Chapter 5

This world's capital is vast; if we only consider its area, it can be compared to the capital of the previous era. This is just within the city! If we include the suburbs, it might rival a medium-sized island nation. The massive city walls, towering fifty meters high, encircle the edge of the capital, as if transplanted from the Eleventh District. The mottled walls, scarred and weathered, tell the story of dynastic changes and the vicissitudes of history.

Most of the troops are concentrated at the city gates, while the soldiers on the walls are either yawning, chatting, or looking around, but none are patrolling seriously. It's not their fault; with such high walls, what enemy could possibly scale them! It would take a while just to set up a ladder! Even if there were a few experts with extraordinary lightness of body, a few individuals alone couldn't make a difference. After all, numbers are crucial in warfare. Over time, this place has become a popular tourist attraction, and visitors from other cities inevitably come here when they reach the capital.

Standing on the city wall and looking far into the distance, one can see a large part of the capital's scenery. Watching the endless stream of people on the streets, a sense of grandeur naturally arises. Although one might not shout like Jack, "I am the king of the world," it is enough to inspire poets and literati to burst into verse.

As the saying goes, "talented men and beautiful women go hand in hand." With talented men, there will naturally be beautiful women. Daughters of wealthy merchants, daughters of officials, and even female knights from the江湖 (jianghu) come here to enjoy the scenery and appreciate poetry.

At some point, the city wall became a scenic spot, and many timeless verses were born here. It is said that even the Emperor left his calligraphy here, though it's not impossible that some people were just showing off, like "Ling Xiao visited here on a certain year and month."

With the presence of refined individuals, there are also those of a more vulgar nature. "You look at the poetry, we look at the beauties!" Most of the soldiers guarding the city are like this, but they only sneak a few glances or whistle; they never take real action. In the capital, you could throw a brick and hit two county magistrates, and an ordinary aunt might have a son who is the top scholar. Even the Dragon Protectors can be gynecological experts; what is impossible here?

As dusk approached, the city wall was usually filled with men and women watching the sunset, but the usual bustle had turned into silence. A large area of the wall was empty, and people instinctively made way for a woman in the center. Whether soldiers, talented men, or beautiful women, everyone's eyes were filled with admiration, but there was also a hint of pity in their admiration!

The woman was extremely beautiful, with her silky hair casually flowing down. A large black cloak completely covered her delicate body. She quietly watched the sunset, her face expressionless. The golden sunlight cast a glow on her, and the wind gently blew her hair, occasionally revealing her fair skin. Everything was so beautiful! It was as if people's hearts were elevated. But everything was ruined, ruined by the wheelchair she sat in; she was a disabled person!

Many people sighed inwardly; there is indeed no perfect person in this world. Heaven gave her an extraordinary beauty but did not grant her a healthy body.

The woman was used to the gazes of the people around her. Facing the sunset, she enjoyed the rare peace, feeling neither joy nor sorrow. But the sound of birds flapping their wings was like a stone thrown into her calm heart.

Suddenly, a chorus of gasps echoed across the wall, and people stared at the woman with wide eyes and open mouths.

She smiled!

So pure! So gentle! It was as if she swept away a layer of dust from people's hearts, elevating their spirits!

Gently lifting her arm, a small pigeon slowly landed in her palm. Only then did everyone notice that the woman was wearing a pair of black leather gloves. Though they couldn't see her hands, the curves outlined by the gloves still sparked their imagination.

Opening the message tube and pulling out the letter, she was slightly surprised. Upon reading the poem, she smiled with a meaningful expression. The sunset, though beautiful, would eventually fade. As the light dimmed, the woman slowly turned and quietly left. To everyone's surprise, she made no movement, yet the wheelchair moved on its own.

...

There is a term in this world called "unexpected." Many things are like this; no matter how perfect your plan, there is always a little twist. It might ruin your plan, or it might add a touch of brilliance. But most people don't like surprises because the feeling of losing control is very unpleasant!

Ling Xiao now felt very frustrated! It was like Purple Fairy guessed the beginning but got the ending wrong. Ling Xiao, knowing the cause and effect, guessed the beginning and the end but couldn't predict the process.

It had been seven days since the Heavenly Flying Immortal appeared, but the plot seemed stuck, like a drain that's clogged and keeps giving off a foul smell.

Watching Ling Lingfa sneak off to practice martial arts every day, Ling Xiao became increasingly anxious. Practicing martial arts wasn't important because Ling Xiao knew that with Ling Lingfa's talent, even the Sunflower Manual would be useless.

His opportunity lay in that lightning strike!

Another afternoon, after lunch, he was about to go to the palace to practice martial arts when he saw his master's wife walking over, muttering to herself.

"What's wrong, Master's wife?"

"That ghost-like woman is back! Does her period come ten times a month?" the master's wife said, puzzled and pouting.

"Why do you say that?"

"Does your master treat anything else besides that?" the master's wife said matter-of-factly.

"Uh... don't worry, that aunt is very safe. Others might not say it, but your master definitely won't be swayed." In fact, Ling Xiao seriously doubted that Ling Lingfa could even treat a period.

"I'm not worried about that. My husband loves me! It's just that he keeps going out, and it feels strange over time."

Ling Xiao was taken aback: "Is your master making a house call? Did that ghost-like woman come to get him?"

"Yes! He had nothing to do these past few days, and we had planned to go shopping together." The master's wife shook her head, slightly dissatisfied, and left. It seemed this was the real reason for her anger.

But what he was concerned about wasn't this. The so-called "ghost-like woman" was actually an intelligence agent of the Dragon Protectors named Ling Lingyou, with exceptional stealth skills. Of course, this wasn't the main point. The main point was that since the Heavenly Flying Immortal appeared, she hadn't shown up until now. This time, it couldn't be...

Long-awaited rewards finally came. In the evening, Ling Lingfa returned home with a medicine box, looking dejected and gloomy. Seeing his expression, Ling Xiao clenched his fists, suppressing his excitement, and asked, "What a heavy atmosphere! What happened, Master?"

Ling Lingfa glanced at Ling Xiao, waved to him, and entered the room first. Ling Xiao followed, closed the door, and Ling Lingfa put down the medicine box, sitting in a chair with a defeated look.

"What's wrong? You don't have to be so gloomy!" Ling Xiao poured a cup of tea and placed it on the table.

"Today was another day of the Dragon Protectors' martial arts demonstration." Ling Lingfa said quietly, staring at the teacup with no interest in drinking.

"It's not the first time. You don't have to be like this! Didn't you give the Emperor many gadgets?"

"Yes, but the Emperor is a martial arts enthusiast and has no interest in these so-called revolutionary inventions!" Ling Lingfa sighed.

Ling Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Martial arts enthusiasts usually seek the thrill of great power. If you could present a powerful weapon to the Emperor, I believe he would change his opinion of you."

"Rubbish! If you can think of it, why can't I?"

"Your words sound so twisted."

Ling Lingfa completely ignored Ling Xiao's distorted face and continued, "I invented a supreme fire weapon, so powerful it could shock the heavens and make ghosts weep, causing injury with a touch and death with a strike! But the Emperor won't even give me a chance to improve it! Sigh!"

Ling Xiao, of course, knew what he was talking about, but suddenly had an idea. Since his own talent was so poor, why not play to his strengths and do something he was good at?

So, going back to the starting point, where did he excel over the people in this world? Knowledge! In the previous era, Earth developed for countless years, and countless scientists, despite their sacrifices, pursued the truth with unwavering dedication. Since he couldn't compete in physical attributes, he could make up for it with equipment!

Ling Xiao slapped his forehead hard. What an idiot! Such a simple idea took so long to come to mind. Did he grow up eating shit? For a cultured person, this was embarrassing! He couldn't make a steel suit, but he could at least make a revolver! At least it would give him some self-defense, rather than relying entirely on Ling Lingfa.

Seeing Ling Xiao lost in his own world and not paying attention, Ling Lingfa pulled out a book and slapped it on his face.

Slap!

Ling Xiao, holding his sore nose, caught the book and looked down to see it was the Heavenly Flying Immortal. Seeing Ling Lingfa's dark face, he laughed awkwardly and said, "Since this path is blocked, let's try another. Haven't you started practicing sword techniques?"

At this, the atmosphere became even more oppressive, and Ling Lingfa's face was almost written with "I'm not happy."

"Ha ha, ha ha. I suddenly remember there's a bowl of Isatis Root in the kitchen I need to drink." With that, he ran off.

"Remember to save some for me!" Ling Lingfa's shout echoed down the corridor.

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