Chapter 1693 - 481- 487

Chapter 481: Crazy Stakes

Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT

"Nonsense! How can fighting for hegemony over the world be treated as a child's game?" Yu ManLou said with dissatisfaction.

"The way I see it, this is no different from a game." Ling Tian smiled, "This is also the game most worthy for one to gamble his life on. Family Head Yu, just speak what is on your mind. You are obviously tempted in your heart and this game is probably a little boring to you. After all, there is a big difference between the both of us. You pay attention to the outcome while I pay attention to the process."

"If that's the case, why don't we divide and conquer? We could sweep away all the obstructions in our respective territories, and we wouldn't need to be wary of each other. We would naturally speed up the process of conquering the world greatly. When the world is divided into two, it would also be the time for it to be united into one. At that time, it would be either you destroying me or me destroying you and the fate of the world can be decided easily! At the very least, it would be much better than us scheming against each other. If we were to drag matters on as such, while one of us may end up winning in the end, we would definitely require a huge amount of time to reach that outcome. If that's the case, things will be too boring. Furthermore, it is very likely that both of us will end up in mutual destruction and give the Xiao or other families the advantage."

"I believe that you aren't willing to witness such an outcome either, right?"

Ling Tian sneered, "Take today for an example. While you may have the strength to kill me today, if I know that my death is certain, I would definitely go all out and you will be bedridden for half a year at least. You should be fully aware that this isn't a lie."

Yu ManLou pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. He had to admit that Ling Tian truly had the ability to rival his strength!

"If we were to have a life and death battle today, even if you were to emerge victorious, your Yu Family will definitely suffer a loss in the battle with the Shui Family! If that's the case, the Xiao Family which has the support of Above Heavens will definitely gain the upper hand. At that time, your chance of ruling over the world would definitely be greatly reduced!" Ling Tian said with a confident smile, "Thus, the both of us need to work together. My need for you is far lesser than your need for me! That is why I dared to wait for you here today!"

Ling Tian stood up and waved his hands, "If the world is a huge game of chess, then the two of us would be the best chess players! If the world is a huge gambling table, then let the both of us bring our riches to the table!" Ling Tian let out bright, unrestrained and maniacal laughter!

It can be said that Ling Tian truly had a great grasp of Yu ManLou's character. From the many reports that he had received on Yu ManLou, it was obvious that he was an individual who was intoxicated with the allure of authority! Furthermore, he was an individual who truly had the strength to rule the world.

Ling Tian's words were undoubtedly targeted at Yu ManLou's character. In fact, Ling Tian's maniacal laughter at the very end had also stirred the ambition in Yu ManLou's heart!

At the same time, a sharp glow could be seen in Yu ManLou's eyes!

"What a good gamble! What a good gamble with the world as the stakes!" Yu ManLou praised with his eagle-like eyes fixed on Ling Tian. "Ling Tian, ever since you were five and stood out in Sky Bearing, I have sent someone to spy on you."

Ling Tian was startled in his heart. Five? Did you have nothing else better to do but to care about a five-year-old child?

Are you mad?!

"As your reputation grew nastier and nastier when you got older, my guard was truly lowered." Yu ManLou let out a self-mocking laugh, "When I heard about your profligate actions from my spies in Sky Bearing, it also made me extremely disappointed. Only five years later when an unknown underground force sprouted out in Sky Bearing, with the head of the force being untraceable, did you attract my attention again. While there were a few different gangs on the surface, the leader behind the gangs was very well concealed. However, as long as one had the heart to investigate the matter, it was impossible to fool the eyes of a wise individual. After scrutinizing every incident clearly, I realized that these few gangs barely had any major conflicts."

"As such, I ordered my men to investigate who would have such an ability but they were unable to come up with a conclusive conclusion. However, they managed to investigate something else: all the stories about young noble Ling Tian's profligate actions were spread by these few gangs. Furthermore, if one investigated those incidents, not a single trace of the incidents would be found. At that time, I knew that you were definitely related to the gangs in Sky Bearing."

"But at that time until the scholarly meeting, I only thought that you were a gifted and bright child. Even if you had some means, it wasn't enough for me to pay any attention to you. However, only when the various families gathered at Sky Bearing did I place you on my list of dangerous figures."

Yu ManLou let out a heavy sigh, "However, I only found out at this moment that you have already grown to become my greatest enemy. Even the Shui Family cannot be compared to you in my heart. As for this bet that you have proposed, I honestly did not want to agree to it but would rather kill you on the spot, even if I would have to pay an unbearable price. You are just far too dangerous, but because of the current situation, I have no choice but to agree to it! Ling Tian, I never imagined that you had researched my character to such a frightening degree!"

Yu ManLou looked at Ling Tian and said with a heavy and solemn voice, "I agree to your suggestion!"

"There isn't a need to wait until three months later. I can agree to it right now!" Yu ManLou continued, "If Justice was able to kill you, how would you have been able to stay alive for the past three months? Since he wasn't able to kill you in the past three months, then it is no different from it being Justice's loss. It is just that he isn't willing to admit it now."

Yu ManLou then said with a mocking sneer, "To think that he chased after a fifteen-year-old child for three months and is still unable to kill the child. This Justice is truly a laughingstock of the world."

Ling Tian let out a chuckle. He never imagined that Yu ManLou's confidence in him was even greater than his confidence in himself. However, Yu ManLou had never faced Justice in battle and didn't know just how frightening Justice truly was. He then replied, "According to what I know, it seems that Family Head Yu also wants my life but you are also having a good conversation with me right now." In other words, Ling Tian was trying to point out that Yu ManLou had no rights to criticize Justice.

"Furthermore, I only believe half of your previous words." Ling Tian raised his index finger and waved it around, "You have been scheming against me for many years already and is there a need for you to deny that? In Sky Bearing, there is probably no lack of your men!"

Yu ManLou paused for a moment before laughing bitterly. He then suddenly said with frustration, "Could it be that you are lacking men in Bright Jade City?"

Ling Tian burst into bright laughter. As Yu ManLou looked at Ling Tian laughing heartily, he also joined in the laughter and the both of them laughed without any restraint.

An old fox and a little fox with ulterior motives of their own laughing so heartily together. However, just who would be able to have the last laugh?!

"Let us go along with your suggestion. With the Cold River as the divider, the south will belong to you and north will belong to me. How about that?" Yu ManLou looked at Ling Tian and offered a suggestion.

The Cold River was the biggest river in the Heavenly Star Continent which went from east to west and was only a hundred miles north of Sky Bearing. Yu ManLou's suggestion was akin to cutting away half of Sky Bearing's territory that originally belonged to Ling Tian! While this suggestion of Yu ManLou's seemed extremely fair on the surface, it was greatly to his advantage!

However, Ling Tian didn't grow angry. At this moment, he was at the losing end and if Yu ManLou didn't make use of the opportunity to extort him, he wouldn't be Yu ManLou. Ling Tian responded with a chuckle, "Why don't we use the Bright Jade City as the divider? The north of the city would belong to you, and the south will belong to me." This suggestion of his was even more vicious, separating the core territory of the Yu Family.

Yu ManLou also smiled. His previous suggestion was only a probing one. He wanted to probe to see if Ling Tian would be willing to come to a compromise in such a situation. If Ling Tian immediately came to a compromise, it only meant that Ling Tian wasn't truly sincere in their cooperation or was even unworthy of cooperating with him. How could a ruler lacking in charisma and boldness be worthy of being a match for him?! It was very likely that Yu ManLou would immediately strike out to kill Ling Tian, this unworthy opponent!

Yu ManLou shook his head helplessly, "I knew that you would disagree. You wouldn't be Ling Tian if you agreed." He then pointed towards the west, "I have placed great effort in Western Han and it can be said that half of Western Han already belongs to my Yu Family. I will definitely not give it up and there isn't any room for discussion." His calm tone made it seem as though he was illustrating a fact and not having a bargain.

Ling Tian replied with a trace of mockery, "That is only what you feel. When you truly need Western Han, you will realize that you have gained control of far less than half of the Empire. In fact, you may not even be able to control 10% of the Empire. When I said uniting the continent, I wasn't just referring to the other party submitting to you. Even if they were to submit completely to you, their strength wouldn't completely belong to you. You should understand what I mean right?"

Yu ManLou's eyes widened, "If that's the case, the next five years would definitely be extremely tough for us."

Ling Tian let out an indifferent smile. "That's right. Where would the motivation come from if there wasn't any pressure?" He then raised his head and looked at Yu ManLou, "The both of us are too used to scheming in the dark. We are used to hiding behind the scenes and causing storms with just our words. I do admit that such a feeling is extremely satisfying, but we cannot expect to rule over the world through schemes. Thus, we will have to use true strength this time."

As Ling Tian said that, he thought about Li Xue's warning. While schemes would allow him to gain a slight upper hand, it wasn't the true method for him to rule over the world. If he wants the world to fully submit to him, he must come out in open and display true strength!

Thinking about this, Ling Tian's mouth curled up into a proud smile. "With regards to this, you have a slight disadvantage. Your Yu Family is restricted by the Shui Family and there is still the restless Xiao Family. Thus, I gave you the rights to decide the territorial divide. However, this does not mean that you can take the lion's share. This is something that you should be very clear of and also the most important part of our cooperation." Ling Tian's voice turned chilly, "If you want to become a fatty from a single bite, you have to first see if you have sufficient capacity! If you are greedy, you will be like a snake swallowing an elephant, dying because of bloating!"

Yu ManLou replied with a cold smirk of his own and it was obvious that he agreed with what Ling Tian said, "If that's the case, let us use the Valley of Sobbing Spirits as the divider. That was originally the territorial borders between Sky Bearing and Western Han. In five years, my Yu Family will level Western Han, unite Northern Wei, destroy the Wu Empire and defeat the Shui Family to unite half the continent! The rest would belong to you."

The rest would naturally refer to Southern Zheng, Eastern Zhao, Sky Bearing and the number one financial magnate, the Xiao Family. Apart from Sky Bearing already being in Ling Tian's control, Southern Zheng and Eastern Zhao were still completely intact. Furthermore, there was still the gigantic and mysterious Xiao Family. Thus, Ling Tian's half of the continent was undeniably more challenging.

Both of them had a point in common in that the empire where their family was located was already destroyed and they were truly the rulers of their respective territories! However, Bright Jade City was falling into pieces because of Ling Tian's schemes and Yu ManLou was undoubtedly at a loss. On the other hand, the experts of the Yu Family stationed in Sky Bearing would definitely have some accomplishments and thus it was still considered fair.

When Ling Tian proposed this bet to Yu ManLou, he had already expected Yu ManLou to make such a choice and was thus not surprised.

After considering for a moment, Ling Tian said with a seemingly bitter smile, "You have too big of an advantage with such a divide. You must give me some compensation."

"Go f**king die! How did this daddy here not give you any compensation? The fact that I didn't take your life today is already the biggest compensation!" Yu ManLou roared as he never expected that Ling Tian would be thick-skinned enough to ask him for compensations! He was angered to the point he began roaring with expletives, "Northern Wei is in a complete mess right now! Furthermore, the Shui Family, Western Han and Wu Empire aren't easy to deal with either! Besides that, there is still a Moon Deity Empire and Lei Empire behind him! Aren't they your trump cards?"

Yu ManLou cursed fiercely, "You are talking about uniting half the continent and not suppressing them. Five years from now, if there is still another power independent of either of us, it would mean that party has lost. Even if the Moon Deity Empire is far away and detaches themselves from the continent, they still belong to the Heavenly Star Continent right? At that time, won't that be your excuse? This old man's difficulties are far greater than yours!"

"However, the truth is that this young noble has helped you deal with the Shui Family already. Since we are going to cooperate with each other, Family Head should not be talking about my life and death already!" At the same time, Ling Tian cursed Yu ManLou in his heart for not being foolish.

"Your life is still in this old man's hands right now! Is this not the truth? Furthermore, this old man helped you get rid of the Above Heavens experts yesterday!" Yu ManLou continued to roar, "Even plenty of my Yu Family members fell to your scheme but your men were still having a good time in bed last night without any fatalities! Why didn't you talk about that?"

Ling Tian raised his hands and feigned surrender before saying helplessly, "Alright alright, we shall go with what you have suggested. Alright?"

Yu ManLou glared at Ling Tian before cursing under his breath. All of a sudden, Yu ManLou gasped, "Five years…" and came to a sudden realization, "Good brat! I have still fallen into your trap!"

Ling Tian looked at Yu ManLou with an innocent pair of eyes, "What trap?"

Yu ManLou looked at Ling Tian's mischievous appearance and could not help but fume with anger, "The Shui Family is in the Heavenly Wind Continent and how would our Yu Family be able to control when they choose to create trouble with us? Even if we can win against them three years later, the Shui Family's foundations would still be present! As long as they wish to do so, they can still backstab this old man! If that's the case, won't things be even tougher for this old man?"

"That is your problem," Ling Tian said shamelessly. "This isn't something for me to worry about. I need to worry about the omnipotent Xiao Family."

"Omnipotent?" Yu ManLou let out a 'chi' filled with disdain and did not say another word.

"This is only a bet between the both of us with the world as the stakes. However, both you and I will not be able to fully control what happens." Ling Tian said solemnly, "I can only restrict my subordinates from seeking trouble with you but all other things are not in my control. At the same time, I hope that you will also control your Yu Family members."

Yu ManLou replied with a sneer, "Naturally. My words are definitely of greater weight as compared to yours." After pausing for a moment he continued, "If that's the case, I will pull back the Yu Family members stationed in Sky Bearing. I hope that you will not have any actions."

Pull back? Ling Tian almost burst into laughter. Send your forces when you want and pull them back as you wish? Do you think Sky Bearing is your backyard? Ling Tian then coldly said, "I definitely will not do anything. If they can return, let them return swiftly."

"As long as you do not make a move, no power would be able to stop them." Yu ManLou said with sincerity, "Don't worry, I will not let them bring back anything that belongs to Sky

Bearing."

Let go when it is time to let go was Yu ManLou's character. Since there was such a bet between them, there wasn't a need for him to make use of Yu BingYan to scheme. While many people would definitely scoff and mock this bet of theirs if it were to spread and doubt the authenticity of such a bet, Yu ManLou knew that it wasn't a joke!

Yu ManLou firmly believed that this elegant teen in front of him was just like him! As crazy as him and as heartless as him!

This was the conclusion he came to after observing Ling Tian for a long time and Yu ManLou was certain that he won't be wrong!

Let this world be the stakes for a bet between two crazy individuals! Yu ManLou was filled with a thrilling feeling.

However, who knew whether or not Ling Tian had the same thoughts as Yu ManLou? If Ling Tian knew what Yu ManLou thought of him, he would probably end up bursting into laughter.

The moment this bet was set, regardless of who ends up ruling over the world, the time taken would definitely be halved! This reduction in time was something that both Ling Tian and Yu ManLou would be extremely satisfied with.

Thus, Yu ManLou was truly unwilling to backstab Ling Tian at such a moment.

Ling Tian let out an indifferent chuckle, "Up to you."

Yu ManLou nodded his head and a crazed glow could be seen in his eyes. Such a bet was completely in line with his crazy character! To treat the world as a chessboard and humans as chess pieces!

Yu ManLou was extremely satisfied. In his heart, the many people in the world were of little importance and no different from ants! Only he had the rights to be in control of the life and death of these ants. He had full confidence in winning this bet! So what if Ling Tian was extremely talented? Could the foundation of a thousand years be withstood by a single Ling Tian?

In fact, Yu ManLou did not even think that Ling Tian had the hope of uniting the east in five years and have a final battle with him. However, Yu ManLou was not bothered about this. He wanted to unite the west in five years so that more than half the battle would be won! At that time, regardless of whether or not Ling Tian united the east, Yu ManLou wouldn't mind going to war with the world!

No matter what, this would save much more time than his original plan! Yu ManLou only wanted time.

As Ling Tian looked at Yu ManLou forcefully suppressing his craziness, an odd feeling rose in his heart. While this plan of his was carefully planned with Yu ManLou's craziness in mind, the moment this bet was set, it also meant that there was no turning back for him!

Five years!

Compared to Yu ManLou, Ling Tian did not lack time at all! After all, he was only seventeen and had the time to wait. While Ling Tian was not as crazy as Yu ManLou, and the people of the world did hold a place in his heart, Ling Tian wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice them if it was necessary for him to rule over the world!

Even if he managed to gain five years from Yu ManLou, these five years would undoubtedly be filled with slaughter!

While Ling Tian had plenty of trump cards up his sleeves, Yu ManLou was not lacking in means either. Both of them were gloating about how the other party had fallen into their trap and was completely certain of their own victory!

Both of them laughed in delight at the same time.

"If that's the case, let us slap our palms in an oath! One that we must never break!" Ling Tian said solemnly.

"Pa! Pa! Pa!" They slapped their palms together three times before making the same action.

Both of them lowered their heads and looked at their palms with a frown.

A short while later, Yu ManLou asked calmly, "What did you see?" However, his calm voice was filled with a bloodthirsty aura.

Chapter 482: Physically and Emotionally Exhausted

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: Rock, DavidT

"I see that..." Ling Tian suddenly smiled, while he suppressed the words he most wanted to say, instead muttering "Even after experiencing so much slaughter, my hands are still clean."

Yu ManLou jolted in shock, before smiling as he thought about it. He slowly replied, "Mine also are still clean and white."

"We will see red soon." Ling Tian cynically spoke, "Bright red, dark red, vermillion red, as well as blood red!"

"When the time comes for it to be red, it should not be white, neither should it remain white." Yu ManLou folded his hands behind his back. As he spoke, there was an aura of loneliness behind him, as well as an unspeakable lack of emotion.

Witnessing the current manner of Yu ManLou, Ling Tian suddenly felt a little suffocated, and could not help but want to knock him down a peg. He indifferently replied, "I heard from Family Head that there is no one in the world that could remain obstructed within the Yu Family's circle of influence. Could it be that, in the past millennia, this had been so?"

"Has there really been no one?"

Yu ManLou's face turned black as he shot a piercing gaze at Ling Tian. He already knew what Ling Tian wanted to say.

"I seem to have heard before that the Yu Family once had an exceedingly talented elder, called Yu ChaoChen…" Ling Tian unhurriedly spoke.

"Enough!" Once the three words 'Yu ChaoChen' was said, Yu ManLou's face had a great change, seemingly turning a little savage. His hands curled up into fists.

Ling Tian, however, did not even glance at him, continuing as though he was minding his own business, "I heard that this Elder Yu ChaoChen had martial skills so profound that it was scary, supposedly the top expert the Yu Family had produced in a century. I'm not sure if that was true. However, he seemed to have died under the hands of someone, and the body delivered to the grand hall of the Yu residence, right? I even heard that Family Head you didn't do anything to that person at all!! Was there really such a thing? If that's the case, then that person could be considered to have treated the Yu Residence as his very own playground, right?!" Ling Tian still had on a smiling expression when he looked at Yu ManLou, but his gaze of aggressive.

Yu ManLou's face grew frosty, as he revolved his killing intent once again. He never would have thought that such a secretive matter could also be uncovered by Ling Tian. That day, when the green-robed fortune teller Ye QingChen had carried Yu ChaoChen's corpse into the Yu Family, the reactions of his family were overly intense, wanting to chop Ye QingChen down where he stood. Unfortunately, behind him was Heavenly Justice, as well as the Beyond Heavens Sect. Furthermore, Yu ManLou knew that the true killer was the legendary top expert Heavenly Justice, and he was something the Yu Family could not handle. Thus, he suppressed the calls for blood, escorting Ye QingChen personally in leaving, before giving the order that no one was to seek revenge for Yu ChaoChen.

This was the greatest humiliation the Yu Family had suffered in the past millennium, as well as the greatest humiliation Yu ManLou had received ever since he took the reins as Head. From then on, this became a sort of taboo, and no one dared to breathe a word about this in front of Yu ManLou. To think that such a secretive matter could be dug out by Ling Tian, and to even have salt rubbed in his wound, so how could Yu ManLou not be frustrated!

Finally dealt this old fox a good blow! Looking at the ashen expression on Yu ManLou's face, Ling Tian felt unbearably happy, and elegantly concluded, "Family Head, take care of yourself. This five-year period will pass by in a flash! Ling Tian bids his farewell first." Cupping his fists, Ling Tian let out merry laughter as he walked past Yu ManLou with light footsteps, floating off to the distance.

Ling Tian had already walked off a long distance, yet Yu ManLou still continued standing in the forest, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spat out three words with great hatred, "Beyond Heavens Sect!"

Hong! The brand-new bench that Ling Tian had been sitting on moments ago splintered into innumerable fragments, flying all around. Yu ManLou clenched his fists as he stared at where Ling Tian had walked off, muttering to himself, "You have no hope in this upcoming gamble."

The moment Ling Tian walked out of the dense forest, he was greeted with the dazzling rays of sunshine. He slightly paused for a while, tilting his body as his eyes gazed at the spot which he just came out from. His lips curled into a smile as he too muttered, "You have no chance at all in this gamble!"

The Yu Family.

Yu ManLou stood ramrod straight at the doorstep, looking at the two black and glossy heads that were deeply bowed before him. His face was full of fury, as well as an unknown bizarre expression.

The two in front of him were precisely the next successors of the Yu Family. When Yu ManLou returned, Yu LiuShui had just been freed from captivity by his second brother, Yu LiuFeng. As such, he was only wearing his undergarments. Because there would naturally be scruffles as he struggled against his captors, there were many places where the undergarments were torn, giving him the look of a beggar, unkempt beyond words!

As for the Second Young Master Yu LiuFeng, that idiot probably was not aware of the circumstances, or maybe the Head Deacon did not have time to explain anything to him. All he had was an expression of 'I've accomplished a great achievement', his face glowing with pride. He obviously wanted to laugh out loud, but still put on a look of someone who was steady and unflustered. In his heart, he thought that he had achieved a great accomplishment by uncovering the matter between his third brother and the Above Heavens Sect, preventing losses in the family. The biggest reward would be the fact that his third brother would have no more qualifications to fight in the successor battle against him.

From today onward, his third brother would definitely be banished into the backlines by their father, without the qualifications to compete for anything, while he, being the final descendant, would automatically become the next-in-line for Family Head! Thinking about this, Yu LiuFeng felt as though he was being handed an iced drink on a hot summer day!

Yu ManLou originally had a mind when he came back, to fly into a terrible rage and control those two sons of his a little. After all, even if they did not amount to anything, they were still his sons, and he had to put in a bit of effort in teaching them. However, upon reaching the place and seeing the image of his two sons, Yu ManLou suddenly felt his heart freeze, without even the slightest bit of interest in this matter. Let alone talking about flaring up, he did not even have the mood to reproach them!

If one compares objects, there would be one thrown away. If one compares people, then one would have to go! Just look at Ling Tian, he wasn't even seventeen yet! How did the elders of the Ling Family educate him to produce such a talent? Yu ManLou himself was the smartest and best strategist the Yu Family had obtained in a millennium, but why? Why was it that his children that were supposed to succeed him were all so useless? LiuYun, why did he have to leave so early, so quickly?!

There's nothing sadder than a withered heart!

Yu ManLou suddenly thought of this phrase. Indeed, the Yu ManLou currently had already completely lost heart with his two sons. Looking at them, he recalled Ling Tian's words, "I have previously met both of them. In all honesty, they are truly bad cement that can't hold up a wall! I think that every time you think about how the world that you will reign over in the future will be ruined by them, you will lose all of your motivation."

Bad cement that cannot be used to build! Dog meat that cannot be served anywhere!

This was the evaluation given by his greatest opponent, to his own flesh and blood! Furthermore, his own opponent was younger than his youngest son by a few years, probably only considered half an adult! However, not only had he assumed responsibility, he had also grown into one of the few experts that stood at the very top of the continent! He had turned into an opponent that he could not underestimate and even admired! The latter had even dared to make a bet with himself!

Comparing Ling Tian and his sons, Yu ManLou felt so embarrassed that he wanted to bang his head on a wall and die! Especially when he recalled what Ling Tian said with disdain on his face and the demeanor of an expert, then looking at the cringing looks on his one son as well as the stupidly proud look on the other, he wanted to bury himself!

Yu ManLou smiled in sorrow. How could this Yu Family Head, who shook the world with his footsteps, actually have such useless children! If Ling Tian's words were to be spread outside, how many of his enemies would crow and further gossip about him?

My decision in the past was wrong. I should not have placed all my efforts on just nurturing LiuYun, allowing the other two to do as and what they liked. However, I did so to avoid the result of the brothers turning against each other after I have left this world! Just like in yesteryear, where I never had any thoughts towards ManTang and ManTian even though my influence was at its peak because I knew that they would never want to threaten my place as Family Head! However, LiuYun's sudden death left me unprepared. Was my choice that year really wrong?

"This matter ends here. You both may go." Standing in the same spot for such a long while, the rage on his face slowly receded, only be to replaced with endless sorrow and disappointment. He tiredly massaged his brows, not even glancing at his sons. He had merely waved his hand and spoke those two words.

Regarding the motives of his second son, how could he not know? He did not wish to reprimand him, for if he was in the shoes of his son, he might have actually done the same thing, just not so obviously and foolishly! As for the actions of his third son, he did not wish to know the reason, and neither did he require a reason. This was because his purpose was so simply put out! What happened had already occurred, and Yu ManLou did not wish to pursue anything, he only felt his body physically and emotionally exhausted when he gazed at his sons.

"But, Father…." How could Yu LiuFeng who had used all his tricks to achieve this scenario be willing to let it pass just like that? He thoroughly threw aside his facade of being calm and unflustered, shouting out in panic. He did not understand, his father facing the betrayal from his own son, to the whole family, just what sort of heavy crime was this? So how could his father ignore all and let it pass so easily? Yu LiuFeng immediately argued for what was 'right', as though wanting to send his own brother to the execution grounds!

"I've already said that it ends here. Did you not hear me clearly?! All of you are to retreat now! Do you not hear me?!" Yu ManLou burst into a rage as he shouted, the veins on his head popping out. "Get out! Scram scram scram!! All of you get the hell out of here!"

The sudden burst of rage, much like the strike of a lightning bolt, made Yu LiuFeng suddenly have this image in this head, that if he continued staying, it was likely that his father would personally snap his own neck...

Chapter 483: Family Head Takes a Concubine

Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT

Both the Yu brothers ran out of the room pathetically and right before they stepped out of the door, they looked at each other with disgust and bone-deep hatred! An irreconcilable hatred!

Who was Yu ManLou? He naturally saw all of this and was angered to the point he began to tremble. He swept a white glass onto the ground and smashed it into pieces. However, his anger was not quenched fully, and right when he wanted to find something else to smash, he realized that he had lost control of his emotions. He quickly circulated his inner qi to suppress his emotions, and blood rushed to his head to the point his whole face flushed red.

Ling Tian's words were akin to a venomous seed which had taken root in his heart. As time went by, it also began to sprout just as Ling Tian had planned…

This move of Ling Tian was sinister indeed and capable of killing someone without making a move. However, even if Yu ManLou was aware of that, he had no choice but to fall into the trap! Thus, Yu ManLou was both frustrated and heartbroken with his emotions in a complete mess.

"Head Deacon." Yu ManLou growled in a low voice.

"This subordinate is here." The Head Deacon took a step forward with unease. At the same time, his heart was pounding as though there were a hundred deer galloping in his heart. He naturally knew what he did between both the young nobles, and he could also guess the reason why Yu ManLou was calling for him. Thus, he was immediately flustered.

In the Yu Family, Yu ChaoRan was considered the most senior person and he could even be considered to be Yu ManLou's uncle. Furthermore, Yu ChaoChen was also his biological brother and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he held a high status in the Yu Family. But in front of this merciless Family Head, he would never dare to display his displeasure. After witnessing more than ten years of their Yu Family's bloody history, Yu ChaoChen was extremely clear just how heartless this seemingly magnanimous Family Head of theirs truly was. Ever since Yu ManLou took over the Yu Family, he had never shown mercy in killing those who needed to be killed.

Thus, Yu ChaoChen would never dare to display the slightest bit of disrespect in front of his Family Head. At the same time, he would never dare to flaunt his seniority and consider himself as Yu ManLou's uncle. He knew that his Family Head didn't like that!

Yu ManLou's piercing glare was fixed coldly on Yu ChaoRan and he did not say a single word for a long time. However, Yu ChaoRan was already covered with a cold sweat at this moment. His glistening sweat rolled down slowly off his cheeks, and in just a short moment a puddle of sweat could be seen forming under Yu ChaoRan's feet.

"Head Deacon seems to be very busy recently." Yu ManLou finally opened his mouth and said with a tinge of frustration, "You are already getting old and shouldn't tire yourself out!"

The Head Deacon trembled before replying hoarsely, "Yes. Thank you Family Head for your concern. This subordinate will remember Family Head's words."

Yu ManLou continued to glare at him for a moment before retracting his gaze. Let everything come to an end here. Since I don't plan to punish both of my sons, why should I make things difficult for their assistant? In Yu ManLou's heart, Yu ChaoRan was far more important than both his sons at this moment. For no other reason but because Yu ChaoRan was still of use to him right now.

Feeling his Family Head's gaze shift away from him, Yu ChaoRan let out a sigh of relief. As his senses eased up, he suddenly felt a chilly feeling and was shocked to realize that his clothes were already drenched from his sweat.

Yu ManLou let out a long breath and in the ears of Yu ChaoRan, it sounded like a long sigh. He could not help but feel his heart tighten up again only to hear Yu ManLou's calm voice, "I heard that the previous prime minister of Northern Wei has a daughter in his residence?"

Yu ChaoRan was completely oblivious as to why his Family Head would ask such a question and could only reply carefully, "Yes, this subordinate has also heard of her before. It is said that she is sixteen this year and has the title of number one beauty in Bright Jade City. However, this old man has never seen her before. For Family Head to ask about her, does Family Head intend to propose a marriage for the two young nobles?"

A rare look of embarrassment flashed past Yu ManLou's face before he remarked in a cold voice, "How can those two little beasts be worthy of her? Mmm, if that's the case, choose an auspicious date and fetch her in directly." Yu ManLou said that both his sons were not worthy of her but still insisted on fetching her into the Yu Residence. If that's the case, wasn't it extremely obvious who the groom would be?

Yu ChaoRan's face cramped up as though he was trying to hold something back and said respectfully, "Yes." He then pondered for a moment, "The eighth of this month is an auspicious date suitable for getting married. Hmm, would it be too rushed?"

Yu ManLou responded with an 'oh' before asking, "Is it very rushed?"

Yu ChaoRan felt his heart skip a beat as he chuckled, "Not rushed, not rushed at all and there is definitely sufficient time." At the same time, he grumbled in his heart, It is already the third of the month and even the marriage of an ordinary peasant would require at least three months of preparations. right? Since the other party is the daughter of the ex-prime minister, we should at least go through the proper rites, right? Even if we want to speed things up, it would still take half a year at the very least! However, it seems as though his Family Head cannot wait any longer already! Just what was going on with the Family Head?!

Yu ManLou turned around and noticing the queer expression on Yu ChaoRan's face, he asked, "What are you laughing at? Is this matter very funny?"

"Ah… this… this subordinate doesn't dare." Yu ChaoRan was frightened to the point he began sweating again, "This subordinate will go and arrange matters immediately." He then escaped hurriedly.

In the mouth of Yu ManLou, the daughter of a prime minister was no different from the daughter of an ordinary farmer. As long as he said that he wanted to marry her, she must enter his Yu Family. Furthermore, everyone was certain that even if he were to say 'immediately' instead of in a few days, this matter would be accomplished without any effort. Even if effort was required, the ones putting in the effort would definitely be others. After all, Yu ManLou was someone who was only concerned with the outcome and not the process.

In the Northern Wei territory, the Family Head of the Yu Family enjoyed a status that was a hundred times greater than any imperial family member! So what if she is the prime minister's daughter? Furthermore, he was only a former prime minister!

Seeing the Head Deacon leave as though he was escaping, Yu ManLou's eyes seemed to have been lit up with two ghostly flames.

Yu Family Head is going to take a concubine!

While this piece of news was intentionally being concealed, it still spread throughout the city like the wind. In just a single night, the whole Bright Jade City was aware of this matter. Naturally, it would also enter Ling Tian ears.

Hearing this, Ling Tian's first reaction was to spit the mouthful of tea he had just drank onto Xiao YanXue's face. He angered her to the point steam could be seen emitting from her head and she wanted to pounce onto Ling Tian to give him a good beating again.

After Xiao YanXue knew that there wasn't going to be any more danger, she immediately pestered Ling Tian to remove her disguise. The moment her disguise was removed, she rushed straight into her room to put on a fresh set of makeup, leaving only after she confirmed that her beautiful appearance was regained. Just when she walked in front of her beloved man with the intention to flaunt her beauty, she was greeted with a mouthful of tea…

Ling Tian did not know whether to laugh or cry. He never imagined that beneath that old man's dignified appearances, he was actually such a hasty individual. However, Ling Tian also respected the fact that Yu ManLou could actually accept the advice of an enemy.

Of the millions of people in the world, how many would be able to accept another's advice so easily? Furthermore, such characters were even rarer when only considering martial arts experts. Especially a peerless expert like Yu ManLou who was even the overlord of a territory. In his previous life and this, Ling Tian was certain that only Yu ManLou would be able to accept the 'disgusting' advice of his enemy.

If Ling Tian were to be completely honest with himself, he knew that it was impossible for him to accept his enemy's advice after being 'humiliated' by his enemy.

Yu ManLou, a truly extraordinary individual and worthy to be my greatest opponent.

Xiao YanXue flusteredly cleaned herself up and upon seeing Ling Tian holding in his laughter so badly, she thought that Ling Tian was mocking her. Thus, she took a step forward and grabbed him at his collar, "Are you crazy?! What are you laughing for? Shut up! You're not allowed to laugh at me! Be serious!"

She then realized that Ling Tian's expression really changed after her words. He became strict, respectable and full of wariness… such an expression made Xiao YanXue truly flustered. She didn't know what could have happened to make her beloved man, who was the proud ruler of a territory at such a young age, have such an expression! Could it be that my words were truly that effective?!

"What's going on?" Xiao YanXue let go of Ling Tian and asked softly.

"Yu ManLou is taking in a concubine." Ling Tian waved a slip of paper in his hand and said with an odd expression.

"Ah?!" Xiao YanXue was startled and she began to stutter, "Yu… Man… ManLou… is going to… take in a… a concubine? He… he… he is probably past his fertile age right?"

"Not yet, it seems that he is only forty-nine!" Ling Tian said.

"Not yet fifty? Forty-nine… my goodness, is that any different from being fifty? I wonder who was the unlucky fellow who gave him such an idea? An old man like him is going to ruin a young lady!" Xiao YanXue was furious!

Ling Tian responded with an awkward expression, "I think that I am that unlucky fellow who caused this incident. Yu ManLou was probably urged on by me to take a concubine…"

Chapter 484: Was it a Mistake

Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT

"AH?! YOU?!" Xiao YanXue gasped with her hands covering her mouth and a look of incredulity. Following that, the gossiping nature of a lady erupted… after all, this was the gossip of the Yu Family Head…

"Hurry hurry hurry hurry… tell me, what happened? How did you egg him on?! Amazing! Hehehe, I think that you can become a matchmaker." Xiao YanXue's breathing became ragged as she grabbed onto Ling Tian's arm and shook it vigorously.

"It happened like this…" Ling Tian said with conceit. After all, not anyone in the world would be able to render Yu ManLou speechless with pent-up grievances. He then began to slowly illustrate what had happened.

Xiao YanXue burst out laughing and her eyes were narrowed to the point they formed a slit.

However, she suddenly stopped laughing at the very end and her expression also grew serious. She then looked at Ling Tian with a solemn expression and said coldly, "Are you very delighted?"

"Ah… err…" Ling Tian said awkwardly as he looked at Xiao YanXue while wondering what was up with her again. Why would there be such a drastic change in her expression in such a short instant? No wonder there was a saying: A woman's heart; needle in the ocean. Just the way her expression changed so rapidly was something that an ordinary person wouldn't be able to bear.

Ling Tian lamented in his heart, Women! Women! A species that just cannot be understood!

Xiao YanXue was both angered and anxious as she tapped on Ling Tian's forehead lightly, "Haiz, you were wise for a lifetime but foolish for an instant."

Ling Tian suddenly felt that something was definitely wrong and grew solemn as well. "Can I seek your teachings?"

"Haiz." Xiao YanXue let out a sigh, "If you were Yu ManLou and the son with the brightest future had passed away with only two wastrels left behind, how would you feel? The three miseries of life: death of parents when young, death of spouse during the middle-aged days, and death of son when old. Yu ManLou can already be considered to be an old man and such a blow was something that not many people would be able to endure! Even if Yu ManLou had great control over his emotions, his state of mind would definitely be affected because he could no longer see any hope."

"True." Ling Tian's face grew ugly. It seems like he had unknowingly made a huge mistake! He had given his biggest opponent a glimmer of hope!

"Currently, the most important thing to a person like Yu ManLou isn't the extension of his life but for his family lineage to carry on." Xiao YanXue said hatefully, "Yu ManLou originally did not have any thoughts about that and only wanted to live the last segment of his life with brilliance. He originally did not have any hope for the younger generation of the Yu Family but you actually gave him such a huge hope at this period! You reminded him that he can have another child…" Xiao YanXue's face blushed slightly and she continued, "With Yu ManLou's status and age, he would not have thought of that for sure. However, you in an attempt to give him a blow, you gave him a huge reminder!"

"This reminder of yours helped him to walk out of the trap he would have never walked out of. Furthermore, he will be filled with even greater fighting spirit to gain hegemony over the continent. You gave him a new hope and target while filling up his originally fatigued heart again. This opponent that was already difficult to deal with will become even more troublesome! As long as someone has a change in the state of his mind, there would definitely be a huge chain effect!" Xiao YanXue glared at Ling Tian angrily, "And you are still feeling delighted over your actions!"

Xiao YanXue was indeed a genius who was able to deduce such frightening consequences from Ling Tian's short description! At the same time, Xiao YanXue could not help but grow anxious. The stronger Yu ManLou was, the more Ling Tian and her Xiao Family would be in danger. It was impossible for Xiao YanXue to let go of these two families!

Ling Tian was visibly impacted and he let out a sigh, "That's right, it was my mistake indeed. A grave mistake!" From the moment he told Yu ManLou those words, he could vaguely sense that something was wrong. However, he just didn't know what was wrong. After Xiao YanXue broke down the matter for him in such detail, he truly realized his mistake! Furthermore, such a grave mistake!

The considerations of a wise man would definitely miss something.

However, even if he realized his mistake, it was far too late already. Yu ManLou was already like a reborn phoenix under his provocation and walked out of hopelessness. While there was a trace of regret in his heart, Ling Tian was filled with more craziness and excitement!

Seeing Ling Tian admit his mistake, Xiao YanXue felt her heart ache and consoled, "Even if this is the case, it wouldn't be too serious. Let the generals block the soldiers and damp block the flood. We may not end up losing to Yu ManLou. Furthermore, he is almost turning fifty already and would it be that easy for him to have a child? Perhaps it may be a daughter?"

Ling Tian let out a chuckle and said with ease and even excitement, "Nothing is absolute in the world. However, so what if Yu ManLou can walk out from his hopelessness? Don't you think that things are more interesting that way?"

"More interesting?" Xiao YanXue glared at Ling Tian, "What do you mean by that?" She was only trying to console Ling Tian but she was truthfully the person who felt the greatest regret!

Ling Tian crossed his arms and said proudly, "We are in chaotic times and this is also the time when heroes are born. Every time such chaotic times spread throughout the continent, what follows after it would definitely be the unification of the continent. Just as the saying goes, what splits up will join back eventually, what is joined together will split up eventually."

"But… what has this got to do with Yu ManLou?" Xiao YanXue blinked her eyes and asked with doubt.

Ling Tian chuckled, "Since the world is going to be united, there will definitely be a peerless ruler emerging and sweeping through the continent, am I right? This is also the pattern by which history develops right?"

"Of course. How would a mediocre individual be able to unite the world and call himself sovereign?" Xiao YanXue said with a 'you don't say' look.

"If that's the case, how can an individual display his extraordinary capabilities?" Ling Tian pointed up towards the sky, "He can only do so when there are other heroic, ambitious, villainous and special characters in the world, fighting them to the bitter death while treating the world as his chessboard! If one is able to rule over the world without a hitch, that would only mean that he is extremely lucky and does not mean a thing." Ling Tian smiled proudly, "One would only be able to display how extraordinary he is when facing a powerful opponent!"

"The life without an opponent is extremely boring." Ling Tian sighed, "Rather than win a war without challenge, I would rather die in a vigorous large-scale battle! Yu ManLou will be the biggest whetstone in my life!"

Ling Tian's eyes glowed with radiance, "Only when this whetstone is hard enough can the sword be sharpened."

Looking at Ling Tian's sudden majestic display, a trace of intoxication flashed past Xiao YanXue's eyes. However, she asked with ridicule on the surface, "Oh? If that's the case, you are trying to say that you are the hegemon who is going to unite the continent?"

"Of course!" Ling Tian raised his head up arrogantly. "In this world, I, Ling Tian, will be the main character! The main character! I am Ling Tian and I want to rule over the world! My purpose in the world is to rule over the world!" He then mused in his heart, If I am not the main character, why did I transmigrate into this world? This is transmigration; it would be even weirder if I transmigrated into this world to sell cabbages in the market!

"Cheh!" Xiao YanXue snorted with disdain and turned around without saying a thing.

A long while later, Xiao YanXue turned back and said with frustration, "There is something that I still don't understand."

"What's the matter? Even the wise and valiant Miss Xiao is puzzled?" Ling Tian said in a teasing tone.

Xiao YanXue grunted before saying with a frown, "If Yu ManLou only wants to raise an offspring, why can't he find a random maid to be concubine from his Yu Residence? With the huge size of the Yu Residence, there should be at least a hundred ladies, right? Could it be that he can't even pick one out? He really had to humiliate the former prime minister of Northern Wei? After all, the prime minister's family is considered a huge family not to be underestimated!"

"Humiliate?" Ling Tian looked at Xiao YanXue with an odd expression, "Is this a form of humiliation? Shouldn't it be boundless glory? Since you can deduce so many things, why can't you understand that?"

"Hmm, how should I put this? Could it be that it is considered glorious for a former prime minister like him to marry off his daughter to an old man in three days?" Xiao YanXue said with her lips pouted.

"Of course it is a huge glory!" Ling Tian cried out, "I believe that prime minister is probably jumping for joy at the moment! A prime minister should probably have some brains after all!"

"Jumping for joy? I think he should be hopping in anger instead!" Xiao YanXue snorted, "His only daughter being taken in as a concubine by an old man nearing fifty! Furthermore, it wasn't even a choice for him. What can he be happy about?"

"Silly lass, this is the scheme of a monarch and was Yu ManLou's intention. As long as the prime minister understands that, he would only feel glory and not the slightest bit of grievance." Ling Tian chuckled, "Since the prime minister was once the prime minister of Northern Wei, he would have lived his life for nothing if he can't understand something so simple."

Chapter 485: Leaving the City

Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT

Seeing Xiao YanXue still filled with doubt, Ling Tian sighed and explained, "Yu ManLou is already planning for the imperial throne after the continent is united. Why must he marry a lady from a big family? This is so that his future child would have sufficient status and foundation to ascend the throne in future including a sufficiently powerful mother clan! Do you understand? The more he chooses a lady from a prestigious family, the more he doesn't place any hope in the two sons of his! His anxiousness represents the importance which he places in this matter. Furthermore, his action would also mean that Yu ManLou was extremely satisfied and regarded this former prime minister greatly. Why shouldn't he be happy? If Yu ManLou united the continent in future, his grandson would be the future ruler of the world and his family would be carried to new heights as well! Can all of these benefits not outweigh a single daughter of his?"

Ling Tian then added with a mocking smile, "Besides, a daughter will have to be married out eventually. If you were in his shoes, would you rather your daughter be the empress or even the empress dowager? Or would you rather your daughter marry a poor scholar? As long as Yu ManLou can unite the world, then the imperial throne would not escape from them!"

"In the world today, is there a family which is even stronger than the Yu Family?" Ling Tian scoffed.

"I see… no wonder…" Xiao YanXue suddenly lowered her head with depression. After understanding all of these, she thought about how her family wanted to force her into a marriage and could not help but feel dejected.

Seeing Xiao YanXue's expression, Ling Tian naturally knew what this lass was thinking about. He could not help but let out a sigh and smile. "Why? Seeing an old cow like Yu ManLou eat fresh grass is making Miss Xiao feel regret? Miss Xiao can't wait to get married off? Should I go and inform Yu ManLou? After all, the princess of the Xiao Family would definitely have a much higher status than the former prime minister's daughter! I believe that Yu ManLou would definitely change his mind. After all, he should be willing to listen to my opinions."

"Ling Tian you… you… why don't you just go and die!" Xiao YanXue was embarrassed and angered by Ling Tian's words and did not even have the time to feel any form of self-pity. She quickly grabbed the teacup and flung it towards him.

Ling Tian burst into laughter and avoided it.

"If you snatch Yu ManLou's bride…" Xiao YanXue suddenly said with a flash of inspiration.

"F**k!" Ling Tian was shocked out of his wits, "Big sister, you should just take those words as a joke. Don't count on me to be so crazy."

Xiao YanXue let out a bright smile filled with grace and elegance. Ling Tian felt his head go dizzy as he almost fell into the beauty's trap.

Three days later, the news of the Yu Family having a wedding had spread all across the world. Just as Ling Tian had expected, that former prime minister, Su JianYan, jumped for joy and sent his daughter over gleefully with his whole residence celebrating secretly. In such chaotic times, their family had managed to cling to the strongest family on the continent!

Just when the bride's sedan entered the Yu Residence, Ling Tian leisurely rode out of the city with Xiao YanXue.

Nobody knew why Ling Tian only left today or what he had done in the past three days. This secret made Yu ManLou frustrated for a long time after he found out about Ling Tian's whereabouts. It was only until many years later that Yu ManLou found out just what Ling Tian had planted in these three days. The things that Ling Tian had done and planted in these three days almost wiped out the Yu Family in a single night! At that time, everything was different and everything was too late…

The sun gradually set, and mist began to rise from all directions. However, two horses continued to walk along the road at a steady pace as though they weren't afraid of not having a place to stay for the night.

"Where are we going? Why are you always giving me a perfunctory reply!" The crisp voice of a young lady could be heard.

"Miss, this is the seventh time you have asked me this question." A helpless reply could be heard.

"If you do not always reply to me with a 'haha' without telling me where we are going, would I be pestering you? Since you don't want to reply to me, of course I have to continue asking! I will keep asking until I get my answer," the young lady reprimanded with dissatisfaction.

"Haha…"

"Again!"

"Hahaha…"

"Laugh…just keep laughing… you darn idiot who only knows how to laugh! I heard that you want to go towards the DongFang Family?" Her doubtful voice sounded, "It seems like you have some agreement with DongFang JingLei? According to our current route, we are definitely headed towards the DongFang Family."

"Err… Miss Xiao is indeed an intelligent lady, and your guess is pretty accurate!" A laugh could be heard, "I heard that the Eastern Zhao crown prince proposed a marriage to the Xiao Family. I am about to send the precious princess of the Xiao Family to get married so that the Eastern Zhao Empire can be my stepping stone to power. Is this plan of mine fantastic?"

"You… annoying! You b*st*rd! You baddie! You're too bad!" The young lady began whining, and the conversation topic was successfully changed.

"What are you looking at?" Noticing the horse of the young man stopping, Xiao YanXue turned behind to see an odd expression on the young man's face. His smile didn't seem like a smile and even seemed a little… vulgar.

"I am thinking…" Ling Tian rubbed his chin and revealed a thoughtful look as a mischievous glow flashed past his eyes, "I am thinking… what do you think Yu ManLou is doing tonight… it really makes my imagination roam!" Ling Tian said with a cheeky smile.

"What is Yu ManLou doing tonight? Why would you think about that… AHH! Ling Tian you baddie! Can't you be more serious?!" Xiao YanXue's face turned completely red as though her whole body was on fire.

Ling Tian then looked at Xiao YanXue with a smile which didn't seem like a smile as his eyes roamed around her body with two devilish chuckles. Looking at her in the eyes, Ling Tian then let out a devilish grin.

What was Yu ManLou doing? What else could Yu ManLou be doing? On their wedding night, other than consummating their marriage, could he be planting cabbages instead? As long as he had the heart and strength, he would definitely be having a good time. Of course, if Yu ManLou had the heart but not the strength… Ling Tian's smile became even weirder.

At the same time, Xiao YanXue's body turned soft from Ling Tian's odd glare and she was both embarrassed and angry in her heart. Of all things to think about, Ling Tian had to think about Yu ManLou consummating his marriage. At the same time, Ling Tian actually looked at her with such an odd expression while thinking about that. If that's the case, weren't his thoughts extremely clear?

Understanding Ling Tian's lecherous thoughts, Xiao YanXue's face flushed red and her eyes were lit on fire. She immediately waved her horse whip around and charged at Ling Tian viciously.

Ling Tian burst into laughter and sprinted away on his horse. As he escaped from Xiao YanXue, he shouted at the same time, "I forgot about something else. What would an old antique like Yu ManLou know? Even if he has the heart and strength, he may not be able to please his new wife well. If he can go for a few remedial lessons first by watching some p*rn, it should be of great help to him…" Ling Tian lamented with regret, "If that old man realizes that his spear is no longer sharp at the very last minute and is unable to break through the city… hahahaha…" Ling Tian's malicious thoughts were completely revealed at this moment.

"You, you… gangster! You you you… ruffian!" Although Xiao YanXue didn't know what p*rn was, she knew that it definitely wasn't something good. Thus, her face turned even redder as she chased after Ling Tian.

As Ling Tian escaped on his horse, he began to laugh lasciviously. He then suddenly thought to himself, If the 'pa pa' sound of him whipping the horse was placed outside the bridal room as a sound effect… it could probably pass off as the real thing, right? Hahaha…

The young man and lady then gradually disappeared into the darkness. As for where they intended to go, it was still unclear at the moment…

Southern Zheng!

Gold Jade City.

In the NanGong Family, the sound of crying could be heard at every corner and white banners were seen everywhere. The news of their Family Head's death was akin to the sky falling down!

"Endure?! When should we continue enduring until? Big brother is already dead, and you still want me to continue enduring?!" NanGong TianHu paced around the room like a tiger trapped in the cage as he roared with bloodshot eyes, "I can't endure any longer! I CAN'T!!!" He then waved his fists around with spittle flying in all direction as his loud roar caused the roof to tremble slightly.

"I don't want to endure either, but we have to endure! Endure what others can't endure! If we don't, we will die! The whole family will perish! It doesn't matter if you or I die, but can second uncle really sacrifice the lives of the thousand people in the NanGong Family?!" A crisp voice came out from the frail lady by the side, and the rims of NanGong Yu's eyes were red. "Second uncle, this is not the time for you to be rash. Your rashness will only bring us destruction!"

"Hmph, Yu'er, you are truly calm and composed." NanGong TianHu sneered, "Both your father and brother are dead and the authority of the family is held in your hands. Of course you are able to remain calm and you are probably feeling ecstatic at the moment right?! You are even thanking the culprit who murdered your father right? You don't even want to take revenge for your biological father?! Good! Good! Good!" NanGong TianHu nodded his head and was filled with grief and indignation, "What a filial daughter indeed! What a filial daughter indeed! It is a pity that up until his death, big brother never noticed how 'filial' you truly are!"

"Second uncle! What nonsense are you spouting?" NanGong Yu was angered to the point she stood up trembling, "The enmity of my father's death will never be reconciled! How will I ever let Ling Tian off? But do we have the strength to take revenge now? Do we have the strength to chase after Ling Tian? Even if we were to bring out all of our NanGong Family's troops, we will not be a match for Ling Tian! Have you not understood the strength of the Ling Family through the rebellion in Sky Bearing? Do you want our whole family to perish before you give up the idea of revenge?"

"Bullsh*t! What strength does the Ling Family have? I do not know and have not seen it!" NanGong TianHu roared with agitation, "However, we must take revenge for big brother! Even if the whole family is destroyed, we must ensure that the little brat is buried with us!"

Chapter 486: The NanGong Family's Revenge

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: Rock, DavidT

"Be buried with him?" Tears could be seen in NanGong Yu's eyes as she coldly laughed, "We don't even possess the strength to allow Ling Tian to be buried with us! The moment we rush indiscriminately into action, the only thing that will be buried with us is the family that we've run for centuries! Second Uncle, this niece begs you to be more realistic! Be patient and endure for a while more. Father's death will not be in vain!"

"No!" NanGong TianHu burst into a rage, pulling at his hair. Strands of frizzled hair flew all over the place as he painfully replied, "He killed my elder brother! Killed him! I can't wait even a second longer, I'm going to kill him now! Sacrifice him to my big brother in heaven!" NanGong TianHu's face contorted into a ferocious expression, and he suddenly grabbed on NanGong Yu's throat. He started strangling her as he screamed with bloodshot eyes, "NanGong Yu! If you're going to stop me from avenging my brother's death, then this old man will first settle you!"

"Cough cough…" NanGong Yu struggled to breathe. Seeing that her uncle did not have any thoughts of placing her down, she could only weakly sputter out, "Ok… If you're willing to listen to my arrangement, then I can implement the revenge plan against Ling Tian, against the entire Ling Family!"

Peng! TianHu immediately threw her onto the ground, urging, "Hurry, tell me your plan now!"

As NanGong Yu picked herself up, a hint of despair could be seen in her eyes. However, she calmly replied, "Second Uncle, you need to first promise me that in this entire operation you will only listen to my orders. Only then will we even have the slightest chance at succeeding. If you decide to act alone, then I would rather use my authority as the Family Head to dissolve the NanGong Family, then to cause disaster! Or you could kill me now so that at least the NanGong Family will not be annihilated by my own hands!"

NanGong TianHu threw himself onto a chair, breathing heavily. Finally, he directed his ferocious gaze onto his niece, spitting out a long breath, "Say it! I'll follow all your orders! I only wish for revenge!"

"All along, we've been working together with the Ling Family and furthermore have obtained quite the bit of benefit. While we've paid a hefty price to do so, we've managed to destroy the killer of my third brother, the Yang Family. Without the support from the Ling Family, it would be an impossibility of us to achieve that matter, let alone being able to take over their businesses afterward! We've obtained quite a bit in return, does Second Uncle agree to that?" As she spoke, NanGong Yu rubbed her neck. Under the force of NanGong TianHu, there was already a bruise forming.

"So what?" NanGong TianHu blustered, "Just for that little bit of benefit, how could it compare to the life of my brother? He is no longer in this world, so how could having so much benefit amount to?!"

Another hint of sorrow passed through NanGong Yu's eyes. But upon seeing TianHu gradually compose himself, able to use his brain to think, she relaxed because she knew that she could finally get to him. "The cooperation between the two families is in the end based on benefits, and even in the end, the Ling Family made use of the Yang Family to destroy a large portion of our forces. To that point, we can say that it was our own just desserts since we did not harbor any good intentions. Do you agree with this too?"

NanGong TianHu only snorted as he looked away.

"If it's just like that, then that would be acceptable. After all, although we've sacrificed a lot, we have also benefited equally. NanGong Yu's eyes were downcast, and it was unknown as to what she was thinking in her heart. However, the words coming out from her mouth were distinct and clear, "But, father just had to attempt to get a share of the profits when Justice was in pursuit of Ling Tian. This could be said to be a little insatiable." Upon seeing that her uncle was about to leap up, she immediately stretched her hand to gesture to him to sit back down, "I know what father intended. Sky Bearing had already fallen, becoming the land of the Ling Family, and the huge benefits it offered would only benefit the Ling Family. Without Ling Tian, they would not be able to hold onto Sky Bearing for long. Furthermore, because we worked with him before, we understood his strength and accumulations. So long as he died, then with our partnership, we could take over a lot of businesses, and we would then rise to become a first-rate aristocratic family, comparable to the Yu and Xiao Families."

She then sighed, "I know that you two had this plan, and it was a good plan. Ling Tian escaping on his own, without any support, so long as he died, no one would know who killed him. Thus, so long as we played the part of the pursuers after Ling Tian, we would obtain the most benefits. Father was thinking for the Family, thus even though the plan was a little unscrupulous, it was acceptable."

"But now, Ling Tian has yet to die, but Father has already met his demise." NanGong Yu coughed twice, coldly remarking, "This matter was in the first place our fault, and I assume that Ling Tian already has implacable hatred towards us. Our two families are already conflicted with each other, and now my concern is that he will knock on our door at any time for revenge. I'm thinking of how to protect the entire family, the thousands of lives in our family, but Second Uncle you are already thinking of taking revenge?"

"Such a deep hatred, who does not want revenge? However, our opponent is Ling Tian. Do you have any assurance to win?" NanGong Yu looked at her uncle. "You've also eaten his techniques before, so I won't request so much. So long as you have a 30% chance to kill Ling Tian, I'll mobilize all the family's strength to take revenge for you! But do you have that 30%? You have to be honest!"

NanGong TianHu angrily grumbled, the flames of hatred in his eyes seemingly about to materialize, but he finally lowered his head in defeat. Forget about 30%, he did not even think of having half a percent chance of dealing with Ling Tian! Even if he wanted a pyrrhic victory, he needed a certain degree of strength. A pity, NanGong TianHu did not possess such strength, and even combining the entire strength of the NanGong Family, they might not even possess that capability!

"Then, do we just forget about this matter? Don't tell me my big brother, your father… died in vain?" NanGong TianHu lowly spat out. His voice had already begun to tremble, as reality began to sink into him.

"How could we forget it just like this?" NanGong Yu viciously spoke. "If you want to seek revenge, I cannot stop you, and neither can I deal with Ling Tian. However, this doesn't mean that we cannot deal with the others. For example, Ling Tian's grandparents, parents, as well as his women!" Upon touching on the topic of 'his women', NanGong Yu spat out word for word.

NanGong TianHu's eyes lit up. "Your meaning is?"

"We've had quite a bit of contact with Ling Tian back in Sky Bearing. He cares a lot for his family, as well as his women." NanGong Yu bit her lips, an icy expression on her face as she spoke, "This is especially so for the one closest to him, the lady called Ling Chen!"

"You're saying… the maid that serves Ling Tian? How could this be possible?" NanGong TianHu shook his head vigorously. "She's just a serving maid, and even if Ling Tian dotes on her, there will not be of much use in dealing with her. Instead, we should be planning on how to get rid of Ling Xiao or his mother!"

"Based on the latest news, Ling Tian had left the operations of the Ling Family Courtyard completely to Ling Chen before he fled from Sky Bearing. It could have been that the situation was too dangerous at that time, but the fact is that Ling Chen is the sole controller of the entire place now!"

NanGong Yu continued in a low voice, "This also means that Ling Chen holds all the power of Ling Tian currently. The one that could make Ling Tian do so would definitely be his most trusted and most loved woman! So long as we can kill her, not only will we throw him into a living hell, but we can also cause all their operations to go into chaos. Once chaos rules, then that would be our true revenge plan. Based on this, even if Ling Tian fails to escape from the pursuit or is hunted down by someone else, we would still obtain the lion's share of the benefits. And those are the items that we most need currently!"

NanGong TianHu sat in silence for what seemed like half a day before he finally understood the nuances behind the plan. He could not help but jump up in excitement. "Ingenious! Truly an ingenious plan!"

NanGong Yu let out a dry smile, a poisonous look within her eyes as she hissed, "The reason why I chose Ling Chen was that no one has seen her act before. In other words, this lowly bitch might not even know any martial arts. Even if she does, it is probably superficial, and for us who are lacking strength currently, this is the best advantage we have."

"That's right!" NanGong TianHu's eyes grew brighter.

"As such, our first objective should be Ling Chen, and only her. We cannot act directly against Ling Tian yet," NanGong Yu confidently said. "Right now, in addition to lacking the strength to face off against Ling Tian, we still have to watch ourselves for fear of offending Beyond Heavens. We cannot afford to make more enemies!"

"Thus, this matter has to be extremely secretive, and we cannot reveal any clues about us." NanGong Yu warned, "If not, Ling Tian's forces will come to look for us, and our family will be finished!"

"Relax. To kill such a small lass, if there was any slip-up, then your second uncle would have lived in vain these few years." NanGong Tianhu let out a vicious smile. Having learned that not only did his niece want to take revenge, but also had such an intricate plan thought out, he began to feel a little apologetic for his behavior previously, which led to him behaving more mildly.

"We might not be able to relax." NanGong Yu's face was heavy as she shook her head. "Since Ling Tian has placed her in charge, there will definitely be outstanding bodyguards around her for protection! This matter may seem simple but it is in fact difficult to achieve. We have to be meticulous in our preparations, covering all loopholes before we take action."

"That goes without saying!" NanGong TianHu felt some disapproval in this but did not say it.

"For this operation, I'll go together with Second Uncle!" Pacing around the room, NanGong Yu could not bring herself to relax and lifted up her head to say. "Get the two great deacons and two great elders of our family, as well as the various uncles to work together. Then we'll choose a few of the strongest disciples we have to carry out this task together. Our only objective is to ensure that the woman is thoroughly killed, without any loopholes for her to exploit!"

Chapter 487: Erroneous Calculation

Translator: chuchutrain Editor: Rock, DavidT

"There's no need to go to such great pains, right?" NanGong TianHu jumped in shock. This was practically the remaining strength that their family had. Sending all of them just to silence a lass that did not know martial arts, wasn't that equivalent to lifting a mountain to smash a chicken egg?!

NanGong Yu's brows were slightly furrowed, an expression of worry on her face as she replied, "Caution allows a ship to sail for ten thousand years! Besides, even if we send out all our forces, the success rate might not be that high." She seemed to be talking to NanGong TianHu, but at the same time reminding herself, her voice lowered to almost a whisper.

"Relax, Yu'er. The plan this time will definitely succeed." NanGong TianHu placated her. "If we can't even kill such a powerless lass, it would be as though a curse has descended upon us."

"To deal with Ling Tian, we definitely cannot just stick to small-scale events. This will only invite trouble." NanGong Yu smiled bitterly. "Once we move, there will be no more room for retreat, thus we have to completely uproot his influence, settling it once and for all!" She sighed, "Ling Tian this person, he is… too scary! I really hope that Justice will not slip up! He is the only one who can really get rid of Ling Tian!"

"Our first objective is to throw Ling Tian's personal forces and influences into chaos, forcing those eyeing his assets to make a move. When the time comes, everyone shall attack together, and in the shortest time, dig the assets of the Ling Family clean." NanGong Yu coldly remarked, "So long as we can get our revenge, the NanGong Family can temporarily go into hiding, and disappear from the sights of everyone in this world. We'll wait until the continent is unified before making plans to deal with the ruling family at that time."

"Why is that so? In this chaotic age, this is precisely the best time for a man to carve out his career. Why should we go into hiding?" This was out of NanGong TianHu's expectations.

"Could it be that Second Uncle still thinks our NanGong Family has the ability to unite this continent?" NanGong Yu snapped harshly. "If we do not go into hiding, it means that we have to choose a side and fight it out. With the current fragile strength of the NanGong Family, do you think we can afford such an extravagant consumption? Furthermore, after the battle for the continent, all the various influences will have received some sort of damage to their forces. At that time, we who have bided our time and gathered our strength will then be able to conspicuously stand out! Only then can our NanGong Family be considered to have risen from the ashes, with enough capabilities and hope!"

However, NanGong TianHu was still a little miffed over this. As a man, his objective was to rush headfirst onto the battlefield, proving his mettle through war. Only then would he have truly lived! To retreat silently, grinding the prime years of his life against the peaceful forests, he might as well commit suicide!"

"The command of Family Head lies in my hands. I am the head of the family here!" NanGong Yu icily replied, her tone unquestionable, "This matter shall be decided as such! This is also the last chance our NanGong Family has to rise back up again! I will not allow anyone to question my decision!"

"As such, the plan to assassinate Ling Chen can only allow success and not failure!" Her eyes grew sharp and piercing. "The glory of the NanGong Family relies on this final stroke!" At this moment, her slim body was already exuding a sort of pressuring aura, allowing NanGong TianHu to feel that, his niece actually had this sort of prestige and might to her, even possibly surpassing that of his elder brother...

"Once we have settled the final rites for Father, those involved will set off that very day, infiltrating Sky Bearing, and waiting for the opportune time to strike! Immediately activate all the secret agents of the NanGong Family who are currently in Sky Bearing to search for any and all news regarding Ling Chen!" NanGong Yu sent out her final command.

NanGong Yu let out a long breath. Ever since she returned from Sky Bearing, the only thing that ever interested her since then was researching about Ling Tian. Whatever he had done, she had browsed through and dissected it, but the more she delved, the more she realized how impossible it was to unravel this person called Ling Tian! Maybe, she never stood a chance in researching against someone of Ling Tian's caliber. A pity that they were now enemies…

As for NanGong Yu's plan, even in the viewpoint of Ling Tian, it was the best and most suitable choice for the NanGong Family. From this, it could be seen just how astute and wise this daughter of NanGong TianLong was. If she could continue at the helm of the family, sooner or later, there would be a day when the NanGong Family rose once again.

Sadly, NanGong Yu was unaware that she had already committed a fatal error… an error that would result in the downfall of the entire family! Ling Chen was not the weak and pathetic lass in their minds, but rather a first-tier expert of martial arts to the point that if one were to compare her among the peers of her generation, she would not have any opponents!

Of course, this category excluded monsters such as Ling Tian and Li Xue, those characters from another world...

...

Shui QianRou released her grip, allowing the piece of paper in her palm to fall weakly to the ground.

While she had known early on that her brother Shui QianHuan had caused a huge loss for their family this time, and that it was impossible to avoid punishment, she never expected it to arrive so quickly and for the punishment to be so severe!

"Revoking all authority that Shui QianHuan has outside, stripping him of his right as the first successor of the Family. Because of his faults, he will await punishment by the enforcement squad. All matters outside the family will temporarily fall to Shui QianJiang to oversee, with QianHu, QianHai, and QianRou assisting. The family will dispatch the six Great Elders from the Snow Hall, as well as 500 experts of the family to rush to Heavenly Star to provide support.

The content of the letter was simple, yet brutally shocking! Only Shui QianRou herself knew just how perilous the situation was. Those names written together with hers on the letters were all the strongest competitors of her brother. It was because of her brother's outstanding performance that he had managed to trump over all of them and become the first in line for successor! While he basked in immeasurable glory, it was no surprise that he turned into the object of jealousy. With the others already being so unscrupulous even back in their hometown at Heavenly Wind, just what would happen when her brother fell into their hands once they arrived? Would he even manage to survive under them?

Furthermore, her brother Shui QianHuan shared the same parents as her, but Shui QianHu and the rest were the sons of her eldest uncle. Now that the family made such a choice, it was as good as handing over her brother's position to Shui QianJiang! If that was the case, then was her father now at a disadvantage in the battle for supremacy in the family? Did anything happen to him?

Shui QianRou could feel her intestines twisting with guilt. She suddenly recalled that her brother was still stuck in Northern Wei far away and wondered why, even after such a huge commotion was kicked up, that he had yet to come back! That was the home turf of the Yu Family and right now, without help from their subordinate contacts, what would happen if he got into trouble? Most likely, he would have to remain there for life!

"In another three days, Shui QianHu and the rest will arrive. Once they do, they would definitely grind their knives on my brother who is treated like a criminal now. What should I do?" Shui QianRou muttered to herself, as she furrowed her brows tightly, at her wit's end.

This was the decree of the family. Even if her own brother had countless means to escape, he did not dare to use them, nor could he. However, once he fell into the hands of those three, what sort of humiliation would he then be put through? With the pride her older brother had, how would he be able to endure it?

"What is second sister worrying about now? What about three days later? Could the sky be collapsing by then?" With her white robes fluttering in the wind, Ling Chen walked over with a faint smile on her face. It was as though a snow lotus suddenly bloomed within the area, as her entrance suddenly transformed the entire place, even the air, to become elegant and refined.

Ever since Li Xue entered the Ling Outer Courtyard, under her careful guidance, Ling Chen's Divine Ice Formula had improved with the speed of a rocket. Her current strength was miles ahead of where she was previously. Following the increase in cultivation realms, her originally cold attitude much like that of frost had slowly transformed into a purity similar to that of snow jade. This was like the saying 'A character akin to ice, but even more reserved than sub-zero temperatures'. She had unconsciously started to display an aura of sacredness and holiness.

A hint of envy appeared in Shui QianRou's eyes. While she did not lose out to Ling Chen in terms of appearance, but this unblemished as ice, cold as snow, and pure as jade bearing of the latter was far above what she could display. Furthermore, there was a form of mysterious temperament on Ling Chen that Shui QianRou had never seen on any other women except for the newcomer Li Xue! If Ling Chen in the past could be considered a piece of ice capable of freezing one's internal organs, she was now like a cold piece of jade that would unknowingly seep into the hearts of people!

The auras exuding from both Ling Chen and Li Xue were similar. Be it the cold martial skills they used, or their cool bearings, both of them seemed to be cut from the same mold, truly fascinating. If one had to pick a difference, then that would be Ling Chen being more elegant and refined, while Li Xue was more lofty and independent. One embodied a snow lotus, while the other an arrogant winter plum!

"Why aren't you together with Sister Xue, instead of coming to look for this little sister? It's not very nice of you to tease this little sister like so." Shui QianRou smiled in response, immediately recollecting all her scattered thoughts. Being one of the successors-in-line within the Shui Family, how could she be lacking in training to manage her emotions and thoughts? While she treated Ling Chen like a true elder sister, there were matters of the heart which she could not easily reveal.

Within this period of time, the great Miss Li Xue had made use of her networking skills from her past life to get all 'hot and intimate' with the three ladies she termed as 'Ling Tian's women', almost to the point of them becoming akin to family. Even blood-related siblings might not compare to the current closeness of their relationships.

Within this warm and loving sisterly environment, Shui QianRou also indulged in it, placing home and duty behind her. This place had more sincerity and warmth when compared to her true home, the Shui Family, causing her to always feel wistful and reluctant to leave this place...