Chapter 1169: Chapter 1158: The Former Infamous Pirate—Butler Zhang Daolin
“Haha, do you think I’m afraid of you?”
Nalan Invincible walked out calmly, but in his heart, he mused, “What a great opportunity. Once I defeat Zhang Daolin, with the Ning Family leaderless, they’ll become a scattered force. Even if I can’t annihilate them completely, they likely won’t have the courage to fight again. It would be the perfect time to make a clean escape.”
Then, he raised his murky old eyes, looking at Zhang Daolin, whose gray robes fluttered in the moonlight.
This man’s life or death would be the key to tonight’s battle outcome.
So, Nalan Invincible became serious.
He adjusted the True Qi within his body, which instantly enveloped him, forming a faint defensive circle, as ethereal as mist.
Seeing this, both the younger members of the Nalan Family and the people of the Ning Family wisely stepped back, clearing the field for their fight.
This kind of duel was almost like a battle between generals; whichever leader was killed, their side would be at a disadvantage.
Therefore, the subordinates were especially attentive.
Among those survivors from the Nalan Family, they gathered together, pointing at the two in the battlefield and whispering.
“Who do you think will win between Second Master and Zhang Daolin?”
“Of course it’s Second Master. He has the realm of Half-step Aerial Mastery, you think this is a joke?”
“You haven’t noticed that in the entire Huaxia, how many experts at the peak of the True Origin Realm are there?”
“It’s not that there aren’t any; it’s just that once reaching such a realm, they usually choose to retreat into seclusion and away from worldly affairs, rarely seen by others.”
“For instance, our family’s old grandaunt—Nalan Jiuhuang, she’s a true Aerial Mastery Realm expert, but I haven’t seen her since I was born.”
“Don’t mention you, I haven’t seen her either, and I’m several years older than you.”
“So, our Second Master still has the advantage, doesn’t he?”
“Zhang Daolin, who used to be a notorious river pirate, should feel the pressure, right?”
For a moment, everyone had utmost confidence in Nalan Invincible, cheering loudly.
“Second Master, we support you, kill him!”
“Haha…”
Upon hearing the cheers, the Ning Family naturally didn’t take it lying down and started to retort.
“What is your Nalan Family, rose to prominence just a few decades ago, can’t even compare to a speck of dust against our Ning Family of Dragon City.”
“The duel between two families tests the foundation, not individuals. Just watch as your Second Master is decapitated, facing death with equanimity.”
“Heh, dare to fight our Ning Family, truly overestimating yourself!”
With the two sides hurling insults at each other, the atmosphere reached a climax.
In the field, the two men were already circling each other, looking for weaknesses.
Nalan Invincible observed the aura surrounding Zhang Daolin, eyes slightly narrowed, “You, old river pirate, when you retired from the Jianghu, you were already at the Intermediate Stage of Object-Manipulating Realm, have you made progress over these years? Don’t disappoint me.”
“Heh.” Butler Zhang Daolin, however, let out a cold laugh, confidently saying, “Nalan Invincible, when I roamed the Jianghu, you damn bastard were still a puddle of liquid. Do you think you have the qualifications to compare with me here?”
“Damn it!”
Nalan Invincible was provoked to rage, his hair standing on end, flourishing his treasured sword, which shot towards Zhang Daolin with great speed.
Swish…
Zhang Daolin easily sidestepped, retreating several meters, avoiding the deadly strike.
Actually, Zhang Daolin had his own plans and was not afraid to duel Nalan Invincible.
Earlier, although Nalan Invincible seemed to only attack without defense, in reality, it was not so.
This old fox was cunning; whether that strike was real or feigned was hard to say.
If he confronted him head-on, he might fall into a trap, unknowingly.
In the eyes of a Jianghu veteran like Zhang Daolin, this was nothing more than a petty trick, not worthy of mention.
Nalan Invincible’s strike missed, furrowing his brows.
His figure landed on the ground, staring at Zhang Daolin, cautiously saying, “Unexpectedly, after all these years of comfort in the Ning Family, your cultivation hasn’t declined; it must indeed be the True Origin Realm.”
“What?”
“Butler Zhang is a True Origin Realm expert?”
This sentence shocked not only the younger members of the Nalan Family but also left the Ning Family stunned.
Why?
Because ever since Butler Zhang came to the Ning Family, for decades, he primarily managed the household, with a management ability unmatched among the house servants.
This was one reason people were willing to follow him.
Of course, to be a butler in the Ning Family, especially as a confidant by Ning Qiankun’s side handling important matters, naturally implied high martial cultivation realm.
However, unexpectedly, this old man, who always kept a low profile, turned out to be a True Origin Realm expert.
They didn’t know that if it weren’t for Ning Fan about to take over as Family Head, Butler Zhang would have continued to conceal himself.
Revealing his true strength at this moment was out of necessity.
After all, his identity before retiring from the Jianghu was not honorable; thanks to Ning Qiankun’s appreciation, he found a stable position with high status.
Butler Zhang was grateful, thankful for the peaceful life Ning Family had afforded him.
Of course, people have desires; once getting benefits, they naturally want more.
Zhang Daolin was no exception.
He, having achieved success, protected a generation of Family Heads, naturally hoped his descendants could also attain success, contributing to the Ning Family, enjoying prosperity.
Ning Qiankun’s health plummeted, Ning Jianyang was killed, Ning Fan suddenly appeared, and ultimately killed Ning Qingfeng, leaving Butler Zhang caught off guard, nearly swept into the vortex of this power struggle.
Yet, being an old hand in the Jianghu, after astute analysis, he strategically chose loyalty only to the Family Head, remaining impartial to the three sons.
However, now with Ning Jianyang and Ning Qingfeng dead, Ning Fan was named the heir designate.
This forced Zhang Daolin into a desperate gamble.
He placed all his bets on himself, believing he could win.
In response to Nalan Invincible’s mockery, he chuckled softly, unperturbed, “As an old Jianghu hand, vigilance has been my way of life. Although I’m high in the Ning Family, I’ve never slacked off in my cultivation.
At night when others sleep, I cultivate; during breaks from handling affairs for the Ning Family, I cultivate; in places unseen by others, I continue to cultivate. Do you believe you are my match?”
“Haha.” Nalan Invincible sneered, “My realm in True Origin is already at the peak of peaks, just one opportunity away from stepping into Aerial Mastery Realm. Even if you’re in True Origin Realm, how strong can you be?”