The crowd fell silent.
Ling Xiao’s words were harsh, but they were not without reason. They themselves were unwilling to stand up for their own rights and only hoped others would do it for them. How could the world offer such convenient favours?
“Ling Xiao, you had better not push things too far. Yes, I am no match for you, but my father is far stronger than you are. If you know what’s good for you, treat today as a misunderstanding. From now on we keep to our own sides of the river, and you may come and go on Turtle Island as you please. How about that?”
Ming Liu gradually recovered from his panic. His mind was quick enough. He knew he was no match for Ling Xiao, and since the man was an officially appointed city lord by the court, killing him would present no difficulty at all.
Rather than resist stubbornly, it was better to yield and advance by retreating.
He believed his concession would make Ling Xiao stop humiliating him. After all, Ling Xiao surely would not want to become an enemy of his father.
Once he returned home, he would lodge a vicious complaint and have the brat quietly disposed of. After that, who would dare oppose their father and son in East County again?
Slap!
Ling Xiao said nothing, but delivered a resounding slap across Ming Liu’s face.
“Little Marquis, do you even know who you are speaking to? I, Ling Xiao, am the lord of all lands east of East County, the Heavenly Dragon Prince! Let alone Turtle Island, even your own estate falls within my domain. You would grant me free access to Turtle Island? Do I need your permission to enter what is already mine?”
“Ling Xiao, don’t go too far!”
Ming Liu was stunned. This youth was simply outrageous, treating a feather as a warrant. Did he really intend to seize Turtle Island from their family?
“Too far? You haven’t seen anything yet!”
Ling Xiao gave a cold laugh and said, “This prince seems to recall that a moment ago you wanted me to kneel and lick your shoes clean. Very well, I won’t make things difficult for you. If you kneel right now and lick my shoes clean, I will spare your life and let you crawl away. How does that sound?”
Although Ling Xiao spoke with a smile on his face, to Ming Liu’s ears the words sounded sinister and terrifying.
Do it, or not?
“I refuse to believe you dare kill me!”
Ming Liu gritted his teeth.
But the moment the words left his mouth, one of his arms was gone.
“This arm of yours has ruined countless innocent women. Chopping it off should offend no one. Will you do it or not?”
Ling Xiao’s face darkened. His voice was like an icy blade, chilling to the bone.
Everyone held their breath.
They had long heard that this young hero acted decisively, never hesitated, and showed no mercy regardless of who stood before him.
Today they saw it was true.
“I’ll do it!”
Ming Liu stared in horror at the stump of his arm. Waves of searing pain shot through him, and he heard his own pig-like screams.
Reason told him the person before him was a madman. If he did not comply, he really would be killed.
“Very good. Begin now.”
Ling Xiao said calmly.
Enduring the humiliation, Ming Liu crawled on the ground and licked Ling Xiao’s shoes clean.
Throughout the process, many of the surrounding warriors cheered with satisfaction. Given everything Ming Liu had done in the past, even being cut into a thousand pieces would not be excessive. Cleaning the new city lord’s shoes was already letting him off lightly.
Yet at the same time they felt some worry.
If Ling Xiao and the Earl of East County came into direct conflict, would East County descend into war and chaos? When that happened, would they even lose the chance to remain lackeys?
“Where is your dignity? Your pride? I am merely a lowly commoner, yet you kneel before a commoner and perform such a degrading act. What does that make you?”
Ling Xiao looked coldly at the kneeling Ming Liu, his icy voice thick with mockery.
The onlookers sighed inwardly.
Indeed, moments ago Ming Liu had been insufferably arrogant, treating Ling Xiao as worthless and even daring to compare himself to him.
And now?
This same arrogant man had abandoned all dignity, kneeling before Ling Xiao and grovelling like a slave.
A warrior of the Eight Desolations Heaven realm, yet before Ling Xiao he was no better than a grandson.
This Ling Xiao truly was both wildly domineering and terrifyingly strong!
In his heart Ming Liu kept repeating that once this was over he would make Ling Xiao repay him a hundredfold, a thousandfold. He would force Ling Xiao to kneel before him like a dog, just as he was doing now.
No, he would make it even worse.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking. Planning to seek revenge once you get home? Fine, no problem. You may roll away now. Go back and tell your father that if he behaves himself from now on, we can keep the peace. If he truly wants trouble, let him come. I will be waiting.
Ling Xiao planted a foot on Ming Liu’s head and said coldly, “I hear you have several sworn brothers among the nearby pirates. Pass them a message as well: wash their necks and wait. With me, Ling Xiao, in East County, their good days are over.”
“Scram!”
As the word rang out, Ming Liu was sent flying with a kick. Several men immediately rushed forward, hoisted him up, and carried him away.
Releasing Ming Liu was deliberate.
A single Ming Liu posed no threat whatsoever. Coming to East County, he had to use strong medicine. The Earl of East County and those pirate groups had to be eradicated, otherwise poisonous snakes would always lurk beside his bed. That would never do.
Turning round, Ling Xiao looked at the middle-aged woman.
By now the onlookers had seized her. She was shaking like a sieve.
“You need not be so afraid. This prince has no interest in dealing with you. I will only offer one piece of advice: as a warrior, learn to respect yourself, especially since you have a husband and children.”
With that cold remark, Ling Xiao paid her no further attention.
At that moment, Meng Tong arrived on Turtle Island with a contingent of troops.
“Meng Tong, replace the Earl of East County’s guards who were stationed here. Remember: if they leave willingly, let them go. If anyone resists, kill them.”
Ling Xiao instructed Meng Tong.
“Your subordinate obeys.”
Meng Tong accepted the order and led several hundred Northern Desert soldiers to take over from the Earl’s men.
Those guards had been thoroughly intimidated by Ling Xiao’s earlier display of dominance. Not one dared resist; they obediently slunk away.
“Everyone listen well. From this day forward, all fees for entering Turtle Island and cultivating here are reduced by half, and all will be treated equally, whether you are human, from the Divine Phoenix tribes, or from the Sea Clan! Those already cultivating on the island are exempt, since the fees were not collected by us.”
He had no intention of making it free. Turtle Island was limited in size; if access were free, the heavenly and earthly vital energy would quickly dissipate, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
Moreover, charging fees for Turtle Island was perfectly reasonable. It was simply that the Earl had abused public resources for private gain and set the prices far too high.
