C4 He Relied on His Power to Bully Others!

Ling Xiao had only been practicing for a few minutes when Meng Xiyun stepped out of the room.

"Xiao, you've just healed from your injury. Why not take some more time to rest? You shouldn't be moving around so much," Meng Xiyun admonished. She knew that ever since his martial arts were crippled two years ago, Ling Xiao hadn't stopped training, despite the lack of progress. Yet, he wouldn't face the harsh truth, and as his mother, it left her feeling both heartache and helplessness.

"Mom, I'm all better now. A little exercise is good for me," Ling Xiao assured her, halting his movements.

Meng Xiyun walked over to Ling Xiao and tenderly wiped his face with her handkerchief.

Looking into his mother's face, just inches away, he saw the graceful beauty etched with lines of concern and the silver threads in her hair. A wave of sorrow washed over him.

"Mom, I've worried you," he blurted out, as memories of his mother's constant, tender care for the person he used to be overwhelmed him.

"My dear child, I am your mother," Meng Xiyun replied, her voice filled with affection. She mused that perhaps his recent injury wasn't entirely bad; he had grown up and become more sensible.

"Hey, come get your monthly pay already," a sneering voice called from the entrance.

Standing at the door were two servants in their twenties, one with a face full of freckles, the other with an unsightly crooked nose. Their darting eyes gave them a thieving appearance, instantly making them seem distasteful.

These men, known as Freckle and Dog Nose, were attendants to Ling Rui.

Freckle, who had spoken, was idly twirling a small bag, looking down at Ling Xiao and his mother with disdain.

The Ling family's finances were under the Fifth Elder's control, and as members of the direct lineage, Ling Zhan's family should have received their monthly allowance from the house steward. The fact that it was being delivered by the Fifth Elder's grandson's servants clearly indicated the contempt the Ling family held for Ling Zhan's household.

"I'm coming to get it now," Meng Xiyun hurriedly responded, moving toward the two men.

But before she could reach them, Freckle casually flung the money bag in her direction.

Freckle clearly aimed to make Meng Xiyun look foolish; his weak toss left the coin pouch falling short, just a meter ahead of her, threatening to spill onto the ground.

A flash of irritation passed over Meng Xiyun's face as she quickened her pace, barely snagging the pouch in time.

Both Freckle and Dog Nose were visibly surprised, not expecting her to actually catch it.

"Thank you for making the trip," Meng Xiyun said with a smile, weighing the pouch in her hand before opening it to check the contents. She then turned to them and asked, "Isn't our family's monthly salary thirty gold coins? Why are there only ten here?"

"Madam, do you think we've taken your gold coins? This was handed out by the Deacon himself. Why don't you verify with him personally?" Dog Nose replied with a snide, nasal tone, his head tilted back arrogantly. His behavior was unbecoming of a servant, more akin to that of a haughty noble.

The Deacon Dog Nose mentioned was none other than the Fifth Elder's son, Ling Chong, also the father of Ling Jian. It was well-known within the Ling family that Ling Chong and Ling Zhan were archenemies. By suggesting Meng Xiyun take her concerns to Ling Chong, Dog Nose was blatantly using the Deacon's clout to pressure her.

"Just leave," Meng Xiyun said tersely, her voice tight with vexation. Holding the ten gold coins, she felt a pang of disappointment. She had planned to buy some tonics for her son this month. Now, with twenty gold coins missing from her pay, times would be hard, particularly since she also needed to set aside some for her husband Ling Zhan's wine.

Freckle and Dog Nose shared a smug look, turning to depart.

"Wait!" At that moment, Ling Xiao stepped forward and called out.

"What do you want?" Freckle turned, regarding Ling Xiao with disdain. He pointedly refrained from addressing him as 'Young Master Ling Xiao,' using a dismissive "you" instead, echoing his master's disdain for the Ling Zhan family.

"Produce the twenty gold coins, or you won't be leaving," Ling Xiao stated coldly. Even as a Young Master, he was subjected to ridicule by mere servants. It seemed on this continent, without significant power, one could be deemed even lower than the most humble servant.

"Didn't Dog Nose just say? If you want those twenty gold coins, feel free to ask the financial Deacon or even Young Master Rui," Freckle said with a sly grin. "But I wonder, do you have the courage to actually do it?"

Only a few days prior, Ling Xiao had been savagely beaten, all because Ling Rui had hurled insults at his parents. That had driven Ling Xiao to fight back desperately. Freckle and Dog Nose had been there, watching with smug satisfaction, emboldened by their association with Ling Rui and utterly dismissive of Ling Xiao.

"You two clearly haven't learned your lesson," Ling Xiao said with a steely edge to his voice.

Freckle and Dog Nose looked back at him, unafraid. Though they were servants, as Fourth Grade Martial Disciples, they were considered quite skilled, especially when compared to a disabled Ling Xiao. They had no reason to fear him.

"Let it be, Xiao," Meng Xiyun implored, gently pulling on her son's hand. She was worried about his impulsive nature; another injury was the last thing she wanted for him.

"Mother, don't worry. I'll handle these two and avenge you," Ling Xiao said, breaking free from Meng Xiyun's hold and moving toward Freckle and Dog Nose.

"What do you think you're doing?" Freckle asked, stepping back. They could look down on the Ling family all they wanted, but they didn't dare act disrespectfully toward Ling Xiao. The Ling family's strict rules meant severe punishment for any servant who stepped out of line, ranging from dismissal to execution.

"I'll count to three. Hand over the twenty gold coins or get lost," Ling Xiao demanded, his voice booming.

"We told you, the gold coins aren't with us. Go ask the Head Butler if you're so capable," Dog Nose shot back.

"Three."

"We're leaving. Don't bother with him," Freckle muttered, pulling Dog Nose away.

"Two."

Ignoring Ling Xiao, they turned to leave. They wouldn't openly challenge their superiors, but they were confident in their skills, enough to walk away from Ling Xiao without fear of being stopped.

"Xiao, let's just go home," Meng Xiyun called out.

"One. I've reached three. Do you want to die?!" Ling Xiao roared, taking a swift step forward and suddenly catching up to Freckle and Dog Nose.

Both were Fourth Grade Martial Disciples, and they instantly detected Ling Xiao's stealthy approach, immediately splitting up to avoid his attack.

"Flowing Water and Cloud!" Ling Xiao unleashed the first technique of the Cloud Pushing Palm, directing a powerful strike towards Freckle.

Freckle was caught off guard, having not anticipated Ling Xiao's rapid assault. He desperately tried to dodge.

Unfortunately for Freckle, Ling Xiao moved with the swift grace of the Cloud Trace Phantom, making him nearly impossible to simply dodge.

With a heavy thud, Ling Xiao's palm struck squarely on the bridge of Freckle's nose.