Chapter 621: Grievances Repay Grievances

When Linghu Xing stepped out of the Su Family courtyard gate, her steps were swift, swift enough that her skirt's hem dragged a hurried trace on the ground.

She did not look back, did not pause, as if she were someone desperate to flee something.

But after walking a dozen or so steps, her pace suddenly slowed, growing slower and slower, until she finally stopped beneath an Old Locust Tree.

Linghu Dongyuan followed behind her, watching her halted silhouette, and did not step forward to disturb.

He stood there, a few steps away, watching Linghu Xing's Shoulders tremble slightly.

After a while, Linghu Xing finally turned slowly.

The cold indifference that had been on her face was gone.

Tearful glints swirled in her eye sockets, her Mouth pressed white, and she seemed suddenly stripped of all strength, a completely different person from the lofty Linghu Xing who had been in the Su Family courtyard moments ago.

She looked at Linghu Dongyuan, her Mouth moving several times before a voice emerged.

"Elder Dongyuan… am I being too overbearing…"

Linghu Dongyuan sighed, walked up to her, and as he gazed at Linghu Xing's pale, emaciated face, his eyes were filled with compassion.

"A Xing, are you being too cruel to yourself?"

His voice was light and slow, like an old father speaking to his own daughter.

"The Cold Hall is indeed hard to deal with, but Jiang Feng is after all a Martial Ancestor Strongman, and he has Kunlun's Faction behind him. Perhaps if you tell him the truth, he could help you."

Linghu Xing heard this and shook her head vigorously.

She raised her hand to wipe her eye corner; her voice regained some steadiness, yet still carried a deep fatigue.

"Although Jiang Feng's strength is great, this is still a matter of our Linghu Family. Back then I didn't want Xue Yan and Guo Hua to get involved; now… I have no reason to let him get involved either."

She paused, as if recalling something, and a hint of indefinable emotion slipped into her tone.

"Moreover… his marriage to Xue Yan, I haven't approved it yet."

Linghu Dongyuan heard this and couldn't help but be both amused and exasperated. His heart had been heavy, but Linghu Xing's words almost made him lose his composure.

He shook his head, looked at Linghu Xing, and his tone carried a touch of helpless teasing.

"A Xing, having a Martial Ancestor as a son-in-law, you're really lucky. Such talent, throughout the entire Linghu Family, there's no second, what more could you be dissatisfied with?"

Linghu Xing snorted, and said nothing further.

Linghu Dongyuan suppressed his smile and spoke earnestly.

"I think I must report this to the family immediately. I trust that once the senior ancestors learn of this news, they will certainly…"

"Fifth Uncle."

Linghu Xing interrupted him, her voice becoming serious.

Linghu Dongyuan closed his mouth, looked at her, and waited for her to continue.

"Among the family elders, I trust only you. My Injury has recovered; from today onward, I will go to Despair Valley to seek a chance to break through the Martial Ancestor."

Linghu Dongyuan's Pupils narrowed slightly.

"Despair Valley?"

His voice even changed pitch.

"A Xing, do you know what that place is? It's a place even a Martial Ancestor dares not easily set foot in, and you, a Half-step Martial Ancestor…"

"I know."

Linghu Xing interrupted him again, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

"These years, although I was unconscious, my spiritual consciousness has been drifting. I can feel that Despair Valley will be the sole opportunity for me to break through the Martial Ancestor."

Linghu Dongyuan's Mouth moved, wanting to persuade further, but seeing Linghu Xing's steadfast eyes, he knew he could not sway her. He knew her temperament better than anyone; once she decides, not even nine oxen could pull her back.

Linghu Xing continued.

"As for Jiangnan… let A Xue stay in Jiangnan. If Xue Yan returns, please have the family refrain from interfering with her life."

Linghu Dongyuan's expression grew complex, he remained silent for a while, then nodded firmly.

"Rest assured, I will take good care of Xue Yan."

He paused, his voice carrying an unmistakable worry.

"But you… really intend to go to Despair Valley?"

Linghu Xing gave no answer.

She stood there, gazing into the distance, her eyes passing through the outline of the Su Family courtyard wall, landing on an unseen place.

She was silent for a few breaths, then inhaled deeply, turned, and faced east.

"I have my own path to walk."

As the words fell, her figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

Linghu Dongyuan stood where he was, watching the direction Linghu Xing disappeared, shook his head, and let out a long sigh.

He stood there in silence for a long time, then slowly turned, preparing to return to the Su Family.

But just as he turned, he saw a person.

Jiang Feng stood at the Su Family courtyard entrance, staring at him with a cold, indifferent face.

The expression was calm, revealing no joy or anger, yet Linghu Dongyuan could sense an indescribable pressure in that tranquility, as if a pair of eyes were behind him watching his every move.

Jiang Feng spoke, his voice low and tone indifferent.

"What foul water are the Linghu Family actually holding back?"

Linghu Dongyuan's steps halted.

His mouth opened, about to speak, but Jiang Feng gave him no chance to utter a word.

"Although Linghu Xing deliberately appears very cold, I always think she has her own grievances."

Jiang Feng's gaze swept across Linghu Dongyuan's face, like a blade scraping his skin.

"Of course, whether she has grievances or not I don't care. What I care about is another matter."

Linghu Dongyuan stood in place, said nothing, waiting for Jiang Feng to finish speaking.

Jiang Feng put down the hand that was clasping his arm, stepped forward two steps, and stood before Linghu Dongyuan.

He looked at Linghu Dongyuan, and spoke word by word; his voice was low, yet each word carried undeniable weight.

"No matter what you intend, I will not let you harm Xue Yan a single hair."

Linghu Dongyuan's back slightly stiffened, but he offered no rebuttal, nor any explanation.

He only stared at Jiang Feng, waiting for the words that followed.

Jiang Feng continued, his Tone becoming more direct.

"Now, I have other matters for your Linghu Family to do."

Linghu Dongyuan slightly exhaled a breath.

He straightened his posture, looked at Jiang Feng, and his Tone also returned to seriousness.

"You saved Ah Xing; my Linghu Family owes you a favor. Speak, what does Old brother need to do?"

Jiang Feng looked at him, his Mouth corners slightly lifted, revealing a faint Laughter.

"Very simple."

He said.

"I want you to use the Linghu Family's intelligence system to uncover all the Dongfang Clan's deployments in Jiangnan, and also the whereabouts of Dongfang Jue."

Linghu Dongyuan's whole body quivered, his eyes suddenly widened. He looked at Jiang Feng, and his voice was somewhat tense.

"What do you need these for?"

Jiang Feng put away that Silk Laughter, and his expression turned very calm, as calm as the sea surface before a storm.

"Nothing."

"Just a case of repaying a grudge with a grudge, a grievance with a grievance."

Linghu Dongyuan's Mouth moved, as if to say something, but seeing Jiang Feng's eyes without any ripple, all his words became pale and powerless.

He remained silent for a while, and finally only nodded.

"Old brother understands. Give me three days."