Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
Sssss….
DongFang JingLei drew in a breath of cold air. This lass in front of him actually possessed martial arts far surpassing himself, and from her movement techniques, it seemed as though her strength was close to Ling Tian himself! However, this person had never been heard of or seen before. Since when did Ling Tian have such an outstanding subordinate?!
Could this be the hidden strength of Ling Tian himself? How many more such people did Ling Tian actually have? DongFang JingLei was very clear that there were four other outstanding men who had accompanied him when he had engaged the 400,000 strong troops of Northern Wei. This news had shaken the entire continent, and despite all their efforts, no one had managed to uncover their identities. It was as though they had disappeared once again after the battle was over!
However, none of the major powers dared to drop their guards because of this. In fact, everyone came to the consensus that the four other horsemen were probably Ling Tian’s subordinates! For this type of subordinate, so long as any family had even a single one it would probably cause many of their competitors to be in shock. But now, Ling Tian actually had four of them! No doubt this caused universal shock to all who knew him!
The most excessive part was the fact that if any family were to possess an expert of such caliber, the news would have long been leaked out since such people were akin to the gleam of sharp war weapons and unable to be hidden. However, not only did Ling Tian manage to possess four of them, but he had managed to keep the whole thing under wraps without leaking a single detail! And furthermore he hid them once again after utilizing them for the mission! In the vast world, no one knew where had the four of them disappeared to! This concept was unimaginable to them!
Having four such experts was not even the end. Now there actually came along this mysterious blue-robed lass! As far as DongFang JingLei was aware, there was no woman in this original troop of four! Furthermore, the Ling Family Courtyard in Sky Bearing was definitely the place where many experts hid, not to mention the mysterious and formidable Ling Chen!
Ling Tian, just how many different sources of strength do you have?!
Could it be that Ling Tian’s military might has actually surpassed the Yu Family? This thought rose unbidden in DongFang JingLei’s mind all of a sudden, and he shivered uncontrollably at this nonsensical thought!
It seems like he would need to properly consider the idea of working together with Ling Tian. As the skies grew ever darker, DongFang JingLei’s figure slowly merged with the darkness as he sat in his tent in deep thought.
From afar, on a bare hilltop, Ling Tian stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the silvery galaxy in the distance, and his eyes were likewise gleaming. It was not known what he was thinking, and the night wind blew gently on his clothes, making him seem like an immortal gazing at the world if one looked at him from afar.
Wordlessly, a slim blue figure appeared beside him and stood there accompanying him without a single word. She too gazed at the starry sky, as though there was something interesting about it.
Even after a long while, both people did not make a single sound.
The moon had already illuminated the dark sky.
How did you pass all these years?
Ling Tian’s voice sounded dreamy, as though traveling from within a dream.
Me?
Li Xue let out a fuzzy smile,
Are you showing me care and concern?
Ling Tian turned around, his eyes blazing,
Did you think that my concern for you is not enough? If you didn’t turn up, I would of course be less than bothered, but since you’ve already come over, how can I as your elder brother not even bother to ask?
As an elder brother?
Li Xue let out a cold laugh as she spoke in an agonized tone,
From the past to the present, when have you treated me as your sister?
Before we were ten, Xue’er used to be the closest sister to me.
Ling Tian’s voice was similarly laced with pain as he replied,
However, everything changed, the moment we passed ten years of age.
A light patter on the ground was heard from the tears coming from Li Xue.
It was I who changed, but from the start, you have not changed at all.
Let’s not bring up the past any longer.
Ling Tian waved his hands a little impatiently.
Li Xue, do you understand?
Li Xue’s heart was full of bitterness and she lowly agreed, before finally answering Ling Tian’s question.
Actually, whatever I’ve told you today was the truth. Ever since I was born, I never went out before! This is the truth.
And why not?
Ling Tian paused in shock,
With your current abilities, you would be satisfied burying yourself in the midst of a desolate mountain?
Li Xue only smiled lightly in response as she spoke with a bit of melancholy,
Ever since I followed you and mysteriously transported myself out of the yellow springs, I had this feeling that you were in the same world as me. I was not lonely at all.
And you could actually endure and not come and look for me?
Ling Tian exclaimed in shock, and also with some anger.
I don’t recall you being so patient before.
Look for you? While I wanted to do so, I didn’t dare! If I met up with you, then what was I supposed to say to you?
Letting out a distressed smile, Li Xue avoided his gaze as she continued,
What’s more, how was I supposed to look for you? I’m just a small girl, I’m only sixteen now!
That’s not the reason why you hid yourself in the deep mountains, right?
Ling Tian snorted,
It was because of me, wasn’t it?
Ling Tian’s eyes sharpened as he stared at her. In the night, it looked like two sharp swords directed to her face.
Li Xue smiled but refused to reply. A cool breeze flitted past her hair, and a comfortable silence descended.
Ling Tian continued to stare at her for a while before turning away and letting out a breath. Staring at the distance, he slowly spoke,
You might have owed me in the past, but, the debt has been long paid, or should I say that I already collected it a long time ago. You shouldn’t do this, at least not like this.
Li Xue laughed as she softly spoke,
You too know that this world is more backward as compared to our old world, and our current knowledge could be considered frightening by the people in this current age. You were born in a wealthy family and can thus be considered as having backing, but if I were to appear in front of the masses, I’m afraid…
That still isn’t your true reason, you’re most afraid that you… will snatch my limelight? You decided to lock yourself in the desolate mountains, prepared to rot together with those trees and grasses?
Ling Tian’s breath became more hurried,
But then, why would you appear now?…
Ling Tian realized something as he was speaking. However, he still continued to stare at Li Xue.
He was full of remorse, full of gratitude, and full of… concern!
Ling Tian had suddenly understood why Li Xue would show herself at this point; the biggest reason was mainly that he was being pursued by the Martial Head! And she could tell that Ling Tian wasn’t his match at all!
Hiding myself in this age is because of you, exposing myself is also because of you!
Ling Tian fell silent, and sat down without a word, lowering his head to look at the ground. It was unknown as to what he was thinking, but his mind was working furiously, much like a raging river flowing ceaselessly!
In the past, he had always thought that she owed him that, and also affirmed that same thought. Even when he had taken his revenge, on the journey of the yellow springs, he had also thought the same thing. It was only until today that he recognized that he had actually racked up a debt instead, and it was unknown how much he owed. As for her, whatever she had owed had been washed clean together with the blast in the past life!
At this point, there was an unknown feeling in Ling Tian’s heart, the different flavors of sweetness, sourness, and bitterness flooded in, and he felt a sour feeling on his nose…
Before long, Li Xue’ voice suddenly rang out,
How about you? Have you been doing fine these few years?
Ling Tian let out a mocking laugh as he replied,
What’s not good about my life? Being a young noble, the third generation successor, and being clothed and fed finely, with all my wishes granted. I even have the name of the number one silkpants, so how can I not have a good life?! Naturally, it’s better than yours as a lass in the mountains.
Li Xue chuckled and quietened down. It was only after a long while did she continue,
Since you have such a good life, then why… why do you still wish to fight for hegemony?
Ling Tian lightly sighed as he spoke with a heavy loneliness,
Then tell me, other than this, what else can I do? What should I do in order to prove that I, Ling Tian, have been to this world before? Or should I put it in another way, that what else is enough to attract my attention? What can I do to relieve my boredom? You might know of my existence in this world, but in my world, there’s only me and myself.
Li Xue pitifully gazed at Ling Tian, and said tenderly,
I know, I know. These years haven’t been easy on you.
Ling Tian only grinned, but he thought to himself, How could it be easy, when I already had to start scheming and planning even when in my mother’s womb? Everybody only saw only unbridled and rampant, but no one knew of the pains I had to go through! And who could understand how much I’ve sacrificed in the darkness? I only had a childhood in my previous life, but in this life, I didn’t even have a childhood…
From the moment the Ling Family met with an internal crisis, to the problem with the Yang Family and even to the Imperial Court, then finally to the Water of Heavenly Wind… he finally walked to this point, where he could contest with the various experts in the entire continent!
Everyone seemed to see him as someone with far foresight, free and unrestrained, even unfettered and outside of the law! However, the reality was different. Which step of his wasn’t cautiously and meticulously planned, as though treading on ice? How many times, as he walked the past few years, had he been face to face with death, then turned the tables? One wrong move and there would be no return! Who could see through the untold hardships which he had suffered? And right now he was even being pursued by the Martial Order Medallion owner, wandering around in a miserable situation!
As he thought, Ling Tian only let out a sigh, coldly saying,
Just take all of this as a dream.
Li Xue smiled, but she seemed to have detected Ling Tian’s inner turmoil, as she softly spoke,
This dream can be said to have been a really long one.
As she spoke, she sat down beside Ling Tian, her large eyes blinking rapidly, as though she was scared, or not courageous enough. She seemed to hold on to some hope, as she slowly nestled up beside Ling Tian.
The two bodies came into contact, and with a tremble, immediately separated. On Ling Tian’s forehead, some cold sweat could be seen coming out. Li Xue carefully adjusted her body’s angle, lightly trembling as she shifted her head towards Ling Tian’s shoulders. Her eyes were slightly red and within her eyes, light sparkles could be seen forming like jewels…
