Chapter 12: Lofty Tunes, Few Companions; I Move Along, Unhurried

Li Xiangxian’s eyelids twitched ever so slightly—a minute gesture that certainly did not escape Ling Xiao’s keen gaze. Yet, he concealed his emotions well, feigning confusion as he asked, “Young master, what do you mean by this? I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

“Old fox!” Ming Cheng rolled his eyes and muttered a curse under his breath.

Ling Xiao’s expression remained cold. “There are times when you shouldn’t think yourself too clever, treating others as fools.”

Li Xiangxian’s face stiffened. “Young master, what do you mean, exactly?”

Ling Xiao tossed the documents in his hand onto the table before Li Xiangxian. “In January, you met with members of the Shen family from the Northwest. You wined and dined with them, indulged in pleasure, and spent over a hundred million in a single night.”

Li Xiangxian’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard, his gaze no longer as composed as before.

“Mr. Li, don’t tell me that was just entertaining clients!”

Li Xiangxian’s eyes darted evasively. “I... I was only discussing business. The money spent was due to a bit of gambling that night—I lost a fair amount.”

“In February, you had someone pretend you were at the company, then drove overnight to the Northwest for a secret meeting with the Shen family, returning at dawn. How do you explain that?”

Sweat poured from Li Xiangxian’s brow. He exhaled deeply and slowly stood up.

Xiu’er’s delicate eyebrows arched. “Scoundrel! The young master did not permit you to stand. Who gave you the courage to rise?”

Li Xiangxian chuckled nervously. “At this point, let’s drop the pretense. Yes, I did secretly meet with the Shen family—but so what? If our paths diverge, there’s no point forcing an alliance. For years, my Li family has brought immense profit to Ghost Valley; don’t go too far with your demands!”

“Scoundrel!” Xiu’er shouted again, preparing to rise and strike him, but Ling Xiao lifted a hand, and she withdrew immediately.

Ling Xiao’s gaze bore into Li Xiangxian. “I ask you only one question: Ghost Valley has not treated you poorly. Why betray me?”

Li Xiangxian sneered. “Ghost Valley has indeed treated me well, but unfortunately, every man has his own ambitions! Look at the hundred and eight martial sects—over thousands of years, who hasn’t fought desperately for territory, striving to grow stronger? Ghost Valley may not be the head of the martial world, but it’s one of the three most mysterious sects! Clearly possessing power, yet choosing isolation, acting as if they have no ambition! I, Li, am driven by grand aspirations and cannot abide Ghost Valley’s turtle-like withdrawal, living more monkishly than monks!”

Ling Xiao closed his eyes. “Ming Cheng, see him off.”

Ming Cheng grinned, cracking his knuckles as he stepped forward.

Li Xiangxian’s face paled in terror. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Ling Xiao, my Li family has served Ghost Valley for years—if you kill me, is there any honor left in the martial world?”

But Ling Xiao paid him no heed.

Those who betray me—death is the only punishment!

Soon, Li Xiangxian was dragged away, and… became utterly silent.

The remaining six spokesmen were so frightened they trembled uncontrollably.

Li Xiangxian, worth hundreds of billions, was as insignificant as an ant before Ling Xiao. The others, merely greater numbers of ants—what did they matter?

Ling Xiao swept his gaze over the group. “You need not be afraid. Li Xiangxian sought his own death; it has nothing to do with you.”

The group breathed a collective sigh of relief. But in the next moment, Ling Xiao’s words made their hearts leap once more.

“But let me make this clear: your honor and wealth—all are gifts from Ghost Valley! If you wish to be dogs, the most important lesson is loyalty. Never question your master lightly!”

The group knelt as one.

“The young master speaks truly; none of us will ever betray Ghost Valley. We beg your discernment.”

Ling Xiao nodded. “Let this matter end here. You have managed businesses across Jiangzhou for years—surely you all have some ideas on how to take Jiangzhou?”

Zhang Daochu from Jiangzhou immediately stepped forward and clasped his hands. “Young master, Lord Xu of Jiangzhou is the richest man in the city, with extensive connections. At his word, all Jiangzhou responds! If you can subdue him, Jiangzhou will be yours for the taking.”

“Lord Xu?” Ling Xiao pondered for a moment. “Where is he now?”

“Reporting to the young master, Lord Xu has not been in Jiangzhou these past few days. He seems… to have gone to the Northwest as well.”

At these words, the atmosphere in the Hall of Heroes shifted subtly.

“Again, Kongtong? Interesting. Notify me the moment he returns.”

“As you command.”

“Dismissed, then. When Jiangzhou is ours, I’ll host you all for a celebratory feast.”

“May the young master be blessed with boundless fortune and swift victory!”

…

The group respectfully escorted Ling Xiao to the door, where Black Rose stepped forward and offered a slight bow.

“Young master, it is rare for you to visit Jiangzhou, and I haven’t had the chance to entertain you. If you are free tonight, would you honor Jiangcheng with your presence? Come to my club for some leisure?”

“Jiangcheng?” Ling Xiao murmured to himself. “Very well.”

Black Rose’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly said, “Young master, I’ll prepare the car at once.”

“Go ahead.”

“Yes!”

Soon, Black Rose brought around an Alphard. Though merely a Toyota people carrier, not particularly luxurious, it fetched a premium price in China—a unique distinction.

Everything needed was provided in the car. Black Rose poured Ling Xiao a glass of red wine.

“Young master, this wine was specially prepared for you. There are two bottles in total—the first was already presented to you as tribute.”

Ling Xiao nodded. “I tasted it before. Thoughtful of you.”

“Thank you for your praise, young master. It is simply my duty.”

She paused, sneaking a glance at Ling Xiao. That handsome face, that extraordinary aura—even this worldly, powerful woman could not help but flush slightly.

Ling Xiao’s handsomeness was peerless, incomparable to those so-called pretty boys!

“Young master, there is something I do not understand. May I ask you to enlighten me?”

“Speak.”

“Though Ghost Valley rarely meddles in worldly affairs, our strength is unmatched in the martial world. Why, then, would Li Xiangxian seek out the Kongtong Sect?”

“I believe it wasn’t Li Xiangxian who actively sought out Kongtong. Rather, Kongtong offered him enough benefit to make him covetous, driving him to madness—to risk everything and betray Ghost Valley.”

“But… why would Kongtong do such a thing? Are they not afraid of Ghost Valley?”

Ling Xiao sipped his wine. Ming Cheng chuckled, “You know nothing! The young master of Kongtong, Ye Gutian, and our young master are both major generals in the Dragon Group. However… Ye Gutian was once one of the Four Young Masters of the Martial World, but since our young master rose up, the martial world replaced Ye Gutian with Ling Xiao as one of the Four Young Masters. Now, Ye Gutian hates our young master to the bone—and naturally, he hates Ghost Valley as well.”

“So that’s how it is! Who would have thought Ye Gutian could be so petty? The title of one of the Four Young Masters is earned by skill—if he lacks the ability, he shouldn’t resort to such tricks.”

Ming Cheng laughed again. “You’re wrong, little lady! It’s not that he’s petty—it’s just that our young master is too exceptional! Everyone else has trained in martial arts since childhood; guess how long it took our young master, starting as an ordinary man, to rise to major general and become one of the Four Young Masters?”

“How long?”