My Will Rules Another World

Chapter 16: A Leisurely Morning

The sun had just risen, spilling soft golden light over the quiet world. Most people were still trapped in slumber, enjoying the peace of the early morning.

Within a serene courtyard, a lone figure moved gracefully. In his hand was a sword never seen in this realm. His swordsmanship was nimble and fluid, his body technique elegant and unrestrained, like a butterfly dancing freely among blooming flowers.

This person was Ling Feng.

Yesterday, he had reunited with his mother and grandmother. Both women had been overcome with emotion, unable to believe their eyes, half-convinced they were merely dreaming. Only after Ling Feng had given them countless proofs did they finally accept that he was truly alive and home again.

They had clung to him and wept bitterly, before bombarding him with endless questions. Their nonstop chatter had left Ling Feng’s head throbbing.

Yet what intrigued them most of all was the silent girl staying by his side — Xueqing.

Ling Feng had told them everything about her tragic condition. Instantly, the two kind-hearted women were filled with sympathy and pity for the poor girl. They had eagerly offered to take Xueqing back to their courtyard to live and care for her properly.

But Xueqing refused utterly.

No matter how gently they coaxed her, she would not leave Ling Feng’s side. She clung tightly to his clothes, her small hands gripping him firmly, impossible to pull away. No one could separate her from him for even a moment.

Helplessly, they had no choice but to let Xueqing stay and live with Ling Feng. Yet this arrangement brought Ling Feng endless troubles. Living alone with a young girl inevitably carried risks, and he could not guarantee what might happen between them.

Xueqing refused to let Ling Feng leave her sight for even a second. Fortunately, she understood basic boundaries. She would wait obediently outside when he bathed or used the washroom. This small progress greatly boosted Ling Feng’s confidence in curing her illness. It proved that traces of her rational mind still remained. She simply needed slow, patient guidance to walk out of her mental trauma.

What gave Ling Feng the biggest headache was her bedtime habit. She had to see him beside her before she could fall asleep, forcing him to wait until she drifted off before he could leave.

As he practiced his sword moves, Ling Feng pondered the reason behind her extreme attachment. Could his charm really affect someone in her demented state? Unbeknownst to even himself, Ling Feng now emitted a subtle, unique aura undetectable by ordinary people.

Heaven always balances loss with gain. Xueqing had lost her ability to think rationally, but her primal intuition had grown incredibly sharp. When Ling Feng held her, she could feel the warm, pure aura emanating from his body. It made her feel safe and comfortable, anchoring her only to him.

Finishing his sword practice, Ling Feng returned to his private courtyard. It was an independent two‑story villa with an attic, quiet and secluded. The Long Family Estate was composed of countless such private courtyards, a grand front hall, and sprawling front and back gardens — the standard architectural style of high nobility across the Tianxiang Empire.

Ling Feng took a bath and changed into his usual black swordsman robes. He then fetched warm water personally to help Xueqing wash and groom herself. He kept no servants in his courtyard, unwilling to let anyone witness his unique sword techniques and hidden secrets.

At first, Ao Wuxue had disagreed with his decision to live alone without attendants. But Ling Feng had insisted on being independent, threatening to move back to the academy if she refused. In the end, she had no choice but to yield.

It was worth mentioning that Ling Feng’s mother, Ao Wuxue, was the daughter of Ao Xiao, a wealthy merchant from the Vermillion Bird Kingdom. The Ao Family controlled astonishing financial resources. Though born into a merchant clan, Ao Wuxue had no talent for business whatsoever. Her gift lay entirely in magic. She was a high‑rank Water Mage with extraordinary attainments in water elemental arts.

Fortunately, her elder brother made up for her shortcomings. Though he also loved swordsmanship and had reached the Sword Saint realm, he possessed exceptional business talent, single‑handedly managing the entire Ao Family’s vast fortune.

The other female elder of the Long Family was Ling Feng’s grandmother, Leng Yue. She came from an ordinary background, yet her sword skills were peerless within the clan. Aside from Long Jianxin, no one else in the Long Family could defeat her.

After reaching the High Sword Saint realm, official ranks ceased to rise further. Even so, vast gaps in strength existed among High Sword Saint experts. Some could easily overpower others of the same rank. High Sword Saints were extremely rare; no ordinary empire housed more than a hundred of them. The four great kingdoms were exceptions, boasting countless ancient clans and supreme battle qi and sword arts.

Those far stronger than ordinary High Sword Saints were honored as Great Sword Saints, standing closest to the legendary Sword God. Long Jianxin of the Long Family was precisely a Great Sword Saint.

Ling Feng’s bedroom was connected to Xueqing’s side chamber. He occupied the outer room, while she stayed in the inner chamber. The outer room had originally been reserved for maids attending him, but since he refused all servants, it had sat empty. Ling Feng chose to stay there solely to take care of Xueqing. In truth, he spent every night meditating instead of sleeping, so the place of rest never mattered to him.

Ling Feng sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. His little cat lounged lazily on the stone table, enjoying the grilled fish he had prepared for breakfast. Rare and peaceful moments like this were precious to him. He had spent days trapped in the perilous Magic Beast Forest and busy protecting merchant convoys, never once having the chance to savor such leisurely tranquility.

“Little brother! Let’s duel swords again!”

Long Yang’s loud shout shattered the peaceful morning in an instant.

Ling Feng stood up, helpless and complaining.

“Elder brother, why do you come so early? A person’s morning is the most precious time of the day, the source of a full day’s good mood. You barged in to challenge me first thing and ruined my rare peace. How will you compensate me?”

Long Yang laughed heartily in reply.

“Compensate you with my fist! Mornings are meant for sword practice! I came early specifically to train with you. Stop moping and draw your sword!”

“I don’t have a greatsword with me,” Ling Feng sighed. “Let’s call it a day. I’ll go get a proper greatsword later.”

Long Yang pointed straight at the Blizzard Sword at his waist.

“This sword of yours works just fine. Use this one for our duel.”

Ling Feng glanced at the Blizzard‑Sword that Long Yang pointed to. He picked it up and stroked its blade gently.

“Fighting you with this sword will bring you no benefit. Besides, I have no wish to duel with it.”

Seeing Ling Feng treat the sword like a precious treasure, Long Yang took it for nothing more than an ornate decorative blade. He lectured him earnestly.

“Little brother, father warned you yesterday. How can a swordsman go about without a proper weapon? What good is carrying a fancy trinket like this?”

Playing along with Long Yang’s words, Ling Feng replied.

“You are right, elder brother. I was just about to get myself a new sword. Why not come along with me today? You can help me pick one out, and foot the bill while you are at it.”

Long Yang readily agreed at first. “Sure I‑ Ah, absolutely not. I am flat broke as well. Go ask father for gold. I’m off.”

Realizing Ling Feng expected him to pay, and with no duel to look forward to today, Long Yang made a quick escape.

Ling Feng called out toward his retreating back. “Elder brother, where are you going? Weren’t you going to help me choose a sword?”

Without turning his head, Long Yang shouted back.

“Handle it yourself. Just tell merchants you are the Second Young Master of the Long Family. No shop in the imperial capital dares to cross you. They will bring out their finest wares right away.”

Ling Feng knew full well what Long Yang implied. The old Long Tian had run wild all over town. Every merchant in the city knew his reputation. If a shop failed to offer him the very best goods, they could forget doing business in the capital. Ling Feng mused that being overbearing had its perks — at least no one dared swindle you. He wondered if he ought to keep up such bad behaviour in the future.

While these thoughts drifted through his mind, Xueqing stirred. Spotting Ling Feng was not in her chamber, she hurried outside. Once she laid eyes on him in the courtyard, her anxiety faded and she fixed her gaze firmly upon him.

Hearing her footsteps, Ling Feng spun around. He nearly jumped in shock. Xueqing had run straight out of bed wearing only her undergarments, bare‑footed.

Ling Feng quickly pulled her back inside the small villa.

“You cannot come out dressed like this. You must put on clothes and shoes, do you understand?” he told her.

Back inside the room, he guided her step‑by‑step through washing and getting dressed. Since the previous day, Ling Feng had realized Xueqing retained basic abilities; she only needed instruction. While living with the Bai family, servants had waited on her hand and foot. Even though she could care for herself, maids had always done everything for her. After her mental trauma, she had not lifted a finger at all. No one had figured out that letting her complete small tasks on her own would aid her recovery. Everyone simply chose to coddle her.

Last night Ling Feng had faced a dilemma. After everything they had endured, Xueqing needed a hot bath. He had filled the tub with warm water, then hesitated. Given her fragile mental state, he had no idea whether she knew how to bathe herself. And he could not possibly bathe her. He silently regretted sending all the maids away. He tentatively asked if she could wash on her own. Xueqing gave no verbal reply, yet proved she understood by starting to remove her garments right in front of him. Ling Feng hastened outside and kept watch by the door.

Now Xueqing finished grooming and slipped into the pure‑white robes Ao Wuxue had prepared the night before. Her delicate features paired with the snow‑white attire made her look extraordinarily elegant and ethereal. Ling Feng stared for a brief moment before regaining his composure. He handed her a piece of fruit for breakfast.

Then Ling Feng set off to find Long Jue. Naturally, Xueqing followed closely right behind him.