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Chapter 414: JingLei's Worries
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
DongFang JingLei stood up, placing his hands behind his back as he spoke, "Have you ever seen a child like him, knowing how to endure and be patient? This sort of camouflage, I dare say that even a seasoned wily veteran might not be able to pull it off better than him! Furthermore, he actually hid himself for more than a decade! He only burst out into the picture recently. However, since he had endured for so long, why would he then choose to reveal himself before all the heroes under the world? Why is that so?"
"Why is that so?" DongFang HuaHu stupidly repeated the last sentence, feeling at a loss.
"This was because during the years he was hidden, he had slowly accumulated all his strength and finally had the guts to reveal himself! His abilities truly leave one in shock. Just look at the number of times he has escaped from Justice's hands. This is already enough to prove his capabilities!" DongFang JingLei's eyes shone. "With his current abilities, he would be overlooked so long as he did not expose himself, but when everyone converged in Sky Bearing, in order to have things going his way, how could he rely on his identity as the number one silkpants? As such, he could only take that chance to appear before everyone!"
"But revealing himself didn't give him any substantial benefits…" DongFang HuaHu asked in puzzlement.
"Stupid!" DongFang JingLei scolded, feeling angry that his subordinate did not live up to his expectations, "You don't have your own opinions? Ever since Ling Tian had revealed his strength, he managed to draw the attention of everyone under the sky! Every major power began to move based on his actions, and start to pick against him. Be it the Northern Wei, the Yu, Sky Bearing, Western Han as well as the Xiao family and us, everyone felt the danger that Ling Tian could pose, and all wanted to get rid of this threat before he was fully grown. That's what led to this fluctuation of chaos!"
"But all this has no benefits to Ling Tian at all! This only created so many enemies for him…." DongFang HuaHu got more and more muddled.
"Are you dumb? If Ling Tian diverts all the attention to himself, then wouldn't the military might under him be able to successfully hide? They can do anything they want, and whatever ripples created by them will be completely covered by Ling Tian himself, and will not be linked to the Ling Family or to Ling Tian! This is the art of finding opportunity in danger! Ling Tian should have considered the possibilities, as well as made all the preparations. But the only thing that Ling Tian did not take into consideration was that the crown prince of Northern Wei would be such an idiot, to activate the Martial Order Medallion just to kill Ling Tian. That thing was the last hope of the Northern Wei imperial court! This summons probably messed up all of Ling Tian's plans. If no one takes this chance to kill Ling Tian, and he is even allowed to survive, there will be no one left to control him in the future! Of course, the Northern Wei also had to pay to respective price, which was the complete annihilation of their clan!
DongFang HuaHu suddenly had an inspiration and suggested, "Then we could take this time to completely annihilate the hidden forces of Ling Tian so that even if he manages to survive, he would still only be a solitary figure, unable to create any waves."
"What you can think of, do you think that my elder brother and I haven't considered? If we knew where his hidden forces were located, why would we still need to run for over a thousand miles to camp out here? The Ling Family Courtyard is being eyed upon by countless eyes, but until the death notice of Ling Tian is announced, no one would dare to make a move on them! HuaHu, while your martial skills are great, your mind is too inflexible!" DongFang JingLei let out a bitter laugh.
"Then why not make a move towards the Ling Family Courtyard? Could there be a scheme inside this?" DongFang HuaHu replied in an unconvinced tone.
"Ling Tian's capabilities are a profound mystery, far surpassing any ordinary expert. Just look at XiMen Qing, he had only wished to dip his finger into Sky Bearing's affairs, but he was fully shamed in front of everyone! Furthermore, Northern Wei mobilized a 400,000 strong army, together with Western Han and the Imperial Family of Sky Bearing to destroy the Ling Family, but what happened in the end? Ling Tian only needed a small squad to rout the tens of thousands of troops!"
"Do you know in the war between Northern Wei and Sky Bearing how the Northern Wei lost in the end?" DongFang JingLei's usually calm eyes revealed a rare flicker of fear, "It was towards the end of the war, when Ling Tian rode over on horseback. There was suddenly a group of people with mysterious strengths coming in from all angles, routing and throwing the entire camp into disarray, finally ending with their defeat! I ask you, Ling Tian only came with a few of his men at first, so where did the rest of the group come from? And where did they run off too?"
"This…"
"Just the war at Northern Wei already showcased tens of elite soldiers belonging to Ling Tian! Because of the pressing situation at hand, Ling Tian had no opportunity to transfer his soldiers from other places. If that's the case, I can confirm that the dozens of soldiers he employed were just a small portion of his overall forces. Then, where else are the rest? Are there any near Western Han? Near our area? Even more urgently, are there any spies in our family? Who can confirm this fact?"
"This… even if Ling Tian possesses a strong military might, we can also consider attacking his family! Without his family's help, Ling Tian would no doubt receive a tremendous blow! While they might be one of the Eight Great Families, they're after all nouveau riche, and not a real powerhouse. Their strength is definitely limited compared to ours!" DongFang HuaHu replied.
"Sigh, if your argument was presented a decade ago, or even five years ago, it might have been viewed as a feasible option. However, right now this situation is a matter of the past, just like how the blue sea has already turned into mulberry fields! 1 The Ling Family currently cannot be compared to their past. Let's first touch on the people inside the Ling Family. Old Madam Ling is not only shrewd and with deep foresight, she is also ruthlessly decisive with her abilities being not a whit less than any famously capable person! And Ling Zhan has gotten even more sturdy over the years, with an iron will. As for Ling Xiao, although he was betrayed by his own monarch and suffered a great defeat, he is still the War Deity of Sky Bearing with a huge reputation behind him. The three people I talked about might be thorny people, but we still can deal with them. However, the most troublesome one is the fourth Ling person in the family! Do you know who that is?!" DongFang JingLei questioned.
"There seems to be no one else in the Ling Family who has influence!" DongFang HuaHu replied cautiously.
"After the Northern Wei Crown Prince attempted to have Ling Tian hunted down, the entire Royal Family of Northern Wei was annihilated by a mysterious power! It was rumored to be the assassin group the 'First Pavilion', which had been dormant for quite a long time. While people believe the First Pavilion to be in the employ of the Yu Family, I ask you, with the power of the Yu Family, would they require an external source to act for them against an already declining Northern Wei Royal Family? Furthermore, the Yu Family is the local tyrant in that area, so why would they need to spend money to ask an outsider to act for them? The behavior of the First Pavilion cannot be separated from the Ling Family!"
DongFang JingLei continued, "This is, in fact, the Ling Family's revenge! All the major powers know this, but until Ling Tian dies, no one will step up and speak a word about the Northern Wei Imperial Family! However, within this, there's still a hidden element!"
"What hidden element? The revenge of the Ling Family on Northern Wei is actually a justifiable matter!" DongFang HuaHua exclaimed.
"The fact that it was the First Pavilion who annihilated the Northern Wei Royal Family goes without question. But the main problem is, while their efficiency is high, so are their fees! Just how much money is needed to annihilate the imperial family of a country?!" DongFang JingLei shivered as he deduced.
"Isn't it just money? To get their revenge, the Ling Family would care less about their riches!" HuaHu argued.
"You still don't understand what I'm getting at. In order for the Ling Family to fork out the money needed for the First Pavilion to wipe out an entire imperial family, what kind of riches do they have?!" JingLei reiterated.
"So what if they have a lot of money?" HuaHu was even more confused now.
"Riches can enslave ghosts and can also attract gods; the fourth person with influence in the house is the Fortune Deity of Sky Bearing, Ling Xiao's wife and Ling Tian's mother, Chu Ting'er! Only she has that ability and the resources. After managing the Ling's foreign markets for a decade she actually can draw even with the number one financial magnate, the Xiao Family! If this event was orchestrated by her, who dares guarantee that she will not do it a second time? Now that Ling Tian has not died, to further provoke the Ling Family, who can guarantee that they will not end up in a similar situation as the Northern Wei Imperial Family? What family would be able to receive such a disastrous revenge? Who would even want to receive it in the first place?!"
"This might not be the case. Second Master, isn't the Yu Family now inside Sky Bearing, busy dividing the power and influence of the Ling Family? They did not even take any action in response! If the Ling Family is really as what you have described, then wouldn't they have made a move by now?" DongFang HuaHu stammered out an excuse.
"Stupid! The Yu Family is relying on the pretext of marrying off their daughter to invade, and since Ling Tian has already accepted the marriage, they have to at least be harmonious on the surface! If the Ling Family were to revolt, then that would be their fault, and with the rallying power of the Yu Family, more than enough major powers would be justified to come over and annihilate the Ling Family! While the Ling Family has taken a great step forward in the last decade, when compared to a millennium old family like the Yu Family, they're still wholly inadequate! However, since Ling Tian has not made any move, the Ling Family are still the in-laws of the Yu Family! Thus, we cannot make any rash moves towards the Ling Family, for they're perfectly safe with the Yu Family residing in Sky Bearing as well!"
"This was a meticulous scheme created by that wily fox Yu ManLou, and while there's no obvious use in it now, when chaos strikes, the influence that the Yu Family has amassed in Sky Bearing would be the killing strike to Ling Tian's heart! I have to say, Yu ManLou is really cunning, indeed a senior to look up to!" DongFang JingLei sighed in praise.
Chapter 415: Helplessness of a Great Family
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
"However, the Yu Family doesn't dare to push the Ling Family into a corner either. If they were to force the Ling Family into dire straits and they break out into a fight, even if the Yu Family emerges victorious with their thousand years of foundation, a huge bulk of their strength would surely be destroyed. If that's the case, the Yu Family wouldn't have the strength to fight for hegemony in the world anymore. Thus, even if the Yu Family is acting without restraint in Sky Bearing and expanding their influence, they do not dare to make any rash moves towards the Ling Family Courtyard! As long as Ling Tian doesn't die, the situation in Sky Bearing will definitely be defused silently without any conflicts!"
"Currently, the attention of the world is focused here! The success and defeat of the Ling Family will also be determined here! The situation of the entire continent is going to be fully determined by Ling Tian! As long as Ling Tian is still around, he will be stationed in the center of the continent with a powerful force behind him, and no single power on the continent would dare to make any rash moves!"
"If Ling Tian dies, this powerful force behind him will be split into a few different fragments and will no longer be a cause for concern. HuaHu, if you don't believe what I have just said, you can just wait for the day Ling Tian dies. Western Han, Southern Zheng, the Wu Empire, and our Eastern Zhao have always been eyeing the Xiao Family. As long as Ling Tian dies, we would no longer have any apprehensions and would definitely make a move together! The whole world would definitely be split into many pieces the day Ling Tian dies, and the banners of war would be hoisted up in the sky!"
"How powerful!" DongFang HuaHu took in a breath of cold air, "If that's the case, isn't the peace of the entire world resting on the shoulders of this little brat? How unimaginable!"
"While it may be an exaggerated statement, it isn't without its truths!" DongFang JingLei said with consideration. "I originally intended to build a good relationship with Ling Tian so our DongFang Family would have a path of retreat! Even in the worst-case scenario, we would at least be able to ensure the survival of our descendants. However, our DongFang Family has been split up in the recent years with internal strife being a common occurrence. Even if our strength isn't weaker than any other family, our lack of unity has crippled our ability to vie for hegemony. I had already built secret ties with the three families that had the biggest chance for uniting the family, the Yu, Xiao, and Ling Family. But, the appearance of the Martial Order Medallion was something that I never expected and a huge miscalculation on my part! During this period of time, I analyzed the three families again and I realized something!"
DongFang JingLei said with a solemn expression, "From the previous actions of the three families, I realized that the other two may consider old friendships, but Ling Tian was someone who never would. He was an individual who showed no mercy in killing and had never shown mercy to anyone! Such a young little brat was actually the most frightening character to become a future monarch."
"If we can make use of this opportunity to get rid of Ling Tian and throw the continent into chaos, our DongFang Family will definitely be in a much safer position. If I can make use of the chaos to unify the strength of our DongFang Family, we will have a chance of emerging as the victors! Thus, I have no choice but to kill Ling Tian! After seeing the heaven defying abilities of Justice today, Ling Tian is dead for sure!"
On the outside a short 300 feet away from their tent, Ling Tian and Li Xue's figures were hidden in the shadows as they became one with the tree. Even if someone from the DongFang Family were to pass by this place, they would definitely not suspect two living beings right above their heads.
At the same time, DongFang JingLei's secret conversation had also been completely overheard!
However, the conversation between them had not stopped for a single moment. They were naturally compressing their voices into a line, and it was something that could only be done with an extremely profound inner qi!
Li Xue asked, "Tian'ge, DongFang JingLei's words have been heard by us. I wonder what you intend to do now? Are you really going to take action?!" From her words, it was obvious that this wise young lass already had other plans in her heart.
Ling Tian pondered for a moment before saying, "I originally intended to infiltrate the premises with our superior martial arts and kill DongFang JingLei in a swift stroke! I would then withdraw quickly without leaving a trace. As long as DongFang JingLei dies, the DongFang Family members gathered here would definitely be thrown into chaos and would no longer have the ability to create trouble with me. In fact, I can even find a chance to deal with the two ghostly fellows from the Yu Family as well. However, I am now in a slight dilemma. I never expected that there would be someone apart from the Yu and Xiao Family to have such a good foresight! DongFang JingLei had indeed intended to build good ties with me back then and he is truly a crafty individual!"
Ling Tian then shook his head before continuing, "Even if DongFang JingLei is frightening, he would not be able to create any trouble if I keep an eye on him. But if I can make use of the DongFang Family's internal strife, there may be an unexpected benefit. If DongFang JingLei were to die now, we would only be doing the DongFang Family a huge favor."
"That's right," Li Xue transmitted in agreement, "if DongFang JingLei were to die now, DongFang JingTian would surely be able to unite his family no matter how useless he is. If DongFang JingLei dies, although the strength of the DongFang Family would be weakened on the surface, they would be far more united than before. As long as DongFang JingTian can rope in all of DongFang JingLei's close aides, the strength of the DongFang Family would surely soar. If we allow DongFang JingLei to return alive, we will be ensuring that the DongFang Family remains chaotic and it would be akin to us sowing discord within the family and allowing them to fight to their deaths! Furthermore, that DongFang JingLei is a wise individual who has great foresight and knows when to advance or retreat. If we can bring him over to our side, he will be a huge aid for sure!"
"Younger sister Xue'er does indeed understand the conflicts within a family." Ling Tian chuckled and said meaningfully. At the same time, a cold glare flashed past his eyes and a trace of pain and wariness could be seen.
Li Xue fell silent and the branch that she was on trembled slightly. If not for Ling Tian observing her closely, it would be impossible for him to pick up that slight movement. Li Xue's voice then sounded after a while, "Everyone would say that the battlefield is a treacherous place and it is either one kills or is killed. If someone were to die in the hands of the enemy, there would be nothing to grumble about. However, this little sister thinks that there are two most dangerous places in the world. The first would be the political struggle in the palace, and the second would be the internal conflict within an aristocratic family. That is truly the most treacherous and ugly place in the world."
Ling Tian let out a sigh, "That's right, it is only right for one to die in the hands of the enemy but if he was to die in the hands of his own family and be plotted against by his very own siblings, that heart-wrenching pain that seeps into one's bones is the true feeling of despair and helplessness. I never imagined that something like this would happen to the number one talent of the DongFang Family. What a joke…" Ling Tian said these words with his teeth tightly clenched. The dense hatred in his voice, resentment that rose to the heavens, and pain that pricked his soul were fully displayed in his words!
Perhaps knowingly, perhaps unknowingly, but Ling Tian's words had pierced right into the depths of Li Xue's heart and it was as though the scar that she had hidden within herself for a thousand years had surfaced again. Her body began to tremble as she bit down on her lower lips under her veil with a trace of blood flowing down.
A long while later, Li Xue's voice gloomily sounded, "The internal strife of a family has always been the greatest sorrow and a cruel fate that no family has been able to escape! If one was naturally cruel and unscrupulous, be it killing his own brother or sister, it was only the survival of the fittest and the classic action of a ruthless ruler. Without a single shred of humanity, they would be able to enjoy their fruits of labor without a shred of guilt."
"Has Tian'ge ever realized that regardless of the world or continent, the number of ambitious characters and heroes would be extremely few?! There would inevitably be some individuals who still have a conscience being forced into such a matter. While they would be guilt-ridden for the rest of their lives, they would still make the same choice no matter how many times they were faced with it! There just wasn't another way for them!"
"If a mother were to realize that her inaction would result in the loss of her child's life, then even if her action would go against her conscience, she would still do it without hesitation! She would rather suffer the pain in her heart than live in regret! Similarly, if a child knows that their inaction would cause their parents to be threatened or even killed in the future, then they would do it even if it meant that their reputation would be ruined for life! Tian'ge, if it were you, would you be willing to harm someone you don't want to harm for your parents? What would you do?"
Ling Tian fell into a long silence.
In Li Xue's beautiful eyes, tears welled up and flowed down silently.
Chapter 416: Past and Present Lives
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
After a long time, Ling Tian finally spoke in a heavy tone, "Li Xue, sometimes a person may feel that they are helpless in whatever happens in their lives. However, no matter who is right or wrong, there are matters that can't be easily determined by so-called morals and righteousness. You might not want to do some things, but are forced to do so because of certain reasons! And for some matters, you might have the urge or drive to perform in, but will never have the possibility of success in your life! We are all helpless sometimes in our lives, and that's why, being human, being alive is truly hard at times."
This was the first time Ling Tian had called out 'Li Xue' instead of 'Xue'er'! A pained smile appeared on Li Xue's face. While Ling Tian's answer seemed magnanimous and forgiving, he had ultimately beat around the bush and did not answer the question directly!
"You…, are you really willing to forgive me?" On her lashes hung a few unshed tears, carrying with them a faint hope as she whispered.
"It doesn't matter if I forgive you or not. I didn't say that you had done anything wrong, so I don't have the standing nor the reason to fault you." Ling Tian resisted his surging emotions and replied, "I can empathize with you and can also understand why you had no choice to but make that decision. Even the me before the bombing in our past life would understand, but would still not forgive! I would still choose to kill you! Because, like you, I have my own difficulties and viewpoint!"
Ling Tian shut his eyes as he slowly spoke, "No matter who it was for, your parents or for others, even if it's better for mankind, to cause harm to me you can be considered my enemy and also the one who injured me! This consequence and responsibility must be carried by you! Just like in my viewpoint, that if I have to take revenge, I will have to do it in the end! If I have to kill you, then I will definitely not be soft-hearted! Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Li Xue nodded her head, as though enlightened, "Your meaning is that forgiveness doesn't exist in this world, right? Which also means that, whatever I've done, based on my viewpoint, wasn't wrong?"
"That's right. Based on your viewpoint, you weren't wrong. However, you also made a mistake," Ling Tian sternly replied. "In fact, there are two mistakes. The first being the fact that you failed to clean up your mess! Since you had already done it, then it would have been better to end it and kill me. While you might feel guilty and be plagued by nightmares, there wouldn't be any repercussions. However, you chose to humiliate me instead! As the saying goes, killing is as simple as nodding one's head, thus to leave me neither alive nor dead is too much! However, because of this mistake or because of their desire to humiliate me, this resulted in my final revenge in the end! Too far is as bad as not enough, and that was your first mistake!"
As he talked about his past life, Ling Tian's face remained impassive, as though talking about another person's story. There was no fluctuation in his tone, remaining flat from start to finish, as though narrating a story. "The second mistake is you yourself. Since you had already done it, then regret is useless. Such matters shouldn't have room for regret, and even more not for repentance, but merely just to accept and carry it! Then you just need to face my potential revenge, and not care whether you can accept it or not! You will definitely reap what you sow!"
"Following the bombing in our past lives, all these matters dispersed along with the wind and smoke, and my hatred and grudges have all vanished on the road to the yellow springs. Thus, you don't require my forgiveness at all, just like how I don't require your confession and repentance! However, what I didn't expect was for you to have also entered this world! In this world, the past Ling Tian does not exist, and neither does the past Ling Xue. Naturally, all the hatred and grudges between them are left in the past life, not in the present! Do you understand this point?"
"I understand." Li Xue let out a disappointed smile. "The me now is called Li Xue, and I'm merely the daughter of a woodcutter."
"That's right! Actually, when I first met you, I already had a sort of premonition, but I didn't dare to believe, nor was I willing to believe. Even though your behavior became more and more obvious, I've maintained that self-deceiving attitude of not wanting to believe! Because to me, this matter is after all still a little hard to take in. However, at this point, I've found out that when I face up to it, that's all there is to it! It's just that simple, just so..."
Ling Tian suddenly cracked a smile and changed the topic, "Anyway, when we have the time, let's do some research. Having experienced so much, the most memorable thought in my mind isn't hatred anymore. Do you know what is it?"
Li Xue couldn't help but ask in curiosly asked, "What would it be?"
Ling Tian laughed, and replied in a vague tone, "Don't you feel that the yellow springs road we walked on was extremely miraculous? After we settle the matter of the DongFang Family, I believe we need to have a good talk about it."
"Talk about the yellow springs road? How about we wait until a few decades later? Bringing up this topic seems to be a tad too early for us!" 1 Li Xue was torn between being angry and wanting to laugh. It was at this point that Li Xue suddenly found out that the Ling Tian in front of her was completely different from the Ling Tian she knew in her past life. While they were of the same soul, they behaved like completely different people. To think that in this depressing atmosphere, and using such a depressing tone, he could actually bring up such an amusing topic to talk about!
"It might be a little early, but didn't you notice that traveling along that road provided us with many benefits in increasing our cultivation realms?"
"That goes without saying!" Li Xue chuckled. "After all, we are considered to have seen beyond life and death, and even to some extent considered having transcended it! Of course our cultivation would soar by leaps and bounds!"
"Haha!" Ling Tian finally couldn't hold it in and started laughing, "You are able to see past life and death, but you can't put down the grievances of the past life? Even I this victim have already seen through it, but you the perpetrator are still stuck inside your own little miserable world!"
"Aiya, so you were actually waiting for me here!" Li Xue couldn't resist pinching Ling Tian on his waist, hard. "Such a baddie!"
Ling Tian forced out a laugh, and the atmosphere between the two of them grew oppressive once more, with a stifling feeling in the air.
After uncovering their hidden identities, the two of them were still adjusting to the newfound fact of how to approach each other through their new identities. Both had their own thoughts and own questions to ask, and they slowly sank into silence as they contemplated this.
Ling Tian remained silent for quite a while longer, and Li Xue could clearly feel that Ling Tian's heart was beating extremely fast. Suddenly, he took in a deep breath, before emotionlessly saying, "Li Xue, right now, I need your help to face off against the people from the DongFang Family." As he said this his tone had recovered a hint of his usual self!
"Do you still need to be so polite with me, my dear brother?!" Li Xue let out a coquettish laugh, "In this life, the great noble Ling just has to command me!"
"How dare you talk to me in such a tone! Your buttocks must be itchy, itchy for a beating! Li Xue, I really want to smack you right now!" Ling Tian ruthlessly spoke. "Now, listen to me, I want to utilize the internal problems of the DongFang Family, and I need to talk to DongFang JingLei face to face. I need to you divert the attention of the rest of his men. Do you understand?"
Ling Tian used an extremely commandeering tone, without any of his previous warmth, as though giving out instructions to his slaves. If this tone were to be used on an outsider with strength similar to Li Xue, most likely, there would actually be a fight happening between both of them!
However, a gleam of excitement appeared in the eyes of Li Xue, much like the stars in the deepest night, as she looked relieved of a burden. It somehow also looked as though her wish of many years had been fulfilled!
"En, I'll go right now, and provide as much time for you as I can!" Li Xue lightly whispered, her rushing emotions flooding her to the point that she forgot to shrink her voice into a line to reply! A slim body then flashed and disappeared from beside Ling Tian, suddenly appearing across the way!
Slim white hands reached out, and a wave of intense cold surged out. In an instant, the area around her a few meters across had turned into a white wonderland! The thick forest turned into a wintry scene at that moment, as though being plunged into the depths of the deepest winter!
What a pure internal Yin energy! Ever since he was reborn, he had never seen such an exquisite pure Yin internal energy. Even Ling Chen, who practiced a pure Yin cultivation technique, couldn't hold a candle to her!
This was also the first time Li Xue displayed her skill in front of Ling Tian. The exact same Divine Dragon Body Technique was displayed, and also the Divine Ice Formula that Ling Tian was familiar with! Similar to Ling Chen, she purely cultivated in the Divine Ice Formula, but had been hiding it the whole time, afraid of exposing herself to Ling Tian. However, this time, it was as though she was afraid that Ling Tian couldn't recognize it, unleashing her full power all at once!
A complex feeling appeared on Ling Tian's face, in that instant, he seemed to see through the cycle of hundreds, if not thousands, of samsara cycles. He observed the transformation of the world, of the repetition of life and death!
A short moment after Li Xue left her original spot, a soft patter was heard. The two large tears that Li Xue had held in her eyes for such a long time slowly dropped onto the tree leaves when she flashed away.
Ling Tian gently stretched out his hands, rubbing the two discreet marks. A wet touch was transmitted through his fingertips, and this same wet and clammy feeling caused a hint of mist to appear on his typically eagle-sharp eyes! Bringing the wet fingertips to his cheek, he suddenly let out a smile!
This was a smile full of happiness and sunshine, and this same smile was something that even Ling Chen and Ling Jian, the closest two people to Ling Tian, had never seen before in their entire lives!
This was the smile of someone who had finally unlocked all the burdens in his heart!
So it turns out, the locks that he thought he had unlocked a long time ago had only been truly unfastened at this point!
A carefree laugh rang out from him, as his figure flashed, also disappearing from the tree...
Chapter 417: Inciting Chaos
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
The DongFang Family's guards were originally in a strict precautionary state, as everyone was clearly aware that they were coming here in an attempt to kill Ling Tian, the widely known number one expert among the younger generation! How would that be something easy? No one was clear about Ling Tian's current aptitude, but just his performance in moving unhindered within 400,000 enemy troops and killing at will was already enough to tell them that at most 30% of them might survive after this trip, with the least being less than 10%!
This task was simply a suicide mission! Everyone was on high alert, warily observing their surroundings. Any form of movement, even that of the wind rustling the grass, would be met with an uproar.
This was really being panicked at the slightest movement, ready to treat everyone as an enemy!
During this high-pressure scenario, a light blue figure suddenly appeared. However, her presence also heralded a bombardment of attacks like thunder in a thunderstorm. Shrouded in the mysterious and strange energies, the men felt as though their bodies had sunk into an icy cold hell. However, under their long preparation, all of them immediately stood up and surged forwards like a tsunami.
At the same time, the sound of a bugle broke the silence!
"Ling Tian is here! Ling Tian has come!!" A voice that sounded like it was crying sounded, and it could be inferred that the person was probably crying about there being no tomorrow...
The name Ling Tian was like a death god's name that had imprinted itself on the hearts of every single one of the DongFang guards! This was something that they couldn't mask their fear about!
The guards rushed crazily from all directions towards the blue colored figure.
Li Xue's illusory figure drifted around the battlefield, not unlike a specter, weaving in and out of the human crowds, seemingly calm and unruffled!
With a light wave of her palm, two guards in front of her were covered in frost, already unable to move. However, Li Xue did not stop just from this, she borrowed the repulsion force to soar backward, once again knocking out another two, then bouncing off to another direction. Just like that, she appeared within another crowd...
What an exquisite movement technique! What mystical body movements!
Even if it was Ling Tian himself, it was unlikely that he could do better!
She rebounded all over the place, in a ceaseless cycle, without even stopping for a moment. The DongFang Family had a lot of experts, but meeting someone with such an extreme speed as her, they had no way to effectively surround and attack her, which resulted in a complete and disastrous loss!
However, after the initial chaos, someone shouted out loudly, "Everyone, take three steps back, and ensure that you do not stand together with someone. Swords face front, no need to panic!" Under the leadership of this voice, the guards of the DongFang family suddenly rallied and formed a hollow circle. On the outside, there were more and more guards surging over.
Li Xue was originally here to create chaos, and as such, the more chaotic it was, the better for her, as this would allow Ling Tian to benefit and gain more time. She also believed that, even if she were to be completely surrounded, she would still have the ability to escape from any encirclement, thus she did not make a fuss at all, allowing them to surround her completely.
At this point, everyone could clearly see that the intruder was no Ling Tian, but rather a lady, and an extremely strong one at that! Seeing that it was not the death god himself that had come, everyone felt more at ease. Seeing that she was completely surrounded gave them more confidence that she would be unable to escape even with her strong martial skills! Everyone felt their spirits being lifted, and a few of the more vulgar ones even began to lasciviously speak, "Where has this slut come from? To dare to make a mess in this grandfather's place! Little slut, are you here to find a strong man! Do you have a need, hahaha…"
"Beat this slut to death! Trying to scare all of these daddies here!"
"Quick, quickly capture her, and tear down that veil of hers! Look at her body, if everyone works hard, we'll have some happy times tonight!" The voice sounded like one of their leaders.
"General Xia, let's not take down the veil. Her face is probably full of pimples, that's why she's covering it up. If we were to see it, then all the brothers here will be too disgusted to do anything!"
Everyone started to laugh and hoot, "Makes sense, a covered face adds to more excitement, hahaha!"
Li Xue's face turned frosty and she immediately accelerated. With a 'pa' sound, the last person who was hooting ate a vicious slap to his face, and under the force, he actually spun a whole 360 degrees before landing on the ground in a daze. His mouth gaped, and numerous teeth actually fell out! His head continued to spin where he fell, an indicator of the force used.
Being offended by this vulgar man's words, Li Xue's slap was no doubt vicious and loud. It could be considered a miracle she did not take his life! With her identity of the past and present, if she was not accommodating Ling Tian this time, just this sentence would probably make her pile up corpses into a mountain!
This loud and crisp slap sent a shock to all of the DongFang guards present. All of them simultaneously realized that what they were facing was not a young and weak lass, but rather an unfathomable female expert. Immediately, the laughs and verbal abuse halted, as though a knife had sliced through all noise!
A killing intent shot forth from Li Xue's eyes as she looked at the men surrounding her slowly. At this point, two men walked out from the encirclement. The moment Li Xue saw them, even with a bosom full of rage, she almost burst out into laughter.
The two of them were twins and completely identical ones at that! Both of them had repulsive faces; the same broomstick brows, slanted eyes, and upturned noses. Then there was that huge hippopotamus-esque mouth of theirs, the same pockmarked faces, and weird goatees that looked like a messy chicken's nest! The part that made Li Xue want to laugh the most was not their similar features, but rather the fact that both of them had the same huge, ugly red boil in the middle of their brows!
In contrast, their bearings were elegant like a scholar, their mannerisms polite as they seriously cupped their fists in front of Li Xue, speaking the same words.
"This person is He ChuLai."
"This person is He ChuQu."
"May I know the honored name of this miss, and your purpose of coming here today?"
The first two sentences were said separately by both brothers, but the third was spoken at the exact same time. From the opening to the closing of their mouths they were perfectly in sync. Even the tone used by them as well as their voices sounded similar, to the point that if one did not look at them speaking, they would have thought that only one of them was speaking!"
Li Xue stared with her mouth agape at this scenario, then suddenly bent her waist and burst out into laughter.
The disturbance from the fight naturally was heard by DongFang JingLei, but they only exchanged a look before remaining where they were.
Because if it was Ling Tian himself, the disturbance would not be limited to this. If the person was not Ling Tian, then with a thousand experts outside, if they could not solve such a small problem then they all could just use a piece of tofu to commit suicide!
Furthermore, there were the twin experts who were holding the fort outside!
Thus, the two of them felt extremely assured!
As such, they only listened to the noises and chaos outside, which made them even more relieved. As it turns out, it was a lady! They became even more relaxed.
However, the two of them were unaware that the lady outside, while she might not triumph over Ling Tian, was likely on the same level. If she really were to put in her all to annoy the DongFang Family, then even with DongFang JingLei and DongFang HuaHu participating, they would probably still be unable to pin her down! Just relying on the people outside would be completely useless.
DongFang HuaHu laughed out, taking joy in the unknown lady's misfortune as he spoke, "These few days, He ChuLai and ChuQu have also been complaining that they have nothing to do and that they were about to be bored to death. My ears have been ringing non-stop from their voices, and now, at least they have some exercise to work themselves on."
DongFang JingLei laughed along, "Just a lass, I'm afraid they might not even get the chance to properly work their muscles."
HuaHu smirked in reply, "Who knows, maybe they might have to fight among themselves to decide who would be the first to face off, hahaha…"
The thought made JingLei smile, "What an interesting pair, bringing them out really helps to relieve quite a bit of boredom." Little did the two of them know that the twins He ChuLai and He ChuQu were not even interested in competing among themselves. Facing this blue-robed lady, they felt as though their hearts were about to freeze over, their bodies almost being encased in ice. Both of them were actually sweating non-stop at this moment!
"Second Master DongFang, we haven't seen each other after bidding goodbye a few months before. How are you right now?" A carefully articulated and gleeful voice suddenly sounded from the outside. If anyone heard it, they would only think that the speaker was in an incomparably good mood, to the point that he was grinning from ear to ear.
However, DongFang JingLei's face took on a change, immediately beginning to put out a cold sweat. Completely contrary to the person's mood outside, DongFang JingLei only felt endless fear, as though he had suddenly sunk into a nightmare. As for his mood, let's not even mention it!
Him bringing all his men from afar was just to hunt down this person speaking right now. However, upon hearing his voice now, JingLei concluded that he'd rather not have heard this at all! This demonic character, why wasn't he going over to tangle with the Martial Order Medallion owner, but rather running over to pester him! With the Yu, Xiao, and XiMen Families, so many of them present, why him?!!
DongFang JingLei suddenly felt an extreme hatred for Justice as he thought, What sort of sh*t are you eating as the Martial Order Medallion owner, Justice?! To think that you can allow your target to sashay into my camp like that, are you not even pressuring him?!!!
Seeing DongFang JingLei turn pale upon hearing the voice, DongFang HuaHu could not help but feel a little uneasy, and whispered, "Who is the person? Is he an enemy?"
"Ling Tian!" DongFang JingLei's eyes were riveted straight ahead, staring at the entrance of the tent. He did not know if he was answering HuaHu, or greeting the person who had just walked in. All he felt was an endless fear!
Chapter 418: Frightening Methods
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
DongFang HuaHu's body stiffened up completely! Right when their DongFang Family's troops were being attacked by an unknown assailant, Ling Tian, the massacring monster, had actually appeared in the tent without a single trace or sound!
Turning around abruptly and facing that familiar and handsome face, DongFang HuaHu's eyes narrowed, "You are Ling Tian?! That monster?!"
"Second Master DongFang has such a good memory indeed. How have you been!" Ling Tian chuckled as he walked into the tent and ignored DongFang HuaHu. It was as though Ling Tian did not even place DongFang HuaHu in his sights and that DongFang HuaHu did not even have the right to talk to him. Ling Tian had only given a calm greeting to DongFang JingLei!
At the same time, Ling Tian's tyrannical aura exploded forth and filled every corner of the tent! Even if he wanted to have a talk with DongFang JingLei, Ling Tian would first teach DongFang JingLei a lesson for leading his men here. After all, DongFang JingLei had designed a plan that had almost killed him! If Ling Tian did not teach DongFang JingLei a lesson, how would DongFang JingLei listen to what he had to say? Thus, Ling Tian already had an idea in his mind!
"What an arrogant demon! Are you seeking death?!" The humiliated DongFang HuaHu turned crazy as his originally fiery temper exploded. Unsheathing his weapon, his aura exploded forth and with a loud bang, he charged towards Ling Tian with his blade gleaming.
At the same time, the number two figure of the DongFang Family had also calmed himself down and made preparations to take action! While Ling Tian's martial arts were fantastic, it would be impossible for Ling Tian to kill two people at the same time. As long as DongFang JingLei could withstand the first wave of attacks, he would be able to tear the tent apart and send out news to his men stationed outside. At that time, no matter how strong Ling Tian was, it would be impossible for Ling Tian to kill him when he had the aid of over a thousand guards!
However, DongFang JingLei's heart sank completely the next instant!
Impossible!
Ling Tian's hands were still placed behind his back as he stood up straight and ignored DongFang HuaHu's frightening sword strike! Ling Tian's eyes were fixed on DongFang JingLei with a cold smile on his face as though DongFang JingLei was a treasure of some sorts.
Even when the sword was about to reach Ling Tian's neck, Ling Tian did not make a single move! Could it be that he has cultivated a martial art that made him immune to weapons? But even if an external martial art like that could be cultivated to its peak, how could he receive DongFang HuaHu's full-powered strike with his bare neck? Just why didn't he move? Why did he dare to remain still?!
Right at this moment, an unexpected matter occurred. DongFang JingLei's eyes could catch Ling Tian's shoulders shrugging slightly as though giving a helpless shrug.
Right after Ling Tian made that action, DongFang HuaHu's charging figure froze in mid-air and DongFang HuaHu let out a miserable groan as he retreated pitifully. After taking five steps back, DongFang HuaHu's figure began to shake unsteadily and his eyes were filled with fear, confusion, and bewilderment. Finally, DongFang HuaHu landed unconscious on the ground with a thud as a black fog gathered over his face with his body contorting in pain.
As for his sword which was slashing towards Ling Tian, it had already fallen onto the ground. The tip of the sword was still trembling from inner qi being imbued within it and it shone in the tent like a bright sun!
With DongFang JingLei's XianTian eyesight, he couldn't even understand how DongFang HuaHu was defeated!
He only saw Ling Tian standing there motionlessly and shrugging his shoulders slightly. After that, DongFang HuaHu retreated, trembled and fell unconscious. From the black fog gathering over DongFang HuaHu's face, it was apparent that he was poisoned!
Just when was he poisoned?! How did Ling Tian poison him?
If Ling Tian were to use the same method against me, could I avoid it? Could I come out alive?! DongFang JingLei felt his heart rise up to his throat because he knew that he couldn't!
He would never lie to himself! Since he could not avoid that attack, did that mean that he was finished?!
Such an unexpected and untraceable attack! Just how could I avoid it? Ling Tian actually has such an unpredictable and mystical trick up his sleeve! No wonder he could fight with the number one expert for so long without dying!
However, how is Ling Tian planning to deal with me?
Thinking about how he led out the experts of his family to chase Ling Tian and even threatened to burn the mountain down to force Ling Tian out of hiding, a feeling of despair rose from DongFang JingLei's heart. The way he saw it, Ling Tian would never let him off! Even if he were to place himself in Ling Tian's shoes, it would be impossible for him to let himself off! He would definitely use the cruelest method to kill himself!
Ling Tian studied DongFang JingLei with a strange smile as though he saw something interesting. After studying DongFang JingLei's expression for such a long time, Ling Tian could naturally grasp DongFang JingLei's thoughts completely!
Ling Tian knew that he had completely destroyed any thoughts DongFang JingLei had of fighting back and it was the best time for the both of them to have a 'calm' conversation!
"Second Master DongFang, a guest is here to visit and you are still standing there silently? Even if you do not host me with tea and desserts, shouldn't you give me a greeting?!" Ling Tian chuckled, "Aren't you being too rude?"
"HuaHu… Ling Tian… you…" DongFang JingLei began to mutter incomprehensibly. In all of his life, he had never lost his cool as such before. While it was completely reasonable for him to lose himself in such a situation, DongFang JingLei quickly collected himself and regained his cool, revealing the same smile he had in Sky Bearing.
"Young noble Ling, I trust you have been well since we have last met. Ah ah, look at me, I was overly surprised from reuniting with my friend! I have thrown my face in front of young noble Ling. DongFang JingLei has been worried about young noble Ling's safety for the past few days and knowing that young noble Ling is safe makes me feel at ease!" DongFang JingLei said with a warm and cordial smile, acting as though he was extremely relieved.
Ling Tian praised in his heart, The number two figure in the DongFang Family indeed, able to calm himself down so quickly and respond with such casualness. "Second Master DongFang is courageous indeed, being able to keep your cool despite the shock and act in such a natural manner. You are indeed a heroic character and Ling Tian truly admires you!"
DongFang JingLei let out a bitter laugh, "Let us all be open with each other and there isn't a need for young noble Ling to make fun of me like that. We both know that since young noble Ling chose to use such a method to meet me, you definitely aren't here to kill me, right?" In this short period of time, DongFang JingLei had analyzed the situation and made his judgment. If Ling Tian was here to kill him, Ling Tian would have definitely killed him right after dealing with DongFang HuaHu. Even if Ling Tian was in control of the situation, he was still able to move about and with his many subordinates outside the tent, the situation was not fully in control of the situation. For Ling Tian to not kill him in such a situation could only mean that Ling Tian's motive wasn't to kill him.
However, just why didn't Ling Tian kill him? Ling Tian's ambition to conquer the world was already revealed, and the various members of the other Great Families were targets to be wiped out! However, Ling Tian's actions today had puzzled DongFang JingLei!
"Hehe," Ling Tian sneered, "you are truly smart and have guessed correctly. I do not have the intention to kill you indeed, but I may change my mind anytime. After all, I do have much to gain from your death." Ling Tian's eyes gleamed, "You have witnessed for yourself my ability to effortlessly take care of HuaHu and I would naturally be able to kill you as well! Furthermore, I have the confidence of killing you before you can even send out a signal. Brother JingLei, do you believe me?"
Ling Tian looked at DongFang JingLei with a slightly teasing look as he said this with confidence.
"You overheard my conversation with HuaHu?" DongFang JingLei seemed to have understood suddenly and nodded solemnly, "However, can HuaHu still be saved?"
"What if I tell you that our words shouldn't be heard by a third person?" Ling Tian said casually.
DongFang JingLei's gaze narrowed, "That doesn't matter. He is only a mere servant!" While DongFang JingLei said that, Ling Tian had already noticed DongFang JingLei's muscles tensing up and his body trembling slightly! This was the sign that an expert was about to take action!
Ling Tian smiled indifferently and with a flick of his fingers, a snow-white pill landed in DongFang JingLei's palms. "Because of brother DongFang's affection towards your men, I will give you a favor first. Allow him to consume this pill and he will be saved. However, he will probably be unconscious for a period of time. You should be able to guess what I am about to say to you, and I don't think you will want our conversation to spread, right? Even if he is a brother whom you can trust!"
Chapter 419: Attack one's Mind First
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
DongFang JingLei's eyes lit up as he spoke, "I understand!" Putting the pill into HuaHu's mouth, he stood up and continued with a smile yet not a smile on his face, "The lady inciting chaos outside is under you, am I right? Will there be any danger?"
Ling Tian let out a light smile, "Second Master DongFang is indeed astute! There might be danger, but the party in danger will definitely not be her!"
DongFang JingLei received a nasty shock and could only let out a bitter smile as he slowly walked to the entrance and loudly commanded, "The lady is an honored guest of mine, invite her in, and no one is to slight her!"
Looking back, he happened to see Ling Tian sitting in his original seat, feeling around at the bottom of the table for a vat of wine. He couldn't help but frown as he spoke, "Aren't you even the least bit afraid that I'll take the chance to escape and trap you in here?"
"Hehe…" Ling Tian broke the wine seal with a hand, glancing at DongFang JingLei as he blandly replied, "Firstly, you won't dare! And secondly, you can't! Brother DongFang is a smart person, thus you would never do such a brainless act!"
"That's right, I don't dare and neither can I!" DongFang JingLei heartily admitted. Having seen with his own eyes how HuaHu had bizarrely toppled onto the ground without even a challenge, forget about escaping, he wouldn't even dare to make a wrong move that would make Ling Tian suspicious. The rash move he had made previously was out of concern for the brother who had undergone life and death with him. However, he did not know that it was precisely this move that had actually given him the opportunity to live, as well as hope!
"Since that's the case, then why would I be afraid? Afraid that you would find someone to kill me?! If you really manage to find someone, the only party losing out would be yourself!" Ling Tian lifted up his cup and took a light sip. Smacking his lips, he placed the cup aside and continued, "This wine is too ordinary, aren't there any better ones around?" DongFang JingLei did not know whether to laugh or cry at this statement, the wine Ling Tian was holding was the sacred wine of the DongFang Imperial Palace!
At the moment, the twins He ChuLai and He ChuQu had already turned into identical 'snowmen', and beside them were tens of other ice statues, in various forms of movement, but all frozen stiff. All of them were obviously frozen by the lady's internal energies!
As for Li Xue, who was holding her sides and laughing where she stood, the hundreds of experts there could only reveal bitter expressions on their faces, not daring to make a move. Li Xue would naturally not pressure them, after all, her mission was to delay for time for as long as possible. Seeing how the surrounding circle of people was growing ever denser, she couldn't help but feel gleeful as she thought, Yes, yes, all come and take a look, then Tian'ge will not even be noticed!
Upon hearing the command passed by DongFang JingLei, the group of guards then let out a breath of relief, clearing a path over to the tent where JingLei resided without any delay.
Better send this little grandaunt off, she probably knows witchcraft, to actually knock the two twin experts down in just one round! She even froze their bodies, but left them alive, as evidenced by their rapidly swiveling eyeballs, but their actions remaining stiff and rigid!
What sort of weird sorcery was this? Could this lady be a human icicle or a reincarnation of a snow demon? Why was it that anyone she touched would become a 'snowman'? Wasn't that too horrifying?!
If Ling Tian was present, he would naturally be able to tell that these people were merely prodded on their acupoints by Li Xue. While they looked like they were frozen alive, they were in no mortal danger. However, because Li Xue was too stealthy with her actions and added to the fact that she activated her Divine Ice Formula carelessly, she unknowingly added a few extra layers to her victim's body, naturally freezing them solid...
As for He ChuLai and He ChuQu, they naturally couldn't be compared to Li Xue in terms of strength, but they should not have fallen so easily. It was only because of Li Xue's devious movements, coupled with the fact that the Divine Ice Formula was a cultivation technique unseen in the Heavenly Star Continent, that made them lose in just a single exchange!
Seeing Li Xue enter the tent, the group of guards immediately spread out, grabbing bunches of dried leaves to pile around the bodies of the victims. This was followed by smoke rising… yes, trying to thaw them.
However, it was currently the middle of summer! The ice on their bodies quickly thawed, but the resulting wave of heat made the two brothers He ChuLai and He ChuQu scream out, but due to their acupoints being restricted, they couldn't move at all, only staring at the group with sweat pouring down their faces…
And seeing that the group of them still remained unmoving, the guards thought they were frozen too badly, and a few of the 'kind-hearted' people actually braved the heat and danger to move the fire even closer to the 'frozen' people...
In a short moment, the smell of cooked flesh began to waft out…
As for the main perpetrator, the great Miss Li Xue, she had appeared leisurely within DongFang JingLei's tent as though nothing was happening, completely oblivious to what was happening outside.
After the great Miss Li had entered the tent, she obediently stood behind Ling Tian and even started to help him massage his shoulders, as though she did not know what was going to happen to the poor men frozen outside.
While DongFang JingLei did not say anything, Ling Tian was similarly rendered speechless. This lass really knew how to take advantage, did she not care about being seen as his servant girl now? If he had such a serving maid, then wouldn't he die of awkwardness? If Ling Chen were to see this, how would he ever be able to explain?!
"Young Noble Ling's luck with women… really leaves JingLei in envy." DongFang JingLei suddenly broke the silence.
"Brother JingLei, since things have already reached this state, then let us be frank." Ling Tian awkwardly shifted his neck before continuing, "Since the affairs in the DongFang family have already reached such a point, I would like to know, what are your plans for the future?"
DongFang JingLei laughed in a meaningful manner, but within it contained a little self-pity as he spoke, "I'm afraid that it's not about what I wish to do, but rather what Young Noble Ling wishes to let me do, right?"
"Brother JingLei's words are too serious. I dare to say that, if Brother JingLei does not wish to work with me then at most in a year the DongFang Family will follow in the tracks of Northern Wei and become the second power to collapse, without any way to prevent it! Does Brother DongFang wish to deny this?" A light could be seen at the back of Ling Tian's eyes, his killing intent turning on and off as he spoke, all the while rapping on the table with his finger.
Ling Tian's meaning was clear, that if DongFang JingLei did not go along his wishes, then while the latter might remain unscathed today, Ling Tian would still carry out the extermination of the DongFang Family! Based on the influence and might that Ling Tian had displayed, this was no exaggeration! He indeed possessed that ability to do so!
"I can't argue with your words." DongFang JingLei could only reply in a low voice.
"Brother DongFang could be considered to be talented, and furthermore, you would definitely not want to see your family decay to the path of no return. While you wish to change this situation, unless you can become the family head, there is no way for you to successfully resolve this burden! However, with your current capability, there's no way for you to replace your brother as the family head! Even if you somehow succeeded, the vitality of the family would also suffer to the point that it would fall behind all the other families!"
"Only by working with me can you reduce the casualties to the minimum and increase your influence. I can allow you to obtain the seat of Family Head, and realize your dreams of increasing the prestige and might of the DongFang Family, remaining sturdy for the next thousand years!" Ling Tian spoke slowly and deeply, allowing every single word to sink into DongFang JingLei's heart.
"If your objective is just to unify the DongFang family to allow for continued survival, then I can guarantee that your objective will definitely come true and would even surpass your dreams. However, the ambition of your elder brother is too huge, and with those surrounding you all being stronger than your family, the ambition of your family will only bring you to the depths of despair. On this point you're as clear as I am."
DongFang JingLei remained silent at this, but one could see that he was struggling with his inner thoughts, weighing the gains and losses.
"I can see that you're a person with a strong focus towards your family and clan, and you're also aware that if your DongFang Family does not rely on an outside force, no matter who takes the spot of head in the future, the strength of your family will not have much left after the cruel internal conflict. Right now, can you compare to the Yu Family? The Shui Family? Or the Xiao Family? Let alone in the future! You also saw right now that behind the Xiao Family there's the hidden Above Heavens supporting them, but for you? What does your family have? Even when comparing the strength of your entire family you can't even match up to my individual strength!" Ling Tian mercilessly shot more arrows.
"Ever since the ancient times, the concept of mercy has never been spoken together with hegemony, if you continue to only hold the dream of having everything going your way, and being able to slowly strengthen your forces, then you will definitely be the first to perish! I can clearly tell you now that in this world, everything is limited, except for idiots! However… do you think that Yu ManLou or Xiao FengHan are actually idiots? Or did you think that I, Ling Tian, am intellectually challenged? Allowing you to slowly recover after having your vitality sapped?"
DongFang JingLei's sturdy body, while appearing the same, seemed to have become slightly crooked in Li Xue's eyes. He violently coughed twice, speaking with apparent difficulty, "Maybe what you said is true, but on what basis do you have to talk about cooperating with me? You're still being pursued by the Martial Order Medallion owner. I've witnessed his strength personally and understand why there has never been a single person who has escaped from him! Even if I choose to work with you, what is the point?"
This was the first time DongFang JingLei chose to counter Ling Tian, but his tone was full of an incisive sharpness! If his tone could take shape, then it would be akin to an assassin whipping out their weapon, ready to draw blood!
Ling Tian couldn't help but admit that DongFang JingLei had a point. The strength of Justice was one that even Ling Tian couldn't deny!
"The safety of the Ling Family ultimately hinges on you alone, but if you fail to escape from the pursuit of Justice, let's not mention about me not working with you, even the Ling Family will also change owners! Whether the Yu or the Xiao Family wins in the end, your Ling Family will still collapse, and maybe even earlier than my DongFang family!" DongFang JingLei said sharply.
Chapter 420: Breaking Through the Heart's Defenses
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
Ling Tian laughed with confidence, "Brother JingLei is a smart person indeed and can straightforwardly speak your mind. You don't have to worry about this! Besides, our cooperation will not start today, and we still have time!"
"We still have time? Young noble Ling seems to be short on time the most right now!" DongFang JingLei asked doubtfully.
"That's right! In order for the both of us to be at ease, our cooperation should only start after the episode of me being chased by the Martial Order Medallion owner. If I were to die in the hands of Justice, then our cooperation would be void." Ling Tian said with a fiery glare, "But if I can survive this tribulation, I will use all of my strength to help you take the position of Family Head and wipe out all resistance. I will make sure that you can rule over the whole Eastern Zhao Imperial Palace without anyone questioning you! At that time, even if the Eastern Zhao Emperor were to say something but not gain your approval, it would be a useless decree!"
DongFang JingLei's eyes began to burn with excitement as his face turned red. "What price would I have to pay?"
"Of course you would have to pay a price! How can there be a free lunch in the world? If I were to tell you that you wouldn't have to pay a price, would you believe me?!" Ling Tian said in a casual tone, "You have to control the Eastern Zhao army in your hands and if need be cooperate with me. For example, sending your troops southeast or northwest…"
"Impossible!" DongFang JingLei took in a breath of cold air as his face turned ashen. "Ling Tian, your plan is far too sinister! Do you think that I am a fool? The Yu Family is in the northwest and Xiao Family is in the southeast! Both of their families have the strength to wipe out my DongFang Family completely. Are you treating my DongFang Family as cannon fodder?! Isn't that as good as asking us to dig our own graves!" DongFang JingLei retorted in rage.
"Do you think you will receive so much without paying the appropriate price?" Ling Tian looked at DongFang JingLei coldly. "Not just that, you will have to listen to my orders as well! With the huge ambition of your DongFang Family, it will only be a matter of time before you are destroyed! Even if you were to fail when usurping power, the family would still be controlled by your big brother. Do you think that the many hidden strengths of your family won't be used? Let me tell you, your outcome would only be more pitiful! If I can support you to become the Family Head, all of these things will become your strength instead! If you do not have all of these chips, why would I even bother forming an alliance with you? Do you think this young noble is too free and has nothing else better to do?"
"Since all of these things have to be sacrificed eventually, then I will become your shield and ensure that you and your DongFang Family will remain alive! If you do not have my support, all of your sacrifices will be for nothing! Furthermore, even if you are willing to submit to the other powers and back out from the war of hegemony, your Eastern Zhao's strength would still be a piece of fat meat in the eyes of the other powers. Would the other powers possibly leave such a sharp weapon behind their backs?"
Ling Tian sneered, "Do you really naively believe that you can go into hiding with such a powerful force?"
DongFang JingLei said hastily, "But…"
"But!" Ling Tian interrupted, "If you help me and I emerge the victor, your DongFang Family will definitely have a share of the pie. Even in the worst-case scenario, I can at the very least ensure that your standing will be no lower than presently and the ruler of a land, as long as all of you do not have a larger ambition. Even if we were to fail in the end, as long as we form a genuine alliance, I can ensure the survival of your DongFang Family! Your roots wouldn't be wiped out! You should believe that even if others can't do that, I definitely have the means to make such a promise!"
Ling Tian's resounding words were something that DongFang JingLei believed! With how Ling Tian was able to summon a dozen powerful men in the battle with Northern Wei, Ling Tian completely had the right to make such a claim and he definitely had the ability to back it up! If he had the ability to hide a whole army, how difficult would it be for him to hide the direct descendants of a family?
"You can choose not to agree, but you have to remember that you will eventually lose to DongFang JingTian because he is the rightful Family Head of the DongFang Family! Furthermore, he would never keep you alive! If you were him, you wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully with such a younger brother either! Don't talk about brotherly ties to me because no one from an aristocratic family has the right to say those two words!"
Ling Tian's sharp gaze shot right into DongFang JingLei's heart and he continued, "Your strength is far from being a match for DongFang JingTian and he is only missing a proper excuse! I believe that your brother is extremely clear on this, and you are even clearer about it! If not, you would not have chosen to roam around the other empires when your brother became suspicious of you. You first hid in Sky Bearing before using chasing me as an excuse to hide here! You wanted to ensure that even if he had the excuse to deal with you, you would be far out of his reach! However, continuously avoiding the battle is not a long-term solution!"
Ling Tian looked at DongFang JingLei with pity and said, "Brother JingLei, if you do not have my help, how are you different from a dog being chased out of its house?"
"You! B*st*rd!" DongFang JingLei jumped up in anger but was forced back by Ling Tian's sharp gaze.
"Are you not? Hmm?" Ling Tian added on, "DongFang JingLei, why do you have to lie to yourself like that? Taking a step forward would mean riches and authority but taking a step back means an endless hell! Furthermore, you would die in the hands of an incompetent brother and the family that is so important to you! Do you even have to consider this matter?"
"I… I need some time to think about it. Give me some time." DongFang JingLei said with sweat all over his forehead.
Ling Tian coldly glared at him for a long time in silence, before finally standing up, "DongFang JingLei, you've also mentioned just now, I indeed do not have much time! Actually, even if you do not agree to cooperate with me today, I will still not kill you. I personally feel that it would be a more delightful matter to let your brother personally kill you rather than do it myself. Also, I could easily disrupt the affairs of your DongFang Family without even lifting up my pinky finger, hahaha…"
After this drawn-out laugh, Ling Tian left. Just as he reached the entrance of the tent, he suddenly stopped short and spoke without looking back, "I don't mind giving you half a year of time, allowing you to slowly contemplate this. I'm not afraid to tell you that this duration is also the time that I've bet with the Martial Order Medallion owner, that if he can't kill me within half a year, then the Martial Order Medallion will immediately be voided! In half a year, I'll come and look for you again. I hope that by then, you will not disappoint me!"
After he said that, Ling Tian lifted up the folds of the tent and disappeared from DongFang JingLei's sights. Li Xue then walked slowly towards DongFang JingLei and said with a bright smile, "Should you choose between ruling over the world or having your corpse intact? This is the only chance for your DongFang Family to survive in the future chaos! Second Master DongFang, consider the saying 'one must seek fortune from danger'. We are currently being chased by the Martial Order Medallion owner with both the Yu and Xiao Families covetously eyeing us. This is the time when we require aid. If you were to wait for young noble Ling to solve all of these issues, young noble Ling would probably not even spare you a second glance even if you were to prostrate yourself before him!"
"How can adding flowers onto a brocade be compared to sending coal in the winter?" Li Xue said with a smile and an undisguised chill emanating.
"How can adding flowers onto a brocade be compared to sending coal in the winter?" DongFang JingLei felt his body shake as he heard those words!
"In such chaotic times, it is important for a person to understand his own capabilities! If one is able to understand his true abilities and recognize that he doesn't have the hope to unite the continent, he must submit to another power to ensure his survival." Li Xue said slowly, "As for who he should submit to, that is something that requires both judgment and luck! Currently, there are only three parties worthy of your DongFang Family to submit to, the Yu Family, the Xiao Family, and our Ling Family. The Yu Family has a thousand years of foundation and is deeply rooted in the continent. However, with the strength that they wield, would they require an alliance partner like you? Even if you were to join their alliance, they would not place much importance in your DongFang Family for sure! Furthermore, forming an alliance with the Yu Family would also mean that your DongFang Family will have to be cannon fodder when facing the Shui Family! As for the Xiao Family, they are the richest in the continent and have the support of Above Heavens. As for the strength of your DongFang Family, there is no point in me mentioning it. Furthermore, even if you were to join an alliance with them, your personal problem would not be solved. Do you think any of the two families would help you settle the matter with DongFang JingTian?"
DongFang JingLei let out a bitter laugh, "Both the families would probably be more willing to help my brother get rid of me. In fact, they would probably watch us brothers fight it out before forming an alliance with the victor!"
"That's right," Li Xue smiled, "At this point, our Ling Family does not have a reliable alliance partner. Thus, if you are the first and most sincere family to join our alliance, you would definitely be an important individual! However, the moment you miss this opportunity, our young noble will find either the Lei or BeiMing Family. Ah ah ah, your DongFang Family isn't the only Great Family in the continent after all! At that time, our young noble won't be too interested in your DongFang Family anymore."
DongFang JingLei felt his heart shudder and he said with gratitude, "Thank you, Miss, for your reminder. May I know who Miss is?"
"Me?" Li Xue said with a dazed look, "I also want to know who I am. Please forgive this little girl for her shallow opinions. I will be taking my leave." With a swoosh and wind of fragrance, the light blue figure disappeared completely! With DongFang JingLei's cultivation, he was actually unable to see how this lady disappeared!
Chapter 421: As Per Your Wishes
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
"Sssss…." DongFang JingLei drew in a breath of cold air. This lass in front of him actually possessed martial arts far surpassing himself, and from her movement techniques, it seemed as though her strength was close to Ling Tian himself! However, this person had never been heard of or seen before. Since when did Ling Tian have such an outstanding subordinate?!
Could this be the hidden strength of Ling Tian himself? How many more such people did Ling Tian actually have? DongFang JingLei was very clear that there were four other outstanding men who had accompanied him when he had engaged the 400,000 strong troops of Northern Wei. This news had shaken the entire continent, and despite all their efforts, no one had managed to uncover their identities. It was as though they had disappeared once again after the battle was over!
However, none of the major powers dared to drop their guards because of this. In fact, everyone came to the consensus that the four other horsemen were probably Ling Tian's subordinates! For this type of subordinate, so long as any family had even a single one it would probably cause many of their competitors to be in shock. But now, Ling Tian actually had four of them! No doubt this caused universal shock to all who knew him!
The most excessive part was the fact that if any family were to possess an expert of such caliber, the news would have long been leaked out since such people were akin to the gleam of sharp war weapons and unable to be hidden. However, not only did Ling Tian manage to possess four of them, but he had managed to keep the whole thing under wraps without leaking a single detail! And furthermore he hid them once again after utilizing them for the mission! In the vast world, no one knew where had the four of them disappeared to! This concept was unimaginable to them!
Having four such experts was not even the end. Now there actually came along this mysterious blue-robed lass! As far as DongFang JingLei was aware, there was no woman in this original troop of four! Furthermore, the Ling Family Courtyard in Sky Bearing was definitely the place where many experts hid, not to mention the mysterious and formidable Ling Chen!
Ling Tian, just how many different sources of strength do you have?!
Could it be that Ling Tian's military might has actually surpassed the Yu Family? This thought rose unbidden in DongFang JingLei's mind all of a sudden, and he shivered uncontrollably at this nonsensical thought!
It seems like he would need to properly consider the idea of working together with Ling Tian. As the skies grew ever darker, DongFang JingLei's figure slowly merged with the darkness as he sat in his tent in deep thought.
From afar, on a bare hilltop, Ling Tian stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the silvery galaxy in the distance, and his eyes were likewise gleaming. It was not known what he was thinking, and the night wind blew gently on his clothes, making him seem like an immortal gazing at the world if one looked at him from afar.
Wordlessly, a slim blue figure appeared beside him and stood there accompanying him without a single word. She too gazed at the starry sky, as though there was something interesting about it.
Even after a long while, both people did not make a single sound.
The moon had already illuminated the dark sky.
"How did you pass all these years?" Ling Tian's voice sounded dreamy, as though traveling from within a dream.
"Me?" Li Xue let out a fuzzy smile, "Are you showing me care and concern?"
Ling Tian turned around, his eyes blazing, "Did you think that my concern for you is not enough? If you didn't turn up, I would of course be less than bothered, but since you've already come over, how can I as your elder brother not even bother to ask?"
"As an elder brother?" Li Xue let out a cold laugh as she spoke in an agonized tone, "From the past to the present, when have you treated me as your sister?"
"Before we were ten, Xue'er used to be the closest sister to me." Ling Tian's voice was similarly laced with pain as he replied, "However, everything changed, the moment we passed ten years of age."
A light patter on the ground was heard from the tears coming from Li Xue. "It was I who changed, but from the start, you have not changed at all."
"Let's not bring up the past any longer." Ling Tian waved his hands a little impatiently. "Li Xue, do you understand?"
Li Xue's heart was full of bitterness and she lowly agreed, before finally answering Ling Tian's question. "Actually, whatever I've told you today was the truth. Ever since I was born, I never went out before! This is the truth."
"And why not?" Ling Tian paused in shock, "With your current abilities, you would be satisfied burying yourself in the midst of a desolate mountain?"
Li Xue only smiled lightly in response as she spoke with a bit of melancholy, "Ever since I followed you and mysteriously transported myself out of the yellow springs, I had this feeling that you were in the same world as me. I was not lonely at all."
"And you could actually endure and not come and look for me?" Ling Tian exclaimed in shock, and also with some anger. "I don't recall you being so patient before."
"Look for you? While I wanted to do so, I didn't dare! If I met up with you, then what was I supposed to say to you?" Letting out a distressed smile, Li Xue avoided his gaze as she continued, "What's more, how was I supposed to look for you? I'm just a small girl, I'm only sixteen now!"
"That's not the reason why you hid yourself in the deep mountains, right?" Ling Tian snorted, "It was because of me, wasn't it?" Ling Tian's eyes sharpened as he stared at her. In the night, it looked like two sharp swords directed to her face.
Li Xue smiled but refused to reply. A cool breeze flitted past her hair, and a comfortable silence descended.
Ling Tian continued to stare at her for a while before turning away and letting out a breath. Staring at the distance, he slowly spoke, "You might have owed me in the past, but, the debt has been long paid, or should I say that I already collected it a long time ago. You shouldn't do this, at least not like this."
Li Xue laughed as she softly spoke, "You too know that this world is more backward as compared to our old world, and our current knowledge could be considered frightening by the people in this current age. You were born in a wealthy family and can thus be considered as having backing, but if I were to appear in front of the masses, I'm afraid…"
"That still isn't your true reason, you're most afraid that you… will snatch my limelight? You decided to lock yourself in the desolate mountains, prepared to rot together with those trees and grasses?" Ling Tian's breath became more hurried, "But then, why would you appear now?…" Ling Tian realized something as he was speaking. However, he still continued to stare at Li Xue.
He was full of remorse, full of gratitude, and full of… concern!
Ling Tian had suddenly understood why Li Xue would show herself at this point; the biggest reason was mainly that he was being pursued by the Martial Head! And she could tell that Ling Tian wasn't his match at all!
Hiding myself in this age is because of you, exposing myself is also because of you!
Ling Tian fell silent, and sat down without a word, lowering his head to look at the ground. It was unknown as to what he was thinking, but his mind was working furiously, much like a raging river flowing ceaselessly!
In the past, he had always thought that she owed him that, and also affirmed that same thought. Even when he had taken his revenge, on the journey of the yellow springs, he had also thought the same thing. It was only until today that he recognized that he had actually racked up a debt instead, and it was unknown how much he owed. As for her, whatever she had owed had been washed clean together with the blast in the past life!
At this point, there was an unknown feeling in Ling Tian's heart, the different flavors of sweetness, sourness, and bitterness flooded in, and he felt a sour feeling on his nose...
Before long, Li Xue' voice suddenly rang out, "How about you? Have you been doing fine these few years?"
Ling Tian let out a mocking laugh as he replied, "What's not good about my life? Being a young noble, the third generation successor, and being clothed and fed finely, with all my wishes granted. I even have the name of the number one silkpants, so how can I not have a good life?! Naturally, it's better than yours as a lass in the mountains."
Li Xue chuckled and quietened down. It was only after a long while did she continue, "Since you have such a good life, then why… why do you still wish to fight for hegemony?"
Ling Tian lightly sighed as he spoke with a heavy loneliness, "Then tell me, other than this, what else can I do? What should I do in order to prove that I, Ling Tian, have been to this world before? Or should I put it in another way, that what else is enough to attract my attention? What can I do to relieve my boredom? You might know of my existence in this world, but in my world, there's only me and myself."
Li Xue pitifully gazed at Ling Tian, and said tenderly, "I know, I know. These years haven't been easy on you."
Ling Tian only grinned, but he thought to himself, How could it be easy, when I already had to start scheming and planning even when in my mother's womb? Everybody only saw only unbridled and rampant, but no one knew of the pains I had to go through! And who could understand how much I've sacrificed in the darkness? I only had a childhood in my previous life, but in this life, I didn't even have a childhood…
From the moment the Ling Family met with an internal crisis, to the problem with the Yang Family and even to the Imperial Court, then finally to the Water of Heavenly Wind… he finally walked to this point, where he could contest with the various experts in the entire continent!
Everyone seemed to see him as someone with far foresight, free and unrestrained, even unfettered and outside of the law! However, the reality was different. Which step of his wasn't cautiously and meticulously planned, as though treading on ice? How many times, as he walked the past few years, had he been face to face with death, then turned the tables? One wrong move and there would be no return! Who could see through the untold hardships which he had suffered? And right now he was even being pursued by the Martial Order Medallion owner, wandering around in a miserable situation!
As he thought, Ling Tian only let out a sigh, coldly saying, "Just take all of this as a dream."
Li Xue smiled, but she seemed to have detected Ling Tian's inner turmoil, as she softly spoke, "This dream can be said to have been a really long one." As she spoke, she sat down beside Ling Tian, her large eyes blinking rapidly, as though she was scared, or not courageous enough. She seemed to hold on to some hope, as she slowly nestled up beside Ling Tian.
The two bodies came into contact, and with a tremble, immediately separated. On Ling Tian's forehead, some cold sweat could be seen coming out. Li Xue carefully adjusted her body's angle, lightly trembling as she shifted her head towards Ling Tian's shoulders. Her eyes were slightly red and within her eyes, light sparkles could be seen forming like jewels...