Ling Tian Sword God

「Hanmei Villa, the front yard.」

”Master Mei, Ling Chen killed my junior brother; this is an irreconcilable feud that cannot be settled.”

In the front yard stood a man as robust as an iron tower. He looked at the middle-aged swordsman in white before him and said in a deep voice, ”I have come today by the command of my master, Capture God. Are you sure you want to stop me, Master Mei?”

Luo Yutang knew he was no match for the Plum Blossom Gentleman Sword before him, so he invoked Capture God’s name, hoping to deter him.

”Ling Chen was indeed at my villa a few days ago, but unfortunately, they left yesterday,” Mei Fangzhi said calmly.

”Is that so?”

Luo Yutang clearly didn’t believe Mei Fangzhi’s words easily, his eyes narrowing slightly. ”Master Mei, Ling Chen has a blood feud with our Capture God Lineage. I hope you won’t hide anything and will tell me the truth.”

”What? You don’t believe me?” Mei Fangzhi raised an eyebrow.

”Of course not.” A smile appeared on Luo Yutang’s face. Mei Fangzhi, after all, was a Half-Saint Powerhouse with exceptional strength; he dared not offend him directly. He said with a grin, ”Master Mei, your words are golden; you would never deceive a junior like me. This Hanmei Villa is quite scenic. I wonder if I might tour the grounds for a few days?”

He still didn’t believe Ling Chen had left Hanmei Villa. If Mei Fangzhi didn’t have a guilty conscience, he wouldn’t refuse his request. If he could investigate in Hanmei Villa for a couple of days, he would quickly find out if Ling Chen was hiding there.

”Some things have happened at the villa recently, so I’m afraid it’s not a convenient time to host guests. I may not be able to entertain Young Hero Luo.” Mei Fangzhi’s expression remained calm, but his words carried a hint of polite refusal.

”Oh?” Luo Yutang’s face darkened slightly. From the looks of it, he could infer that Ling Chen was most likely still in Hanmei Villa. He wondered how that kid had managed to get in Mei Fangzhi’s good graces. If Mei Fangzhi insisted on protecting Ling Chen, he really had no options for now.

Just then, the sound of rushing wind was heard, and several figures appeared in the front yard.

When Mei Fangzhi saw Ling Chen among the arrivals, his face darkened. ”Didn’t I tell you to leave? Why have you returned?”

Ling Chen shook his head. ”Elder, I appreciate your kind intentions, but a man must take responsibility for his own actions. How could this junior burden Hanmei Villa with my troubles?”

”Heh, I didn’t think you, kid, had some backbone.” A joyful expression suddenly appeared on Luo Yutang’s face. If Ling Chen hadn’t shown up, he would have had to go through some trouble. Ling Chen’s voluntary appearance saved him a lot of hassle.

”I didn’t kill Bai Shaochuan.” Ling Chen shook his head. ”I didn’t strike the fatal blow. Many people saw it. The four Capture Officers who were with Bai Shaochuan can testify.”

”Hmph. Since you claim to take responsibility for your actions, why don’t you dare to admit it now?” Luo Yutang sneered. ”It was those four Capture Officers who identified you. They said they saw with their own eyes that you killed my junior brother. This matter has already spread throughout Yi Zhou. Now you claim it has nothing to do with you? Who would believe such a thing?”

”This matter indeed has nothing to do with me.” A sharp glint flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes. ”Believe it or not, I’ve said all I have to say.”

”Anyone who kills someone from our Capture God Lineage must pay the price.” A murderous glint suddenly appeared in Luo Yutang’s eyes. He raised his gauntleted fist, pointing it directly at Ling Chen. ”Come with me to see the venerable Capture God. Let him decide your punishment.”

”Sorry, I can’t do that,” Ling Chen said calmly.

”Then I’ll have to resort to force.” True Qi surged through Luo Yutang’s body, gushing like a spring and converging into his fist. He was clearly preparing to strike.

”This is the territory of my Hanmei Villa. If Your Excellency intends to make a move, you must first ask me, Mei.” Mei Fangzhi stepped in front of Ling Chen, blocking Luo Yutang.

”Mei Fangzhi, you dare defy Capture God?” Luo Yutang shouted harshly.

”Capture God is indeed powerful, but I, Mei, am not one to be trifled with. Young Hero Ling Chen is my friend. At least within Hanmei Villa, you cannot touch him. Even if Capture God himself came, my answer would be the same.”

”Mei Fangzhi, you...!” Luo Yutang was both shocked and enraged. He hadn’t expected Mei Fangzhi to be so unyielding, completely unmoved by the threat of Capture God. Moreover, Mei Fangzhi was a Half-Saint Powerhouse; Luo Yutang had to give him face.

Just as Luo Yutang was feeling a major headache over the situation, Ling Chen suddenly spoke to Mei Fangzhi, ”Master Mei, since this matter arose because of me, please let me resolve it myself.”

”Little friend Ling Chen, don’t act rashly.” Mei Fangzhi frowned slightly. Luo Yutang was an expert at the Sixth Layer of the Sky Apex Realm and a genius who had once defeated an expert at the Eighth Layer of the Sky Apex Realm. For Ling Chen to say he wanted to handle it himself was undoubtedly an overestimation of his own abilities.

”Yes, Ling Chen! This Iron Hand Yama is no ordinary person. Don’t be impulsive; let my master handle it,” Xuan Yu, who was beside them, also chimed in urgently.

”My mind is made up.” Ling Chen shook his head, his gaze meeting Mei Fangzhi’s.

Seemingly sensing the determination in Ling Chen’s eyes, Mei Fangzhi didn’t intervene further. He nodded, and with a slight movement, stepped back. He believed Ling Chen wasn’t the type to be so reckless as to throw an egg against a stone.

”Heh. I didn’t expect a kid like you to have some backbone.” Luo Yutang was pleasantly surprised. He had been afraid Ling Chen would hide behind Mei Fangzhi, leaving him with no way to deal with him. He hadn’t expected the boy to actually serve himself up on a platter!

”Luo Yutang, is it? Since you’re convinced I’m the one who killed your junior brother, how about this,” Ling Chen said calmly, a sharp glint in his eyes. ”Let’s have a fair duel. If I lose, I’ll surrender and go with you to see Capture God. If I win, the feud between me and the Capture God Lineage will be resolved. Even Capture God himself must not seek revenge against me again. What do you say?”

Hearing this, even Xuan Yu was shocked. Ling Chen actually wanted to duel Luo Yutang one-on-one? That was too reckless! Considering Luo Yutang’s strength versus Ling Chen’s, the gap between them was enormous. Ling Chen had no chance of winning.

”Oh? Are you sure?” Luo Yutang looked astonished, then a chilling smile spread across his lips. He had no idea where Ling Chen found the audacity to challenge him to a duel.

”What, are you scared?” Ling Chen raised an eyebrow and said lightly.

”Haha!” Luo Yutang laughed, his anger palpable. ”Me, scared?” This foolish brat! It seems he has no idea how renowned I, Luo Yutang, am in the Jianghu, to dare make such an ignorant demand! ”You ignorant whelp! Fine, I’ll grant your request and fight you!”

Luo Yutang never imagined he could lose, especially not to some nameless nobody. He then turned to Mei Fangzhi and said, ”Master Mei, you must have heard what this boy just said. I hope you, respected elder, will act as a clear witness. If this boy loses, you can no longer shelter him.”

This was Ling Chen’s proposal, not his. If he, Luo Yutang, won, then even Mei Fangzhi wouldn’t be able to say anything further.