"Aaaaaah!"

  Ling Jihua couldn't understand what just happened. Just a second before he was charging at that trash, now he was rolling on the ground in pain. He could barely hear what Ling Yun was saying.

  After a few seconds, the pain strangely disappeared as if it was a figment of his imagination. He opened his eyes and saw Ling Yun looking down on him. Jihua scowled and quickly rolled to the side and got back on his feet.

  "What did you do, you trash?"

  With his hands behind his back, Ling Yun hadn't moved an inch from his position since Jihua found him. Even the cold expression remained etched on his face.

  "You should think about what you did Jihua. You tried to kill my father, your uncle and the patriarch of the clan. Do you feel any shame, any regret?"

  "Shut up!" Jihua readied his spear for another attack. Despite everything pointing to it, Jihua refused to believe that Ling Yun was stronger than him.

  He is just a useless cripple, a pebble in the side of the road that I can kick around whenever I feel like

  Before he could make his move, a black arrow shot towards him. This time he awkwardly dodged to his left but before he could regain his footing, another arrow materialised and struck him in the chest. For the second time this night, Jihua collapsed on the ground in pain.

  "Don't try to test my patience Jihua. I may look calm but inside my blood is boiling with fury. You put your dirty hands on my father Jihua. It's taking everything in me not to break every bone in your body."

  While he was talking, the effect of Feel Pain arrow ended and Jihua was free from the pain. Again he got up but this time he didn't try to pick up his spear. He had suffered intense agony two times and wasn't in a hurry for a third. His fingers were trembling as he looked at Ling Yun in shock.

  "Yo-you.. how can it be possi-"

  A cold glare from Ling Yun made the rest of his words tumble back inside his throat. Both of them were born with the same grade spiritual root. Jihua being two years older than him was always stronger in the past. But after studying under the tutelage of Mu Feixue, his cultivation had surpassed Jihua and this doesn't even take account of their real strength.

  Jihua had lived a peaceful life in the clan while Ling Yun had experienced life and death battles and now as he said before, the current Ling Yun had grown into something far beyond the likes of Jihua.

  "I've made my decision. I will take you back to the clan and expose your wrongdoings infront of everyone. The elders will decide your punishment. I made a mistake in giving you the position of young master."

  Panic started showing in Jihua's eyes. He couldn't let his scheme be exposed. Not only would he lose his position, they may decide to seal his dantian and exile him.

  "No! If this happens, I will lose everything."

  "Still thinking only about your status. Don't you realise you tried to kill your own patriarch. You still don't feel anything wrong. Has your conscience been eaten by dogs, you scum?"

  Two more arrows materialised which made Jihua jump back in fear. Fortunately, Ling Yun didn't shoot them and only looked at him menacingly. He really wanted to hurt Jihua, cause him more pain. If Ling Yun wanted, he can slowly squeeze his soul till it shatters, giving him the most painful death beyond imagination.But that would only be revenge, not justice.

  He exhaled deeply and looked at Jihua shaking in his boots. "Just keep quiet and follow me back to the clan. I don't want to make this anymore painful. You should be happy that I'm not a kinslayer like you, scum."

  Jihua looked at the spear lying near his feet. If he tried to pick it up, Ling Yun would strike him again. But he can't let Ling Yun do what he wants. Jihua was stuck between a rock and a hard place. While he was deliberating on what to do, Ling Yun turned around and looked towards the forest.

  "Uncle, so you are here too. It seems both father and son conspired together to kill my father. Are you also involved?"

  Jihua's eyes shone with renewed hope as his father stepped into the view. Now that his father has come, everything will be fine now.

  "Father! Quickly kill this trash."

  His father ignored him before looking towards Ling Yun.

  "Before we can talk, could you let my son go?"

  Now that father is here, enjoy these final moments, you trash.

  Unlike Jihua, his father Ling Yubai was really strong. Among all the current Ling clan members, only he and the patriarch have reached the late stage of Qi Refining and with the state patriarch is in, Ling Yubai is the most powerful man in the Ling clan.

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  Yubai gestured to his son to come next to him but his eyes were fixed on Ling Yun, watching for any sudden movemens. Jihua looked at Ling Yun with a jeering smile, but as he was about to walk he felt an intense bloodlust coming towards him.

  "If you don't want to suffer like before, stay ready right where you are, Jihua. And uncle, you can start by answering my questions first."

  Ling Yun kept Jihua close to him as a hostage. He didn't know if he could win against his uncle. Hearing his warning, his face paled and Jihua instinctly stopped. He looked at his father Yubai in a pleading gaze, begging to save him quickly.

  Yubai frowned at Ling Yun threatening his own son infront of him. Still he put down his spear in order to ease the tense atmosphere.

  "Boy, from your demeanor it looks like the rumours were true. You really have become an alchemist. Now as for the answer of your question, no. I didn't know and just learned about this right now."

  Yubai turned to his son who was still shivering in fear next to Ling Yun.

  "Jihua, did you really poison my elder brother, the patriarch?"

  "Father, I .. no- it's all lies that this trash-"

  "Jihua! I am not going to ask a second time. Did you poison my brother?"

  Jihua started panicking as his excuses didn't work. He was wilting like a dying flower under the gazes of both his father and Ling Yun. With no way out, he finally confessed the truth.

  "Yes, father. I.. I poisoned uncle."

  There was a momentarily beat of silence before Yubai exploded. "Jihua what were you thinking? Poisoning the patriarch, did you lose your mind?"

  Ling Yubai tried to control his rage before turning to Ling Yun and bowing deeply.

  "I apologise for my son's crimes. Sorry your father had to suffer because of him. I promise I will definitely make sure he receives his punishment. Please forgive your uncle."

  "What are you doing uncle? Please get up."

  Making someone older bow before him felt inappropriate to Ling Yun. Since his uncle wasn't involved, Ling Yun felt no ill will towards him.

  "It isn't your fault, uncle. All the blame lies on Jihua."

  Upon his urging, Ling Yubai raised his head and smiled at him. "I'm glad that you are still the same sensible child. Can you listen to your uncle's request? Don't tell others about Jihua."

  A small gust of wind rustled the leaves in the background as the cold expression on Ling Yun's face returned. He had felt a little relieved that his uncle wasn't a villain but it seems things weren't quite simple.

  "What do you mean?" Gone was the politeness and respect towards elders as he asked in a cold harsh voice.

  "If this matter gets out, Jihua would lose his position as a young master. I know he made a mistake but can't you let this go. I promise I will pay you enough to keep quite."

  "'Made a mistake'? You think poisoning someone is making a mistake? A scum like Jihua doesn't deserve to lead the clan in the future."

  Each word coming from his mouth was coated with fury. His uncle sighed in disappointment. "Boy, think carefully and understand your position. I already lowered my head and gave you enough face. Don't tempt me to pick up my spear."

  "Are you threatening me? Finally showing your true colours. Both you and your son are a rot to the clan."

  His uncle didn't react to the insult and maintained his calm. "Boy you are in a remote area in the mountains. I can easily make you disappear such that not even your corpse would turn up. So choose wisely and let my child go."

  Yubai picked his spear and pointed at Ling Yun. Killing intent burst out from him pressing down on Ling Yun. "Or are you stupid enough to really think you can beat me?"

  The challenge hung in the air as both of them were starting at each other. As much as he hated to admit, his uncle was right. Ling Yun wasn't confident in taking on his experienced uncle without using the Eternal Mourning Raven. Sure he hated them, but Ling Yun was reluctant to kill them. And most of all, he has to save his father and can't waste time on them.

  Yubai sensed the change in his expression and gestured his son to come. Seeing Ling Yun not objecting, Jihua ran towards his father. Jihua had never felt so relieved in his entire life as he hid behind his father.

  "You made the right choice, boy. Don't think about changing your mind and trying to expose Jihua. Nobody will believe you and it won't end well for you. I will personally make sure of it."

  With that threat as a parting, both father and son left the place. After Ling Yun was out of sight, Jihua couldn't help but ask.

  "Father are you sure about leaving him alive? You should have killed him."

  "Jihua, you really are a fool. That boy is an alchemist and who knows what kind of connections he has. Killing him could lead to revenge by his friends. Better to settle this matter peacefully."

  "But what if he tries to act against us?"

  Yubai snorted at the stupid question. "You never tried to understand him, did you Jihua? If you did, you would've never hatched such a foolish scheme. That boy is too much of a pacifist. He wouldn't cause trouble without good reason. That is his weakness.

  "He is trying his hardest to be sensible in this world that doesn't make sense."

  ***

  Ling Yun watched as the perpetrators against his father walk away scot free leaving him conflicted. It left a bitter taste in his mouth but he still believed not killing them was the right decision. Or rather he tried to hold on to that belief.

  Killing won't solve anything. It is wrong, wrong, WRONG WRONG!

  So lost was he in his thoughts that he failed to sense someone creeping behind him. He felt a light nudge on his shoulder. Ling Yun quickly turned around and he nearly screamed seeing a demonic beast so close to his face.

  He jumped back and materialised many arrows but sensed something was wrong. The demonic beast remained still and wasn't making any moves. He looked in confusion at the blood red eyes staring at him.

  "Little Bai ... is that you?"

  It was indeed the snake. Ling Yun needed a moment to match this terrifying appearance of the demonic serpent to the cute small little Bai. Little Bai remained in the distance and slowly opened his mouth showing a purple flower.

  "The Nine-Petaled Yin orchid flower! You really got it!" Ling Yun shouted in delight as he rushed and hugged little Bai. Now that little Bai was bigger, it made petting it a little awkward but Ling Yun didn't care. Now he can finally save his father and it was all thanks to little Bai.

  Little Bai was surprised. It wasn't expecting Ling Yun would get this close let alone pat its head like before. Adding to his demonic appearance, its hood radiates a passive intimidation aura that causes fear in anyone that sees it but all its fears were in naught. Against his mighty soul, such a paltry mental attack wouldn't even be felt by Ling Yun. Feeling Ling Yun lightly caress its neck, little Bai hissed in delight.

  No matter how much I change, master's love will remain the same.

  Putting aside the uncertain future for a moment, both master and pet let themselves go and shared this brief moment of joy.