Chapter 194: The Fastest Wind Step

The merchant in Chinese robes had voiced everyone’s doubts. Everyone from the merchants already interested in the Magical Beast Territory, to the factions in support of Yang Ling like the Nicholas family, turned to look at Yang Ling and waited for his reply. Even the foreign affairs minister Grichie and his faction were all ears.

An ancient family that has existed for thousands of years would usually maintain broad influence. Though they might seem to be inactive on the surface, the abilities and influence they wielded were often much greater than one could imagine. Even powerful empires like the Banto and Rossi Empires, and even the Church, would not dare offend some of the great families, especially ones like the Livenza Alliance.

If it was as Yang Ling had said and he had truly come from an ancient family, then the people present would have to reevaluate his abilities.

To Harribell and the Nicholas family, who were in support of the Magical Beast Territory, it was a good thing if there was a powerful family backing Yang Ling, and they could further solidify the stance of the Emperor and the alliance. The merchant associations looking on would wish even more so that that was the case. As long as Yang Ling could guarantee the interests of the merchant associations, no one would be willing to pass on the resource-rich Magical Beast Territory.

But to the foreign affairs minister Grichie and his group, the situation would be the opposite. If there was a powerful family backing Yang Ling, it would be a fatal blow to their plans.

Yang Ling understood the merchants’ anticipation and worry perfectly, as well as the expectancy of Harribel and the Nicholas family. But, of course, he had been speaking nonsense all that while. Where was he going to find a thousand-year-old family to belong to?

After a moment, Yang Ling said, “I think that many of you here are aware that I can summon a number of Magical Beasts to fight for me, and once used my Magical Beast army to defeat a Nine-headed Snake Monster! That’s right, I indeed come from an ancient family of Summoners. In the territory of my family, we have countless high-level Magical Beasts!”

If some interested person spent time digging around, they would discover the fact that he possessed a Magical Beast army. They would suspect that he was an Ancient Summoner, just like the elf elder had. Since that was the case, Yang Ling knew that he should go with the flow, deliberately guiding the crowd’s understanding.

Indeed, after hearing Yang Ling say this, the crowd broke into commotion. Those who were not already aware tried to learn the story of Yang Ling defeating a Nine-headed Snake Monster with his Magical Beast army’s help.

“There’s a rule in my family. After the successor of every generation reached maturity, they would have to leave home to train.” Looking at the merchants and nobles around him, who hung on his every word, Yang Ling continued spinning lies. “Before the training ends, we are forbidden from reveal information about the family, nor are we allowed to commit any acts using the family name. Of course, in an emergency, I would receive help from my family through a Magical Spell Formation!”

As the saying goes, steal a hook and you are a criminal, but steal the whole country and you become a prince! You either avoid boasting and adopt a low profile, but if you do boast, do it big!

The Ancient Wizards and Ancient Summoners had all vanished thousands of years before, so Yang Ling was not worried that someone would see through his lies. As long as he did not reveal it, no one would know the true secret of how he tamed Magical Beasts.

“It was no wonder that he was able to defeat an army of the Banto Empire’s ten thousand Black Armor Guards with a few hundred men, and just overnight!” one onlooker mused.

“He must have received help from his family through the Magical Spell Formation!” another said.

The crowd whispered amongst each other, finally beginning to understand why the ten thousand Black Armor Guards from the banto Empire would be exterminated at the Aila Mountain Pass.

The envoy of the Banto Empire turned steely green, whispering a few instructions to a servant by his side. The latter quickly left the palace. The merchants fell silent, all gauging Yang Ling’s abilities, hesitant as to whether they should immediately announce their stand or not. Harribell and the Nicholas family were all smiles, visibly relieved.

If the Banto Empire envoy’s expression was nasty, the expression of the foreign affairs minister Grichie was even nastier. But he was an old fox, quickly regaining his composure. He said nothing, his eyes darting around from time to time, as if he was scheming.

Grichie smiled deviously. “Your Majesty, to welcome Sir Yang Ling, who has come to us from so far away, and to celebrate your birthday, why not let him spar with Santiago?” That would soon confirm Yang Ling’s skills as a Summoner, and if Grichie was very lucky, Yang Ling might even perish in the battle.

Spar with Santiago?

Hearing Grichie’s proposal, the crowd once again broke into commotion. As Grichie’s personal guard, Santiago had been at the level of Sword Saint for more than ten years. The outcome of a fight between Santiago and the Summoner Yang Ling was clear as day. Even if Yang Ling survived, he would have made a fool of himself in front of everyone present.

“Your Majesty, the battle capabilities of a Summoner lies in large scale, cooperative battle. They do not take the front lines like a warrior would. Pitting a Summoner against a Sword Saint is an unfair duel.” said Harribell calmly as she stepped forward. She knew without a doubt what Grichie was trying to do. The Nicholas family and a handful of other nobles voiced their support.

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“Yang Ling, what do you think?” asked The Emperor, still perched on his throne.

“To be able to celebrate your birthday with a duel is my honor!” Yang Ling pretended to hesitate for a moment before saying, “But swords are blind. Wouldn’t it be bad if we made a mistake and wounded each other?”

Yang Ling knew that up until recently, his only hope in a battle against a Sword Saint would be to retreat. But since he had achieved mid-level Earth Wizard powers, he was confident that he could hold his own against a Sword Sait. Even if he could not achieve victory, he believed he would be able to retreat to safety. If he could use his Magical Beast army, then his victory would be more assured.

“Sir Yang Ling, you need not worry, this is a fair duel.” Grichie interjected. He thought Yang Ling was hesitating in preparation to decline the duel, and wished to block his path of retreat.

For the interests of his family, and to serve his personal plan of working with the envoy of the Banto Empire, he had to keep the alliance from supporting the Magical Beast Territory, and foil Harribell and the Nicholas family’s plans. Humiliating Yang Ling in public and attacking the Nicholas family was a good opportunity. It would be even better if he could ensure Yang Ling’s death during the duel.

On Grichie’s signal, the warrior named Santiago quickly removed his cloak and walked to the square outside the hall with large strides, and waited for Yang Ling to follow suit. The group followed him, preparing to observe this duel between people with such power disparity. No one thought that Yang Ling could best the Sword Saint Santiago. The only unknown was how Yang Ling would meet his end.

Watching Yang Ling walking slowly toward the square, Harribell wished her objection had been more effective. Her eyes darkened. She had investigated Grichie’s background, knowing his desire to destabilize the Nicholas family and take wealth for himself, Harribell knew more than anyone how terrifying an opponent Santiago was. She knew the duel was not about celebrating the Emperor’s birthday or showing off Yang Ling’s skills – Yang Ling’s life was very much in danger. But the Emperor had already given his silent consent. The duel would go on.

Santiago had a muscular frame, his face expressionless. He had a sharp eye, icily watching as Yang Ling approached. With the boost from his Battle Energy, the sword in his hand reddened, releasing a magnificent ripple of energy.

Having been Grichie’s personal guard for many years, he understood clearly his mission. Yang Ling might be exceptional as a Summoner, but he had no chance of victory in a one on one duel against Santiago. Perhaps, he might be able to slice off Yang Ling’s head even before he could summon his Magical Beasts.

Yang Ling had just mounted his newly summoned Unicorn when Santiago charged toward him silently, completely lacking gentlemanly qualities. To some degree, a personal guard was similar to an assassin. They would do anything to achieve their goals.

Hmph, you’re asking for death!

Maneuvering his Unicorn to dodge Santiago’s surprise attack, Yang Ling grunted quietly, quickly producing the sharp dagger from within his Space Ring.

His only wish had been to increase the merchants’ confidence in his skills, but considering how merciless Santiago was willing to be, Yang Ling knew his opponent was intent on taking his life. He decided he didn’t have much choice but to return the favor.

The Sword Saint was fast. All he needed was to gently tap his toe on the ground to fly forward, launching a fierce offensive on Yang Ling as lightly as though he was a bird. Every time he moved his sword, the sword’s sharp aura left a deep mark even on the sturdy stone floor. But no matter how fast he was, he could not seem to catch up to the speedy Unicorn.

“Hmph, die!” he erupted angrily, after missing Yang Ling several times. He used his specialty move, the Wind Step, and shimmered into thin air, only to appear right in front of the Unicorn. The sharp sword in his hand was aimed directly at the Unicorn’s head, his intention to eliminate Yang Ling’s steed first. In his mind, Yang Ling was no match for him without the speedy Unicorn.

“Hehe, let’s see where you’re going to run off to this time?” cried one observer, their voice full of undisguised glee.

“How powerful, a level five Wind Step, he’s even faster than lightning!” another gushed, impressed by Santiago’s skill.

Witnessing Santiago’s marvelous Wind Step, looking at his flow of attack, the crowd could not help but babble excitedly. Harribell was so tense that she could not breathe, while the foreign affairs minister clapped his hands and cheered. Triangle Face Robert cheered loudly in his excitement, as if he grievances had been cleared.

Neigh…

Santiago’s Wind Step was fast, but it was still a little lacking when compared to the Unicorn. At the last second, the Unicorn feinted to avoid the fatal blow, then immediately let out a thick bolt of lightning.

At the same time, Yang Ling summoned his army of Horned Bee Beasts and Vampire Bats, instructing them to unleash a combined attack on Santiago. In that instant, the horde of Horned Bee Beast and Vampire Bats pounced upon Santiago, forming a black mass.

“Hmph, they’re here to give me their lives!” cried Santiago, dodging the Unicorn’s bolt of lightning using his Wind Step. He looked at the Horned Bee Beasts and Vampire Bats in disdain. He summoned a tempest with his sword and repelled the first wave of attacks with ease.

But just as he saw Yang Ling recall his Magical Beast army and was pausing to catch his breath, he saw a sudden blur before his eyes. He felt pain bloom in his chest as the dagger slipped between his ribs. He looked in disbelief at Yang Ling who had appeared before his eyes, apparently faster than his Wind Step, before dying without ceremony.