Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

"Could they be after your miraculous abilities too?" Ling Tianxiao was both proud and worried about his son’s incredible skills.

Ling Xiao nodded and said, "That’s a possibility! So, with the Wulan Clan forcefully pressuring the Huangpu Clan, and the Emperor getting involved to officiate the marriage so publicly... I think that sword... is still pointed at me!"

"Mm, now that we’ve confirmed it, Xiao’Er, how do you plan to resolve this? You should know, if something like this happens once, it will happen a second time, and a third..." Ling Tianxiao looked at Ling Xiao meaningfully. "However, that Miss Huangpu is a good girl!"

Ling Xiao smiled, then said, "Since the enemy hasn’t explicitly pointed the spear at us, charging in with a big fanfare would be playing right into their hands. How about this: I’ll have Quefeng, Tiger, Thirteenth Master, and Fourteenth Master make a trip to the Imperial Capital. They’ll temporarily act as Huangpu Yue’s guards. What do you think, Father?"

Ling Tianxiao looked at his son and suddenly laughed. "Haha, you brat, you’re better than me! You know how to play dirty! Good, having them go to the Imperial Capital in secret is a good idea. Didn’t they send two experts? We’ll send four! Besides, as long as you don’t show your face, those people will never truly dare to kill your men!"

Ling Xiao also smiled. ’I hope so!’ he thought. ’If the enemy really is that Jingwu Family, they might not hesitate to kill my people. But what grudge do I even have with them? Judging by the Tier Five Sword Emperor’s attitude at the time, he didn’t seem like he wanted to capture me and extract my secrets. He looked like he just wanted to kill someone!’

He thought it over and over but couldn’t make sense of it. Ling Xiao let out a breath. ’Fine, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. As long as I’m here, anyone who wants to bully my people had better think long and hard about whether they can afford the price!’

Recently, everyone around Ling Xiao had seen their strength increase rapidly! Even Yisha and Ling Su, who had always been the weakest, had broken through from Great Sword Master to Mad Sword Master!

With everyone’s strength on the rise, the entire Inner City was naturally filled with a festive atmosphere, because the annual carnival was just around the corner!

Ling Xiao stood alone in the garden. In the south, it was like spring all year round. Small bridges crossed flowing streams amidst lush greenery, and the pavilions and terraces looked like an ink wash painting. Standing here always brought a sense of peace and tranquility.

’To think I’ve been in this world for what is about to be my fourth year.’ From 1453 to the upcoming 1456, Ling Xiao’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds over these few years. He had actually broken through to the Late Golden Core Stage, a realm he wouldn’t have dared to even imagine in his previous life!

And now, he was just a seventeen-year-old boy.

"Brother, are you worried about Sister Huangpu?"

A gentle voice interrupted Ling Xiao’s reminiscence. It was Yisha.

Ling Xiao turned his head and saw Yisha standing gracefully before him. Several years had passed, and the once-shy little girl had begun to mature. Standing there, she was like a lily about to bloom—fresh, natural, and evoking an irresistible feeling of tenderness.

Ling Xiao smiled and said, "There’s no need to worry about her. Quefeng and the others will protect her well. But what about you, Yisha? Are you happy now?"

"Brother, why are you suddenly asking this?" Yisha looked at Ling Xiao, a little puzzled. Seeing the purity in his eyes, Yisha gradually lowered her head and said softly, "Being by your side, Yisha is very happy. It’s just..." Yisha bit her lip, then suddenly raised her head to look at Ling Xiao. "Brother, Yisha wants to go to Nia Academy."

"Nia Academy? What’s that?" Ling Xiao was a bit stunned. He had never heard of such an academy. The main reason Yisha had left the Imperial Academy back then was because of him. So much time had passed; Ling Xiao hadn’t expected Yisha to still have the desire to attend school.

"Yes, Yisha still wants to study. Nia Academy is known as the best academy on the continent, and not just for martial arts. Any knowledge you can find there is considered the best on the continent!" A look of yearning appeared on Yisha’s face. "I heard its library has countless ancient texts, and they’re all open to the public! You can look up a vast amount of information on plants and animals from the Ancient Era!"

Only then did Ling Xiao remember what Yisha was best at. He couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. He reached out and gently caressed Yisha’s tender, delicate cheek.

Yisha blushed shyly and said softly, "Yisha doesn’t want to be useless. Yisha wants to be able to help you, Brother. But you have so many powerful Martial Artists around you, and my strength is just enough to protect myself out in the world. Besides, Nia Academy is in the Nia Duchy, which is a small, neutral country. It’s on the other side of the Zichuan Empire, very far from Lanyue! I’m sure very few people would recognize me there, so... I won’t cause you any trouble, Brother!"

Yisha mustered all her courage to say this in one breath, then looked at Ling Xiao anxiously. She added in a small voice, "Actually, Yun’Er, Sister Wind Bell, Chunlan, Qiuyue, and even Sister Yezi... they all long to go there too." Her face turned slightly red as she finished, "But it wasn’t me who encouraged them."

Seeing Yisha’s adorable expression, Ling Xiao couldn’t help but gently pull her into his arms and whisper in her ear, "I’ve been neglecting you all, haven’t I?"

"N-No." Yisha’s heart was pounding like a drum. It felt so comfortable and safe in his arms, but she knew this embrace wasn’t hers alone! Yisha’s delicate little face flushed bright red, yet she was unwilling to leave Ling Xiao’s arms. She slowly relaxed, wrapping her soft little hands around his waist.