Chapter 140: I Want to Toy with You, the Way One Torments a Dog

The Su family had fallen, and a new legend had been born.

The battle at Upper Lake had given the people of Jiangnan more than enough to talk about.

The name Ling Xiao had become divine in a single battle.

...

Night fell. Zhang Wenhe brought Ling Xiao to Jiangnan’s Enchanted Palace.

“Young Master, the Enchanted Palace is one of Jiangnan’s finest establishments. I hear it’s filled with all kinds of beautiful women, and the service is among the best in the region. You could say it’s one of the most exclusive clubs in Jiangnan. I’ve reserved a presidential suite for you. Would you like to go upstairs and enjoy yourself?”

Ling Xiao cast him a cool glance.

“It would be best if you came to places like this less often in the future. Beauty is but a skeleton beneath the skin, and such temptations disturb one’s cultivation. Martial artists in particular are prone to developing inner demons.”

“I’ll remember your lesson, Young Master. In that case, shall I cancel the suite?”

“No need. Since we’re already here, let’s go in and take a look. But there had better not be a next time.”

“Yes, Young Master! Allow me to open the door for you.”

Zhang Wenhe opened the car door and ushered Ling Xiao into the Enchanted Palace. The moment they entered, a group of extravagantly dressed, exceptionally attractive young women came toward them.

“Gentlemen, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Enchanted Palace? Would you like some company?”

Zhang Wenhe’s expression turned cold.

“Get lost! What makes you think you’re worthy of entertaining my young master?”

The women were offended. Their expressions hardened as they turned and walked away.

“Hmph! What are you so proud of?”

“Exactly! Do you think having a little money makes you special?”

“Damn it! What did you say? Say that again!”

Zhang Wenhe was about to charge forward and beat them, but Ling Xiao waved his hand.

“Forget it. They’re nothing but ants. Don’t dirty your hands.”

“Yes, Young Master. Your magnanimity is truly admirable.”

“It has nothing to do with magnanimity. I’m telling you that as my subordinate, you must carry yourself with more dignity. The way you behaved just now—how were you any different from the brainless henchmen of villains in those trashy novels?”

“Uh...”

Zhang Wenhe awkwardly rubbed his nose.

Ling Xiao shook his head and went upstairs. Zhang Wenhe hurried after him.

The two entered the presidential suite and had only just sat down when a woman of extraordinary bearing walked through the door.

She wore her short hair just above her ears and appeared to be in her early thirties. Dressed in a silver, diamond-studded dress that clung tightly to her hips, she revealed one side of her ample cleavage and a pair of long, ivory-white legs.

The instant he saw her, Zhang Wenhe swallowed hard, his eyes gleaming with desire.

“Gentlemen, I’m the president of the Enchanted Palace. My name is Qi Xue. Welcome to our establishment. On behalf of the club, I’d like to present you with two bottles of Rémy Martin. I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Wenhe chuckled.

“I’m sure we will. If President Qi could sit down and keep us company, we’d enjoy ourselves even more!”

“Mr. Zhang, you certainly know how to joke.”

Qi Xue said it with a smile, but a flicker of disgust flashed through her eyes.

“Gentlemen, I won’t disturb you any longer. If you need anything, just give the order. Our club will do everything in its power to ensure your satisfaction.”

Ling Xiao waved his hand, signaling for her to leave.

Qi Xue smiled sweetly and withdrew slowly. Zhang Wenhe continued watching her with obvious reluctance.

Only after Qi Xue had completely left did Zhang Wenhe suddenly feel an oppressive force descend upon him. Before he could react, a tremendous force sent him flying.

With a loud bang, he slammed into the wall, nearly displacing his internal organs.

Clutching his chest, he struggled to his feet and looked at Ling Xiao with a pained expression.

“Young Master, why did you kick me?”

Ling Xiao’s face was icy.

“If it weren’t for the years of unwavering loyalty shown by Zhang Daochu, I would have kicked you to death just now!”

Seeing the innocent look on Zhang Wenhe’s face, Ling Xiao continued coldly, “Take a good look at the despicable way you were acting. You’ve completely disgraced Ghost Valley!”

Zhang Wenhe could not help muttering, “Young Master, I was only teasing her.”

The moment he finished speaking, the temperature in the room abruptly dropped several degrees.

“Go ahead and say one more word.”

Zhang Wenhe immediately shrank his neck.

Only after seeing him settle down did Ling Xiao continue.

“When you’re out in the world, you can be arrogant if you wish, but don’t bring that lecherous behavior in here. You’re supposed to be a warlord. Why are you acting like some shameless degenerate? Didn’t you notice the disgust in that woman’s eyes?”

“Throughout history, everyone who has accomplished great things has acted with openness and integrity. Your aptitude is quite good. If you cultivate properly, I can make you a general in the future. But don’t say I didn’t warn you: if you neglect your proper path, then for the rest of your life, all you’ll be fit to do is take over Daochu’s position.”

Only then did Zhang Wenhe put away his aggrieved expression and answer solemnly, “Yes, Young Master. I understand!”

“Good. Now leave and let me have some peace and quiet.”

“All right, Young Master. This Rémy Martin is nothing special. I’ll go get you two bottles of something better!”

“Go.”

After Zhang Wenhe left, Ling Xiao rubbed his temples and closed his eyes to rest.

Although he had destroyed the Su family, that alone was not enough to seize Jiangnan.

Jiangnan was the territory of the Blade Emperor Sect. Unless the Blade Emperor Sect was destroyed, even if he took control of Jiangnan, they could reclaim it at any moment.

Changing orders from morning to evening was meaningless if the root of the problem remained unresolved.

Besides, he had to retrieve the White Tiger Darksteel Token hidden within Jiangnan University.

Only by taking first place in the Contest of the Hundred Sects and becoming Martial Alliance Leader could he destroy the Hua family without provoking trouble from the Dragon Group.

Although Ling Xiao and Ghost Valley currently possessed enough strength to contend with the Hua family, the Dragon Group would inevitably be drawn into the conflict. By then, he would not merely be dealing with the Hua family.

After all, the Dragon Group was the very essence of the nation, and it also possessed the authority to command the martial world.

But once Ling Xiao became Martial Alliance Leader, even the Dragon Group would not dare do anything to him.

That did not mean Ling Xiao feared the Dragon Group.

As one man, why would he fear the whole world? But he had a family, a grandfather, Yi Ren, and more than a hundred thousand disciples in Ghost Valley.

He could not possibly guard all of them twenty-four hours a day.

Only when a person’s prestige reached a certain height could he become truly invincible beneath the heavens—and protect everyone he wished to protect.

Moreover, Ling Xiao did not want to harm the Dragon Group. To the nation, that would be a devastating blow. If it invited the barbarians to invade, would that not make him a criminal against the entire country?

...

As he was thinking, the door opened once again. A tall, beautiful woman in a qipao entered, carrying a bottle of premium Louis XIII.

Her features were exquisite, and she wore only light makeup. The slit in her qipao rose all the way to her waist, and she swayed seductively as she walked.

“Sir, hello. Here is the Louis XIII you ordered. Would you like me to open it now?”

The voice sounded vaguely familiar. Ling Xiao frowned slightly, lowered his hand, and glanced at her.

That single glance caused the temperature in the room to plunge once again.

“So it’s you, you bastard!”