Chapter 4

"Grandpa Jiang, why hasn't my father returned yet?"

At fifteen years old, Ling Dao already stood at a height of 1.7 meters, dressed in a brocade robe, with eyebrows like a sharp sword and eyes like bright stars, a handsome young man. Unfortunately, his face was extremely pale, showing a hint of illness, all due to the countless sword auras within his body.

More than a year ago, the Free and Easy King intruded into the Heavenly Dragon Forbidden Grounds and has not returned since. The Heavenly Dragon Forbidden Grounds are a place of no return, where one in ten survives. If it were not for Ling Dao, the Free and Easy King would not have ventured into the Heavenly Dragon Forbidden Grounds.

Rumors say that within the Heavenly Dragon Forbidden Grounds, there are all kinds of heavenly treasures and even life-restoring elixirs. The Free and Easy King was well aware of Ling Dao's condition and had tried every possible method over the years to cure him, but to no avail. The only hope was to seek a chance in the Heavenly Dragon Forbidden Grounds.

When Ling Dao was five years old, the Free and Easy King's consort returned to her natal home to find a cure for Ling Dao. Unfortunately, she never returned. When Ling Dao asked the Free and Easy King the reason, he only had a stern face and said nothing.

Standing before Ling Dao was a general in armor, Jiang Zhong. Despite his appearance suggesting he was only in his forties, he was actually seventy years old. His martial arts foundation allowed him to maintain the appearance of a man in his forties.

"I don't know when the King will return, but I firmly believe that the King, being a man of good fortune, will definitely be fine!"

If it weren't for the Free and Easy King, Jiang Zhong would have already died in the wilderness. The Free and Easy King saved his life and gradually promoted him to become a renowned general. Jiang Zhong was extremely grateful to the Free and Easy King and regarded Ling Dao as his own junior. Ling Dao grew up under Jiang Zhong's watch, and since Jiang Zhong had no descendants, he long ago considered Ling Dao as family.

Not long after the Free and Easy King disappeared, many people began to stir. However, out of fear of the Free and Easy King's authority, they did not dare to act rashly. But with the Free and Easy King missing for over a year, they believed he was likely dead and felt it was time to make their move.

Over the years, the Free and Easy King had made many enemies. When he was around, no one dared to act against the Free and Easy King's mansion. After all, the Free and Easy King was too powerful, and opposing him was tantamount to courting death. Even the royal family of the Da Luo Dynasty did not dare to offend him.

The Free and Easy King's power and influence had long been a threat to the royal family. While he was around, the royal family of the Da Luo Dynasty could only endure in silence. Now that the Free and Easy King has been missing for over a year, the emperor of the Da Luo Dynasty naturally wanted to destroy the Free and Easy King's mansion. However, given the Free and Easy King's contributions to the Da Luo Dynasty, the emperor could not openly act.

...

On this night, a group of black-clothed assassins surrounded the Free and Easy King's mansion. Normally, such a commotion would have woken everyone in the mansion. But this night, even Ling Dao remained in a deep sleep.

"Trouble, there's something wrong with the dinner!"

Strong warriors like Jiang Zhong could still remain alert, but ordinary people could not. The dinner contained a sedative, and Ling Dao's weak body could not resist it. Only a few of the guards in the Free and Easy King's mansion were still capable of fighting.

"Damn it, there must be a traitor in the mansion who betrayed us! How could they do this to the King, who has been so good to everyone?"

As the guards cursed, the black-clothed assassins charged into the mansion. These assassins were well-trained and highly skilled, each strike lethal. The few guards in the Free and Easy King's mansion could not possibly resist them.

Blood splattered the ground as the black-clothed assassins slaughtered the guards. Someone had already informed the royal family of the Da Luo Dynasty, but the royal family did not respond. Even a fool could see that the royal family would not help the Free and Easy King's mansion.

"Quickly protect the Young Master! The mansion can be destroyed, but the Young Master must not be harmed! Go, follow me and take the Young Master out!"

Jiang Zhong led eight of the stronger guards towards the room where Ling Dao was. Fortunately, Ling Dao was unharmed and still asleep. Without a word, Jiang Zhong picked up Ling Dao and placed him on his back.

"Go, follow me and fight our way out!"

The commotion woke Ling Dao, who opened his eyes groggily. Unfortunately, he was too weak to even speak. Seeing the battle outside, Ling Dao instantly understood what was happening.

"Want to save the Free and Easy King's heir? Dream on!"

Black-clothed assassins charged over, and Jiang Zhong grunted in anger, tying Ling Dao to his back. He then swung his battle saber and engaged the assassins. The sound of clashing weapons filled the air.

"General, take the Young Master and leave quickly. Leave these assassins to us!"

"That's right, the King has given us a second chance. Even if we must sacrifice ourselves, we cannot let the Young Master be harmed!"

"What are you waiting for? Take the Young Master and leave!"

The eight guards fought with all their might, ignoring the blood streaming from their wounds. Jiang Zhong glanced at them and reluctantly nodded. He was not afraid of death, but Ling Dao must not die.

Summoning his warhorse, Jiang Zhong mounted it and, with Ling Dao on his back, charged out. Ling Dao, in a daze, saw the eight guards desperately blocking the black-clothed assassins, their bodies riddled with wounds, but they held on with their last breath.

"Clang!"

In the distance, a black-clothed assassin suddenly charged over, his silver sword reflecting a cold, deadly light in the moonlight. Jiang Zhong reacted quickly, his battle saber meeting the sword. The intense collision forced his warhorse to step back.

Jiang Zhong's brows furrowed, and a fierce aura rose from him. After so many years of battle, he had taken many lives. He swung his saber again, forcefully driving the assassin back. He did not linger but urged his warhorse to gallop away.

"Jiang Zhong here, open the city gates quickly!"

At this point, he knew that the only hope for survival was to escape the capital. If they stayed in the city, Ling Dao would not last long. The royal family of the Da Luo Dynasty was definitely involved in this.

"Screech!"

The city gates quickly opened, and Jiang Zhong rode his warhorse out. Just as he reached the outskirts, he saw a group of black-clothed assassins. These assassins had been lying in wait outside the city, clearly prepared for a second contingency.

Jiang Zhong grunted in anger and engaged the assassins. Ling Dao, who had been able to see the battle vaguely, was kicked by an assassin and fell unconscious.

"Young Master!"

A cry of alarm, and Jiang Zhong fought even more fiercely. Fortunately, he was clad in armor, or he would have been killed on the spot. After that, Ling Dao knew nothing.

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