"I know you siblings share a deep bond, but you must prioritize the bigger picture. One day, you will understand Father's intentions!"
However, their efforts were nothing more than petty tricks in the eyes of
Moreover, his powerful presence blanketed the entire area in the blink of an eye. Under the crushing weight of his aura,
"Father, please let Big Brother and Sister go. I'll do it — I'll marry
"Ah, Xiao Mei… Father has wronged you." Su Hen's own face was etched with pain, making it clear that this was no easier for him than for anyone else.
Yet he did not immediately release Su Long and Su Rou. Instead, he used a special technique to temporarily seal their cultivation, rendering them unable to even speak.
Not long after this settled, the Shangguan family's wedding procession arrived before the City Lord's mansion. Shangguan Ya sat astride a tall stallion, dressed in a groom's attire, grinning from ear to ear — for he was finally going to wed the woman of his dreams.
And among the procession was none other than Shangguan Ya's elder brother,
"What's going on? Why are there two grooms? Could it be that both brothers intend to marry Su Mei?" The bizarre sight set tongues wagging as onlookers buzzed with confusion.
"Shangguan Tian, Shangguan Ya — what is the meaning of this?" Su Hen emerged from the City Lord's mansion accompanied by his strongest retainers, a trace of displeasure in his expression at the Shangguan family's conduct.
"City Lord, my brother and I have come here — for what else but to take your daughters in marriage?" Shangguan Ya said with a chuckle, but as he spoke, he didn't so much as dismount. Instead, he addressed Su Hen from his lofty perch atop the horse, looking down upon the City Lord as he delivered his words.
"City Lord, to be perfectly honest, I, Shangguan Tian, have long held affection for your second daughter, Miss Su Rou."
"And since today happens to be the joyous occasion of my brother Shangguan Ya marrying your youngest daughter Su Mei, why not make it a double celebration and have Su Rou marry into the Shangguan family as well? I, Shangguan Tian, will surely treat her well." Shangguan Tian spoke up, equally remaining seated on his horse.
"Bullshit! Shangguan Ya's marriage to our young miss is because of a prior betrothal — but what is this? You never even sent a formal proposal. You show up here and simply demand a bride? This is nothing short of bride-snatching!" An elder from the City Lord's mansion pointed at Shangguan Tian and roared in fury.
"Insolent! I am speaking with the City Lord — what right does an old servant like you have to interject?" The elder's rebuke sent Shangguan Tian into a rage. He raised his hand and cracked his whip, lashing it toward the old man.
"Hmph — a mere Xuan Martial first level dares to act wild before me!" Yet the elder showed no fear whatsoever before the whip imbued with Xuan power that snaked through the air like a dragon. He reached out and caught it firmly in his grip — for this old man was a Xuan Martial second level expert.
"You brat — get down from that horse!" the elder bellowed, attempting to yank Shangguan Tian off his mount.
*Crack.* But before he could exert his force, a powerful hand clamped down on his wrist. A surge of overwhelming strength instantly suppressed the elder's aura and sealed off his subsequent movements.
"City Lord!" The elder turned to look and froze — for the one who had stopped him was none other than his own master, Su Hen.
Su Hen first shook his head at the elder, signaling him not to act rashly. Then he took a deep breath before turning to address the crowd of subordinates behind him: