Chapter 26

Baihu managed to hold on only until the gate, "Your skills are only this much. You look like a tough guy who doesn't lean on anyone but a wall, but in the end, you still need my support!"

"Why did you come? And, is Qinglong really a traitor?" Baihu leaned his entire body on Ling Xiao, and the two walked in a wobbly manner, drawing the attention of passersby.

"You already have the answer in your heart, why do you need to come to me for it?"

"Because Qinglong once said you are a smart person. If you weren't absolutely sure of his innocence, you wouldn't have risked offending Jia Jingzhong to save me." Baihu smiled slightly.

Ling Xiao was somewhat surprised, "I didn't expect this middle-aged man to understand me so well. He must be a lolicon!"

"What's a lolicon?"

"Nothing!" Ling Xiao rolled his eyes, finding it hard to get used to the pain of being misunderstood so many times.

After walking for a long time, a person ran up to them. "Ah Sheng, here, here!" Ling Xiao called out happily. Jiang Ahsheng, hearing this, smiled and came over, "It's Xiao Ling! What are you doing here?"

"Let's not talk about that now. I have an urgent matter. Please help me take this patient to my master." Without waiting for Jiang Ahsheng's response, Ling Xiao pushed Baihu into his arms. Jiang Ahsheng hurriedly took him, "Your master is a gynecologist, right? What's going on with this man?"

"We'll talk about it later." Ling Xiao said and ran off.

...

"Chief Yang!"

"Hey! Isn't that the escort leader!" A city gate official, who looked fierce but had a lecherous expression, called out with a laugh.

"Such strict checks today! Did something happen?" An old man dressed as an escort asked.

The city gate official looked around, as if he had a major secret, and whispered in the escort's ear, "Qinglong of the Jinyiwei is plotting a rebellion. The emperor has ordered all checkpoints to let Qinglong's team pass and then execute them all!" The two men looked very abnormal together.

"Huh?" The city gate official noticed the escort's entourage, "What's behind?"

The escort quickly answered, "My daughter is getting married."

The city gate official realized, "A wedding! Didn't you have one last year?"

The escort was taken aback and pulled out a small bag of silver from his sleeve, "Let's not mention that!"

The city gate official's eyes lit up at the sight of the silver, subtly putting it in his pocket, "Alright, let's not mention it. I'll let you pass first, but I need to search the carriage." He then walked straight to the wedding carriage.

The escort tried to stop him but thought it would be too obvious, so he followed the city gate official.

Ling Xiao hurried over and saw the wedding carriage starting to move, "Everyone, stand still! If anyone moves, I'll throw a brick at their face!"

The shrill cry made everyone's heads spin. The escort and the city gate official froze, looking at Ling Xiao's fierce appearance and quickly checking if there were any bricks around to hide.

Ling Xiao showed the Bao Long clan's token by the wedding carriage, "By the emperor's command, I am fully responsible for the Qinglong case. Everyone must cooperate."

"Long live the emperor!" Everyone knelt down.

Ling Xiao walked to the wedding carriage and lifted the curtain, "Not bad, Uncle, you have good luck."

The bride was graceful and beautiful, with clear, large eyes that showed a hint of bravery. Though she appeared calm, her trembling hands betrayed her emotions.

Ling Xiao glanced behind the bride, where a wooden board separated the red canopy. At first glance, it seemed empty, but as a disciple of Ling Lingfa, if he couldn't tell the size of the carriage, he shouldn't be in this line of work.

"You..." Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the onlookers, "What are you looking at! Did I give you permission? Lower your heads!"

Ling Xiao got a bit carried away, enjoying the feeling of being a rich young master.

Everyone was startled and quickly lowered their heads, afraid of this temperamental man!

Ling Xiao stared into the bride's eyes, "What's your name?"

"Your Excellency, this humble woman is Qiaohua."

"Nice, you have a good voice, you're beautiful, and you have a good figure. You'll bear many children." Ling Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

The crowd was sweating profusely. Is the adult really checking out the bride? The escort was in tears, thinking, "Daughter, you've suffered!"

Qiaohua's smile was a bit stiff, afraid of what Ling Xiao might do next. However, reality was harsh. Ling Xiao suddenly jumped into the wedding carriage, shocking everyone.

"Whoever dares to eavesdrop, I'll exterminate their entire clan!" He then lowered the curtain.

The old escort was almost scared to death. He wasn't worried about his daughter, but about Qinglong inside. If discovered, they would all be executed.

"Escort leader, congratulations!" The city gate official said with a fawning smile.

The old escort smiled, but who could understand his bitterness? The situation inside the wedding carriage was different from what everyone imagined.

Qiaohua looked at Ling Xiao curiously, while Ling Xiao slowly said, "Zhuque has been killed by Xuanwu. Baihu was severely injured and I saved him. The emperor has returned to the palace, but Jia Jingzhong is thorough, and the case won't progress. This involves many people, and we are just pawns. Once we leave the capital, we should flee far away. Jia Jingzhong will send assassins. There is a woman from the Western Regions named Tuotuo, with strange martial arts and a unique weapon that looks like a whip or a sword. Her movements are like a cicada shedding its shell, and Baihu was defeated by her."

Qiaohua was increasingly shocked, but Ling Xiao continued, "Though Tuotuo is strong, she isn't invincible. Her whip skills are excellent, but her sword skills are just for show. Close combat is your best chance to defeat her!"

Feeling the time was right, Ling Xiao looked at Qiaohua, "Take good care of him. I'll protect you... what was the name of the escort company? Never mind, you won't be at a disadvantage." He didn't wait for Qiaohua to ask more and left the carriage.

Looking at the kneeling city gate officials and escorts, "Get up, the carriage is fine. Don't block the way, hurry up and go!" Ling Xiao walked away, leaving a deep impression.

The old escort stood up, confused, and led the wedding carriage out of the capital. "Do you know that person?" Qiaohua asked softly behind the partition.

"A friend, but I never thought he would save me." The partition slowly opened, revealing a lying man with a pale face. This was Qinglong, who, even in his poor condition, didn't realize this was the first time he called Ling Xiao a friend.

...

Ling Xiao felt very relaxed, thinking Qinglong must be very grateful to him now. Reflecting on his time in the Jinyiwei, he felt it was a good conclusion. The only regret was Zhuque, and he sighed, thinking Xuanwu had acted too quickly.

Walking home, he suddenly stopped when he saw the clinic. His eyes widened in anger as a powerful aura burst from the clinic, and a loud roar made the street chaotic.

"Damn! Who has the nerve to cause trouble on my turf!" Ling Xiao, being at the innate realm, wasn't as affected as the passersby.

He loaded his gun, put on a fierce expression, and kicked open the door, "Who dares to cause trouble in the clinic! Haven't you died yet!"

Seeing the courtyard, Ling Xiao's anger showed on his face.

"You... reached the innate realm?"

"In a moment of life and death, I gained some insight. Now, feeling relaxed, I've broken through!" Baihu's face showed surprise and joy, and his pale complexion improved.

Ling Xiao was jealous. Look at Baihu's innate realm, with powerful true qi and a commanding presence. In contrast, he struggled to reach the third level. Baihu's true qi could blow away weapons, while his could barely move a toothpick!

"Ha... ha, reaching the innate realm is a good thing." Ling Xiao congratulated him insincerely.

"Next time, don't make so much noise when you break through. My wife and I were having a heart-to-heart, and you scared us!" Ling Lingfa came out, disheveled and still fastening his belt.

"Scared you into impotence, more like it!" Ling Xiao thought.

"Sorry for the disturbance, and thank you for saving me." Baihu bowed sincerely.

Ling Lingfa looked at Baihu and then at Ling Xiao, "You're quick! My wife and I haven't even had a child, and you bring back a grown man!"

Baihu was at a loss, unsure what to say. In his heart, Ling Xiao was powerful because of Ling Lingfa, and now he didn't know whether to stay or leave.

Ling Xiao saw his awkwardness and pulled him into the inner room, "Xiao Ling, I know you have a history with Qinglong, but you should remember our duty to protect the emperor." Ling Lingfa reminded him.

"Don't worry, Master. I know what to do, but Qinglong has helped me, and I can't abandon him." Ling Xiao answered firmly. Ling Lingfa sighed, "You're growing up, and I can't control you anymore!" He then went back to talk to his wife.

Ling Xiao smiled. Ling Lingfa said he wouldn't interfere, but Ling Xiao knew he would be his strongest support if anything happened. He entered the inner room and sat opposite Baihu.

"I just saw Qinglong. He has food, drink, and a woman, living better than you."

"Where is he?" Baihu asked urgently.

"What do you want to do? Plot with the rebels? I went through a lot to save you. If you want to die, find a better way." Ling Xiao said bluntly.

Baihu was silent. Knowing Qinglong was safe was already a luxury. What more could he ask for? Seeing Baihu's silence, Ling Xiao said, "You are a fugitive. Until the truth is revealed, help my master."

Baihu's face was grim, but he sighed, thinking about his situation. He then asked weakly, "Your master... specializes in gynecology, right?"

"Can you stop focusing on that!" Ling Xiao rolled his eyes.

Ding, ding, ding, hurried footsteps approached. "Xiao Ling, come out!"

Ling Xiao came out, "Uncle Gen, what's the rush?"

Uncle Gen laughed, "It's you, making me do things without even offering a few good jars of wine."

"Huh? Did you get news so quickly?" Ling Xiao rubbed his chin, guessing.

Uncle Gen looked around suspiciously, pulled Ling Xiao into the inner room, "What's wrong with you? That old eunuch isn't easy to provoke. Why are you spying on him? Oh, there's someone else here!"

Baihu's mouth twitched, "You're so slow! I've been sitting here the whole time!"

"Never mind him, he's a new helper for my master. Just tell me!" Ling Xiao waved his hand.

"How can you let an outsider know?" Uncle Gen exclaimed.

"It's fine. He's very dense and doesn't understand anything. It's just a message, no problem!"

Uncle Gen thought about it, "True, it's just a message. You just sent a message, and Jia Gonggong left the city with a group, including a woman from the Western Regions."

Baihu and Ling Xiao exchanged glances, "So fast!"

Ling Xiao gave Uncle Gen two jars of wine and saw him off. He then saw Baihu packing his bags, "You're too quick. What can you do in your condition?"

"Jia Jingzhong is thorough. His urgency to leave the city means he's afraid of his plot being exposed. He will send assassins to kill Qinglong. I can't ignore this." He started to leave.

Ling Xiao grabbed his arm, "Stay put!" Baihu stumbled, surprised. He was at the innate realm, yet Ling Xiao could pull him so easily. Was this guy a genius in external cultivation?

Ling Xiao ignored Baihu's surprised look, "Since I asked Uncle Gen to watch the city gates, I expected this. I'll take care of Qinglong. You stay in the clinic while I'm gone. If Jia Jingzhong is determined to kill, you won't be safe. But he doesn't know about your breakthrough, so I'm not too worried. Protect my master's wife!"

Baihu wanted to say more, but Ling Xiao left without giving him a chance, shouting, "Master! I'm going out, don't wait for me for dinner!"

"Go! Save the country some money." Ling Lingfa's voice came from the back room. Ling Xiao ignored it, took some money, and left.

Flap, flap, flap, a pigeon landed on Ling Xiao's head.

"Are you Batman reincarnated? With a built-in radar!" He laughed, taking the message tube from the pigeon's leg. "What's this? Nothing inside. You've been circling around here!" "Does your owner miss me?" He gently scratched the pigeon's chin.

Thinking, he borrowed pen and ink from a nearby shop, "A day without you feels like three autumns. I'll be back soon after leaving the city." He released the pigeon, shook the reins, and rode out of the city.

Page break for ads

Page break for ads