In the small courtyard, groves of green bamboo occupied a considerable amount of space.
In the courtyard, several calligraphic works were spread out on a table. The brushstrokes were bold and strong, evoking the vicissitudes of life.
"As Heaven's movement is full of power, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement!"
"As Earth's condition is receptive devotion, a gentleman should carry all things with broad virtue!"
Qin Ning slowly read them aloud.
A clatter echoed, and then a figure slowly emerged from the room, pushing a wheelchair with both hands.
He wore a green robe, his figure somewhat thin. He had originally been a tall, upright man, but now, confined to a wheelchair, he looked a bit somber, though his back remained as straight as ever.
"Second Brother!"
Seeing the figure appear, Qin Ning smiled faintly and said, "Your calligraphy, Second Brother, is truly profound!"
No matter who he was or how talented he was, as he was now Qin Ning of the Qin family, the person before him was his Second Brother.
"Flattering me again!"
Qin Hai shook his head with a bitter smile. "Third Brother, having survived a great calamity, is surely destined for future blessings. There's no need to rush the matter of revenge. It's a pity Second Brother doesn't have the same luck as you!"
"Who said that?"
Qin Ning then sat up straight, looked at Qin Hai, and said with a smile, "Having me as your younger brother means you've been blessed by the heavens!"
"You little brat, you're so immature!"
"I'm not joking!"
Qin Ning picked up a brush and gently wrote a character on the white paper.
"Heal!"
Qin Hai's eyes widened in surprise, but then he suddenly shook his head, saying with a bitter smile, "It can't be cured. Even Grandmaster Du Zhe had no solution!"
"Before, Du Zhe also said I would surely die, but aren't I still fine now?" Qin Ning said with a smile. "Second Brother, I can heal your injuries!"
"You brat, how can you know you can cure it without even looking?"
"Your internal injuries are caused by cold energy, accumulated over time. Now it has infiltrated your limbs, eight meridians, and internal organs. To treat the cold energy, one needs... Heavenly Fire Spirit Crystal!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Hai's expression grew even more bitter.
"The Heavenly Fire Spirit Crystal is born from Heavenly Fire, but in the Northern Ming Empire, no one has ever heard of Heavenly Fire appearing anywhere, making it even more impossible to find the Spirit Crystal."
"Who says it can't be found!"
Qin Ning clasped his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "After settling all these messy affairs, I will go find it for Second Brother!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ning walked straight out of the small courtyard.
Qin Hai remained, his face filled with bewilderment.
Qin Ning looked very different today.
"Second Young Master!"
Not long after, a servant knocked and entered.
"Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it's important?"
"Second Young Master..." the servant said, bowing his head. "Just now, a major incident occurred outside the Qin family manor. Third Young Master fought against Shen Linfeng, Chu Yuqing, and Ling Kun, winning all three battles and killing all of them!"
"What?"
Qin Hai was stunned. Although he hadn't been out for a long time, he still knew about the affairs in Lingyun Inner City.
Shen Linfeng, Chu Yuqing, and Ling Kun all possessed extraordinary strength. How could Qin Ning have killed all three of them?
Qin Hai dropped the long brush in his hand, his body trembling as he said, "Tell me the details!"
"Yes, sir!"
At this moment, just as Qin Ning had left the small courtyard of his Second Brother, Qin Hai, he was immediately called by a subordinate into his father's room.
Qin Changsheng was sitting on the main seat. Seeing Qin Ning enter, he hurried forward, examining Qin Ning's entire body.
"Ning'er, are your injuries truly healed?"
“Of course!” Qin Ning said with a smile, “Father, don’t worry, haven’t you watched all three battles today?”
“Good, good!”
Qin Changsheng laughed heartily and said, “You turned misfortune into a blessing; the heavens have truly looked after you. That Ling Shicheng, with his wicked heart, stole your Star Meridian and gave it to his son. Our Qin family will absolutely not let this matter go!”
“Father!”
Qin Ning continued, “This matter isn’t so simple. Ling Tian is the disciple chosen by the Heavenly Son of the Heavenly Son Faction at Heavenly God Academy.”
“The Heavenly Son Faction?”
Qin Changsheng’s expression changed slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
Qin Changsheng sat down and said, “I’ve also heard of this Heavenly Son Faction. Not only at Heavenly God Academy, but throughout the entire Northern Nether Empire, they are renowned. And that Heavenly Son, their leader, possesses extraordinary talent; it’s said he’s a Heavenly Son descended to the mortal realm, capable of summoning wind and rain within Heavenly God Academy!”
Huh?
It seems Ling Tian truly has a very strong backing!
“This time, you killed Shen Yuan, and the Shen family will definitely not let it go. If the Ling family and the Chu family also decide to make a move, then they’ve probably already started preparing!”
“Therefore, Qin Ning,” Qin Changsheng said, “I will send you to the Imperial Capital.”
“Send me to the Imperial Capital?” Qin Ning was a little surprised.
“That’s right. If it were just the Chu family and the Shen family, our Qin family would have nothing to fear. But there’s still the Ling family behind them. If these three families unite, our Qin family cannot resist!”
“Now, you must leave Lingyun City, go to the Imperial Capital, and strive to pass the entrance exam for Heavenly God Academy, to get inside!”
“There, with your eldest brother looking after you, you’ll be safe!”
Hearing these words, Qin Ning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Father, I won’t leave, at least not now!”
Qin Ning pursed his lips and smiled, “It’s just the Ling, Chu, and Shen families; I’m truly not afraid. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have acted to kill Shen Yuan. Do you really think I just acted on a momentary impulse?”
“Ning’er…” Qin Changsheng couldn’t help but say, “Today, they didn’t dare to go all the way because they fear your eldest brother, who is at Heavenly God Academy. He is talented and highly regarded by the elders.”
“But this time, both Ling Tian and Chu Ningshi have entered Heavenly God Academy. They will definitely make the Heavenly Son deal with your eldest brother. By then, even your eldest brother won’t be able to escape. Once the Qin family is in danger, a father like me won’t be able to protect you!”
“Then tell me, Father, how much time do we have before the three great families make their move?”
“Roughly three months!” Qin Changsheng said helplessly. “This time, Ling Shicheng didn’t act because he’s still wary of your eldest brother. Once Ling Tian enters Heavenly God Academy, he will surely deal with your eldest brother. If the information we received is accurate, then we have three months, or perhaps… even less…”
“Three months?” Qin Ning murmured, “That’s enough!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ning naturally smiled, bid farewell to his father and Second Uncle, left the room, and returned to his small courtyard.
At this moment, Qin Changsheng and Qin Yuanshan stared at each other.
What exactly did Qin Ning intend to do?
…
Meanwhile, at the Ling family mansion in Lingyun City!
In the luxurious manor, Ling Shicheng’s face was pale.
Shen Chengfeng and Chu Shanhe sat on either side, their hearts filled with grief.
The three great families had lost three talented juniors this time. Not only had they failed to achieve their goal, but their losses were also manifold greater.
“Clan Head Ling, this debt must be settled! When I return, I will summon the Shen family’s forces to besiege and kill the Qin family!” Shen Chengfeng stood up angrily and roared.
“You’re just like your son, always so impulsive!”
Ling Shicheng snorted and said, “I already told you, our preparations are insufficient. We cannot make a move!”
“What more preparation do we need?” Shen Chengfeng said, pained. “It’s just a mere Qin family. Our three great clans united, we clearly have more than enough power to deal with them!”
“What do you know?”
Ling Shicheng roared, “Qin Shan, at sixteen, was favored by a senior expert from the Heavenly God Academy and taken as a disciple. Now, I hear he has entered the inner court of the Heavenly God Academy, becoming a powerful expert who has reached the Spirit Sea realm.”
“Then… what should we do?!” Shen Chengfeng was utterly flustered.