Grand Xia Empire, Northern War King’s Manor.
“Father, I won’t marry her! I am the hidden dragon of the Xiao Clan, born with the Supreme Bone. In the future, I will surely become a duke, a minister, and make a name for myself across the empire!”
“As for that Ning Hongye, not only is she a disfigured hag, but she’s also a murderous female demon who has killed countless people. Just days ago, she even personally killed her biological father in the outer realms! I’d rather die than marry her!”
The eldest son, Xiao Junlin, drew his longsword and held it to his neck.
“My son, stop this at once!”
On the throne, the Northern War King spoke sternly, “Since you are unwilling, I won’t force you. You still have eight younger brothers who can fulfill the marriage contract in your place.”
As soon as those words landed, the other princes’ expressions changed dramatically and they began pushing back.
“Father, I’m already engaged to the Prime Minister’s daughter!”
“Father, I cultivate the Vajra Body Technique. I cannot break my purity!”
“Father, you know me. I don’t like women at all!”
…
“I think Ninth Brother is a great choice!”
Suddenly, Xiao Junlin stepped forward, his voice resonating throughout the hall.
“Ninth Brother is handsome, unmarried, close in age to Ning Hongye. He is the perfect candidate!”
As soon as he said that, everyone turned to look at a figure in the corner.
He was in his early twenties, with good looks, but compared to his older brothers, he appeared rather unremarkable.
“Ah… me?!”
Caught off guard by the sudden nomination, Xiao Yang was completely dazed.
Damn it! This scheming eldest brother is ruthless. He refused to marry the female demon himself, so he threw me under the carriage!
The truth was, Xiao Yang didn’t belong to this world. He came from Blue Star.
Three months ago, he had just graduated from university and started a 996 job. During a company team-building trip to Southeast Asia, he got drunk at a bonfire party…
When he woke up, he had transmigrated into the Grand Xia Empire and become the ninth prince of the Northern War King’s Manor.
The original body’s status in the manor wasn’t high.
His eight elder brothers were all exceptionally talented. Some were born with the Supreme Bone, others had the Sword Body, and some were accompanied by celestial phenomena at birth. Each had powerful maternal clans backing them.
But the original’s mother had died in childbirth. For eighteen years, he had remained unremarkable.
Though there was no melodramatic abuse from servants, he was still overlooked and lacked cultivation resources.
In the three months since Xiao Yang transmigrated, the Northern War King hadn’t even spoken to him once. Today was the first time he saw this cheap father—and it came with this disaster!
Though he stayed in the manor, he had heard rumors of the female god of slaughter, Ning Hongye.
Ning Hongye was the daughter of the Southern War General, Ning Xiong.
She was raised in the military, known for her unparalleled beauty, but her face was ruined on the battlefield.
Since then, she had always worn an Asura mask, leading charges herself and killing countless enemies.
She once followed her father to war in the Southern Wastes, conquered twelve cities, and even ordered mass executions, slaughtering hundreds of thousands.
Just last month, for reasons unknown, she killed her own father, Ning Xiong, in the outer realms, gaining the notoriety of patricide.
However, due to her military contributions and to maintain border stability, the Emperor did not punish her. Instead, he granted her a marriage to the Northern War King’s household.
But with such a fearsome reputation, which prince would dare marry her?
…
“Ninth Son, what do you think?”
From the throne, the Northern War King suddenly asked.
What the hell, old man…
When did I ever agree?
Cold sweat ran down Xiao Yang’s back as he cursed in his heart.
They were clearly treating him like an easy target to dump this mess on!
Right now, Xiao Yang felt like one of the low-rank monsters in Journey to the West, ordered to take out Tang Sanzang and his disciples just after debuting.
“Father, I—”
Just as Xiao Yang was about to reject, a system notification echoed in his mind.
[Detected that host has been granted a marriage. Condition met. Ten-Thousand-Fold Rebate System activated!]
[You may bind a female partner and gift her spiritual pills, treasures, cultivation techniques, etc. Based on her affection toward you, you will receive hundredfold, thousandfold, or even ten-thousand-fold returns!]
[Only women of peerless beauty and national grace can be bound.]
[Only items of Spirit Treasure level or above qualify for rebate.]
[The bound partner is exclusive. Once bound, it cannot be changed.]
I knew it! I transmigrated—how could I not have a system?
So it had been waiting right here for me!
Xiao Yang was ecstatic.
If not for the presence of his father and brothers, he would’ve done a 1080-degree backflip on the spot.
Before this, he was just a nobody in the manor. But now that he had the system, everything had changed.
As long as he bound a partner, he could defy fate and change his destiny.
In life, who doesn’t want to draw their blade and achieve eternal glory?
“Ninth Brother, what’s wrong? Could it be that you’re too touched by Father’s grace to speak?”
Xiao Junlin’s voice oozed fake sincerity.
Xiao Yang didn’t bother arguing. He raised his head and bowed toward the Northern War King, “Father, I am willing to marry Ning Hongye. However—”
He shifted the tone and continued, “Ning Hongye is not only the daughter of the Southern War General but has countless military merits and has been granted noble titles.”
“I, Xiao Yang, am merely a minor figure of low status, earning only 500 taels a month.”
“If I were to marry Ning Hongye, I wouldn’t even have a proper dowry to offer. That would be a laughingstock, shaming not just me but the entire Northern War King’s Manor!”
Hearing this, the other princes revealed surprised expressions.
In their eyes, this Ninth Brother was usually invisible and never dared to ask Father for anything.
But today, he was showing a completely different side.
“Ninth Son, what do you mean?” the Northern War King asked again.
“Father, I dare ask you and my eight brothers to each grant me a Spirit Treasure as a dowry to propose marriage to the Ning family!”
“It’s not for my own benefit, but to uphold the reputation of the Northern War King’s Manor!”
“Even if the bride is a female god of slaughter, being able to contribute to the manor is still my honor!”
Xiao Yang spoke with righteousness and grandeur.
Though he now had a system, in order to trigger the ten-thousand-fold rebate, he needed high-grade Spirit Treasures.
So this was the perfect chance to squeeze some gold from this cheap old man and his brothers!
“Ninth Son, your willingness to sacrifice for the family gladdens me!”
Suddenly, the Northern War King stood up and removed his shining golden battle armor.
“This Kirin Golden Armor is a high-grade Spirit Treasure, forged with Kirin blood and horn. It has followed me through countless battles, indestructible and sturdy as a mountain!”
“Today, I grant it to you!”
As he finished, he waved his hand, and the armor seemed to have a will of its own, flying into Xiao Yang’s hands.
“So heavy!”
Xiao Yang trembled. The armor felt like a mountain in his arms, and he had to use all his strength to hold it.
But he couldn’t hide the joy in his heart.
This was an incredibly rare high-grade Spirit Treasure, with few like it in all the northern regions!
If gifted to Ning Hongye and it triggered the system’s rebate, who knew what god-tier treasure he might receive in return?
“Thank you, Father. Now, what about my dear brothers…”
Xiao Yang turned to look at the other eight princes.
With the Northern War King setting the example, they couldn’t shirk their duty.
“Ninth Brother, I have a Nine-Turn Great Restoration Pill from Medicine King Valley. It’s a high-grade Spirit Treasure!”
“Ninth Brother, I have a Piercing Cloud Bow. It’s a mid-grade Spirit Treasure!”
“Ninth Brother, I have a treasured steed named Luminous Night Jade Lion!”
“Ninth Brother…”
They all spoke up, though the treasures weren’t on hand and were only verbal promises.
Still, using a few Spirit Treasures to avoid marrying the female god of slaughter? Totally worth it!
“Thank you, my dear brothers. I shall take my leave now!”
Xiao Yang left the grand hall, content and smiling, holding the battle armor.
But behind him, his brothers stared with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
A man with no crime but carrying treasure invites trouble.
This Ninth Brother, who had always been ordinary, now had the father’s prized armor. Why?
If this were under other circumstances, they’d be scheming to take it for themselves.
But this was Ning Hongye’s dowry gift—no one dared to make a move!
…
Late at night, within the First Prince’s residence—lavishly decorated, opulent beyond imagination.
Xiao Junlin sat cross-legged, cultivating. Behind him, a brilliant jade bone shone with dazzling light.
“Your Highness!”
A middle-aged man in a green robe entered.
This was Lu Xu, Xiao Junlin’s most trusted strategist.
“I heard His Majesty granted a marriage. Ninth Prince is about to marry that female god of slaughter from the Ning family. This might be bad for our plans!” Lu Xu said with deep concern.
“No worries!”
Xiao Junlin shook his head and smiled nonchalantly, “If it were any of the other brothers marrying into the Ning family, I might be a bit wary. But Xiao Yang? There’s no need to worry about him at all!”
“Why?” Lu Xu asked, puzzled.
Xiao Junlin explained, “You don’t know. Every prince of the manor has their fate calculated by the Imperial Celestial Observatory at the age of six.”
“My fate is the [Azure Kirin Becoming Dragon]. A dragon serpent hidden in the depths for a thousand years, soaring to devour sun and moon! All my brothers also have noble destinies.”
“As for Ninth Brother… his fate is [Sparrow in a Cage]. A lowly life destined to mediocrity. He will never stir any waves!”
After speaking, Xiao Junlin closed his eyes again and resumed his cultivation, clearly not seeing Xiao Yang as any threat.
Little did he know…
In the Celestial Observatory’s Dao Records, there was one more line about the [Sparrow in a Cage] fate.
[Golden cage locks the wings, but even a sparrow can soar through the heavens if given the chance.]
Even the weakest fledgling, with the right opportunity, could devour dragons.