This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 154 Ling Feiyuan

Wildflowers dotted the landscape of Zhuque Bridge like stars, while the setting sun hung like bloodstains at the entrance of Wuyi Lane. Xiao Xingchen's sword mark fell like a shooting star at the entrance of Wuyi Lane.

Gazing at the ruins before him, he stood there lost in thought, like a statue, and couldn't help but sigh. He could hardly hope to surpass someone who could be so ruthless to themselves; this was truly the way to hide oneself in the mortal world.

Wuyi Lane was originally a place where beggars and refugees lived. Ling Feiyuan held an official position in the Dali Temple. Even if he was destitute, he would never have fallen to such a state.

However, the fact that he chose to live here makes it hard not to wonder if it was a deliberate move on his part.

Based on her memory, Xiao Xingchen walked deeper into the alley.

At this moment, the sun is setting, and the afterglow shines on the dilapidated houses, as if draping them in a golden veil.

As you walk along, you can see faint flames flickering in the dilapidated houses nearby, like twinkling stars in the night sky.

People kept peeking out, seemingly quite surprised that someone dressed so well had come here.

"I'm looking for Ling Feiyuan!"

At the end of the path, a dilapidated courtyard came into view.

Although it is old and dilapidated, it is still a decent place in Wuyi Lane, at least the walls of the houses are still there, providing shelter from the wind and rain.

He arrived at the door and found a group of beggars huddled in a corner warming themselves by a fire.

The beggars raised their eyes like hungry wolves, and when they saw the richly dressed young man in front of them, they all cast curious glances, as if examining a rare treasure.

"Ling Feiyuan? That beast who murdered his father and mother? What are you doing here looking for him?"

The beggars shrank back like startled rabbits and questioned loudly.

This made Xiao Xingchen's lips curl up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

He didn't expose her, but continued to shout into the distance, "Ling Feiyuan, I know you're inside. Please open the door and let's talk. I have important matters to discuss."

"The person you're looking for isn't here. That beast is from the Dali Temple; why would he deign to come here?"

The beggar continued to deny it, but Xiao Xingchen gave him a cryptic smile.

"The Ling family army actually stoops to this position, pretending to be beggars. Do you even think you can lift those rusty knives?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the beggars who had been huddled together suddenly pounced like hungry tigers, their eyes sharp and piercing like those of hawks.

"Now that I'm here, I know who you are. I have no ill intentions toward you. I'm just here to discuss a business deal. Once we've reached an agreement, I'll leave."

Despite the beggar's relentless pursuit, Xiao Xingchen remained fearless and continued, "Gentlemen, to be honest, if I want to enter, you absolutely cannot stop me."

"Who exactly are you?" the leader suddenly stood up and asked in a stern voice.

"Ling Feiyuan, don't you know who I am? Aren't you going to invite me in for a drink?"

Xiao Xingchen had already unleashed the overwhelming battle intent of a sword immortal. He could clearly sense that there was also a sword immortal's aura swirling around the courtyard like a snake, which was a distinctive characteristic of a Qi sword immortal.

He was no longer the naive man he once was. Ever since his first encounter with the Fire Sword Immortal at the city gate, he had come to know that different sword immortals would exude distinct auras. At least the Wind, Fire, Water, and Qi sword immortals were easy to distinguish. As for the other sword immortals, he had not yet had the chance to meet them, so he could not make any rash conclusions.

However, he had already grasped the sharpness of the sword energy in the courtyard, and similarly, the power of his battle sword was unleashed like a burst dam, spreading outwards. The two sword energies intertwined and entwined in mid-air, as if they were locked in a fierce battle.

Just then, an invisible sword aura shot out of the door like an arrow, but Xiao Xingchen ignored it, watching helplessly as the illusory sword aura, formed from condensed qi, pierced straight at his forehead like a venomous snake. A slight, enigmatic smile played on his lips.

"Young sword immortal, weren't you already crippled?"

A crisp exclamation rang out from inside the room, the voice seemingly filled with disbelief.

“Young Master Ling, you are already in such a state, yet you still keep a close eye on Yong’an’s every move. So, isn’t it reasonable for me to conceal something? I also wish to hide like dust, but my status does not allow me to be as seamless as you are.”

Xiao Xingchen ignored the sword energy and the chilling aura emanating from the surrounding beggars, simply stepping past the sword energy on his forehead and walking towards the courtyard. This leisurely stroll felt just like returning to his own home.

"What audacity! Aren't you afraid I'll keep you here?"

"My confidence comes from my strength. To be honest, you can't keep me here."

"Xiao Xingchen exuded a powerful confidence, like a dazzling star, radiating light."

This confidence was sharp as a sword, mixed with the power of a battle sword, making the surrounding beggars feel as if they were being pierced by sword energy.

The sword energy dissipated, and the courtyard gate opened automatically.

"Please come in!" Upon hearing this, the surrounding beggars, like startled birds, scurried back into the corner and closed their eyes to warm themselves by the fire.

Xiao Xingchen took in all of this and couldn't help but sigh, wondering when he would ever have such a loyal follower.

These people, hidden among the dust alongside Ling Feiyuan, possessed unwavering loyalty, as steadfast as a rock.

The courtyard was littered with withered branches and fallen leaves, as if it were a corner forgotten by time, desolate and overgrown with weeds. Only the interior of the house was relatively tidy, as if someone lived there.

Xiao Xingchen didn't stand on ceremony and went straight into the house.

Inside the room, at the desk, Ling Feiyuan, dressed in hemp clothing, with her hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, was holding a pen and writing intently.

Xiao Xingchen's eyes flashed, and then he said, "The sword of the night is hidden beneath wings, the wolf in sheep's clothing is disguised in an ordinary appearance. Young Master Ling, you have quite the refined taste!"

Seeing that Ling Feiyuan remained unmoved after he entered, Xiao Xingchen directly revealed his purpose, while also conveying a message to Ling Feiyuan: I know what you have done; this is both a threat and a bargaining chip.

"A young swordsman, who bowed three times to the deposed empress, assisted the eldest princess, and pointed his sword at the generals of the Northern Region, rose from humble beginnings and indulged in romance at the Flower Language Pavilion. The world is speculating about where this young man comes from. Today, rumors are spreading that this person is Xiao Jianren, the eldest son of the Xiao family."

Ling Feiyuan put down her pen, looked up at Xiao Xingchen, and a coldness flashed across her face like frost.

"Do you believe me?" Xiao Xingchen's lips curled into a slight, enigmatic smile as he replied.

"Whether you believe or not, from this day forward, you are Xiao Jianren."

"I underestimated you. I didn't expect that someone who has been hiding here would have such a thorough understanding of Yong'an. Ling Feiyuan, it is true that hiding in the dust is for the sake of a future prairie fire. However, you must understand that the overall situation of the world is like the towering Mount Tai. How can one person's strength shake it? Your Ling family army is nothing but a drop in the ocean in the face of the overall situation of the world."

“Since three years ago, I have only one purpose in life: to kill my enemies. Even if I am just an insignificant speck of dust, I will try my best to shake the giant beast that is entrenched in the ground.”

"Cooperate with me, and I'll help you take revenge?"

"You? You can't even protect yourself, so what makes you think you can convince me?"

"Yes, with my abilities, I will soon be made a king, and I will definitely avenge you."

Ling Feiyuan's hand holding the pen trembled slightly. Although the tremor was extremely subtle, she was still struck dumb by Xiao Xingchen's words.

"Becoming a king? Are you dreaming? The Great Qian Dynasty has four kings, how could it allow a fifth? My father was once only one step away from becoming a king, but what happened in the end? His entire family was wiped out. What ability do you have?"

"You're not qualified!"

Ling Feiyuan looked disdainful, but Xiao Xingchen was not angered. Instead, he calmly walked to the desk, stared at the surface, and saw a menacing "kill" character leaping from the paper like a sharp sword.

"Your murderous intent is palpable, but who can you actually kill? Even if you have followers from the Ling family army, can you really avenge yourself in the end? Do you know who the culprit is? Do you know how vast this world is? Perhaps your so-called revenge is nothing more than a farce to watch in the eyes of that culprit."

"you wanna die?"

Ling Feiyuan's killing intent erupted like a volcano, and a sword of energy shot out from his body, piercing Xiao Xingchen like a bolt of lightning. However, Xiao Xingchen did not feel any threat from this sharp sword energy. His battle sword was like a vast ocean that could contain everything. The power of the sword energy approached him, but it not only did not cause him any harm, but was also attracted by the power of the battle sword like a magnet, and was directly brought into his spiritual platform.

It's like an adult trying to coax a child, not only getting the child to leave but also making the child call them "Dad."

"Who exactly are you? What are you doing here?"

Ling Feiyuan was startled, and a solemn expression appeared on her face.

"Sure thing, I already said we'd cooperate. You do my bidding, and I'll avenge you!"