Chapter 169: Chapter 152: Secrets of the Hidden Clans and Sects

"Do you want to learn this sword skill?"

Ling Xiao stood behind Feng Ling and asked in a peculiar tone. The situation was rather amusing. This sword skill had, in fact, originally belonged to Feng Ling. Ling Xiao had seen her perform it and later grasped its essence from the sound of her zither. However, Ling Xiao had since elevated the skill, increasing its power. Now, turning around to teach it back to its original owner... it certainly created an indescribable feeling.

Feng Ling’s body trembled slightly, then she said coldly, "If you’re trying to get something from me, then don’t bother. Don’t think I’d be interested just because your sword skill is superior to mine!"

In reality, the moment Ling Xiao spoke, Feng Ling felt an immediate impulse to agree. ’I know how important the sword skill in his possession is to my family,’ she thought. ’Father sent those people this time... and while it had something to do with *that person*, wasn’t it ultimately because he was coveting the Divine Sword Skill Ling Xiao might have?’

’I never thought it would end so miserably. Of the five who came, two died on the spot, and I became a prisoner. My Senior Brother said he would come get me soon, but after waiting for so long, there’s been no news at all.’

Truthfully, Feng Ling understood in her heart. Aside from her father and Senior Brother, the others in her sect were not much stronger than the Martial Artists of the Mortal World. Her sect could definitely be considered a first-rate Martial Artist family if placed in the Mortal World. But among the hidden sects, they were nothing but a minor, insignificant group. The way those from other hidden sects looked at her own sect was almost identical to how she looked at the noble families of the Mortal World!

Feng Ling was headstrong and had a fiery temper, but that didn’t mean she was an empty-headed fool. She saw these things with perfect clarity, yet she was powerless to change any of it.

Her ability to ponder these matters with such a calm mind was, ironically, thanks to the man before her. ’If this cold-hearted bastard hadn’t sealed my power, I probably... wouldn’t have calmed down enough to think about these things, even if I understood the principles. But... even if I understand it all, what’s the use? Can understanding reality change it?’

’I can’t change it! That’s right. My sect has been passed down from generation to generation, barely managing to keep a foothold among the hidden families with our Rhythm Sword Skill. Taking even one step further is nearly impossible. Could I possibly change what so many brilliant and talented ancestors of my sect could not?’

’If I could obtain this sword skill, could I revitalize my sect?’ A surge of heat made Feng Ling’s blood boil for an instant, but it cooled just as quickly. ’This young nobleman... he’s only a Viscount, yet he subdued me so easily! And such a genius Martial Artist was described as so pathetic in the rumors... Just how many people like him, hiding their true abilities, are there in this Mortal World?’

Feng Ling walked toward her room, one step at a time. She didn’t believe that hateful... that bastard who killed two of her senior brothers would actually teach her the sword skill. Even though it was originally hers!

She hated him!

Ling Xiao watched her retreating back and shook his head gently. "I just want to know a few things about the hidden sects and families. I’m not interested in who hired you to assassinate me. As payment, I can return this sword skill—which originated from you—back to you."

Feng Ling stopped, her heart in turmoil. She bit her lower lip hard. ’This devil, is he trying to tempt me with the sword skill? No, I can’t agree. The hidden sects and families have an unwritten rule: forever maintain an air of mystery to the Mortal World!’

"Sorry, I’m not interested in your sword skill!" Feng Ling grit her teeth and continued walking forward.

Ling Xiao let out a soft chuckle. "Not interested? Then why did you go to such great lengths, sending five High-level Martial Artists to abduct me? Don’t lie to yourself. As I said, I’m simply curious about the hidden sects and families."

"You’re lying to me too!" Feng Ling spun around, her pretty face filled with anger. "You’re obviously afraid that other hidden families and sects will come after you, so you want to learn about them to avoid being caught unprepared, right? Hmph, don’t play me for a fool! If... if you really want to know, it’s not impossible for me to tell you, but I have a few conditions! First, teach me the sword skill. No, *return* it to me! It... it was my sword skill to begin with! You stole it! Second, undo the seals on my power and let me go. I can guarantee I’ll never come looking for you again! As for you killing my sect-mates, I will use the improved sword skill to settle the matter. How about it? If you agree to these two conditions, I’ll tell you!"

"Alright," Ling Xiao agreed with a nod, not even pausing to think.

Feng Ling was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Ling Xiao to agree so readily. ’Logically, the only way he can guarantee his own safety is by keeping me imprisoned,’ she thought. ’To say he believes my promise... that’s a lie so blatant even a child wouldn’t fall for it, let alone this guy. Why would he agree?’ 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As Feng Ling’s mind raced, trying to figure out Ling Xiao’s motives, he spoke. "What, I’ve already agreed. You still don’t trust me?"

"I don’t trust you!"

Feng Ling pouted. "I’ll only believe you if you release the seals on my power right now!"

"You’re pushing your luck. Forget it. I’ve suddenly lost interest." Ling Xiao shrugged, spread his hands, and turned to leave.

"W-wait!"

Feng Ling stared at Ling Xiao. "Remember what you promised me!"

The two of them sat down on a bench under a tree. Feng Ling listlessly kept her distance from Ling Xiao before speaking. "Go ahead and ask what you want to know. But let’s be clear, there are some questions I can refuse to answer."

"Just tell me a bit about the hidden families in general."

Ling Xiao said casually. His relaxed attitude seemed to surprise Feng Ling for a moment, but she began to speak anyway. "The so-called hidden families, to be honest, aren’t all that mysterious. Most of them just live in seclusion in remote places and rarely interact with the outside world. The entire family is focused on cultivation. Their strengths vary, so they’re not that different from the noble families in the Mortal World. The main difference is that the hidden families and sects have much longer histories; most of them are older than the current Dynasty. And since the families have various needs... they select some of the great families in the Mortal World to act as their representatives. They pass on some sword skills to them, help them rise, and then use their representatives to obtain whatever they require."

After finishing, Feng Ling glanced at Ling Xiao. "Well? That was detailed enough, wasn’t it? Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Ling Xiao gave a faint smile. "Your family... how does its strength rank among the hidden sects and families?"

"I refuse to answer that question!" Feng Ling said, her face frosty.

Ling Xiao’s smile remained placid, showing no signs of anger. He continued, "Among the hidden families, the super-clans and sects... their sword skills are mostly Divine-level, I presume?"

"I refuse to answer that question!" Impatience flickered in Feng Ling’s eyes. She was completely unaware that her expression had already given Ling Xiao the best possible answer.

At that, Ling Xiao suddenly let out a long breath, his entire demeanor relaxing. He smiled and said, "Thank you. Thank you very much."

Feng Ling looked completely bewildered. She shot Ling Xiao a glare, having no idea what he meant.

Ling Xiao couldn’t be bothered to explain. ’She’d probably go crazy with rage if I did,’ he thought. He stood up and tossed a sentence over his shoulder. "Tomorrow, I’ll teach you the sword skill."

"Hey... when are you going to restore my power!"

Whether he taught her the sword skill or not wasn’t Feng Ling’s most pressing concern. She felt that if this continued, her entire cultivation would be wasted. ’Or maybe,’ she thought, ’that bastard never intended to release the seals on me at all!’

"When I feel like it."

"You liar!" Feng Ling shouted angrily from behind him.

"I only promised I’d release you. I never said when. Don’t worry, it won’t be too long. Hmm, this trial is good for your patience. You’re too hot-tempered. That’s not good..."

Ling Xiao’s voice faded into the distance, leaving Feng Ling standing there alone, her chest heaving violently. ’Damn it! It was such a simple word game! And here I call myself a genius... I was completely tricked by him!’

’Father was right, none of these people from the Mortal World are any good! WAH... Father, Ling’Er misses you! Please come and take me home!’

「...」

Ling Xiao sat across from Uncle Fu. Beside them, Ye Wen Ni quietly tended to the charcoal fire. The water in the kettle gradually began to boil, letting off thick steam. Ye Zi picked up the teapot, poured tea for the two men, and then sat back down to the side. Uncle Fu nodded in satisfaction and said elegantly, "Little Yezi, how does it feel?"

A faint blush appeared on Ye Wen Ni’s pretty face. "It still feels a little awkward," she said. "But does this really help improve my cultivation realm? I can’t feel anything."

Uncle Fu’s old face was wreathed in a brilliant smile as he nodded repeatedly. "It does, it definitely does! If you don’t believe me... ask the Young Master!"

Ling Xiao also nodded seriously, his expression grave. "It really does!"

Ye Wen Ni furrowed her brow slightly. "Somehow, I get the feeling you two just wanted to find someone to brew your tea."

"Absolutely not!"

The old man and the young man said in unison, both with faces full of sincerity.

Ye Wen Ni shook her head, sat back down quietly, and stared into the fire, lost in thought.

Uncle Fu said to Ling Xiao, "If that’s the case, then it’s quite simple. Feng Ling must come from a relatively small hidden sect. Judging from the sword skill she uses, it should be somewhere between Heaven-rank and Saint-rank. The skill itself is actually quite profound. If that Demon Sword Master had used this skill against me, I would have been no match for him! That being said, they must have been drawn here because you possess a Divine-level Sword Skill and Technique. At the same time, they also have some connection to the Crown Prince. Heh, Young Master, all in all, congratulations. The threat from the hidden families is not as serious as we thought."

Ling Xiao also nodded and said with a smile, "So, for now, we just need to make the nobles of Penzes City quiet down."