Chapter Fifty-One: The Qiu Family Proposes Marriage

“Let us raise a toast to Young Master Lin. We are deeply grateful for your timely assistance.”
Everyone below lifted their cups in unison, their eyes toward Lin Cheng now filled with warmth and familiarity.
After the feast, An Zhan glanced at An An, then turned to address the gathering. “I have called you all here for two reasons. First, to express my gratitude to Young Master Lin for his great help. Second…”
He paused, his expression turning grave. “What are your thoughts on the Qiu family’s proposal—coming here with betrothal gifts to ask for a marriage alliance?”
Before anyone could respond, An An leapt up. “Father, what marriage proposal?”
An Zhan hesitated. “Well…”
At this moment, the elder seated at the head of the row to the right also stood and spoke in a deep voice: “The Qiu family cloaks this alliance in the name of mutual strength, but their ambitions are clear—they only seek to further devour our An family…”
“The Grand Elder speaks the truth. We cannot possibly agree to this,” another elder chimed in.
“We absolutely must not consent to the Qiu family…”
“Indeed, over the years, how many of our An family’s sons have fallen at their hands…”
“Patriarch, think carefully!”
“Yes, please reconsider…”
…
Witnessing the unanimous opposition, Lin Cheng was quietly moved, noting the An family’s solidarity.
An Zhan rose, waving his hand. “But do none of you wish to hear the terms the Qiu family has offered?”
All eyes turned toward him in confusion.
“The Qiu family promises that if I agree to marry An’er to their young master, they will offer the southern city’s mine as a betrothal gift to us. They also vow eternal alliance and shared rule over Dragon City,” An Zhan explained.
A hush fell over the assembly as everyone exchanged uncertain glances.
An An, her brows arched fiercely, exclaimed, “If you make me marry Qiu Yan, that infamous drunkard and womanizer, you might as well kill me…”
“Exactly, Patriarch, everyone knows what kind of person Qiu Yan is… To marry An’er to him would be to throw her into a pit of fire,” the Grand Elder said.
“To trade our eldest miss for a mine—what would others think of us? Please think carefully, Patriarch…”
“Yes, please reconsider…”
…
Seeing this, An Zhan felt deeply reassured.
Of all those present, he was naturally the one most unwilling to see An An married off, but he had only wished to test the sentiments of his kin.
Now, watching them hold firm to their principles even when faced with great profit, he was genuinely gratified.
An An, misreading her father’s silence, thought he was determined to marry her off. She put her hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out in indignation. “Father, I would rather die than marry! I… I already have someone I like…”
“Mother, say something…” she pleaded, her tone aggrieved and on the verge of tears.
Madam An could no longer bear it and turned to her husband. “Enough, stop frightening our daughter… You’ve heard everyone’s opinions. You should be at ease now…”

An Zhan suddenly burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha… To see our clan so united, untempted by fame and fortune, is a great comfort to me. How could the An family not thrive in the future?”
At his words, everyone felt a weight lift from their hearts.
Though relinquishing the mine pained them, they had chosen their family’s dignity over profit and remained true to themselves.
“Father, you’re awful…”
“Oh? And who was it just now who said she already liked someone…”
“Father… Mother, do something about him…” An An stamped her small foot, and her gaze inadvertently brushed over Lin Cheng.
Family matters were none of Lin Cheng’s business, so he simply sat quietly to the side, idly turning his wine cup in his hand.
“Ha ha ha, Young Master Lin must be laughing at us…” After settling the matter, An Zhan turned to Lin Cheng with a smile.
“Patriarch An, you are too polite. If ever you require my aid, do not hesitate to ask,” Lin Cheng replied.
“Then I thank you in advance, Young Master Lin,” An Zhan said.
Now that the burden had lifted, An Zhan was clearly in high spirits, and he led everyone in another round of drinking before the gathering finally dispersed.

------

In a side chamber of the An residence.
Lin Cheng sat cross-legged, eyes closed, immersed in cultivation.
Since leaving the mountain, his journey had been one of starts and stops—he had tasted the exhilaration of sword-riding between heaven and earth, as well as the many colors of mortal life.
Though he had not properly cultivated for some time, he could already sense the threshold of the twelfth rank of True Qi Master—breakthrough was only a few days away.
Yet, rather than force his way forward, Lin Cheng’s mind was occupied with practicing the Dragon Emerges from the Deep sword technique taught by the Swordsman in White.
Regrettably, since mastering this sword move, he had not yet crossed blades with a worthy opponent. Now, he was eager to find someone of equal strength to test his skill.
He passed the night sleepless.
At dawn, as the first light brushed the sky, a clear, melodious voice sounded outside. “Lin Cheng, you lazybones, get up! Come with me and Yingying—we’re going out to play…”
The door opened, and Lin Cheng stepped out, looking somewhat disgruntled.
“How did I become the lazy one…”
“You’re up later than us, so you’re the lazybones!” An An huffed.
Qiu Yingying pursed her lips, making it clear she had said nothing.
“And where are you planning to drag me today?” Lin Cheng asked.
“You’ll see when we get there. Come on…” An An replied.

------

In the Qiu family’s villa at the Dragon City Governor’s Mansion, the sudden crash of a teacup shattered the silence.
“Outrageous! The An family dares to insult us…”
Inside, a pale-complexioned, handsome man in embroidered robes was seething with anger, sweeping the teacup aside.
The steward who had brought the news stood bent over, silent, as if expecting this outburst.
At the head of the hall, a middle-aged man of about fifty in a gold-brocaded robe slowly opened his eyes. His thick brows and piercing gaze radiated authority.
He glanced at the young man and rebuked him, “Such impatience—how will you ever amount to anything?”
“Father, the An family is clearly showing us no respect… No matter what, I must have An An,” the young man replied, looking fearfully at the older man.
This man was Qiu Batian, head of the Qiu family, and the current governor of Dragon City.
Qiu Batian pondered a moment. “They have shamed our family, and this matter will not end here…”
His eyes narrowed as he asked, “Any word from Autumn Bright City?”
The steward replied, “None yet, Master.”
Qiu Batian rose and began to pace, frowning. “What are Mu Zhong and Mu Yi doing… They can’t even handle a young girl. Seeing how she’s still alive and well, it seems those two must have met a bad end…”
The steward ventured, “Do you suppose it has anything to do with that young man who entered the city with her…?”
“Nonsense! He’s just a boy. How could he possibly be a match for Mu Zhong and Mu Yi?” Qiu Yan objected indignantly.
The steward hesitated.
Qiu Batian mused, “Have you discovered the youth’s background?”
“I have not yet determined it, Master,” the steward replied.
Qiu Yan snapped, “Then what use are you…”
“Qiu Yan, you must not be rude to Steward Wang,” Qiu Batian admonished.
Qiu Yan, realizing his mistake, quickly turned to Wang. “My apologies, Steward Wang. I lost my temper in the heat of the moment…” Though he spoke contritely, there remained a trace of arrogance in his eyes.
“You humble me, Young Master. I will investigate the young man’s background more thoroughly,” Steward Wang said, bowing as he withdrew.
Qiu Batian turned to Qiu Yan, his voice stern. “Every servant has their own value. You must not abuse them or chill their hearts. Though you have some talent, you must learn to master the art of leadership… Otherwise, how can I entrust Dragon City to you in the future?”
Qiu Batian sighed inwardly. Of his three sons, only Qiu Yan had awakened his spiritual root and possessed decent talent for cultivation—but this son’s temperament had always been a source of worry.
“I will remember your teachings, Father,” Qiu Yan replied hastily.