Slandering Him and Not Yet Striking to Kill

The summit was thick with cold air and fierce winds. Men as handsome as Linden Ling always chose to stand in the wind’s path—so that when the breeze lifted their robes, three parts elegance might become seven.

That’s why, on Skyvault Mountain, the windward spots are the best. Those of lesser rank or late arrival don’t get such treatment; they have to settle for the places no one wants, where the wind makes even keeping your hair out of your face a struggle, let alone looking refined.

Linden Ling’s rank at Skyvault Mountain isn’t high enough for a seat—he has to stand. Still, the places he stands are always prime. These spots are for people of real prestige. In past years, they might not fill up early, but this is the first time they’re left empty right before the opening.

People looked around in confusion, glancing about to see who would leave such good seats unused.

Fortress Lord Ling eyed the five empty seats, outwardly showing a hint of displeasure but inwardly delighted.

Fortress Lord Ling didn’t care about the two empty Lyndaria seats; anyone could see Princess Royal Helena was here for Serena. What pleased him was that the seats for Eastlyn and Skyvault Palace Sect were still empty.

With those three seats empty, it meant those three weren’t coming—his plan had worked.

Fortress Lord Ling exchanged a subtle glance with the Skyvault Palace Lord. The Palace Lord was just as smug. Two old foxes met eyes, both satisfied, then looked away.

Lily Li and Ruby Redsleeve saw this and turned red-eyed with distress. Lily bitterly regretted not stopping Sean Xuan at the foot of the mountain.

With his scheme accomplished, Fortress Lord Ling was in high spirits. Seeing the last grains in the hourglass about to fall, he stood and loudly announced, 'Martial Arts Con—'

Fortress Lord Ling froze mid-sentence, his mouth agape, unable to utter another word. He stared in stunned disbelief at the three figures approaching: How could this be? How could they possibly appear here?

What’s going on?

Everyone looked up. Two men and one woman strode upwind, their hair whipped across their faces by the breeze—yet their presence was so distinct that the crowd recognized them instantly. After all, such an aura was rare in this world.

"Good, they made it." Storm Cloud Bu and Brandon Bu, who’d been on edge, finally relaxed upon seeing Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle safe. They kept a low profile, planning only to act at the crucial moment.

"Ninth Royal Uncle? Palace Lord Xuan?" someone cried out in shock. "Why are they only arriving now? That doesn’t make sense!"

"Exactly! I thought it was strange—the three of them hadn’t shown up. Didn’t they climb the mountain with Young Master Ling? Logically, they should’ve arrived before him."

...

While the crowd whispered among themselves, Linden Ling heard nothing. His handsome face shifted from pale to green, his fists clenched tight, lips trembling: How could this be? How could they survive even that?

Serena and her companions walked closer, taking in every expression. Fortress Lord Ling and the Moonvault Palace Lord—old foxes both—recovered quickly after their initial shock. But Linden Ling and Lily Li were different: even as Serena’s group approached, one was frozen in disbelief, the other’s face a tangle of emotions.

"What, have I come late?" Ninth Royal Uncle stopped, his cold gaze piercing Fortress Lord Ling.

Fortress Lord Ling knew Ninth Royal Uncle was onto something—his heart raced, but his face showed nothing. He smiled, "Ninth Royal Uncle, you’re just in time."

He pointed to the hourglass behind him, just as the last grain of sand fell...

"How coincidental. Skyvault Mountain truly is a good place." Ninth Royal Uncle’s words dripped with sarcasm. Fortress Lord Ling’s smile stiffened; he could only laugh dryly and personally lead Nolan and Serena to their seats.

One look at Nolan’s dark expression and Fortress Lord Ling knew he’d guessed something. He secretly regretted not sending more men—letting Nolan escape. At the same time, he quickly calculated his odds of striking after the Martial Arts Conference.

Once I make a move, we’re mortal enemies. To kill Ninth Royal Uncle, Fortress Lord Ling would pay any price.

Serena and Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t stand on ceremony, treating Fortress Lord Ling as a mere usher. Sean Xuan followed at a leisurely pace, casting a meaningful smile at Linden Ling.

Linden Ling froze, face pale, cold sweat breaking out on his back. Greenshine quickly stepped forward, using her bow as a shield to block Sean Xuan’s gaze, quietly reminding Linden they were in public.

Linden nodded to Greenshine, pretending nothing was wrong, but couldn’t meet Sean Xuan’s eyes. He turned away, only to see Ruby Redsleeve gazing at Sean with lovestruck adoration—his anger nearly made his organs ache.

His maid Ruby Redsleeve was openly staring at Sean Xuan, her eyes filled with excitement and worship.

This woman... should have died long ago.

A flash of killing intent flickered in Linden Ling’s eyes; Greenshine saw it but didn’t warn Ruby. If you don’t court death, you won’t die—Ruby brought this on herself, she had only herself to blame.

"So lively—Skyvault Fortress is really entertaining. With Young Master Ling and Miss Redsleeve here, I almost don’t want to leave; there’s drama every day." Serena joked, her seat a bit apart from Linden but close enough to catch their interactions.

What does that mean?

The crowd followed Serena’s gaze, catching Linden’s sour expression and Ruby’s lovestruck look. Someone seized the chance to tease, "Your fortress’s maids are really interesting."

"I heard Young Master Ling raises his maid like a young lady—looks like it’s true." The words, of course, were no compliment.

A maid is still a maid. Elevating a girl sold into servitude to the status of a noble daughter and comparing her to those born high is an insult to real noblewomen.

Fortress Lord Ling, ever the old fox, kept his face perfectly composed. "Tian’er lost his mother young, and I was busy in my youth, so loyal servants cared for him. He’s sentimental and looks kindly on old retainers."

The real message: it’s not Linden Ling pampering his servants, but the servants growing spoiled; Linden is just too sentimental to punish them. Normally, this excuse would pass—except with Serena present.

After being ambushed and wounded by Skyvault Fortress and Moonvault Palace, Serena’s anger had nowhere to go. She wasn’t about to let Fortress Lord Ling off so easily.

Half joking, half serious, Serena recounted how Ruby Redsleeve stirred up trouble in Eastlyn—and how Linden Ling indulged her.

"A servant publicly insulted a noblewoman of the court—depending on how you look at it, that’s a serious crime. For Young Master Ling’s sake, I let it go and only asked Miss Redsleeve to apologize, so Eastlyn’s noblewomen wouldn’t think we’re easy targets.

But when Young Master Ling agreed, Miss Redsleeve wasn’t satisfied. While apologizing, she turned around and accused me—she nearly claimed, in front of Ninth Royal Uncle and the eldest son, that I abused her. In my view, Young Master Ling is far too merciful; it’s not just kindness, he’s lost all control over them." Serena thought, never mind the issue with Ling Mo; just for Skyvault Fortress’s ties to Northlyn, the fortress deserved to be destroyed. But before that, she was happy to smear Linden Ling’s reputation.

Even his maid doesn’t listen to him—no matter how good Linden Ling’s reputation was before, people will start to doubt.

The crowd, recalling what they’d just seen, quickly realized Serena’s words were exaggerated but mostly true. Instantly, their gazes toward Linden Ling grew suspicious.

Greenshine sensed trouble and stood quietly behind Linden Ling, perfectly proper. As for Ruby Redsleeve? Her heart was entirely set on Sean Xuan—she didn’t notice a thing.

Linden Ling was so furious he nearly spat blood. He stood up, ready to explain—only to be interrupted by a sudden waft of floral fragrance...