When Shen Youling produced the marriage certificate again, Lin Tang's name was clearly displayed.
Shen Qiushi's eyes widened in realization, and he couldn't help but laugh. "See? I told you it was fate!"
He was good friends with Lin Tang's master, the Divine Prophet, and knew that Lin Tang was an extraordinary young man with a boundless future. That was why he had been so determined to arrange this marriage.
He never expected that before he could even formally introduce the two, they had already gone and registered for marriage themselves!
Dong Mingfeng and Shen Xin were equally dumbfounded. This... is too much of a coincidence!
Shen Youling felt like she was dreaming. The husband I just picked up off the street is the same man Grandpa arranged for me! Could this really be the will of Heaven?
After a moment of silence, Dong Mingfeng suddenly sneered, "Dad, don't you forget, this country bumpkin beat up the young master of the Xie Family. He's caused a huge disaster!"
Shen Qiushi was speechless. That's right! That boy, Lin Tang... why is he so impulsive?
Shen Xin seized the opportunity. "Dad, perhaps we should just call off the marriage."
"Absolutely not!" Shen Qiushi shook his head resolutely.
Seeing him so unyielding, Dong Mingfeng was about to go mad. "Why? Why must you insist on their marriage? There has to be a reason!"
"You'll know the reason in due time," Shen Qiushi said cryptically. He then gritted his teeth and declared, "Youling, take Little Tang and find a place to hide for a while. I'll handle the Xie Family!"
He had already prepared to make an enemy of them. He figured that although the Shen Family was much weaker than their opponent, they wouldn't be so easily pushed around.
"Actually, I already took care of the Xie Family..." Lin Tang began to say.
"That's enough out of you!" Shen Youling snapped. Seeing her elderly grandfather still worrying so much about her and Lin Tang, she felt a lump form in her throat. Her dissatisfaction with Lin Tang grew. If only he hadn't provoked Xie Changchun!
She grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out the door.
After they left, Dong Mingfeng wore a gloomy expression, still unable to accept the situation.
Shen Xin asked anxiously, "Father, do you have a way to deal with the Xie Family's wrath?"
Shen Qiushi rubbed his brow and sighed. "Call Jiayue and have her come back first. Hasn't she been getting along well with the second young master of the Wang Family recently? See if we can ask them to mediate."
Shen Xin was stunned. His eldest daughter, Shen Jiayue, had always had a terrible reputation. The old man disdained her so much that he usually refused to even see her. Yet now, for the sake of a piece of trash like Lin Tang, he was willing to swallow his pride and ask her to get help from her lover. This is... this is unbelievable...
Soon, Shen Jiayue arrived at the house with her husband, Lu Zizheng.
"What the hell? Grandpa wants to marry my sister off to some country bumpkin? And this guy even beat up Xie Changchun?" she exclaimed, first shocked, then filled with deep disdain for Lin Tang. She pitied her sister's predicament.
Lu Zizheng was incredibly annoyed. On what grounds? Even he, her brother-in-law, had never dared to make a move on his sister-in-law. Yet some lowly creature had managed to take advantage of her.
"It's not that I can't ask the Wang Family's second young master for help. After all, he and Xie Changchun don't get along anyway. But I can't go asking for a favor empty-handed, can I?" Shen Jiayue's eyes darted about as a sly smile appeared on her face.
She had long coveted the treasures her grandfather kept under lock and key, but he never let her even touch them. This time, I have to get my hands on some of the best pieces.
Shen Qiushi's face tightened. His collection was full of heirlooms from his late wife. He really didn't want Shen Jiayue, who had disgraced the family name, to squander them. But to protect Lin Tang, he finally relented in pain. "Here's the key. Go and pick what you want."
「Elsewhere.」
Shen Youling shoved Lin Tang into her car and sped away.
"Where are you taking me?" Lin Tang asked.
"Didn't I tell you? We're finding a place to hide," Shen Youling replied irritably.
"But we don't need to hide. I've already thrashed the Xie Family, so they won't have time to come looking for payback," Lin Tang said earnestly.
"Do you really think I'd believe such nonsense? The Xie Family has so many bodyguards. How many could you possibly take down by yourself?" Shen Youling scoffed.
"It's true..." Lin Tang tried to say more.
"Can you please just be quiet? I need some peace!" Shen Youling truly couldn't contain her anger anymore.
"Fine, have your peace! I'm done dealing with you! I'm getting out!" Lin Tang was annoyed now, too. This convenient wife of mine is pretty, I'll give her that, but her personality... she's a total tigress. And I can't stand shrews. Can't a husband and wife just talk things out? Who does she think she is?
"You—" Shen Youling's eyes widened. He... he actually yelled at me? He caused all this trouble, and he has the nerve to yell at me?
"Didn't you hear me? I said I'm getting out!" Lin Tang pushed the car door open, preparing to jump.
SCREECH!
Shen Youling slammed on the brakes and watched him walk away without a single glance back. Her chest heaved with anger.
"You're an unreasonable lunatic!" she shouted, tears of frustration streaming down her face.
A moment later, Lin Tang was crossing an intersection when a voice called out.
"Hey, isn't that Master Lin? What a coincidence to run into you again!" Wei Shanhe was pleasantly surprised and hurried over enthusiastically.
"Oh, it's you," Lin Tang acknowledged coolly. Wait, isn't this guy also from that True Martial Association? Whatever. None of my business.
He was about to walk away, but Wei Shanhe grabbed his arm, his words earnest. "Master Lin, you saved my life and helped me achieve a breakthrough. I must repay you properly. How about we have dinner together tonight?"
"My attitude was terrible before," Wei Zichu added softly, her face blushing slightly. "I'm sorry. Please give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?"
"Alright, fine. Just tell me the place, and I'll be there on time."
I should find a place to brew the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus and the Great Restoration Herb and consume them first, Lin Tang thought. That way, they can't go back on their word and try to take them back.
They agreed to meet at Jufu Restaurant, the largest restaurant in Jiangbei, and then went their separate ways.
「Later...」
Wei Shanhe and his group arrived at the Shen residence, kicked the door in, and barged inside.
"All of you from the Shen Family, get out here now! And the son-in-law of the Shen Family, stop hiding! I am Wei Shanhe, Vice President of the True Martial Association, and I've come to test your skills!"
His voice was like a lion's roar, booming through the air and causing dust within a radius of several meters to vibrate.
The shout left Lu Zizheng's ears ringing, and he nearly wet his pants in fear. Who's that, shouting so loud? The True Martial Association? Oh my god, why are *they* here? When he says 'son-in-law of the Shen Family,' he means me, doesn't he? I haven't done anything! Why is he coming after me to hold me accountable?
The other members of the Shen Family were also startled and came rushing out. They saw Wei Shanhe stride into the main hall, his fierce gaze sweeping across them like a sharp blade.
Shen Qiushi trembled as he stepped forward, forcing himself to speak. "President Wei, I was unaware of your visit. Please forgive my failure to welcome you properly..."
If he were facing Xie Qinghong, the head of the Xie Family, he could have remained composed. But this was the True Martial Association! A behemoth like that could crush the Shen Family just by breathing on them. How could he not be terrified?
"Cut the nonsense!" Wei Shanhe interrupted impatiently. "Who is the Shen Family's son-in-law? He dared to strike one of my men and even called the True Martial Association 'trash.' What arrogance!"
"What?"
"How could this be..."
The Shen family members were stunned. Instinctively, they all looked at Lu Zizheng.
"It wasn't me! I didn't do it!" Lu Zizheng shrieked, jumping up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"You dare commit the act but not admit to it, huh?!" Wei Shanhe glared.
THUD.
Lu Zizheng collapsed to his knees, tears and snot streaming down his face. "I've been framed! I'm innocent!"
Wei Shanhe frowned, disgusted by the man's spineless display. A coward like this definitely isn't him.
Wei Zichu also looked on with disdain. "Grandpa, that fat man must be the elder son-in-law. We're looking for the second son-in-law."
"The second son-in-law?"
"Isn't that the husband Youling just found?"
"So it was that troublemaker! To think he not only beat up the Xie Family's young master but also dared to offend the True Martial Association. He must have a death wish!"
"That damned bastard... he's truly doomed us all this time!"
"President Wei, please calm down. Perhaps there's been some misunderstanding..." Shen Qiushi's lips trembled as he prepared to bow deeply.
"Hmph!"
Wei Shanhe's aura was overwhelming, pressing down on everyone. Suddenly, he lashed out with his palm.
Shen Qiushi spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed, unconscious.
Wei Shanhe paid him no mind. He waved a hand dismissively and issued his ultimatum in a chilling tone, "If you don't hand the man over within one day, the Shen Family will be wiped from the face of Jiangbei. I give you my word!"
"No!!"
"Have mercy!"
"Quick, call Youling! Make her bring that damned bastard back!"
Shen Xin and the others went deathly pale, utterly devastated.