Ling Tian Sword God

At this moment, in another courtyard of the Liu Family.

Within the courtyard, there were several artificial hills, appearing both gold and jade-like, faintly containing resting energy, quite extraordinary. On the suspended mountain, there was a small manor composed of a pond and several wooden houses.

Beside the pond, a woman in her thirties, who possessed indescribable beauty, was feeding the fish. Her long hair was like silk, extending down to her feet, and her eyes were peaceful.

The woman was Liu Xiling.

Suddenly, there was a sound of ”rustling” footsteps behind her.

A middle-aged man with an extremely stern face appeared not far away and slowly walked towards the woman. However, she seemed completely unaware of his arrival, continuing to feed the fish.

”Sister.”

The stern-faced middle-aged man slowly opened his mouth and uttered two words.

This person was none other than Liu Xiling’s brother, Ling Chen’s uncle, and the current Liu Family Head, Liu Chengyuan.

Liu Xiling didn’t even turn her face, her attitude cold, ”Get out, I don’t want to see you.”

”You!”

Liu Chengyuan’s eyes widened, his stern face seemed to become even sterner, as if he was about to get angry. He, the dignified Family Head of the Liu Family and the Great Minister of the Central Dynasty, who dared to speak to him like this, besides Her Majesty, the Empress?

His face turned gloomy, and he quickly approached Liu Xiling, raising his hand. However, at the same moment, Liu Xiling suddenly stopped what she was doing and turned her face just as the palm was about to strike her fair cheek.

”Sister, it was brother’s fault.”

Quickly retracting his hand, Liu Chengyuan’s face instantly softened. Gone was the previous indifference and anger, replaced by a forced smile. It was evident that Liu Chengyuan was known for his stern demeanor, and if his colleagues in the imperial court saw him with such a smile, they would be astonished.

”What did you do wrong?”

Liu Xiling extended her jade-like hand again and scattered some fish food into the pond. ”Everything you do is for the family; it’s your duty as the Family Head. What does a sister like me matter compared to the family?”

”Fine, stop mocking me. The marriage alliance with the Xing Saint Family is the wish of the ancestors; as Family Head, I can’t change it.”

Liu Chengyuan helplessly spread his hands. Although he was Family Head, it was in name only. Above him were the ancestors, and below the elderly meeting, bound by constraints. Otherwise, the Great Elder would not act so brazenly behind his back.

The role of Family Head was merely symbolic. If the Elder Ancestor of Liu Family wanted to appoint a new Family Head, it would be effortless; they could easily choose someone else among the direct lineral descendants.

There were many vying to become Family Head, and many were waiting for Liu Chengyuan to make a mistake to take over his position.

”Sister, if you think about it, the marriage alliance is not entirely a bad thing for you.”

Liu Chengyuan paused and suddenly said, ”Let’s not discuss Xing Wu Fa’s character for now; he’s deeply in love with you. Even twenty years ago, he agreed to marry you at this crucial moment, showing his sincerity. Why can’t you accept him?”

”The Ling Family opposes us at every turn on the imperial court; they are our mortal enemies. That Ling Tianyu is a scoundrel who gave up his position as Family Head for a woman. How can such a person be worthy of your lifelong trust? Why do you insist on liking him?”

”Enough!”

Liu Xiling glared at Liu Chengyuan, ”My affairs are none of your business.”

”Fine, I won’t say anything more. This time, I’m here to tell you something else.”

Liu Chengyuan knew he hit a sensitive spot and, seeing that he couldn’t persuade Liu Xiling, he changed the subject, saying, ”That young man, Ling Chen, has arrived at the Nine Provinces Land.”

”He’s here? Where is he now?”

Liu Xiling finally stood up, looking a bit anxious, clearly very concerned about Ling Chen’s situation.

”This boy made a big commotion in Panlong City, ranking fifth on the Ten Thousand Years Green History Wall. Just a few days ago, the Great Elder sent a large number of experts to assassinate him, including a Sky Apex Realm Ninth Level elder.”

”What?”

Liu Xiling’s delicate body began to tremble, her face losing color, going ashen.

”Don’t worry, he’s not dead yet.”

Liu Chengyuan shook his head, ”For some reason, the Heavenly Eye Clan intervened to save him. Two-thirds of the assassins were killed. The ancestors already ordered a temporary halt to the pursuit.”

”Heavenly Eye Clan?”

Liu Xiling restored her normal expression, breathing a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was fine, but she was also curious about how Ling Chen got involved with the Heavenly Eye Clan.

”But don’t be too happy yet. The Heavenly Eye Clan intervened solely for a girl named Ling Yin beside him; it has nothing to do with him. Soon enough, the family will reorganize to kill him. In the end, he still has to die; there’s no escape.”

Liu Chengyuan said coldly.

”Can’t you protect him in secret?”

Liu Xiling looked at Liu Chengyuan with pleading eyes, ”He’s your own nephew.”

”Protect him? Then what about my position as Family Head?”

Liu Chengyuan shook his head vigorously, indicating it was absolutely impossible. Taking such a big risk for a nephew he never met wasn’t worthwhile.

”Then leave… from now on, don’t come to see me. I don’t have a brother like you.”

Liu Xiling turned away, coldly saying, ”If Chen’er dies, I, his mother, won’t live either.”

”Alright, alright, I knew you would say that.”

Liu Chengyuan felt immensely troubled. This sister was his only weakness; he could be ruthless to anyone else but not to Liu Xiling. ”I’ve already instructed people to monitor the Great Elder’s men. If they act against him, my people will intervene.”

”I knew it, brother still cares about me.”

Liu Xiling immediately showed joy. Her brother, though seemingly cold and uncaring, was always willing to go along with her wishes and never defied her.

”Hmph, if not for his potential and some value, I wouldn’t dare touch this taboo either.”

Liu Chengyuan secretly protecting Ling Chen involved risking offending the Elder Ancestor of Liu Family and the elderly meeting. If the Elder Ancestor found out he, as Family Head, was acting against their wishes secretly, his position might not hold.

However, Liu Chengyuan was no puppet and unwilling to be one. He had his own forces. After all, Ling Yin was also his nephew; for them to so casually decide to kill him was to ignore his position as Family Head.