Thing That Doesn't Know Death

"Master, this is the fine husband you found for Shiqing." Tang Xiulan was furious beyond measure. If not for the sake of her status, she would have started cursing outright.

Qin Jishi's words also displeased Zhang Jinhua, but he merely frowned and said nothing.

Zhang Shiqing, her head covered by a red veil, knitted her delicate brows and said coldly, "Qin Jishi, where did all that arrogance come from? Is marrying me really that humiliating?"

"No, no, no!" Qin Jishi shook his head. "Don't misunderstand. I just feel that I'm not worthy of you."

"Not worthy of me?" Zhang Shiqing snorted coldly. "If not for Father's orders being impossible to defy, did you really think I would marry you?"

Qin Jishi did not respond further. They were both intelligent people; some words only needed to be said as far as the point.

"Did you hear that?" Liu Kai sneered. "Qin Jishi wants the Zhang Family to break off the engagement."

"Hahaha!"

"I'm dying of laughter! What a fine son-in-law the Zhang Family has. When danger comes, he really leaves himself high and dry."

"Impressive!"

"Impressive!"

Those words were no different from drawing hatred toward Qin Jishi. Seeing the Zhang Family members glaring so fiercely that they looked ready to swallow Qin Jishi alive, Liu Kai gave a sinister smile.

"Young Master Liu, that isn't quite right. Self-preservation is human instinct. I think Qin Jishi is rather sensible and knows how to read the times, unlike certain people who refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."

How could Patriarch Bu let such a good chance to suppress the Zhang Family slip away?

"That's right. As the saying goes, those who understand the times are outstanding men. Even a snot-nosed brat understands such a simple truth. Why do some people grow more muddleheaded the longer they live?"

The Sun Family elder gave a cold, disdainful laugh.

Creak~

Zhang Jinhua clenched his fists, looking as though he were about to lose his temper.

"Clan Leader, the bigger picture comes first. They want to provoke you and find an excuse to make our Zhang Family lose face."

The Zhang Family's Great Elder promptly reminded him. Zhang Jinhua took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the fury in his heart.

Not moved?

Liu Qiang exchanged a glance, and Liu Kai immediately understood.

"Brother Qin~" Liu Kai continued to mock him. "How about this? I see that you're quite sensible. I imagine you were forced into marrying Zhang Shiqing as well. Take the initiative to break off the engagement and give Zhang Shiqing to me. In the future, I can guarantee that you'll rise like a meteor in Soaring Dragon City and earn the respect of tens of thousands. After all, when beating a dog, one still has to look at its owner."

"Hahaha~"

Loud laughter echoed through the surroundings once more.

This was absolutely blatant provocation. No one would have been able to endure such a thing.

"Liu Kai, don't go too far." Zhang Shiqing yanked off her red veil. Anger showed beneath her stunningly beautiful features, and her chest rose and fell violently.

"Too far?" Liu Kai shrugged. "I don't think I've gone too far at all. What right does trash like him have to possess you? Even a dog at my side is a hundred times better than him."

"Shiqing."

"I investigated his background."

Liu Kai looked as if he had Qin Jishi completely in his grasp. "He's a bastard who was born but never raised, surviving until now by relying on an old beggar. Has that old beggar already died? Did he come running to the Zhang Family now to freeload until death?"

"Shut up!" Zhang Jinhua's rebuke rang out. "You are welcome to attend the wedding ceremony, but if you insist on hurling insults, then please leave the Zhang Family."

To put it bluntly, without Old Man, there would be no Zhang Family today.

If not for so many people watching, Zhang Jinhua would not have minded using his strength to bully the weak and teaching Liu Kai a proper lesson in how to conduct himself.

"Hmph~ Patriarch Zhang, what do you mean? Was my son wrong?"

Liu Qiang stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Then tell me, if this brat isn't a bastard, what is he? He got an advantage and still acts innocent. You gave Shiqing to him in marriage, yet he actually asked you to break off the engagement. Bastard."

"You—" A cold glint flashed through Zhang Jinhua's eyes. "Our Zhang Family does not welcome you."

"Patriarch Zhang." Liu Qiang remained unmoved. "I know you are a man who values his promises. That's fine. Crushing a bastard like him to death is as easy as crushing an ant. Our Liu Family can do it for you."

"That's right!"

Liu Kai sneered. "I'll play the villain. Uncle Zhang, just give the word, and I'll kill him right now."

Everyone from the Liu Family simply watched Qin Jishi with half-smiles on their faces.

The forces that had originally attached themselves to the Zhang Family unconsciously retreated several more steps.

"Sigh, it seems the Liu Family came prepared. They're forcing the Zhang Family to submit."

"Look at Qin Jishi. Faced with such provocation, he remains completely unmoved. I wonder what the Zhang Family is thinking."

The scene turned grave for a time, and the atmosphere became extremely oppressive.

"Patriarch Liu..." Tang Xiulan forcibly squeezed out a smile. "Qin Jishi is merely an ordinary man. Why get angry with him? How about this—we, the Zhang Family, also intend to break off the engagement. Spare his life."

After all, the Zhang Family's current standing was connected to Qin Jishi's Grandfather. Though Tang Xiulan looked down on him, she could not simply watch him lose his life.

"Madam Zhang!" Seeing that the time was right, Liu Qiang said meaningfully, "Since you've spoken, naturally I must give you this respect. But my son lost a great deal of face yesterday. As for how Qin Jishi should be dealt with, my son will decide."

"Qin Jishi!"

Feeling everyone's gazes upon him, Liu Kai said sinisterly, "Since Aunt has pleaded for you, I'll spare your life. But you must kneel before me and kowtow three times. As for what happened yesterday, I can treat it as though it never happened."

Making him kneel before everyone? That was even more humiliating than killing him.

If Qin Jishi agreed, it would not only wipe out his own dignity, but also make the entire Zhang Family stand a head shorter before all the major forces.

Anyone with even a shred of backbone would never agree.

Just as everyone believed Qin Jishi would certainly refuse, a voice that made them all despise him rang out.

"Fine, Young Master Liu. We'll do as you say." Qin Jishi raised his foot and slowly walked toward him.

His expression was utterly calm—so calm that it gave people the illusion of falling into an icy abyss.

For a moment, the Zhang Family members could not react. Their eyes were filled with disbelief.

So spineless?

"Jishi, no. A person may lack strength, but he cannot lack backbone." Zhang Jinhua's voice was stiff and low.

Qin Jishi remained unmoved.

"You—"

Zhang Shiqing stomped the ground fiercely. "Qin Jishi, can you act like a man? Don't make me look down on you."

Qin Jishi still showed no reaction.

His actions made the Zhang Family members despise him, especially the elders.

"How could Elder Su have such a spineless grandson? He is simply Elder Su's disgrace."

"The Clan Leader must truly be blind. He did so much for him, yet is this how he repays the Clan Leader?"

At this thought, the Zhang Family members were filled with rage. For Qin Jishi's sake, they had not hesitated to offend the Liu Family. Couldn't he do something for the Zhang Family?

Under their murderous stares, Qin Jishi walked up to Liu Kai.

"Hehe, Qin Jishi, you think you can contend with me? Killing you would take nothing more than lifting a finger. Hurry up and kneel for me, or today will be the anniversary of your death next year."

As Liu Kai spoke, he raised his hand to slap Qin Jishi's face. Just as his palm was about to touch Qin Jishi's cheek, Qin Jishi said, "You dare speak disrespectfully of Old Man? You're courting death."

Crack~

A crisp snapping sound rang out. Qin Jishi seized his hand, twisting the entire arm at a grotesque angle before Liu Kai could even let out a howl.

Bang~

Qin Jishi kicked him in the crotch. His body traced a graceful arc through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Thing that doesn't know death."

"Ah~"

His shriek, like the slaughter of a pig, pierced the heavens.