Hong Qi watched Ling Xiao cultivating inside the house through the window, a gratified smile spreading across his face.
Taking in Ling Xiao back then was probably the best decision he’d ever made.
He tiptoed away, stepping into the courtyard and looking up at the starry sky, tears streaming down his weathered face.
“Your son has grown up and made something of himself. This old beggar hasn’t let you both down. I only hope you’re safe and sound too.”
Ling Xiao had no idea what was happening outside.
He didn’t even know his parents might still be alive.
Right now, his sole focus was breaking through to the Third Stage of Martial Veins, using the power of the Breakthrough Pill to relentlessly assault his third martial vein.
Overnight.
Ling Xiao suddenly opened his eyes and threw a punch.
“Clang!”
A loud crash rang out as the thick brick wall in front of him shattered, leaving a gaping hole.
He could feel his body’s true qi surging dramatically once more, his muscles, bones, tendons, and even blood seeming to have strengthened significantly.
That punch had at least a thousand jin of force!
This was the strongest power a martial artist below the Third Stage of Martial Veins could muster.
“I didn’t expect breaking through to be this easy. It seems the Mountain and River Martial Soul really is extraordinary!”
Ling Xiao knew full well that while the Breakthrough Pill was effective, it wasn’t this good.
Ultimately, his success was inseparable from the Mountain and River Martial Soul.
Last night, every time he felt on the verge of failure during the breakthrough, a strange power would emanate from the Mountain and River Martial Soul, helping him smash through the obstacles.
Plus, he’d been suppressing his breakthrough for days, his power already on the brink of bursting out.
Releasing it now naturally made the breakthrough smoother.
But the Third Stage of Martial Veins was just the beginning!
Though excited, Ling Xiao understood that at his current level, he was at best on par with first-tier disciples like Ling Fei, Ling Feng, and Ling Tieshou.
Compared to Ling Yixue or Li Xingyun, he still had a gap to close.
And those two could break through to the Fourth Stage of Martial Veins any time.
From the Third to the Fourth Stage might seem like just one step, but it was a world of difference.
True qi couldn’t compare to gang qi.
Once power underwent that qualitative leap, every attack would improve in quality too.
Put simply, unless a Third Stage martial artist could also wield gang qi, there was no way they could challenge a Fourth Stage martial artist across that divide.
The duel between Li Xingyun and the Howling Moon Wolf back then had made that clear.
“What’s going on?”
Hong Qi rushed over at the sound, gaping in shock. “Child, did something go wrong with your training? How’d you wreck the house?”
“Grandpa, I told you, we’ve got money now. This house isn’t worth keeping—let’s build a new one.”
Ling Xiao’s drive to get stronger wasn’t just about avoiding being bullied; he also wanted a better life.
He was sick of living in a house that leaked every time it rained.
“You kid, even if we’re building a new house, where are we supposed to live in the meantime?” Hong Qi said with a wry smile.
“No worries, the Ling family rents out houses. We can stay there for a while, and move back once the new house is ready.”
Ling Xiao grinned. “Grandpa, I’m off to find a construction crew to build us a new place.”
With that, he dashed out excitedly.
Having just broken through to the Third Stage of Martial Veins, he wasn’t afraid of anyone picking a fight.
Or rather, deep down, he kind of hoped someone would, so he could test just how strong he’d become.
Right as he stepped out of the Ling family gates, a figure lurking by the wall corner turned and bolted.
“Senior Brother Xingyun, that guy’s come out.”
The figure reached a small grove where Li Xingyun was talking with two middle-aged men.
These two men’s strength was on par with Li Rui’s, both at the Third Stage of Martial Veins.
“Good, I know. You two, here’s a hundred taels of silver. I don’t want him alive—just kill him! Another hundred taels after it’s done.”
A chilling sneer spread across Li Xingyun’s face.
“Heh heh, Young Master Li, don’t worry. We brothers live by the code of taking money to solve problems. We might not be good for much, but killing’s a cinch!”
…
Ling Xiao left the Ling family, went to the market, found some builders, sorted out the house construction, and then headed back to the Ling family with light steps.
Passing through a small grove, he suddenly stopped.
“Friends, since you’re here, why hide?”
He looked at a tree not far off, his gaze sharp and cold.
“Hahaha, not bad, kid. You actually spotted us. Looks like you’ve got some skill.”
A voice rang out, and two men dropped from the tree.
Both in their thirties, wearing black face masks, their outfits didn’t resemble those of Tianfeng City martial artists—they looked more like bandits.
“Black Scarf Thieves?”
Ling Xiao recognised their getup.
These were a ruthless gang of bandits who usually operated around Tianfeng City. But with the four major families holding sway, they rarely dared to enter the city.
Their infamy, though, was undeniable. Rumour had it they had six or seven hundred members, led by thirteen bosses.
They were called Black Scarf Thieves because they masked their faces with black scarves, and they all had curved blade tattoos on their arms, making them easy to identify.
“Kid, since you know who we are, quit yapping. Hand over all your silver, and we might spare your sorry life!”
Though they’d taken Li Xingyun’s job, the Black Scarf Thieves were greedy and bloodthirsty by nature—they’d naturally aim to maximise their haul.
As they spoke, the two positioned themselves to block Ling Xiao’s escape routes.
“Heh, the family’s got a bounty out: kill an ordinary Black Scarf Thief for a hundred taels of silver and ten merit points. Since you two showed up, don’t bother leaving!”
Ling Xiao smiled, calm and composed.
A hundred taels of silver was still a hefty sum to him, and merit points were even more valuable.
Typically, only martial artists above the Fourth Stage of Martial Veins could take on family missions to earn merit points.
Merit points could be traded for goods within the family and also raised one’s status.
For centuries, the Ling family had operated this way.
With a hundred merit points, a ninth-rank family member could rise to eighth-rank.
Ninth-rank members got no stipend and could be kicked out at any time, with little access to the Ling family’s privileges.
Eighth-rank members were different—they got a monthly stipend, and as long as they didn’t commit serious offences, they wouldn’t be expelled, gaining true Ling family status.
Ling Xiao had grown up a beggar, so he desperately wanted a family to shield him from life’s storms.
Sure, he’d faced plenty of grievances since joining the Ling family, but he’d also reaped benefits—he wasn’t about to leave.
“Kid, you’re as arrogant as the rumours say. Kill us for the reward? I’m afraid you won’t live long enough!”
As the rumours say?
Ling Xiao’s mind clicked. The only outsiders he’d dealt with lately were from the Li family.
Could these Black Scarf Thieves have been hired by the Li family to kill him?
He was sharp as a tack— the moment they let slip a hint, he pieced it together.
He’d known the Li family wouldn’t let things slide. He’d expected them to stir up trouble at the Ling family, but there’d been no sign of that.
Now he got it.
Li Xingyun and his crew probably hadn’t reported the truth up the chain—they wanted to quietly hire someone to take him out.
