The Unlucky Mr. Cheng

"Got your daughter pregnant? Leng Tianjiao?"

Zhu Ping'an, hearing this, forgot about his own injuries and jumped straight up.

Him? Got Leng Tianjiao pregnant? Where did that even come from—he hadn't even held her hand.

"That's right! My daughter said it herself. Could it be false?" Leng Yuanting said in a deep voice.

"Little Ping'an, this is where you're wrong. A real man does the deed and owns up to it. You can't just pull out and play amnesia!" Old Yin chimed in, enjoying the spectacle.

Zhu Ping'an thought for a moment and quickly understood what was going on. It must have been the act he put on outside the city that day—Leng Tianjiao had used it to get Leng Yuanting to save him.

As for the pregnancy claim, that was probably a clumsy excuse she'd made up on the spot.

Not that clumsy, actually. From a certain angle, it was perfect—after all, it was a reason that would guarantee Leng Yuanting's intervention.

Once he'd pieced it together, Zhu Ping'an's expression turned serious, and he slowly admitted it.

"Yes. We have a child."

The moment the words left his mouth, Leng Yuanting kicked him to the ground.

"You bastard! If I weren't afraid the kid would be born without a father, I'd kill you right now! How dare you knock up my daughter before marriage! You've got some nerve!"

Leng Yuanting's face was twisted with rage. He'd spent over a decade carefully nurturing his precious daughter, and now someone had taken the whole pot away. Of course he was furious.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Leng. I'll wear protection next time," Zhu Ping'an said meekly.

"You think there's gonna be a next time?! I'll—!" Leng Yuanting nearly fainted from anger and raised his foot to kick Zhu Ping'an again.

"Dad, stop!"

Leng Tianjiao's voice rang out as she ran over quickly, blocking Leng Yuanting. Her face was red as she explained.

"Dad, I was lying just now. I'm not pregnant."

"What did you say?!" Leng Yuanting's reaction was even more intense than before. "Then I've been wasting my effort? No way! A girl's reputation isn't something to joke about. Even if there's no child, there has to be one!"

Leng Yuanting had no intention of letting Zhu Ping'an slip away as a son-in-law. The kid was practically guaranteed to be this year's Qingcheng Top Scholar, and with the inheritance of the Starry Sky Ancient Saint, his future was boundless.

If he didn't tie Zhu Ping'an to the Leng Family while he was still weak, he'd never get another chance.

"Listen up, Zhu Ping'an. Starting today, you're my son-in-law. Once I go back to the Leng Family and prepare, I'll come to your house to propose! We'll pick an auspicious day in the next few days and welcome you into the Leng Family!" Leng Yuanting declared with a wave of his hand.

"Huh? That fast?" Zhu Ping'an's eyes went wide. He hadn't expected Leng Yuanting to actually betroth Leng Tianjiao to him. She was the famous ice beauty of Qingcheng—countless men dreamed of a single kiss but never got one.

"Of course! My daughter said she was carrying your child for your sake. If you don't marry her, her reputation is ruined!" Leng Yuanting glared.

"Dad! What are you talking about! Go home!" Leng Tianjiao's face flushed red as she shoved Leng Yuanting away.

"Zhu Ping'an, remember! I'll be at your door in a few days!" Leng Yuanting emphasized before leaving.

Leng Tianjiao walked up to Zhu Ping'an and explained.

"Zhu Ping'an, don't take my dad's words to heart. I know you have someone you like. Saying I was pregnant with your child was just a temporary measure. Don't feel pressured."

With that, she followed Leng Yuanting away.

Zhu Ping'an stayed silent. Lin Zhao walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Little Ping'an, I've heard from your principal about you being a simp at Qingcheng High School. Sometimes, you don't have to be stubborn. Simps never end well."

Zhu Ping'an: "..."

"Little Lin's got a point. That Leng Tianjiao girl seems pretty good to me. Don't miss out and regret it later," Old Yin added.

"Follow your heart," Old Yang said, leaving it at that.

A flicker of confusion crept into Zhu Ping'an's eyes. His initial reason for getting close to Leng Tianjiao had been clear—it was the Leng Family behind her. As for actually having something real with her, he'd never thought about it that way...

Outside Qingcheng City.

Mr. Cheng, his face dark as a storm, was heading back. After suffering such a loss in Qingcheng, there was no way he was swallowing this.

"Yin and Yang Elders, Lin Zhao, the Leng Family, and that damned Zhu Ping'an... Don't worry, this isn't over!"

Mr. Cheng gritted his teeth, his youthful face twisting slightly.

Just as he was plotting his revenge, a figure in a wide black robe appeared before him, blocking his path.

"Who are you? Why block my way?" Mr. Cheng suppressed his anger and spoke politely.

This was already the desolate wilderness outside the city. Powerful Demons or Mutant Beasts could appear at any moment. Anyone daring to come here alone had to be strong.

The Black Robe ignored Mr. Cheng and struck without warning!

"Do you know who I am? I am Cheng Fengzhong, sent by Kyoto to investigate the anomaly in the Secret Realm of Star Gazing! Dare to lay a hand on me? Are you betraying the Great Xia Ancient Kingdom?" Mr. Cheng shouted, his voice trembling with fear.

Terror surged in his heart, because he realized this mysterious Black Robe was stronger than him!

The Black Robe paid no heed to Mr. Cheng's threats and pressed the attack.

Mr. Cheng dared not be careless. He activated the Heavenly Sha Child Skill at once, unleashing his full power.

But then, the Black Robe vanished before his eyes, as if evaporating into thin air.

"Not good!"

Mr. Cheng had just turned his head when a massive iron fist came hurtling toward his face.

With that single punch, Mr. Cheng's nasal bridge instantly caved in, and dark red blood gushed from his nostrils.

One lost move led to a chain of defeats. Mr. Cheng had no ability to resist whatsoever, reduced to a one-sided punching bag for that Black Robe. He could only barely cover his vital points with his arms as fists rained down like a relentless storm.

By the time the Black Robe stopped, Mr. Cheng had transformed from a scrawny Child into a round, puffy little fatty, his face swollen into a complete pig's head.

"The matter of Green City ends here. If you still cling to this affair, next time I'll take your life."

The Black Robe's voice was icy. With that, his form flickered and vanished from the spot, leaving only Mr. Cheng lying on the ground in a daze, questioning his existence.

Since becoming a Seventh Rank martial artist, how long had it been since he'd suffered such a brutal beating?

Even more terrifying—to be able to treat a Seventh Rank martial artist like a punching bag, just how fearsome was that Black Robe's strength? An Eighth Rank martial artist? Or even the legendary, most terrifying Ninth Rank?

The ancient kingdom of Great Xia spanned vast lands with countless cities. Green City, among them, could only be considered a remote border town. How could such a fearsome martial artist appear in a place like this?

And that Black Robe was clearly standing up for someone. The only person Mr. Cheng had bullied recently was... Zhu Ping'an!

At that thought, Mr. Cheng shuddered violently, terror written all over his eyes.

Your grandmother's! If you had such a terrifying backer, why the hell didn't you say so earlier! If you'd said so, would I have ever dared to mess with you?

Mr. Cheng was thoroughly scared out of his wits. He no longer dared to think about revenge. Turning around, he fled, disappearing in a flash without a trace.