More Ambitious Endeavors

Zhang Jin's voice still came from outside.

Zhang Jin said, "We need to hurry. The Zhu Family has proposed marriage to Xuanwu Earl's Manor. Once Zhu Hongxue and Jin MuLan marry first, those two will be too exalted in status, and our wedding will not seem nearly as illustrious."

"Jin MuLan of Xuanwu Earl's Manor?" Xu Qianqian's tone was somewhat complicated.

"Yes!" Zhang Jin said. "She could be called Xuanwu City's Princess."

His tone grew even more complicated.

Then Zhang Jin asked, "Do you see her often? Is she truly as beautiful as the legends say, with Martial Arts so formidable and Military Strategy so brilliant?"

Xu Qianqian said, "Xuanwu City's Princess is very proud. She has never attended our gatherings. Even when the Prefect's daughter invited her, she ignored it."

"They are an aristocratic clan that has stood for centuries. Of course she is proud," Zhang Jin said. "Right, this matter is confidential. Do not tell anyone."

Xu Qianqian said softly, "I understand the gravity of this matter."

After Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian left, Shen Lang returned to the mirror, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Shen Lang was not surprised in the slightest by how things had turned out.

When he had read through this body's memories, Shen Lang had discovered that more than two months ago, Xu Qianqian had already been dropping all sorts of hints to him—things like being fated to meet but not fated to be together, or how her parents at home missed Shen Lang terribly. But the previous Shen Lang had been intellectually deficient. How could he have understood such hints? He had been completely unmoved, still living happily with the Xu Family.

Since all of Xu Qianqian's hints had failed, Shen Lang suddenly came down with a grave illness a month ago. The excuse had been ready-made: evil energy had transferred itself onto Shen Lang.

Of course, Shen Lang could not die immediately, so the Xu Family found doctor after doctor for him. Naturally, none could save him, and so, more than an hour ago, the Shen Lang of this world had died.

Yet who could have imagined that Shen Lang from Earth would transmigrate here, staging a resurrection from the dead?

Perhaps because they feared Shen Lang's miraculous return from death, or perhaps for some other reason, the Xu Family had not killed him outright.

The powerful young master Zhang Jin had directly torn through the paper window, forcing Xu Qianqian to shed her disguise as well. She had openly driven Shen Lang from the Xu Family and severed their marital relationship.

How hasty. Since transmigrating into this world, his career as a Live-in Son-in-Law had lasted only a little over an hour.

He could no longer live off the Xu Family's soft rice. It seemed he would have to find another bowl of rice to eat.

Of course, as a doctor with X-ray vision, supporting himself and his family would be easy. Opening a clinic would do the trick.

But in his previous life, he had spent every day treating illnesses and saving lives, until body and soul alike were exhausted. In this life, he only wanted to enjoy wealth and glory and live a leisurely life.

He had finally transmigrated, only to become a doctor again? That would be far too pathetic.

He had finally been given such a handsome face. He could not let it go to waste. He absolutely had to find a more formidable patron.

Hmph! Xu Qianqian actually despised him as useless?

Shen Lang did not think much of the Xu Family either. They were nothing more than merchants. If he was going to find someone, he would find an aristocrat with power and influence.

But before that, he needed to properly cultivate his reputation. With the label of a brain-dead fool hanging over him, he would never hook a beautiful, enchanting noble young lady.

Who was the richest, most powerful unmarried young lady within several hundred li?

The young lady of Xuanwu Earl's Manor, Jin MuLan. Yes, her. Xu Qianqian had just said it herself: she was the daughter of a century-old noble house, Xuanwu City's Princess!...

Shen Lang had nothing to pack, because he possessed no property at all within the Xu Family. He turned to leave at once.

Time waited for no one. He had to quickly begin building his grand soft-rice enterprise.

Bang!

The door was thrown open again, but this time it was smashed open with brute force.

Steward Xu charged in with four martial household guards. Pointing at Shen Lang, he barked, "You audacious Shen Lang! After a poor country brat like you married into the Xu Family, you not only stole money from the manor but also molested the maids. Such crimes should have earned you a beating to death, but my Xu Family is kind and benevolent, so we will spare your dog life for now. The master has ordered that Shen Lang's marriage to the young lady be dissolved, and that he be expelled from the Xu Family immediately!"

Shen Lang laughed inwardly again.

That was more like it. There had to be a reason for driving Shen Lang away. They were certainly going to splash dirty water all over him.

In the months since he had married into the Xu Family, he had not even touched half a silver coin, much less stolen money. As for molesting the maids, that was even more absurd.

"For the sake of your own life, and the lives of your parents and Younger Brother, you know what to say after you leave, don't you?" Steward Xu said coldly. "I nearly forgot that you are brain-dead. Listen carefully. Once you are outside, you will say that you stole the Xu Family's money and molested the Xu Family's maids, which was why you were driven out. Say even half a sentence wrong, and your whole family will suffer. Understand?"

"I understand," Shen Lang said.

"Get lost," Steward Xu said.

"Right, I'm leaving," Shen Lang said as he walked out.

"Hold it!" Steward Xu shouted. "Search him. Trash like this has sticky fingers. Do not let him steal even half a silver coin from the house."

Several household guards stepped forward to search him. Shen Lang had nothing on him whatsoever.

"Even the clothes you are wearing are Silk, worth several silver coins. A ruined wretch like you would never have had the chance to wear them in your whole life. Consider it a bargain for you." Steward Xu waved his hand. "Men, drive Shen Lang out."

And just like that, Shen Lang was driven from the Xu Family's grand residence by several household guards.

As he was driven out of the Xu Family, the maids along the way pointed at him and whispered among themselves.

"This useless waste has finally been thrown out."

"That poor bastard ate and drank for free at the Xu Family for months. He already got off easy."

"What sort of person is the young lady? She actually had to be his wife in name for several months. What a stain on her."

"But he really is handsome."

"What use is being handsome? He is stupider than a pig, a completely worthless piece of trash."

The Xu Family residence was enormous, covering dozens of mu. It took several minutes just to walk through it.

"Get lost. Go back to your country doghouse." A household guard shoved Shen Lang forward with all his strength.

Shen Lang staggered out through the Xu Family's gates.

Bang! The gates slammed shut behind him.

He raised his head and looked at the sky. A bright moon hung overhead. It was already night.

After searching through his memories and finding the direction of his home, Shen Lang headed northwest.

His home was more than forty li away. It would be a long walk, especially in the middle of the night.

After walking several hundred meters, Shen Lang could not help looking back at the Xu Family compound.

He would take revenge, and soon—within three days at most!

And after that, his revenge would flow without end. When a gentleman took revenge, he did it from dawn till dusk.

Xu Qianqian stood at the highest point of the pavilion, watching Shen Lang's receding figure.

"That boy has a tough life," a middle-aged man's voice came from behind her. He was Xu Guangyun, the family head who had built this vast fortune.

"Father, we were too obvious today." Xu Qianqian frowned. "It will damage my reputation."

"There was no other way," the Xu Family Head said. "Young Master Zhang insisted on seeing this scene. For the Xu Family to develop to where it is today, we need a powerful backer. Young Master Zhang is the finest son-in-law our family could ever hope to reach. Making him happy is what matters most. As for our family's reputation, it does not matter."

"Mm," Xu Qianqian replied.

"Besides, Shen Lang is an exceptionally obedient idiot. After he goes back, he will not talk nonsense," the Xu Family Head said. "Of course, if he dares speak nonsense, perhaps his parents and family will suffer."

Xu Qianqian frowned again. She felt that her father should not have said such words aloud.

The night was quiet, the moonlight bright yet hazy. Shen Lang hurried home through the night, with nothing but the chirping of insects along the way.

After he had walked more than ten li, several figures suddenly blocked his path. Five saber-wielding warriors surrounded him, three in front and two behind.

This was desolate wilderness, without a trace of human habitation.

"Young Master Shen, come with us."

A strip of cloth was immediately tied over his mouth, leaving him unable to make a sound. Another cloth band was tied over his eyes.

Then the five men led Shen Lang through the dense forest, twisting and turning this way and that for nearly a quarter of an hour.

A moment later, Shen Lang was brought to a place and made to stop.

Someone removed the blindfold from Shen Lang's eyes. They were in a field of wild graves.

There were eight men in total, all holding sabers.

Four of them were digging a pit—a long, deep pit.

"Gang Leader, the pit is ready."

"Do it!" a hoarse voice said. "Invite Young Master Shen into the pit, then fill it with earth and bury him properly. Remember to light candles and burn incense afterward, so Young Master Shen does not leave too miserably."

They were going to bury Shen Lang alive!

Several men stepped forward, about to shove him into the pit and bury him!

How could a handsome young man like Shen Lang stand against nine hardened men of the martial world? Death was certain—"Wait!" Shen Lang shouted coldly. "Gang Leader Tian, your life will not last much longer!"