Chapter 44

After getting the answer he wanted, Ling Xiao went straight to the Bao Long Clan's training ground. Amidst a series of flattering remarks, he entered the temple at the back. "Why do you have time to visit me? Didn't you go sightseeing with your master?" Fo Yin was quite surprised to see Ling Xiao. How could he not go on such a good mission of being a royal pimp! Could it be that he has some hidden illness?

Faced with Fo Yin's scrutinizing gaze, Ling Xiao scolded, "We may be familiar, but I can still sue you for defamation if you talk nonsense! That was an investigation, not pimping! Everyone in the city knows that my master is loyal to his wife. Forget it, why should I talk about feelings with a bald monk like you!"

Fo Yin shrugged indifferently and asked, "Then why are you here? To practice martial arts?"

"Do you know Ling Ling Gong?"

Fo Yin clasped his hands together and said, "A monk never speaks ill of others!"

"Are you going to tell me or not?"

"The successor of the Bao Long Clan is usually designated by the previous generation. If the previous generation dies an unnatural death, the Emperor and the other current members of the Bao Long Clan decide. Of course, there are exceptions!" Fo Yin said calmly.

"What kind of exceptions?"

"The Bao Long Clan's predecessor was one of the four families or forces that helped the First Emperor establish the kingdom. In most cases, current members leave a token to their family or organization when performing dangerous tasks. If an accident occurs, the next generation can inherit the position with the token."

Hearing this, Ling Xiao frowned and said, "That doesn't make sense! If so, why did I have to inherit Ling Ling Xi or Ling Ling Cai's position last time?"

Fo Yin sighed, "That's a great favor. They let you take the position without the token, enjoying the benefits of the Bao Long Clan. Of course, you don't have the right to designate a successor. When you retire, you have to return the position to the original family or force. Think about it, the Emperor really values you!"

Hearing this, Ling Xiao was moved and continued, "So, you mean Ling Ling Gong inherited the position with a token?"

"Exactly, the Bao Long Clan's token is like an imperial seal, it's impossible to fake!" Fo Yin answered firmly, but Ling Xiao had his doubts. Although he didn't know why Fo Yin was so sure, he didn't believe that faking was impossible.

"Do you know anything about Ling Ling Gong or the family or force behind him?" Ling Xiao asked.

Fo Yin shook his head, "The Bao Long Clan has gone through many generations. Although the Ling Ling Fa lineage has a complete heritage, it has declined and is no longer prosperous. The Ling Ling Xi lineage has always been mysterious, but it's certain that they have some influence in the martial world. The ancestors of the Ling Ling Xi lineage were bandits, but they were the first to follow the First Emperor, so they were the most trusted. Although this lineage is prosperous, they all have terrible martial arts talent, just like you! So, the Ling Ling Xi lineage is all external martial arts experts!" He paused, frowned slightly, and continued, "If you're asking about Ling Ling Gong, the ancestors of this lineage were lay disciples of Shaolin Temple, but by this generation, Ling Ling Gong says there are few people left in his family."

"Oh? Few people left! I see!" Hearing this, Ling Xiao's mind was filled with endless speculations, words like infiltrating the tiger's den, impersonation, and masterminds popped up one by one.

"Why are you so interested in this?" Fo Yin asked curiously.

"None of your business, bald monk!" Ling Xiao closed his eyes and meditated, and Fo Yin also closed his eyes and meditated.

...

Ling Xiao was too lazy to find the elusive Ling Ling Gong. First, there was no evidence, and second, even if he found him, he might not be able to beat him! He wouldn't do something that was bound to be futile, so he left the palace after practicing in the evening.

After leaving the palace, Ling Xiao didn't go straight back to the clinic but went to the Drunken Moon Tower instead. "Waiter, bring me a pot of wine!"

"Sir, please sit, the wine will be right there."

The waiter was about to leave when Ling Xiao stopped him, "Where's Jiaoniang?"

"Jiaoniang is in a good mood and went to the night market."

"I see, what about your boss?" Ling Xiao asked.

The waiter looked around furtively, and Ling Xiao couldn't help but laugh. He then whispered, "The boss said he's not coming."

"Why? Watching the duel between two supreme experts is very helpful for improving one's realm," Ling Xiao was puzzled.

"The boss said he doesn't practice swordsmanship."

"But you can still learn from each other!" Ling Xiao continued.

"The boss said his realm isn't high enough to understand it."

Ling Xiao was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Judge to be so self-aware. This waiter was the one who sold him a bad horse at Yanmen Pass. Because he was smart, Ling Xiao introduced him to work for Jiaoniang and also to pass messages between him and the Judge.

Ling Xiao nodded and sighed, "Since the last battle, your boss should have realized the innate realm. At the initial innate level, he indeed wouldn't understand the duel. By the way, have you heard any special news recently?"

The waiter said, "The most special thing recently is that some regulars suddenly stopped coming."

"Who?"

"Zhuge Zhengwo, the first guard of the palace, Lu Xiaofeng, the wandering knight, Liu Tong, the chief eunuch, Ma Liuguo, who finds entertainment for the eunuchs and guards, and others."

"Alright, I was right to have you gather intelligence here. You're very smart, I'm satisfied!" Saying this, he took out a silver ticket and put it in the waiter's pocket, ignoring his delighted expression, and left the Drunken Moon Tower.

Zhuge Zhengwo and Wu Qing were busy patrolling and had no time to drink. Lu Xiaofeng was being toyed with by Ye Gucheng and could barely find time to eat. Liu Tong would likely bring Ye Gucheng into the Golden Hall on the day of the duel, and Ma Liuguo was the bridge for communication between Ye Gucheng and the palace. It seemed that Ye Gucheng's plot was proceeding smoothly. Should he start making his own arrangements?

The night was completely dark, and the night market in the capital was colorful. Children with lollipops wandered among various street snacks, men and women walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing, creating a sweet atmosphere. An old performer with gray hair was doing magic tricks on the street. The noodle stand with no customers had the owner sitting at an empty table, sighing. A passing seductive woman even threw a flirtatious glance at him! This made the inexperienced Ling Xiao feel a bit awkward.

A sudden sense of mortal danger, like a sudden downpour in June, drenched Ling Xiao. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

"Ah!" He screamed, forcing himself to wake up from his fear, and lunged forward, falling to the ground.

Sss! Shredded cloth flew everywhere. When Ling Xiao stood up again and touched the large gash from his shoulder to his waist, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Turning around, what surprised Ling Xiao was not the two black-clothed men with steel knives, but the numerous civilians of the capital! The men and women, even the innocent children, who had been strolling on the street, suddenly vanished, as if the scene had been fast-forwarded, leaving Ling Xiao quite astonished. Could the civilians in this world have such graceful steps?

"Who are you working for, and do you know who I am?" Ling Xiao asked while observing the two assassins. They were completely covered in black, even their eyes were painted black, and their black steel knives reflected no light in the moonlight. This was what a professional assassin looked like!