Chapter 909: Third Uncle

The day after Ling Zhiyuan’s fifteenth birthday, Ling Hongyun found an excuse to punish him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall all night to reflect on his actions.

No one could help him plead for mercy!

This was not the first time Ling Zhiyuan had faced such punishment.

However, unlike before, while he was dozing off late into the night, Ling Hongyun quietly appeared.

He led Ling Zhiyuan to a room in the back courtyard and taught him how to activate the mechanism for the hidden chamber!

This hidden chamber was now laid out before Wang Chen.

The chamber was not large, with three walls lined with shelves that held various boxes of different sizes.

Without a second thought, Wang Chen swept all the boxes into his storage space.

Not even one was left behind!

For stored in this hidden chamber were the treasures passed down through the Ling family for generations, including gold, silver, jewels, antiques, techniques, weapons, and herbs.

Knowing that he might not return for a long time, Wang Chen naturally intended to clear it all out.

At worst, after completing the blood vow, he would hand over the remaining items to the successor of the Ling family.

In just a moment, the hidden chamber was left empty.

Wang Chen exited, reset the mechanism, and restored everything to its original state before leaving the room.

Of course, he did not forget to lock the door again.

At that moment, Wang Chen suddenly felt something was off and quickly turned around.

Under the eaves in front of him stood an elderly man with white hair, holding a lantern.

Seeing this person, Wang Chen could not help but exclaim, "Third Uncle?"

This elder was indeed the keeper of the Ling family ancestral hall and a senior relative of Ling Hongyun.

What surprised Wang Chen was that, despite his keen senses, he had not noticed the elder’s presence beforehand.

Even so, Wang Chen held no intent to harm.

This Third Uncle had no children but was very kind to the clan’s children, including Ling Zhiyuan.

Whenever Ling Zhiyuan was punished and had to kneel in the ancestral hall, Third Uncle would secretly bring him food and drink.

Thus, even with the risk of exposure, Wang Chen would not harm such an elderly man.

"Xiaoyuan?"

Third Uncle was first surprised, but then he waved his hand with relief, saying, "Come here, I have something to tell you."

The elderly man walked with the lantern to a nearby side room and pushed the door open.

Wang Chen hesitated for a moment but still followed him inside.

In the room, Third Uncle placed the lantern on the table and smiled at Wang Chen, saying, "You came to retrieve the things your father left behind, right?"

Wang Chen nodded, “Yes.”

"I knew it."

The Third Uncle showed no surprise and sighed, “Your father was always smart, with outstanding talent in martial arts. If not for the burdens of family matters, he would have long achieved the realm of a martial sect master.

“He shouldn’t have died; he was just too confident.”

Wang Chen remained silent.

In Ling Zhiyuan’s memories, most of the content revolved around Ling Hongyun.

The latter was like a towering mountain, both protecting Ling Zhiyuan and looming over him.

Ling Zhiyuan’s preference for literature over martial arts was, in essence, a rebellion against his father—a manifestation of teenage idealism.

In Ling Zhiyuan’s memory, Ling Hongyun was indeed a very proud man.

But he was also very clever.

For instance, he chose to place the hidden chamber for treasures beneath the ancestral hall rather than within the heavily guarded Ling residence.

In fact, there were hidden chambers inside the Ling residence as well, but those were clearly meant to deceive—it would be strange not to have any!

Wang Chen removed his mask.

The Third Uncle was momentarily taken aback—he had recognized Ling Zhiyuan by his voice.

This elder of the clan sighed, “You’ve truly grown up.”

Wang Chen asked, “Third Uncle, do you know who is targeting my father, who is targeting our Ling family?”

This time, it was the Third Uncle’s turn to fall silent.

After a long pause, he spoke, “Zhiyuan, to be honest, I have my suspicions, but I can’t be certain. Telling you now would only put you in danger.”

Pausing, the elder continued, “Zhiyuan, you should leave—go as far away as you can. To carry on the bloodline of our Ling family is to honor our ancestors!”

“As for that fool Ling Hongfeng, he will eventually lead the Ling family into ruin; he won’t live much longer!”

Wang Chen thought for a moment and said, “Third Uncle, I am now a Blood Guard, serving under the Da Wei Yamen in Jiangyuan City.”

“Blood Guard?”

The Third Uncle widened his eyes in disbelief, “Good, good, good!”

He repeated “good” three times, his astonishment evident.

Ling Zhiyuan’s lack of ambition was well-known throughout Anyang City. He never expected that less than a year later, this once timid scholar had become a Blood Guard, capable of silencing children’s midnight cries!

If Ling Hongyun had not died, and the Ling family remained as it was, the Third Uncle would never have supported Ling Zhiyuan joining the Blood Guard, becoming a servant of the court.

But given the current situation, the identity of a Blood Guard was the best protection for Ling Zhiyuan!

The elder could not help but grasp Wang Chen’s arm, saying excitedly, “Since you have chosen this path, you must strive hard! The higher you rise, the fewer will dare to challenge you, and our Ling family will have hope!”

Wang Chen nodded, “Third Uncle, I will definitely strive hard.”

The Third Uncle was immensely relieved, “You’ve become so much more sensible than before…”

“There is one thing I must tell you, something I haven’t even told your father: the last two layers of the technique for the Bloodshed Wheel are hidden in the library of the Dao Palace on Yuntai Mountain.”

“Once you have the strength of a martial sect master, it would be best to rise to a high position in the Blood Guard and then find a way to retrieve it.”

Wang Chen’s eyes lit up instantly, “Dao Palace on Yuntai Mountain!”

The main reason for his secret return to Anyang City was to retrieve the treasures of the Ling family, which included the follow-up techniques for the Bloodshed Wheel.

Without the follow-up techniques, Wang Chen would have to abandon the Bloodshed Wheel unless he wished to remain stuck at the third-grade martial master realm.

However, the Ling family’s secret technique for the Bloodshed Wheel only contained the first five layers; the last two layers were said to have been lost for a long time.

Ling Hongyun had always been searching but never found any results.

Wang Chen originally planned to train to the realm of martial sect master before seeking another technique that pointed directly to the peak.

He never expected the Third Uncle to actually know the whereabouts of the last two layers of the Bloodshed Wheel.

What a delightful surprise!

“Remember to be cautious in everything,” the Third Uncle said. “Whatever you wish to do, you must first protect yourself.”

“Go back now, and don’t return until you reach a high position!”

Wang Chen respectfully bowed to this elder of the clan and then quietly left the ancestral hall.

After he left, the Third Uncle went to the ancestral hall, kneeling before the ancestral tablet.

“Ancestors, please bless Ling Zhiyuan and protect him to turn misfortune into fortune!”

After finishing his prayer, he picked up an oil candle from the altar and tossed it onto the nearby curtain.

The flame quickly ignited the curtain and rapidly spread throughout the entire ancestral hall.

Surrounded by blazing flames, the kneeling Third Uncle showed no signs of fear.

He smiled and closed his eyes.