Chapter 134: Master and Disciple's Covenant

I think if I feel worthy, then I am worthy. What, Zhao Shi, do you also want to interfere?

Ling Zhengrong's aura was forged on the battlefield, an iron-blooded wind; a slight frown and stern gaze were enough to make Zhao Shi and the others tremble.

The Valley Master of Yaowang Valley agreeing to be Ling Shaoyang's master is a great ascent for their Ling State Manor!

If we must say who is unworthy of whom, it is their Ling State Manor that is unworthy!

No, no! Lord Ling, actually if you truly want Ling Shaoyang to take a master, our Huanhuan can recommend him to Qingyun Sword Immortal; you know, she is now a disciple of Qingyun Sword Immortal, her words still carry weight, then…

Zhao Shi did not know that Ling Zhengrong had found the Valley Master of Yaowang Valley as a master for Ling Shaoyang.

Upon hearing this, Ye Huanhuan, Ye Yu, and the others were all embarrassed.

The Medicine King Gu Gu Master and Qingyun Sword Immortal—these two are not on the same level, right?

No need!

Ling Zhengrong waved his hand, his face showing deep anger.

How could the Qingyun Sword Immortal of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect compare to the Valley Master of Yaowang Valley?! What's the difference between that and dropping a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed?

Ling Zhengrong, not wanting to deal with Zhao Shi and the others, took Ling Shaoyang's hand and walked to Ye Qingran's front.

Staring at Ye Qingran for a while, Ling Zhengrong felt somewhat torn, unsure how to address her. 'Valley Master' would naturally be inappropriate, while 'Ye Family young lady' seemed a bit rude to this great figure.

"Lord Ling, after just a moment, you don't recognize me?"

Ye Qingran said with a smile; this made Ling Zhengrong's eyes flash, and he instantly understood her meaning.

He laughed heartily: "Ye Family young lady, when do we hold the initiation ceremony?"

Ye Qingran raised her eyebrows: "This isn't urgent, is it?"

"Urgent, how could it not be? Do you have time tomorrow? If not, then tomorrow, or even today would work."

Everyone: "……"

In such a hurry, are you rushing to be reborn?

They simply couldn't understand why Lord Ling was so eager. Just moments ago he was unyielding, preferring death to submission—how did he suddenly change?

Even Ling Shaoyang, as the grandson, couldn't figure it out.

Under Ling Zhengrong's strong insistence, the day for the initiation ceremony was set three days later, at the Ling State Manor.

At Ye Qingran's strong request, the initiation ceremony was kept low-key. Apart from Ye Qingran bringing along Han Xing, only the Ling family grandfather and grandson and a few attendants participated.

Ling Shaoyang poured Ye Qingran a cup of tea, kowtowed, then they ate a meal together—thus the initiation was considered successful.

Of course, Ye Qingran also gave an initiation gift. A gift that made Ling Zhengrong, this old fellow who has seen the world, gasp in surprise! He could only think to himself: 'Surely this is the handiwork of Yaowang Valley!'

However, Ling Zhengrong, on the pretext of temporarily keeping it for Ling Shaoyang, left it there, so that Ling Shaoyang, this disciple, didn't even know what his master had given him.

After lunch, Ling Zhengrong invited Ye Qingran into the study, saying he had a few words to share with her.

"Valley Master, how did you end up in Xiliang City?"

Closing the door, Ling Zhengrong eagerly asked.

Ye Qingran casually found a seat and said nonchalantly: "I am originally the daughter of General Dingyuan Yun Sui Feng; what's strange about being in Xiliang City?"

Ling Zhengrong nodded, sighing: "I had noticed you resembled Yun Sui Feng's lass, but I didn't dare think further, assuming it was just a resemblance. I never expected you to truly be her daughter!"

"You seem to be quite familiar with my mother?"

Ye Qingran caught Ling Zhengrong's affectionate way of addressing Yun Sui Feng and guessed their relationship might be good.

Ling Zhengrong nodded: 'Back then, your mother and I were both soldiers; although our jurisdictions differed, our duties were the same. I spent most of my time away, so we didn't meet often, but I have a deep impression of her.' Ling Zhengrong seemed lost in recollection, his eyes growing hazy, as if crossing through heavy time to see a certain point.

"Your mother is an outstanding person, whether in appearance or talent. Of course, what I admire most is her understanding and application of military strategy…"

Ye Qingran lightly nodded.

These years, she has focused all her thoughts on finding her child, thus neglecting her mother Yun Sui Feng. Previously, thinking that the beauty had passed, she felt there was plenty of time later to get to know her.

Now it seems that matters concerning her mother are shrouded in mist, not as simple as they appear on the surface.

For example, just recently, Ye Li gave her that handwritten letter from Yun Sui Feng, whose contents all warned her to keep a low profile, as if once she revealed her sharpness, she would invite disaster.

In the afternoon, the slanting sunlight streamed in; the May weather was already somewhat stuffy.

"Ling Old, tell me about my mother's affairs."

Ling Zhengrong was in the midst of those recollections, and with Ye Qingran's request, he naturally wouldn't refuse. He answered, thought for a moment, then spoke fluently, recounting everything in detail.

The general's recollections, even when light, are of iron horses and golden weapons, battlefield troop deployments. The heavy ones are of corpses piled in the millions, bodies wrapped in horsehide.

But that iron-blooded wind, vast and heavy, makes one's heart surge involuntarily, as if following ten thousand troops, spear in hand, slaying enemies from their horses, unleashing the hegemon's heroic spirit!

Ling Zhengrong's account was all about Yun Sui Feng's dazzling battle achievements—these were not what Ye Qingran cared about; she cared about how Yun Sui Feng actually died.

"Then how exactly did my mother die?"

General Dingyuan Yun Sui Feng, ten years ago at the Battle of Pingxingguan, was defeated by the enemy, losing thirty thousand elite troops, leaving no remains—this is the well-known fate of General Dingyuan.

But she does not believe it.

Even if she truly died in that battle, which should have been easy to win, why did it end in a crushing defeat?

This question touched Ling Zhengrong's sore spot.

As a soldier, he sympathized even more with fellow soldiers. Ten years ago, including Yun Sui Feng, thirty thousand elite troops fell in the sand at Pingxingguan, their souls lost, none returned; even though Ling Zhengrong was accustomed to life and death, he too felt heartbroken.

Those vibrant lives, before they could bloom, withered early.

Especially among them, the image of that splendidly clad, furious horseman—after charging ahead, he never returned.

"I know you don't want to believe it, but the fact is indeed so." Ling Zhengrong said softly, shaking his head, his face full of pain.

Ye Qingran gave no response; it was unclear whether she believed it or not.

"It's getting late; I should head back too." Glancing out the window, Ye Qingran rose to take her leave.

……

At the gate of the Ling State Manor, a carriage had been waiting for a while.

The grandfather and grandson of the Ling State Manor personally saw Ye Qingran to the outer gate.

Ling Shaoyang looked at this master who was perfectly legitimate, and for a moment felt somewhat dazed.

It was Ling Shaoyang's first time taking a master, and the master turned out to be a woman only two years older than them.

Ling Shaoyang still feels as if it were a dream.

"Alright, let's deliver it here."

Ling Shaoyang nodded, gazed at Ye Qingran's back, and suddenly shouted: "From now on you are my master; I will respect you, but if one day you are surpassed by me, I won't call you master any more!"

Although the youth took her as master, the youthful impetuosity in his heart would never allow him to be completely devoted.

As soon as those words were spoken, Ling Zhengrong's beard twitched, and his eyes bulged like copper bells.