"No... No. No, no, no, no, no, no, nononono. NONONONONONO! NOOOOO!"
Everyone startled when Claire suddenly screamed like that. Especially Brian whose face paled. Even Dragon only blinked his eyes without words.
I could understand them, especially Brian. His granddaughter had finally shown a sign of recovering and even stepped out of her bedroom. He probably had expected a bright future for her, but now Claire showed an abnormal condition.
"Sister, calm down. Nobody is agreeing with his terms," I said, putting my hands on her shoulders.
Claire stopped trembling and looked at me with hopeful eyes. "You won't agree?"
"Sister, why do you have so little faith in me? I literally didn't sue your family for kidnapping me and agreed to join this family instead. Do you think I did it for that old man?"
"Brother."
Dragon suddenly laughed out loud and said, "What am I witnessing here? Incest. Little girl, you call him brother and he's registered as your family member. Even if you two aren't related by blood, the law forbids you to marry your family member. I swear, humans love to break their own rules. Have you had no shame before honorary non-human citizens?"
"Oh, your mouth is as wide as a woman's pussy when they are horny, but yours is open wide all the time. Do we need a dragon cock to seal that pussy mouth of yours?" I asked.
"And your mouth is as dirty as human waste. You know what the Chinese said? To respect elders and parents is the root of humanity. It's clear to me that this family has neglected your etiquette education. No worries, grandson, grandpa will personally teach you. Not only will you become the strongest man alive surpassing even the Emperor, you will become the most refined gentleman. Ladies will fall at the presence of your demeanor."
"You? Teaching me about manners? This old man can't see his reflection in the mirror."
"Enough both of you. Ryder, he is right. Your etiquette class will start tonight. No more evading. As for you, Snake, do not even insult my family again."
Dragon slapped Brian's shoulder. "Why so serious? Our families will become allies in the future. No need to be tense."
"Oi, I apologize for not being clear enough, but I'm not interested in becoming a political tool. Fuck that," I complained.
"Don't be like that. You will love my granddaughter, Snow. She is an elegant lady and a strong woman, unlike that failure sister of yours."
I pulled Claire by her waist and said, "I won't tolerate anymore insults toward my super awesome sister."
"B-brother..." Claire blushed at my words.
"Alright. Alright. You cannot refuse anyway. You can ask your grandfather."
"My grandpa won't agree to this!" Claire exclaimed. "Tell him that you won't agree, grandpa."
Brian closed his eyes as if pondering about important decisions. Then, he met his granddaughter's pleading eyes with a serious expression. "My love, you have to understand that I truly want you to be happy. I really do. But... This is beyond my personal matter. For a millennium, humans, other races, and even demons have been fighting the same enemy. That's why we are united even though we are different. This enemy we are fighting is really powerful and almost impossible to be defeated. One day, we found a glimmer of hope to defeat him. It's to cultivate someone to master the Ultimate Nine Art. Heaven Family has been appointed to find an inheritor of this art. If Ryder is really compatible to learn it, I really cannot refuse this engagement."
"Hey, if you want to teach me that art then just teach me. Why do I have to marry someone from your family?" I complained.
"Why? For my own benefit of course, hahahaa. But know this, kids, even if not for that, you cannot learn this art without performing dual cultivation with someone with a dragon bloodline who is also practicing One Unity Art. My female descendants practice this art. So even if you want to practice this art without tying a knot with our family, you cannot do it without my female descendants."
"Are you guys so desperate to put people's hopes into just one person? Look at you. Our proud master awakeners tuck their cocks between their legs before one person with a larger cock. Who is this enemy anyway? What has he done that you guys are so eager to fuck him in the ass."
Dragon shrugged. "Reasonable reaction. I don't mind giving you history lessons if that's what it takes to change your mind."
"No. I don't care. I don't care. You want my brother to risk his life to fight someone you can't even defeat. No. No. You don't care about my brother. Only I care. Nobody takes my brother away from me. I will protect my brother," Claire rambled.
"Claire, my love. Grandpa has disappointed you, but I promise your brother won't be mistreated. He will live like a king. If not, I will personally slay this snake."
Dragon scratched his head. "You make me look like a bad guy here. You have my words that I won't mistreat our grandson."
"Wait you two. I'm tired of cursing, damnit. Come on, guys. There must be another way to solve this."
"Kid, trust me. We have been trying for a millennium. Even now, we haven't stopped looking for a way. You have no idea how terrifying this person is. You are our only hope."
"NOOOO!" Claire broke down. She waved her hands, and the space suddenly twisted like ripples in clear water. Suddenly, she grabbed twin daggers and lunged at Dragon. With a quick thrust, she stabbed his neck, but the tip of her dagger didn't even penetrate his skin.
"You... interesting. Well, little girl, if this is the extent to your power, you are not qualified to have a voice here. Be a good girl and reach Snow's level first at least," Dragon said.
Claire's other dagger flashed and tore the space in its track, revealing a black hue of the void. It sliced the draconian's neck, spurting golden blood.
"Sister!" I called as scales grew on Dragon's body. I sensed a dangerous aura from him, but Claire was faster than me.
Leaping back, she grabbed me by the waist. She sliced the space, creating a large void in the air. Then, she lifted me on her slender arm effortlessly and jumped into the void.