After Su Yunying left, Shen Zhao casually tossed the Lone Goose Spear aside, propping his chin in his hand. "Alright, what's the rush? What did you two need to see me for? Get to the point!"
Feng Xiunian immediately recounted in detail what had happened with Xia Toutan on the street today.
Shen Zhao almost burst out laughing after hearing it.
Shen Zhao naturally knew Xia Toutan. He was truly as his name suggested: a downer. A foolish, self-assured, and naive idiot. He had seen him in previous lives when representing the Yin Tian Dynasty during high-level negotiations with the Purple Abyss Empire.
"I thought it was someone important. Just a branch family member of the Xia family. Even if it were the main branch of the Xia family, I wouldn't care. As for a branch family member, there's even less reason to care. He dared to embarrass our alliance in Qingyang City. That's clearly asking for trouble. We have to deal with him."
Hearing Shen Zhao's confident words, Feng Xiunian and He Yishou were relieved.
Feng Xiunian immediately clenched his fist and said, "Alright, since Brother Shen has spoken, I'll go get our reputation back!"
"No need to rush!" Shen Zhao stopped him. "Since he wants to play, we'll play along. Isn't Xia Toutan so confident? Let's make him even more so."
Seeing the wicked grin on Shen Zhao's face, He Yishou immediately felt his scalp tingle. He asked in a trembling voice, "What does Brother Shen plan to do?"
Shen Zhao beckoned them closer, and then whispered his plan.
After Shen Zhao finished speaking, the two of them squinted their eyes, slowly adjusting their positions.
After a long while, He Yishou sighed, "Brother Shen, when it comes to being ruthless, you're the best."
Feng Xiunian also sighed with emotion, "This is simply killing the heart along with the person."
Shen Zhao, however, was unfazed. "The world of Jianghu is treacherous. Where's the fairness? Besides, who in this line of work is truly fair?
Even the Immortal Sect competition, is that fair? A ninth-grade peak Qi Condensation Realm cultivator versus a Body Tempering Realm cultivator, is that fair?"
The two of them exchanged a glance, agreeing with Shen Zhao's words.
As the lamps were lit, Xia Toutan emerged from the city lord's mansion, looking utterly dejected.
Judging by his expression, which was as dispirited as could be, it was safe to say that his proposal had failed.
Lu Xuanji hadn't even let Xia Toutan inside the door, immediately sending him away. Lu Zhantian had also stated that since his daughter wasn't willing, he wouldn't force her.
Thinking of not being able to marry the woman he so longed for, Lu Xuanji, Xia Toutan felt even more vexed. He decided to go to a restaurant to drink and forget his troubles.
Just as he sat down, a young scholar-looking gentleman sat across from him, exclaiming in surprise, "Oh, may I ask if you are Young Master Xia Toutan, the young master of the Xia family from the Purple Abyss Empire?"
Xia Toutan looked up and asked the scholar, "Do I know you?"
The scholar quickly clasped his hands and said, "I apologize for my rudeness. This humble one was fortunate enough to see Young Master Xia once in the Purple Abyss Empire. Your grace has always filled me with longing. It is truly a great fortune to meet you here today."
Hearing the flattering words, Xia Toutan's mood instantly brightened. He asked with an awkward smile, "Really? You flatter me too much. Although I am indeed quite refined, perhaps you exaggerate a bit?"
The scholar said, "Every word I speak comes from the bottom of my heart. Young Master Xia is both a scholar and a warrior, with everything well planned, truly a model for us all."
Upon hearing this, Xia Toutan was completely elated. Lost in the scholar's praise, he began to elegantly flick the hair that fell over his forehead, muttering "You flatter me," although his expression was quite honest.
After a few pleasantries, the scholar said seriously, "I saw that Young Master Xia seemed troubled earlier. May I know what's on your mind? Perhaps I can help you."
Xia Toutan sighed, saying, "What else could it be? Today, I went to the Lu family to propose marriage, but the result... let's not talk about it..."
He recounted the details of his rejection to the scholar, who he still didn't know the name of, finally letting out the last bit of frustration he had bottled up.
After he finished speaking, the scholar couldn't help but say, "With Young Master Xia's talent, as long as you wish, why would you worry about not getting a beautiful wife? Why must you cling to Miss Lu?"
"Alas, with three thousand rivers, I only want this one ladle. But, alas, the flower has the intention, but the water has no feelings."
"I didn't expect Young Master Xia to be so deeply in love. It's truly a loss for Miss Lu that she rejected him. What a pity, what a pity."
"Sigh, what good is being deeply in love? She doesn't even have eyes for me. Here I am, Xia Toutan, from a prestigious family in the imperial capital, and I can't even catch the eye of a beautiful woman."
"Don't be discouraged, Young Master Xia. As far as I know, Miss Lu is indeed a very individualistic person. The husband she chooses will naturally have very high standards, and only those who are both accomplished in literature and martial arts will win her heart."
"In terms of literature and martial arts, how could I, Xia Toutan, lose to my peers? Why won't Miss Lu give me a chance?"
"Young Master Xia, in fact, there's a way for you to win Miss Lu's heart, but I don't know if you have the courage and daring."
Hearing this, Xia Toutan hastily said, "Please speak, friend. For Miss Lu, I wouldn't even bat an eye going through fire and water!"
The scholar said, "Young Master Xia, you don't know, but besides Miss Lu, her elder brother, Lu Chen, has the highest cultivation talent in the City Lord's Mansion.
Miss Lu once said that if someone of her generation wants her to look at them with respect, they must first defeat her brother. With Young Master Xia's cultivation talent, why not give it a try?"
"Regardless of the outcome, at least you can prove your feelings for Miss Lu, right?"
Then, the scholar glanced around and whispered to Xia Toutan, "There's something else I need to tell you. Actually, the reason Miss Lu dares not accept your feelings, Young Master Xia, is because Lu Chen has inappropriate thoughts towards her."
"Impossible! They're siblings. How could they do something that disgraces their family?" Xia Toutan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"My lord, there's more to this chapter; please click the next page to continue reading. It gets even more exciting!"
The scholar said, "Miss Lu is one of the most beautiful women in Qingyang City, even in the Eastern Lands. Putting aside the fact that they are siblings, she's still a woman.
And Lu Chen has always been of ill intent. It's completely within expectation that he would have such thoughts about his own sister. Miss Lu is under pressure and can only suffer in silence."
Xia Toutan, upon hearing this, angrily said, "As you say, Miss Lu is in a sea of fire! I must rescue her!
Thank you for your guidance, brother. I will repay you handsomely in the future."
With that, he tossed down half a Spirit Crystal and rushed out of the restaurant.
After he left, He Yishou slowly walked from the back hall of the restaurant to the scholar and said, "You did well. Go to the dojo to collect your reward."
"Thank you, Boss He!"
After the scholar saluted, he hurried away.
What they didn't know was that all of this was seen by Su Yunying, who was lying on the opposite eaves.
"It seems quite interesting. This lady is looking forward to what will happen next."
With that, she picked up an apple and took a big bite.
Early the next morning, Xia Toutan rushed back to the City Lord's Mansion and immediately arranged to meet with Lu Chen.
陆尘 was puzzled as to why Xia Toutan had sought him out. They went to a deserted plaza, and after confirming that no one was around, Xia Toutan spoke first. "Lu Chen, what do you think about my situation with your sister?"
Lu Chen was taken aback and asked, confused, "Xia Toutan, what exactly do you want? Are you just here to say this? Since my sister doesn't want to be involved with you, just leave her alone."
Xia Toutan opened his folding fan and said, "I heard you are the most outstanding among this generation of the Qingyun Sect. All the female disciples of the Qingyun Sect favor you, and you are also a key cultivation target for the next generation of the sect, is that correct!?"
Lu Chen frowned, his heart immediately filled with displeasure at Xia Toutan's arrogant attitude.
Xia Toutan continued, "However, you're only where you are today because you haven't met me, Xia Toutan. I, Xia Toutan, am a proud son of the Xia family from the Purple Abyss Empire's capital. My status is so distinguished and noble; your sister should feel honored to marry me!
I hope you can persuade Xuanji; I am her destined partner, understand?"
These words turned Lu Chen's face ashen.
He was also someone who liked to show off, but he preferred to do it in a low-key manner, because it made him seem refined and sophisticated.
But now, a lunatic was showing off in front of him, even planning to use him as a stepping stone? Absolutely not.
"I understand. You came to find trouble today, right?"
"Hmph, as long as I defeat you, Xuanji will definitely fall for me. Prepare yourself, Lu Chen! Xuanji can only belong to me!"
"Stop the nonsense. Aren't you just itching to fight? I'll grant your wish! Come on!"
Lu Chen was infuriated and immediately assumed a fighting stance.
Xia Toutan's lips curled up. He put away his folding fan and clasped his hands, saying, "Alright! Lu Chen, today I'll let you witness the power of my Xia family, just how heaven-defying it is!"
Then, he took the lead and began to gather spirit energy, his White Cloud Palm ready to strike.