Bai Shoucheng looked at Xiao Ye with disgust.
The kid before him was dressed in rags; only his face was halfway decent.
He couldn't possibly marry his daughter to this kind of penniless pretty boy!
"So, you're Master Tiangxuan's prized disciple, are you? I wonder how much of his skill you've actually learned?"
"That's right! If you've got proof, then show it! Don't think you can just impersonate him with some broken pendant!"
Bai Shoucheng and Ye Zude spoke one after the other, a hint of fear in their eyes.
Of course they wanted to break the agreement, but they didn't dare to provoke Lingxiao Daoist.
After all, they had personally witnessed Lingxiao Daoist's abilities back then. Otherwise, they never would have entered into the Golden Saber Covenant.
And afterward, they had truly soared in status, becoming prominent and powerful figures.
'What if we anger that bull-nosed old Daoist and he decides to play some dirty tricks...'
Xiao Ye saw through their thoughts at a glance and sneered. "My master has gone off to seek his immortal destiny. He didn't teach me much, but he did give me a few marriage contracts. Said they would ensure I'd be well-fed and clothed for life."
'That shameless old Daoist kicked me off the mountain and rushed off to roam the mortal world.'
'Right now, he's probably squatting under someone's window, eavesdropping!'
'But I was with the old Daoist for so many years, forced to learn a mountain of skills. Daoist Divination Art, the Witchcraft, Gu, and Medical Scripture, Qimen Dunjia—they were all second nature to me!'
'Years ago, I could already beat that shameless old man black and blue while we fought over the best peeping spot.'
"Ah, Lingxiao Daoist has passed away? What a terrible shame!"
Bai Shoucheng's face was full of delight. He immediately waved to the bodyguards behind him.
Soon, a bodyguard brought out a black briefcase with a combination lock, placed it at Xiao Ye's feet, and opened it.
It was stuffed full of brand-new hundred-yuan bills, at least several hundred thousand worth!
"Kid, it's true we received the Golden Saber on credit back then, but your fate is marked by a deadly calamity. I can't possibly marry my daughter to a man destined to die young!"
"If you know what's good for you, you'll tear up the marriage contract and take this money to enjoy yourself. It's enough for you to fool around with a few worldly beauties. At least you won't have lived for nothing."
"After you die, I'll even help you find a good Feng Shui plot, give you a grand burial, and make offerings every year."
"How about it? That's more than generous, isn't it?"
Bai Shoucheng delivered his spiel, putting on a grand show of magnanimity.
Ye Zude immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, the Ye Family isn't ungrateful either!"
"You're a dead man walking, so don't come and ruin our daughters' lives! As for the favor owed back then, we'll do our best to satisfy you, whether you want money or possessions."
"But the marriage contract we made back then must be canceled!"
Watching the two of them perform, Xiao Ye's face was filled with mockery.
He bent down and slowly picked up a stack of bills. "Tsk, tsk. Money really is a wonderful thing. Who doesn't like it?"
"A pity, though. This little bit? I couldn't care less!"
Before he even finished speaking, Xiao Ye casually flung the stack of money.
FLAP—
The red hundred-yuan bills slapped hard against Bai Shoucheng's and Ye Zude's faces, a sound sharper than a slap.
This enraged the two of them. Their faces flushed with fury, and killing intent radiated from them.
"You stinking brat! My Ye Family has dominated Jiangcheng for years, and no one has ever dared to be so disrespectful! Don't be so shameless and court your own death!"
"Let me tell you, whether you agree or not, this marriage contract is void as of today!"
"If you don't know what's good for you, watch out, or I'll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!"
As the two of them hurled threats, Xiao Ye just smiled calmly, then casually snapped his fingers. "For breaking your promise and abandoning your duty, you should watch out for a lightning strike from the heavens!"
BOOM—!
On a perfectly clear day, a sudden clap of thunder exploded out of nowhere, cracking loudly right behind Bai Shoucheng and Ye Zude.
The two of them turned pale with fright. Back then, Lingxiao Daoist could summon the wind and rain with a wave of his hand, and this kid could do it too!
"You… Didn't you say you hadn't learned much?" Bai Shoucheng asked, annoyed.
Xiao Ye nodded slowly. "Not much, no. But it's more than enough to deal with you."
"You want to annul the marriage? Fine. Within three days, bring me the Golden Saber you received on credit back then, and half of the wealth you've usurped over the years. I'll tear up the marriage contracts immediately."
"Otherwise, just wait to suffer the backlash from the Golden Saber and watch your families be destroyed!"
After leaving them with those words, Xiao Ye turned and strode away.
Ye Zude wanted to chase him but was wary of the thunder from the sky. He could only stomp his feet and curse at Xiao Ye's back. "Kid, that Golden Saber belongs to the Ye Family now! Don't even think about taking it!"
"And you want half our family's fortune? In your dreams!"
With that, Ye Zude looked at Bai Shoucheng in frustration. "Brother Bai, all these years, we've relied on that Golden Saber for our dragon-like fortune. We can't give it up, no matter what!"
Bai Shoucheng nodded gravely. "It seems this kid is no pushover. We'll have to find another way."
Ye Zude made a sharp gesture with his hand across his neck. "Only dead men stay quiet!"
"That kid doesn't know what's good for him, so don't blame us for getting nasty! Let's just kill him and be done with it!"
「Meanwhile, at the Lin Family villa.」
Lin Chuyue got out of the car, exhausted. The tops of her thighs were sore and weak.
As soon as she walked in the door, Lin Aoshan, who had been waiting for her all night, stood up unsteadily.
"Chuyue, last night you…"
Lin Aoshan couldn't bring himself to ask the rest.
Lately, a rumor had been spreading through Jiangcheng that his granddaughter, Lin Chuyue, possessed the fate of a Nine Heavens Phoenix Maiden, and that whoever married her would become a great overlord.
That old bastard Han Buqun had actually believed it.
He had come to their door several times to propose a marriage for his grandson, Han Fei, but Lin Aoshan had refused every time.
Unexpectedly, Han Buqun had flown into a rage out of humiliation and used dirty tricks to cut off the Lin Family's line of credit, trying to force them to submit.
To escape their predicament, Lin Chuyue had attended a business banquet on a cruise ship last night, but she had been late in returning.
Lin Aoshan had been so worried he couldn't sit or sleep, but he didn't know how to ask.
Back then, he was just an ordinary man. It was only with Lingxiao Daoist's guidance that he'd been able to leap the dragon gate, leading the Lin Family to become a top-tier wealthy family in Jiangcheng.
'But now I'm watching helplessly as the Lin Family faces a bankruptcy crisis. Could this be retribution for wanting to break the marriage agreement?'
Thinking that today was the day the marriage contract was to be fulfilled, Lin Aoshan's heart grew heavier, and he let out a deep sigh.
"Grandpa, I got held up by something last night."
Lin Chuyue dutifully supported Lin Aoshan. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, the Lin Family won't fall."
"Sigh. To save the Lin Family, we need at least five hundred million!"
"You're just a young girl. Where are you going to find that much money?"
"Promise Grandpa you won't go begging the Han Family! That old bastard Han Buqun is utterly shameless, and his grandson Han Fei is no good either!"
As Lin Aoshan spoke, he suddenly froze, his eyes fixed on the bruises on Lin Chuyue's neck.
"Chuyue! You… Did you go to Han Fei for help? Did that animal defile you?!"
"You foolish child! Let the Lin Family fall! It's not worth sacrificing your innocence!"
"No! I'm going to the Han Family right now! I'll risk this old life of mine to get justice for you!"
He had already enjoyed a life of luxury for long enough. He absolutely could not harm his own granddaughter for a bit more wealth and glory!
"Grandpa, it wasn't Han Fei, it wasn't," Lin Chuyue stammered, her face flushing bright red as she shook her head. "It's… it's a mosquito bite."
"I have to attend a banquet later, so I need to go back to my room and change."
Lin Chuyue fled as if escaping, leaving Lin Aoshan with a pained expression.
He might be old, but he wasn't a fool.
Those red marks were clearly traces left behind in a moment of unrestrained passion.
'Just what kind of humiliation did Chuyue endure last night…'
Lin Chuyue rushed into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.
Hot water poured down with a RUSH, scrubbing at the pale white skin beneath her collarbones, quickly washing away the sticky stains.
But she couldn't wash away the dizzying passion of the previous night.
All the wild, uninhibited moments replayed clearly in her mind like a movie, making her heart pound.
In the steamy mirror, the reflection of a sturdy, powerful body with scorching hot skin appeared out of thin air…