A dignified man in brocade robes entered, followed by the girl Xiao Ye had seen the day before.
"Uncle Su." Gu Chen bowed to the newcomer, though his expression lacked genuine respect.
Su Meng? Xiao Ye's eyes flickered. So this is Su Meng, head of the Su Clan—one of Wutang City's three great families, supposedly bullied by the Gu Clan.
"Ying'er," Gu Yang called out, but the girl glanced coldly at him before looking away.
"Young man," Su Meng approached Xiao Ye directly, his gaze piercing, "might I trouble you for a moment?"
Xiao Ye hesitated but nodded, following Su Meng to a secluded corner. Gu Chen and Gu Yang exchanged uneasy glances—Did Su Meng know this youth?
"I am Su Meng, head of the Su Clan," the man began plainly. "I need your help."
Xiao Ye crossed his arms. "Sorry, but I'm short on time." He had no interest in meddling in family feuds.
"Let me speak plainly," Su Meng pressed. "You've heard of the Vein-Purifying Pool, I assume."
The mention piqued Xiao Ye's interest.
"The pool opens every three years, with nine slots," Su Meng explained bitterly. "The Gu Clan controls four, the Zhang Clan three, and my Su Clan two. But the Gu's are using this opportunity to bully us."
Ah, Xiao Ye realized. Gu Chen's ultimatum—marry his brother or lose the slots.
"My family can't accept such humiliation," Su Meng continued. "But if you help us secure the slots, I'll grant you one."
Xiao Ye's eyes lit up. This was the chance he'd been waiting for! With three days to prepare, even a draw against Gu Chen would secure his spot.
"Deal," Xiao Ye said firmly.
"Excellent!" Su Meng clapped his hands. "Leave this to me." He turned and barked at Gu Chen and Gu Yang, "This young man is under my protection. Back off!"
Gu Chen scoffed. "Since when does a nobody like him represent the Su Clan?"
"Enough!" Su Meng's aura surged, forcing Gu Chen to retreat. Though merely Posterior Heaven Realm, ninth stage, his pressure staggered the prodigy.
"Brother," Gu Yang whined, "Ying'er won't marry me unless you get those slots!"
"Silence!" Gu Chen snapped, his face puce.
Before the argument escalated, a melodious voice cut through the tension.
"He's my fiancé now."
Xiao Ye turned to see Su Ying—her hand clasped around his arm, her cheeks flushed.
"What?!" Gu Chen and Gu Yang stared, disbelief etched on their faces.
"Three days from now," Su Ying declared, "he'll fight for our family's honor."
Gu Chen's laugh was sharp with venom. "Fine. Three days later, you'll be picking up his corpse!"
As the Gu siblings stormed out, Su Ying released Xiao Ye, her ears burning. "Forgive me… I had no choice."
"No need to apologize," Xiao Ye shrugged. An arranged marriage? Not the worst outcome.
"Do you truly mean that?" Su Ying's eyes flickered with suspicion.
Xiao Ye chuckled awkwardly. "Of course."
Su Meng interjected, "Nonsense! It's just a ruse. But…" He tossed the innkeeper a coin. "Keep this between us."
The Su Clan Estate
The estate was a marvel of pavilions and ponds, a stark contrast to Xiao Ye's humble village.
One day, he vowed, I'll turn Xiao Clan Village into a powerhouse like this.
"Stay here for three days," Su Meng invited. "Rest and recover."
Xiao Ye agreed—his funds were dwindling.
As Su Ying left, her smile turned sly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Gu Chen regrets crossing you."
Alone in his room, Xiao Ye unsheathed the Flame Blade, its edge humming. Three days… let's see what Wutang City's prodigy is made of.
Knock-knock.
"Come in."
The door creaked open—and a vision swept in, moonlight trailing her silhouette.