Three days later, in the early morning, within a small courtyard at the edge of Yunshui City, a crisp sound suddenly rang out, breaking the ice crystals enveloping the surroundings into pieces! Li Yi, dressed in a black robe, stepped out from the house with a faint figure, smiling gently at Gong Wushuang standing in the courtyard, "These days have troubled Sister Gong to protect the law..."
"So, it seems, it's time to keep the appointment..."
Yunshui City was already bustling to the extreme. In these days, the prominent figures from the northwest region had almost all shown their faces in Yunshui City, and the common folk, like ants smelling blood, swarmed in. This surged the city's popularity to its peak in an instant. Such popularity in Yunshui City had only occurred a few times before, but each time, something significant happened in the city. But this time, to call it a significant event... seemed somewhat not quite right...
In the streets and alleys of Yunshui City, mercenaries and strongmen arm in arm with their acquaintances talked about the hottest topic of these days.
"Ah... the Nalan family is really something. I think even the city lord's grand birthday celebration wouldn't be this lively. This once-in-decades grand event is actually for celebrating Old Master Nalan's birthday. If this gets out, who knows how many people would be shocked!"
"Yes, yes! The Nalan family is incredible! Tsk tsk tsk... I heard that today's birthday banquet, not to mention getting into Nalan Mansion, even standing at the door is a matter of great face."
"Ha, then you're out of the loop. I've got a new piece of information. This time, the birthday banquet... getting into Nalan Mansion is nothing, but having a spot on the square next to Nalan Mansion, now that's truly prestigious!"
"Oh? How so?"
"You guys don't know? According to the son of my great-aunt's second uncle's third wife's neighbor, who is that little guy working in the kitchen of Nalan Mansion. Three days ago, someone entered the Nalan family, requesting to call off an engagement!"
"Call off an engagement!?" The nearby crowd was startled, "When did Miss Nalan Lin get engaged? Damn it! I still wanted to be the son-in-law!"
"No, no, no..." The speaker's head shook like a rattle, "It's not Nalan Lin who's calling off the engagement. It's said that Nalan He, the second young master of the Nalan family, has a fiancée?"
"Yes, yes!"
"That fiancée's cousin, three days ago, entered the Nalan family, requesting to call off the engagement! The Nalan family originally did not agree, and both parties almost came to blows. Later, an elder from the Northern Dipper Sect mediated, and they settled on a duel today, outside Nalan Mansion on that square. It's a fight to the death! If Nalan He wins, then all is well. But if Nalan He loses, then the engagement must be respectfully called off."
"Tsk tsk tsk! How did the Nalan family become so easy to talk to? Calling off an engagement!? That's embarrassing to even say, let alone considering Nalan He's status. He's said to be a mysterious student of Rolan Academy, how could he tolerate such an insult?"
"You don't know? It's said that the person who came to call off the engagement that day has a very strong background! It seems they almost started fighting on the spot, and if it weren't for the Northern Dipper Sect's mediation, we might not have this drama to watch!"
"Eh... Speaking of which, who exactly is Nalan He's fiancée that someone is coming to call off the engagement for her?"
"It's said she's from one of the three major families in the Wan Chao City, near the Naga Mountains, a member of the Li family, also a prominent figure. The person who came to call off the engagement is the young master of the Li family, called Li Yi..."
"Li Yi? Never heard of that name! But he dares to challenge Nalan He to a duel to the death... That's... that's too something!"
"Hey, those young masters of big families, which one doesn't have a few tricks up their sleeve? He must have some skills, or else where would he have the courage to challenge?"
"Speaking of this, it seems the city's betting houses have opened wagers on this..."
"Oh, what are the odds?"
"It's said betting on a draw is one to two, betting on Nalan He to win is one to one, betting on that Li Yi to win is one to three!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, it seems many people are not optimistic about Li Yi!"
"Of course, Nalan He's status is there, and he's the rumored dual-attribute cultivator of fire and wind, said to be the strongest in the Nalan family next to Old Master Nalan. How could he be easily defeated? As for that Li Yi? Even if he has some skills, without any rumors about him, his prowess is probably limited."
"It's hard to say, you know, there have always been people who became famous with one battle! Like the Sword Emperor Barin, didn't he become famous with one strike that cut down nine ghosts back in the day?"
"Hehe... If it were so easy to guess, what drama would we watch? Anyway, no matter what, today we're here to watch the excitement. We must secure a spot on the Nalan family square. If Nalan He wins, we just enjoy the show. If he loses, hehe... It's about time the Nalan family lost some face after being so arrogant for so many years..."
Yunshui City, Nalan Mansion. At this moment, the entire Nalan Mansion was bustling and extremely lively, decorated with lights and banners everywhere. Many forces that usually relied on the Nalan family had sent people to help early on. Now, the Nalan family's might was evident. Even the most ordinary servant could boss around a Fighter, and those guys could only nod and bow.
In a relatively quiet side hall within the bustling Nalan Mansion, an elderly man with white hair was seated in the place of honor, gently turning a ring on his finger. He appeared to be around sixty, with white hair and beard, but his complexion carried a somewhat eerie look, exuding a dignified aura that, despite seeming like an ordinary old man at the moment, the occasional glint in his eyes was enough to send shivers down one's spine.
Standing solemnly beside the old man was Nalan Qing, not daring to even blink, showing utmost respect. Near this side hall, not even a servant dared to approach, and ants couldn't even crawl in.
After a moment of silence, the elder suddenly sighed deeply and said, "Who would have thought, in the blink of an eye, I've also reached sixty..."
Nalan Qing quickly bowed and said, "With grandfather's strength, living a few hundred more years wouldn't be a problem. Sixty years old is still very young!"
Hearing Nalan Qing's address, it was almost certain that this elder was the Nalan family's patriarch, the only King class fighter in the family, Nalan Ba!
Nalan Ba chuckled and said, "Qing'er, I've told you more than once... Although with my strength, living a few hundred years isn't a problem, do you know why so many powerful figures in the history of the empire have fallen at a young age?"
"I do not know."
"Heh! You know better than I do, what's there not to know?" Nalan Ba said indifferently, "The so-called strong are constantly fighting and killing each other. Today I kill you, tomorrow he kills me. Even if you are unmatched in the world, how many people's siege can you withstand? Even if you live to a hundred years, how many assassinations can you evade? Heh... How many of my contemporaries are still alive? Back in the day, countless geniuses, young yet already Warriors, Kings... In the end, weren't they all brought down by their own arrogance and belligerence? The main reason I have lived to this day, aside from my own strength... is patience!"
"Patience?" Nalan Qing slightly frowned.
"Yes, patience!" Nalan Ba's expression was as calm as a light breeze or a clear sky, far from the fiery temperament rumored. "As the saying goes, patience can calm the waters and stepping back can open up a new world... If you're always fighting and killing, not just as an individual, even our Nalan family's vast estate might end up in others' hands! From this perspective, I highly appreciate you... Qing'er, the struggles between you and He'er over the years, haven't I always seen them? He'er is a natural talent, cunning, and ruthless, which, in theory, makes him the most suitable to survive in this world... But it's precisely because of his character and temperament that he has made countless enemies. How can such a person lead a family? Probably, he would have offended all the nearby forces in no time, wouldn't he?"
"But you are different. You are always patient, and I have seen every step you have taken, knowing how much effort you have put in..." Nalan Ba said indifferently, "I ask you... are you planning to make your move today?"
Nalan Qing trembled, then after a moment, he said softly, "That depends on the situation, on the result of the duel between Nalan He and that Li Yi."
"Good, a man should be decisive. What's there to hide about wanting to be the family head?" Nalan Ba said indifferently, "I won't help you, nor will I stop you... But before you act, there's one thing I want to tell you... that is, if you lose, no one can save your life! Including me! Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand!" Nalan Qing said softly.
"That's good..." Nalan Ba hesitated for a moment before continuing, "If you don't want to act, I won't blame you. I can assure you, as long as I'm alive, no one can touch you!"
Nalan Qing slowly shook his head and said, "Grandfather, I've had enough patience and suffering over the years. Such a good opportunity, I will definitely not let it slip by... I also know, father and Nalan He's side, they are all waiting for my move. However, everyone's calculations, who will ultimately win, is still unknown... Grandfather, just enjoy your life. We will solve our own problems!"
"Ah, it's up to you then!" Nalan Ba said indifferently, "Just hope you won't regret it..."
Saying this, Nalan Ba stood up abruptly, patted his sleeve, and said, "Let's go, let's also watch that so-called duel. I didn't expect the Li family to have such an interesting young man, hehe, quite reminiscent of my younger days..."
Hearing Nalan Ba say this, Nalan Qing also nodded slowly, then respectfully supported Nalan Ba's arm, slowly walking out of the side hall...
This is the way of the large families; to sit on the position of family head, one must step over countless bodies. And for the previous generation of the family, this is often seen with one eye open and one eye closed. After all, internal family strife always has a winner and a loser, and as long as a truly capable person is chosen, it is a good thing for the family. Conversely, if a worthless person becomes the family head, then it's likely the family will soon fall into decline. This was the fundamental reason for the series of events launched against Li Yi by the Li family's side branch in Wan Tide City, and why Li Han did not pursue other elders. Because such things are all too common, and the family cannot be too harsh on the suppression of various branches. Only if the branches maintain a delicate balance of power can the family continue to prosper. This is the bloody law of nature, survival of the fittest, respect for the strong. Without strength, you cannot change the status quo!