SFS Chapter 107 Forced Marriage
Chapter 107 Forced Marriage
[You feel somewhat relieved. You decide to use this time to consolidate your newly acquired eighth level of Qi Refining cultivation and to comprehend the incredibly profound "True Explanation of Sword Dao." Your goal is to further enhance your combat strength before heading to the Zhao family.]
The first two days of secluded cultivation were uneventful, but on the night of the third day, a sudden change occurred.
The connection between you and the Azure Puppet was severed without warning. Your heart sank, and you abruptly stood up and headed straight for the small courtyard in the south of the city.
When you arrived, the once secluded courtyard was completely destroyed, leaving only ruins.
Your heart tightened, and you immediately spread your divine sense to investigate. Soon, you saw the remains of the Green Puppet; thankfully, there was no trace of Ling'er, and you instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, a sudden doubt arises in your mind: Who is it? Why attack this place? Is the target yourself or Ling'er?
Judging from the traces left on the battlefield, the person who attacked was at least at the late stage of Qi Refining.
[A thought suddenly occurred to you: since the Green Puppet is already "dead," why not turn the tables and pull off a "golden cicada shedding its shell" maneuver?]
[Taking this opportunity, we can spread the news of 'Li Qingyi's' death far and wide, thus creating a false impression.]
It can also divert attention away from those staring at 'Li Qingyi'.
[You have arrived at the Xuan Ce City branch of Ting Yu Ge and entrusted this matter to Mu Chunfeng.]
Mu Chunfeng is indeed a master of intelligence gathering and intrigue; he handled this matter extremely quickly and effectively.
Within half a day, news that "Li Qingyi was attacked and killed by an unknown powerful figure at a secret stronghold in Xuan Ce City, and the scene was horrific" spread throughout the streets and alleys of Xuan Ce City.
[After the news spread, countless mortals and low-level cultivators who had suffered oppression from Tingyu Pavilion or were simply afraid of Li Qingyi's fearsome reputation couldn't help but weep with joy and clap their hands in celebration.]
Upon learning of this, you returned to Huanzhulou, overwhelmed with mixed feelings and speechless.
That night, Zhao Mengxi came to Huanzhu Tower to find you as promised. However, Ling'er was nowhere to be found, and your original plan was disrupted.
Left with no other choice, you agreed to Zhao Mengxi's request, promising to travel with her to the Zhao family of Zichuan seven days later.
[For the next seven days, you should stay home and concentrating on consolidating your cultivation and comprehending the "True Explanation of Sword Dao".]
[Perhaps due to pressure, or perhaps due to sufficient accumulation, your cultivation has improved again in these seven days, and you have gained a deeper understanding of the "condensing the sword embryo" section in "True Explanation of Sword Dao".]
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Zhao Mengxi arrived at Huanzhu Tower on time. Without much pleasantries, the two of you quietly left Xuan Ce City and headed towards the Zi Chuan Zhao Clan.
Upon entering the Zhao family, Zhao Mengxi immediately took you to find her father, the head of the Zhao family, Zhao Zhouhui.
During the journey, you couldn't help but feel uneasy, after all, you weren't sure if the fake human skin could truly protect you from the probing of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine sense.
[The pavilions along the way were magnificent, and the land was filled with spiritual plants. The servants and maids all possessed a calm demeanor and moved silently, displaying the grandeur of a great clan.]
Finally, you met Zhao Zhouhui in a grand hall. He sat upright in the main seat, his face cold and stern. He possessed the unique spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even purer than Lu Zhenxuan's.
[You were well-prepared, controlling your outward aura to the level of the fourth level of Qi Refining—this is the cultivation level that "Master Huanzhu" should openly display.]
Zhao Zhouhui dislikes you very much.
"Twenty-one years old, and only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, your talent is mediocre. Do you think you're worthy of the eldest daughter of the Zhao family? Leave now."
Upon hearing this, you felt not anger but joy. The other party's first reaction was disdain for your low cultivation level, which proved that the fake human skin was indeed effective.
You are preparing to defend yourself with a pre-prepared explanation, trying to gain some room for maneuver.
However, Zhao Zhouhui gave him absolutely no chance. The pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator pressed down on you like a mountain, rendering you unable to move.
Just as you were thinking of a way to escape, Zhao Mengxi suddenly stepped forward and blocked your way.
Her face showed a look of impending tears:
"Father! Since things have come to this, I have no choice but to tell you. I have already pledged my life to him and I am pregnant. I will marry no one but him. I beg you, Father, to grant my wish."
These words shocked Zhao Zhouhui, who stumbled backward. You were also utterly bewildered; you hadn't expected this madwoman to dare to go this far.
Enraged, Zhao Zhouhui sent men to have you imprisoned in the dungeon.
[You've been imprisoned deep underground in the Zhao family compound. Fortunately, Zhao Mengxi has secretly made arrangements. Your cell is fairly clean, with bedding, and the daily meals are decent.]
Three days later, Zhao Mengxi finally came to see you. Upon arrival, she immediately took you out of the dungeon. Today also happened to be the birthday of Zhao Wuyi, the patriarch of the Zhao family.
[During the journey, she tells you that the situation has changed, and the only way to survive is to turn the charade into reality and marry into the Zhao family. You are full of questions and say that this is not what was agreed upon.]
She merely glanced at you alluringly, softly called out "husband," and then left on her own.
You now wish you could strangle her and are starting to plot how to get rid of the situation of marrying into her family.
With mixed feelings, you walked towards the banquet area. The Zhao family patriarch's birthday banquet was a grand affair, with guests gathered in great numbers. Almost every prominent force in the Xuan Kingdom had sent representatives; the scene was extremely lavish.
You met Qin Xiyue in the heart of the Zhao family's territory, and she was quite surprised to see you there.
After a brief exchange, Qin Xiyue inquired about your current situation.
So you decided...
First, she revealed her intention to marry into the Zhao family.
Second, conceal it.
Li Qingyi took a deep breath and gritted her teeth, saying:
"That crazy woman!"
He truly never expected that Zhao Mengxi would fabricate such a colossal lie as "being pregnant" in order to avoid marrying Li Xuance!
But at the same time, another question arose in my mind:
"I've only met Zhao Mengxi a handful of times, why is she so fixated on me? There are so many talented young men in Xuan Kingdom, couldn't she just find someone else to collaborate with?"
"Could this crazy woman be interested in me?"
The moment the thought crossed Li Qingyi's mind, she felt a chill run down her spine.
It wasn't that Zhao Mengxi wasn't pretty; it was just that her unpredictable personality made him uneasy.
He was terrified that one night, while he was sleeping soundly, this woman would suddenly come over and castrate him...
"I'm probably overthinking it," Li Qingyi shook her head. "She must have a deeper purpose."
Given the options presented in the simulation, Li Qingyi, by all accounts, would most likely choose option two, concealing the truth and facing the situation alone.
However, since the simulator provides choices, it often means that different paths may bring different information or opportunities.
"Does Qin Xiyue have a trump card that can break the deadlock?"
Li Qingyi shook her head. "No, what if the Zhao family's Purple Mansion Ancestor is secretly watching me and finds out about my and Xiyue's plan? We'd be completely finished!"
Facing the Purple Mansion True Man, any wishful thinking is fatal.
Li Qingyi made a decisive choice.
"I choose option two."
You told Qin Xiyue that everything was fine, exchanged a few words, and then parted ways completely to avoid arousing suspicion.
You still don't understand why Crown Prince Li Xuance targeted you from the very beginning.
Now that we're at the Zhao family's house, perhaps we can knock him unconscious and extract some clues through torture?
After wandering around, you saw many familiar faces, but unfortunately you couldn't find Li Xuance.
You found a place, and alone, ate the spiritual fruit and drank the fine wine, feeling somewhat listless.
As you eat, you calmly analyze the situation. With Master Zifu's abilities, you've entered the Zhao family and even had a "scandal" with Zhao Mengxi.
It's impossible that Zhao Wuyi, the patriarch of the Zhao family, didn't know this; he might even have been secretly observing you from the very beginning.
The reason he hasn't acted immediately might be that he's waiting for the right moment, or he wants to see how things develop and whether the "Listening Rain Pavilion Master" behind you will react. But in any case, he will come after you sooner or later.
As expected, things unfolded exactly as you predicted. Not long after, Zhao Mengxi found you again and led you to the main hall of the Zhao family home.
Stepping into the main hall, you immediately sense the change in atmosphere. The hall is already full of people, mostly key figures from the Zhao family.
You immediately spotted Ling'er sitting at the lower end of the table, and opposite her sat Li Xuance, whom you had been searching for for so long.
[Apart from Ling'er, everyone in the hall is casting unfriendly glances at you.]
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy, but you were not intimidated. You straightened your back and walked steadily into the hall, displaying the sharpness and pride of a swordsman.
Everyone was awestruck by the aura you exuded, except for Zhao Wuyi.
Your eyes met Zhao Wuyi's in mid-air, and you both saw a hint of understanding and deeper meaning in each other's eyes.
You understand, he may not truly believe Zhao Mengxi's lies, nor does he fully approve of you, but his choice to praise you at this moment must have a deeper meaning—
Perhaps it's to show the Crown Prince the Zhao family's attitude, perhaps it's because they value the "Master of Listening to Rain Pavilion" who might be behind you, or perhaps they have other plans.
And you, you need to take advantage of this "momentum." You two exchanged a knowing smile, both understanding the implication.
Just as Zhao Zhouhui was about to reprimand you for your rudeness, Zhao Wuyi raised his hand to interrupt you:
"Indeed, he is a worthy son-in-law for Mengxi. Master Fang, let's skip the matter of him marrying into the family."
Since you and Mengxi are mutually attracted, when do you plan to formally marry her? My Zhao family can then make preparations as soon as possible.
These words caused an uproar in the room.
All the Zhao family elders, including Zhao Zhouhui, looked at you in disbelief. They had thought their ancestor was likely going to give them a test, but how did it suddenly turn into "marrying him"?
Even Zhao Mengxi herself was taken aback; this was completely different from the script she had envisioned.
You cursed the old man inwardly for putting you on the spot. What was once a question of "whether or not to marry into the family" had now become a direct challenge to "when to propose marriage."
Moreover, he deliberately avoided mentioning the betrothal gifts, but on such an occasion, and for someone of his status, how could the betrothal gifts be light?
The dowry for the legitimate daughter of the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan is an astronomical sum! You're so poor you can barely afford food, how can you possibly afford the dowry?
[You feel that your current situation is worse than marrying into the family; at least then you wouldn't have to pay a dowry.]
You know very well that you must not show weakness or hesitate at this moment.
If you show a lack of confidence or make excuses, the momentum you've built up will vanish, and Zhao Wuyi may reassess the authenticity of your identity.
You replied directly, "Of course, the sooner the better."
Zhao Wuyi was quite satisfied with your answer and nodded, saying:
"Very well! Since you share this intention, then let's proceed according to the rules. I'll give you three days to prepare. In three days, I will await your betrothal gifts here. At that time, we will discuss an auspicious date."
[You just feel your head spinning. The dowry required to marry the legitimate daughter of the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan is something you simply can't raise in three days, let alone thirty.]
You feel like you've been completely screwed over by that crazy woman Zhao Mengxi, and now you've been outmaneuvered by that old fox Zhao Wuyi. You're caught in a dilemma, unable to move forward or backward.
At this moment, you almost wish that the Master of Listening to the Rain Pavilion was truly your master.