“If the medicine hall won’t treat her, then I’ll take her outside.”
Ling Xiao frowned, beginning to form a less-than-favourable impression of some aspects of Qianlong Camp. However, he also knew that the Holy Dynasty of Humanity was rotten and corrupt, and slaves’ lives had always been worthless.
This wasn’t just a problem with Qianlong Camp—it was an issue with the entire Holy Dynasty.
No wonder a faction called the “Heavenly Justice Alliance” had recently emerged. They resisted foreign invasions of human territory while also aiming to overthrow the decayed dynasty.
Though the Heavenly Justice Alliance was currently branded an evil sect by the dynasty, with its members marked for extermination upon discovery, it continued to grow. The key was its ideals, which gave hope to those languishing at society’s bottom.
It offered hope to those disillusioned with the corrupt dynasty.
Even Ling Xiao found himself intrigued by this Heavenly Justice Alliance.
“Captain Ling, don’t do anything rash! Don’t forget Qianlong Camp’s rules!”
Someone warned him.
“Yeah, Captain Ling, leaving requires at least seven days’ prior application.”
“If you go out now, it’s breaking the rules—you’ll be punished.”
These people meant well.
After all, Ling Xiao was new to Qianlong Camp and had no enemies, so most didn’t want to see him get into trouble.
“Thanks for your kindness, everyone, but in Leng Mei’s current state, if she doesn’t get treatment soon, she won’t last long.”
Ling Xiao had thought it over carefully. He wasn’t some great altruist, but he couldn’t just watch Leng Mei die.
If he got punished for this, so be it.
Every action comes with a price, after all.
With that, he picked up Leng Mei and started to leave.
Leng Mei struggled to get down, but her injuries were too severe—she couldn’t break free from Ling Xiao’s iron grip.
“Kid, didn’t you hear me tell you to stop?”
Murong Shao blocked Ling Xiao’s path, his voice cold.
“Do we know each other?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“You don’t know me, but I know you. I heard you were personally selected by Marshal Lin and defeated Tian Guang. You must have some skill. I came here today to spar with you.”
Murong Shao grinned.
“What’s your name?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“Murong Shao!”
Ling Xiao nodded, “Alright, I’ll remember that name. It’s fine if you want to spar with me, but injuring my maid—this debt will be settled sooner or later. Just not today; I’m busy.”
With that, he turned to leave again.
“Challenges between peers can’t be refused. Are you trying to break the rules?”
Murong Shao said icily.
“I said we’ll fight another day.”
Ling Xiao really wanted to teach Murong Shao a lesson right now, but he knew Murong Shao was likely no weaker than Tian Guang. Fighting while holding Leng Mei might not end quickly.
Some of his techniques couldn’t be used—partly to keep his trump cards hidden, and partly to avoid hurting Leng Mei.
“Stop! No fight, no leaving today!”
Murong Shao blocked the way, refusing to let Ling Xiao pass.
“Ridiculous. If you can stop me, go ahead. Let’s see what the Eighth Captain’s really got.”
Ling Xiao sneered dismissively.
With his Mountain River Martial Soul, he had a clear sense of Murong Shao’s capabilities.
“Kid, don’t think beating that womaniser Tian Guang makes you something special. Let me tell you, Tian Guang wouldn’t last a few moves against me.”
Murong Shao glared at Ling Xiao.
He’d come to challenge Ling Xiao after weighing his odds. In his view, Ling Xiao might be stronger than Tian Guang, but not by much. Tian Guang’s easy loss was due to underestimating his opponent.
Plus, Ling Xiao’s speed happened to counter Tian Guang perfectly.
But Murong Shao was the bane of speed-type martial artists. Having mastered a beginner-level top-tier defensive technique, his body was as tough as steel, and his strength was immense.
Even standing still, Tian Guang couldn’t scratch him.
He assumed Ling Xiao was the same type as Tian Guang, so he had no fear.
“Enough talk!”
Ling Xiao didn’t want to waste more words with Murong Shao. With a step, he unleashed Soaring Cloud Steps, bypassing him and dashing toward Qianlong Camp’s main gate.
Leng Mei’s condition was dire—there was no time to waste.
He was genuinely anxious.
“Courting death, ignoring me like that!”
Murong Shao’s anger flared.
In Qianlong Camp, aside from the three prodigies in the private courtyards, no one had ever dared to dismiss him so blatantly.
“Kill!”
Knowing his movement couldn’t match Ling Xiao’s, he’d come prepared.
He suddenly hurled an object, trapping Ling Xiao within it.
It resembled a large net, but it was incredibly sturdy. Ling Xiao threw a casual punch, but it didn’t budge.
“Heh, don’t waste your energy.”
Murong Shao enclosed himself in the net too, aiming to trap Ling Xiao and negate his speed advantage.
Seeing Ling Xiao try to break the net, he sneered, “This is a fine-grade treasure. Without martial master-level strength or a weapon of the same quality, you can’t destroy it.”
“Looks like you really want to die!”
Aside from the time his family was killed, Ling Xiao hadn’t been this furious in ages.
“Hahaha, me die? What a bold claim!”
Murong Shao laughed loudly, his aura surging. With a wave, an axe appeared in his hand.
His weapon was an ordinary-grade treasure, just like Ling Xiao’s Ice Glass Sword.
“Mountain-Cleaving Slash!”
Without hesitation, Murong Shao swung at Ling Xiao.
His natural strength was already formidable, and an axe was perfect for heavy, forceful techniques and wielders like him.
For Murong Shao, it was a match made in heaven.
“Don’t bother with that maid!”
Someone shouted from outside.
Ling Xiao ignored them. Setting Leng Mei down now would leave her unprotected, vulnerable to further injury.
What others didn’t know was that he was channelling Gang Qi into her body to sustain her life.
Without it, with all this delay, Leng Mei would surely die.
So he couldn’t put her down.
“Ghost Ship Ferry!”
Ling Xiao avoided direct contact with Murong Shao, and Ghost Ship Ferry was a ranged attack.
Boom!
Using it one-handed, Ling Xiao’s Ghost Ship Ferry knocked Murong Shao’s axe back.
“Not bad, kid. No wonder you beat Tian Guang!”
Murong Shao had to admit, this was his second surprise.
The first was when his kick was repelled by Ling Xiao’s punch.
That time, he could chalk it up to underestimating his foe and not using full strength.
But this Mountain-Cleaving Slash was nearly full power, and Ling Xiao had still blocked it.
This kid’s strength was terrifying.
He was confident that among the ten captain-level fighters, his power ranked first.
Even among the three courtyard prodigies, only the second-in-command, Shi Lei, could match him in raw strength.
