Xue Family Joins She Family, She Family Refuses

The three of them were just about to set out when Shui Ruolin suddenly said, "My lord Earl, the Xue Family should be easy enough. They've always known which way the wind blows. But the She Family..."

He hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Xiao Yun looked at him. "What about the She Family?"

Shui Ruolin gritted his teeth and said, "The She Family has long put the word out that Dragon Ascending Town is their territory, and no matter who comes to be its lord, he has to take his cue from them. My lord Earl has only just arrived and still doesn't know the She Family's background. They—"

Xiao Yun raised a hand and cut him off.

"No matter. We'll know once we go take a look."

He turned and walked outside, with Shui Bing'er following behind him. Shui Ruolin opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing more. He only silently watched that young back disappear beyond the door, unsure whether what filled his heart was expectation or worry.

The Xue Family was on the west side of Dragon Ascending Town, not far from the Shui Family. It took only the time to burn a stick of incense to get there.

When Xiao Yun brought Shui Bing'er to the Xue Family's main gate, the gatekeeper was dozing off.

Hearing footsteps, a skinny old man rubbed his eyes and lifted his head. Seeing two strangers, he was just about to scold them when Shui Bing'er had already stepped forward.

"Earl Longteng has come to visit. Ask the head of the Xue Family to come out and meet him."

Her voice was cold and clear, without the slightest emotion, yet it carried a pressure that made others not dare to be negligent.

The gatekeeper froze for a