Chapter 137: Perplexed Xie Lingfeng

Chapter 137: Perplexed Xie Lingfeng

The unparalleled Grand Master felt helpless as well. How could there be such a monstrous talent in this world? Even if she had made a move back then, her opponent would likely have escaped. That body technique was too profound, and his speed was too fast. Even for her, a Grand Master, it wouldn't be easy to catch up.

And once they became enemies, if that person's strength broke through, it would be troublesome if they came back for revenge.

After all, with the support of Sword Venerable Cliff and a powerful backer like Xie Tianheng, whose strength ranked among the top five Inner Domain peak Grand Masters, it would be a difficult grudge to bear.

The Grand Master glanced at her disciple and chuckled, "Good disciple, are you feeling the pangs of youth?"

The plain-clothed woman rolled her eyes and said, "No, I'm just considering your well-being and that of the Unparalleled Pavilion."

"You're a hypocrite!"

The Unparalleled Grand Master laughed.

...

Sword Venerable Cliff, known as the number one sword sect in the Inner Domain, and its current Sword Master, Xie Tianheng, was incredibly powerful. He had once slain three peak Grand Masters alone.

A towering cliff reached high into the clouds, and along the cliff was a long staircase that led straight to the top.

Below the cliff were rows upon rows of houses, becoming sparser as one ascended.

This was Sword Venerable Cliff.

Outside a house near the top of the cliff, an ancient pine tree stood, and a young man sat cross-legged beneath it. His body emanated a surging aura, and sword light emanated from his being.

"Hu!"

Xie Lingfeng exhaled, a look of excitement on his face.

"Finally, I've refined my internal energy into true qi. My strength has increased by more than 50%."

Ever since he returned from the desolate border, he had been refining his martial internal energy, transforming it into true qi.

Now that he had finally succeeded, with this refinement method, he could be considered a congenital realm warrior.

"Can I only be considered a pseudo-congenital realm practitioner?"

Xie Lingfeng sighed inwardly.

"It can't be considered pseudo-congenital either. Brother Xu is simply too monstrous. His true qi is far beyond that of ordinary warriors. So, in terms of my true qi, I can indeed be considered a congenital realm warrior."

Xie Lingfeng's thoughts took a turn for the better, and he immediately felt cheerful.

"My strength has increased significantly. With my initial stage of being a Grand Master, fighting a Grand Master in their prime is effortless, and I can even hold my own against a peak Grand Master."

With this thought, Xie Lingfeng became excited.

"The cultivation of the congenital realm is more or less like this. I've switched to true martial arts, but what about after the congenital realm?

"Should I just follow the proper steps and cultivate according to the congenital realm techniques?"

Xie Lingfeng suddenly felt dejected.

He didn't have any cultivation techniques!

The techniques of Sword Venerable Cliff were ultimately not true martial arts techniques.

"I haven't even entered the realm of swordsmanship yet, and I still haven't achieved the profound state of sword heart clarity. It's too difficult."

Xie Lingfeng thought of his swordsmanship training.

The foundation of entering the sword path required a clear sword heart, but he had never touched this profound state.

"My sword techniques have improved significantly, which means I'm getting closer to achieving sword heart clarity. But as for how to break through, I have no idea."

Xie Lingfeng pondered silently.

He looked up at the sky beyond Sword Venerable Cliff, "I wonder if Brother Xu has come to the Inner Domain. I can ask him for guidance when he arrives."

Just then, Hu Shan arrived, carrying two large boxes.

His face wore a bewildered expression.

"Young Master, the Du Hou Mansion of the Great Yue Kingdom has sent people with lavish gifts, saying it's to express their gratitude for Young Master's relief."

Hu Shan put down the boxes.

"Relief?"

Xie Lingfeng was taken aback, wondering when he had helped the Du Hou Mansion.

"Yes!"

Hu Shan nodded, also puzzled. When did the young master help the Du Hou Mansion?

He couldn't remember.

"Moreover, the Du Hou Mansion also said that Young Master can propose a marriage at any time, and the Du family will gladly accept. Miss Du will surely live up to Young Master's expectations!"

As Hu Shan finished speaking, he couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, when did you and the young lady of the Du Hou Mansion fall in love? This is wonderful news! Although the Du Hou Mansion isn't very powerful, I've heard that the young lady of the Du family is one of the top geniuses in the Seven Stars Academy."

Xie Lingfeng was perplexed, asking blankly, "I don't know her. Has she mistaken me for someone else?"

"Young Master, what are you saying? Who would mistake their beloved for someone else?"

Hu Shan handed a letter to Xie Lingfeng, his face full of curiosity.

Xie Lingfeng took the letter with a bewildered expression, opening it as he asked, "What's the name of the young lady of the Du Hou Mansion?"

"No, Young Master, how could you forget her name? Have you started something and then forgotten about it after you've had your fun?"

Hu Shan widened his eyes, disbelief in his voice as he said, "Young Master, you're that kind of person!"

"You're talking nonsense! I, Xie Lingfeng, am upright and honorable. How could I do such a thing..."

Xie Lingfeng glared at Hu Shan, then lowered his head to read the letter, only to become even more perplexed.

Something about being graciously escorted and cared for along the way...

"A palm strike from the young master destroys a Grand Master, and he drives away a half-step Grand Master... Young Master is unparalleled, and among the thousands of men in this world, in Yu Ying's eyes, none can compare to the young master..."

As Xie Lingfeng read on, he fell silent, reaching up to touch his face. Was he truly so handsome and dashing?

Did I do that in my dreams? Xie Lingfeng was perplexed. How could I even do that in my dreams?

Something's not right! There must be some mistake!

Hu Shan stared at the letter with great curiosity, "Young Master, I can see that a young lady has fallen in love with you!"

At the same time, he was puzzled, "Young Master, when did you slay a Grand Master with a palm strike? And do you really have that kind of strength?"

Suddenly, both Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan seemed to think of something.

"Hu Shan, do you think there's a possibility that Xu might have come to the Inner Domain?" Xie Lingfeng asked.

With a single palm strike slaying a Grand Master, such formidable strength reminded him of Xu Yan.

"But Xu Yan is Xu Yan, and you are you, Young Master. There shouldn't be any mistake, right?" Hu Shan questioned.

"What if Xu used my name?" Xie Lingfeng said thoughtfully.

"Young Master, that doesn't make sense. Although we agreed that if anything happened after coming to the Inner Domain, we could use your name, he wouldn't have introduced himself as 'I am Xie Lingfeng', would he? He would have said something like, 'I am a friend of Xie Lingfeng from Sword Venerable Cliff'..." Hu Shan trailed off.

Suddenly, he felt that it wasn't impossible for Xu Yan to have introduced himself as Xie Lingfeng.

"Whether it's Xu or not, let's pay a visit to the Du Hou Mansion. If it really is him, that would be wonderful." Xie Lingfeng mused.

Hu Shan nodded, agreeing that a trip to the Du Hou Mansion would clear up the confusion.

"Young Master, what about these lavish gifts?" Hu Shan asked, pointing at the two large boxes.

"Let's keep them for now. If it turns out to be Xu, we can give them to him then," Xie Lingfeng replied.

"Young Master, I'll go and pack my things. I'll be ready to leave with you shortly," Hu Shan said eagerly.

"Alright!" Xie Lingfeng nodded.

"Hu Shan, how much true qi have you refined?" he asked.

"About six to seven parts. My strength has increased significantly," Hu Shan replied excitedly.

Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan left Sword Venerable Cliff and headed straight for the Du Hou Mansion.

...

The turmoil within the Du Hou Mansion had gradually calmed down.

Among the five major vassal kings of the Great Yue Kingdom, the Du Hou Mansion was the strongest. The Du Hou King was a peak Grand Master, holding a significant position in the Great Yue Kingdom.

However, there were conflicts among the five major vassal kings, and these conflicts may have been secretly instigated by the royal family of the Great Yue Kingdom to prevent the five vassals from uniting.

Regardless, the disputes among the five vassals were also related to their respective interests, and the Great Yue royal family simply took advantage of the situation.

Among the three major kingdoms in the Inner Domain, only the Great Yue Kingdom had vassal kings. The reason for this was that during the founding of the Great Yue Kingdom, the five major vassal families were extremely powerful, and forcing them into submission would have caused significant damage.

Thus, the five major vassals initially joined forces but dared not completely break ties with the Great Yue Kingdom. They reached an unspoken agreement.

In name, the Great Yue royal family bestowed titles upon the vassals, and the vassals accepted the royal family's jurisdiction. In reality, however, the territories of the five vassals always belonged to their respective families.

The five major vassals were once the five great aristocratic families, each entrenched in their own region with deep roots.

The recent turmoil in the Du Hou Mansion was related to another vassal king, the Zheng Hou Mansion. A new Grand Master had emerged in the Zheng Hou Mansion, seeking to expand their influence and intrude into the Du Hou Mansion's affairs.

The conflict between the Du and Zheng families had long since reached a point of no return. When the Du Hou King's wife fell ill and passed away, her last wish was to be buried in her hometown.

Du Yuying, with her unique physique and status as the pride of the Du Hou Mansion, naturally became a target, especially since she was the Du Hou King's most beloved descendant.

Although the Du Hou Mansion managed to restrain their opponent, the Demon Sect unexpectedly intervened, and one could only speculate about the promises made by the Zheng Hou Mansion to the Demon Sect.

Even Yin Hong, the half-step Grand Master, personally took action, intending to take Du Yuying away.

Yin Hong's motive for intervening was different from that of the Zheng Hou Mansion and the Demon Sect, but there was no doubt that he, too, was targeting the Du Hou Mansion.

It seemed that several forces were attempting to take advantage of the situation to weaken the Du Hou Mansion.

Who would have thought that Xie Lingfeng, the pride of Sword Venerable Cliff, would escort Du Yuying back safely, killing Grand Masters and even driving away Yin Hong, the half-step Grand Master?

When this news spread, the Zheng Hou Mansion withdrew, and the Demon Sect also quieted down.

The influential figure backing Yin Hong also retreated, never revealing their identity.

Sword Venerable Cliff was a top power in the Inner Domain. Neither the five major vassals nor even the Great Yue royal family dared to offend Sword Venerable Cliff lightly.

With the turmoil settling, the Du Hou Mansion breathed a sigh of relief. This time, the Zheng Hou Mansion had come prepared, and if the Du Hou Mansion had shown any weakness, the consequences could have been dire.

The person of influence backing Yin Hong was most likely someone from the Great Yue royal family.

In a separate courtyard of the Du Hou Palace, Du Yuying strolled through the garden.

"Miss, the generous gifts have been delivered to Master Xie at Sword Venerable Cliff. When do you think he will come to propose?"

Cui'er asked, her face full of anticipation.

"I'm Miss's personal maid. If Miss marries Master Xie, I will become their shared maid, and Master Xie will also favor me..."

Cui'er's face turned reddish at the thought.

A soft look flashed in Du Yuying's eyes as she gently replied, "It shouldn't be too long now."

"Miss, when will you break through to the Grand Master realm? To stand shoulder to shoulder with Master Xie as Grand Masters, that would truly be the envy of all." Cui'er asked with a giggle.

"I'm not sure. It could be as soon as a year, or as long as five or six years..."

Du Yuying shook her head; she had already reached the Second Grade realm.

However, the path to becoming a Grand Master was still long and arduous.

"That Zheng Hou King is truly despicable. Fortunately, Master Xie escorted us and drove away the Demon Sect. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous." Cui'er recalled their recent journey and said indignantly.

"Cui'er, do we have any news on which Demon Sovereign's Grand Master made a move?" Du Yuying asked thoughtfully.

"No news yet. It could have been one of those unknown Demon Sovereigns," Cui'er replied with a shake of her head.

Just then, a servant came to report, "Miss, Xie Lingfeng of Sword Venerable Cliff is here. He's waiting outside the palace."

Du Yuying's eyes lit up at the news.

"Cui'er, go and welcome Master Xie. I will entertain him at the Listening Pavilion."

Du Yuying instructed gently, her eyes sparkling with suppressed joy.

However, she maintained her composure and asked Cui'er to greet him instead.

After all, Cui'er was already familiar with her.

"Yes, Miss!"

Cui'er was thrilled, her face flushed with excitement.

"Master Xie must be here to propose! I'll be their shared maid, and then I can also be with Master Xie..."

Her face reddened further as she recalled the illusion she had experienced under the influence of the Thousand Illusions Demon Master's magic.

As she ran towards the palace entrance, she asked, "Is Master Xie alone?"

"Not exactly. He's accompanied by an older man," the servant replied.

"Hee hee, Master Xie must be here to propose. My heart is pounding so fast!"

Cui'er's face was flushed, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with shy anticipation.

She hurried to the palace entrance, where Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan, who had traveled a long distance, had arrived and learned that Du Yuying was residing in this separate courtyard. They came to seek an audience, hoping to find out if the man was indeed Xu Yan.

"Young Master, if it really is Xu Yan, wouldn't this incident implicate Sword Venerable Cliff?" Hu Shan scratched his head and asked.

"So what? Is our Sword Venerable Cliff afraid of the Great Yue Kingdom?" Xie Lingfeng said nonchalantly.

"Young Master, why did Xu Yan use your name, though? I don't quite understand that." Hu Shan was still puzzled.

Xie Lingfeng's mouth twitched, "Didn't I say that when we came to the Inner Domain, if anything happened, he could use my name?"

He paused, remembering how Xu Yan had also asked if it applied to any situation.

"Something about this doesn't feel right. Is this how you use someone's name? Shouldn't it be more like, 'Xie Lingfeng and I are sworn brothers, so give me some face'?" Hu Shan was confused.

Xie Lingfeng sighed, "The way a peerless genius thinks is different from ordinary people."

"Young Master, I also said that when we came to the Inner Domain, he could use my name if needed. Do you think he used my name instead?" Hu Shan asked anxiously.

"Rest assured, he wouldn't use your name. Xu Yan is young, but you're much older and not as strong. It wouldn't be appropriate," Xie Lingfeng shook his head.

Hu Shan: ...

He sighed inwardly at the sadness of being weak.

A pretty maid rushed out excitedly, her eyes scanning Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan before moving on.

"Master Xie, where are you?" Cui'er looked around anxiously.

"Miss, Xie Lingfeng is here." Xie Lingfeng bowed politely.

Cui'er turned to him, "Are you Xie Lingfeng, the young master of Sword Venerable Cliff?"

"Indeed, it is me."

Xie Lingfeng nodded.

Cui'er's entire body tensed up like a cat with puffed-up fur, and she shouted angrily, "Who are you, daring to impersonate Master Xie? Guards, seize him and beat him up!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end