Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 322: Chapter 258: Night Owl’s Intention

"The Marquis’s apprentice? Hahaha."

The men must have been the night shift guards. Dawn was just breaking, and they were all yawning endlessly, thick with sleep. But upon hearing the man in black’s claim, they all burst into roaring laughter. One of them said, "Friend, you’ve got a strange sense of humor. But forget it. I was getting drowsy, but now I’m wide awake. For waking us up, we’ll let it slide. The Marquis’s Mansion isn’t a place just anyone can force their way into. Get going, and don’t make trouble for yourself."

The man in black frowned slightly. ’There was a time when my name carried great weight in the Imperial Capital, even within certain circles throughout the Lanyue Empire. When have I ever been treated so dismissively?’ His falcon-like eyes shot out two cold, sharp glints of light. Then, as if recalling something, the light receded. He adopted a sincere tone and said, "I truly am the Young Master’s apprentice. If you gentlemen don’t believe me, you need only go inside and announce me. Why stand here and make fun of me? We’re all men. If it wasn’t the truth, why would I claim to be a young man’s junior and show up at your door just to be laughed at... Do you think I’m crazy?"

That sharp glint that flashed in Night Owl’s eyes was keenly perceived by the Lightning Legion soldiers on duty. For them to be stationed at the Marquis’s Mansion, their strength was naturally considerable. Though none had reached the level of Demon Swordsmen, they all possessed the power of a Mad Sword Master!

They could all sense a powerful aura from the man in the black cloak and wide-brimmed hat. It was fleeting, but the same thought surfaced in all their minds. ’This man doesn’t really seem like he’s got a screw loose. Compared to the Young Master, he’s worlds apart, but his strength is still considerable. Maybe he’s telling the truth. In any case, the Young Master rarely gets angry, so it can’t hurt to just go and announce him.’

And so, one of the Lightning Legion soldiers looked at Night Owl and said, "Then please wait here a moment, friend. I will go and report to the Young Master." With that, he turned and left.

When Ling Xiao received the report, he was stunned for a moment, wondering when he had gained an apprentice. Ye Zi, who had just come out of her meditative state, frowned with her delicate brows, blinked her lively eyes, and said, "Ling Xiao... didn’t you... subdue a Tier Three Demon Swordsman on your way to the Mesopotamia Grassland? It couldn’t be him, could it?"

Ling Xiao’s eyes widened in realization. "Oh, that’s right. There was something like that. But he vanished on his own after we entered Cameron Town. At the time, I figured he probably felt it was too humiliating to follow a teenager like me and was afraid of being mocked, so he just left. Don’t tell me it’s him?"

Ye Zi smiled. "Let’s go take a look. We’ll know soon enough."

With that, the two of them followed the Lightning Legion soldier to the entrance of the Marquis’s Mansion.

Ling Xiao recognized him at a glance. The tall, slender man in the large, wide-brimmed hat was none other than Night Owl, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

At that moment, Night Owl also saw Ling Xiao. A trace of excitement finally appeared on his impassive face. He bowed respectfully and said, "Master, your apprentice pays his respects."

Ling Xiao dodged to the side and said, "Night Owl, there was never any contract between us. You disappeared without a word in Cameron Town, and I just assumed you had left on your own. Why have you suddenly appeared now? As for this ’Master’ business, let’s just treat it as a joke. I’m still young and have no interest in taking apprentices."

Seeing that the man in black did indeed know the Young Master, the surrounding Lightning Legion soldiers dispersed. Ye Zi also didn’t want to disturb Ling Xiao and slipped away.

Seeing that they were alone, Night Owl revealed a bitter smile. "I know you’re displeased with my actions, but I... I really had my own difficulties. *Sigh*. Never mind. Since I’ve returned to your side, I might as well tell you the whole truth."

Ling Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. I have no interest in hearing your secrets. And I don’t have much interest in you as a person, either. So, you should just leave."

Night Owl’s smile froze on his face, his expression becoming extremely awkward. ’I never thought my mysterious act would backfire and just make Ling Xiao dislike me.’ He wanted to say something to smooth things over, but the pride of a powerful warrior stopped the words in his throat. Then, he remembered how Ling Xiao’s destructive Sword Intent had terrified him so much he couldn’t even grip his sword, and he suddenly felt a sense of relief. ’In front of him, my dignity is laughably insignificant.’

Sighing softly, Night Owl knew he had no right to bargain with this young man, let alone be invited inside. He said, "Young Master Ling, I... I truly wanted to follow you back then, to comprehend the essence of the Sword Dao with you. It’s just... after I arrived in Cameron Town, I received an order from the Crown Prince. He commanded me to go... to go and kill the Deputy Commander in Cameron Town who was involved in the rebellion..."

"Oh, hehe. The Crown Prince’s reach is quite long, isn’t it?" Ling Xiao said coolly, a trace of mockery on his face. "So, is it that the Crown Prince has lost power, and now you’ve remembered me?"

"No, absolutely not!" Night Owl exclaimed, his face filled with embarrassment. ’I haven’t seen him for a year, and his words have become this sharp. It’s utterly humiliating.’

"The Beastman Race contact in Cameron Town was actually one of the Crown Prince’s men. He had them killed because he was afraid word would get out." Night Owl sighed softly. ’Well, since I’ve started, I might as well tell him everything.’

"After that incident, the Crown Prince used his connections to place me with a major family. It was only later that I learned that family was actually one of the hidden families! I never would have thought that hidden families existed right here in the Lanyue Empire." Night Owl’s voice trembled slightly. "Only then did I realize how naive I’d been. The laughable part is that I used to think I was so strong, that I could be ranked among the best in the Lanyue Empire. Compared to the disciples of those hidden families, my meager strength isn’t even worth a flick of their finger!"

Ling Xiao smiled. "Did you come here all mysterious-like so early in the morning just to tell me all this? If so, I’m sorry, but I don’t have the slightest interest in what you’re saying." With that, he turned, ready to leave.

"Young Master Ling, I guarantee you’ll be interested in what I’m about to say next!"

Seeing the impatient look on Ling Xiao’s face, Night Owl quickly cut his rambling short. ’I was hoping to use all this to get on his good side, to improve my chances for what comes next. I never thought he’d become so completely impervious. He’s impossible to persuade!’

"*Sigh*. Just say it, Night Owl. For the sake of our past acquaintance, I advise you to just say what you have to say." Ling Xiao sighed softly, then looked at Night Owl with an indifferent gaze. If a year ago, Ling Xiao might have needed someone with Night Owl’s decent strength by his side, now, someone of Night Owl’s caliber had completely lost any place with him.

In truth, strength wasn’t that important in Ling Xiao’s eyes. Otherwise, Li Fu, the Vice City Lord of Penzes City, who had not a shred of strength, would never have caught Ling Xiao’s attention.

What every person in power needs is not necessarily subordinates with exceptional ability, but their loyalty!

This was something that could absolutely not be found in a person like Night Owl.

"In half a month, all the hidden families of the Eastern Continent are holding a grand family trade fair on Coral Island in the East Sea. Nearly every hidden family and sect from the Eastern Continent will be there. All sorts of treasures will be on display—it’s considered the grandest event for all the hidden families and sects! I hope that you, Young Master Ling, will make an appearance at the trade fair!"

Night Owl said this all in one breath, then looked at Ling Xiao uneasily, his gaze flickering. After all, anyone who knew anything about Ling Xiao’s current situation knew that he was being watched by all the hidden families and sects. Countless pairs of greedy eyes were staring at him. If he was truly caught by those hidden families and sects with ulterior motives, they would certainly force Ling Xiao to hand over his secrets.

Therefore, at this moment, the request Night Owl was making was, to put it mildly... incredibly brazen.

However, Night Owl’s proposal deeply intrigued Ling Xiao. To be honest, he was very interested in this grand gathering of hidden families and sects!

Still, Ling Xiao looked at Night Owl’s flickering eyes and said, "Night Owl, you didn’t run all the way here just to tell me this news, did you? Tell me, what benefits does the power you represent want to get from me?"

"Hehe, as expected of the most outstanding young noble in the history of the Lanyue Empire. Young Master Ling is truly wise." Night Owl gave Ling Xiao a lukewarm compliment, then said, "Our family’s intention is to protect your safety at the trade fair. In return, if you refine any Elixirs, you must sell them to our family first. It’s that simple. If you agree, Young Master Ling, then I will immediately share some information about my family. At the same time, I will give you a waist token for an Honored Guest Elder of our family. Then, you will only need to follow our family to enter the grand assembly..."

Ling Xiao waved a hand, cutting off Night Owl’s next words, and said with a light chuckle, "You can go back now."

"You... you’d actually refuse? My family has an expert with the strength of a Sword Emperor! Young Master Ling, you can look down on me, but you... you can’t fail to appreciate a good offer!"

In his anxiety, Night Owl spoke recklessly. He then looked nervously at Ling Xiao. He had heard that Ling Xiao’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds over the past year. A year ago, he was no match for Ling Xiao. A year later, he didn’t even have the courage to consider whether he could block a single one of Ling Xiao’s sword strikes.

Ling Xiao smiled faintly, snorted, and raised his sword-like eyebrows. He looked at Night Owl with a mocking expression and said, "So after all that beating around the bush, you came here to be a lobbyist. A pity... you know far too little about me. So, leave."

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