(At the start of a new week, needing more recommendations, clicks, and collections~~)
Bang! Bang!
In a sleepy haze, Chen Yu was startled awake by a series of knocks on the door.
"Brother Yu, hurry and open the door. There's great news, the City Lord Mansion's reward has arrived..."
The voice of a young girl, clear as a silver bell, came through.
Without opening his eyes, Chen Yu knew it was his cousin, Chen Ying'er.
"Great news? Has the reward arrived?"
Chen Yu turned and got out of bed, the sleepiness leaving his face, replaced by a hint of anticipation.
The bounty for slaying the "Honghu Three Killers" was no small matter.
He opened the door.
Chen Ying'er, with a mischievous smile, glanced over at Chen Yu, who was hastily washing.
"What are you up to?"
Chen Yu showed a trace of vigilance. Could this girl be planning something against him?
He knew Chen Ying'er was very interested in the half-precious artifact that the reward involved.
"Heehee! I came to tell Brother Yu about a joyous event..."
Chen Ying'er spoke mysteriously.
"Joyous event? Is it that the City Lord Mansion's reward has arrived?"
Chen Yu finished washing and dressed himself neatly.
"The reward is naturally yours to begin with!" Chen Ying'er said irritably, "The joyous event is, of course, your life event."
Life event? What is happening!
Chen Yu's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly had a bad premonition.
"My father and the others have arranged a marriage for you! The bride is another daughter of City Lord Chu Fengyun. Doesn't this count as a joyous event? Shouldn't you, in your joy, give me that half-precious artifact..."
Chen Ying'er's cheeks flushed, growing more excited as she spoke.
A marriage! Chu Fengyun's daughter?
Chen Yu was as if struck by lightning, almost staggering on the spot.
When it came to marriage, he had an instinctive aversion, and when it mentioned Chu Fengyun's daughter, he inexplicably thought of the Great Evil's daughter.
"Hey! What kind of reaction is that? I've seen Chu Fengyun's real daughter, she's as beautiful as a flower, not that Great Evil's daughter..."
Chen Ying'er, holding back her laughter, showed her teasing nature.
Chen Yu's expression, however, wasn't too pleasant.
He was a person rooted in the sect, wholeheartedly pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts.
Marriage, how could the family make such decisions for him?
Chen Ying'er, on the other hand, looked like she was enjoying a good show, fearing the world wasn't chaotic enough.
After a while.
Chen Yu said a sentence, "Let's deal with one thing at a time. No matter what, let's claim the reward first."
Chen Ying'er was almost choked on her words.
At this moment, Chen Yu had already formulated a plan in his mind.
First, take all the benefits that should be claimed. As for that marriage, whether through negotiation or tearing faces, it was inconsequential.
Before long.
Chen Yu and Chen Ying'er entered a large reception hall.
In the reception hall sat City Lord Chu Fengyun, Family Head Chen Tianwei, Father Chen and Mother Chen, and several elders of the clan.
"Yu'er, you finally arrived."
Family Head Chen Tianwei, with a smile on his face, showed a significant change in attitude towards Chen Yu.
Chen Yu vaguely noticed that this drastic change wasn't only due to his achievement of slaying the Great Evil but also for another underlying reason.
"Young Hero Chen, I, Chu, am here with the reward as per the agreement."
Chu Fengyun smiled kindly.
Despite his dislike for these two, Chen Yu still managed to pay simple respects.
"Young Hero Chen, this is your deserved reward."
Chu Fengyun didn't indulge in formalities, taking out a long wooden box and handing it to Chen Yu.
Chen Yu's eyes lit up as he received the long wooden box.
Opening the box, the first thing revealed was a meticulously crafted short sword.
The short sword had an ancient bronze pattern on its hilt, and the one-foot blade was smooth like a mirror, seemingly natural, with a hint of a cold glint on its edge.
"Is this the half-precious artifact?"
Chen Yu was curious as he picked up the sword.
Immediately, a clear and resonant sound of wind echoed around the sword.
Holding the sword in his hand, Chen Yu felt an indescribable sense of agility, something that no mundane weapon could bring.
"This sword is named 'Wind Singing Sword.' Its quality is close to that of a precious artifact, a top-grade sword in the secular world. As for sharpness, it can rival real precious artifacts, slicing through iron like clay. Try it out, and you'll know its other characteristics..."
Chu Fengyun said with a smile.
Clearly, he had great confidence in the quality of this sword.
"Slicing through iron like clay? Heehee, let me try..."
Chen Ying'er, from somewhere, picked up a well-made thick-backed saber and swung it at Chen Yu.
Chen Yu laughed as he met it with the "Wind Singing Sword."
Ding-ka!
The heavy thick-backed saber was directly cut into two by the Wind Singing Sword.
"Ah no! That's my Tiger Treasure Saber—"
Family Head Chen Tianwei reacted, crying out in distress.
It turned out that the saber Chen Ying'er had casually picked up was his Tiger Treasure Saber, which had accompanied him for many years.
This saber was a rare high-quality weapon in the secular world.
However, in front of the razor-sharp "Wind Singing Sword," it was slashed in half.
What a sharp sword!
Chen Ying'er's eyes were full of affection as she fiddled with the Wind Singing Sword.
"Not bad."
Chen Yu was satisfied. In terms of sharpness, the "Wind Singing Sword" surpassed Le Feng's precious artifact remnant sword.
Aside from the Wind Singing Sword, there were two other items in the long box.
A land deed and a gold note.
The land deed represented a piece of fertile land on the outskirts of Xiangyang City, equivalent to the land of a small village.
The gold note was worth ten thousand gold.
These two items made the eyes of several clan elders present light up with interest.
Even Family Head Chen Tianwei seemed somewhat tempted.
"This ten thousand gold is advance payment by our court."
Chu Fengyun explained.
Chen Yu was satisfied, putting away the land deed and the gold note, also retrieving the Wind Singing Sword that Chen Ying'er was reluctantly holding.
After giving the reward, Chu Fengyun didn't linger, leaving first.
...
"Yu'er, what do you plan to do with that piece of land?"
Family Head Chen Tianwei ventured to ask.
This land deed was very tempting to him, as it could expand their territory and consolidate the family's strength.
"I plan to use that ten thousand gold and land deed to build an estate for myself to live in later. Uncle, Ying'er, you can come to my estate to play in the future."
Chen Yu did not hide his intentions.
Hearing this.
The Family Head and the senior members revealed looks of disappointment and discontent.
But now, Chen Yu, rooted in the sect and with considerable strength, could not be forced.
"I heard from Ying'er that uncle arranged a marriage for me. Is this true?"
Chen Yu shifted the topic, sounding somewhat displeased.
The atmosphere in the hall turned heavy.
Family Head Chen Tianwei's expression became somewhat awkward.
On one hand, it was due to Chen Yu's unfriendly tone; on the other, it was true that this marriage had not been agreed upon by the other party.
"Yu'er! This marriage was allowed by your mother. Don't blame your uncle."
Mother Chen, Liu Wen, suddenly interjected.
Mother?
Chen Yu was dumbfounded.
As they say, "Parents' orders, matchmakers' words." According to secular rules, parents generally have the right to decide on their children's marriages.
"Yu'er, I've seen a picture of City Lord Chu's daughter, she's absolutely stunning, suitable for you."
Mother Liu Wen gently coaxed.
Wow!
Saying this, she took out a painting and slowly unfolded it.
"Hmm? This is..."
Chen Yu stared at the painting. On it was a slender, elegant young woman, with eyebrows like flowing ink, bright eyes like stars, and a smile so pure that it made one's heart skip a beat.
Judging from the painting, this girl's looks were no less than those of Mu Xueqing and had a distinct classic grace.
"Heehee, seeing the painting, Brother Yu might change his mind, right? That Chu Wanyu is a disciple from the same Water Moon Sect as me."
Chen Ying'er smirked with slight disdain.
"Ahem."
Chen Yu couldn't deny that, judging by the painting, the girl was indeed somewhat captivating.
"Yu'er."
Chen Tianwei clapped, laughing as he saw Chen Yu's interest, "You've seen her beauty now. She comes from one of the prominent families of Chu Country. If you were to marry her, it would greatly benefit our Chen Family."
A union with a great family?
Chen Yu finally understood that this was about the family's interests.
"My child, that Chu girl is only a year older than you, a disciple of the Water Moon Sect. She shares your half-spirit body, but with her family's support, she is already at the mid-stage Meridian Passage. In terms of lineage, looks, and talent, she's quite suitable for you."
Mother Chen said with a smile.
Clearly, she was very pleased with this marriage.
Chen Yu was silently astonished. Why did Chu Fengyun favor him enough to marry his daughter to him?
Although Chen Yu didn't think highly of Chu Fengyun, Chu Fengyun was astute and calculative, often outsmarting even the deceitful Great Evil.
"Even so, I can't agree to this marriage lightly."
Chen Yu shook his head.
Having established himself in the sect world, his perspective broadened, and he was solely focused on pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts.
Previously, because of Mu Xueqing, he nearly missed the best time for cultivation.
He wouldn't make the same mistake again!
To bind himself to a woman he had never met, no matter how stunning, wasn't something he could easily agree to for life.
What!
You're not agreeing?
The clan elders present, including Chen Tianwei, looked stiff, and the atmosphere fell into unease once more.
Especially Family Head Chen Tianwei, who showed some displeasure.
Being able to arrange a marriage with such a prominent family like the Chu Family was a rare blessing for the Chen Family.
Yet, this junior, Chen Yu, dared to refuse?
He actually refused?
Such a beautiful young lady from a prestigious family, also from the same sect world, wasn't this a perfect match?
"Can't you make a small sacrifice for the family? Moreover, that Chu Wanyu is absolutely..."
Chen Tianwei took a deep breath, his face showing a slight sternness.
"No."
The young man's simple answer left Chen Tianwei flushed with anger.
"You... fine, fine! You think your wings are fully grown, ignoring family interests entirely."
Chen Tianwei laughed in anger.
At the moment.
The clan elders present, including Father Chen and Mother Chen, looked at Chen Yu with disappointment and regret.
"I am focused on martial arts and currently need to break into the Inner Sect. I don't have the time or leisure to concern myself with marriage matters."
Chen Yu said calmly.
After speaking, he turned and left the hall.
"Ugh! With your talent, do you still dream of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple?"
"This kid is truly overestimating himself."
The clan elders glared disapprovingly at Chen Yu's actions.
But these comments made Father Chen and Mother Chen uncomfortable.
"Why can't my son enter the Inner Sect? Didn't you all say before that he couldn't, but now he's established in the Outer Sect."
Mother Liu Wen replied indignantly.
"Hmph! If he becomes an Inner Sect Disciple, this old man will admit my mistake to you."
A white-bearded clan elder scoffed.
The clan elders present wore cold smiles. Without family resources, Chen Yu's further progression was as difficult as ascending to the heavens!