Villains: Starting with the Landlady

Page 115

He pressed his head against Ning Zhongze's stomach, feeling the beating of his own flesh and blood.

"The imperial physician came to see me and said the fetus is probably close to three months along... I thought it was just because I'm getting old and my period hasn't come, but I never expected it to be like this..."

"Yes, it's been three months."

Ling Yun pulled her into his arms, nuzzled her fair cheek, and kissed her twice: "Sister Ning, you seem to have become even more voluptuous now?"

"Yes, you'll probably get even fatter in the future, right?"

“This isn’t called fat, it’s called voluptuous.” Ling Yun’s large hand started to act up. “I just like voluptuous older sisters.”

"But the child..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Chapter 281 The Daily Life of the Prince of Yan

Ling Yun held Ning Zhongze in his arms. As the first woman to carry his child, he didn't need to express his love too much.

Although she is only three months pregnant, there shouldn't be any problems if she is careful.

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As expected, after leaving Ning Zhongze's courtyard, the area outside was surrounded by a large number of women.

Huang Rong, Yue Lingshan, Mu Wanqing, Gan Baobao, Dao Baifeng...

A large number of women surrounded Ling Yun in a circle and escorted him back to his palace.

Having many women is generally a good thing, but too many can lead to trouble. Before long, Ling Yun experienced tinnitus; the incessant chattering and clamoring sounded like hundreds of ducks quacking incessantly in his ears. Finally, his thoughtful cousin, Wang Yuyan, plugged his ears with cotton balls, which helped a little.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Ling Yun couldn't take it anymore and stopped the women from talking. Then, he looked at them and coughed lightly, "While I was away, nothing went wrong, right?"

The guards only knew the surface of the situation; they were unaware of any specific arguments or disputes among the women.

"It's alright, it was just someone with extremely strong desires who challenged us all." Gan Baobao nestled in Ling Yun's arms, picking up a newly made pastry with her little hand and putting it into his mouth.

"No, is this the kind of challenge I understand?"

Ling Yun touched his chin, feeling that something was off.

"It's me." Li Mochou was still wearing the long dress that Ling Yun had bought for her. Although the weather was no longer suitable, she had profound internal strength and the temperature was nothing to her. "I saw some famous sisters in the martial arts world and couldn't resist asking them for a few moves."

Dai Qisi sat in Ling Yun's lap on the other side, which made the other girls somewhat envious.

When Ling Yun was teaching them martial arts techniques related to the mysteries of life, they noticed that he seemed to prefer fighting Dai Qisi, a beautiful woman with exotic charm. Now that Ling Yun has returned, her posture and movements further confirm his favoritism.

Of course, Ning Zhongze still holds the highest position, since it's all because their bellies are uncooperative!

Ling Yun had his arm around Dai Qisi's slender waist and held Gan Baobao in his right hand. These two beauties, one alluring and the other voluptuous, were among the more recognizable.

As for Wu Yazi, she didn't like to gather with other women, and given her extraordinary strength, even Li Mochou didn't provoke her.

Seeing the subtle glances exchanged among the women, Ling Yun knew it was time for him, the man in charge, to do something...

Inside Wu Yazi's room, Ling Yun sat facing her, discussing important matters.

"Ling Yun, are you going to Western Xia?"

Ling Yun held her waist, his eyes slightly narrowed: "Yes, the Western Xia borders the Qing Dynasty. Now, most of the Qing officials, both civil and military, are my people. The problem with the Western Xia also needs to be solved."

“My junior sister, Li Qiushui, is a princess in Western Xia, but we have had a falling out, so I may not be able to help you this time.”

"Actually, I think both Li Qiushui and Tong Piaoyun definitely have feelings for you."

The young man held her and lay down, looking down at her delicate, flower-like face, and gently kissed her: "If we could bring them all to Suzhou, the defenses here would be more secure than ever before."

"Back then, both of them had some strange feelings for me. It wasn't that I disliked them, but those feelings changed..."

The people in this world are too conservative, viewing same-sex relationships as nothing more than the behavior of wild beasts. Wu Yazi did the same thing back then. Although he regrets his recklessness now, if he had the chance to do it all over again, he would probably still stop it.

"It's alright, you have to trust your man." Ling Yun smiled slightly.

That evening, Ling Yun hosted a grand banquet, where all the women gathered to enjoy a lavish dinner with him. He then spent a few more days in the palace in Gusu, giving Zhong Ling and Cheng Lingsu, the two young girls, a proper welcome before finally setting off on his journey.

This time, he brought no women with him and rode his flying electric horse alone to Juxian Village.

"How have you been, Brother Vinegar?"

Ling Yun led Fei Dian into the manor and greeted Ban Ping Shen Xian Cu, who was practicing horse stance.

"Oh, isn't this the dignified Prince Yan? When did you find time to come here?" Half-bottle of immortal vinegar laughed heartily, stopped his stance training, and walked to Ling Yun's side.

"Brother Vinegar is quite well-informed, huh?"

"Come on, the whole world knows you've restored your kingdom. If I still don't know, I might as well be dead!"

Half-Bottle Immortal Vinegar stretched his wrists. Although he longed for a real sparring match with Ling Yun, he knew it wasn't the right time yet.

Where are you planning to go this time?

"I'm planning to go to Western Xia. I wonder if Brother Vinegar has any interesting events on the Jianghu Ranking?"

"Hey, there really is!"

Half-Bottle of Immortal Vinegar pulled Ling Yun to the front of the Jianghu Ranking, pointed to one of the major events highlighted in red, and said, "This is it!"

[Western Xia Marriage Proposal]: The King of Western Xia is seeking a husband for Princess Yinchuan. Any young man under 30 with a good physique and appearance is welcome to participate. However, please note that the competition is fierce and disputes are inevitable. Furthermore, the King's motives for this marriage proposal are not pure, so please think carefully before proceeding!

Princess Yinchuan?

Ling Yun glanced at it and immediately thought of certain plot points, which happened to align with his own goals.

"Alright, Vinegar Bro, I'll take on this big task. You'll help me bring the princess back to me!"

"Lingyun, there's something I need to tell you."

Half-bottle of divine vinegar looked serious, and Ling Yun nodded in agreement, showing a listening expression.

"Due to your recent prominence in the martial arts world, a mysterious organization has already set its sights on you."

“A mysterious organization…” Ling Yun guessed that it might be the four people led by Dugu Qiubai.

"This mysterious organization contacted me before, but I politely declined. They're a bunch of old fogies with rigid thinking, unable to accept new things, only thinking about stabilizing the martial world in their own way, rather than leading the masses with their own strength... Anyway, they'll issue you a challenge soon. If you accept, they'll fight you to the death on the summit of Mount Hua. If you don't accept, they'll personally come to your Suzhou Palace, and then your confidantes will be in big trouble."

"What, do they think I'm a scourge to the martial arts world?"

"Their goal is to eliminate all unstable factors," Half-Bottle Immortal Vinegar chuckled. "However, I have more faith in you. It's time to let these old fogies know what it means for times to change!"

Chapter 282 Travels in the Tianshan Mountains

Ling Yun bid farewell to the half-bottle of divine vinegar and arrived at the foot of Tianshan Mountain in white robes and on a white horse.

Because the plot spans such a long period of time, has so many characters, and is heavily modified, he wasn't sure if the plot here was still the same as he remembered.

When he reached the halfway point of the mountain, it was getting dark, and many torches were lit up on the mountain, with the constant noise of hundreds of martial arts practitioners.

He told Hiden to leave first, and went up alone.

When he arrived at the place illuminated by the torches, he discovered that the people had surrounded a burlap sack in the middle. The man at the very back had untied the sack, revealing a little girl with pigtails.

The little girl was sweet-looking, about eight or nine years old, with rosy cheeks and a look of panic on her face. She hugged her shoulders and looked like she was about to cry.

"Damn it, those little wench in Lingjiu Palace are really fast. We brothers fought our way to the very back and only managed to catch this one little girl."

The leader was carrying a long knife, had a full beard, and spoke in a deep, gruff voice; he was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

"Boss Wu, this Heavenly Mountain Child Granny is controlling the brothers with her Life and Death Talisman, making us wish we were dead. Let's interrogate this girl first and see where the Child Granny is!"

"Yes, we'll listen to you, Boss Wu, but first, get rid of that damn thing on us!"

"Let me interrogate this little girl, haha, I love interrogating little girls!"

Hearing the filthy words around her, the little girl lowered her head, but her eyes revealed a murderous intent. However, when she raised her little face again, she still looked pitiful.

"Damn it, I want to too!" Old Wu sighed, holding the knife to the girl's neck. "But this damned girl is deaf and mute. I tortured her for ages, but I couldn't get anything out of her!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank. These were numerous martial arts practitioners gathered by Boss Wu, originally the masters of the thirty-six caves and seventy-two islands under the Lingjiu Palace. However, Tianshan Tonglao controlled them with the Life and Death Talisman, and only her pain-relieving and antipruritic medicine could guarantee that the Life and Death Talisman would not activate for a year.

Once this life-and-death talisman takes effect, it intensifies day by day, with the intense itching and pain increasing for eighty-one days. Then it gradually subsides, only to increase again after eighty-one days, repeating this cycle endlessly.

Those who have mastered the Life and Death Talisman in the junior high school will find that the wound becomes increasingly itchy, and the intense itching gradually penetrates deeper. Before the time it takes to eat a meal, even their internal organs seem to itch. No matter how high their skill level is, they cannot endure this torment. They are truly unable to live and unable to die.

But when the pills were distributed that year, the Heavenly Child Granny was nowhere to be found!

Already desperate, they decided to unite and change their fate after a speech by Boss Wu. That's why they stormed Lingjiu Palace, but unfortunately they couldn't find Tianshan Tonglao and only captured this little girl.

"This little girl is definitely not a good person, kill her!"

"Yes, it must be related to that old hag, Tianshan Tonglao. Kill her!"

"Let her blood be a sacrifice for our brothers!"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

These island lords and cave masters are acting like madmen, and some have already grabbed weapons, ready to strike first.

With everyone enraged, Old Wu naturally couldn't go against the crowd. Besides, he was a ruthless person, so he grabbed his knife and was about to kill the girl.

The girl sighed, closed her eyes in vain, and prepared to face her death.

"Hahaha, you bunch of idiots!"

A sudden voice reached everyone's ears, and they turned around to see a handsome young man walking in, fanning himself with a fan.

He was tall and straight, dressed in white, with his long hair tied up, and his face was as handsome as jade, making him incredibly dashing.

Because Tianshan is too far from Suzhou, Lingyun's fame has spread, but his face hasn't kept up; these country bumpkins don't recognize him at all.

"Who are you?" Boss Wu asked, his brows furrowed.

"I am Murong Fu of Gusu, and also the current king of the Great Yan Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished, and then they all looked him over, seemingly comparing him to the legendary, magical man.

"So it's the Prince of Yan! I've long admired your name!"

Boss Wu didn't dare to be negligent. If it were just a reputation in the martial arts world before, they wouldn't care. But Ling Yun now has this other identity, capable of restoring the country in the heart of the Qing Dynasty. The manpower and financial resources he possesses are quite terrifying, and they, a few hundred people, can't easily take advantage of him.

"But even the Prince of Yan cannot insult us at will!"

This statement is actually a way of making amends. People in the underworld value face; if you lose face, you can't stay here.

Hearing the others' agreement, Ling Yun shook his head and chuckled, then looked at the little girl in the middle.

Name: Tong Piaoyun

Age: 96, ☆

[Value: 131, A]

[Rating: 92]

Combat Strength: F- (A+)

[Affection: Falling in Love (Beautiful and Friendly Attraction Up+)]

This little girl is actually Tong Piaoyun, who cultivates the Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies Supreme Technique, also known as the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny.

This martial art is also called the Eternal Youth and Longevity Skill. The Heavenly Mountain Child Granny began practicing this skill at the age of six. At 36, she rejuvenated herself, which took 30 days. At 66, she rejuvenated herself again, which took 60 days. At 96, she rejuvenated herself again, requiring 90 days to recover her power. The Eternal Youth and Longevity Skill is very powerful, but it has a drawback: each time she rejuvenates herself, she loses all her power. After one day of practice, she recovers to the power she had at age 7; the second day, she recovers to the power she had at age 8; the third day, she recovers to the power she had at age 9, and each day represents a year. Furthermore, she must drink fresh blood at noon every day to practice.

She had just begun her rejuvenation process when she encountered Boss Wu leading his men to storm the mountain—a truly unfortunate turn of events. Normally, even if she were the only one in Lingjiu Palace, she could easily control so many demons and monsters.

In the original novel, Tianshan Tonglao is Wuyazi's senior sister, but in this world, she is his junior sister, only slightly older.

"Why should I, Murong, care about your feelings when I do things?"

Ling Yun gave a cold laugh, and taking advantage of their inattention, he went straight to the girl's side, picked her up, and ran outside.

The belatedly realizing what was happening, the crowd began to curse angrily. By the time they tried to chase after him, he had already disappeared from sight. Ling Yun's speed was fast and his movements were unpredictable; how could this herd of cattle and horses possibly catch up with him?

When Ling Yun brought Tong Piaoyun to a secluded grove of trees, he put the girl down.

"Granny Tong, stop pretending. You can't fool my eyes."

The young man's gentle smile almost made Tong Piaoyun's breath catch in her throat, but she quickly regained her indifferent expression.

"Hmph, since you know it's your grandmother, why don't you bow?"