Chapter 114: Chapter 113: Bestowing a Fiefdom

Unlike the ornate splendor of a garden, the Traveling Palace was grand and imposing. All sorts of climbing vines covered almost the entire facade. Only when the wind lifted a few leaves could you glimpse the cyan outer walls. It was impossible to tell how many years of history it had seen. The entire structure exuded a sense of profound historical legacy. When the Guard reached the entrance, his attitude became even more reverent. At that moment, an inner guard emerged and welcomed Ling Xiao inside.

Once in the courtyard, there weren’t as many guards on patrol as he had imagined. The yard was filled with various precious trees, and the air was fresh and clean. Ling Xiao, however, sensed several powerful auras hidden in the shadows. He was somewhat surprised. ’It seems the King’s protective detail is indeed formidable.’ He couldn’t help but feel a surge of battle intent. Shushan Sect Members had always been domineering; even Ling Xiao, considered one of the most mild-tempered in his sect, would be brimming with killing intent when facing an enemy.

As if sensing Ling Xiao’s battle intent, one of the hidden figures seemed to intentionally test him, releasing a wave of pressure. Ling Xiao immediately felt as if it was difficult to take a single step. He glanced toward the bushes, his eyes flashing with a burst of light. With a soft grunt, he strode forward. After just two steps, he felt the pressure intensify, like a boulder pressing on his chest, creating a suffocating sensation. A flicker of anger ignited in his heart. ’A little test is one thing, but this is relentless. Isn’t this a bit much!’

Little did he know, the guard hiding in the bushes who was testing him was even more shocked. His opponent was clearly only a Great Sword Master, not even a Mad Sword Master, yet he could withstand the aura of a Second Rank Demon Sword Master! If it were any other Great Sword Master, they would have already collapsed, coughing up blood...

The inner guard escorting Ling Xiao didn’t notice anything amiss. But when he suddenly heard Ling Xiao grunt and saw his face turn slightly pale, he was startled. He couldn’t help but glance toward the bushes, then cleared his throat and said, "Young Master Ling, let’s hurry. We mustn’t keep His Majesty waiting!"

The pressure on Ling Xiao instantly vanished, and he relaxed. A sense of solemnity filled Ling Xiao’s heart. He had felt the powerful aura of a Demon Sword Master from Qiu Chen before. The one who had just tested him, though not as strong, was definitely a master!

’It seems it’s not that there are few masters, but that the truly high-level Martial Artists are unwilling to show themselves in public!’

At this thought, Ling Xiao couldn’t help but give a wry smile. He had originally thought his father, Ling Tianxiao, was already a powerhouse. Now it seemed he had been rather naive. The truly powerful were rarely in the military; if they served as officials, they were almost all within the Imperial City!

After all, no matter how powerful an individual was, they couldn’t decide the outcome of a war!

Even a peerless master like a Sword Sect expert could, at best, take an enemy general’s head from within an army of ten thousand. But even so, if faced with thousands of powerful crossbows, they couldn’t guarantee they would escape unscathed!

As he thought about this, Ling Xiao couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. ’On the path of cultivation, the best way to increase one’s strength is to fight!’

At that moment, the inner guard announced in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, Ling Xiao requests an audience!"

From inside the room, a gentle female voice replied, "Let him enter."

The door to the room opened, and a Palace Maid—not exceptionally beautiful, but with a gentle and graceful temperament—gave Ling Xiao a faint smile and said softly, "His Majesty is inside. You may go right in. Mind your etiquette."

Ling Xiao nodded and stepped inside. As he walked toward the inner chamber, he heard a burst of laughter, full and resonant. Ling Xiao cleared his throat softly. The same voice from within called out, laughing, "The Ling Family’s tiger cub is here! Come in, come in!"

The moment Ling Xiao entered the room, he froze. The old man sitting in the lower seat was none other than the Old Marshal he had just treated, Qiu Chen! Qiu Chen looked at Ling Xiao and nodded with a faint smile.

Then, Ling Xiao saw the man in the main seat of honor. He was an elder in his sixties, dressed in a black robe with gold trim, embroidered with the fierce image of a Blast Flame Lion King. His face was lean, his eyes bright and full of spirit. His skin was fair with few wrinkles. He smiled warmly at Ling Xiao, yet his entire being radiated the majesty of a ruler.

Ling Xiao bowed his head in salute. In truth, aside from those with noble titles, who were exempt from kneeling, everyone else was required to kowtow before His Majesty the King. But with his proud and unyielding spirit, how could Ling Xiao possibly kneel to a king of the Mortal World?

Fortunately, the other party didn’t seem to mind. He said with a chuckle, "At ease, at ease. A seat for him!"

Ling Xiao paused. ’Why is His Majesty the King being so courteous to me?’ He grew slightly wary, but with Old Marshal Qiu Chen also present, he figured the sovereign of a nation wouldn’t stoop to harming him.

So, Ling Xiao offered his thanks with neither servility nor arrogance and took a seat below.

Seeing this, a hint of admiration flashed in the eyes of both the King and Qiu Chen. It was truly rare for a young man to remain composed in the presence of a supreme ruler like the King of the Lanyue Empire.

At this point, Qiu Chen took the initiative to speak. "Your Majesty, this old subject must go and meet some old friends I haven’t seen in years. I shall not disturb you further." With that, he gave Ling Xiao an encouraging look and turned to leave.

His Majesty the King watched Ling Xiao, his mind racing. ’This child is extraordinary, nothing like the worthless person from the rumors. If it weren’t for that scandal, just the fact that he cured Old Marshal Qiu—saving a Fifth Rank Demon Sword Master for the Empire—would be enough. For that alone, bestowing a Princess on him in marriage would not be an insult to the Royal Family’s prestige. But now... this little fellow seems to have offended the Crown Prince, and he’s also grown extremely close to the Southern King’s son. It seems he’s... quite the handful!’

As he mused, the King watched Ling Xiao with a beaming smile. Seeing Ling Xiao meet his gaze calmly with pure, clear eyes, the King’s admiration for the young man grew. ’He doesn’t seem to be what I thought... He’s so much like his father, Ling Tianxiao, back in the day!’ The King sighed internally, his mind drifting back more than a decade to the time he had personally led an expedition. It was Ling Tianxiao who had protected him to the death, allowing him to escape the enemy’s encirclement safely.

Thinking of this, the King snorted coldly in his mind. ’They all say I shouldn’t have so easily handed control of the Empire’s western gate to Ling Qing. Hmph! I want loyal subjects! Not sycophants!’

"Ling Xiao, I heard that you cured Old Marshal Qiu. That is a monumental achievement! You have done a great service for the Empire, haha! What reward would you like? Tell me!" the King said, laughing heartily as he looked at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao instantly understood. ’So, this is because Old Marshal Qiu recommended me to His Majesty the King! Otherwise, how could a mere son of a noble family like myself ever be granted a personal audience with the King?’

Thinking this, Ling Xiao smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, when I was treating the Old Marshal, I was only thinking that he is a pillar of the Empire, admired by millions. It was only right and proper that I should treat him. Therefore, I do not want a reward!"

"Hahaha!" The King laughed heartily for a few moments, then said, "Just as Qiu Chen said, you truly are an interesting little fellow!"

His expression then slowly grew serious. Looking at Ling Xiao, he asked, "I hear you’ve offended the Crown Prince?"

Ling Xiao shook his head. "How could that be? I merely helped the Crown Prince clean up a hidden danger by his side. How could that be considered an offense?"

The King was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and said chidingly, "You rascal, your knack for twisted logic is just like your father’s!" Then he continued, "Ling Xiao, you cured the Old Marshal, which is a great service to the Empire. On top of that, Old Marshal Qiu appreciates you greatly! Therefore, I have decided to bestow upon you the title of Hereditary Viscount. As for your fief... let it be the southern stronghold, Cameron. Coincidentally, you were just there and repelled the Beastman attack. This is excellent. I trust you will make Cameron even more glorious than before!"

’The southern stronghold... Cameron? Isn’t that... the Southern King... Li Wutong’s territory? Given to me?’ Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly. "Your Majesty, what virtue or ability do I possess to dare accept such a grand reward? I implore Your Majesty to retract the order." Ling Xiao’s heart was not set on fame or fortune. He had been planning to focus entirely on his cultivation, but he never expected His Majesty the King to give him such a heavy "reward." Moreover, this reward reeked of conspiracy!

"Heh, don’t overthink it!" The King smiled faintly. "In the Lanyue Empire, I still call the shots!" He gave Ling Xiao a deep look before continuing, "Your medical skills are excellent. In the future, perhaps even I will have need of you. As long as you are as loyal as your father, then even... even if you offend the Crown Prince! As long as it’s not treason, I guarantee your safety!"

Ling Xiao’s heart pounded, and his pupils contracted slightly as he stared at the King. He asked, "Such a magnificent favor from Your Majesty... it’s not just because I saved the Old Marshal, is it?"

The King chuckled softly, then said nonchalantly, "I heard that your Maid, as well as a girl you brought back from the outside, have both seen their strength advance by leaps and bounds in a short time. You also successfully broke through to the Celestial Vein, and it wasn’t the effect of the Medicated Bath. You also managed to cure the Old Marshal of a virus that even the head Imperial Physician of the court was helpless against. So... Ling Xiao, what I want is... for you to extend my life by another thirty years! In exchange for you, and your family... a lifetime of glory and prosperity!"

Ling Xiao finally understood. ’The Old Marshal’s illness, the Old Marshal’s appreciation... The appreciation might be real, but such a heavy reward would never have been Elder Qiu’s idea! It all comes back to the King himself!’

Thinking of this, Ling Xiao’s expression became very composed. "If Your Majesty is sincere, why bother enfeoffing me with Cameron Town?"

"It is economically prosperous, one of the finest towns in the Empire. Why wouldn’t you want it?" the King watched Ling Xiao coolly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "Or could it be... that you have a guilty conscience?"

Ling Xiao gave a disdainful smile. He didn’t answer the King, but asked in return, "Is this what Your Majesty calls sincerity?"

"How audacious!" The King sneered at Ling Xiao. "You dare speak to me like that? Do you think I wouldn’t dare to act against you?"

"Your Majesty wouldn’t do that. If I were in your position, I certainly wouldn’t use this attitude when asking for help," Ling Xiao said, still neither servile nor arrogant. He didn’t even raise his eyes, as if he hadn’t felt the several immense auras that had suddenly erupted outside the door.

The atmosphere in the room instantly froze. After a long moment, the King chuckled softly. "That courage of yours, you really did inherit it from your father. Very good! Ling Xiao, I intend to use your Ling Family to counterbalance the Second Prince. These past few years, his power has grown a little too great." He said this, then refused to elaborate further.

A wry smile touched Ling Xiao’s lips. ’For His Majesty the King to say such a thing to my face... it seems I have no choice but to accept this "reward."’

"Rest assured, as long as I am here, no one will dare to touch you. And by the time I’m gone... thirty-some years is more than enough time for you to grow." The King let out a soft sigh, a trace of loneliness in his eyes. "Ling Xiao, since you were able to cure Old Marshal Qiu’s illness, surely... you must have noticed... that I am also poisoned."