Chapter 159: Chapter 145: Hidden Aristocratic Families

"You..."

Though the Demon Sword Master was masked, his fury was practically bursting through the black cloth. But upon seeing Ling Xiao’s nonchalant expression, his temper vanished. He seethed internally. ’How did this kid get such a hold on me?’

Feng Ling, who had been silent all this time, rubbed her bruised wrist and throat, her heart in turmoil. The humiliation was a feeling worse than death. Before today, she had never taken anyone seriously. A darling of the heavens, she had been doted on since childhood. Compared to the so-called genius Martial Artists in the academies of various nations or from certain families, Feng Ling truly had plenty of reasons to be proud, and an ample sense of superiority to go with it.

But all of that—every last bit of it—had been shattered by someone younger than her!

And what’s more, he was merely a Great Sword Master!

This was too much to accept. It was like a beggar who had been pleading for food at your doorstep for years. You had grown accustomed to his state and always maintained a lofty sense of superiority in his presence. But then one day, you happened to discover that this beggar... was actually richer than you. And not just by a little bit!

Such a drastic psychological shock—who could possibly accept that in a short time?

This was exactly how Feng Ling felt now. She had never believed that anyone her age in this Mortal World could be more outstanding than her! Even among the hidden sects and aristocratic families, her talent and cultivation were definitely in the top tier.

’A boy who was just a Celestial Vein Master half a year ago... how could he have possibly subdued me?’

’Was it a fluke?’ Feng Ling was silent, her heart twisting as if cut by a knife.

"Ling Xiao, remember what you did to us today!"

The Demon Sword Master glared at Ling Xiao, gnashing his teeth, but Ling Xiao just looked unfazed.

Seeing that Uncle Fu hadn’t left yet, Ling Xiao took an Elixir from his robes—a Qi Replenishing Pill. Uncle Fu’s meridians had mostly been damaged by the shock from the Demon Sword Master’s attack, and he had overexerted himself by releasing too much Sword Qi, causing a degree of exhaustion. It wasn’t a major problem; he would recover quickly.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Uncle Fu knew the benefits of Ling Xiao’s elixirs, so he didn’t stand on ceremony. He took the Elixir and popped it into his mouth, and his spirits immediately lifted.

Uncle Fu coughed twice, leaning weakly on two members of the Tiger Roar Assault Team for support. He approached Ling Xiao and said, "Young Master, don’t let anger cloud your judgment. Something about tonight is strange! Even if the nobles and wealthy merchants felt their interests were threatened by your arrival... it’s unlikely they would be this bold. They wouldn’t have forgotten so quickly how you entered the city. COUGH COUGH... They wouldn’t be foolish enough to think their private soldiers could be a match for a Knight Order. And besides..."

As Uncle Fu spoke, he bent down with some difficulty and picked up an arrow from the ground. He showed it to Ling Xiao, saying, "This arrow is a standard-issue military weapon..." Seeing no agitated reaction on Ling Xiao’s face, he felt slightly relieved, worried that Ling Xiao might be the impetuous type who jumps to conclusions and is easily manipulated.

"Therefore, Young Master, I suggest we return to the residence first. As for those minor nobles and wealthy merchants, I believe they are even more anxious than you are right now."

After speaking, Uncle Fu coughed twice more and glanced discreetly at the Demon Sword Master. As expected, he saw a flicker of disappointment flash through the man’s eyes, so quick that you’d miss it if you weren’t looking. Uncle Fu lowered his head and coughed again, his own eyes filled with scorn. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ling Xiao thought for a moment and realized Uncle Fu had a very good point. If he stormed off in a rage to seek revenge right now, he would probably just be giving certain people a reason to celebrate.

"Alright, we’ll return to the residence," Ling Xiao said. He then glanced at the Demon Sword Master and said, "You can go."

The Demon Sword Master and the remaining Fifth Rank Mad Swordsman said nothing, picked up the bodies of their two comrades, and quickly vanished into the distance.

「The night had grown deep.」

After returning to the estate, Ling Xiao gave Uncle Fu another Healing Elixir. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to give it to him earlier, but Ling Xiao didn’t want to reveal it in front of outsiders, including Feng Ling. The appearance of these people today was too strange, and even the troop of over four hundred archers was suspicious.

How many nobles and wealthy merchants in Penzes City were involved in this matter was still a mystery to Ling Xiao. What he had to do was solve it.

And as for those who were truly involved... he would show them no mercy!

After taking the Elixir, Uncle Fu’s injuries were mostly healed. He sat across from Ling Xiao, his eyes glinting as he spoke in a low voice, "Young Master, I’ve already instructed Meng Li to investigate this matter. It may seem complicated, but it should actually be quite simple." Uncle Fu then sneered, "Those powerful individuals tonight are undoubtedly from a hidden aristocratic family or sect. Their main goal, most likely, is the Sword Skill and Cultivation Technique in your possession. After all, someone who was a Celestial Vein Master half a year ago suddenly experiences a massive leap in strength, defeating many higher-level opponents and even scaring a Tier Three Demon Sword Master into dropping his sword. When someone with ill intentions hears about this, they’ll naturally come to one conclusion: that you, Young Master, possess a Divine-level Sword Skill!"

Ling Xiao suddenly smiled and asked, "Uncle Fu, is that what you think as well?"

Uncle Fu coughed twice, then said calmly, "The Sword Skill you use, Young Master, including your Cultivation Technique and that mysterious, snow-white Sword Qi—I have never seen or heard of them before. However, to declare that they are a Divine-level Sword Skill and a Divine-level Technique based on this alone would be too presumptuous, I think. After all, I believe very few people have ever truly seen a Divine-level Sword Skill or Technique!"

Ling Xiao nodded with a light chuckle. Uncle Fu was right. Unfortunately, many people were blinded by greed and couldn’t see the truth.

Uncle Fu continued, "However, that Demon Sword Master claimed they were hired by someone. If that’s the case, their hidden sect is likely... a sect that primarily takes on assassination jobs! And if so, do you really think, Young Master, that the minor nobles and wealthy merchants of Penzes City could afford to hire them for an assassination? The so-called hidden sects and aristocratic families aren’t as mysterious as people imagine. ’Hidden’ simply means they operate with extreme discretion, with the entire sect focused on cultivation. All the power they develop serves the cultivation of their core members. They... are like lofty beings, silently watching the rise and fall of dynasties without interfering in the political situations of the continent. Occasionally, they will choose an aristocratic family in the Mortal World to act as their representative, and that family, in turn, will receive immense benefits!"

This was the first time Ling Xiao had heard such a detailed analysis of the hidden aristocratic families. It seemed Uncle Fu knew far more than he had imagined. For the first time, Ling Xiao felt truly fortunate to have such an old man by his side. In his opinion, Uncle Fu’s experience was even more valuable to him... than his strength!

"So, you’re saying many people believe that my Ling Family... has been chosen as a representative by a hidden aristocratic family? And that I’m the one who received the immense benefits?"

Uncle Fu nodded. "That’s more or less the gist of it. However, some people don’t think so. After all, the issue with Celestial Vein Masters has existed for a long time, and even the first-rate sects among the larger hidden aristocratic families haven’t been heard to have an easy solution. Therefore, more people are inclined to believe that your Medicated Bath was a fluke success and that after surviving a great disaster, a powerful expert gifted you a Sword Skill and a Cultivation Technique, which is why your strength skyrocketed almost overnight! Otherwise, how would those people today have dared to try and kidnap you?"

Uncle Fu paused in thought, his eyes glinting. "This old servant suspects that many more people are watching from the shadows. You must be careful, Young Master!"

Ling Xiao leaned back in his chair, took a small sip of tea, and then said, "You’re talking about the Crown Prince?"

Uncle Fu nodded lightly and said in a low, expressionless voice, "If something were to happen to you here in Penzes City, Young Master, I believe the most furious people, aside from General Ling, would be the Southern King! If you were to be assassinated, then even if General Ling didn’t want to side with the Crown Prince, he certainly wouldn’t side with the Second Prince!"

Ling Xiao let out a long sigh, feeling a little frustrated. It seemed there was still so, so much he had to learn about this Mortal World. He then asked, "Then what about the private soldiers of the nobles tonight, the standard-issue weapons, and those two... siege crossbows that they didn’t even get a chance to use?"

Uncle Fu smiled. "Promise them a great profit, and you’ll always find some people who are bold enough. Besides, Young Master, don’t be misled by these assassins. There were only four hundred private soldiers tonight. A slightly larger noble house probably has over a thousand! And the wealthy merchants have private forces of several hundred as well!"

Just then, a soft knock came from the door. Meng Li’s figure slipped inside like a phantom and he swiftly removed his mask. He first bowed to Ling Xiao. "Young Master, about today’s events, Li..."

"It’s over now," Ling Xiao said reassuringly. Meng Li had been busy these past few days, constantly gathering all sorts of information for him. Moreover, Meng Li seemed to be a natural-born shadow, possessing a great talent for it!

With everything here needing to be rebuilt from scratch, there was much for him to do. Besides Uncle Fu, it was indeed difficult for anyone else to stay by Ling Xiao’s side constantly.

Meng Li then continued, "Tonight, I went to the Hundred Blessings Building where they were holding their banquet. The vast majority of people there likely knew nothing about this. When someone rushed back to report what happened, many of them were left standing there dumbfounded, muttering that it was all over."

After all, if a Viscount personally ennobled by His Majesty the Emperor died in his own fiefdom just three days after arriving, not a single one of the nobles and wealthy merchants present today could escape responsibility!

"However, your subordinate also noticed a few people acting strangely among the crowd. So, I followed them back tonight. The defenses around their homes were indeed very tight, and I didn’t dare get too close. But I’ve managed to get a list of the people who gathered together after leaving the banquet. Please take a look, Young Master!"