Chapter 29: I Consent to Your Marriage

A roar, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains, thundered through the air, leaving everyone’s ears buzzing.

The man who had arrived was Tang Mingchen, a figure of notorious reputation. He was known for one particular trait: his utter indulgence toward Tang Ruoxian, the apple of the Tang family’s eye. Whatever she desired, he would move heaven and earth to obtain for her—even the stars in the sky were no exception.

"I shall say this once more: whoever bullied Xian’er, step forward yourself. Otherwise..."

A formidable pressure surged outward. His strength at the peak of the Profound Entry Realm was such that his mere aura made it difficult for those around him to breathe. Everyone instinctively stepped back, their gazes shifting toward Li Xuan. By now, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that it was that boy, Li Xuan, who had dared to act so brazenly against Tang Ruoxian.

Li Xuan steadied his mind, took a step forward, and said, "It was me. What do you intend to do about it?"

Although Li Xuan was only at the early stage of the Martial Breakthrough Realm, he possessed the mettle of a man. What was done was done; he was not one to shirk responsibility. To act and to own one’s actions—that was the behavior of a true man.

Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended like a mountain waterfall, rushing toward him with overwhelming force. For a fleeting moment, Li Xuan felt his face flush and his breath catch, but just as quickly, the pressure vanished without a trace.

Tang Mingchen let out a hearty laugh. "Good lad! Had you shown even a hint of fear just now, your soul would have been extinguished and your life ended. This courage is truly admirable—you remind me very much of someone I once knew."

Tang Mingchen was eccentric and reclusive by nature; no one could ever predict what shocking move he might make next.

"Boy, kneel! Offer your apologies to my little princess!"

Tang Mingchen was shamelessly protective, yet no one dared to voice a complaint. He was not only powerful in cultivation but also ruthless in his methods, especially toward those who coveted the Tang family’s interests—he would stop at nothing to deal with them.

Li Xuan let out a cold snort. "Kneel? The matter from three years ago has yet to be settled, and you want me to kneel? The Tang family certainly thinks highly of itself!"

Li Xuan was equally unyielding. He gambled that before so many witnesses, Tang Mingchen would not stoop to bullying the young or act in a way that violated the social order. A tree lives for its bark, and a man lives for his face. No matter how fierce his reputation, Tang Mingchen would not lose face without cause.

However, Tang Mingchen lunged forward, a sense of oppression enveloping the space. He grabbed Li Xuan by the back of his neck and kicked him to the ground, roaring, "I am not one of those pedantic fools in the Tang family who cares about appearances! If anyone defies me, they insult my dignity, and therefore..."

Tang Mingchen let out a furious shout, his arm pressing down with force, compelling Li Xuan to kowtow three times to Tang Ruoxian. With a flick of his palm, he sent Li Xuan flying backward to crash against the wall.

Tang Mingchen looked at Li Xuan. "You have backbone, boy. If you had begged for mercy, I would have let you go."

Having suffered such a grave humiliation, Li Xuan was not about to plead. He cursed, "You old bastard! One day, I will pay you back tenfold!"

At these words, the crowd retreated further. They saw the murderous intent brewing in Tang Mingchen’s eyes and feared being caught in the crossfire.

"Heh!" Tang Mingchen let out a cold laugh. Two sharp glares shot from his eyes. With lightning speed, he seized Li Xuan by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "Then let us do it now. While you are still green, I will send you to the afterlife, and while I’m at it, I’ll crush the Li family’s hopes of rising!"

As Tang Mingchen tightened his grip and began to channel his Source Energy, intending to finish Li Xuan off, a sharp, whistling projectile shot through the air, striking the back of Tang Mingchen’s hand.

Tang Mingchen invoked his Source Energy, creating a halo of light to protect his hand. He looked toward the entrance in surprise. "Old Liu, shouldn't you be in the palace serving the Eldest Princess? You have time to meddle in my affairs?"

Old Liu bowed. "This old servant pays his respects to the Tang family’s Elder. I am here by the decree of the Eldest Princess to invite Young Master Li Xuan to the palace; there is an urgent matter to discuss."

A look of disdain crossed Tang Mingchen’s face. "And what if I refuse to let him go? What will you do, Old Liu?"

Tang Mingchen relied on his status; he held no regard even for the Eldest Princess’s decree.

"This..." Old Liu stammered, then said, "Elder Tang, are you not making things difficult for this old servant? Li Xuan has been arrogant and reckless, and he has already received his punishment. I hope you can show mercy and not haggle with a young boy!"

Tang Mingchen was a cunning old fox; he knew how to navigate these social intricacies. He took the opportunity to step back, releasing Li Xuan. "What is my status? Naturally, I would not lower myself to the level of a child. Death may be spared, but punishment is inevitable. My Xian’er is noble; how could he be allowed to blaspheme her? Men, gouge out his eyes!"

That Tang Mingchen had yielded at all was already giving the Holy Moon Imperial Court face. Even if the old Emperor himself had come, he would have had to show gratitude. To spare Li Xuan’s life in front of everyone was already a great concession.

Old Liu was immediately put in a difficult position.

"What? Do you expect me to do it myself?" Tang Mingchen clenched his fists, rays of Source Energy bursting forth. His voice was like thunder; he held Old Liu in complete contempt.

Suddenly, Tang Mingchen splayed his two fingers and lunged toward Li Xuan with lightning speed.

To save himself, Li Xuan summoned his 'Holy Intent Azure Wave Sword.' It materialized, spinning gracefully and emitting a series of sword-hums as he struck out with all his might.

Caught off guard, Tang Mingchen was nearly caught by Li Xuan’s blade. He threw a punch into the air, shattering the sword aura, and his body swayed slightly. He let out an "Oh?" of surprise.

Having failed to land his strike and instead being pushed back by the unexpected counter, Tang Mingchen said, "The boy has some tricks! No wonder he dares to be so arrogant. Regardless of who comes today, I am going to have those eyes!"

"You dare!"

Jiang Qingyue appeared at the entrance of the Furong Hall, clutching her sword. Her surging Source Energy swirled around her, and the rays of light shimmered. She looked like an angry tigress, imposing and cold, like a goddess descending to earth.

"Hmph, what is this?" Tang Mingchen couldn't even be bothered to glance at her. He lunged forward, intending to bully the youth, but was intercepted by an old man with a white beard.

"You old bastard, if you want a fight, come find me. Why bother with the younger generation?"

Tang Mingchen bellowed, "Kong Linghui, you seek death!"

Tang Mingchen unleashed a powerful palm strike, and Kong Linghui met it with a full-force punch. The power released by the two peak Profound Entry Realm experts surged like a tidal wave, instantly turning the Furong Hall upside down. Both men retreated and locked eyes.

"Uncle Kong, why are you here? Weren't you..." Jiang Qingyue hurried forward to pay her respects.

Kong Linghui smiled. "Yue’er, why did you go and provoke this mad dog? I really must teach you the 'Dog-Beating Staff Technique'!"

Jiang Qingyue replied, "I don't want to learn that filthy technique! Uncle Kong, you are terrible!"

Kong Linghui laughed. "Alright, Yue’er, stand aside and watch how your uncle uses the 'Dog-Beating Staff Technique' to beat a mad dog!"

Kong Linghui took his stance, mocking Tang Mingchen relentlessly. Tang Mingchen was so angry he grabbed his own beard. "You old corpse, get lost! We are evenly matched; what are you stirring up trouble for? This shameless brat Li Xuan insulted my Xian’er first—should I not settle the score?"

Kong Linghui’s expression darkened. He turned to look at Li Xuan. "You are Li Xuan? Very good!"

Li Xuan bowed. "I am Li Xuan. May I ask, Senior, what is 'very good' about me?"

Kong Linghui naturally would not tell Li Xuan that he had captured Old Hei and learned of Li Xuan’s loyalty and courage. In fact, Old Hei was now the eyes the Kong family had planted within the Li household.

"I say it is good, so it is! You old fool, this boy suits my taste. Give me some face and let him go!"

It was rare for Kong Linghui to plead for someone; having spoken, he clearly intended to protect Li Xuan.

However, Tang Mingchen laughed heartily. "Kong Linghui, what are you saying? That slippery brat Li Xuan had evil designs on my Xian’er. He looked at what he shouldn't have and kissed what he shouldn't have. It cannot end like this!"

"Elder Grandfather!" Tang Ruoxian’s face was flushed with embarrassment, and she stomped her feet in frustration.

Tang Mingchen’s next words left Tang Ruoxian utterly speechless: "A man should marry when he is grown, and a woman should marry when she is of age. Li Xuan, I know you covet my Xian’er’s beauty. I agree to this marriage!"

Before anyone could recover from the shock, Tang Mingchen continued, "From this day forward, the Tang family and the Li family are united in marriage. The Li family’s affairs are the Tang family’s affairs; no one else is to interfere!"

"Elder Grandfather, what are you saying?" Tang Ruoxian, scarlet with shame, could no longer face the crowd and ran away.

Tang Mingchen seemed to have made up his mind. "Old Brother Kong, remember to come for the wedding feast!"

Jiang Qingyue, Kong Linghui, and the others cursed inwardly: *Damn it, what birthday feast? It was an engagement party! That old turtle Tang Mingchen is truly capable of causing chaos!*

Li Xuan was also left dazed by the sudden turn of events. He looked at Li Chenxi and Jiang Qingyue. "Big Sister, what is actually going on?"

Kong Linghui let out a heavy snort and walked away. The crowd glared at Li Xuan with such hostility that it felt as if they wanted to swallow him whole.

"Xuan’er, tell your sister, what is going on?" Li Chenxi was filled with anxiety. They had only come to settle a bill; who would believe they would end up in such a mess?

Jiang Qingyue bit her lip and demanded, "Li Xuan, what happened? Why is that old monster Tang Mingchen so insistent on..."

Li Xuan pondered the situation. He suspected that the two old men had discovered he had killed the Golden-Feathered Eagle King in the Misty Mountains, and they were trying to claim a share of the spoils.

*It’s over!*

Li Xuan regretted his impulsive pride. Just as the Li family had begun to recover, he had attracted the covetous gaze of two great families. What was he to do?

Even worse, he wondered if the Wang family knew as well. The Li family was now surrounded by wolves. And why had Old Liu appeared so suddenly?

"Since Young Master Li is unharmed, this old servant will take his leave! I hope Young Master Li will find the time..."

Li Xuan’s head was buzzing, and he barely heard Old Liu’s words, sitting blankly on the ground. Old Liu bowed to Jiang Qingyue, Li Chenxi, and Elder Xiyue before departing.

"Xuan’er, tell the truth, what happened?"

Li Xuan shook his head, looking solemnly at Li Chenxi and Jiang Qingyue. He clutched his head in his hands, not knowing where to begin.

Suddenly, Li Xuan stood up. "The matter has reached this point. We will face the tides as they come. Only by burning our bridges and forging ahead can we break through this deadlock!"