Chapter 53: Showing Off One's Skills
At Xiyu Manor, Ling Xueyan held a funeral for her father, Ling Beixiao.
As the young emperor entered the mourning hall, Ling Xueyan rose and respectfully greeted him, "Young Emperor."
The young emperor lit an incense stick and said calmly, "If I remember correctly, you should have an elder brother. Where is he?" As he spoke, he walked to the coffin.
Ling Xueyan feigned sadness and said softly, "My father's sudden passing was too much for my brother to bear, so he left the manor to find the woman in white and seek revenge."
Young Emperor: "If he really acts impulsively, even your father was defeated by him, so what can he possibly do to blame?"
Ling Xueyan: "My brother is stubborn and my attempts to persuade him are useless. My father's funeral is imminent, and I can't just abandon him. I can only let him go."
Young Emperor: "I am acting on the orders of the Brahma Emperor to open the coffin for examination. I apologize for any offense I may have caused."
Ling Xueyan: "Young Emperor, please proceed."
The young emperor pushed open the coffin lid and saw that the person inside had white hair and a wrinkled face. He picked up both hands and examined them, finding no trace of a sword grip. Then, he closed the coffin lid.
The young emperor said calmly, "Miss Ling, please accept my condolences."
Ling Xueyan: "Thank you, Young Emperor."
After the young emperor left, Ling Xueyan secretly rejoiced that she had gotten away with it.
Xiaoyao Lang and Yu Linglong arrived at Baiyun City, but after walking for a long time, they did not see a single person. The city was quiet and desolate.
Xiaoyao Lang: "Where is this place? It's completely silent; you can't even see a single bird."
Yu Linglong replied calmly from inside the carriage, "It is Baiyun City. It used to be a bustling town. I never imagined it would become like this."
Xiaoyao Lang: "There's no inn either, what should we do now?"
Yu Linglong: "Then let's continue on our journey. We'll spend the night in the wilderness and arrive at Shanshui City in Dongyue the day after tomorrow."
Xiaoyao Lang sighed, "Alright, but I'm sorry to have troubled you!" He then urged his horse forward.
Yu Linglong smiled slightly after hearing this, but did not reply.
Two quarters of an hour later, the two drove their carriage out of the eastern city and onto the main road through the woods. Suddenly, a dozen or so middle-aged men emerged from the trees, carrying various weapons such as knives, forks, swords, and hammers, blocking their path menacingly. They appeared to be a group of bandits.
Two fine horses were startled by the sound of approaching. Seeing this, Xiaoyao Lang gripped his Black Remnant Sword, his heart filled with worry. Yu Linglong lifted the curtain and peeked out, seeing only a group of bandits, but ignored them.
"Boy! What's on the carriage? Lift it up and take a look!" The burly man, holding a large knife in his right hand and carrying it on his shoulder, walked arrogantly toward Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang jumped off the carriage and said with a smile, "It's nothing, just a relative! Please let me pass!"
The burly man laughed and said, "Relatives? Could it be some kind of treasure? It's not hard to get there, let me take a look first!" As he spoke, he stepped forward to lift the curtain.
Xiaoyao Lang blocked with his sword, coldly saying, "Such rudeness... my sword is cruel!"
The man sneered, "Oh ho! You look so fair and clean, yet you want to fight us!" As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people behind him, holding weapons, immediately stepped forward and glared angrily at Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang thought to himself, "How could the bandits let this go? This battle is inevitable. I might as well strike first."
With his mind made up, Wu Canjian swiftly drew his sword, and with a single, sweeping motion, the burly man's throat was slashed before he could react, and he fell to the ground dead.
Seeing this, the crowd rushed forward with their weapons. Facing these people with chaotic footwork and mediocre moves, Xiaoyao Lang killed them with ease, and in a short while, seven or eight of them had fallen to the ground.
Just as everyone trembled with fear, a figure slowly descended from the sky above the forest. The person was shrouded in black, wore a mask, and landed forcefully. Beneath the mask, he gave a cold glance, then unleashed his inner energy and launched a domineering attack on Xiaoyao Lang.
Seeing this, Xiaoyao Lang hurriedly swung his sword to meet the attack, but his swords, whether slashing or thrusting, could not get close to the attacker.
The man's moves were swift and sudden. He counterattacked, his left palm deflecting Xiaoyao Lang's blade, and his right palm striking Xiaoyao Lang's chest. Xiaoyao Lang staggered back several steps, coughing up blood. Before Xiaoyao Lang could catch his breath, the man attacked again. Xiaoyao Lang swung his sword to block, but the masked man suddenly raised his left hand, intercepted Xiaoyao Lang's wrist, and twisted it forcefully. His right hand then swung, sending Wu Can's sword piercing a nearby tree trunk, embedding it more than three inches deep. The masked man then sprang to the side, delivering two more kicks to Xiaoyao Lang's chest.
The force of the blow sent Xiaoyao Lang flying several feet away. He crashed to the ground, spitting out two more mouthfuls of blood. Xiaoyao Lang barely managed to stand up and took a few steps to reach for his sword. The masked man then leaped into the air, preparing to strike Xiaoyao Lang again.
Just then, the jade-like silk ribbon shot out from behind the curtain, striking the masked man in mid-air. The masked man was startled and flipped backward in mid-air. The ribbon struck the trunk of a tree, which was as thick as a thigh, and instantly snapped in two.
Xiaoyao Lang stared blankly, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Yu Linglong, inside the carriage, launched herself horizontally with an arrow flying out, her graceful figure displaying remarkable charm. She then stepped diagonally across a tree trunk, and in a swift turn, her silk ribbon struck the masked man again. The masked man leaped away, dodging the arrow. The ribbon struck the ground with a thunderous crash, sending leaves flying.
Seeing this, the masked man decided to attack Yu Linglong. He unleashed a palm strike in mid-air, aiming directly at her. Yu Linglong countered with her silk ribbons, and the two forces collided and neutralized each other. The masked man launched a rapid palm attack, but every move was blocked by Yu Linglong. Fearing for Xiaoyao Lang's injury, Yu Linglong quickened her silk ribbon attacks, increasing the force of her strikes, leaving severe damage wherever she landed.
Xiaoyao Lang looked at Yu Linglong and chuckled to himself. He had wanted to protect her wholeheartedly, but now he had to be protected by her.
The masked man felt the pressure and gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. He then channeled all his inner energy and unleashed a powerful strike. Seeing this, Yu Linglong remained calm and unfazed, retracting her silk ribbons to her left and right. Then, she gently raised her right hand, channeled her inner energy in mid-air, and launched a powerful counterattack.
The two clashed violently, sending the masked man flying backward and crashing into a tree, severely injured and unable to get up. Yu Linglong landed slowly with her graceful figure, her willow-browed eyes coldly fixed on the others, who, seeing this, rolled away and fled.
Yu Linglong gracefully walked up to Xiaoyao Lang, channeled her energy into her right palm, and her righteous energy flowed directly into his internal organs. In a short while, she had healed Xiaoyao Lang's injuries.
Yu Linglong said softly, "Are you feeling better now?"
Xiaoyao Lang said seriously, "Almost, but she still needs some support!" As he spoke, he leaned against Yu Linglong's chest.
Seeing this, Yu Linglong turned to the side and slowly stepped back into the carriage.
Looking at the voluptuous figure from behind, Xiaoyao Lang felt a surge of emotions.
Xiaoyao Lang continued driving the carriage, and asked leisurely, "Why did you lie to me?"
Yu Linglong said softly, "I have nothing to say."
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang smiled and said, "Then I'll escort you this far, is that alright?"
Yu Linglong hesitated for a moment, then said calmly, "Whatever. If you want to go back, then go."
The carefree man said leisurely, "You're really heartless!"
Yu Linglong sat quietly in the shed, without saying a word.
A short while later, Xiaoyao Lang rode his horse to a Maple Forest Inn. He got off the carriage and asked, "Innkeeper, do you have any rooms left?"
An old man came out from inside the door and said with a smile, "Yes, yes, yes! How many guests are there?"
Xiaoyao Lang: "Gentlemen, I need two superior guest rooms, and they must be excellent!"
The old man chuckled, "Don't worry, sir, I guarantee you'll be satisfied with your stay!"
At this moment, Yu Linglong got out of the car and said softly, "Why two rooms? One is enough."
The old man stared blankly at it, his face turning dazed.
Xiaoyao Lang glanced at Yu Linglong, then said to the shopkeeper, "Then let's have one room!"
The old shopkeeper snapped out of his daze and said with a smile, "A superior room, fifteen copper coins!"
Xiaoyao Lang crossed his arms, glared at the old man, and laughed, "Old man, this is double the price!"
The old man chuckled, “Didn’t you notice along the way, sir? The entire White Cloud City is in complete chaos. In the past, there was only one city lord, Yin Qianqiu, but now it has been divided into several parts. Our area belongs to the Yongle Gang, which is why we are able to stay in this corner and do business.”
Xiaoyao Lang nodded and said, "Indeed, I'll trust you this once! Here's the money! And while you're at it, get us a few side dishes!" He then tossed out a small string of copper coins.
The old shopkeeper took the money and smiled, "No problem, sirs, I'll take you upstairs!" The old man called into the shop, "Aniu, quickly pull the guests' carriage to the backyard."
...
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