Chapter 8

After bringing the young girl home, Duan Lingtian went to see his mother, Li Rou.

Li Rou was somewhat surprised to see her son bring back a young girl. Although the girl's clothing was simple and plain, it could not conceal her natural beauty. At first glance, she developed a good impression of the beautiful girl.

"This is my mother."

Duan Lingtian said to the young girl.

"Ke'er has seen the lady."

The young girl, upon seeing Li Rou, felt somewhat restrained.

Her beautiful face was flushed, making her look very adorable.

"Tian'er, what's going on?"

Li Rou looked at Duan Lingtian with a smile that was not quite a smile.

She hadn't expected her son to bring back such a beautiful girl after just one outing.

"Mother, it's like this..."

Duan Lingtian told Li Rou everything about how he met the young girl named Ke'er.

He even mentioned how he had disciplined the young master of the Fang family, without any concealment.

"That Fang Jian is notorious in Qingfeng Town. You did the right thing by beating him. Even if the Fang family comes to our door, we will still be in the right."

Li Rou nodded.

Her motherly and gentle gaze slowly fell upon the young girl.

"Ke'er, since you have no family now, stay with us. By the way, the maid in my courtyard got married and went back to the countryside yesterday. You can stay in her room."

Li Rou looked at the young girl with affection.

"Thank you, lady."

Ke'er hurriedly thanked her, her flushed face showing a slight excitement.

"Come, I'll take you to change into some new clothes."

Li Rou took the young girl's hand and entered the bedroom.

Duan Lingtian was left standing there, looking stunned.

When the young girl came out again with Li Rou, she was wearing a fresh and bright outfit, and Li Rou had slightly dressed her up.

Her long, black hair, which had been flowing like a waterfall, was now tied up. Her clear and beautiful face was like a lotus flower emerging from the water, with a touch of charming redness, looking lively and attractive.

Her willow-like eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, delicate nose, and red lips were all perfectly matched.

Her slightly swollen chest was like a bud about to bloom, as if it could burst open at any moment.

Her slender waist, firm and round buttocks, and long, beautiful legs made her look graceful and likable.

"Her name suits her; she is truly a delightful and charming girl."

Li Rou stood beside her, not sparing any praise.

"Ke'er, this outfit is what I wore when I was young. I'll give it to you. Look, just a little bit of dressing up, and people are already staring at you, as if they want to eat you up."

Li Rou teased, glancing at Duan Lingtian, who was staring.

Duan Lingtian gave an awkward smile and averted his gaze from the young girl.

The young girl's charm after being dressed up indeed captivated him.

In his previous life as the king of mercenaries, he had never lacked for women, but although those women were beautiful, they lacked the clear and refined aura that Ke'er possessed. In this aspect, they couldn't compare to her.

"Madam, I am just a maid; wearing such clothes is not appropriate."

Li Rou's words made the young girl's beautiful face turn red, as if it would bleed, and she felt overwhelmed by the kindness.

"Who said you are a maid? Even if I wanted you to be a maid, I'm worried someone wouldn't be willing."

Li Rou laughed.

Duan Lingtian was speechless.

Throughout the entire time, he hadn't said a word, and he felt like he had been hit by a stray bullet.

Hearing Li Rou's words, the young girl's face turned even redder.

Although Li Rou and Duan Lingtian didn't treat Ke'er as a maid, the considerate Ke'er still took on all the household chores.

As she put it, the young master and lady had kindly taken her in, and if she didn't do something to repay them, she would feel uneasy.

The kind and considerate Ke'er quickly won the approval of Li Rou and Duan Lingtian, and she integrated into this small family.

At the Fang family residence.

In a not too large courtyard.

A middle-aged man was pacing restlessly, occasionally looking up at the bedroom not far away.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and an old man walked out.

"Master Sun, how is my son?"

The middle-aged man hurriedly approached.

"Fang Butler, the person who attacked your son used extremely ruthless means, almost completely shattering his spine. After taking the Ninth Rank Golden Wound Pill, your son showed no signs of recovery. I am powerless, please accept my condolences."

The old man shook his head and sighed.

"What?!"

The middle-aged man's face changed dramatically.

Even the Ninth Rank Alchemist they had spent a fortune to bring back was powerless, which meant his son was completely crippled and would have to spend the rest of his life in bed.

"Fang Qiang!"

At this moment, a stern middle-aged man stepped in and handed a精致的盒子 to the Fang family butler, Fang Qiang:

"This is an Eighth Rank Golden Wound Pill. Take it to your son immediately."

"Head of the family!"

Fang Qiang was stunned.

Although he had considered asking the head of the family for the Eighth Rank Golden Wound Pill,

he had given up on the idea, thinking it was the only one the Fang family had, and he didn't believe he could get it as the butler.

Now, seeing the head of the family personally bring the Eighth Rank Golden Wound Pill, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

"Fang Qiang, if it weren't for my wayward son causing trouble, your son wouldn't have been injured. I apologize for this... As for my wayward son, I will severely punish him and give you a satisfactory response."

The head of the Fang family, Fang Yi, said with a guilty expression.

"Head of the family!"

Fang Qiang knelt down, overwhelmed with emotion.

Any lingering dissatisfaction in his heart vanished.

"Get up quickly and take the pill to your son."

Fang Yi said again.

Fang Qiang stood up and reached out to take the Eighth Rank Golden Wound Pill from Fang Yi.

"Fang Butler, to be frank, even an Eighth Rank Golden Wound Pill, let alone a Seventh Rank, would be powerless against your son's injuries. Unless there is a 'Bone Condensing Pill,' but that pill has long been extinct."

The old man suddenly spoke up, shattering Fang Qiang's renewed hope.

"Still, let him try it."

Fang Yi said.

"Head of the family, there's no need. I trust Master Sun; there's no point in wasting this precious pill on my son."

Fang Qiang shook his head.

"What I want most now is to find out who crippled my son and take revenge!"

Taking a deep breath, Fang Qiang's eyes glowed with hatred.

"Fang Butler, you can rest assured. The entire Fang family will do everything in its power to find the culprit and give you a satisfactory response!"

Fang Yi said firmly.

"Thank you, head of the family."

Fang Qiang said gratefully.

At the Li family residence.

A thunderous piece of news spread throughout the Li family.

The Li family's genius martial artist, Li Jie, would fight Duan Lingtian, the son of Elder Nine, in one month!

It was said that for this battle, Elder Seven, Li Kun, had specially invited the head of the family and Elder One as witnesses.

This news caused a significant stir throughout the Li family.

"From the moment Li Xin was crippled by Duan Lingtian, I knew Elder Seven and Li Jie wouldn't let it go. I didn't expect them to act so quickly."

"Tsk tsk... A Fourth Rank Body Tempering martial artist challenging a First Rank Body Tempering martial artist. Li Jie is really going all out for his brother, disregarding his own dignity!"

"I wonder what Duan Lingtian is thinking, agreeing to Li Jie's challenge. He must have been hit in the head by Li Xin last time."

"In this battle, Li Jie won't hold back. Even if he can't kill Duan Lingtian, he will definitely cripple him."

...

Almost no one was optimistic about Duan Lingtian's chances in this battle.

One was the Li family's rising star, a genius martial artist who had reached the Fourth Rank Body Tempering at just sixteen, with a bright future.

The other was a lesser-known outsider in the Li family, who had only recently completed his Body Tempering, becoming a First Rank Body Tempering martial artist.

Although he defeated the Second Rank Body Tempering Li Xin with his peculiar 'Crushing Fist,' no one believed he could defeat Li Jie.

Li Jie and Li Xin were brothers, but their strength was on completely different levels.

While the Li family was in an uproar over this matter, Duan Lingtian, the main party involved, seemed to have disappeared.

"Done!"

Looking at the ring on his right middle finger, Duan Lingtian smiled.

Thanks to the thorough understanding of inscription techniques from his previous life as the Cyclic Martial Emperor, he successfully inscribed the ring on his first attempt.

"Li Jie, I'll give you a surprise."

A mischievous smile appeared on Duan Lingtian's lips.

"Master, the water is ready."

At this moment, the young girl, Ke'er, stepped out from behind the screen in the bedroom, having changed the water in the bathtub for Duan Lingtian.

"Ke'er, you've worked hard. Go rest."

Duan Lingtian walked over and used his sleeve to wipe the sweat from the young girl's forehead.

"Ke'er, I'll do the heavy work from now on."

Duan Lingtian said tenderly.

"Master, it's fine. After using the medicinal water you gave me, Ke'er is very strong now."

The young girl shook her small arm, her flushed face beaming with happiness.

"It seems that with some cultivation, Ke'er will quickly complete her Body Tempering and become a martial artist."

Duan Lingtian gently rubbed the young girl's small arm and smiled.

"Master, I know you are good to me, but I also know that families like the Li family have their own rules. Cultivation techniques cannot be casually passed on. I am happy just to be able to stay by your and the lady's side. Whether I become a martial artist or not doesn't matter."

Ke'er said.

"Silly girl, the cultivation technique I will pass on to you won't be the Li family's. Go rest now. I'll come to your room this afternoon... Hey, Ke'er, why is your face suddenly so red? Are you okay?"

Duan Lingtian shook his head and smiled.

"Master, you are so naughty, always teasing Ke'er."

The young girl, embarrassed by Duan Lingtian's teasing, fled.

Duan Lingtian was left laughing.