With his brother-in-law visiting for the first time, Tang Xiao was extremely enthusiastic. He pulled Chu Chengzhou aside and peppered him with questions, almost more than he could take.
Perhaps because, in Tang Xiao's eyes, he was just a pretty boy, Tang Xiao did not ask about Chu Chengzhou's strength, nor whether he had any other girlfriends.
After all, what capital would a pretty boy have to keep other girlfriends? And as for strength, if he were truly a genius, wouldn't a young, pretty girl be more attractive?
Of course, Tang Xiao was not deliberately slighting his own sister. He was just being factual.
Though Tang Yuehua had always looked young, and now looked even younger than before, like a girl barely past twenty, her actual age was not small. She was old enough to be his mother.
Tang Xiao did not ask, and Chu Chengzhou did not volunteer.
Showing off only works if others draw it out of you. Saying it yourself ruins the fun. You need a few proper foils.
After the courtesies, Chu Chengzhou got down to business. "Big brother-in-law, I came for two things. First, to recognize my in-laws and meet Yuehua's family. Second, of course, is Xiao San acknowledging his lineage and returning to the sect.
Yuehua is the Haotian Sect's eldest princess, and Xiao San's return concerns much. It is still early. Why not invite several venerable elders of the sect to bear witness?"
"Very well."
Tang Xiao froze for a moment, then nodded.
His sister and brother-in-law's matter was simple. No one in the Haotian Sect would object, since everyone knew Tang Yuehua's situation.
As for his eldest nephew Tang San acknowledging his lineage, that would be troublesome. Many in the sect would oppose it.
But in any case, it had to be done. Stretch out your head and it is a slash. Pull back your head and it is also a slash. It was only a matter of time. Better to settle it early.
At once, both Tang Yuehua and Tang San felt a bit nervous.
Of course, what Tang Yuehua worried about was not her and Chu Chengzhou, but her eldest nephew.
"Don't worry. I'm here."
Chu Chengzhou shot aunt and nephew a reassuring look.
Seeing this, Tang Yuehua nodded, and Tang San relaxed a great deal.
Right. With his uncle-in-law so strong, his words were truth on earth. Whoever opposed Tang San's return would get the crap beaten out of them.
After that, Tang Xiao led the three to the front courtyard of the Haotian Sect's seat.
The Haotian Sect was no longer what it once was. The residence was not large, and the people were few. Whenever something major happened, all elders and disciples gathered in the front courtyard to discuss and decide.
Half an hour later, at the front courtyard of the Haotian Sect's seat.
A broad yard now held about one hundred sixty to seventy people. Middle-aged men, elders, youths, and children made up a small portion. Most were young adults.
At the center stood Sect Master Tang Xiao, Chu Chengzhou, Tang Yuehua, Tang San, and five elders with strong auras.
These five looked advanced in years, but all were vigorous, faces ruddy, and strength substantial. Four had reached nine rings as Titled Douluo. The other was an eighty-ninth-rank Contra. They were the five current elders of the Haotian Sect.
A gray-clad youth stepped forward, bowed to Tang Xiao, and said, "Sect Master, except for disciples out purchasing supplies or on errands, all elders and direct disciples have arrived."
"Mm."
Tang Xiao gave a slight nod and waved.
"Sect Master, why have you summoned everyone?"
After glancing over the unfamiliar Chu Chengzhou and Tang San, one of the five elders stepped out and asked first.
Tang Xiao spoke in a ringing voice. "Everyone, I have two major matters to announce."
All eyes turned to him.
"The first is this. My younger sister Tang Yuehua has found the man of her choice. Brother-in-law, step forward and let everyone meet you."
As he spoke, Tang Xiao looked toward Chu Chengzhou.
At that, all gazes, including those of the five elders, focused on Chu Chengzhou and Tang Yuehua.
Everyone knew Cousin Yuehua's situation, or Aunt Yuehua's, or Grand-aunt Yuehua's, depending on seniority. They had thought she would grow old alone, yet she had found her intended.
The young man looked fair and clean, even handsome. Not bad. Good eye, and promising.
For a moment, the flames of gossip burned bright.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Chu Chengzhou, from Heaven Dou City. I am Yuehua's boyfriend. I hope you will give us your blessing."
Chu Chengzhou led Tang Yuehua a step forward and spoke with a smile.
"Good."
Someone in the crowd immediately clapped and shouted approval.
In moments, applause thundered across the yard, cheers rising one after another.
If the Haotian Sect were still what it had been, the number one sect under heaven, and if Tang Yuehua were the sect's proud daughter, gifted in cultivation, or one of the continent's rare powerful female soul masters, then it would not have been so easy for Chu Chengzhou to gain the sect's approval.
If you were neither genius nor powerhouse, you would not even be allowed through the gate.
But everyone in the Haotian Sect knew Tang Yuehua's situation. Her martial soul had mutated for the worse. She was not even a formal soul master. The present Haotian Sect was not the former number one sect. The eldest princess's choice of husband naturally came with low requirements.
In fact, given Tang Yuehua's age, even those already low requirements no longer existed.
Moreover, even Sect Master Tang Xiao, her elder brother, had acknowledged Chu Chengzhou and addressed him as brother-in-law. They had no reason not to accept him.
Calling everyone here to meet him was the sect master giving face, not an invitation to nitpick or oppose.
"Everyone, quiet for a moment."
When the applause and cheers crested, Chu Chengzhou raised his hand.
Soon the noise died down, and all eyes fixed on him.
"Yuehua and I truly love each other, so a betrothal gift cannot be lacking.
As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father, and the eldest sister-in-law like a mother. Big brother-in-law, since Yuehua's parents are no longer with us, please accept this betrothal gift."
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou took out a sizable, square, ornate gift box from his storage soul tool.
Aside from the children too young to sense it, everyone present was a soul master. The moment the box appeared, they felt a distinct fluctuation of soul power emanate from within. What it held was without doubt a soul bone.
As a rank 96 Titled Douluo, Tang Xiao sensed it even more clearly than the others.
He knew that the box contained not only a soul bone, but one of no low years.
Moreover, Tang Xiao faintly sensed that this soul bone was out of the ordinary.
T/N: For 40 chapters ahead on my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle