Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 118: Chapter 99: Horizontal Sword Upgrade, Seeking a Secret

”What’s wrong?”

Wan Ze saw Miss Ling’s expression freeze for a moment. His gaze was calm as he asked.

”I...” Miss Ling took a deep breath, her gaze unfocused. ”I think... I just thought of someone!”

”Who?”

”Uncle Jiao.” As Miss Ling said the name, she frowned, as if not entirely confident in her own answer as she continued to search her memory.

Wan Ze didn’t rush her, standing quietly to the side to give her time.

Finally, Miss Ling seemed to have organized her thoughts. She spoke, piecing together her memories as she went. ”Uncle Jiao... he was my grandfather’s most trusted assistant in his later years. I remember my dad mentioning that Grandfather took him under his wing not long after he graduated from college. At first, he helped manage the daily operations of Lingyun Manor. Later, he was involved in managing some of my grandfather’s companies...

After that, when my grandfather’s businesses failed and his companies were shut down one by one, Uncle Jiao devoted himself completely to Lingyun Manor, practically becoming its steward. He stayed until my grandfather passed away...

I don’t actually remember him that well. He had a very low-key presence—always quiet, and he spoke in a slow, deliberate manner...”

As she continued, Miss Ling’s tone grew more certain. ”But I remember it very clearly. After Grandfather passed away, besides the key I have... Uncle Jiao also had a spare. Perhaps the painting... he was the one who put it there later?”

”That’s possible,” Wan Ze pressed. ”Do you know where he lives now? Or how to contact him? We could just ask him and find out.”

”But... but he’s... already passed away.” Miss Ling looked up and smiled wryly.

Wan Ze was taken aback.

Miss Ling sighed and explained, ”When I came back to the country to take over Lingyun Manor, its financial situation was already terrible. It was Uncle Jiao who managed to keep it afloat for another two years. I wanted to turn things around back then, and I was under a lot of pressure. Around that time, Uncle Jiao was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He resigned, saying he was going home to rest and recover... We spoke on the phone a few times during that period. The next news I heard of him... was six months later. He’d been in a car accident on his way to the hospital. They couldn’t save him.”

’So the trail went cold just like that.’

Wan Ze hadn’t expected such a convoluted turn of events. After a moment of silence, he asked, ”Did he... have any family?”

”I don’t think he ever married. As for his parents... I heard his father passed away long ago, but his mother is still alive...” Miss Ling recalled.

”We’ll go to his hometown,” Wan Ze decided firmly. ”We’ll find his mother or look through his belongings. See if we can find that key, or any clues about the painting...”

”Give me some time. I’ll find out where his hometown is...”

”No problem.”

Just then, Miss Ling’s stomach let out an embarrassing GROWL. She immediately blushed and clutched her belly in embarrassment.

Wan Ze’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He smoothly continued, ”Perfect timing, I’m hungry too. There’s a food street right next door. They have a place with really authentic duck blood and vermicelli soup. Want to give it a try?”

”O-Okay,” Miss Ling nodded quickly, looking immensely relieved.

The two quickly straightened up and headed out.

The street was bustling with noise. After they finished their steaming bowls of soup, Miss Ling seemed to be in much better spirits.

As soon as they got back to her place, she pulled out a well-worn leather phonebook. She started going through the numbers one by one, calling old colleagues who had worked with Uncle Jiao.

But too much time had passed, and many of them had long since changed their numbers.

After more than thirty calls, listening to busy signals and the voices of strangers on the other end, Miss Ling herself was starting to feel disheartened.

Just as she was about to give up, she finally got some good news.

”...You know it? That’s wonderful! Could you please tell me the address again? I’ll jot it down... An City... Nangu Lane... Yes, yes, thank you so much!”

After a flurry of thank-yous, Miss Ling hung up the phone, her face lit with a renewed sense of excitement.

She eagerly turned to Wan Ze to share the news.

In the adjacent living room.

Wan Ze was holding the Ancient Sword, completely focused as he repeatedly practiced a simple horizontal blocking motion.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Horizontal Sword Technique] (Beginner Level Mastered)

[Skill Basic Requirement: Horizontal Sword 100 times] (88/100)

...

”Wan Ze, I found the address... but there might be a complication.”

Miss Ling called out softly, afraid to disturb his practice but unable to resist sharing the good news.

Hearing her, Wan Ze didn’t stop his movements. He simply turned his head and asked, ”What’s the complication?”

”Uncle Jiao’s hometown is in An City, which is quite a ways from here. The property he had in Holy City was sold long ago. His mother is living in their old family home in An City now...”

Miss Ling hesitated as she spoke.

’This means we’ll have to travel to another city and figure out how to approach an elderly woman who might not want to be disturbed with questions about the distant past.’

’The path ahead is uncertain, and it will be time-consuming and draining... There’s no telling how long it will all take.’

’She didn’t know if Wan Ze would be willing to go with her.’

”Can you drive?” Wan Ze suddenly spoke up, as if asking an unrelated question.

Miss Ling nodded and quickly replied, ”Yes, I have a license... and I have a car.”

”Then we’ll leave tomorrow morning. The sooner we start, the better. Let’s get this over with quickly.” Wan Ze didn’t hesitate in the slightest. As he spoke, he completed another dozen or so repetitions of the horizontal blocking motion.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Horizontal Sword Technique] (Basic Mastered)

[Skill Intermediate Requirement: Horizontal Sword 500 times] (0/500)

...

His Swordsmanship had silently advanced.

’A much deeper understanding of the Horizontal Sword Technique flooded his mind.’

’Good. My Swordsmanship has improved again.’