Chapter 3 Teaching Servants
The ones at the gate were two men dressed in servant attire. Roughly twenty years old, one had pockmarks all over his face; the other’s nose was bent and unsightly. Both men have shifty eyes, appearing dishonest and deceitful—one look can make people feel uncomfortable.
These two men are called Pock and Dog Nose respectively; they are Ling Rui’s lapdogs, lapdogs that will bite.
The one that spoke earlier was Pock. He’s clutching a small bag in his hand, which he’s incessantly twirling, looking at Ling Xiao and his mother with disdain.
Ling Family’s finances are controlled by Fifth Elder. As Ling Family’s direct descendent, Ling Zhan’s immediate family ought to have a steward deliver last month’s stipend. With the arrival of the two lapdogs of the Fifth Elder’s grandson, it can clearly be seen that Ling Zhan’s immediate family was not respected by other members of the Ling Family.
“I’ll come and take it.” Meng Xi Yun hurriedly walked toward the two men.
Before Meng Xi Yun got near, Pock casually tossed the purse over.
Pock wanted to see Meng Xi Yun in distress because he had intentionally underthrow the purse to fall on the ground a meter in front of Meng Xi Yun.
Meng Xi Yun did not show any signs of displeasure, but slightly sped up her footsteps and was actually able to make the difficult catch and grasp the purse in hand.
Pock and Dog Nose were somewhat startled; they did not expect that this woman would be able to catch the purse.
Meng Xi Yun smiled and said, “Thank both of you for making the trip.” Weighing the purse in her hands, she quickly opened it and then faces the two men before asking, “My family’s monthly stipend should be thirty gold coins. Why is there only ten coins here?”
“Madame, did you think that we covet your gold coins? These coins were personally prepared by the treasurer. How about you go ask him and see for yourself.” Dog Nose raised his head and stuck his nose in the air as he retorted. His manner really does not resemble that of a servant, but resemble that of an aloof and remote personage.
The treasurer that Dog Nose spoke of is the Fifth Elder’s son and Ling Jian’s father, Ling Chong. Everyone in Ling Family knows that Ling Chong and Ling Zhan had been sworn enemies since childhood. Suggesting that Meng Xi Yun go look for Ling Chong is clearly Dog Nose’s attempt to use Ling Chong to pressure Meng Xi Yun.
“You! Forget about it. Just leave.” Meng Xi Yun said angrily. Holding on to the ten coins in her hand, she felt indignant in her heart. She wanted to use this month’s stipend to buy various supplements to nurse her son’s health. Without the twenty gold coins, there will be tough days ahead, since she will have to reserve a portion of the money for her husband Ling Zhan to buy alcohol.
Pock and Dog Nose were rather pleased with themselves, and was about to turn around and leave.
“Wait!” At this time, Ling Xiao came over and yelled.
“What do you need of me?” Pock turned his head to look at Ling Xiao contemptuously. He unexpectedly did not address Ling Xiao as young master but called him “you.” It can be seen that these servants follow after their masters in disrespecting Ling Zhan and his family.
“Take the twenty gold coins out, or do not even think of leaving here.” Ling Xiao said coldly. d.a.m.n. In any case, I’m still a young master of this family. I actually had to watch these two give me att.i.tude. It seems that in this continent, those without strength are even inferior to these lowly servants.
“Didn’t you hear what Dog Nose just said? If you have any questions regarding the twenty gold coins, you can go ahead and ask the treasurer, or…you can ask Young Master Rui. I just don’t know if you dare to go or not.” Pock said with a face of schadenfreude.
A few days earlier, Ling Xiao was beaten to within an inch of his life, all because Ling Xiao after Ling Rui insulted his parents and Ling Xiao tried to attack him. Pock and Dog Nose were present at that time. The two of them rely on their ident.i.ty as Ling Rui’s personal servants to be rampant, and showed even more disdain towards Ling Xiao.
“It seems like you two lapdogs won’t quit until you’ve sent the inside of a coffin.” Ling Xiao said solemnly.
Pock and Dog Nose showed no signs of fear. Although they are servants, the two of them are also fourth-rank martial apprentices. They could be considered experts compared to a cripple like Ling Xiao, so there was no reason for them to fear Ling Xiao.
“Forget it Xiao’er. Just let them go.” Meng Xi Yun said as she pulled on Ling Xiao’s hands. She was afraid that her son was acting too rashly and will get injured again. She did not want to see this situation.
“Rest a.s.sured mother. Just watch Xiao’er teach these two a lesson for you.” Ling Xiao broke away from Meng Xi Yun’s grasp and slowly walked towards Pock and Dog Nose.
“What do you want to do?” Pock slightly stepped back. Although they look down on Ling Zhan’s family, they don’t have the right to use violence against their superiors and didn’t dare to attack Ling Xiao. Ling Family’s customs are deep and strict; if it was discovered that a servant dared to disrespect a member of the Ling Family, the punishment could range from eviction to execution.
“On the count of three, bring the twenty gold coins to me and get lost.” Ling Xiao said loudly.
“We already explained that we don’t have the coins. If you have the ability, go and find the steward.” Dog Nose interrupted.
“Three.”
“Let’s go. Ignore him.” Pock pulled on Dog Nose and said.
“Two.”
The two men ignored Ling Xiao and turned away. Although they did not dare to raise their hands against their superior, but relying on their skils, they don’t believe Ling Xiao can do anything to them.
“Forget it, Xiao’er. Let’s go back.” Meng Xi Yun called out from behind.
“One. Three counts have pa.s.sed; both of you are dead.” Ling Xiao shouted and abruptly took a step forward, overtaking Pock and Dog Nose in a flash.
Both men were fourth-rank martial apprentices, so they both sensed Ling Xiao’s attack from behind and immediately separated to two sides.
“Flowing Water Element Cloud.” Ling Xiao used Cloud Parting Palm’s first form to strike towards Pock.
Pock was shocked. He did not expect Ling Xiao would attack so abruptly without warning and quickly tried to evade.
Unfortunately, Ling Xiao’s “Phantom Cloud Step” is extremely fast and isn’t something Pock can just avoid at will.
Ling Xiao’s palm landed heavily at the bridge of Pock’s nose.
“Kacha.”
“Ah.” The bridge of Pock’s nose was crushed by Ling Xiao’s palm, causing him to scream incessantly from the pain, blood spraying from his nose.
Ling Xiao saw Pock squatting down, and kicked at the hands covering his nose. Pock screamed again and then collapsed on the floor.
“You…you actually dared to hit people. Aren’t you afraid of Young Master Rui?” Dog Nose didn’t expect Pock would actually get beaten up by Falling Stone City’s number one cripple with just two moves. He quickly used his master’s ident.i.ty in an attempt to threaten Ling Xiao.
“Humph, I’ll find Ling Rui soon enough to settle my account with him. Right now, I’ll start by teaching you two blind servants a lesson.” Ling Xiao said coldly. Wind propagated from under his feet as he arrived in front of the still dazed Dog Nose. He raised his leg and directly kicked Dog Nose’s crotch.
Dog Nose gave a blood-curdling scream, holding his family jewels while hopping around in circles.
This kid is actually used such an underhanded move!
Ling Xiao only used three moves to make the two lose their fighting strength, and proceeded to mete out punishment for the two men.
“d.a.m.n servants, spit out the gold coins.” Ling Xiao grabbed Dog Nose’s collar and punched two consecutive times on Dog Nose’s eyes, immediately turning Dog Nose into a panda.
“I, I…” Dog Nose was about to speak.
Ling Xiao used both hands to hold him by the shoulders while simultaneously thrusting his knee up into Dog Nose’s recently injured groin.
Dog Nose did not even say a word before he directly fainted; his last conscious thought was that his bird eggs have been smashed.
Ling Xiao turned to glare at Pock.
Terrified, Pock immediately spoke out. “Young Master Xiao. There…there’s no need for violence. I’ll give you the twenty gold coins.”
“f.u.c.k your mother,” Ling Xiao cursed, stomping on Pock’s face.
“Pock’s pitiful nose was fractured again and again to the point where it could break no more. He cut a sorry figure with blood splattered across his whole face; the previous rampant behavior was nowhere to be seen.
Pock and Dog Nose pa.s.sed out. Ling Xiao searched their bodies for a while before taking out two purses. He did not even check how many coins there were before returning to the main gate.
Next to the gate, Meng Xi Yun wore a dumbstruck expression as she stared at her son’s display of unstoppable might. She found it hard to believe that her son had actually dispatched two fourth-rank martial apprentices in just a few strikes.
“Let’s go back mother. Don’t let these two dog-like servants defile your eyes.” Ling Xiao pulled Meng Xi Yun through the doorway before turning around and locking the main gate.
Ling Xiao stuffed one of the purses into Meng Xi Yun’s hands, then kept the other one and went directly back to his room.
Meng Xi Yun clutched the purse with both hands, still in a daze as she watched her son’s handsome yet slight figure disappear into the room.
Inside the room, Ling Xiao casually threw the purse aside. Both of his hands were trembling as he said, “d.a.m.n. Only two strikes and they already hurt. This body really is too weak. It’s fortunate that I gained the upper hand from striking first, or I may not have been able to deal with those two servant dogs.”
It had been part of Ling Xiao’s plan to attack just now. With just one meridian currently opened, his strength can only be considered ordinary, so he made the decision to strike first and specifically targeting the most vulnerable parts of his opponents.
The nose will always be fragile no matter who the person is. Even a martial artist won’t be able to stand a punch to the nose. That is why Pock was in so much pain from Ling Xiao’s two strikes that he was unable to hit back. Dog Nose was even more miserable. The groin is the most sensitive area for all men; Ling Xiao’s ruthless attack probably castrated him, with the intention of intimidating Pock. Although Pock’s nose was injured, Ling Xiao is not necessarily his opponent if he decides to fight. Fortunately, Pock did not dare to use violence against his superior and was also intimidated by Ling Xiao’s methods, which allowed Ling Xiao to subdue the two men in one fell swoop.
After the morning routine and tidying up the two servants, Ling Xiao’s entire body was soaked in sweat. He hurriedly prepared a tub of water to bathe.
After washing up, Ling Xiao began to meditate in the room, trying his utmost to open the second meridian as soon as possible. After the lesson he gave the two servant dogs, their master will certainly not let matters go. That is why he must seize every second of every minute. As long as he succeeds in opening all twelve primary meridians and consolidates his internal strength, he’s not afraid of the people coming to pick a fight.
Getting stronger is now his most important task!