Two sides were fighting in the training ground. Shi Lang and Shi Ting practiced the skills of swords. Although Shi Lang’s way of the sword was too robust for a girl, he did not have any trouble using a thin sword either.
Shi Ting was inclined towards fencing. Unlike her rowdy temperament, she wanted to try her hand at the elegant way of sword fighting. He did not support Shi Ting in pursuing this way of the sword, and he believed that one must follow the sword that matched their temperament.
Shi Ning and Shi Wei were on vacation from their Imperial duties and thus were watching all this from the side, and Shi Wei said, “Big Brother Lang can adjust to any fighting style. Why so?”
Shi Ning nodded and said, “It is not just practiced on a physical level. He must have spent much time on the battlefield cultivating such an aura. I doubt anyone who is not from the central plane to have such a thick blood lust. As if a demon waiting to run amock.”
Shi Wei nodded and wanted to say something when Shi Yua suddenly appeared from the side. On the way to the Tianxu Pavilion a day before, she had asked Shi Lang what he used to do before he came to the upper realms. The terran replied with a smile, “I was a soldier.”
Shi Yua repeated what he told her. Shi Ning was surprised for a second and said, “No wonder he must have expected a lot of battles.”
The girls idolized him for a short period. Shi Lang had managed to prove his worth. Even as a golden core level practitioner, he could contend against people two realms above him. This was not in the norms. While the girls were discussing things, Shi Lang was strictly training the youngest one of them.
Suddenly, a disciple rushed over and whispered something in Shi Yua’s ear. Shi Yua furrowed her brows and said, “This Ling family sure is getting pompous with every passing day.”
The two sisters exchanged a glance and asked her, “What is going on?”
Shi Yua said, “Sister, the consignment from Flame Lotus Valley has been captured by Ling Family. They are not willing to release it. On the contrary, they humiliate us by offering a few hundred low-grade spirit stones.”
Shi Ning clenched her fist and asked the disciple, “Are the elders alerted?”
The girl nodded, and Shi Wei asked, “What did they say?”
The disciple replied, “Miss, they are discussing the best course of action. The second Elder asked for Senior Brother Shi Lang to come forward.”
Shi Lang was not the young master of the family, so he was addressed as the senior brother. Shi Ning nodded and said, “Go ahead. We will look into it.”
The disciple left, and Shi Ning said, “Ting, stop. The elders have called for us.”
Shi Ting stopped, and so did Shi Lang. The two of them stowed away their weapons and moved over to ask what happened. Shortly after, five people arrived at the main hall. Shi Lang spotted the three elders sitting with somber expressions.
It was not only the three of them but even Grand Uncle was also called over. The branch family elders were also called over. Shi Yua asked, “Father, what is the matter?”
Shi Yulong sighed and said, “The Ling family had captured our goods and are unwilling to release them. These bastards are bullying us because we do not have a young master. If the elders went forward to negotiate with a young man, we would lose pride. What can we do?”
He slammed his fist into the armrest of his chair as he vented his frustration. Shi Ning looked at Shi Lang and said, “Brother, I know you do not wish to be tied down. However, the family needs you. It is not that we do not wish to take over the Young Miss title, but the world will not look at us with the respect we deserve until we have achieved something in life. Please help the family.”
She knew that Shi Lang would try to push her and her sisters into the limelight, and she would not give him any chance. Shi Lang sighed and said, “Is there no other way.”
The four girls shook their heads, and Shi Lang sighed as he nodded. He said, “Family Leader, I can accept the title for now. I repeat for the time being.” 𝞸𝗏𝐿xt.𝒸𝑂𝑀
Shi Yulong nodded with a smile and said, “Thank you.”
Then he waved his hand, and a jade token flew towards Shi Lang. The young man caught the stone, and it said, “Shi.”
The terran said, “Fine, I will deal with this matter. Please tell me where to find Ling Tian.”
Shi Yulong nodded and waved for a disciple to take Shi Lang. Shi Ning and Shi Yua followed him. The other two also wanted to go along, but Shi Lang made them stay put because they were not too strong, and if the conflict arose, he would have to worry about them too.
…
Shi Lang, Shi Yua, and Shi Ning came outside the city gate. Ling Tian was holding the consignment there. A few of the Shi Family disciples were already tied up as hostages.
The Terran could see that one of the hostages was a spy for Ling Family. However, he was brutally beaten up. This dedication to the cause was applaudable, but Shi Lang was not in the mood.
He spotted the snake right off the bat. Shi Lang came to stand in front of the camp and asked, “May I ask the reason for holding this consignment?”
The people of the Ling family did not react, Shi Ning narrowed her eyes, and her hand reached the hilt of her sword. She radiated the pressure of an immortal core practitioner and the bloodlust accumulated in the military.
The people of the Ling Family finally reacted. Ten people stood around a carriage, and Ling Tian sat under the shed. Shi Ning said, “If you do not want to die, you better bark.”
Ling Tian stood up from his chair, walked over with the air of nobility, and said, “Young Miss Shi, please calm down. It is not suitable for a woman to speak like this.”
Shi Ning waved and said, “Ling Tian, hand over the consignment or…”
Ling Tian smiled and said, “Or? What will you do? I stopped this consignment from conducting business with the Shi Family. Is this your attitude toward your patron?”
Shi Lang commented, “Such a brute manner of conducting business. I wonder if your elegance is just a facade to fool the people?”
Ling Tian narrowed his gaze and said, “Oh, we meet again. Are you here to kill me?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “I am here for the consignment of my family. Would young master Ling please tell his men to release our disciples?”
Ling Tian raised his brow and asked, “On what basis do you think you can negotiate with me?”
Shi Lang did not waste time and took out a jade token, then flung it toward the snake and said, “Tell me what you are holding?”
Ling Tian was flooded with rage but still looked at the token. As he looked at the token, his eyes opened wide in surprise. He asked, “What does it mean?”
Shi Ning smirked, “Did young master Ling turn blind from shock?”
Shi Yua could not help but chuckle, making Ling Tian clench his fist in rage. Shi Lang sighed and said, “If the Young master is satisfied with my proof of identity, please tell me what business you want to do with the Shi Family.”
Ling Tian smiled and said, “I want to buy this consignment of herbs for one hundred spirit stones.”
Shi Lang smiled calmly and said, “Oh, so may I ask why you are offering such a low price?”
Ling Tian replied, “These are all low-grade herbs. What can you possibly make with them? However, I can use them as fodder for my family’s spirit beasts.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “The Ling family is too lavish. Well, since that is the case, I decline.”
Ling Tian expected the man to decline and said, “Two hundred low-grade spirit stones.”
Shi Lang shook his head, and Ling Tian kept increasing the price. However, once the price reached seven hundred low spirit stones, and Shi Lang did not agree, Ling Tian yelled, “Do you think I cannot hold this consignment without your consent?”
Shi Lang smiled and tilted his head as he took out the Raksha sword and said, “You can try, and I promise you will die trying.”
The sword trembled and Shi Lang’s battlelust began to rise. The pressure he gave off was stronger than Shi Ning. The Ling Family disciples heard that Shi Lang killed a few men ruthlessly in front of the people.
Ling Tian nodded and the men steeled their hearts to draw their swords. However, the next moment they shivered and fell to the ground. Shi Lang cast the asura realm on them. His skills were still intact.