8. A Tiger Among Sheep
The Clan's Gathering
Morning arrived, but the Ling Clan was far from peaceful.
Word had spread.
A dead assassin was found outside Ling Tian's quarters. His body was broken, lifeless.
Who killed him?
The answer was obvious.
And that answer terrified everyone.
---
The Elders' Summon
"Ling Tian! Present yourself!"
A voice boomed through the clan's main hall.
The elders had gathered. The atmosphere was heavy.
At the center stood Ling Hai, the Great Elder. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd, but his real focus was on one person.
Ling Tian strolled in unbothered.
The elders tensed.
It was subtle, but they could all feel it.
This boy—no, this man—was different.
Not just in strength, but in presence.
He was no longer a cripple.
He was a tiger standing among sheep.
---
Ling Tao's Rage
The moment Ling Tian entered, Ling Tao shot up from his seat.
"You dare to show your face here?!" he shouted, his arm still wrapped in bandages from their last encounter.
Ling Tian smirked.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You—!"
Ling Tao clenched his fists. "You killed an assassin outside your quarters! That alone is proof that you're involved in shady dealings!"
Ling Tian raised an eyebrow. "An assassin… sent to kill me?"
He chuckled.
"Should I have let him succeed, then?"
"You—!" Ling Tao's face turned red with rage. "You think you can act recklessly just because of a single lucky breakthrough?!"
Ling Tian sighed dramatically.
"Dear cousin, you keep barking, but you forget one thing…"
His eyes turned sharp.
"You can't bite."
Ling Tao trembled with fury, but he couldn't deny the truth.
---
The Elders' Dilemma
The Great Elder, Ling Hai, raised a hand, silencing everyone.
"Ling Tian, answer me honestly."
His voice was calm but carried unquestionable authority.
"Did you kill that assassin?"
Ling Tian smiled.
"Yes."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances.
This wasn't the answer they expected.
"Do you realize what this means?" one elder asked. "Assassins are not mere mercenaries. Someone important wanted you dead."
Ling Tian leaned forward.
"Then maybe they should've sent someone stronger."
A chill ran through the room.
Ling Hai narrowed his eyes. "You aren't afraid?"
Ling Tian laughed.
"Afraid? Of people too cowardly to face me directly?"
He tilted his head.
"If anything… I'm disappointed."
His words shook the entire hall.
This was no longer the crippled Ling Tian they once knew.
This was a man who stood above fear itself.
---
Ling Tao's Last Gamble
Ling Tao gritted his teeth. He could feel it—his status was slipping.
If this continued, Ling Tian would surpass him completely.
He couldn't allow that.
He turned to the elders and bowed.
"I, Ling Tao, request a formal challenge against Ling Tian!"
The room erupted in whispers.
"A duel?"
"Is Ling Tao crazy?"
But Ling Tao was desperate.
"Since Ling Tian claims to be strong," he continued, "let him prove it in the arena!"
The elders hesitated.
Ling Tian, however, simply smiled.
"Why not?" he said, stretching lazily.
"It'll be fun."
---
The Announcement
The Great Elder sighed.
"So be it. Tomorrow at sunrise, Ling Tian and Ling Tao shall face each other in the Clan Arena."
He glanced at Ling Tian.
"Do you accept?"
Ling Tian's smile widened.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
---
A Storm Approaches
As the meeting ended, Ling Tao clenched his fists, whispering to himself.
"I don't care what tricks you've used…"
His eyes gleamed with hatred.
"Tomorrow, I'll end you."
Meanwhile, Ling Tian stood under the moonlight, his own thoughts clear.
"A duel, huh?"
His smirk deepened.
"I'll make sure you regret it."
---