Chapter 66: The Bai Residence |
Lu Fengmian did not explain much, only asked simply, “Do you want to become stronger?”
Xiao Jin clenched his fists tightly.
“I do.”
“Do you want to repay me?”
“I do.”
“Do you want to protect your family?”
He looked at Lu Fengmian and nodded vigorously.
“I do.”
Lu Fengmian smiled. “Then take it.”
The moment he touched it, he felt his meridians begin to boil.
Countless streams of power rampaged within his body, as if they were about to tear him apart, yet also as if they were about to reshape him.
It was like a riverbed that had been dry for over a decade suddenly encountering a torrential flood—they surged and roared, greedily absorbing the power within the crystal.
Xiao Jin’s entire body began to glow.
Lu Fengmian’s expression turned solemn.
He raised his head to look at the sky. The originally clear sky was now covered with dark clouds, with faint lightning flickering within them.
Heavenly Dao phenomenon.
This matter had caused far too great a disturbance.
Lu Fengmian had no time to think. With a flick of his wrist, he took out an item from his storage ring.
This was a concealment array tool that the system had rewarded him with long ago. He had always kept it hidden, never expecting it to be useful here.
An invisible barrier instantly expanded, enveloping the entire courtyard.
The clouds churned for a while, but after failing to find a target, they gradually dispersed.
Lu Fengmian let out a breath of relief.
He turned to look at Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes tightly shut. The surrounding light slowly faded. Within his body, his meridians surged with an unprecedented fullness and strength.
Qi Refining Stage Six, Stage Seven, Stage Eight, Stage Nine.
Foundation Establishment.
Xiao Jin opened his eyes.
The crystal in his hand turned into dust, slipping through his fingers.
He stood up, walked to Lu Fengmian, bent his knees, and prepared to kneel.
Lu Fengmian reacted quickly and grabbed him.
“What are you doing?”
Held up by him, Xiao Jin could not kneel, and could only look at him with reddened eyes.
“Big Brother, from today onward, my life—Xiao Jin’s life—belongs to you.”
“I will serve you like an ox or a horse, braving fire and water for you. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west. If you tell me to die, I will not even blink.”
Lu Fengmian pressed him back onto the stone bench.
“Don’t talk about death anymore. I’m helping you because you are my younger brother.”
Xiao Jin looked up at him, his gaze blazing, as if it could burn through a person.
Under his stare, Lu Fengmian felt somewhat helpless and patted his shoulder.
“You don’t need to serve me like an ox or horse,” he said. “Live well and protect those you should protect—that is enough.”
Xiao Jin nodded heavily, his fists clenched tightly.
He did not say any more grand words.
He only silently swore in his heart: in this life, no matter what his Big Brother asked of him—even if it meant climbing mountains of blades or leaping into seas of fire—he, Xiao Jin, would never refuse, even at the cost of ten thousand lives.
***
In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.
At dawn, two carriages stopped at the entrance of the Xiao Residence.
Pulling them were not ordinary horses, but two pure white Wind-Wing Spirit Horses. They held their heads high, their manes fluttering in the morning breeze, their massive wings folded at their sides. Just looking at them, one could feel a unique aura.
Father Xiao had gritted his teeth and spent a large sum to rent them.
Standing at the entrance, he looked at the two carriages, his heart aching at the expense.
But when he thought of where they were going today, that slight pain was suppressed.
This money was well spent—it had to be spent.
At the entrance of the Bai Residence, it was already bustling with noise and excitement.
Huge red lanterns hung from the gate tower, and the doorframe was covered with wedding couplets embossed in gold. A brand-new red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the street corner. The remnants of firecrackers had not yet been cleaned up, and festive red scraps still covered the ground.
The Bai steward stood at the entrance, smiling as he accepted congratulations from the guests.
“Master Zhang, please come in, please come in!”
“Madam Li, your presence honors us. Please forgive us for not receiving you properly!”
As he greeted guests, he was secretly calculating in his heart.
Many people had come today—almost everyone of status in Linzhou had arrived. Even those who previously had little interaction with the Bai family were now rushing to deliver betrothal gifts.
Why?
Was it not all because of the Lin family?
The one betrothed to the Bai family’s Young Miss this time was the third young master of the Lin family.
Although he was born of a concubine, the Lin family was a prestigious clan renowned across the entire continent.
To bring about this marriage, the Bai family had expended unimaginable effort and wealth. The clan elders had run themselves ragged, and more than half of the treasures in their treasury had been sent out to facilitate this union.
But the deal was worth it.
With the Lin family’s support, it would not be long before the Bai family became the number one family in Linzhou.
Just thinking about this made the steward’s lips curl upward unconsciously.
“Congratulations, congratulations!”
“Joy should be shared!”
He smiled and extended his hands toward the newcomers, when suddenly he saw two carriages approaching in the distance.
Pulling them were two snow-white Wind-Wing Spirit steeds, their manes dancing in the air, their wings stirring gusts of wind with every flap.
The carriages themselves were extremely luxurious. The cabins were made of high-quality red sandalwood, with the four corners decorated in gilded bronze. White gauze curtains hung over the windows.
On both sides of the cabins were exquisitely carved auspicious cloud patterns, each stroke meticulously crafted. The wheels were embedded with shock-absorbing mechanisms, making the ride fast and smooth without the slightest jolt.
The Bai steward narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two carriages.
Many distinguished guests had arrived today. Anyone who could ride Wind-Wing Spirit Horses must be someone from a great family. He was already calculating how to greet them with a smile and what flattering words to say.
The carriages drew closer and closer.
Finally, the Bai steward clearly saw the family emblem on the carriages.
The smile on his face instantly froze.
The Xiao family?
They actually dared to come?
The Bai steward’s lips twitched, but he quickly forced out a fake smile and stepped forward to greet them.
No matter who it was, today was a joyous occasion—he could not simply drive people away.
Besides, seeing the Xiao family’s predicament would be a perfect opportunity to show everyone how wise it had been for the Bai family to break off the engagement.
The carriages slowly came to a stop.
The first to step down was Father Xiao. He wore a dark blue robe, the fabric stiff and well-tailored, making him appear spirited. He held his head high, then turned and extended his hand to help Mother Xiao down.
Mother Xiao wore a purplish-red long dress, her delicate hair ornaments sparkling in the sunlight. Her hair was meticulously arranged, making her look both dignified and elegant.
With their help, Xiao Jin’s grandfather also stepped down. The old man had changed into new clothes today as well; his hair and beard were neatly groomed, and even his back seemed a little straighter.
From the second carriage, Xiao Jin stepped down.
He wore a brand-new indigo robe, with a jade belt tied at his waist, accentuating his tall and upright figure. Though still young, standing there, he already exuded the faint bearing of a noble family.
“Oh, Young Master Xiao, your presence honors us. Please forgive our poor reception!” the Bai steward said as he walked toward Father Xiao, preparing to continue exchanging pleasantries.
But he noticed that the Xiao family had no intention of entering.
Father Xiao stood beside the carriage and slightly turned his body. Mother Xiao also stepped aside. Even the Xiao family’s grandfather stopped walking.
Xiao Jin walked straight to the carriage and personally lifted the curtain.