Chapter 31: Ling Family’s Cousin
Zong Sheng was still full of doubts as he left the five-element array with Xie Bailu. He frequently looked at Xie Bailu, but he was a little hesitant to talk to her.
This woman was amazing. With a few words, she had made him lose several magical treasures and get beaten up by Ling Song. And she had even said she was his woman at that time, which was enough to provoke Ling Song, but now Ling Song had made up with her!
He finally couldn’t help but ask, “What did you mean by what you just said to my brother? You’re with him, and he doesn’t even give you magical treasures to use?” She even had to snatch others’!
Xie Bailu thought of the conversation between Zong Sheng and Ling Song earlier and said with an innocent expression, “What magical treasures could he have? He’s not like you, with the Zong and Ling families supporting him. He only has himself.”
Zong Sheng paused, then sneered, “No way, my brother is that pathetic? He doesn’t even have a magical treasure for a small Foundation Establishment cultivator?”
He had a sudden realization. “No wonder he only uses Shishang.”
Xie Bailu’s small test had come to a conclusion. It seemed that the Ling family really didn’t support Ling Song!
How strange. Ling Song was the son of the Ling family elder, Ling Yiyao, and he even had his mother’s surname, which should mean that he was considered a Ling family member. But from what Zong Sheng had revealed, it was not the case at all.
Ling Song was twenty-nine this year, and Zong Sheng was not much younger than him. Ling Yiyao had married into the Zong family shortly after giving birth to Ling Song, gave birth to Zong Sheng, and took care of him as he grew up. But Ling Song’s life in the Ling family had been very difficult. Zong Sheng himself had said that when his mother was taking care of him in the Zong family, Ling Song was fighting with wild dogs for food in the Ling family.
Excluding some exaggerated elements with personal likes and dislikes, Ling Song, this “bastard” with an unknown father, must have had a very bad life in the Ling family. It was no wonder he had become like this. It was all the fault of his childhood.
Xie Bailu felt a trace of pity for the past Ling Song, but none for the current one. It wasn’t her fault that he had to fight with wild dogs for food back then!
Zong Sheng thought of Xie Bailu’s request just now, and Ling Song had actually agreed with a good temper. He couldn’t help but look at Xie Bailu with a very aggressive gaze, his face full of confusion. “I thought the rumors were a bit exaggerated, but now it seems that’s not the case. What did you do to my brother?”
His relationship with Ling Song was not good, but he knew Ling Song. He was definitely not such an easy-going person. He had heard that some cultivators had changed their personalities after having a Daoist companion, but he had never thought that this could happen to Ling Song.
Xie Bailu said, “What are you talking about! What could I have done to your brother? He’s just deeply in love with me and is willing to do anything for me.”
Zong Sheng looked at Xie Bailu with suspicion. She was beautiful, but not to the point of being bewitching. And Ling Song was never one to be swayed by appearances. There were plenty of beautiful female cultivators who had died at his hands.
Besides, her cultivation was mediocre, and as a rogue cultivator, she naturally had no family background. He really couldn’t see what Ling Song saw in her.
The wound on his body was aching faintly. Zong Sheng decided not to delve into it. He was afraid that if Ling Song caught up, he would have to fight him again. This time, all his magical treasures might be gone, and maybe Ling Song would even kill him.
“Let’s go! My mother has been waiting for a long time.” Zong Sheng took Xie Bailu and flew away on his knife.
Xie Bailu didn’t say anything more. She was wondering why Ling Yiyao wanted to see her.
From the rumors to her personal contact, she had confirmed that the Ling family actually didn’t care about Ling Song at all. Ling Yiyao, Ling Song’s biological mother, also only favored her younger son. But just a short time after the rumors about Ling Song and her had spread, Ling Yiyao had sought her out.
This was a little too hasty. Ling Yiyao didn’t provide Ling Song with family support, didn’t even care about his life and death, and yet she cared about his partner? It didn’t make sense.
Let alone the drama of a rich and powerful evil mother-in-law suppressing the Cinderella heroine, Ling Yiyao should have just ignored it as if she knew nothing.
So, why did Ling Yiyao want to see her?
Xie Bailu secretly became alert.
It was clear that even though Zong Sheng didn’t say it, he was afraid of Ling Song. Therefore, he flew extremely fast, not even taking a breath. When his spiritual energy was low, he would stuff pills into his mouth. The pills he used were naturally different from the low-grade pills Xie Bailu had bought, a world of difference.
They flew like this for a whole day and finally reached their destination. Because Zong Sheng had also used a magical treasure to accelerate, running as if for his life, Ling Song had never caught up.
It was now dusk. The Ling family’s mansion, located outside the city, was extremely large, like a small town, which was astonishing.
Although Zong Sheng’s surname was Zong, he was Ling Yiyao’s son after all and could come and go freely in the Ling family. After hanging a metal plate of unknown material on his body, he flew straight into the Ling family’s mansion and finally stopped by a courtyard to the right of the central axis.
Xie Bailu, following Zong Sheng in mid-air, could see the general layout of the entire Ling family’s mansion.
The Ling family’s mansion had an array for protection. Only those with the metal plate on Zong Sheng’s body could fly in the air. She had seen another person fly by from a distance, also wearing the same metal plate. And the others, wearing plates of different materials, could only walk on the ground.
The Ling family’s mansion was divided into many areas, which were not connected and were guarded. And there was one area that could not be seen clearly even from mid-air, which was probably where the family head stayed.
As soon as Zong Sheng landed, a female cultivator came up to him and said respectfully, “Young Master, the elder is not in the courtyard at the moment. She has instructed me that if you come, you should stay here first.”
Now that he was on the Ling family’s territory, Zong Sheng relaxed a lot. Hearing this, he complained, “I went on such a long journey for mother, but she didn’t even wait for me to come back.”
His tone was affectionate, and it was clear that his relationship with Ling Yiyao was good.
Xie Bailu was suddenly very curious what Ling Song would be like in front of his mother.
The female cultivator seemed to be used to Zong Sheng’s complaints and still smiled. “The elder did not do it on purpose. It’s just that the matter is a bit urgent and cannot be ignored.”
Zong Sheng waved his hand. “Forget it.”
He was about to take Xie Bailu inside when he saw two people hurrying over. The man in the lead said loudly, “Surnamed Zong, why are you here again? This is the Ling family, not your Zong family!”
Zong Sheng’s steps faltered. He looked at the man, his smile mocking. “Oh, isn’t it my useless cousin?”
The man’s face immediately darkened, and he glared at Zong Sheng with a sinister expression. The middle-aged woman behind him immediately said, “Young Master Zong, please be careful with your words. This is the Ling family after all.”
Zong Sheng smiled. “If you’re not convinced, then fight me.”
Xie Bailu looked at the newcomer. The man was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, about the same as her. He was reasonably handsome and even a little familiar, but his expression seemed to have been steeped in long-term gloom, making him look very sinister and difficult to get along with.
And the woman behind the man was probably at the Golden Core stage, but she stood a step behind the man in a subtly protective stance.
Zong Sheng called him cousin, so this must be the son of the current Ling family head. Ling Yiyao was the daughter of the former family head, and the current family head was Ling Yiyao’s own brother, so his status in the family was very high.
Xie Bailu found it strange. The son of the Ling family head should have been showered with all sorts of resources. And the aptitude of the Ling family head’s lineage was not bad. Even if this son of the family head couldn’t be like Ling Song, he should at least be about the same as Zong Sheng.
But not only was his cultivation lacking, but he also completely lacked the spirit of a core disciple of a major family. On the contrary, he looked like he had been bullied as he grew up, full of hostility.
The man looked at Zong Sheng coldly, as if he wanted to swallow him whole. He said, “This is the Ling family. Don’t be so presumptuous in the Ling family! If you like the Ling family so much, why don’t you change your surname?”
Zong Sheng was not angry and said with a grin, “If I change my surname to Ling, then what will you do, cousin? Won’t the position of the Ling family head be mine in the future? Are you really willing?”
The man was so angry that his veins popped. He said sternly, “Hengwu!”
The woman behind him immediately drew her longsword and pointed it at Zong Sheng.
Xie Bailu silently took a step back, cheering in her heart, Fight, fight!
And the female cultivator who had greeted Zong Sheng earlier seemed to have seen this scene many times and did not interfere.
Zong Sheng spread his hands and smiled. “I’m not going to fight you. There’s no benefit in winning.”
As a Golden Core cultivator, he was naturally not afraid of the other party. It was only when facing Ling Song that he would feel an uncontrollable fear from the shadow of almost being killed back then.
As if he had thought of something, Zong Sheng turned to look at Xie Bailu and pointed at the man. “His name is Ling Hong. He was the one who led people to bully my brother when he was a child, not giving him food, which was why he had to fight with wild dogs for food.”
Ling Hong’s gaze suddenly fell on Xie Bailu.
Xie Bailu, who was enjoying the show, was speechless. “…”
Meeting Zong Sheng’s “let’s watch a good show” look, Xie Bailu finally opened her mouth. “Oh.”
She had a feeling that if Ling Hong targeted her, Zong Sheng would not interfere to help her, but would just watch the show. So she would not do as Zong Sheng wished.
Zong Sheng was surprised. “Just ‘oh’? Don’t you have anything else to say? You’re my brother’s woman. He had such a miserable childhood. Shouldn’t you get justice for him!”
Sure enough, after Zong Sheng said “my brother’s woman,” Ling Hong’s gaze on Xie Bailu became a little colder.
Xie Bailu suddenly walked up to Zong Sheng, pretended to gently pat his arm, and said coquettishly, “Annoying, I’m already your person now. Don’t mention the past!”
Zong Sheng was speechless. “…?”
Xie Bailu’s affected tone gave Zong Sheng goosebumps. He had thought that Xie Bailu’s self-proclamation as his woman in front of Ling Song was the limit. At that time, it was only the three of them. He hadn’t expected her to be even more outrageous. This was the Ling family, with so many eyes watching. If she said this, wasn’t she afraid that others would misunderstand and look down on her?
Xie Bailu had nothing to be afraid of. She saw that after she had spoken, Ling Hong’s gaze had turned to contempt. It was better than the previous sinister anger. It was clear that Ling Song’s hatred value with Ling Hong was much higher than Zong Sheng’s.
Ling Hong burst into laughter. After laughing enough, he said, “Two brothers sharing one woman. You really are brothers!”
Xie Bailu thought to herself, What’s the big deal? After I leave the Ling family, I can add you too. As long as I spread enough dirty rumors, people will get used to it.
She was a rootless duckweed here, with no social constraints. Even if there were more rumors, if she changed her name, who would know who she was? Therefore, she had no psychological burden in spreading rumors about herself.
Zong Sheng looked at the calm Xie Bailu and suddenly noticed something. He said with great interest, “Xie Bailu, do you know why cousin is still only at the early-stage Foundation Establishment?”
Xie Bailu looked up at him.
Ling Hong’s eyes were almost popping out of their sockets as he glared at Zong Sheng and said sternly, “Zong Sheng!”
Zong Sheng grinned and dug his ear, pretending not to hear, and continued, “My brother beat him. At that time, my brother was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and he almost destroyed his foundation. They had so many people at that time. Don’t you think he’s a good-for-nothing? Sigh, if he had been able to kill my brother at that time, there wouldn’t be so many problems now.”
Xie Bailu was speechless. “…” So it’s fine to say you want your brother to die in front of the Ling family?
Having his ruined foundation mentioned so lightly, Ling Hong was completely enraged. His red eyes snatched the sword from Hengwu’s side and stabbed viciously at Zong Sheng.
Zong Sheng took a step back, grabbed Xie Bailu’s arm, and pulled her in front of him to block the sword.
Xie Bailu was speechless. “…?” What kind of beastly behavior is this? You’re a Golden Core cultivator, and you can’t even beat a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a ruined foundation?!
But soon, Xie Bailu understood why Zong Sheng had done this, because a red figure suddenly appeared and kicked the irrational Ling Hong away.
Ling Hong spat out a mouthful of blood in mid-air. Hengwu caught him and still took several steps back.
And after kicking Ling Hong away, when facing Zong Sheng, Ling Song directly drew his sword, startling Zong Sheng into retreating, and Xie Bailu fell into Ling Song’s hands.
Zong Sheng finally retreated behind the female cultivator who had greeted him, patted his chest exaggeratedly, and said with a grin, “Sister Qingke, you have to put in a good word for me in front of mother. Brother completely disregards our brotherly bond and always wants to kill me!”
Qingke smiled, noncommittal, and her gaze on Ling Song also became a little tense.
Ling Song didn’t look at anyone, just stared at Xie Bailu, then stuffed several storage bags into her hand. “See for yourself what’s inside.”
Holding a handful of storage bags, Xie Bailu was moved for a moment. Oh my god, he really did as she said!
She looked up at him and decided to try again. “Then can you also erase the spiritual sense imprint and let me go?”
A pleased smile appeared on Ling Song’s handsome face. “Of course not.”
In the eyes of those who didn’t know the truth, the scene of the two of them standing together was quite pleasing to the eye, especially the rare smile on Ling Song’s face. Although they didn’t know what they were talking about, they looked very much in love.
Seeing this scene, Ling Hong’s face twisted into a ferocious grin as he laughed smugly. “Hahaha, Ling Song, you don’t know, do you? Your brother has long been involved with this woman!”
Ling Song finally deigned to look at Ling Hong. This look was no different from looking at a dead person. But in the next moment, he heard Xie Bailu say, “Cousin, you’ve misunderstood me. I think you’re much better than Zong Sheng!”
Ling Song looked at Xie Bailu. Xie Bailu gave him a sweet smile, and he also laughed, then raised his sword and walked towards Ling Hong.
Ling Hong was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood something and said fiercely, “Vixen! You think you can call me cousin? Ling Song, don’t listen to her provocations! I have nothing to do with her!”
The person who had been so arrogant a moment ago was now as cowardly as a dog.
Ling Song was just using the excuse Xie Bailu had given him to beat up Ling Hong, so of course he wouldn’t listen to what he said.
Hengwu stood in front of Ling Hong. “Young Master, please think twice.”
Ling Song smiled. “I’ll kill you, then kill him, or you can get out of the way, and I’ll leave him with half a life.”
Seeing Hengwu’s silence, Ling Hong quickly shouted, “Hengwu, you have to protect me! This is your duty!”
He then looked at Qingke. “Qingke, you can’t let Ling Song be so presumptuous!”
Qingke still smiled like an outsider.
Ling Song took out a piece of cloth and slowly wrapped Shishang in it. This indeed meant that he would not kill Ling Hong.
Hengwu then retreated and said in a low voice, “Young Master, you shouldn’t have come here to provoke him today. The Young Master has his limits. Please just endure it.”
Ling Hong looked at Ling Song, who was slowly walking towards him with a demonic smile on his face, in terror, and actually turned and ran.