Let go of that nun

An hour later, Thousand-household Liu left. Although he had not taken away the "local specialties" he wanted, he was exceptionally excited.

Once he earned merit and a promotion, he could go asking other thousand-households for "local specialties." Why would he care about this little offering from Bailing County?

If he could catch Governor Cao's eye, he might become more than a Pacification Commissioner. An even higher office could await him.

After leaving Bailing County, Thousand-household Liu stopped his horse and looked back toward the Hundred-household Office.

He kept feeling that Lin Lang did not seem afraid of him, a thousand-household.

Either Lin Lang had someone backing him, such as the Eastern Depot, or his martial arts were formidable enough that he felt himself no weaker than Liu.

Liu was a Martial Arts Master. Lin Lang was only in his early twenties and had no master's lineage. Could he really have reached the level of a Martial Arts Master with nothing but the Golden Body Child Skill?

"Have someone watch the Bailing County Hundred-household Office. Any major developments must be reported to me."

He recalled what Hundred-household Li had said. If Lin Lang really succeeded, he absolutely could not let Lin Lang go over his head and claim the credit from the Eastern Depot!

If Lin Lang's plan really worked, Governor Cao could deliver a resounding slap to the Iron-Gallant Divine Marquis's face. In his delight, he would certainly be generous with his rewards.

This was a great achievement that could lift Liu to higher office, even make him Governor Cao's favorite. He absolutely could not let it slip!

"Oh, and issue a warrant for Tian Boguang in the name of the Thousand-household Office."

Whether the killer was Tian Boguang or not, the blame was now pinned on him. Liu had to make a show of doing something, or his subordinates' loyalty would crumble.

After Thousand-household Liu left, Lin Lang called Wang Wu and Jia Liu inside.

"Here. This is a first-rate saber technique, the Eight-Gate Golden-Lock Saber. Both of you practice it diligently. How will you keep your men in line without strength?"

Wang Wu caught the saber manual. "My lord, you've been so good to me. You're like a parent who gave me a second life."

Jia Liu immediately added, "Even if you ordered me to die, my lord, may heaven strike me with five thunderbolts if I so much as furrow my brow!"

Lin Lang lazily lifted his teacup. He was not Cao Zhengchun, who had no chance of fathering a son. Why would he casually take someone as his son?

"Serve me well, and I won't mistreat my own people."

"I'll be heading out in a couple of days. I'm leaving the Hundred-household Office in your hands."

Wang Wu and Jia Liu immediately said in unison, "My lord, we'll go with you."

Lin Lang glanced at them. "I'm going to kill Tian Boguang. Are you two up to that? Practice your martial arts properly. Only then can you come with me to handle important matters."

Admiration filled Wang Wu's and Jia Liu's faces. They had never thought Hundred-household Li had treated Lord Lin particularly well, yet now that he was dead, Lord Lin was actually going to avenge him. What extraordinary loyalty and righteousness!

They hoped their lord would return safely. They certainly did not want to find another powerful leg to cling to.

Two days later, Lin Lang mounted a swift horse and departed.

He headed south all the way.

"Once I cross Hengyang Ridge, I should reach the place in another day."

When Lin Lang dismounted to relieve himself, he suddenly heard the sounds of fighting in the distance.

More importantly, he heard a woman crying for help. That voice rated at least four plus signs.

Sword in hand, he rushed toward the sound.

Beside a mountain stream, Tian Boguang was grinning as he looked Yilin over. "I've never had a taste of a nun before. A pretty little nun like you-why take the vows?"

"Today, I'll help you return to secular life. From now on, you'll be my woman."

Yilin gritted her teeth. "In your dreams! I'd rather die than let you defile me!"

She had been heading to the Hengshan School. Along the way, she had parted from her master and the others, hoping to gain some experience on her own.

Never had she expected to encounter the notorious rapist Tian Boguang. She had failed to withstand even a single move from him.

Tian Boguang's hand darted out like lightning, tapping two points on Yilin's body. "You need my permission even to die! There's a cave just ahead. It'll make a perfect bridal chamber."

Despair filled Yilin's face. She regretted setting out alone for experience. She had never imagined the martial world could be so dangerous.

Even as a disciple of the Hengshan School, a prestigious major school, she had met with such a fate.

Tian Boguang was about to pick Yilin up and carry her to the cave when he suddenly heard an angry roar. "Let go of that nun!"

A figure came sprinting from the distance. Tian Boguang scoffed. From that movement technique alone, he could tell the newcomer was no disciple of a prestigious major school.

And even if he was, so what? In his early twenties, reaching the first-rate level of the martial world would already be impressive. Could he possibly stop Tian Boguang?

All Tian Boguang had to do was announce his name, and the newcomer would flee in terror.

If he did not run, Tian Boguang would kill him. Out here in these deserted mountains, no one would know who had done it anyway.

"Where did you crawl out from, brat? You dare spoil Tian Boguang's fun? Get lost, or my saber won't care who it cuts!"

Lin Lang came up to the pair and looked at Yilin, speaking loudly. "Don't be afraid. I'm here to save you."

This delicate, otherworldly little nun, so pitiful and vulnerable, had to be Yilin, a disciple of the Hengshan School.

He finally understood why Wu Zetian had still won the emperor's affection after becoming a nun. That smoothly rounded head paired with exquisite features, especially with those plain-colored monastic robes, lent her a distinct kind of beauty.

Tian Boguang: "???"

Has this brat never heard my name?

That can't be right. I'm more famous than the elders of many prestigious major schools, even if it's all notoriety.

"Brat, are you courting death?"

Yilin mustered her courage and said, "Young hero, run! His martial arts are very powerful. You can't beat him."

She hoped to be rescued too, but judging by Lin Lang's age, his strength was probably similar to hers. How could he possibly be Tian Boguang's match?

Tian Boguang was a Martial Arts Master. In their Hengshan School, only the three senior nuns of the Ding generation stood a chance against him.

As though he had only just noticed Tian Boguang, Lin Lang looked at him with delight in his eyes. "You're Tian Boguang, the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wanderer?"

He had been planning to use the Jinyiwei's men to track him down. He had never expected to run into him here.

Tian Boguang carried quite a hefty bounty on his head. He was like a banknote that had sprouted legs.

He was also an excellent sparring partner, one who might help Lin Lang take his Evil-Warding Sword Technique a step further.

Once he killed Tian Boguang, he could pin Hundred-household Li's death firmly on him. Not only could he close the case, he could also earn merit.

Looked at that way, the pointy-mouthed, monkey-cheeked Tian Boguang seemed much more endearing.

Lin Lang's gaze provoked Tian Boguang. "What school are you from? My saber doesn't slay nameless nobodies."

He was probably some disciple of a prestigious major school who had only just come down from the mountains and had no idea how formidable Tian Boguang was. Today, Tian Boguang would teach this junior the price of meddling!

Lin Lang drew his longsword. "Don't worry. If I kill you, you won't have broken your rule."

"Tian Boguang, I hope your saber technique really is as powerful as the rumors say. Don't disappoint me."

"Oh, there's another question I'd like to ask. I hear your saber is very quick. Is that other thing very quick too?"

No man could endure such humiliation. Tian Boguang immediately released Yilin, drew the saber at his waist with lightning speed, and swept it toward Lin Lang's neck.

"People who offend me die very quickly too!"

Yilin closed her eyes in anguish. It was over. That young hero was doomed.

But suddenly, she heard the rapid, repeated clash of weapons beside her. Had the young hero not lost after all?