Chapter 65 Settling Accounts

“Officer Sun, you flatter me. How could I dare put on airs in front of you?” Chu Tianxiong bowed deeply, not daring to move an inch, his back already soaked with sweat. The man before him was the true power in Jiangzhou, the one who could truly wield authority. Compared to him, Chu Tianxiong was utterly insignificant.

In this moment, regret filled his heart—why had he chosen to help Ling Da? Why had he mocked Ling Xiao? Now he’d really kicked the hornet’s nest.

Officer Sun cast him a cold glance and snorted. “As long as you understand.”

Having said this, he ignored Chu Tianxiong, stepped around him, and walked straight toward Ling Xiao.

“Young Master Ling, I’ve come without an invitation. I hope you won’t hold it against me?”

It’s said that one does not strike a smiling face; though Ling Xiao was proud, he understood etiquette. Since the other was giving him respect, he would not slight him in return.

“Officer Sun, your presence honors us. Thank you.”

“Heh, we both serve under the same banner. With your grandfather celebrating his birthday, it was only right that I come to offer my congratulations.”

At these words, everyone present was filled with confusion. Ling Xiao was only eighteen—how could he possibly serve alongside Officer Sun?

Especially Ling Da Bo, who could not help but ask, “Officer Sun, what do you mean by that?”

Officer Sun was slightly taken aback and, glancing at the calm expression on Ling Xiao’s face, was somewhat surprised.

“Young Master Ling, you haven’t told your family that you are already a major general in the Dragon Division?”

That casual sentence plunged the entire Ling Family Village into dead silence.

A major general in the Dragon Division? At eighteen? Had such a thing ever happened in the history of China?

The Ling family—was Ling Xiao destined for the heavens?

No one doubted the news; the man who delivered it had more than enough authority to make it credible.

In that moment, both Ling Da Bo and Ling San Shu turned deathly pale.

A major general! At eighteen! What about ten or twenty years from now? How formidable would Ling Xiao become then? The bitter irony was, they had so recently disdained him.

Heavens, how foolish had they been? How recklessly self-destructive?

The old master of the Ling family was already sobbing uncontrollably.

“My son, open your eyes and see—your boy has made a name for himself! Oh, oh...”

The villagers of Ling Family Village, in that moment, cast aside all fear and resentment toward Ling Xiao. From now on, there was only the deepest reverence.

For Ling Xiao was the pride of the entire village.

With a broad gesture, the village chief signaled, and without hesitation the villagers knelt down. Once someone led the way, the rest followed like a crashing wave.

At that moment, the young man stood proud at the threshold of the Ling family estate, receiving the worship of thousands.

This was the birth of a legend.

Even Mu Yiren’s heart was pounding. Though she had once witnessed the powerful figures of Jiangzhou kneeling before her, that event paled in both scale and grandeur compared to this.

Today, these people did not kneel to the Young Lord of Ghost Valley, but to a major general of the Dragon Division.

The Dragon Division—guardians of the nation’s order, protectors of China’s safety. And her husband, Mu Yiren’s husband, was not only among their most honored ranks, but a major general, noble and revered.

Even Mu Yiren’s blood surged with pride.

Ling Xiao was now a legend in her eyes, one she could not help but fall deeper and deeper into.

Ling Xiao glanced around before speaking.

“Today is my grandfather’s seventieth birthday. Thank you all for coming to celebrate with him. But aside from honoring my grandfather, there is a family matter I must address.

“Officer Sun, Chief Cao, Daochu—you are all prominent figures in Jiangzhou. Village chief, you are the head of Ling Family Village. I’d like to invite you all inside to witness this matter for my family.”

With that, he took his grandfather by one hand and Mu Yiren by the other and led them into the courtyard.

Officer Sun turned to the others. “Since Young Master Ling has spoken, let’s go in.”

“Of course.”

They each followed. Ling Da Bo and Ling San Shu exchanged glances, fear written all over Ling San Shu’s face.

“Big brother... what do we do?”

Ling Da Bo gritted his teeth.

“Let’s go and see! With the Hua family behind me, I refuse to believe he could overturn the heavens.”

With that, Ling Da Bo was the first to enter, followed by a trembling Ling San Shu.

Ling Xiao led his grandfather and Mu Yiren into the main hall, where Ling Da Niang still sat at the head seat, legs crossed, chatting and laughing with Ling San Shen.

Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly.

“With grandfather still alive, who gave you the courage to take the seat of honor?”

Ling Da Niang frowned. “Does where I sit concern you? Besides, with your uncle’s current status, it’s only natural we take these seats. Who are you to question us?”

Ling Xiao answered icily, “Zhang Daochu!”

“Here, sir!”

“Slap her!”

“Yes, sir!”

Zhang Daochu stepped forward. Ling Da Niang’s face changed drastically.

“Hey! Ling Xiao, you little brat, what do you think you’re doing?”

Before she finished, Zhang Daochu had already seized her arm, yanked her over, and slapped her twice, sending her sprawling to the ground. Both sides of her face swelled until she resembled a pig’s head.

“Ah! You—you dare hit me? You little bastard, are you looking for death?”

“Insolence! Shameless woman, still you will not hold your tongue?”

Zhang Daochu swung again, two more slaps drawing blood from her mouth.

Ling Ran and Ling Xin rushed forward.

“How dare you hit my mother? You’re dead!”

Zhang Daochu snorted and kicked Ling Ran to the floor.

Ling Xin, still young, was spared, but she was cunning. She struck at Zhang Daochu’s vital point. Zhang Daochu, being an ordinary man, would have suffered badly had she hit her mark.

Narrowing his eyes, Ling Xiao stepped in and sent her flying with a single kick.

This scene was witnessed by Ling Da Bo as he entered, and he shouted angrily, “Ling Xiao, what are you doing?”

Ling Da Niang rushed over, clutching her daughter, wailing.

“Ling, you heartless thing! Look what your nephew has done to us! If you don’t avenge us today, then I want a divorce!”

Ling Da Bo glared at Ling Xiao, his fury barely contained.

“Ling Xiao, you’ve gone too far! Don’t think that a bit of ability gives you the right to act this arrogantly! Do you still have any respect for the rules? Do you even acknowledge me as your uncle?”

But Ling Xiao didn’t spare him a glance.

He simply helped his grandfather back into the seat of honor, then stood at his side with Mu Yiren.

“Ling Da, in my eyes, you’re not even worth a fart.”