Volume 3, Chapter 146 – Unless You Marry My Daughter

The laughter continued unabated as a figure appeared before Mu Ruoyi.

This was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her thirties, bearing a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to Mu Ruoyi. However, her figure was even more explosive—best described as a depth charge. Every slight movement, even a breath, sent ripples across her voluptuous form. Her body was like a water-filled balloon, the thin blue ruqun she wore stretched taut to the point of nearly tearing.

Despite her ample curves, she was not the least bit overweight. Her waist, though not as slender as a young maiden’s, was still flat and firm. Beneath her swaying skirt, her long, shapely thighs teased the eye.

This woman was none other than Wen Yunmei, the current Valley Master of Shuiyu Valley—and Mu Ruoyi’s mother.

“Hehe, I never expected this! I sent people to recruit her several times, only to be turned away. And now she’s come knocking on our door herself!”

A mocking smile played on Wen Yunmei’s mature face.

“But, Mother, I already tested the waters. She’s still firm in her stance.”

Mu Ruoyi sounded somewhat worried.

“With her father missing, she no longer has a choice! Either she abandons Honghua Sect, or she abandons her father.”

Wen Yunmei smirked coldly. “Whoever did this has done us a great favor. I’ll have to thank them personally someday!”

“Still… even if her talent is extraordinary, there’s no guarantee she can cultivate the ‘Water Exquisite Art’. Aren’t we celebrating too soon?”

Mu Ruoyi frowned slightly. The “Water Exquisite Art” and “Wooden Exquisite Art” were Shuiyu Valley’s two supreme legacies, sharing a subtle yet profound connection.

“Even if she can’t master the ‘Water Exquisite Art’, her talent alone makes her invaluable to Shuiyu Valley.”

Wen Yunmei waved off the concern before adding, “Of course, it’d be even better if she could. Since she’s already here, we’ll just have to find a way to make her try. The condition, naturally, is that she joins Shuiyu Valley.”

“Mm.”

Mu Ruoyi nodded in agreement.

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On the other side, Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling were stewing in anxiety—their father’s fate remained unknown.

About fifteen minutes later, footsteps sounded outside.

Peering through the Window of the Heart, Qi Huang saw Mu Ruoyi return—this time accompanied by a stunningly beautiful woman who appeared to be in her thirties. Her figure was explosive, and she bore a striking resemblance to Mu Ruoyi, suggesting a close blood relation.

“You must be Hongling, correct? I am Wen Yunmei, Valley Master of Shuiyu Valley and Mu Ruoyi’s mother.”

The beautiful woman introduced herself politely.

“Valley Master Wen, greetings!”

Cheng Hongling hurriedly bowed.

‘She’s Mu Ruoyi’s mother? So young and beautiful—no wonder her daughter is so stunning!’

Qi Huang couldn’t help but marvel.

“No need for formalities. Since we’re both under the Immortal Alliance, we’re practically family. Just call me Aunt Wen.”

Wen Yunmei first warmed up the atmosphere before inviting Cheng Hongling to sit.

“To be honest, Niece Hongling, I’ve always been confident in my daughter’s looks. I used to think the only reason she wasn’t on the Sinking Fish Ranking was because our Western Radiance Dynasty is too remote—news travels slowly here.”

Wen Yunmei suddenly began praising her own daughter after studying Cheng Hongling.

“Of course! With Senior Sis—no, Ruoyi-jie’s beauty, if she were more active outside, she’d undoubtedly make the Sinking Fish Ranking.”

Though puzzled by the sudden self-praise, Cheng Hongling played along diplomatically.

“Exactly! So when I heard rumors of a girl from Honghua Sect in Huangtian County whose looks could rival my daughter’s, I refused to believe it. But seeing you today, I’m utterly convinced.”

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Only then did Wen Yunmei circle back to complimenting Cheng Hongling.

“Aunt Wen flatters me. How could I compare to Ruoyi-jie?”

Cheng Hongling quickly demurred.

‘Was all that roundabout talk just to deliver a compliment?’

Qi Huang was baffled.

But Wen Yunmei wasn’t done. She proceeded to chat about everything under the sun, as if she hadn’t come to discuss serious matters.

“Aunt Wen, did Ruoyi-jie mention the purpose of my visit today?”

After about fifteen minutes, Cheng Hongling finally lost patience.

A strange smile flickered across Wen Yunmei’s face as she feigned ignorance. “No? What brings you here, Niece?”

“Mother! I clearly—”

Mu Ruoyi, standing beside her, looked ready to protest but was silenced by a sharp glare from her mother.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Cheng Hongling patiently recounted the situation once more before pleading, “Aunt Wen, for the sake of our shared ties under the Immortal Alliance, please help me. If there’s anything you need, I won’t refuse.”

Wen Yunmei deliberately adopted a troubled expression. “Niece Hongling, you may not know this, but the Wooden Exquisite Art, while profound, damages one’s foundation with each use. The risks are immense!”

“Damages one’s foundation? Is it really that severe?”

Cheng Hongling’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Indeed. Sometimes it’s worse, sometimes lighter—completely random. You understand Ruoyi is the future of Shuiyu Valley. We can’t let her take such risks lightly. If something happens to her, what will become of all the women in this valley?”

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Wen Yunmei sighed dramatically, though her shrewd eyes darted about.

‘Damages one’s foundation? And it’s random? What kind of garbage technique is this? They might as well rename it the “Wooden Death Warrant”!’

Qi Huang couldn’t resist mocking inwardly.

Cheng Hongling fell into silent struggle before finally asking, voice tinged with desperation, “Aunt Wen, is there truly no other way?”

“Well… there might be one.”

Wen Yunmei finally revealed her hand.

“What is it?”

Cheng Hongling’s eyes lit up.

“If you join Shuiyu Valley, that would give us another hope. Ruoyi could then use the Wooden Exquisite Art without worry for the future.”

After all that meandering, Wen Yunmei had finally laid out her true objective.

“…”

Cheng Hongling’s face darkened instantly.

Qi Huang nearly laughed aloud. So this was their game all along!

“Aunt Wen, I’ll be frank—I cannot leave Honghua Sect.”

Cheng Hongling stated her position firmly.

“Why? Honghua Sect is weak, incapable of providing the resources you need for cultivation. I’ve also heard Yongning Prefecture’s Immortal Alliance changed its rules—the Evergreen Conference now requires team participation. You didn’t even secure a state-level Immortal Seed quota last year. If you stay there, you’ll never rise above mediocrity.”

Wen Yunmei laid out the harsh reality.

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“I understand all that. But Honghua Sect has treated me well. I won’t repay their kindness with betrayal. Moreover, the people of Huangtian County need me. If I leave, what will become of them?”

Cheng Hongling countered.

“And what of your father? Don’t you want to find him?”

Wen Yunmei pressed, unperturbed.

“If saving him means sacrificing all of Huangtian County’s people… then I can only be an unfilial daughter.”

After a moment of struggle, Cheng Hongling clenched her teeth and spoke resolutely.

Qi Huang was stunned. Wen Yunmei and Mu Ruoyi were equally dumbfounded. None had expected a fifteen-year-old girl to possess such selfless principles.

“Aunt Wen, since that’s the case, I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll visit another day.”

Her heart aching for her father, Cheng Hongling dared not delay further. She stood and turned toward the door.

Exchanging a glance, Wen Yunmei and Mu Ruoyi’s faces betrayed clear panic. They were truly desperate now.

“Wait! Niece Hongling, if you truly wish to save your father without leaving Honghua Sect, there is one other way.”

Wen Yunmei quickly called out.

“What way?”

Cheng Hongling paused.

“Marry my daughter.”

Wen Yunmei dropped the bombshell without batting an eyelid.