Chapter 323 (1/2)

The Yang Family head, Yang KongQun, led the front in delight as he looked forward to emerging victorious over his rival of many years! The Imperial Family had chosen to wipe out the Ling Family first! At this moment, Yang KongQun could already feel victory in his grasp! Without the Ling Family present, would Long Xiang have the strength to escape from his clutches? The answer was obvious: No!

Ling Residence, in the main hall.

Duke Ling and Old Madam Ling were seated at the front of the hall with their faces solemn and dark clouds looming over their faces. Ling Tian's mother, Chu Ting'er, was seated by the side with the rims of her eyes red as she whimpered silently. It was obvious that she was worried about the life and death of her husband and the safety of her son who went to save him.

The hall was completely filled with the elites of the Ling Family and Ling Family Courtyard with the various leaders solemnly seated. Ling Chen and Yu BingYan were both dressed in pristine white dresses as they stood by the side silently without a single trace of emotion being seen on their faces.

In the whole hall, there were many different expressions seen on the many people present. However, not a single one of them showed any signs of nervousness, fear, shock, or anxiousness…

Ling Zhan's originally graying hair had completely turned white in just this half a day! He had served the empire with his whole life and had devoted all of his strength and effort to the prosperity of the nation. It could be said that the whole Sky Bearing Empire was the fruit of Ling Zhan's blood and sweat! However, in his final days, Ling Zhan's son was actually betrayed by the emperor with his life or death unknown! Following that, the emperor who he had sworn his loyalty to had actually led his Imperial Army to surround his own Ling Family with the attempt to uproot their family! How could Ling Zhan not be depressed by such a severe blow! Duke Ling felt as though he was too tired!

It could be said that the moment Long Xiang gave his imperial decree, Ling Chen had already received news about it before even Shen RuHu received his orders! However, everyone was divided with regards to how they should deal with this situation, with the division of those from the courtyard and Ling Residence having the largest contrast!

Who should be the leader?!

If it was ten, or even five years ago, Old Madam Ling and Duke Ling would have taken up command without any hesitation for sure! However, time hadn't been merciful to them. As for Chu Ting'er? While she was an expert in running a business, such a matter was out of her league!

It seemed as though there wasn't another appropriate choice!

After arguing for a long while, everyone in the hall could not come to a conclusion about this matter. Finally, Old Madam Ling grew impatient, and she asked, ”When your young n.o.ble left, who did he leave in charge of the courtyard?”

The scrawny Ling Lei then took a step forward and gave a bow. ”Reporting to Old Madam, young n.o.ble said that all authority in the courtyard would be given to Miss Chen if he wasn't around! No one is allowed to go against his orders! Anyone who goes against his orders will be killed without mercy!”

”Killed without mercy?! How can a la.s.s like her take command? Haha…” A vice butler of the Ling Residence called Wu Yong began laughing, with his laughter filled with ridicule and mockery. This Wu Yong had followed Duke Ling for a long time and felt as though he could be considered an elder-level figure in the Ling Family. Together with the fact that he had an arrogant personality, he had always spoken his mind freely and without watching his words. Even if he was in front of Ling Xiao and Chu Ting'er, it was no exception. Everyone in the Ling Residence respected him for his seniority and usually treated him as a high figure. Now that he was the first to step out in objection, all the others from the Ling Residence wanted to come out and support him.

All of a sudden, a sword light flashed and a groan sounded! Ling Dian then slowly pulled his sword out from Wu Yong's chest and said with a cold indifference, ”Young n.o.ble said that anyone who doubts Miss Ling Chen will be killed without mercy, regardless of whether he was right or wrong! Didn't I make myself clear just now?”

Wu Yong pressed onto the wound on his chest as his eyes almost popped out from disbelief. He began mumbling incoherently like he wanted to say something but couldn't say another word. His body then fell forward onto the ground with his legs jerking a few times before remaining motionless on the ground with blood flowing out from his body.

Everyone's expression changed! None of them expected this teen to be so ferocious! With just a word of disagreement, he had killed the other party!

Duke Ling's face began to cramp up as he looked at Ling Dian with a chilly gaze! To think that a little brat dared to kill a trusted aide of his right in front of his very eyes! Wasn't that a little too much?!

Ling Dian showed no signs of fear as he said, ”This subordinate knows that my actions were disrespectful. However, the enemy is about to walk up to our doorstep and we do not have time to waste! We also do not have any time to give an explanation! The most important thing is for us to have a leader, and we can only follow the young n.o.ble's instruction! If anyone dares to doubt young n.o.ble's order, he will be killed regardless of whether they are right or wrong! Regardless of what the matter is, we have to first survive this tribulation! If Old Family Head thinks that I am wrong, then Ling Dian is in the wrong. After this matter, Ling Dian will give an explanation to Old Family Head! Even if I were to be executed and be left with an incomplete corpse, I will not mutter a single word of complaint!”