Chapter 1: A Bewitching Beauty

The funeral was held, and the flags were hung up in the middle of the night. The door was surrounded by people who were talking about it.

“Poor Brother Ling, he was taken away by Jiang Yao.”

“It’s been three days since the funeral, and Old Lady Ling has been unconscious since then. I heard that the eldest daughter-in-law is taking care of the funeral.”

“What a shameless fox spirit! Jiang Yao seduced Brother Ling and now she even dares to show her face!”

“She pretends to be sad and wipes away her tears, but her face is full of fox-like charm. She’s a demon! She’s clinging to the family, and now that Brother Ling is gone, she can marry into another family.”

“Marry into another family? She can only dream! At best, she’ll be a cheap plaything, a concubine at most. When she gets tired of her, she’ll be sold to a brothel.”

“It’s all because Brother Ling was kind and weak, and he was controlled by this demon. Brother Ling, you were really unlucky!”

As the words fell, a sound of urgent horse hooves approached.

The people turned their heads and saw a man in black armor riding a horse towards them. He pulled the reins when he reached the door, and the horse neighed loudly, its hooves kicking up dust.

The man on horseback stared at the flag hanging above the door, his handsome and resolute face was as cold as ice.

The people scattered in fear, afraid of being trampled by the horse. When they came to their senses, they exclaimed in surprise: “This… this is Brother Ling!”

Ling Xiao clamped his legs against the horse’s belly, and the horse galloped forward. Several of his followers followed closely behind.

Inside the main hall, a coffin was placed in the center, surrounded by flags. The sacrificial hall was quiet, only the sound of a woman’s soft sobs could be heard.

Ling Xiao strode into the hall with his horsewhip, went to the coffin, and stared at the spirit tablet inscribed with the words “Ling Chen.” His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He had joined the army and fought for his own ambitions, earning military merit and seeking fortune. Now that he had finally achieved success and returned home, he was greeted by his brother’s funeral.

His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword, his veins bulging. The wind swept through the hall, and he saw a slender woman in mourning clothes kneeling beside the coffin.

She was staring blankly ahead, her red eyes filled with tears. Her long eyelashes were still wet with tears, and her pale and thin face was painted with a light layer of makeup, but it couldn’t hide her haggard appearance.

She really was a demon, just as everyone said.

It was Jiang Yao.

She was overwhelmed by the man’s oppressive aura and her body went limp. She nodded tremblingly: “I… I’ve been crying all night, my throat is hoarse.”

With a clang, Ling Xiao suddenly drew his sword from its scabbard, the tip pointed directly at her face. He raised her chin and stared at her pearlescent face with a cold gaze, his killing intent radiating outwards.

“Bewitching beauty, you deserve to die!”

Jiang Yao froze in fear, unable to move. The cold sword pressed against her chin, and it would pierce her throat if it moved even a little.

Her already pale face lost all color, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and tears rolled down her thin cheeks.

Her lips moved, and her voice, though weak, was filled with a hint of determination: “Brother…”

“Brother Ling just came back from the front lines, and when he saw you, he was shocked and stared at you. He was so relieved when he confirmed it was you. He said, ‘Brother, you’re finally back!'”

Ling Xiao only glanced at her, his dark eyes fixed on Jiang Yao again: “You killed my brother!”

Jiang Yao finally realized that this fierce and ruthless man was her husband’s often-mentioned younger brother.

She swallowed the sourness in her throat and retorted: “No, I didn’t!”

“Don’t try to deny it!”

Ling Xiao’s chest heaved, his aura exploded outwards, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Brother Ling hurriedly said: “Brother, Brother suddenly fell ill, and his body has never been strong. He and his wife were deeply in love, there’s no way she would harm him.”

Ling Xiao’s face remained gloomy: “I received a letter from Brother before he left, saying that his body was very well, even healthier than mine. How could he suddenly fall ill? There must be another reason behind this. I don’t believe it!”

“This… ” Brother Ling stammered, a little afraid.

From the moment he arrived, this brother had been full of power and prestige. He had never seen him like this before, but now that he was back, his whole body exuded a bloody and murderous aura, even more intense than before.

Jiang Yao’s eyes were red, and her pale face was now filled with stubborn defiance: “My husband saved my life. If he hadn’t saved me, I would still be in that miserable situation. Even if I were to harm anyone, I wouldn’t harm him!”

Ling Xiao looked at her clear and bright eyes, as if she were innocent, but he felt a sense of unease.

“Everyone says you’re having an affair with a wild man and plotting to kill my brother. There’s no smoke without fire, you know this! ” He clenched the hilt of his sword, his expression sinister.

Jiang Yao suddenly smiled, a hint of sarcasm in her misty eyes: “I often hear my husband talk about how he’s won countless battles on the battlefield, and I thought he was a brave and resourceful man. I never thought he would only listen to rumors.”

Ling Xiao’s face changed slightly. He had experienced the bloody battles on the battlefield, and he had knelt down and begged for mercy with his sword, but he had never been challenged by a woman like this!

“What do you mean?” His face became even gloomier.

Jiang Yao straightened up, her red eyes fixed on him: “I have never betrayed my husband. The son of the Rong family has been trying to force me to be his concubine, so he spread rumors about me and my husband, saying that we were having an affair, just to make my husband divorce me.”

A surge of anger welled up inside her. In this world, women were treated unfairly. It was so easy to destroy a woman.

Everyone believed Rong Shi Chang’s words, and her husband had always trusted him, fearing his power and protecting his own safety.

“My husband is already gone, so it doesn’t matter anymore. If you want to kill me, go ahead. But don’t slander me!”

She straightened her spine, completely unafraid of the sword that was brushing against her neck.

Her slender neck was so fragile that it could be crushed with a single pinch. The blade lightly brushed against it, leaving a bright red mark.

Ling Xiao’s eyes widened slightly, staring at the bright red mark on her neck. For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt.