were the rest of the elders in their respective positions.
Ling Tao turned towards Ling Cang and saluted, “Patriarch, I’ve brought Ling Xiao.” Having said that, he withdrew to the corner and stood expressionless.
Although Ling Tao is Ling Cang’s son, the Ling Family is extremely strict regarding ranks. Before becoming an elder, there will never be a place for him to sit in this inner court residence.
Ling Xiao saluted just like Tao and said, “Greetings, Patriarch and esteemed Elders.”
“Humph!” At this time, Fifth Elder Ling Yan gave an inappropriate cold snort, an immense pressure pushed down on Ling Xiao.
Watching from above, Ling Cang furrowed his brows for a moment before relaxing soon after. He did not prevent Ling Yan’s actions.
At that moment, Ling Xiao felt a might force bear down on him from all directions, as if his body was weighed down by a large boulder, causing his breathing to become rapid and labored. So long as he relaxes for just a moment, he would be forced to kneel on the ground.
Anger sprang up in Ling Xiao’s heart. d.a.m.n it! I’ve been rejected and provoked every step of the way. Who would be able to endure such tribulation?
Ling Xiao grit his teeth as his eyes red with fury, biting through his lips until it started to bleed. His body was pushed down and bent in an unnatural position, but he persevered, placing his hand upon the Colossal Dragon Sword behind his back, apparently in preparation for a fight to the death.
“Enough.” Second Elder Ling Mo waved a hand and dispersed Fifth Elder Ling Yan’s formidable pressure.
With the pressure gone, Ling Xiao felt his body and mind relax. A mouthful of blood wished to rush out from his stomach, but the impulse was directly suppressed by his stubborn temperament.
Ling Xiao laughed grimly at the Fifth Elder and said, “The junior you’ve been hara.s.sing has arrived, Senior. Does Fifth Elder still plan to use your strength to bully the weak?”
Ling Yan did not know that Ling Rui had been insulted by Ling Xiao and was immediately displeased. “What do you mean? I only follow the wishes of the elders to a.s.sess if you truly can cultivate xuan strength again.”
“Oh? So that’s how it is. This is my mistake Fifth Elder.” Ling Xiao slightly bowed in apology before continuing, “I thought that Fifth Elder was acting on behalf of your grandson, but I have now realized that Fifth Elder is someone who separates business from your personal life. I’m convinced you will not go easy on anyone who disrespects the Patriarch, right?”
Without listening carefully, Ling Yan immediately nodded and said, “Of course, that’s natural.”
“This is perfect.” Ling Xiao laughed and said, and then looked up toward the elders before continuing, “Earlier, there was someone who publicly insulted me by the main gate. Of course, this isn’t worth bringing up in and of itself. I, Ling Xiao, have already become apathetic these past two years and will not be bothered by anyone. But I will be so bold as to ask all esteemed Elders: if a younger generation of the Ling Family insults the Patriarch, what should be his crime?”
Ling Xiao’s solemn speech caused the many elders to cast an ineffable gaze one after another.
Eventually, Fourth Elder Ling Wei, the elder in charge of punishment, said, “For the crime of disrespecting the Patriarch as a younger generation of the Ling Family, the sentence is to abolish their xuan strength and be expelled from the Ling Family.”