Lingyan Small Group, Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven

Chapter 49: Lingyan Small Group, Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven (6.0K words - Major Chapter)

Ning Xuan was playing with a piece of dark green jade pendant.

Strands of cool sensation emanated from the jade pendant, truly calming the mind and spirit.

Although this jade pendant couldn't control Demon-Plague Warriors, it was indeed extraordinary.

The young master of Flying Eagle Tower had gone to some expense to make him believe that "this jade can control Demon-Plague Warriors."

He casually tossed the jade aside because Xiao Jie had arrived.

As soon as Xiao Jie arrived, she pounced into her young master's embrace like a swallow returning to its nest, then found her spot on his firm thighs. She wriggled her soft buttocks, settling herself obediently.

Ning Xuan waited until she was seated before asking, "May I ask the young lady's name?"

Xiao Jie was stunned. Before coming, she had actually heard the maid say, "The General was receiving some guests just now."

But it was rare for the General to seek her out immediately after receiving guests.

She scanned her surroundings.

This room was a quiet study, equivalent to Ning Xuan's private library.

She also sensed his waist, his arm still around her as usual.

Xiao Jie suddenly understood something, bit her lip, her eyes somewhat dazed as she stared into the distance, and asked softly, "If I lie, will the General kill me?"

Ning Xuan said directly, "I've already killed the person from Flying Eagle Tower."

Xiao Jie froze for a moment. Her previously stiff waist softened again, and her dazed eyes regained their shimmering luster.

She said, "My real name is Bai Yufei. When I was fleeing disaster years ago, I was in a sorry state and ended up in Wangyue Prefecture. Coincidentally, I found work copying scriptures and adopted a false name to get by.

Who doesn't want stability?

But the day I met you, Young Master, seeing your dignified and handsome appearance, my heart fluttered.

Rather than be defiled by some old man buried halfway in the earth, I'd rather follow you, handsome young master.

Even if you get tired of me and give me away, at least my first time would be with a man I liked."

As she spoke, she suddenly chuckled, "Later, during the day, I'd count my money and plan to run away, but at night, I'd snuggle up to you in your warm quilt and couldn't bear to leave. To speak of seeing the distant scenery was just planning to pack my bags. But I truly couldn't bear to leave you. Every time we were intimate, I'd always wish things could be like this forever.

But who would have thought you, Young Master, could reach this point? It's good to have a strong tree to shelter under. I won't leave anymore; my heart is tied to you, no matter what.

Alright, I've said all I needed to say. Whether you want to kill me or torture me, it's up to you. Anyway, I belong to you, Young Master, in life and in death."

She closed her eyes, tilted her snow-white neck, and assumed an air of complete submission.

Ning Xuan listened to her explanation and felt his mood lighten.

He asked again, "Why was Flying Eagle Tower pursuing you? And why were you fleeing back then?"

Xiao Jie said, "My family and Flying Eagle Tower, or rather the Ma family, do have some connection. My mother said our families and the Ma family belonged to the same sect a long, long time ago, called the Hehuan Sect.

Later, the sect declined and disputes arose, so it split into two.

My elders left with a skill called Lingyan Small Group Skill, while the Ma family possessed the skill called Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill.

My great-grandmother said our family was very powerful back then, and the Hehuan Sect was also very powerful; my grandmother said the same. But when she got old, she wasn't sure anymore, saying she might have misremembered; my mother said my great-grandmother was lying, that Lingyan Small Group Skill was just a movement technique and a way to please men.

But, even so, Lingyan Small Group Skill is a family heirloom, so she still made me cultivate it from a young age.

With this skill, my mother and I would often steal some wealth from rich and unscrupulous families to get by, and slowly we became known as flying thieves.

Later, the Ma family found us.

The Ma family was the opposite of my family. Their Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill was inherently fierce, and unlike our lineage which was passed down through generations, they quickly grew powerful after opening their doors to disciples. At that time, they not only didn't decline but even established a force called Flying Eagle Tower.

The Ma family found us and said that the reason the Hehuan Sect was so powerful back then was because of the Great Dao of Hehuan. Only by dual cultivation between women who practiced Lingyan Small Group Skill and men who practiced Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill could they mutually achieve and restore their former glory.

At that time, I was young and somewhat tempted.

But later, when my mother and I went to Flying Eagle Tower, we were imprisoned.

Fortunately, Lingyan Small Group Skill also had the ability to shrink bones. My mother and I found an opportunity and quietly escaped. Later, Flying Eagle Tower began hunting us. My mother died, and I eventually ended up in Wangyue Prefecture. This is my entire story."

Xiao Jie's expression turned somber, and then she said, "As for Lingyan Small Group Skill, I've already used it on you, Young Master. Being soft and boneless, light as a swallow, these are all results of my practicing Lingyan Small Group Skill since childhood.

But the Great Dao of Hehuan is actually a fabrication. I've practiced this method for a long time and have never seen any other miraculous effects. Moreover, if there really was such a Great Dao of Hehuan, why would Flying Eagle Tower imprison us?"

Ning Xuan held Xiao Jie in his arms and said nothing more, offering silent comfort.

Xiao Jie also snuggled quietly in her young master's embrace. No matter how difficult the past was, she had finally found her home.

The darkness had passed. In the first light of dawn, the startled fledglings had found a new home and no longer needed to live in fear.

Until Ning Xuan suddenly asked, "Can you still shrink your bones?"

Xiao Jie nodded emphatically, "Yes."

Then she added, "This time, because of my affairs, I've caused you considerable trouble. I will definitely show you new tricks tonight, Young Master."

Ning Xuan said, "You can do it now too."

Xiao Jie's cheeks flushed. She raised her small, weak fists and gently punched Ning Xuan's chest. Then, stealthily, she got up, pushed open the window to check outside, and seeing no one, she leaped back and began to use her new skills.

This time, she would unleash the full potential of Lingyan Small Group Skill to firmly secure her position as "Madam Jie."

"Whether one is moved or whether something has value" have always been two separate matters.

Ning Xuan carefully sensed the concubine in his arms.

It was an incomparably joyous, body-and-mind-pleasing sensation.

He couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions and uttered, "In the past, you were just testing the waters, never using your full strength, were you?"

Xiao Jie whimpered and replied, "It's not that I was afraid of the Young Master becoming suspicious, so I only used at most forty percent of my power."

Ning Xuan suddenly felt he had been mistaken.

He had previously thought that all the courtesans of Chenxiang Pavilion combined couldn't compare to Xiao Jie, but that wasn't the case at all.

Those courtesans combined might not even compare to a single finger of Xiao Jie.

As time passed, Ning Xuan suddenly experienced a peculiar sensation.

He felt the "stiff" qi and blood within his body beginning to become active.

Xiao Jie didn't seem to be merely seeking pleasure with him, but was engaging in a mysterious cultivation that transcended physical pleasure.

Xiao Jie's movements could actually subtly stir his qi and blood, giving that "stiffness" a wondrous sensation of "resolving stagnation," like a stagnant ocean suddenly gaining a bit of its initial power, which then began to create waves.

Waves are powerful; their force can annihilate continents and destroy mountains and forests, but a small river or even a small pond cannot.

In other words: only when qi and blood are powerful to a certain extent, or more directly, when one reaches around level 10 constitution, can it be perceived.

However, Xiao Jie's power was too small, so even when Xiao Jie exerted her full strength, it still couldn't bring about much improvement.

But even so, it was enough.

Ning Xuan wasn't without attempts at "activating blood," but they had all ended in failure.

Yet, something that had failed many times found a turning point through an intimacy with his own concubine.

Suddenly, an unbelievable thought surfaced.

Could the matters of the Hehuan Sect be true?

Immediately after, his pupils constricted slightly.

Because the second thought was naturally deduced.

If it is true, then on this land a hundred years ago, there were also many powerful individuals. Why did they decline? Was it because the demons became fewer or even disappeared for decades?

Without powerful demons, there would be less Dragon Qi obtained; without demons, there would be no Demon Cores.

Next, the third thought jumped out.

When this thought jumped out, Ning Xuan also jumped up.

Xiao Jie, however, was exhausted.

She had just exerted her full effort, consuming a great deal.

"My Lord," she gritted her teeth, "This servant can still..."

Ning Xuan quickly put on his clothes and said, "I suddenly thought of something that must be done."

Xiao Jie looked surprised. "My Lord doesn't actually believe the dual cultivation method of the Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill is real, does he?"

Ning Xuan stroked her face and said, "As expected of Madam Jie, you can guess whatever I'm thinking."

Xiao Jie smiled.

She knew her position was secured again.

The matter of her hiding things from her Lord and causing him trouble was now behind them.

"Be careful," she earnestly admonished like a virtuous wife to her husband who was about to leave.

Then, she watched Ning Xuan leave the room.

The young man, wrapped in a loose, dark robe, went out.

She still called out from behind, "My Lord, be careful."

Ning Xuan rarely took the initiative to go out.

Because going out meant having to actively do something.

He had been very lazy recently.

He was waiting for Liu Shirong.

He wanted to use merchant guilds that traveled everywhere to gather information about demons outside.

Yaozhen Immortal Aunt could also do this, and the information she could provide might even be more extensive. However, Ning Xuan didn't quite trust someone whose stance was entirely on the "Son of Heaven faction."

At the very least, he needed a second channel for information, so as not to be "blinded by a single leaf" by Yaozhen Immortal Aunt.

He didn't seek out his elder brother because his elder brother had too many matters to attend to.

His elder brother needed to maintain the Ning family's rule over the entire Wangyue Prefecture. It could be said that anything he didn't do was done by his elder brother. Otherwise, even if he were General Anyuan, if other factions were unfamiliar with him and they couldn't share the same table, he still couldn't be utilized properly.

But he was born with a dislike for such political maneuvering. His elder brother understood him and was familiar with this game, so his elder brother silently bore everything without a word.

Now, the entire Wangyue Prefecture knew that he, General Anyuan, was high and mighty. But no matter how high and mighty he was, he was still just a symbol. What they could directly interact with was Celestial Master Ugly Slave. As long as Ugly Slave was present, Wangyue Prefecture wouldn't change hands; as long as Ugly Slave was present, Wangyue Prefecture would remain peaceful and stable.

On the other side, Big Brother was still discussing the future of the Ning family with Father. It wasn't to exclude him, but because it involved too many trivial matters and arrangements. Big Brother didn't want these minor issues to affect him, such a genius of the Martial Way.

Besides that, Big Brother knew Yaozhen Celestial Master had gone to be reinforcements, so he would occasionally guard the vicinity of General Anyuan's manor. Just like when he was a child, he would silently watch over him, afraid of any weaknesses appearing in the manor's defense system.

With a Big Brother like this, who was busy from the moment he opened his eyes every day, how could he possibly have any extra tasks to assign?

As he was thinking, golden light surged from the ground beside him, along with two figures.

Ugly Slave, wearing a ghost mask, appeared holding a young man who had fainted.

This young man was none other than Qiao Ying, who had left earlier, or rather, Ma Yingxiao, the楼主 of Flying Eagle Tower.

Ning Xuan had let him go, but that didn't mean he could truly escape.

Ugly Slave bowed to Ning Xuan and was about to leave.

Ning Xuan gave Ma Yingxiao another kick, making him fall deeper into unconsciousness, and then said, "Big Brother, do you know if a group of human powerhouses appeared about a century ago?"

Ugly Slave had clearly pondered this matter before. He said, "Logically, there should have been, because the Great Generals are all remnants of that era. Then there was a gap of several decades, during which not a single Great General appeared."

Ning Xuan asked, "What about the history of that period? Dad. Did my dad tell you about it?"

Ugly Slave looked at him in astonishment, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.

He wasn't stupid.

After experiencing so much, coupled with their daily interactions and these almost habitual slip-ups in speech, he had already formed a guess.

Ning Xuan smiled, decided to lay his cards on the table, and stopped pretending. He called out again, "Big Brother."

Ugly Slave froze for a moment. A subconscious smile appeared on his face behind the mask.

But then, he stubbornly shook his head and said seriously, "If I were your Big Brother, then Mr. Taiyi would have committed a great sin. No one is allowed to use Dragon Qi to nurture family descendants unless they have His Majesty's permission. Therefore, I am not your Big Brother."

Ning Xuan said, "In your heart, you are."

Ugly Slave fell silent.

His eyes behind the ghost mask turned slightly red. Seeing the sincere expression on the young man's face opposite him, he knew that Ning Xuan had completely figured out his identity. After a slight hesitation, he nodded heavily.

Ning Xuan patted his shoulder and said, "Big Brother, let's protect the Ning family together."

Ugly Slave stubbornly said, "I told you not to call me Big Brother."

Ning Xuan smiled and said, "I know, Big Brother."

Ugly Slave also started to laugh, tears streaming down his face. He removed his mask, revealing his disfigured face, rubbed his eyes, and met Ning Xuan's gaze. They both burst into laughter.

After a while, Ugly Slave put his mask back on and said, "Mr. Taiyi didn't know either. When he was in the Imperial Capital, he was a trusted confidant of the late Emperor. Even he didn't know, so that period of history was truly erased."

Ning Xuan asked, "What about the archives and records?"

Ugly Slave replied, "The Imperial Palace was struck by heavenly lightning. A fire burned everything clean."

Ning Xuan said, "But I've discovered a place now, a place that might hide the legacy of powerhouses from recent times."

Ugly Slave asked, "Flying Eagle Tower?"

Ning Xuan said, "Although there might be something strange about it, it's still worth investigating."

Ugly Slave said, "Flying Eagle Tower isn't the problem. I'm worried about the third daughter of the Qin family causing trouble, especially since you rejected her, and her fiancé is still that Scholar Huang. Our feud with him hasn't ended yet. Adding the near 'revenge for stealing a wife' this time, I'm afraid another grievance has been added."

Ning Xuan naturally wouldn't say anything like, "That was clearly arranged by General Anyuan's manor for Qin Yi'er to come here."

Given Qin Yi'er's manipulative skills, twisting the truth wouldn't be surprising.

He thought for a moment and began to recount the Lingyan Small Group Skill, the Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill, the Hehuan Sect, and Xiao Jie's situation.

There was nothing to hide from his own brother about such matters.

Sharing information would prevent any mistakes.

Ugly Slave's eyes showed thought, then he suddenly clenched his fist and said resolutely, "Then we must go. The Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill must be obtained!!"

After speaking, his voice rose with fighting spirit, "That Scholar Huang didn't manage to kill us when we were weak, so how can he succeed now? They only know you're an unranked martial artist, but they don't know you've hidden your strength and are a first-rank martial artist. This is enough to give them a big surprise."

Ning Xuan: ...

He moved his lips, wanting to tell his Big Brother that he was actually second-rank.

But in the end, he didn't say it.

Reaching first rank from unranked in such a short time could still be explained as him being a genius, a prodigy. But if he reached second rank, it would be harder to explain.

This matter was too bizarre to talk about.

Ning Xuan thought for a moment, then suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Big Brother, listen to me, I have a plan."

Three days later, at noon, a torrential rain washed over the land.

Ning Xuan heard the nagging of Yaozhen Immortal Aunt again.

"General Ning, you are a general enfeoffed in Wangyue Prefecture. Logically speaking, without His Majesty's decree or any special circumstances, you are not allowed to leave your fief."

The Tiger Tally had made Ning Xuan a legitimate general in this land. He could allow his partner to use the Dragon Fire here for alchemy and cultivating resources, and he could make both the overt and covert Prefects of the region obey him.

But the Tiger Tally was also a restriction.

As soon as he left his fief, his partner would know immediately.

but it was only known that he had left, not that his movements could be tracked in real-time.

"Ning Xuan, I've covered for you for three days. I haven't said a word. You should go back!"

Ning Xuan replied, "Yaozhen, I'm just going out to clear my head and let my horse roam freely. I need to digest the inner demons produced by that Demon Core so I can better serve His Majesty."

"How can the General be so glib again? Ah! Never mind for now."

Yaozhen Immortal Aunt had clearly encountered an emergency.

The mumbling in Ning Xuan's ears finally stopped.

The sound of heavy rain washing over his bamboo hat and straw cloak could be heard.

His warhorse tossed its head, breaking through the curtain of rain.

"How much further?" he asked in a calm tone to the Young Tower Lord, who was half a horse length ahead of him.

The Young Tower Lord gave a wry smile. "Don't worry, General. I want to live, so I won't lead you astray. But what do you plan to do once you reach Flying Eagle Tower?"

Ning Xuan opened his mouth and bluffed, "This General wishes to join Flying Eagle Tower, learn the Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill, and then confirm if the ancient legend of the Harmonious Union Great Dao is true. If it is, this General will surely join forces with the Young Tower Lord to bring Flying Eagle Tower to greater glory."

The Young Tower Lord said, "Although my tower has retainers, none have ever reached General Ning's level. Others may not be able to, but General Ning might truly be able to. Alas, I only hope General Ning is sincere."

Ning Xuan nodded and continued to stabilize him, "There is no conflict between our families. Since things have been clarified, there is no issue. After this matter is settled, you should move to Wangyue Prefecture."

As they spoke, the two swift horses had already passed through the woods and arrived at a peculiar terrain.

It was an inland lake hidden by trees, with a moderately sized island in the middle. A tall building and rows of stone houses stood on it.

The building was nine stories high, about thirty feet tall, while the stone houses were only about ten feet high.

The only path to this lake was a series of locked bamboo raft bridges.

At this moment, the rain was pouring down, the lake surface rippling with circles of waves, and the bamboo rafts bobbed up and down with the clear water.

There were two watchtowers at the head of the bridge, with simple wooden houses on them. Figures could vaguely be seen inside, looking outwards.

The Young Tower Lord said, "General, it's just ahead."

With that, he tugged on the reins and was about to spur his horse forward.

But he didn't succeed.

Ning Xuan, who had appeared beside him at some unknown time.

He did nothing, merely emitting a slight trace of blood energy. The warhorse, which had been about to charge, suddenly quieted down, its legs trembling, and then knelt down.

The Young Tower Lord, thrown from the horse, landed steadily but dared not move. He could only look at Ning Xuan in surprise and ask, "General, what do you mean by this?"

Ning Xuan said, "One Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill in exchange for your life and an opportunity for Flying Eagle Tower to rise. It's quite cheap, isn't it?"

The Young Tower Lord nodded repeatedly. "Cheap."

Ning Xuan asked, "Are you your father's only child?"

The Young Tower Lord gave a wry smile. "No."

Immediately after, he added, "If I were, I wouldn't have volunteered myself to seek merit and risked leading retainers to try and snatch a tiger's teeth from your manor."

Ning Xuan sighed, "Sometimes, it's really not easy for people to just want to live well."

The Young Tower Lord also sighed and then replied, "The General speaks the truth."

They were both intelligent people. The Young Tower Lord already knew what he had to do.

He took a deep breath, stood on this side of the bamboo raft floating bridge, gathered his energy, and shouted, initiating a communication.

Soon, people began to emerge from the nine-story building and the stone houses.

As the communication progressed, those inside understood the meaning from this side, and they all looked at Ning Xuan with tense and complicated expressions.

Ning Xuan took off his bamboo hat, his black hair wet and slicked back, revealing his young face.

At this moment, an old man pushed through the crowd, his voice loud. He cupped his hands and shouted, "This old man, the楼主 of Flying Eagle Tower, Ma Changfeng, greets the General. The General has traveled a long distance and encountered this downpour. Please enter the tower. Allow this old man to prepare some humble wine to welcome the General. We can discuss the rest over the banquet."

Ning Xuan shouted back, "Does楼主 Ma know what it means when 'gods fight and mortals suffer'?"

Ma Changfeng's expression did not change. He chuckled, "Of course, I do. But Flying Eagle Tower is merely a force in the mortal martial world. How could we get involved in a fight between gods? Hahaha, General is worrying too much. Please, enter the tower quickly."

Ma Yingxiao was stunned and shouted, "Father! General Ning is sincere."

Ma Changfeng said sternly, "You unfilial son, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes. The opportunity had been given, and they refused it. Their words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

He stopped wasting words and got straight to the point, "Since楼主 Ma believes I cannot take the Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill, why not send someone out to try a few moves?"

After speaking, he pointed to the bobbing bamboo raft floating bridge, "Let's try it here."

Ma Changfeng asked, "How shall we try?"

Ning Xuan said, "Let's have three matches. If you lose three matches, hand over the Divine Eagle Overturning Heaven Skill."

Ma Changfeng said, "Alright."