Chapter 36

After bidding farewell to Grandma Cai, Xiaoming came to the old lady's pie shop. Before he even entered, he saw Lu Xiaofeng, with a dark expression, walking out. "Why are you here?" they both said in unison.

"I came to find someone!" Their voices were in perfect harmony.

"Alright, who are you looking for? Ximen Chuixue!" The two fell silent, and it was a scary thing how well they got along. Countless straight men had been bent by this.

"How do you know Xiao Xi is here?" Lu Xiaofeng finally took the initiative to speak.

Ling Xiao, hearing this, said proudly, "Don't you know? I have eyes and ears all over the capital. Do you think a mere pie shop can escape my notice?"

Lu Xiaofeng was instantly amazed by these words. Ling Xiao, seeing his expression, laughed and said, "What, scared? Don't worry, I'm not a paparazzo; I have no interest in your privacy."

"No, don't misunderstand. It's just that people as vain as you are rare, so I'm a bit surprised!" Lu Xiaofeng waved his hands to explain.

"That's naked jealousy. Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue. Today, I mainly came to see Ximen Chuixue." Of course, he couldn't argue; seeing Lu Xiaofeng's dark expression, it was better to avoid trouble.

Lu Xiaofeng looked him up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. "I don't see how you could have any connection with Xiao Xi. Besides, if I were you, I'd stay far away from this. Safety first!"

Ling Xiao extended his thumb. "Well said! Safety first is our principle, but do you think I can stay out of it? When Ye Gucheng set the duel at the Forbidden City's peak, there was no turning back. Protecting the Emperor's safety and the stability of the palace is the duty of the Bao Long clan!"

Lu Xiaofeng was clearly stunned by Ling Xiao's righteous words and probed, "So you came today to warn Ximen Chuixue?"

"No."

"Then you..."

Ling Xiao chuckled, looked around, and pulled Lu Xiaofeng's arm into a nearby teahouse. After they sat down, Ling Xiao said, "Do you know what the oldest profession in the world is?"

Lu Xiaofeng looked at Ling Xiao curiously. "Why ask such a highbrow question all of a sudden? Are you getting into philosophy?" Then, after thinking for a moment, he added, "The oldest profession is assassin, right?"

"Or gambler!" Ling Xiao added.

"Why do you say that?" Lu Xiaofeng poured a cup of tea, ready for a long chat.

"I won't go into assassins. Everyone understands them. But gamblers are different. What is 'gambling'? It's using your current capital to win something more valuable. From ancient times to the present, every action humans take can be seen as a gamble. Scholars gamble ten years of hard study for a chance to top the imperial exams, farmers gamble endless sweat for a good harvest next year, workers gamble their youth and blood for a future without worry, and assassins gamble their lives to satisfy their desires. Even Ye Gucheng is gambling. If he wins, he becomes the greatest swordsman in the world, and changing the world would be no problem! If he loses, he loses his life, and everything else is meaningless."

Lu Xiaofeng was somewhat surprised. "Look at you, making such a grand event sound so trivial, even talking about changing the world! I could talk about creating the world!"

Ling Xiao shook his head and smiled. "Maybe you don't understand now, but you will in the future."

"Talking so much, philosophy and mystery, all you mean is that you want to gamble! The odds on them opened early this morning, but even if you go in now and see Xiao Xi, it won't help. Their realms are beyond our comprehension!" Lu Xiaofeng summarized.

Ling Xiao shook his head, looking like Lu Xiaofeng didn't understand him. "I'll bet all my money on Ximen Chuixue. I came today just out of curiosity, but since you say so, I won't watch."

"Why are you so confident in Ximen Chuixue?" Lu Xiaofeng asked, then leaned in close to Ling Xiao. "Do you have inside information?"

"Do you know what gamblers truly desire?" Ling Xiao picked up his teacup and smiled, feeling very cool.

"What?"

"The thrill of the game! The bigger the bet, the greater the thrill. Money means little to me. If everything is known and victory is certain, it's not gambling!" A hint of madness flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes, but Lu Xiaofeng wasn't so easily fooled. "That sounds good, but I admit money means little to you. However, I don't believe you're so confident in Xiao Xi just for some abstract thrill."

Ling Xiao, seeing Lu Xiaofeng's skeptical face, didn't explain. He put down his teacup and said, "You pay." Then he left, leaving Lu Xiaofeng with a bitter smile, "Tricked by this kid!"

...

"Lu Xiaofeng is indeed hard to fool, but I put in so much effort to be mysterious, I should have piqued his curiosity! He's right; with Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue's realms, it's not my place to interfere. But I don't need to face Ye Gucheng directly. I'll leave the dangerous stuff to others!" Ling Xiao muttered to himself as he walked, looking relaxed on his way back to the clinic. Before he even entered, Ling Lingfa came out.

"Perfect! I was just about to find you! The Emperor urgently summoned us to the palace, let's go!"

Ling Xiao was taken aback, but his body was already being dragged by Ling Lingfa. He thought carefully, wondering if there was any particularly important plot during this sensitive period. Wait, could it be that?

The palace had some changes today. Although the gatekeepers still came over to flatter, it was clear that the guards were more diligent than before.

"Hey? Why are there so many strangers?" Ling Xiao keenly noticed many new guards in the palace. They were all muscular and imposing, moving quickly and steadily, their eyes scanning the area as if everyone were an assassin.

Ling Lingfa glanced casually and explained, "Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue's duel is imminent. The Emperor has summoned experts from all over to protect the capital. Don't mind them; the real protection of the Emperor is up to me, Ling Lingfa! Of course, Ling Linggong is also important." He looked a bit depressed. Although Ling Lingfa was favored by the Emperor, he was still subordinate to Ling Linggong in position. After returning to the capital, Ling Linggong didn't look down on him as much as before, but he also didn't show much respect. In the end, it was a matter of strength. If everyone was prepared, Ling Lingfa was confident he could kill Ling Linggong from ten steps away. But if it was a surprise attack, ten Ling Lingfas together wouldn't be enough for Ling Linggong.

"By the way, what has Ling Linggong been up to lately?" Ling Xiao asked casually.

Ling Lingfa thought for a moment, uncertain. "You've stumped me. I hardly see that guy, and he's always mysterious. What are you asking for?"

"Nothing, just interested in his aggressive fighting style."

Ling Lingfa was startled and exclaimed, "Don't learn from him. Even if you practice external techniques, don't become a muscle-bound brute. Our style is technical."

Ling Xiao nodded in agreement, but his eyes were on the Golden Hall, where two gentle figures stood. One was a man with white hair and a braided beard, but his unique appearance couldn't hide his baby-soft skin. The other was a young girl, and a very beautiful one at that.

Romance is a big part of human life. Ling Xiao had seen many beautiful women over the years, but none as pure and gentle as her. The wooden wheelchair, however, was a bit of a downer!

Seeing Ling Xiao staring, Ling Lingfa raised an eyebrow. "What? Spring fever?" He laughed and pulled Ling Xiao to the two figures.

"Mr. Zhuge, long time no see!" Ling Lingfa greeted with a smile.

"Yes! Since last time..." The man smiled and was about to answer but suddenly froze, his eyes staring blankly at Ling Xiao, filled with surprise, disbelief, and a hint of hope.

"Hope? Hope your sister!" Ling Xiao shouted in his mind, feeling angry at being stared at by an old man.

Ling Lingfa looked at the two curiously, and the girl frowned in confusion. "Who is this young brother?" the man asked softly, as if afraid of hearing bad news from Ling Lingfa.

Looking at the two again, Ling Lingfa patted Ling Xiao's shoulder. "This is my disciple, Ling Xiao." Then he said to Ling Xiao, "This is the Emperor's first guard, Zhuge Zhengwo!"

"Ling Xiao greets Mr. Zhuge. Your appearance is very beautiful; I like your beard style." Ling Xiao praised, but in his mind, he realized, "So he's Zhuge Zhengwo. This girl must be Wuqing! It seems this is the movie version. Wuqing and Zhuiming have appeared; I wonder where Tieshou and Lengxue are."

"Indeed, a talented young man. May I ask who your father is?" Zhuge Zhengwo smiled and nodded, then suddenly changed the subject.

Ling Xiao, who had been glancing at Wuqing, was taken aback. He looked at Zhuge Zhengwo meaningfully, and Ling Lingfa didn't interrupt. Even a fool could see something was off with Zhuge Zhengwo.

The atmosphere turned cold. Zhuge Zhengwo realized he had been too abrupt but didn't know how to smooth things over. Ling Xiao suddenly laughed. "Mr. Zhuge, you flatter me. I'm a beggar by birth, raised by nature! If you ever see my parents, please tell them I'm doing well and not to worry. Don't come looking for me unless it's important."

Perhaps Ling Xiao's words touched a nerve in Wuqing. Her delicate brows furrowed, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, though it was gone in an instant, it didn't escape Ling Xiao's notice.

Ling Xiao tilted his head and asked Wuqing, "This beautiful girl looks unfamiliar. Is it your first time in the palace?" This gave the awkward Zhuge Zhengwo a way out. He smiled and patted Wuqing's shoulder. "This is my disciple, Sheng Yayu!"

"Call me Wuqing!" Her voice was cold and emotionless.

"Wuqing? A good name! Simple and powerful, and memorable. Look at the name you gave me; it has no depth!" Ling Xiao pouted and complained to Ling Lingfa.

"Who makes you always grin!" Ling Lingfa countered.

"Grinning means I should be called Ling Xiao? Why not Ling Xiaotian! How majestic!" Ling Xiao retorted.

Seeing the two about to argue, Zhuge Zhengwo quickly intervened. "The Emperor is waiting for you! Let's go in, don't keep him waiting."

Ling Lingfa snapped back to reality. "Almost missed the important matter. Let's talk later." He then pulled Ling Xiao quickly toward the Golden Hall.

"Let's keep in touch!" Ling Xiao shouted as he was dragged into the palace.