[I can't breathe.]

This thought would naturally come from the man being strangled, but that guy was already unconscious.

These thoughts were from the man who acted as the representative of the Lopus Family.

"Who are you? What did you do to Alchemist Jiru!?"

The scarred face man asked while trying to think of a way how to get out of this encounter alive with the Jiru, [Dammit, how many has he killed to have such an aura?]

Alchemist Jiru cannot die during his watch or while he's staying under the Lopus Family, else the Alchemist Tower would come for them.

Those who join the Alchemist Tower were people known for the kindness and this includes every single member. There was not a single member who dare commit any bad deed without a valid reason, then the moment a single rumor spreads, the founder would send in her forces and seek out every head.

Due to that fact, the Alchemist Tower was considered more sacred than any Buddhist temple. Their insignia may mean a rampaging Phoenix, but they're everything but. Arrogant some of them may be, somewhat greedy or haughty, but none of them were bad people — or so many believed.

Thus, the death of an Alchemist would lead to an uproar, the Lopus Family might not receive help from them anymore.

"Let Alchemist Jiru go before I make you!"

He looked at them, and smiled, "You quiver while holding a blade, that's quite the sight. Prying over my body, sloppily sending in qi to my meridians, you had some balls trying to kill me. And now, you threaten me, how magnificent."

Wang Ling walked with the alchemist in tow, his body slowly becoming the embodiment of a sword, his fingers outstretched, blood was already reeking out of his body.

"So, tell me, how many holes do you want in your body?" he spoke in a cold tone.

"You… you don't scare me, you are nothing but a Qi Reinforcement Realm nobody!" The scarred man dashed forward, he swung his saber at Wang Ling.

The man found a way to overcome his fear, he was a Qi Cloaking Realm cultivator, he was stronger than Wang Ling!

[I don't know how he's emitting such an aura, but that must all be front! Do not be fooled Irta, you are stronger than him!] he used such words to assure himself.

But as the saber was about to reach Wang Ling's neck, it stopped. Irta's eyes widened from shock, "I-impossible!"

Wang Ling laughed, "And yet I just did, now that you saw that, pay the fine with your life — die!"

"MA-MASTER WAIT!" Leo found himself just before Irta was about to die, "They are not enemy, they're simply here to help us. The one in your hand is called Alchemist Jiru, someone from the Alchemist Tower! He was simply trying to heal you earlier."

Leo's words stopped Wang Ling's hands, the young Leo attracted the eyes of Irta and the trembling lackey.

"Is that so?" Wang Ling raised his brows and then dropped the Alchemist down.

Upon doing so Irta had his man look after the incapacitated Jiru. The doctor had now become the patient. Wang Ling who had awoken from his rest looked around, "Leo, what is happening?" he asked while accepting the change of clothes Leo prepared earlier on.

"We are in the village you saved; it had been several days since you have been asleep, they are not the enemies…"

Leo explained the situation, he even mentioned the Alchemist Tower and Jiru's identity, "He's someone sent to these parts by the Alchemist Tower, he's under their protection. As for who these people are, they are men of the Lopus Family."

Wang Ling noted everything that he had said and when he took a seat the first thing to come out of his mouth was, "I apologize." ever so slightly he lowered his head, an act he would rarely do.

He was in the wrong, at the moment Wang Ling would rather apologize for something he had done rather than fight without a reason, "My situation has me in need of always being alert, my meridians are also something that cannot be messed around with so I panicked when someone had their qi circulate in mine."

Wang Ling's Overlord Meridians was something beyond the scope of a man, those who peer into it must die else unwanted attention could arise. The fact that his meridians were much too different from the norm would set off many greedy bastards, thus, it may remain a secret.

Thankfully Alchemist Jiru failed to assess his situation for he awoke the moment foreign qi invaded his meridian system.

"I understand your situation Grand Master Wang, if I am the only troubled I would forgive you in a manner of seconds, but you have attacked Alchemist Jiru I fear you will have to deal with that matter on your own. Just so you know, if Alchemist Jiru was to complain about your assault, the Lopus Family would have to turn their swords against you… I apologize in advance. You are the savior of this town, so I would like to ask you to leave immediately before any blood is drawn."

Irta knew he would not be able to beat Wang Ling.

Irta also understood that he's not someone the family could have an enemy at the moment so he asked him to leave.

[This man is impossible to read. His strength is incalculable for him to catch my saber with his fingers is something even the Father would find hard doing.] Irta was trying to make Wang Ling disappear from their lands before anything could arise.

"You're a good guy, what is your identity?" Wang Ling managed to read Irta's intentions.

"It is Irta Lopus, Grand Master Wang. The firstborn of the Lopus Family." He was glad that Wang Ling did not take offense to his words.

Leo's eyes widen hearing that, [That means he's the Lopus Family's first young master!] he would also be the older brother of the one Lucius killed. Leo looked at his Master with worried eyes.

Smiling, Wang Ling spoke, "Don't worry about the Alchemist I have my ways to make peace with someone like him, you need not worry about having your family implicated."

"Thank you, Grand Master Wang. Not only did you save this village out of goodwill, but for you to also —"

Wang Ling raised his hand, "That is enough pandering when you don't even know who I am."

Irta was confused but as Wang Ling rested his hand on his knuckles, the smile on Wang Ling's face disappeared, "My name is Wang Ling, of Leo Vyasa, the brother of your kin's murderer."

Silence prevailed in the room.