Chapter 184: Chapter 161: Nobleman Li Fu
But this man, who he considered his greatest pillar of support, was now grievously injured. How could he not be sick with worry?
"Elder Peng, you’ve finally spoken. *Sigh*. I do want the throne, but if the price is you... I, Wutong... I would rather not have it!" The Second Prince, Li Wutong, spoke these words with natural sincerity. Lying on the bed, Elder Peng opened his eyes, a touch of emotion within them. No matter what kind of master you are, you always show a vulnerable side when injured. An expert of the Sword Sect like Elder Peng was no exception.
"Second Prince, you are too kind. I have always kept in my heart how you’ve treated me over the years. It’s just... this time, I’ve been thoroughly disgraced. I don’t know how to even begin."
Li Wutong said grimly, "Elder Peng, please don’t force yourself if you don’t wish to speak. An expert capable of injuring you must be..."
Before Li Wutong could finish, Elder Peng shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "If I had lost to a Martial Artist of the same rank, I would have nothing to say. But the thing is... I was wounded this badly by a single sword strike from that Ling Xiao. It’s... it’s too humiliating to even mention!"
"What? You mean... Ling Xiao? That boy? Tianluo’s classmate? The Lord?" Li Wutong stammered, utterly dumbfounded.
Elder Peng sighed and nodded.
Li Wutong finally snapped out of it, shaking his head frantically, his face a mask of disbelief. "How is that possible? Elder Peng, you can’t be serious. That boy, even if he gave it his all, wouldn’t have the cultivation of a Mad Sword Master. To you, he’s less than an ant! You could crush him with a single gesture. I only asked you to go and give him a scare, but this... this is just too hard to believe."
Helplessness was etched on Elder Peng’s weathered, deeply lined face, and his eyes were filled with bewilderment. "It’s not just you who can’t believe it. To be honest, I find it incredible myself. That boy is clearly only sixteen or seventeen. How could he injure me with a single strike? That sword technique... it was the most powerful I have ever seen in my life! Even though there are experts like Sword Emperors and Sword Venerables in the family, I believe even their attacks would be on par with that, at best! For such a move to be unleashed by a mere boy... I still can’t wrap my head around it. In fact... I’d rather believe what I saw was an illusion," Elder Peng said with a bitter smile.
Li Wutong was utterly aghast. His earlier doubt had been a purely subconscious reaction. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Elder Peng; it was that his words were simply too much to accept!
"Could it be... that the boy used some kind of Secret Technique? One that can drastically increase his strength for a short period, allowing him to unleash one all-out attack?" Li Wutong said, composing himself.
Elder Peng pondered for a moment, then said, "I believe that in a moment of crisis, a person can unleash latent potential several times their normal strength. But a Secret Technique like the one that boy, Ling Xiao, used? I’ve never heard of anything like it."
"Regardless, we can still consider this a success. Elder Peng, just focus on your recovery. At the very least, this incident should be enough to give my dear brother, the Crown Prince, a massive headache. Heh, after hiding my true strength for so many years, it’s about time I showed him what I’m capable of. Once he learns I have an expert of the Sword Sect by my side... Elder Peng, don’t you think my beloved brother will have a few sleepless nights?"
Elder Peng nodded lightly. "Perhaps that’s our only gain from this. Ling Xiao is probably already plotting his revenge against the Crown Prince. And the Crown Prince will have no way to defend himself, because he did, in fact, hire those pathetic Mercenaries. Hmph. Speaking of which, he really underestimated Ling Xiao’s power. Never mind anyone else—just Ling Xiao’s butler, that Demon Sword Master... Oh, he looks like an old man now, but he was just a boy following that young fellow Qiu Chen back in the day. He alone would have been more than enough for those Mercenaries to handle."
Li Wutong sneered. "My brother isn’t a complete fool. He knew that no matter the cost, as long as Ling Xiao died in our territory, it would be his victory. He just never expected that I would have my own people near him, allowing us to jump in and stir the pot. *Sigh*... The only miscalculation was your injury, Elder Peng. I truly never imagined Ling Xiao possessed such power. It seems we need to change our approach toward him and the Ling Family. I should have Tianluo make a trip to Penzes City. What are your thoughts, Elder Peng?"
Elder Peng chuckled softly. "Your Highness should do as you see fit. I’m an old man who has lived for many years; is there anything I can’t let go of? Your Highness’s great cause is all that matters!"
Li Wutong gave Elder Peng a deep bow and said, "Then please rest and recover, Elder Peng. I’ve already sent men to acquire the finest Top-Grade Spirit Medicine! I will make sure you recover as quickly as possible!"
As Li Wutong walked out the door, his expression had already turned grim. Just then, a soldier approached and whispered a few words in his ear. Li Wutong’s face changed in an instant. His thick eyebrows shot up, and he waved the soldier away before muttering to himself, ’Such audacity. He even used this as a chance to take care of those three noble families. Ling Xiao, I keep raising my estimation of you, yet you still manage to surprise me this much. What will it take to get you on my side?’
...
Inside the Penzes City Administrative Hall, the Secretary, Li Fu, wore a brand-new uniform. It was the standard attire for all Penzes City officials, and it made him look exceptionally sharp. When he walked down the street, people would cast envious glances his way—a feeling Li Fu had never experienced before. His hair was impeccably styled, his fingernails were perfectly clean, and his overall appearance was one of elegance and grace. ’With a look like this,’ Li Fu thought confidently, ’I bet a lot of noble ladies would scream if I walked past them!’
He had heard early this morning about the slaughter that had sent the entire city into an uproar last night, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. He thought the perpetrators must have been insane to go on a robbing spree during such a major festival. However, it had nothing to do with him. The Blast Flame Lion King festival wasn’t his concern, and neither were the three great noble families of Penzes City. All Li Fu cared about was whether he could truly earn Viscount Lingxiao’s favor and secure a permanent position for himself here.
A sudden clamor from outside interrupted Li Fu’s train of thought, much to his annoyance. He walked to the door, opened it, and asked with a frown, "What is all this commotion?"
"Issue us the necessary documents at once! We’re going to the Imperial Capital to seek an audience with His Majesty the King!"
A man weighing well over three hundred pounds, a veritable mountain of moving flesh, lumbered toward Li Fu. His voice was a thunderous boom that made Li Fu’s ears ache. Frowning, Li Fu glanced at the large man and asked, "And who might you be? Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you not aware that this is the Administrative Hall?"
"Who do you think you are? Go get your City Lord, Mo Qing! Otherwise, you’ll be in for more trouble than you can handle!"
All three men had become haggard overnight, appearing much older than they were. It was Cui Ze who bellowed at Li Fu, his face contorted with rage.
"Insolence! I am the Secretary, personally appointed by the Lord of Penzes City! And who are you? How dare you disrespect me! Disrespecting me is the same as disrespecting the Lord himself! You... Apologize to me at once!"
Li Fu shouted at the three men, his face a mask of righteous indignation.
The three Patriarchs had brought attendants with them, who were not about to stand for this. Their families had suffered a massive disaster, and the fury pent up inside them was enough to burn down a mountain. Seeing a mere Secretary dare to block their path, one of the attendants immediately began to curse, "You must have a death wish! Do you have any idea who these three men are? Have you heard of the three great noble families of Penzes City? Even your Lord City Lord has to be respectful to our masters! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Hearing this, Li Fu flew into a rage.
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There’s one more Chapter, but... read it tomorrow, it will be very late. (To be continued. If you wish to know what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com for more Chapters and to support the author and authentic reading!)
