Chapter 268: Betrothal
Yun Che's words instantly stunned everyone. Murmurs of discussion arose from all around; people kept shaking their heads, indicating they had no knowledge of such a matter. Everyone's eyes were especially strange—after all, Su Linger was still too young, only just turning ten this year. If it were a betrothal arranged before birth or a childhood promise, it would be normal enough, but Yun Che was a fully grown adult! That was somewhat incongruous…
Looking at the current situation, anyone would think it highly likely that this was a fabricated excuse to crush the ambitions of Su Hengyue's faction.
Su Hengshan was also stunned for a moment, but immediately recovered. He glanced at Yun Che's expression and said without changing his face, "That's right! Yun Che is the finest young talent I have ever seen; I admire him greatly. In terms of aptitude alone, he surpasses Su Haoyu tenfold! You all witnessed that yourselves. Moreover, he saved my daughter's life, so I have betrothed my daughter to him. When she turns sixteen, we will choose an auspicious day for the wedding!"
Su Linger blinked her innocent, watery eyes, looking utterly bewildered. After all, she was already ten years old, not a toddler of two or three. Even if she didn't fully understand what "betrothal" meant, she at least grasped the basic concept. She looked at her father, then at Yun Che, her heart pounding wildly, lost and confused.
"Nonsense!" Su Hengyue gritted his teeth and roared angrily. "Su Hengshan, don't treat everyone as fools! This brat is clearly just a savior you called in on the spur of the moment! This so-called betrothal is nothing but a pretext! Otherwise, how could no one present have known about it!"
"Heh, that's simply because I hadn't made a public announcement. Do I need others' approval to betroth my own daughter?" Su Hengshan said coldly. He looked around and said calmly, "It seems that everyone is rather skeptical. Very well, I, Su Hengshan, will publicly declare this matter right now…"
He looked toward Yun Che, and Yun Che looked back at him… Su Hengshan's eyes were very complex, but Yun Che's gaze was incomparably firm and calm. This was a meeting of the eyes of two men who deeply loved the same girl. In each other's eyes, one clearly saw pure, unadulterated fatherly love, while the other saw something that made his heart tremble… a love unto death.
Looking into Yun Che's eyes, Su Hengshan's expression and heart suddenly calmed. All his unease transformed into a wonderful sense of stability…
Earlier, his emotions had been completely absorbed in the shock that Yun Che had brought. Although he detested Su Hengyue and his son, he had to admit that Su Haoyu's talent was extremely high—unmatched within the Tai Su Sect. Yet such a genius had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Yun Che, who was two or three years younger, unable to last even three moves. Moreover, Yun Che's subsequent strike had gravely wounded Li Yunji, who possessed Earth Xuan realm strength. At such a young age to possess such astonishing power was, in his understanding, nothing short of inconceivable.
A youth with such strength—he must come from the most elite backgrounds of the Fusu Kingdom. Finally, he smiled slightly and nodded gently at Yun Che, his eyes warm… It was the look of a girl's father appraising his son-in-law. Even the sharpest eyes present could detect not the slightest hint of pretense.
Yun Che quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said sincerely, "Your son-in-law Yun Che thanks you, Father-in-law, for your blessing!"
"Yun Che, you must think clearly. The daughters of our Tai Su Sect are never married out. If you want to marry my daughter, from now on you will be a member of our Tai Su Sect!"
Yun Che nodded without hesitation: "I understand! From today onward, I, Yun Che, am a disciple of the Tai Su Sect! I will share honor and disgrace with the entire Tai Su Sect!"
Yun Che raised his head and looked at the dazed Su Linger, smiling slightly… Linger, back then, I never even gave you the smallest promise. I owe you far too much. This place is an illusion, but also a beautiful dream. Let me, in this dream, give you everything I can.
"Hahahaha, good!" Su Hengshan stepped forward and helped Yun Che up, making him stand together with Su Linger, facing Su Wangji and Su Hengyue. "Supreme Elder, Yun Che is now my son-in-law, and also the son-in-law of the Tai Su Sect. Naturally, he is a member of our Tai Su Sect. In terms of age, he is younger than Su Haoyue. In terms of talent, heh, I'm sure you saw clearly just now. And everyone present heard your proposal just now loud and clear. I believe that with the Supreme Elder's seniority and prestige, you are certainly a man of your word. Therefore, now and in the future, the matter of the sect's supreme treasure will be under my full authority. I trust you will have no objections."
Su Wangji's old face stiffened, extremely ugly, and he was speechless. His earlier words had been entirely meant to allow Su Hengyue to succeed, but he never expected that in the blink of an eye, they would become a pit that he himself had fallen into.
"Su Hengyue, do you have anything else to say?" Su Hengshan asked sidelong.
"Hmph!" Su Hengyue's gaze was dark, and the hands pressing on Su Haoyu's chest trembled continuously.
"Hehehehe!" A harsh, cold laugh rang out. Heimu Qingya, who had been watching from the side, walked out and slowly approached Su Hengshan. Behind him, two black-robed old men from Heimu Fort followed closely. Heimu Qingya stopped when he was less than three paces away from Su Hengshan and raised his hand to him: "Congratulations, Sect Master Su, on finding such an excellent son-in-law. Not only has your daughter's lifelong matter been settled, but the sect's supreme treasure has also fallen completely into your hands."
"Heimu Qingya, the supreme treasure of my Tai Su Sect concerns the prosperity of our sect. It belongs to no individual, but to the entire Tai Su Sect. Hmph! Moreover, matters of my Tai Su Sect are not for an outsider with ulterior motives like you to meddle in. I have yet to settle accounts with you for having someone lay hands on my daughter! I want to see what explanation you will give me today." Su Hengshan said sternly.
"Hey, Sect Master Su, no need to be angry. An explanation will certainly be given. But before that, I have something to remind you," Heimu Qingya said, his eyes half-closed, emitting dangerous cold light from the slits. "You are able to be so satisfied right now all because of this son-in-law who suddenly appeared from nowhere. With this son-in-law of yours, the title of number one among the younger generation of Tai Su Sect indeed cannot go to Su Haoyu. But if he were to suddenly disappear…"
As Heimu Qingya spoke thus, his body suddenly blurred, charging at Yun Che like a black lightning bolt, a palm infused with surging profound force suddenly grabbing toward Yun Che's chest.
"Old thief Heimu, how dare you!"
Su Hengshan's expression changed, and he flew into a rage. Just as he was about to strike, the two old men behind Heimu Qingya moved forward, completely blocking his attack, making it impossible for him to stop Heimu Qingya.
Heimu Qingya possessed early-stage Heavenly Xuan Realm strength. There were very few in Tai Su Sect who could contend with him. Moreover, Heimu Qingya had struck suddenly after getting close, and the Tai Su Sect elders and powerhouses were too far away to block him in time. They could only watch helplessly as Heimu Qingya rushed straight at Yun Che.
Heimu Qingya was a person of extremely despicable character, but no one expected he would stoop so low as to use his status as Fort Master to ambush a junior in broad daylight!
When Heimu Qingya was speaking with Su Hengshan, Yun Che had already shielded Su Linger behind him, his mind on high alert. Su Hengshan might not have sensed it, but Yun Che was extremely sensitive to killing intent; he had long detected that a strand of Heimu Qingya's murderous intent had locked onto him. As Heimu Qingya suddenly charged, Yun Che's brows furrowed, he activated Heart Incineration, let out a loud roar, and instantly released Cloud-Sealing Sun-Locking.
Boom! Heimu Qingya's palm smashed into the barrier of Cloud-Sealing Sun-Locking. With a dull sound, a massive recoil force came from the front, forcing him back several steps in surprise.
But Yun Che and Su Linger, whom he was shielding behind him, did not move at all, completely unharmed. However, Cloud-Sealing Sun-Locking was shattered by Heimu Qingya's palm.
Heimu Qingya was shocked. He could not believe that he had been forced back by this young man. Furious and astounded, he let out a low roar, surged all his profound force to ten percent, and threw another punch at Yun Che: "Brat… die!"
Yun Che was not flustered. He quickly picked up Su Linger, preparing to dodge with Star God Remnant Shadow… If he could evade this attack from Heimu Qingya, then the Tai Su Sect elders and disciples would arrive, and Heimu Qingya would no longer be able to harm him or Su Linger.
But at that moment, a gust of icy wind suddenly blew. Within the cold wind, snowflakes drifted down. A long white silk ribbon came with the wind and snow, drifting lightly toward Heimu Qingya's palm, as if carried by a gentle breeze.
Boom!!!! The moment the seemingly light white silk touched Heimu Qingya's palm, it erupted with a world-shaking power. Heimu Qingya screamed, all five fingers shattered, and his entire body flew far away. Behind him, a gust of cold wind followed, blowing away all the Heimu Fort disciples who were rushing forward. For a moment, the sky was filled with flying black figures, dense as a plague of locusts, accompanied by continuous screams.
This sudden change stunned everyone on the spot. Even those who were fighting stopped unconsciously… A snow-white figure, accompanied by floating ice spirits, slowly descended before Yun Che.
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