Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 219 - 218. Pavilion Master of King of Hell Pavilion
218. The Master of King of Hell Pavilion
The sick scholar was abruptly thrown back by this unexpected blow, sprawling onto a nearby chair and spurting a mouthful of blood on the spot; it was clearly not a minor injury. However, everyone present was aware that Mo Xiuyao had held back with this palm strike. Otherwise, recalling how a single blow from Mo Xiuyao in the past had destroyed the majority of the scholar’s martial arts and almost shattered his heart meridians, the scholar would not even have had the chance to breathe by now. Mo Xiuyao, emanating an aura of grim resolve, stepped into the flower hall and stared icily at the scholar.
While Mo Xiuyao exuded a murderous aura directed at the sick scholar, the latter was equally ungrateful for Mo Xiuyao’s mercy. He dragged himself up, glaring at Mo Xiuyao with bloodshot eyes, his gaze containing a venomous resentment as if he yearned to tear Mo Xiuyao apart. Although Ye Li could not understand it, she had to admit that some people in the world were like that. They could bear a grudge against you for even the mildest, unintentional offense and would hate you to the extent of wanting to destroy your entire family. The scholar was clearly one of them. Thinking about this, Ye Li couldn’t help but lightly furrow her brows. The complete prescription for the Bilo flower was known only to the scholar. If he truly intended to drag Mo Xiuyao down with him, even at the cost of his own life, it would pose a real problem.
Mo Xiuyao sat down next to Ye Li. Seeing her brows locked in thought, he gently lifted her chin to face him. He lightly touched her willow-leaf-like eyebrows, softly saying, "Don’t worry." Knowing Mo Xiuyao did not want her to be concerned, Ye Li subtly smiled and nodded. The affectionate and warm atmosphere between the two deeply stung the sick scholar’s eyes, prompting a cold laugh from him. He jeered, "Mo Xiuyao, you can’t keep this up for much longer, can you? HAHA... I think it’s better for your woman to worry a bit more... COUGH... COUGH... Lest when you die, your widow and orphan have a hard time..."
"Shut up, Third Brother!" Before Mo Xiuyao could lash out, a commanding voice from the entrance quickly chimed in, accompanied by the newcomer’s authoritative strides. It was indeed Ling Tiehan, the Chief Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion, one of the Four Great Experts, whom Ye Li had met briefly in the Southern Border.
The sick scholar, though arrogant and insolent, held a great deal of respect for this sworn brother of his. Normally, anyone daring to reprimand him would have faced his notorious poisonous powder. But because it was Ling Tiehan, he swallowed the sneer that had formed on his lips and quietened, despite maintaining an insidious look. Ling Tiehan first nodded to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, then walked to the sick scholar’s side and took his wrist to check his pulse. Finding the injury wasn’t severe, he breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his fist towards Mo Xiuyao, saying, "Thank you, Prince Ding, for showing mercy."
Ye Li sat next to Mo Xiuyao, carefully observing this famous Master of King of Hell Pavilion. The last time they met in the Southern Border, due to the urgency of the situation, she only had time to exchange a few words with him without getting a real chance to observe him.
Ling Tiehan was only thirty-five or thirty-six years old, but due to his profound internal strength, he appeared younger, as if not yet thirty. However, his calm demeanor and the occasional display of heroic spirit revealed he was indeed a mature middle-aged man. At this point, Ye Li could say she had met all of the current Four Great Experts. The eldest, the Southern Garrison Prince, was a well-known case. In Ye Li’s eyes, the Southern Garrison Prince was more like a politician and a general than an unparalleled martial arts expert. Perhaps due to this mindset, his martial arts cultivation had stagnated for many years. That was why, despite being nearly a generation older than Mo Xiuyao and the others, he was ranked alongside them.
As for another expert, Mu Qingcang, he seemed to be about the same age as Ling Tiehan. However, Mu Qingcang had been trained to be more like a silent killing machine, hiding in unseen darkness, year after year consuming his own life. So even if Mu Qingcang was younger than Ling Tiehan, he appeared exceptionally pale and frail. If the two stood together, it would be hard to believe they once shared the same youthful vigor and proudly looked down upon the worldly society. Of the Four Great Experts, Ye Li was naturally most familiar with Mo Xiuyao. Even now, she couldn’t be sure just how high Mo Xiuyao’s martial arts were, but his reputation as a peerless prodigy was undeniable. Mo Xiuyao’s elder brother, Mo Xiuwen, as his name (Xiuwen, meaning ’cultivate literature’) suggested, was a cultured general. Mo Liufang, though he cultivated both literary and martial arts, was only at the level of an ordinary expert. His ability to defeat the Southern Garrison Prince, leaving him no way to fight back, relied on strategic planning, not face-to-face combat. Ye Li even suspected that the Southern Garrison Prince had cultivated such high martial arts specifically in preparation to assassinate Mo Liufang. But Mo Xiuyao was an exception. He earned his place among the Four Great Experts at the tender age of fourteen. Although he was ranked last, everyone understood he was just beginning. Compared to the Southern Garrison Prince in his prime, and Ling Tiehan and Mu Qingcang who were approaching their peak, Mo Xiuyao could hardly be said to have even started. Such was his prodigious talent that Ling Tiehan had once publicly declared that in no more than seven years, Mo Xiuyao would be unmatched in the world. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. After Mo Xiuyao turned eighteen, his trajectory had taken a strange downturn, and he had become subdued.
Comparing the Four Great Experts one by one, Ye Li felt that Ling Tiehan best embodied the true meaning and popular image of an unparalleled expert. Calm, heroic, and principled in his actions, he seemed more like a righteous martial arts alliance leader from the orthodox sects of the worldly society than the chief of the murderous assassins of the King of Hell Pavilion.
"My foster brother is unwell. Could we possibly have a doctor see him first?" Ling Tiehan glanced at his foster brother, whose face was grim and defiant, constrained from speaking in his presence. Feeling that this was perhaps not the right place for a discussion, he posed the question to Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and looked to Ye Li for her opinion, as she was the one who had invited them, so the decision was hers. Ye Li smiled lightly. "Certainly. There are two Divine Doctors in Prince Ding’s Mansion. Pavilion Master Ling, if you don’t mind, you can take the Third Pavilion Master there." After Ling Tiehan thanked her, he called out. Two young men immediately entered, awaiting orders. Ling Tiehan instructed, "Take the Third Pavilion Master to see a doctor. If he runs away, you’ll answer for it!" The two young men, their expressions grim, naturally understood the Pavilion Master’s meaning. The punishments of the King of Hell Pavilion were no joke.
Just as the two men were about to escort the sick scholar away, he shot them a cold glare and barked, "Get lost!"
"Third Brother," Ling Tiehan’s face fell, looking displeased at his foster brother’s sallow, pale complexion. The sick scholar knew his sworn brother was truly angry. He was already seriously injured from Mo Xiuyao’s palm strike, and now, being suppressed by Ling Tiehan and forbidden to speak, his heart was filled with unventable rage and frustration. He was naturally stubborn, and with Ling Tiehan pressing him like this, he disregarded even the elder brother he had respected greatly since childhood. He sneered and roared at Ling Tiehan, "My life or death is none of your business! Didn’t you say I stir up trouble? Wouldn’t it be cleaner if I just died?" Hearing this, Ling Tiehan’s expression darkened. Before he could react, a dark figure darted in swiftly from outside. Before the person even stood firm, a loud SMACK was heard as a heavy and vicious slap landed on the sick scholar’s face, knocking his head, which had been defiantly glaring at Ling Tiehan, to the side.
"Impudence! Still not apologizing to Big Brother!" The newcomer had a clear, melodious voice, yet it carried an icy undertone. A woman in her early twenties, clad in black that accentuated her slender, graceful figure, yet her beautiful face was as frosty as ice. Ye Li frowned slightly, a guess about the woman’s identity forming in her mind—the Second Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion, known in her early years in the worldly society as the Jade Rakshasa, Leng Liuyue. Leng Liuyue was renowned in her early years for her lightness skill and hidden weapons. To be able to barge into Prince Ding’s Mansion single-handedly, her lightness skill was indeed impressive. Ye Li waved her hand, dismissing the guards who had pursued Leng Liuyue to the entrance.
Being publicly slapped, a myriad of expressions flashed across the sick scholar’s face. Any flicker of regret that had appeared vanished instantly. He gritted his teeth, refusing to look at Leng Liuyue, and certainly not apologizing to Ling Tiehan. Ling Tiehan didn’t seem to mind this but sighed in relief at Leng Liuyue’s arrival. "Liuyue, take Third Brother to see the doctor. Don’t let him run off." Leng Liuyue nodded, then turned to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li. "Forgive my rashness in a moment of urgency." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Second Pavilion Master Leng’s lightness skill is truly superb, this Princess Consort admires it. However, if you visit again, it would be best to use the main gate. The arrows of Prince Ding’s Mansion are not always restrained." Leng Liuyue paused, looked at the smiling Ye Li, then nodded. "Thank you for the reminder." She then turned to the sick scholar. "Come with me."
The sick scholar, though eccentric, held genuine affection for his sworn brother and sister. After the heated confrontation with Ling Tiehan and the subsequent slap, he had gradually calmed down. Glancing briefly at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, who were watching from the side, he silently followed Leng Liuyue out. Although Ye Li appeared indifferent, she was actually quite furious with the sick scholar. If it weren’t for the King of Hell Pavilion and Ling Tiehan backing him, Ye Li would have truly resorted to torture. Seeing his now subdued and obedient appearance after being hit, she felt immensely gratified. Well slapped! she silently cheered for Leng Liuyue’s strike.
Without the disruptive presence of the sick scholar, the atmosphere in the flower hall improved greatly. Ling Tiehan cupped his fist towards Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, saying, "My Third Brother is insensible and has caused much offense. I hope you both can forgive him."
"Pavilion Master Ling, please don’t mind. Our reasons for keeping your foster brother here are not entirely out of consideration for your face," Ye Li said with a smile. Ling Tiehan naturally understood Ye Li’s implication. While face had to be given to the King of Hell Pavilion, the formidable Prince Ding’s Mansion would certainly not fear them. The most important factor was the complete ancient prescription for the Bilo flower that the sick scholar possessed. Ling Tiehan gave a somewhat helpless, bitter smile. "To be frank, I also came to the Northwest for this matter." If the sick scholar could get news that Prince Ding’s Mansion had obtained the Bilo flower, Ling Tiehan naturally could as well. However, Ling Tiehan was different from the sick scholar. He bore no enmity or hatred towards Mo Xiuyao, nor was there any conflict of interest. Mo Xiuyao’s life or death had no impact on him. If Mo Xiuyao were to truly die young, he might even sigh and lament that heaven was jealous of such talent. Given that both sides needed the Bilo flower to save a life, with Prince Ding’s Mansion having the medicinal herb and the King of Hell Pavilion having the ancient prescription, why not each take a step back for a win-win result? Compared to the life and health of his sworn brother, that inexplicable hatred his sworn brother harbored was even more insignificant in Ling Tiehan’s eyes.
Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked, "Does Pavilion Master Ling have the prescription too?" Ling Tiehan shook his head honestly, saying seriously, "Princess Consort Ding can rest assured, I will definitely ensure the prescription is handed over. After all, this concerns not only Prince Ding’s safety but also the life of my Third Brother. To say nothing else, if Prince Ding were to truly die, even if my Third Brother didn’t succumb to his illness, I fear Prince Ding’s Mansion would not let him go." Ye Li smiled, looking at him skeptically, and asked, "There’s only one Bilo flower. Pavilion Master Ling, haven’t you thought about what to do if the medicine isn’t enough?"
Ling Tiehan smiled. "I don’t understand medicine or poisons, but since my Third Brother planned to use half the Bilo flower for medicine and half to concoct poison, he must have been confident it would be enough. Besides... I don’t insist on the Bilo flower itself; I simply wish for my Third Brother’s health to improve. He has endured far more suffering than others since childhood, which is why his temperament is more peculiar than most. After his injury, he became even more withdrawn. It is I, as his elder brother, who has failed in guiding him. I hope you both can be magnanimous." The sick scholar’s condition is not as definitive as the poison afflicting Mo Xiuyao; his issues stem from severe injuries. While the Bilo flower is the best solution, it might not be the only one. With the capabilities of Prince Ding’s Mansion, what medicinal herbs couldn’t be found, and what renowned doctor couldn’t be invited? Ling Tiehan had often thought of personally visiting Prince Ding’s Mansion to request Shen Yang to treat the sick scholar, but he was always met with fierce opposition from the sick scholar, who even threatened to run away from home, so Ling Tiehan had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Ye Li naturally understood Ling Tiehan’s meaning and couldn’t help but feel a greater degree of goodwill towards this top assassin leader of the worldly society. Whatever Ling Tiehan and the King of Hell Pavilion were involved in, at least Ling Tiehan genuinely cared for his foster brother, who shared no blood ties with him. With the sick scholar’s personality, he was certainly not a likable individual. It was truly commendable that Ling Tiehan could still care for him so attentively. Moreover, with the sick scholar’s temperament and ruthless methods, if Ling Tiehan hadn’t been there to keep him in check, he would likely have caused considerable trouble in the worldly society over the years. Even if the King of Hell Pavilion was powerful, the worldly society was full of hidden masters. Who knew when the sick scholar might provoke someone he couldn’t afford to offend.
"Pavilion Master Ling is truly a good elder brother. Given this, Pavilion Master Ling, why not stay for a while in Licheng with the Second and Third Pavilion Masters? As for the matter of the ancient prescription, there is no need to rush. It’s not that this Princess Consort doesn’t trust you, Pavilion Master Ling. It’s just that this matter is of great importance; it would be best if the Third Pavilion Master willingly offers it," Ye Li nodded at Ling Tiehan and said.
After pondering for a moment, Ling Tiehan agreed to Ye Li’s proposal. He understood Ye Li’s concerns; it was indeed because his foster brother was too extreme. Even with his mediation, there was no telling whether this headstrong foster brother of his would see reason or, risking his life, insist on mutual destruction with Prince Ding. At that point, it wouldn’t just be Prince Ding’s and his Third Brother’s lives at stake, but likely also the lives of many from Prince Ding’s Mansion and the King of Hell Pavilion. Ling Tiehan was somewhat aware of Mo Xiuyao’s situation. Seeing Ye Li still so composed and steadfast at this moment, he couldn’t help but look at her in a new light. "In that case, we will impose on you, Princess Consort," Ling Tiehan replied.
Having discussed the sick scholar’s situation and Ling Tiehan’s stay, Ye Li got up and left the space for Mo Xiuyao and Ling Tiehan to converse. She went to Shen Yang’s courtyard. Though the Second Pavilion Master had only made a fleeting appearance, Ye Li suddenly felt a flicker of curiosity and interest towards this frosty woman.
With only Mo Xiuyao and Ling Tiehan remaining in the flower hall, a quietude settled. Both men possessed an outstanding presence. Mo Xiuyao, by virtue of his royal birth, carried an innate nobility and domineering aura, while Ling Tiehan had more of the free-spirited and unrestrained nature typical of people from the worldly society. In terms of looks, Ling Tiehan was slightly inferior to Mo Xiuyao by a couple of degrees, but Ling Tiehan’s steady, heroic, yet magnanimous and free-spirited personality was clearly more approachable than Mo Xiuyao’s.
After drinking tea in silence for a while, Ling Tiehan raised his teacup towards Mo Xiuyao in a gesture of respect and smiled, saying, "I have long heard that Princess Consort Ding is one of the most distinguished women of her time. Although I had a brief encounter with her in the Southern Border, seeing her today, I realize her fame is well-deserved. Prince, you have married a good wife; it is truly your good fortune."
Mo Xiuyao nodded without reservation. "Ah-Li is indeed a good wife. Pavilion Master Ling, you didn’t come this time just for the sick scholar, did you? If so, there’s really no need. We have an agreement: as long as he doesn’t truly provoke me, I won’t harm him." Ling Tiehan looked at him doubtfully. "How come I felt earlier that the Prince wanted him dead?" Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly. "He wanted to harm Ah-Li! I will let him live." As for how he would let him live, that was up to him. Leaving him with just a breath also counted as letting him live.
"We both know he couldn’t possibly harm Princess Consort Ding. Setting aside Princess Consort Ding’s own martial prowess, the guard standing behind her is no easy opponent either. With my Third Brother’s skills, which are practically useless once he’s without his poisons, wanting to harm Princess Consort Ding is simply wishful thinking." However, Ling Tiehan didn’t intend to argue with Mo Xiuyao about this. It was natural for Mo Xiuyao to want to vent his anger for his beloved wife; the King of Hell Pavilion was indeed in the wrong, and he couldn’t stop him. Otherwise, angering Mo Xiuyao would only make things worse for his Third Brother. Sighing, Ling Tiehan put aside thoughts of his troublesome foster brother. He said, "Didn’t you ask why I came to Licheng? Recently, a piece of business came to the King of Hell Pavilion."
Mo Xiuyao frowned. "Related to Prince Ding’s Mansion?"
Ling Tiehan nodded. "Yes. Although the King of Hell Pavilion had long announced they would not take on any business related to Prince Ding’s Mansion, this time, the client didn’t want to assassinate anyone from the Mansion, and the offered price was quite tempting." Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a calm expression. The King of Hell Pavilion was in the business of killing. If it wasn’t for assassination, why seek them out? For other matters, there were surely those who could do better. Ling Tiehan smiled. "I’ve already accepted it."
Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly. Ling Tiehan could only sigh in resignation and said seriously, "A few days ago, didn’t you have a duel with Lei Zhenting? The client hopes that I can have another duel with you. If Mu Qingcang weren’t unreachable, I presume the client would also want him to have a match with you."
"The reason?" Mo Xiuyao asked.
Ling Tiehan shook his head, frowning as he said, "I’ve been pondering over it for several days. You and Lei Zhenting probably didn’t use your full strength in your duel, which is why you both retreated unscathed. If you and I were to truly fight, it would likely be a mutually destructive outcome. However... after more than a decade, the chance to spar with Prince Ding again—I am very much looking forward to it." More than a decade ago, Ling Tiehan was just a young man in his early twenties, full of ambition. The Southern Garrison Prince, though famous, was much older than them, and the only one in the world who could match him was Mu Qingcang. No one expected that Mo Xiuyao, then only fourteen, would emerge in white robes with a horse and a sword, stunning countless people at that year’s martial arts assembly. Although Ling Tiehan hadn’t been defeated, narrowly winning against a fourteen-year-old boy by a single move, almost fighting to a draw, wasn’t a glorious outcome for him at the time. Back then, Ling Tiehan and Mo Xiuyao had agreed to a decisive match five years later, after which Ling Tiehan returned to the King of Hell Pavilion for secluded training. Who knew that five years later, the first news he received upon emerging from seclusion was that his Third Brother had recklessly gone to find trouble with Mo Xiuyao. At the same time, he learned about Mo Xiuyao being severely injured and crippled. The feelings Ling Tiehan experienced then were even more complex and subtle than after his duel with Mo Xiuyao. It felt like... after five years of hard work, when you finally felt you could kill your enemy, someone told you your enemy had just gotten himself killed yesterday.
"Are you really going to fight?" Mo Xiuyao asked.
Ling Tiehan chuckled. "Why not? Or is your body still not fully recovered? We can wait until the Bilo flower is refined; that’s also fine. I happened to have forgotten to confirm the date of the match with the client." He had accepted purely because he wanted to exchange blows with Mo Xiuyao, so the time and place would naturally be up to him and Mo Xiuyao to decide.
So many years had passed, and the so-called Four Great Experts each went their own way, rarely having a chance to meet, which had long frustrated Ling Tiehan. He needed to spar with experts of the same caliber to improve his martial skills. Among them, Mo Xiuyao was undoubtedly the best opponent. As for the Southern Garrison Prince, after hearing about Mo Xiuyao’s earlier duel with him, Ling Tiehan had lost interest in his martial arts. The Southern Garrison Prince’s martial arts were clearly still at the level of ten years ago. If Ling Tiehan were to go all out, he felt he had at least an eighty percent certainty of winning.
