Chapter 7 Bai Yu Xi
News of Ling Xiao’s battle in the city street quickly spread like the plague.
He had previously been a prodigal son of Falling Stone City, like the rising sun!
He had previously been turned into a cripple overnight, like a comet falling from the sky!
Regardless of his previous fame from his glory or his present obscurity from his disgrace, he had once again become the focus of Falling Stone City.
In the Li Family residence located in the northern part of the city, Li Guang Yin is kneeling in front of his father, not daring to lift his arrogant head.
The dignified middle-aged man standing at the front of the main hall is his father, Li Yuan Hua. He is an intermediate-level xuan warrior and the second son of the Li Family’s patriarch. The youth sitting to his right and somewhat resemble Li Guang Yin is Li Guang Yin’s elder brother from another mother, Li Guang Han. He’s a high-rank xuan pract.i.tioner and considered an outstanding talent among peers of the same generation. Many believe that he would take no more than two years to break through into the ranks of xuan warrior powerhouses.
Li Yuan Hua asked indifferently, “You are certain that it was Ling Family’s Ling Xiao that beat up? The Ling Xiao, who alongside his father Ling Zhan, is known as the “Crippled Father and Son” for not being able to practice martial arts?”
Li Guang Yin nodded and said, “Dad, what I said is the truth. That is definitely Ling Xiao. Xiao Gui Zi can testify on my behalf.”
Li Yuan Hua turned toward his eldest son and said, “Guang Han, what do you think?”
Li Guang Han said, “I feel that second brother’s words should be right.”
“Could it be that Ling Family used their decline in order to advance? Did they deliberately spreading rumors that Ling Xiao could no longer practice martial arts with the intention of lulling everyone into a false sense of security, so as to alay our fears of Ling Xiao and allow Ling Xiao to practice cultivation in peace?” Li Yuan Hua guessed.
Li Guang Han muttered to himself hesitantly, “I don’t think that is the case. Although this allows everyone to ignore Ling Xiao’s existence, it also hurts Ling Family’s reputation. The gains do not make up for the losses.”
Li Yuan Hua waves his hand and said, “The tree that rises above the forest will always be blown down. If Ling Xiao, this once in a hundred year talent, is allowed to properly cultivate, the loss of a little face is inconsequential. In case, in case Ling Xiao breaks through to the spirit master rank, how many people in Falling Stone City will be able to resist him at that time? This could be a huge boon for the Ling Family.”
“How about letting me test him first?” Li Guang Han asked.
“This should wait until I’ve consulted your grandfather before we come to a decision.” Li Yuan Hua mused. After that, he turned toward Li Guang Yin and scolded, “Trash. You have tarnished Li Family’s reputation. Go to the back of the mountain and ponder over your misdeeds. Do not take a half step outside for one month.”
Li Guang Yin sighed in relief and sullenly said. “Yes, Dad.”
Ling Rui’s residence.
With his nose wrapped in white cloth, Pock was right in the middle of giving Ling Rui a lively account of today’s event.
After listening, Ling Rui frowned in contemplation. After a while, he waved his hand to signal Pock to withdraw and then left the room
He arrived outside a room in the east wing and knocked on the door.
“Come in…” A faint voice was heard from inside.
A middle-aged man dressed in a long, green gown was sitting inside. His forehead is slightly protruding and his face is gaunt, but it was the pair of eagle eyes that caused people to shiver. He was holding a book in his hand, looking calm and indifferent.
“Father.” Ling Rui greeted with a bow.
The middle-aged man in front of Ling Rui is his father, Ling Chong. Having reached the peak intermediate-level xuan warrior cultivation, he only needs to cultivate a year and will definitely be able to make a break through into high-rank xuan warrior.
“Rui’er, what happened?” Ling Chong continued reading as he asked.
“I have something to report.” Ling Rui said.
“Let me hear it.” Ling Chong put down the book and looked directly at Ling Rui.
After that, Ling Rui described in detail the earlier incident in which Ling Xiao beat up Pock and Dog Nose, and today’s incident in which Ling Xiao beat up Li Guang Yin and his gang at the market.
After hearing his son’s report, Ling Chong frowned and waved his hand. “Okay, I understand. You first go out. Do not go find trouble for Ling Xiao before the family test.”
Ling Rui respectfully complied and then withdrew from the room.
Not long after, Ling Chong exited the room and, with a flash, headed in the direction of the family’s inner courtyard.
……
Ling Xiao was not aware of everyone’s reactions at this time. He returned home and greeted his parents before returning to his room to begin studying the Spirit Gra.s.s Record in earnest. As long as he masters the Spirit Gra.s.s Record and find a way to obtain some spirit gra.s.s, it can not only improve physical fitness and enhance strength, but he could also quietly ama.s.s a fortune and lead a simple and comfortable life.
For the next three days, Ling Xiao set aside two hours a day to read the book. The rest of the time was spent cultivating xuan strength and striving to break through the twelve primary meridians.
Three days later, Ling Xiao a.s.sailed one of the meridians once again, having already broken through seven of the meridians. At this rate, he can definitely open all twelve meridians and restore his martial physique. At that time, he’ll be able to store xuan strength in his dantian and cultivate the first stratum of Three Parts Return Yuan Qi. With his present talent, there is no question that he could cultivate to the seventh stratum like Xiong Ba. The eighth and ninth stratum also shouldn’t be a problem.
As he thought up to this point, Ling Xiao became especially excited. In this continent where might is respected and strength is king, he will be able to go anywhere he please, live a carefree life in a world of strife, and act according to his own creed. He won’t have to be confined to the same social conventions and restrictions from his previous life. He has the grandest dream of all mankind, “to have power in times of war, and women in times of peace.” He’s convinced that this is absolutely not just a dream in this place!
That morning, Ling Xiao finally finished reading most of the Spirit Gra.s.s Record. He did not expect that his memory would become so abnormal after he transmigrated. After reading the eight-centimeter thick book just once, he can unexpectedly remember seventy percent of the content. After a second read, the contents of the entire book had been indelibly imprinted on his mind.
Spirit Gra.s.s Record is useless now, so Ling Xiao casually tossed it toward the bedside and prepared to start meditation.
Knocks came through the door accompanied by the sound of his mother’s voice. “Xiao’er, there’s someone outside looking for you.”
Ling Xiao was very confused, went out of the room and asked, “Mother, who’s looking for me?” He searched his memory; he was originally a cultivating madman and had no friends. He really can not figure out who will come looking for him.
Meng Xi Yun looked at her son whose health seems to be gradually improving with a satisfied smile, and then said, “A young lady is waiting outside requesting to see you.”
“Young lady”” Ling Xiao was stunned for a moment before his face revealed a charming expression, doubt in his mind, “Is it her?”
Ling Xiao and Meng Xi Yun went to the main gate together.
They saw a simply dressed young girl standing awkwardly in front of the main entrance, both hands tightly clutching a bundle wrapped in cloth. Could she be the woman he rescued several days earlier at the market?
At present, she had simply bundled up her waterfall-like black hair. Her elegant countenance was surprisingly beautiful and touched by a hint of captivating red. She looked incredibly beautiful; she had long, shapely eyebrows, apricot eyes, jasper nose, and flawless red lips. Her shapely chest was like a flower bud waiting to bloom and can blossom at any time. Her slender waist leads to a round and perky round b.u.t.t and a pair of thin legs. She really appeared more graceful and charming.
As soon as the girl saw Ling Xiao, she immediately knelt down and respectfully said, “Indentured servant greets Young Master.”
Both Ling Xiao and Meng Xi Yun were dumbfounded.
Ling Xiao hurried over to help the girl up but asked Meng Xi Yun to help at the last moment.
Meng Xi Yun stepped forward and helped the girl stand up. “Young lady, stand up first and speak.”
The girl is still kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise.
“Whatever you have to say, you don’t need to kneel like this.” Ling Xiao said annoyed. He is now thoroughly confused and doesn’t understand what is going on with this girl.
The girl listened to Ling Xiao’s words and complied, “Yes, Young Master,” before slowly standing up.
“Come, whatever you have to say can wait until we are inside.” Meng Xi Yun looked her up and down, a brilliant smile on her face showing her approval of the girl—she felt having her as daughter-in-law would not wrong her son.
Returning to back to the hall, Meng Xi Yun and Ling Xiao sat down, but the woman refused to sit and just stood by Ling Xiao’s side.
At this time, Ling Xiao spoke, “Go sit down.”
“Indentured servant must not,” the girl slightly shook her head.
Ling Xiao was speechless. This woman genuinely considers herself his servant girl.
“What’s your name?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Indentured servant is called Bai Yu Xi,” the girl replied.
“Yu Xi, light rain provokes pity. It’s a lovely name, actually describes you quite well.” Ling Xiao lighly chuckled and said, pausing for a moment before continuing, “Yu Xi Xiao…Miss Yu Xi, I just didn’t like Li Guang Yin’s foul conduct that day so I decided to teach him a lesson. Honestly, I never intended to save you, so you don’t have to take it to heart. Granted what happened that day, you still don’t have to be my indentured servant, not to mention the money wasn’t mine. If you want to repay me, why don’t the two of us just be good friends? What do you say?
Ling Xiao just finished, Bai Yu Xi knelt down once again, lightly sobbing and said, “Yu Xi has already established a serious vow to become servant or slave for whoever would help me bury my mother. If the young master insists that he don’t want me as a indentured servant, then…I can only commit suicide to repay young master’s kindness.”
“This…this woman. What a bulls.h.i.t vow. Isn’t it a good thing that I don’t want you to work as my indentured servant? We can be friends, be on equal footing, chatting, and find one’s…find good martial arts friends.” Ling Xiao is really dumbfounded by this girl’s stubbornness and had no choice but to explain himself, almost saying “find one’s life,” but fortunately changed his mind in time.
After Bai Yu Xi listened to Ling Xiao’s words, actually did not speak, but kept crying with sadness.
Ling Xiao had to turn to his mother again.
“Xiao’er, exactly what is this all about? Tell your mother.” Meng Xi Yun did not understand the relationship between the two, baffled by everything she’s heard.
Hence, Ling Xiao gave a straightforward summary of what happened, basically stating that he had casually helped Bai Yu Xi once, and Bai Yu Xi has now come to fulfill her vow to work as his indentured servant.
Ling Xiao could not help but to say in his heart, “Could it be that I just have rotten luck? A random beauty falls for me, but I still manage to end up with the short end of the stick?
Meng Xi Yun finally understood, so she turned toward Bai Yu Xi and said, “Young lady, do you intend to follow Xiao’er for life?
Bai Yu Xi nodded her head resolutely, “Yes Madam. I’m willing to devote the rest of my life to Young Master. I’ll never back out whether I will be a servant or slave, or worked incredibly hard.”
“Very well, I’ll accept you on behalf of Xiao’er. You will be a member of my Ling Family from now on, but not as an indentured servant, but as my adopted daughter. Are you willing?” Meng Xi Yun took Bai Yu Xi’s hands and kindly said.
“Adopted daughter?” Ling Xiao and Bai Yu Xi were both shocked.