Volume 6, Chapter 350 – The Women and the Belongings Are All Mine

“My lord is wise, but do not forget the agreement from three years ago. Now that Liu Yingyue has completed her mission, her return will be known to all. With the Old Ancestor protecting her, no one can force her into a marriage of convenience.”

Madam Liu spoke with solemnity.

“Wife, there is no need for concern. Since my elder brother is no longer with us, that agreement is naturally void.”

Liu Biao attempted to soothe her.

“Whether it is void or not is not for you to decide, but for the Ancestress. You know better than anyone how she conducts herself.”

Madam Liu’s tone carried a warning.

“So what if she objects? She may have some prestige, but she holds no real authority. How could she possibly oppose me?”

Liu Biao’s face brimmed with confidence.

“Husband, why deceive yourself? The Ancestress is not merely ‘somewhat’ prestigious in the Liu family, she commands immense respect, to the point where a single word from her rallies the entire clan. If that weren’t the case, why would you seek her approval before assuming the role of patriarch?”

Madam Liu chuckled lightly before continuing, “If your opinions ever clash, I guarantee more will stand with her than with you. You may very well find yourself a leader without followers.”

Liu Biao’s mouth opened and closed, his expression darkening. After a long pause, he finally muttered, “Then, wife, are you suggesting I abandon the marriage alliance? That is impossible. We have already accepted many benefits from the Hai family. If we go back on our word, the backlash will be severe.”

“Husband, we have been together for decades. Do you truly believe I am one to retreat so easily?”

Madam Liu smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

“Then what do you propose…?”

Liu Biao’s voice carried a thoughtful edge.

“The Ancestress is already over a hundred years old. The only reason she has lived this long is due to the life-extending medicines you have provided. Find an opportunity to test her stance. If she yields, all is well. If she dares oppose you… then find a reason to cut off her supply. With her frail health, she will not last more than a few days. Perhaps she can share a funeral with your elder brother.”

Madam Liu’s words were cold and calculated.

Liu Biao fell into deep contemplation before finally gritting his teeth. “Very well. We shall proceed as you suggest.”

“Now that is the decisiveness of a true man. The reason I urge you to confront her is not just for the sake of the marriage alliance, but for our future. As long as the Ancestress remains defiant, your position as patriarch will never be more than nominal.”

A look of admiration crossed Madam Liu’s face.

“Hmph. Once she is dealt with, the Liu family will be mine to command. I will marry off Liu Yingyue to whomever I please. If she refuses, she can prepare to renounce her family name.”

Liu Biao laughed triumphantly. Using another man’s daughter to secure benefits was nothing short of a foolproof scheme.

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Meanwhile, Qi Huang and her companions continued their long journey. Through their conversations, she had gained further insight into the Liu family. Most notably, the fact that the Ancestress was over a hundred and ten years old.

“Is your great-grandmother a cultivator? How has she lived so long?”

Qi Huang was astounded. In these troubled times, an ordinary person living past sixty was already a blessing.

“My great-grandmother is no cultivator.”

Liu Yingyue smiled faintly, though her expression soon turned complicated. “The reason she has lived this long is entirely due to the medicines provided by my second uncle.”

“Your second uncle? That would be Liu Biao, the one who’s been secretly undermining you?”

Qi Huang was even more surprised.

“Indeed. Though my second uncle is undeniably profit-driven, he does have some connections. Over the years, he has relied on a certain ‘immortal’ of extraordinary means to procure life-extending elixirs, repeatedly pulling my great-grandmother back from death’s door.”

“Ah…”

Qi Huang fell silent. The situation within the Liu family was far more intricate than she had imagined. After a brief pause, she asked, “Sister, forgive my bluntness, but with your father gone and your second uncle taking full control as patriarch, coupled with the Ancestress’ dependence on him, wouldn’t that make him the unchallenged authority in the Liu family?”

“……”

Liu Yingyue did not answer, which was answer enough.

“Then what if your second uncle forces you into a political marriage? Given his character, he absolutely would!”

Qi Huang pressed further.

“Precisely. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to leave home again after this return. How laughable—after three years of struggle, not only have I failed to change anything, but I’ve also left my father to die with regrets. What an unfilial daughter I am!”

A shadow of sorrow crossed Liu Yingyue’s delicate features.

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, you will definitely leave again.”

Qi Huang’s voice brimmed with confidence. Life-extending medicine? She had prepared plenty for her own grandfather. Even if that proved ineffective, uncovering the identity of Liu Biao’s supplier would be child’s play.

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Liu Yingyue smiled faintly, not taking her words seriously.

“Sister, why do they all call you ‘Ninth Miss’?”

Qi Huang changed the subject.

“Because I am the ninth child in my family. There are eight older siblings above me.”

Liu Yingyue steadied her emotions before answering.

“You mean within your immediate family? Not the entire clan?”

Qi Huang was stunned.

“Little sister, you truly lack common sense. Which family includes cousins in their birth order?”

Liu Yingyue couldn’t help but laugh.

“Then how many wives and concubines did your father have? Surely your eight older siblings weren’t all born to your mother alone?”

Qi Huang’s curiosity was insatiable.

“You little imp, do you think my mother was a pig? Producing so many offsprings?”

Liu Yingyue rapped Qi Huang’s head lightly in mock reproach. “Before my mother entered the household, my father had already married twice. His first wife passed from illness, and the second fell for another man. Those eight siblings were their children.”

“I see. But the Liu family is the foremost noble house of the Western Radiance Dynasty. To think there were women who dared abandon your father for another!”

Qi Huang was genuinely surprised.

“You’re still young and haven’t seen much of the world. The cultivation realm is vast beyond measure, the Western Radiance Dynasty is but a drop in the ocean.”

Liu Yingyue sighed softly.

Just then, Qi Huang’s divine sense detected something amiss, dozens of armed strangers were closing in from behind, their murderous intent palpable.

“Sister, we’re about to have some entertainment.”

Qi Huang’s tone was playful.

“What is it?”

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Liu Yingyue looked puzzled.

Qi Huang merely arched an eyebrow mischievously. These men were clearly ordinary bandits, hardly a match for the guards and cultivators escorting them.

Before long, the group caught up and encircled the Liu family’s procession.

“Halt! Everyone off the carriage! Leave the goods and the women behind, or die!”

A scar-faced man at the front brandished a broadsword, his voice hoarse with menace.

‘Bandits, as expected.’

Qi Huang was unfazed. In these chaotic times, demons and monsters were not the only scourges, there were also men like these, no better than beasts.

“Miss, stay inside! Do not come out!”

Xia Wei’s voice rang from outside the carriage.

Liu Yingyue hesitated briefly before stepping out. As the leader of this group, hiding would only undermine her authority, regardless of the outcome.

Qi Huang naturally followed. She never missed a chance to spectate.

“Daring to block our path? Tired of living and eager to become ghosts?”

The cultivator from Poyun Peak, He Zhou, cursed loudly.

“Bold words! I’ve ruled this road for over a decade, and never once has anyone—”

The scar-faced bandit’s retort was abruptly cut short as his gaze landed on Liu Yingyue and Qi Huang.

“Well, well! Today must be my lucky day! To think such a small party would carry three top-tier beauties! How much silver will you fetch, I wonder?”

His eyes burned with greed.

“Sir, I have urgent business at home and wish to avoid complications. If you would let us pass, I am willing to offer generous compensation.”

Liu Yingyue spoke politely, not out of fear, but to spare unnecessary bloodshed.

“Compensation? What compensation? Silver? How much do you think you’re worth? If you offer yourself, I might consider it. Hahaha…”

The bandit leader leered.

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“No room for negotiation, then?”

Liu Yingyue’s interest waned instantly. She turned to the guards. “Since they refuse reason, I leave these bandits to you. Be careful.”

“Trash like this? I’ll handle them alone!”

He Zhou sneered, drawing his sword in a flash. Blades of sword qi sliced through the air, limbs flying. To a cultivator of the Unity Realm, slaughtering twenty-odd bandits was no harder than crushing ants.

“So strong! Is this the power of a cultivator? I can’t even follow his movements!”

Xia Wei gaped in awe.

“At first, I thought the miss was overpaying for his services. Now I see it’s worth every coin!”

“With him here, we won’t need to lift a finger this entire journey.”

“When we reach the capital, we should all kowtow to him. On the surface, he’s protecting the miss, but in truth, he’s safeguarding all of us!”

The male guards murmured in amazement.

“Brother He, leave one for me! Don’t hog all the glory!”

Tian Yu of the Huxiao Sect couldn’t stand idle. He lunged forward like a phantom, targeting the last few bandits.

“Hmph! Trying to steal my thunder? In your dreams!”

He Zhou’s blade accelerated, reaping the remaining lives.

“Done. You’re too sl—”

His taunt died as Tian Yu’s sword pierced clean through his chest.

“You… why…?”

He Zhou collapsed, his face frozen in confusion and terror.

“He Zhou? More like ‘Leftover Porridge’! Now you won’t even get to drink that!”

Tian Yu yanked his blade free and turned to the remaining guards.

“Alright, the bandits are dealt with. Now, the new bandit is me. The women and the goods are mine. As for the men… you all die.”