Youmen Village

Youmen Village was a small village under the jurisdiction of Qingshan Town, built against the mountains.

At the entrance to the village stood a forest of strange rocks. Each stone pillar had a different shape. Some resembled rabbits crouching on the ground, some eagles soaring with outstretched wings, and others elephants lowering their heads to drink.

More than a hundred people sat atop the massive rocks. From the weapons in their hands, it was clear that they were no good people.

"Young Clan Leader, isn't the clan leader worrying too much? We tipped off so many bandits along the way and exaggerated the situation. Unless Chen Zilong has heaven-defying abilities, there's no way he'll return to Youmen Village!"

"Since it was my father's order, we have to carry it out. Still, I also think he worried too much. With so many bandits involved, and even the Black Wolf Gang notified, Chen Zilong was seriously wounded. There's no chance he'll return alive! What a shame about that beauty, Xiangxiang." A handsome young man in fine clothes lounged lazily atop a large rock, a straw stalk dangling from his mouth.

"Exactly! Huh? Young Clan Leader, look! What's that?"

The young man followed the gaze of the He Clan Disciple beside him. Sure enough, a small group entered their sight.

The young man frowned deeply, waving his hand as he shouted for his men to block the road into the village. Looking at someone, he said calmly, "Xiangxiang, you're back!"

"He Dong!"

The moment they saw him, the faces of the Chen Family Patriarch and Chen Xiangxiang darkened.

Chen Xiangxiang snapped angrily, "He Dong, you still dare stand here! What are you trying to do? Are you planning to kill us all here?"

He Dong smiled. "Hehe, Xiangxiang, you're joking. My fiancée has returned. How could I not come out to welcome her?"

"Fiancée?"

Chen Xiangxiang frowned. "Who is your fiancée?"

"Xiangxiang, aside from you, do you think there's anyone else worthy of catching my eye?" He Dong asked with a grin.

"Don't talk nonsense. I never said I would marry you."

"That's not up to you!"

He Dong turned his gaze toward the Chen Family Patriarch and added, "Uncle Chen, our families are well matched. If you are willing to marry your daughter to me, you may enter from here today."

"And if I refuse?"

"If you refuse, then don't even think about entering alive!"

He Dong waved his hand, and dozens of people immediately sprang out from the surrounding area.

The dozens of men drew their weapons and surrounded the merchant caravan.

The Chen Family Patriarch smiled. "He Dong, do you think these people alone can stop us?"

"Of course they can!"

He Dong addressed the mercenaries behind the Chen Family Patriarch. "My father is He Lei, and he has just broken through to become a Five-star Fighter."

"Five-star Fighter!"

The surviving mercenaries looked deeply wary. A Five-star Fighter was simply not someone low-ranking mercenaries like them could contend with.

Seeing their apprehension, He Dong said happily, "Everyone, you have safely escorted them to Youmen Village. Your mission is complete. There's no need to keep wading into this muddy water!"

Faced with He Dong's attempt to drive a wedge between them, the Chen Family Patriarch pointed at him and shouted, "You..."

"Chen Family Head, he's right. We have already entered the village gate. By all rights, our mission has been completed. Shouldn't you give us the remaining payment?"

"Rock Commander..."

The Chen Family Patriarch had intended to persuade him, but another mercenary immediately added, "Chen Family Head, the mission only stated that we were to escort you to Youmen Village. It never said we had to escort you to your home. Therefore, our mercenary group's mission should be considered complete! Along the way, we fought through bloodshed. Two brothers died, and seven were injured. I hope you can understand."

"This...!"

The Chen Family Patriarch wanted to say more, but the large caravan immediately split into two groups. Only the Chen Family and Chen Xiangxiang, along with a few battered survivors, remained to confront He Dong.

He Dong sneered. "Uncle Chen, if you agree to this marriage and let Xiangxiang marry me tonight, I can let you return home."

"Marry tonight?"

Chen Xiangxiang refused indignantly. "I would rather marry a dog than marry you! It was your father, all because of your father! I haven't forgotten that it was your father who seriously injured my father! The disaster that befell my Chen Family was all thanks to your He Family! Even if I die, I will never marry you!"

He Dong's gaze sharpened, and his expression changed. "If you won't marry me, then don't think of leaving alive! If you die, none of the Chen Family will live either!"

"Father!"

Chen Xiangxiang froze slightly and looked toward the Chen Family Patriarch. In her anger, she had not considered this crucial point.

What was He Dong? He was the son of the man who had injured her father.

If not for He Dong's father, the Chen Family Patriarch would not have been injured. If the Chen Family Patriarch had not been injured, the entire Chen Family would never have needed to travel thousands of miles to Taixia City to purchase medicinal ingredients.

How could Chen Xiangxiang accept being made to marry her enemy?

The Chen Family Patriarch gently patted Chen Xiangxiang's hand. "Don't worry, Xiangxiang. As long as Father is here, I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance!"

Chen Xiangxiang felt warmth in her heart. Looking at the clansmen around her who were watching her, she said, "But Father, if we don't agree to him, what will happen to our clansmen?"

Chen Xiangxiang and the Chen Family turned to look at Xiao Han behind them.

Xiao Han had already saved their lives. He was their lifesaving benefactor, not a mercenary they had hired.

Especially now that they knew He Lei had become a Five-star Fighter. If they continued to seek Xiao Han's help, they would be offending He Lei and dragging their lifesaving benefactor into this mess. Thus, Chen Xiangxiang and the Chen Family Patriarch were conflicted. They wanted Xiao Han's help, yet could not bring themselves to ask.

"Fine, I'll help you one more time!" Xiao Han dismounted and walked over to the Chen Family Patriarch.

The Chen Family Patriarch and Chen Xiangxiang exchanged glances, joy rising in their hearts. They knew that He Dong would no longer be able to threaten them today, and that they could enter the village safely.

He Dong sized Xiao Han up, raising a brow as he shouted disdainfully, "Where did this wet-behind-the-ears brat come from? My father is a Five-star Fighter. Your mission is already complete. This is an internal matter of Youmen Village. I hope you don't wade into this muddy water!"

Xiao Han found He Dong utterly disgusting. Forced marriage actually existed in this world. He said calmly, "I can't be bothered to interfere in Youmen Village's affairs. But if you let them enter the village safely, I can't be bothered to act either. If you insist on causing trouble, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

"Did you even hear who my father is?" He Dong was clearly a young master who relied on his father's power. Though he shouted furiously, he did not dare attack Xiao Han.

Xiao Han ignored him. "Chen Family Head, it's getting dark. Let's enter the village."

"Mm."

The Chen Family Patriarch nodded. Just as the Chen Family began to move, dozens of He Clan Disciples pointed their weapons directly at them, clearly prepared to spill their blood on the spot if they dared take another step forward.

"Move!"

After the Black Wolf Gang incident, the Chen Clan Disciples trusted Xiao Han immensely. Seeing Xiao Han advance, they followed him forward.

One step, two steps, three steps. Before long, the Chen Clan Disciples had reached the front of all the He Clan Disciples.

"Move aside, or die!" Xiao Han said calmly.

"Uh..."

He Dong froze slightly, staring at Xiao Han in surprise. An outsider like this young man actually dared challenge him so openly. He shouted, "Since you're seeking death, I'll grant your wish! Men, attack! Kill this brat too!"

"Seeking death!"

Xiao Han drew the treasured sword from the side of one man. With a single swing, he severed the weapons in the hands of the Leng Clan Disciples. As his sword swung back down, all those disciples were beheaded. The attack was so fast that they had no time to react. Even He Dong was splattered with blood on the spot by Xiao Han.