Wang Ling slapped himself on the forehead and made a deep sigh. He didn't expect his action to reach so far and wide.

[But isn't this good? My name is spreading, though my moniker seems a little malicious it should eventually be overwritten once the moniker Prince of the Divine Light aligns itself with it.

This is rather troublesome. Tsk, my name will eventually spread if I make my move anyway, once I get out of here, the time should have ripened.]

Wang Ling was in distress, but he soon calmed down. He stood straight and turned to Wang Hong, he remembered something and asked, "You said Sister Yan is here?"

Wang Hong nodded his head, "He's currently helping her master in the concoction of the [Phoenix Tail Pill], she will soon come out and give it to Xun Jia."

"Is that so? Is this Xun Jia a lady that you fancy, Wang Hong?" Wang Ling asked.

Wang Hong's face brightened as he scratched the back of his head, "It isn't like that older brother. She's a friend I met in one of my travels is all."

Wang Ling raised a brow, "Is that so."

Clearing his throat, Wang Hong proposed that they should go and meet the princess of the Tranquil Empire, "Mother is currently in there with Yue'er. Um, older brother, can you help me in something when we get there?"

"I will do what I can."

"Can you please distract mother? She's too talkative and for two days now she had been revealing some… um, how do I say this…?"

"Embarrassing stories?" Wang Ling butted in.

Wang Hong hit his palms with his fist and smiled, "That's it!" he then realized his actions was unbecoming so he acted a little embarrassed.

Grinning, Wang Ling spoke, "Hmmm, embarrassing stories ey? That's rather interesting, should I listen to some tales before I interject? I'm rather interested in your past, Hong'er."

"Please spare me, older brother."

Hearing Wang Ling's teasing words, Wang Hong pleaded. Wang Ling laughed, "Alright, lead the way, just introduce me to your woman first and I'll have a talk with mother. I have some important things I want to ask her."

Wang Hong's face beamed and was about to lead the way, but he turned around as he made it clear, "She's not my woman… yet."

=====

Wang Hong seemed to be rather well adept in going around the palace. Not mentioning how the maids and guards looked at him with familiarity, they also looked at him with warmth and ease.

[How long had he been frequenting this place?] Wang Ling asked himself. But such thoughts didn't last long because Wang Ling noticed Wang Hong's cultivation stage.

At the early age of twenty, Wang Hong had already reached half-step dominion realm, Wang Ling was amazed. He had seen talents, but Wang Hong was the most talented of them all.

He focused on his eyes and could see the intent or a different form of qi. It was the qi of the spear, Wang Ling was surprised by his achievements in the path of the spear.

Wang Ling nodded inwardly at his brother. Given enough time and Wang Hong will be able to reach heights that might rival that of Wang Ling's.

It didn't take long for Wang Hong to lead Wang Ling to a room. From beyond the wooden doors, Wang Ling could hear the laughter of women.

Wang Hong opened the door and Wang Ling entered a room that was adorned by flowers. The aroma of sweet-scented flowers also entered his nose. It was calming. Behind that wonderful aroma was the scent of the medicines.

Upon their entry, Wang Yue who was laughing wildly was the first to notice their entrance. Her expressioned beamed at the sight of Wang Ling's appearance.

"Older brother, you have arrived." She jumped off the chair she was seated upon and hurried along to Wang Ling's side, he pulled him by the hand as she urged him to follow her, "Listen to this older brother, older brother Wang Hong used to lose to a boar, mother was just telling us the story about it."

"I was young and inexperienced then."

Wang Hong who was standing by Wang Ling's side then stepped forward to defend himself.

Wang Ling turned to his mother who was sitting beside a bed.

On one side of the room was a lady with beautiful facial features and almost flawless skin. It was almost flawless as there seemed to have dark burnt marks seen on her arms. Although Wang Ling could not see it, those burnt marks should extend to her shoulders and then back.

[This lady should be Xun Jia, correct? She's inflicted with something nasty. She will be given Phoenix Tail Pill correct? That's rather a good way to counteract this ailment if it's really [Dark Yin Tattoo], but if it's [Slithering Yin Tattoo] then they will only waste such good medicine.]

Wang Ling's stares were piercing, and the lady hid her hands from Wang Ling.

"I'm sorry for showing you something unsightly." Xun Jia acted shyly.

Wang Ling noticed his mistake and apologized, "Please, I should be the one apologizing for my rude acts."

Bowing his head ever so slightly, Wang Ling introduced himself, "I apologize for the late introduction. I am Wang Ling, Hong'er and Yue'er's older brother."

Xun Jia was surprised to know of his identity, "So you are the one they call the Bloody Maelstrom? I thought that you would be bigger. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Wang Ling."

"The pleasure is mine, Princess Xun Jia." Wang Ling sized Xun Jia up and noticed her cultivation was already at grand saint realm.

He had heard that there was also a monstrous genius in the Tranquil Empire, but who would've thought that it would be the lady Wang Hong fancied?

In the end, Wang Ling turned to his mother and said his hello. His mother smiled and was just about to resume the story of Wang Hong's childhood, but Wang Ling interjected.

"Mother, can I please have a moment of your time? I need to speak with you about something important." Wang Ling sounded serious.

Xiao Fei'er saw the seriousness in Wang Ling's eyes and already knew that he was serious. She was not some woman who did not respect the intentions of his child so without any hesitation, she stood up and prepared to head out with Wang Ling.

Wang Ling opened the door and left with Xiao Fei'er. He gave Wang Hong a look and saw Wang Hong give him saying thank you. Wang Ling just waved his hands and excused himself.

Xiao Fei'er was a guest of honor in the Tranquil Empire. With her level of cultivation, she was someone who could decimate the entire Empire if she wanted to. The two households she belonged to was also hegemons of their own right.

Xiao Fei'er was a force that could destroy an empire in more ways than one. She can do it alone or order her people to do it for her. As for what the Emperor had to say for her presence, he was delighted and was full smiles. A connection with the Wang Family was something the emperor would happily jump on.

So, she was treated with great care by the maids of the palace.

Having someone prepare a room for the mother and son pair. Wang Ling and Xiao Fei'er was now staring at one another while seeping tea.

"So, what do you wish to talk about, Ling'er?" Xiao Fei'er asked.

Wang Ling drank tea before answering, "About the sword fragment of Wang Wudi, is it true that mother's Clan had made it into a sword?"

Xiao Fei'er was not surprised that he knew of this information. After all, it was no secret to anyone so she answered honestly, "Yes it is. It is in my Father's armory and is hailed as one of the family's [Three Great Swords]. Why? Do you wish to see it when we head over there? Were you embarrassed to ask this kind of thing in front of your siblings? My Ling'er is truly matured."

Xiao Fei'er teased.

But Wang Ling only smiled as he said, "I want that sword, do you think mother can help me take it?"

Xiao Fei'er's smile disappeared, Wang Ling's seriousness finally sunk into her mind. The intent of her son was not to look at the sword but to possess it. This was indeed an issue that needed to be considered with all seriousness.

"No, you cannot, that sword is the heirloom of the family, I cannot just take it as I please. Not even for you, my son. It is, after all, one of my father's own personal weapons."

Wang Ling paused, he continued after thinking for a minute, "Can I duel grandfather for the possession of the sword? I will duel him with the best of my ability, I will ask him if he can face with sword skills alone, if I win, I shall claim the sword for myself. "

Xiao Fei'er was speechless, she could see it, something was looming behind Wang Ling, it was figure, it was person, she did not know who it was, but it was intimidating.

Xiao Fei'er thought of something and suddenly wrapped Wang Ling with her qi, but in the end, found nothing wrong with his soul or body.

[He's not being controlled nor is anyone influencing him. Then… that aura came from my son?] Xiao Fei'er was became worried for Wang Ling.

She sighed, "Father had been alive for 3,000 years and although he's so old, his cultivation had reached stages that far surpasses my own. Ling'er, do you think someone who trained for 3,000 years would be easy to deal with?

"Do you even know what level of mastery in the sword father had reached, it had reached that beyond what used to be allowed in this world, he's already at level-5 swordmaster, your grandfather, the one you want to challenge is already a divine swordsman. Do you think you can beat him?"

Xiao Fei'er wanted to scare off Wang Ling and have him give up the idea, but as Wang Ling sat there. Xiao Fei'er saw a fire burning under his eyes.

Wang Ling looked at his mother, he clenched his fist and answered, "I can and will beat him."

The word divine swordsman had ignited something deep within Wang Ling.