With the mystery of light and shadow, Ling Xiao could easily kill the girl before anyone could stop him.
His voice was calm, but the strong threat in his words sent chills through the crowd.
The onlookers believed him without doubt.
Feng Yanran felt an unprecedented helplessness.
This man, despite his low cultivation and unknown status, only fifteen or sixteen, judged situations and spoke with precision, hitting the mark every time.
He seemed like a master controlling everything, making others uneasy.
“You mean crippling me isn’t enough? You want to kill me too?” the girl asked, trembling.
“Heh, seems you’ve gotten smarter after being crippled. That’s exactly what I mean. You heard me clearly,” Ling Xiao said with a slight smile.
Her biggest mistake was her arrogance despite her weak strength, picking fights and causing trouble.
Relying on her family’s status, she provoked others recklessly.
Most might hesitate due to her background.
But what if she met a madman?
Someone like Ling Xiao, who rose through slaughter, fearless of anyone.
She was as good as dead, no matter who she was.
Feng Yanran sneered, “You’re arrogant because you don’t know who she is. If you did, you’d realise how foolish you’ve been.”
She stared at Ling Xiao, hoping to see even a flicker of fear or panic.
That would ease her mind.
The girl also watched, imagining Ling Xiao panicking and kneeling once her identity was revealed.
Then, she’d make him suffer, unable to live or die.
But they were destined to be disappointed.
Before they could reveal her identity, Ling Xiao spoke.
“Do you think I’m as stupid as you? The knife has a ‘Phoenix’ character and Ice Phoenix Clan patterns. Did you think I wouldn’t know she’s from the Ice Phoenix Clan?” he said, tossing the knife disdainfully. It landed beside the girl, making her flinch.
“As a member of the Ice Phoenix Clan, instead of upholding the royal family’s dignity, you strut around, bullying others. How is that different from a dog relying on its master’s power? The Ice Phoenix Clan should be ashamed of such a shameless woman,” Ling Xiao’s voice echoed in the shop.
Many onlookers wanted to applaud but didn’t dare. Unlike Ling Xiao, they lacked the courage, living timidly, heads bowed.
When bullied, they stayed silent. When daughters were taken or sons killed, they could only weep, never resisting.
That was their life.
They feared offending anyone from the royal family.
The girl’s face went pale, her fantasies shattered. Ling Xiao’s righteous words crushed her hopes of humiliating him.
A dog relying on its master’s power?
That was the worst insult.
Feng Yanran’s expression shifted between shock, anger, and confusion.
Though the boy was right, who dared say such things to their clan’s face?
Was he truly a madman?
Not necessarily.
The clan election was nearing. If the Ice Phoenix Clan retaliated against Ling Xiao over this, the Fire Phoenix Clan would benefit.
The Ice Phoenix Clan could lose the next election to the Fire Phoenix Clan over a foolish girl.
That would be serious.
Was this boy exploiting that?
Was he so fearless because of it?
Could he be a guest of the Fire Phoenix Clan?
“Which bastard dared cripple my daughter? I’ll kill him!” a thunderous voice roared from outside.
A middle-aged man in armour stormed into the shop, followed by two similarly armoured martial artists.
“Father, it’s him! That guy crippled my cultivation!” the girl cried, pointing at Ling Xiao, as if saved.
The man’s presence shook the room, releasing a terrifying aura.
Late-stage ninth heaven Tianren realm!
This was beyond Ling Xiao’s ability to handle. He frowned, touching his storage ring, ready to flee.
Running from a fight wasn’t shameful.
Surviving a stronger opponent’s pursuit was a skill.
“You dog, daring to harm my daughter! I’ll tear you to pieces!” the man roared, too furious to reason.
In his shoes, Ling Xiao wouldn’t reason either.
In rage, logic vanished.
The man drew a long spear from his storage ring, pointing it at Ling Xiao, an even more terrifying aura targeting him.
The shop grew oppressively heavy.
This man was a seasoned battlefield killer, his spear stained with thousands of souls, its bloody aura overwhelming.
Many onlookers retreated further from the impending clash.
Ling Xiao struggled to breathe, as if a massive boulder pressed on his chest, excruciating.
The man’s strength was beyond him.
Yet his face remained calm, showing no fear or panic.
“Now you see how right I was? None of you will survive,” Feng Yanran said coldly, staring at Ling Xiao, hoping for fear or panic to satisfy her.
“I said I’d rather die standing. I’ve done what I’ve done. Regret is useless. Face it boldly,” Ling Xiao said disdainfully. “If someone’s shameless when threatened, living is like being a walking corpse. But I do have one regret.”
Feng Yanran’s face lit up, thinking he was scared.
But his next words nearly choked her.
“I regret not killing that girl cleanly. Crippling someone’s cultivation is too troublesome and leaves trouble behind,” Ling Xiao said calmly, as if nothing had happened, as if his life wasn’t at stake.
