The Longevity Sect disciples were naturally overwhelmed by the arrival of Liu Xiongfei and Great Master Jiao Mu. However, they were even happier and proud that Ling Xiaoâs high-tension matter was resolved in the end.
Later, Nangong Xuan ordered some disciples to prepare a feast for their guests.
During the feast, many toasts were made, and both the host and the guests enjoyed it thoroughly.
When it ended, Liu Xiongfei and Ling Xiao headed to the bamboo forest behind Jin Se Pavilion.
âGreetings, Young Lord!â
Liu Xiongfei bowed to Ling Xiao respectfully.
âGet up!â Ling Xiao responded.
He had been aware of Liu Xiongfeiâs identity long ago. In fact, he was the Demon-conquering Kingâs former subordinate and a loyal follower when the king ruled.
Ling Xiaoâs monthly resources were sent from the Demon Conquering Kingâs Residence in the Capital to Liu Xiongfei before Liu Xiongfei sent them to Mount Longevity.
Back then, Ling Xiao was so useless and hopeless that Liu Xiongfei had never really interacted with him apart from sending him resources and protecting him in secret.
âYoung Lord, your talentâs unmatched. If His Majesty knows that youâve cultivated to your current boundary in such a short time, heâll be overjoyed!â
When Liu Xiongfei stood up, his face revealed a hint of excitement and shame.
He was excited not because Ling Xiao had proved to be the opposite of trash, but because he was a one in a million martial art geniuses. Yet he was ashamed because he had neglected the Young Lord for many years.
After all, he used to be extremely disappointed with Ling Xiaoâs worthless qualities.
âDo you know where⊠Father is? Why did he suddenly go missing three years ago?â Ling Xiao asked.
Regardless of what had happened, Liu Xiongfei should be credited for looking after him in secret all these years or he would have died long ago. Hence, Ling Xiao did not blame him.
Since Ling Xiao now occupied the old Ling Xiaoâs body, those matters had become his too.
He figured that he was most likely banished here because of the Demon-conquering Kingâs sudden disappearance three years ago.
âIâm not sure too!â
Liu Xiongfei smiled bitterly. He hesitated for a while before he continued, âBut perhaps itâs related to your mother, Young Lord!â
âMy mother?â
Ling Xiao was startled. According to the previous ownerâs memory, his mother had died long ago.
âThatâs right! Young Lord, it could possibly be related to Consort! I happen to know when she and His Majesty met, and that she has a very mysterious identity. When His Majesty led an army into a battle once, he saved her from being hunted down. If it wasnât for His Majesty, Consort wouldnât have survived. After that, they eventually got married and gave birth to you!â
As Liu Xiongfei reminisced about the past, he added, âBefore you were even a month old, Consort disappeared. It was when His Majesty couldnât find her even after searching the entire Ancient Great Barrenland, he went crazy! From then on, His Majesty became depressed until three years ago when he suddenly vanished from Demon Conquering Kingâs Residence!
âBut I heard that His Majesty had received a letter before he went missing. He was so agitated that he hid in his room for three days and three nights before he left the residence!â
Startled by what he heard, Ling Xiao began to guess.
Although he had never seen his mother before, he figured that she could be a disciple from a great sect. It was by fate that she happened to be in the Ancient Great Barrenland where she eventually got together with the Demon-conquering King.
She probably left without saying goodbye because of an unforeseen event, and perhaps the letter received by Demon-conquering King three years ago was related to her.
After all, the Ancient Great Barrenly was a very small place. As compared to War God Continent, Ancient Great Barrenly was like a drop of water in the river.
If that was the case, the incidents that happened after the departure of the Demon-conquering King could be figured out easily. The elders in Ling Xiaoâs family obviously wanted their sons and grandson to inherit the kingâs throne, thus Ling Xiao naturally became an eyesore.
Without Liu Xiongfeiâs protection, he would have died without being known.
âWhatâs my motherâs name?â Ling Xiao asked.
âConsortâs name is Mu Hanyan!â Liu Xiongfei answered.
âMu Hanyan?â
Ling Xiao nodded.
âThank you very much for today, Uncle Liu!â
Feeling a little flattered, Liu Xiongfei quickly responded, âYoung Lord, youâre being too polite. This is part of my duty! Anyway, thereâs something else that I want to inform you about.â
âWhat is it?â
âYouâll turn sixteen three months later and youâll be considered an adult in the Ancient Great Barrenland. Back then, His Majesty made a marriage arrangement for you to marry the monarchâs princess for when you become an adult!
âMoreover, the Demon Conquering Kingâs Residenceâs Great Competition will also be held three months later. Iâve received news that Great Elder has decided to select the most outstanding family disciple on that day, and will ask the monarchâs approval to have that disciple inherit the Demon-conquering Kingâs throne!â Liu Xiongfei mentioned it seriously.
âMarry the little princess? Iâm not interested! Iâm not interested in the Demon-conquering Kingâs throne as well. But since it belongs to Father, itâs not up to them to take it away!â Ling Xiao grinned.
âYoung Lord, itâs impossible for you to marry the little princess anymore! The royal family has been observing your performance for the last three years⊠Based on that, they naturally will not allow you to marry her anymore. Theyâre only waiting for you to become an adult, or for you to die, so that they can cancel the agreement! Iâve also heard that the little princess has a pure Yin body, thus she has been taken as a disciple by an elder from Sun Moon Stars Sect!â
Liu Xiongfei smiled bitterly.
As powerful as the Ancient Great Barrenland was, it was nothing compared to a martial art sacred place like Sun Moon Stars Sect.
âDoes that sect still exist?â
Ling Xiao was startled as he did not expect to hear a familiar name. He knew about Sun Moon Stars Sect very well since they shared quite a relationship.
As such, he became interested.
A smile appeared on Ling Xiaoâs face. âAlright! Iâll return to the Capital once Iâve sorted things out in Longevity Sect, and I wonât miss the Great Competition three months later!â
Liu Xiongfei was relieved when he noticed that Ling Xiao was not at all affected by the arranged marriage. At the same time, it caused him to admire Ling Xiao more.
How could a young and vigorous man not be humiliated if oneâs engagement was broken off?
Nevertheless, whether Ling Xiao was unbothered, or if he was suppressing his anger, it showed that he was not a simple man.
Someone who was brave but lacked wisdom was an ordinary man!
However, one who was both brave and wise was a hero!