Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

Chapter 331: Chapter 262: The 3rd Prince’s Fate

"When did so many powerful people start showing up?" Ling Xiao muttered, his eye twitching as he watched the Martial Artist in the sky streaking toward Penzes City like a bolt of lightning.

The person was flying swiftly through the air and was about to pass over Ling Xiao’s group when he suddenly let out a surprised "Huh?" He then came to an abrupt halt, descending to the ground in front of Ling Xiao. A travel-worn old man, he sized up Ling Xiao’s party and asked in a deep voice, "Is this Marquis Lingxiao’s party?"

His aged voice carried a hint of sorrow. After speaking, his eyes scanned the faces of the group, finally settling on Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao took a step forward. ’This old man has a powerful aura,’ he thought, ’but he’s a complete stranger to me. I can’t recall ever meeting a Sword Sect expert like him.’

"I am. And you are...?" Ling Xiao said, giving the old man a slight nod.

"Ah, you’re Ling Xiao?" The old man hadn’t expected to run into Ling Xiao’s party outside Penzes City by sheer chance. "I’ve come from the Imperial Capital. I have urgent business to discuss with you. You see..."

Nangong Elder had been born into a hidden aristocratic family and was once the pride of his generation. He had cultivated diligently for many years before leaving his family to come to the Lanyue Empire’s Royal Family and become one of their retainers... One could say that despite his long life, he was not well-versed in the ways of the world. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so brazenly charged toward Penzes City. In his haste, he hadn’t even considered what kind of pressure his actions today would bring upon the Ling Family if word got out.

Fortunately, there weren’t many people around, so no one witnessed his shocking display. He had run into Ling Xiao just outside the city while the latter was seeing someone off. It had to be said, this was truly a stroke of luck for Nangong Elder. And perhaps for Ling Xiao as well. After all, no one liked too much trouble.

Ling Xiao glanced at Huangpu Yue and Yisha in the nearby carriage, as well as the others in his party, and said calmly, "Please speak freely. Everyone here is someone I trust."

Inside the carriage, Huangpu Yue’s heart warmed. Her gaze softened as she looked at Ling Xiao. ’So the guy has learned a thing or two about winning people over, has he?’ she thought. ’Not bad, not bad at all!’

Inside the carriage, Yisha’s delicate face was flushed crimson. In the end, she hadn’t managed to summon the courage to say those embarrassing words to Ling Xiao. Still, Yisha knew in her heart that his feelings for her weren’t unrequited—for this trip to the Imperial Capital, he had personally seen her off outside the city and promised they would meet there. Yisha was already thinking that when they met in the Imperial Capital, she would definitely have to summon her courage...

Nangong Elder hesitated for a moment. ’Well, you’re the one who told me to speak,’ he thought, and then bluntly recounted the events that had transpired in the Imperial Capital. Even though Ling Xiao had no particular fondness for His Majesty the King and little interest in the succession of the Empire’s throne, he couldn’t help but be stunned by Nangong Elder’s words.

Also stunned were Huangpu Yue and Yisha inside the carriage. The news was simply too shocking. Nangong Elder’s cultivation was at its peak; after leaving the Imperial Palace, he had traveled in a straight line, not even taking the main roads, and rushed here, travel-worn, in less than three days!

In other words, the event in the Imperial Capital had happened three days ago, yet not a whisper of it had spread... One had to know, the military’s messenger falcons were not much slower than a Sword Sect expert like Nangong Elder!

For no news to have gotten out could only mean one thing: the Imperial Palace was on lockdown! In other words, the Crown Prince... had likely succeeded! And he had suppressed all news of it!

Ling Xiao was so shocked he was speechless for a long moment. Suddenly, the cry of a baby came from within Nangong Elder’s robes, jolting him back to his senses. "This... this is the Third Prince?"

Nangong Elder nodded. Gazing at the infant in his arms, a kind expression appeared on his old face. "It’s been hard on the child during this journey," he said. "I couldn’t find a wet nurse, so I could only feed him milk from cows and goats. Luckily, the Third Prince isn’t picky." As he spoke, his expression suddenly stiffened, and he gave an awkward smile. "The little fellow... has wet himself again."

"Oh, what a sweet child! Let us see him," Huangpu Yue said softly from the carriage. It seemed she was quite fond of children.

But Nangong Elder trusted no one besides Ling Xiao. His Majesty had said at the time that the Third Prince could only be entrusted to Ling Xiao! Therefore, he had to carry out His Majesty’s... dying wish, to the letter!

The thought that His Majesty the King had likely been pierced by a thousand arrows and died made Nangong Elder’s heart clench in pain. ’Once this is settled,’ he thought, ’I must return to the Imperial Capital, find that Crown Prince Li Wu Zhi, and take his life with my own hands! I don’t care if the Empire falls into chaos, or if the Ling Family gains power and influence because of this... None of that has anything to do with me!’

’There are only two things I must do: first, deliver the child to this Ling Xiao. And second... avenge His Majesty the King!’

So, Nangong Elder shook his head. At the same time, Ling Xiao said in a low voice, "Xiaoyue, don’t speak." Ignoring a somewhat displeased Huangpu Yue, Ling Xiao looked at the travel-worn Nangong Elder and said, "Based on what you’ve said, if the Crown Prince has already succeeded in his patricide, does that mean that in the Lanyue Empire right now, the Crown Prince is already the King?"

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