"An engagement?"
As soon as Liu Yongzhi finished speaking, Liu Ruoxi, who was sitting in her seat, nearly exploded on the spot. Was it settled this quickly? Without even asking for her opinion? Was she not a human being, but merely a tool for a political marriage?
Just as Liu Ruoxi was about to stand up and retort, a hand rested on her shoulder.
"Yan... what are you doing?" Liu Ruoxi asked, a little angry.
The person holding her down was her eldest sister, Liu Yan. Dressed in a white skirt, looking elegant and poised, Liu Yan asked in a low voice, "Ruoxi, are you trying to defy Grandpa right here and now?"
Liu Ruoxi nodded, gritting her teeth. "So what? I’m not marrying him anyway."
Liu Yan’s expression barely changed, as if she were always this perfectly calm. "It’s no use even if you resist," she said. "Grandpa is the City Lord. His words are absolute law. Isn’t it the same for my marriage? I can’t decide for myself either."
"Yan, how is that the same? You get to marry a genius from a three-star city! I’d marry him in a heartbeat if I could!"
Liu Yan chuckled softly. "Is that so? But what’s the difference? Isn’t it all the same? We both lack the power to make our own choices."
A hint of loneliness hid within Liu Yan’s seemingly aloof and indifferent eyes. No woman wanted her marriage to be orchestrated by her clan. Liu Yan, too, longed for a free and unconstrained love. In fact, the woman she admired most was Gongsun Yanran. Because for so many years, across the entire city, Gongsun Yanran was the only one who had ever possessed the courage to run away from an arranged marriage.
Liu Ruoxi wanted to say more, but Liu Yongzhi’s voice rang out. "Ruoxi, come here and meet your future husband."
Hearing this, Liu Ruoxi turned her head away, completely unmoved.
Liu Yongzhi gave a light laugh. "This girl must be feeling shy. Ruoxi, come here."
Liu Ruoxi remained seated, her face cold and distant.
"Hmm?" Liu Yongzhi began to grow angry, his expression noticeably darkening.
"Ruoxi..." Liu Yan spoke up again.
Just as she was about to persuade her sister, Liu Ruoxi stood up on her own. She looked at Liu Yongzhi and asked, "Grandpa, are you truly going to marry me off to him?"
"Nonsense! Do you think my words are a joke?"
Liu Ruoxi’s eyes darted around for a moment before she smiled. "Grandpa, I can marry him."
Liu Ruoxi’s words took even Ye Xuan by surprise. Given her personality, she should have vehemently opposed this. Why did she suddenly agree? Did she have a change of heart?
While he was puzzling over this, Liu Ruoxi spoke again. "However, Grandpa, I once swore an oath. My man must possess the strength to defeat me; otherwise, I would rather die than marry. Does this Ye Xuan have what it takes? If he possesses such strength, would he dare to fight me?"
Her words made Ye Xuan suddenly realize her true intentions. He had actually thought she had turned over a new leaf.
As soon as she finished, Gongsun Yanran intervened. "Xuan’Er has only just reunited with me. His strength is not quite there yet. But rest assured, as long as you give him time, his strength will certainly surpass yours. He will absolutely be stronger than you."
"Give him time? Heh, how long? Ten years? Five years? Besides, he’s just an illegitimate son. You all know perfectly well how many resources a bastard can get! If you want me to accept this marriage, there is only one condition: let him fight me and win!
"What do you say, Ye Xuan? Why have you been silent this whole time? Are you always going to be like this, hiding behind women like a coward retreating into his shell? Ye Xuan, do you dare to fight me? Ye Xuan, are you a coward?"
"Do you dare to fight me?"
"Are you a coward?"
Liu Ruoxi’s words echoed continuously throughout the hall, lingering in the air. The mockery in her voice was overwhelmingly thick.
Ye Xuan immediately furrowed his brow, pushed past his limit of tolerance.
Gongsun Yanran was startled and hastily sent him a voice transmission. "Xuan’Er, don’t let her provoke you. Right now, you are no match for her. She’s doing this on purpose! If you accept the challenge, you’ll only end up humiliating yourself. Liu Ruoxi just wants to shame you!"
But Ye Xuan acted as if he hadn’t heard Gongsun Yanran’s warning. He stood up tall, chest puffed out, his gaze as piercing as a dragon’s.
"Why wouldn’t I dare!"
These few simple words, while perhaps not soul-stirring, rang out with absolute, undeniable conviction.
The moment he said this, both Gongsun Xin and Gongsun Wenjin frowned. Ye Xuan was still too young and impulsive. To think he actually fell for Liu Ruoxi’s taunts. If he fought Liu Ruoxi, there was absolutely zero chance of victory. After all, Liu Ruoxi was at the Demon Spirit Realm. Furthermore, the Beast Soul she had awakened was an intermediate-level Fierce Beast. Coupled with the Liu Family’s formidable Martial Techniques, she was even capable of killing opponents above her own level. And it wasn’t just by one or two levels! How could the deep foundations and resources of an entire city ever be imagined—let alone matched—by someone from a small town?
"You agree?" Liu Ruoxi was unusually thrilled. She truly hadn’t expected Ye Xuan to accept the challenge! She pressed on, "You’d better think this through. If I defeat you, it proves you have no right to marry me."
As soon as she finished, Gongsun Yanran interjected. "Today is a joyous occasion; what’s with all this fighting? Xuan’Er, she’s just causing a scene. Why are you playing along with her nonsense?"
Ye Xuan simply smiled. "Mother, I’m not playing along. If she wants a fight, I’ll give her one."
Ye Xuan knew exactly what Liu Ruoxi was scheming better than anyone. Didn’t she just want to take this opportunity to humiliate him? Then he would just humiliate her right back.
"Xuan’Er, you..." Gongsun Yanran wanted to say more, but Liu Ruoxi chuckled.
"I didn’t expect a bastard like you to have so much guts. Then follow me. We’re going to the martial arts arena."
With that, Liu Ruoxi marched straight out of the hall. Ye Xuan gave a cold smile and quickly followed.
"Xuan’Er, sigh..." Gongsun Yanran, her face etched with worry, grabbed Ye Ling’Er and chased after them.
Ye Ling’Er suddenly said, "Mother, why are you sighing? Brother is finally going to teach this spoiled princess a lesson! Calling him a bastard over and over—I couldn’t stand it anymore. I think she’s the one who doesn’t deserve my brother! How could someone fit to be my sister-in-law be so narrow-minded and completely short-sighted? She isn’t even fit to wash my brother’s feet!"
"Ling’Er, you don’t understand. The gap between your brother and Liu Ruoxi is simply too wide."
"Mother, I don’t know what cultivation level she’s at, but since Brother dared to accept the challenge, I know he’s going to win for sure! I believe in him."
Gongsun Yanran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She had no idea why Ye Ling’Er had such blind faith in Ye Xuan. Was this what it meant to be a die-hard fangirl?
Ten minutes later, at the martial arts arena.
The arena was a space specifically designed for combat. The stone flooring and the surrounding walls were built from materials several times harder than Black Steel Rock. Sparring here ensured minimal collateral damage to the rest of the courtyard.
In the center of the arena lay a massive circular ring. Ye Xuan and Liu Ruoxi stood opposite each other.
Ye Xuan’s gaze was composed and indifferent, as though he wouldn’t bat an eye even if a mountain collapsed before him. In contrast, a vicious glint shone in Liu Ruoxi’s eyes, as if she were ready to hack Ye Xuan into a million pieces.