Chapter 297: Chapter 239: A New Legendary Era
"Greetings, Father!" Ling Xiao and his sister, Ling Su, bowed to Ling Tianxiao. Song Mingyue and Tiger had already been led away to rest.
Although Ling Tianxiao was stationed with the army, news of events in the Imperial Capital and the south had still reached his ears. It would have been a lie to say he wasn’t worried. He was especially incensed when he recently learned that his eldest daughter, Ling Su, had been kidnapped by a prominent family from the Zichuan Empire. The hot-tempered Ling Tianxiao had nearly led his entire army to storm their gates.
Fortunately, the sliver of reason he had left told Ling Tianxiao that while his own prowess made him a powerhouse in the Mortal World, in the eyes of the hidden families and sects, he was less than an ant. Any rash action would only lead his army into the shadow of death.
So, Ling Tianxiao diligently kept an eye on news from the Zichuan Empire. Just a day ago, he finally received a piece of information that thrilled him: the Zhe Family of Seven-colored City in the Zichuan Empire had suffered a great calamity! Their only son, Zhe Xiaoxing, was killed, and over ten Demon Sword Master level experts had fallen at the same time! News like this was nothing short of sensational.
Word even came from his spies that the Zichuan Empire’s general on the border, Zhe Jianzhong, had secretly left his main camp the previous night to head for the Zhe Family’s residence in Seven-colored City.
Ling Tianxiao felt a mix of joy and worry. He also came to a clear realization: regardless of whether his son had been accepted as a disciple by a hidden family or had a miraculous encounter, Ling Xiao was no longer the boy he once was. His third son had become a true... overlord, possessing the strength to dominate an entire region!
That’s right! An overlord!
Ling Tianxiao had learned from his spies about the massive changes in the southern city of Penzes, which had particularly shocked him. ’What is Ling Xiao thinking?’ he wondered. ’Is he trying to establish his own kingdom? To build a city of that scale in his own fiefdom! It even surpasses the Imperial Capital!’
Although one could do as they pleased within their own fiefdom, there were limits. It wouldn’t do to be so ostentatious as to arouse His Majesty the King’s suspicion. Ling Tianxiao had originally planned to have a word with Ling Xiao about it, but then he received a letter from his wife in the Imperial Capital.
After reading the letter, Ling Tianxiao was silent for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh, lamenting that he was getting old. So many people had changed. He no longer had any interest in criticizing Ling Xiao’s actions.
Now, seeing his son and daughter safe and sound, Ling Tianxiao’s excitement was undeniable.
"Quick, sit down, sit down." A rare hint of emotion showed on Ling Tianxiao’s face, and his voice trembled slightly. A soldier brought tea after Ling Xiao and Ling Su were seated, and Ling Tianxiao immediately asked impatiently, "Tell me, quickly, how did you two escape? That only son of the Zhe Family... did you kill him? Or were you framed by someone else?"
Ling Su had seen with her own eyes as her brother cut Zhe Xiaoxing down with a single sword strike. Hearing her father’s question, she recounted everything: finding the ancient ruins, the conflict that erupted within her team, being hunted down, and then being "rescued" by the Zhe Family Patriarch, Zhe Jianye... as well as all that followed. As Ling Su’s story slowly unfolded, Ling Tianxiao’s expression flickered between astonishment, worry, excitement, and pure rage.
When Ling Su finished, Ling Tianxiao sat in silence for a long, long time. Finally, he lifted his head, his gaze on Ling Xiao complex, and said in a deep voice, "My son, you’ve grown up!"
He continued, "You did the right thing! A man ought to live like that—repaying kindness and taking vengeance without hesitation. The Zhe Family? The hidden families and sects? So what! We of the Ling Family are a tenacious bunch! If they want us to yield, they can dream on! Life is precious, true, but what’s more important than life is integrity! If a man has no backbone, then even if he lives for a thousand years and cultivates to the level of a Sword Saint, he’s still nothing but trash!"
Ling Tianxiao declared with hearty bravado, then looked at Ling Xiao. "The Zhe Family is indeed powerful. Do you have a plan to deal with them?"
Ling Xiao’s eyes flickered. "Among the hidden families, my relationship with the Sea Domain Song Family is the strongest. Because... well, the daughter of their main lineage, the one who came here with me... she’s... she’s my woman. Moreover, the Song Family also has a Sword Emperor Level Martial Artist waiting for me to find the medicinal ingredients to cure him. So, if anyone threatens me, they won’t just sit by and watch."
As Ling Xiao said Song Mingyue was his woman, he blushed slightly. After all, he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed admitting such a thing in front of his father.
Ling Tianxiao stared at Ling Xiao with a burning intensity. "I heard that the Sea Domain Song Family sent two Sword Emperor Level Martial Artists to guard your fiefdom. Is that true?"
Ling Xiao didn’t ask how his father had heard. Though he hadn’t announced it publicly, it wouldn’t be difficult for someone with Ling Tianxiao’s connections and information network to find out. Besides, Ling Xiao hadn’t made any special effort to hide it.
Nodding, Ling Xiao chuckled. "It is true. So, when it comes to security, Father, you can rest assured. I’ve heard the Zhe Family’s power is immense, but we aren’t afraid of them!"
Ling Tianxiao nodded. "I’m getting old. The future belongs to your generation! Besides, I’m sure you understand many things without me needing to say them. Yes... I am very pleased!"
Ling Su’s eyes reddened. "What are you saying, Father? Don’t talk like that anymore. Third Brother said he has Elixirs that can improve one’s strength. I’m sure that with your talent, you can definitely achieve another breakthrough!"
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