Chapter 71-72 (Patreon)

71. Is It Okay To Kill?

The South King's Mansion in the capital city of Great Chang.

"Stop!"

Ling Yao, Lin Fei, and the other five people looked a bit dusty by now. Nine Profound Sect was very far from the capital city, and even with fast horses, it took them five days to get there.

Looking at the South King's Mansion, Ling Yao's expression was somewhat complicated.

She had lived in the mansion for a full ten years before being sent to the Nine Profound Sect to practice martial arts at the age of ten.

However, during those ten years, because of her identity, Ling Yao had a hard time having a good impression of the mansion's life.

Ling Yao dismounted her horse and went straight to the mansion's side door.

The main gate of the mansion was only opened to welcome very important people. Others usually entered through the side door.

"Stop."

The guards at the side door stopped Ling Yao, Lin Fei, and the others.

Ling Yao frowned and directly took out a token. "I'm Ling Yao."

"Is it Miss Nineteenth? Miss Nineteen, please come in."

The guards referred to the children of the South King by their numbers unless they held a title or an official position.

Recognizing Ling Yao's identity, the guards naturally did not dare to stop her.

Ling Yao led Lin Fei and the others directly into the mansion.

"Is that Miss Nineteenth? She's changed so much."

"Back then, when she was in the mansion, she was obedient and often bullied by the other princes. I didn't expect her to look so imposing now."

"That's because Miss Nineteen's mother has a low status, but Miss Nineteen's martial talent is excellent after being sent to Nine Profound Sect. From the looks of it now, she has a lot of confidence."

"Who would've thought that Miss Nineteen would come back to compete for the position of the princess."

For a while, the guards were discussing in a low voice.

In the South King's Mansion, competition for the position of the princess or prince happened from time to time if one had strength and ambition.

Although Ling Yao had a low status, she had excellent martial talent, and that was her biggest confidence.

Returning to the mansion, Ling Yao first went to see her mother.

Ling Yao's mother looked dignified and elegant and did not appear to be aging.

Although she was just a maid in the mansion, Ling Yao often sent money to her after showing her martial talent at Nine Profound Sect, so her mother's life had been much better in these years.

"Hello, Madam."

Lin Fei and the others also saluted Ling Yao's mother.

"Good, good. You've come from far away. Please sit down."

Upon seeing Lin Fei and the others, Ling Yao's mother only forced a smile and a hint of worry flickered in her eyes.

She held Ling Yao's hand and couldn't help but ask, "Yao, do you really want to compete for the position of Princess with Six?"

"Mother, I came back this time to compete for the position of Princess! Otherwise, why would I practice martial arts so hard at Nine Profound Sect?"

Ling Yao didn't hide her purpose for coming back.

Her mother sighed and said, "Yao, I am glad to see that you have ambition. However, Six has defeated six young ladies and eight young masters since becoming the Princess.

A total of fourteen competed for the position of Crown Prince, but they were all defeated by Six. Can you do it?"

Ling Yao's gaze was firm, and she said in a deep voice, "Mother, even if I can't, I have to try! You know the rules of the palace. Once a prince or princess turns eighteen and fails to win the position of Princess, they will be arranged to marry by the palace.

Once I'm married, I cannot practice martial arts at Nine Profound Sect. Without strong power, how can one control their own destiny?

Do I have to marry a fool like Thirteen Sister and cry all day long?

I don't want to accept such a fate. Therefore, no matter what, I have to try!"

The rule of the palace was that only the Princess could choose her husband after winning the position.

Only then could she control her own destiny!

"Okay, I can't control you. However, Six is shrewd. She must have already known about your return and will surely send someone to contact and investigate you.

Be careful and don't leave the palace if possible. Inside the palace, Six wouldn't dare to make a move."

Ling Yao nodded. Then, she asked the servants to arrange lodgings for Lin Fei and the others.

As the group of five walked towards the guest courtyard, they suddenly met two martial artists, one tall and thin, one short and fat.

"Nineteen, Princess heard that you came back and immediately asked us to bring you a message."

The tall and thin martial artist stopped Lin Fei and the others and said.

"Hmm? Fat Fool and Thin Fool, what message did Six send for me?" Ling Yao said coldly.

In the palace, only one person was qualified to be the Princess. That person was Six!

Only the person who won the position of Princess was qualified to be called Princess.

Of course, if it was a man, then he would be called the Prince.

"Nineteen, the Princess advises you to back down. Otherwise, if we really have to resort to force, you won't stand a chance!"

"If Nineteen you are willing to withdraw from the competition for the princess's position, then the princess can arrange a good marriage for you."

"Otherwise, if you lose, the princess has to choose a 'good husband' for you!"

The Fat and Thin Fools spoke in a strange tone.

It was clearly a threat.

If Ling Yao failed, the princess could choose a husband for her.

At that time, if she chose an idiot, then Ling Yao would be finished for life!

Ling Yao's eyes turned cold, "Sixth sister should be concerned about herself. She's not getting any younger, and if she fails and marries out, I'm afraid their marital relationship won't be too harmonious."

"Hehe, Nineteen, that's all I've to say. It's up to you what to do. However, I've heard that you have been helping fellow sect brothers everywhere in Nine Profound Sect these years.

But when it comes to vying for the princess's position, you can't even find a martial artist who gets acquired seventh level.

Moreover, what kind of experts can Nine Profound Sect produce? Miss Nineteen should give up as soon as possible with these people......"

After speaking, the Fat and Thin Fools left.

Several female disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, Li Yin, Ouyang Rong, and Xia Bing, were a little angry.

If it weren't for being in the palace, they would have taken action.

"Senior Sister Ling, where did these two come from?" Li Yin asked.

Ling Yao wasn't as angry as they were.

Instead, she said solemnly, "They are the Fat and Thin Fools under Sixth Sister, who are at acquired sixth level!

Their combined mastery can even fight against acquired seventh-level martial artists. And, besides them, Sixth Sister also has two acquired seventh-level experts under her.

In fact, our chances of winning are very small."

Ling Yao had already tried her best.

She trained hard for months and improved all the way to acquired sixth level from acquired fourth level.

Li Yin, Ouyang Rong, and Xia Bing, on the other hand, were all acquired sixth-level martial artists.

Their strength could not be underestimated.

However, they did not have an acquired seventh level martial artist.

This was their biggest disadvantage.

Originally, Ling Yao hoped that Senior Brother Chu could lend her a hand.

Senior Brother Chu had just broken through to the acquired seventh level.

Perhaps there would be more chances of winning.

Unfortunately, Senior Brother Chu was not willing to help Ling Yao compete for the princess's position.

"Sixth Sister's only weakness is that her own strength is not strong, only acquired fifth level.

But she has a deep background. With some connections from her mother's family, she has brought in some martial artists who get acquired sixth or even seventh level.

That's why she can defeat so many people and occupy the position of the princess for so many years."

Lin Fei secretly nodded.

He had already understood how the competition for the princess's position worked.

The strength itself might not be so important in the competition.

Instead, one needed some background, connections, and so on.

No matter where one finds these experts, in the eyes of the South King's Mansion, its ability to bring in these experts as support was a kind of strength in itself.

Relationships, connections, background - these were all part of one's strength.

And what about Ling Yao?

Her advantage lay in her high martial arts talent.

However, the competition for the position of princess required a comprehensive comparison of these strengths.

"Acquired seventh level is nothing. We can still give it a try!

Right, let's take care of Fat Fool and Thin Fool first when the competition begins. Then we'll focus on the two acquired seventh-level experts. We may still have a chance of winning!"

Li Yin, Ouyang Rong, and Xia Bing, the three female disciples, were all filled with fighting spirits.

They did have a chance of winning.

Especially Ling Yao, her skills in saber techniques were extraordinary.

She could even fight against an acquired seventh level martial artist for a period of time.

This would be an opportunity!

"Junior Brother Lin, do you scared now?"

Li Yin joked when she saw Lin Fei had been silent all along.

Lin Fei shook his head and didn't answer directly.

Instead, he looked in the direction where Fat and Thin Fools had disappeared.

In a calm tone, he said, "Senior Sister Ling, I just want to know one thing. Is it okay to kill in the competition?"

Although Lin Fei's tone was calm, for some reason, it made Ling Yao's heart skip a beat.

72. Killing Saber

Lin Fei's true strength remained a mystery to Ling Yao and the others, but he once disclosed that his realm was only at the Acquired Third Level.

Considering Lin Fei's exceptional saber technique, and highly possible that his inner power was three-in-one, challenging higher-level opponents was no difficult feat for Lin Fei.

Ling Yao had already raised her estimation of Lin Fei's strength, believing that he might be on par with Acquired Fifth Level.

It should not pose a problem restraining an Acquired Sixth Level martial artist, such as Fatty and Thin.

"Lin Fei, it won't be easy to deal with Fat and Thin Fools," Ling Yao warned.

"When the time comes, you can take on one of them while we deal with the other," she continued. "As for killing... except for Sixth Sister, you don't need to worry about killing anyone else."

Ling Yao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Even Sixth Sister can be killed according to the rules. But as a princess, let me do it. That way, the consequences and troubles that follow won't affect you."

Lin Fei nodded in understanding. He knew what Ling Yao meant.

The killing was allowed, even the princess. However, if they were to kill the princess, there would be repercussions and troubles that they would have to bear. As invited martial artists, it would be wiser to let Ling Yao handle it.

Lin Fei didn't say anything and retreated back into his usual silence. He rarely spoke throughout their journey, sometimes even making Li Yin and the others forget about his presence.

"Junior brother Lin, I see you have two sabers," Li Yin said with a smile. "The one on your back is probably a Star Saber, which is quite impressive. But the one on your waist doesn't look like a precious treasure saber. What's its use?"

Lin Fei glanced at the Hidden Saber on his waist and calmly replied, "It's also a killing saber. However, it cannot be drawn lightly. When the saber is drawn, blood must be shed."

Li Yin didn't take his words seriously, "You're quite the joker, Junior Brother Lin."

They were about to face Acquired Sixth and even Seventh Level experts. Even if Lin Fei drew his saber, what good would it do?

Lin Fei paid no attention to Li Yin's words and remained silent as usual.

However, Ling Yao took a deep glance at the saber at Lin Fei's waist for some reason. She seemed to somewhat believe in his words.

This saber could not be unsheathed lightly. When it was unsheathed, blood would be shed!

"Alright, everyone rests in the mansion for three days. After three days, we will officially begin the competition for the princess's position!" Ling Yao made up her mind.

So, Lin Fei and the others went to their rooms to rest.

...

In the courtyard of the princess's mansion in the South King's residence, there was only one person in everyone's mind when mentioning the princess, that was Ling Shuang!

Even among the capital of the Great Chang, Princess Ling Shuang was a household name.

She was very good at socializing and ambitious, with a deep background. She had been holding the position of princess for more than ten years by defeating one competitor after another.

At this moment, the Fat and Thin Fools arrived in front of Princess Ling Shuang.

"Your Highness, we have met Nineteenth. However, She seems unwilling to withdraw from the competition for the princess's position," Fat and Thin Fools reported respectfully.

Although the princess did not have much strength herself, she was very skilled at controlling her subordinates. Even the Fat and Thin Fools dared not be disobedient.

The princess was tall, with cold eyes. She glanced at the Fat and Thin Fools and chuckled, "Little Nineteen is of humble origin and has suffered a lot in the mansion since childhood.

Later, she was sent to the Nine Profound Sect, where she showed her talent in martial arts.

She will not give up. She must want to fight and become the princess to avenge her past and take control of her own fate!

However, she still doesn't understand that the competition for the princess's position is not something a lowly maid's daughter like her can participate in.

This time, except for Little Nineteen, I hope that no one by her side survives. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness, we understand!" The Fat and Thin Fools and the other martial artists behind the princess felt a chill in their hearts. They knew that the princess had taken murderous intent.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, Lin Fei spent most of his time in his room.

As for gathering intelligence, that was left to Ling Yao.

Lin Fei was sure that Ling Yao would make good use of these three days to gather information about the experts under Princess's command.

Only by knowing oneself and the enemy could one have a chance of winning!

Today was the day of the battle for the position of Princess's successor.

Unlike Li Yin and the others, Lin Fei had a faint understanding that this battle would be extremely dangerous.

The attitude of the Fat and Thin Fools on the day of their encounter had already made it very clear.

Today, someone might die!

Lin Fei closed his eyes and gently touched the Hidden Saber at his waist.

Having nurtured the saber for more than two months, he could clearly feel how terrifying it was.

Once he unsheathed it, it would be a shocking strike.

But he didn't know if he could defeat Acquired Seventh Level experts with it.

"System."

Lin Fei brought up the system panel.

Host: Lin Fei

Martial Arts Realm: Acquired Third Level

Three Vitality Technique: Third Level (87% progress)

Dragon-Elephant Vajra Fist: Perfection (11% progress)

Triple Wave Technique: Mastery (74% progress)

Leaping Technique: Mastery (27% progress)

Nine Shadow Saber Technique: Perfection (43% progress)

Saber-drawing Technique: Mastery (60% progress)

Flowing Clothes Skill: Transcendence (0% progress)

During these three days, Lin Fei's martial arts skills improved slightly.

Especially in the Three Vitality Technique, the training progress had reached 87%.

Although the progress of the Three Vitality Technique had decreased, Lin Fei was still able to make 3% progress every day.

In about four or five days, Lin Fei would be able to reach the acquired fourth level.

"Today is the day to fight for the position of Princess's successor. I'm still a little short of reaching the acquired fourth level.

But the difference between the third and fourth is just the amount of inner power. My inner power is enough!"

Lin Fei's gaze was calm.

Since he got the three-in-one inner power, he had already become different from ordinary martial artists, even in a class of its own.

Unless his opponent was a martial artist who also had the same three-in-one inner power, otherwise, his strength could not be judged by his level alone.

After all, even Acquired Sixth Level might not be able to surpass his current inner power. His three-in-one inner power had increased explosively by more than ten times before.

"Knock, knock, knock."

There was a knocking at the door.

Lin Fei stood up and opened the door.

"Senior Sister Ling."

It was Ling Yao who knocked on the door, followed by Li Yin and others.

"Lin Fei, are you ready?"

"I'm ready."

Ling Yao swept her gaze over everyone, her expression serious as she said in a deep voice, "In today's battle, don't hold back.

I have heard that my sixth sister is cruel and ruthless in her fights for the position of princess. There have been casualties in every battle.

So, in this battle, we must spare no effort to first kill the Fat and Thin Fools, and then go all out to deal with the remaining two Acquired Seventh Level martial artists. Only then can we have a chance of winning!"

Everyone nodded, indicating their understanding.

However, everyone felt heavy-hearted.

To concentrate their efforts on killing the Fat and Thin Fools first would not be easy.

This battle was destined to be a difficult struggle.

"Let's go!"

Ling Yao didn't say anything else.

She led Lin Fei and the others straight toward the martial arts arena in the palace.