Those words fell.
The hall sank into silence once more.
Qin Jiu gave a meaningful look. The Han Family was nothing like what he had expected when he arrived. The positions of the two families had now been completely reversed. After all, Wang Yue's Tyrant Blade could stand against two warriors of the same realm.
As for the Han Family, its only remaining Internal Strengthening warrior...
He looked badly injured at the moment...
"Bastard."
The Han Family head's face darkened. "Forget whether you can pass the Mystic Firmament Sect's disciple-selection trial. Just consider the resources and authority the family has given you over the years. You should be prepared to sacrifice for the family's rise and fall."
"Besides, the Qin Family and the Han Family are both among the four great families of the Inner City."
"Qin Jiu is the current head of the Qin Family. Would marrying into his family really be a humiliation for you?"
But Han Qingyue said nothing.
She remained kneeling, her forehead touching the ground, as if she meant to stay there forever.
The Han Family head's chest heaved with fury.
"Father."
"Father..."
Suddenly,
two voices called from outside the hall.
Two more figures entered right after.
One looked to be around eighteen, while the other seemed fourteen or fifteen. Both were young girls in the bloom of youth.
"Father, please don't force my sister."
One of them had tears glimmering in her eyes. "My sister has exceptional talent in the martial way, and her future is immeasurable. Marrying her into the Qin Family would be like pushing her into a pit of fire."
"Everyone in the city has known the eldest young master of the Qin Family's ways for years. He's arrogant and debauched, a thoroughgoing wastrel..."
"Silence!"
The Han Family head roared, cutting her off.
His temple twitched. He glanced first at Wang Yue, then let his gaze fall on Lady Li and Qin Jiu.
"Han has failed to raise his children properly. I've made the Old Madam and my worthy nephew witness this disgrace."
"This marriage alliance must go ahead."
"Rest assured..."
"Uncle Han," Qin Jiu said calmly. "A marriage alliance requires both parties to be willing. The eldest young lady is devoted to the martial way, and since she has no desire for this, I won't force her. After all, she isn't your only daughter."
As he spoke,
his gaze shifted to the figures who had entered behind them.
Their faces turned deathly pale in an instant.
The Han Family head's expression eased at Qin Jiu's words. He was just about to nod when Han Qingyue, still kneeling on the ground, spoke up.
"Father, a family's strength comes from within."
"If a family relies on sacrificing others to secure its own peace, then its supposed rise can only end in decline. Look at the state of our Han Family after the Demon attack. If the families once allied with us through marriage hear this news, will they save us from danger? No. They'll bare their fangs, eager to swallow the Han Family whole."
"What's more, the Qin Family can barely protect itself. Whether it's me or my little sister who marries into the family, what kind of future would await us?"
"Father, give me some time."
"Once spring comes next year, I'll join the Mystic Firmament Sect. I'll surely lead the Han Family to its greatest heights..."
"Slap!"
A sharp slap rang through the hall.
Han Qingyue covered her face and looked up, stunned.
The Han Family head's face was livid. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and his chest heaved violently. Even the hand he had raised trembled.
"Uncle Han, let's put this marriage alliance aside."
Qin Jiu stood up.
His expression was calm as he cupped his hands. "You have family matters to attend to. We'll take our leave."
The marriage alliance had been meant to secure protection.
Now that the Han Family had suffered a calamity and its strength had plummeted, even if the alliance went ahead, the two families could offer each other little more than mutual support.
But after seeing the daughter's words and conduct,
he felt that forcing an alliance with the Han Family might only invite needless trouble. Better to let the Han Family draw some of the enemy's fire instead.
After all, the Han Family had been attacked by Demons, and its Internal Strengthening warrior had died suddenly.
Even if the Qin Family kept quiet, the Han Family probably couldn't cover it up. And the Han Family head was in a far more precarious position than the Qin Family.
As for having Wang Yue seize the opportunity to attack,
Qin Jiu didn't think there was any point.
The Qin Family could barely look after itself. Even if it took the Han Family down, it wouldn't be able to hold on to its assets.
"Worthy nephew, you..."
"Let's leave things at that between our families."
Qin Jiu remained impassive. He helped Lady Li to her feet, then led the guards toward the hall's exit.
Seeing them leave so decisively,
Han Qingyue was momentarily stunned.
Outside the Han Mansion,
Lady Li wore an unhappy expression.
Qin Jiu assumed she was upset because he had made the decision on his own, so he hurriedly explained in a low voice.
"You did the right thing."
Lady Li snorted. "I'm just angry with Han Zheng. How could he raise children like that? They rejected a marriage alliance with my Qin Family one after another. Never mind that your father and Han Zheng agreed to this arrangement years ago—they still dared to refuse us repeatedly."
"I don't think they're fit to marry into the Qin Family anyway!"
"Mother, don't let it upset you."
Qin Jiu shook his head. "After what happened to the Han Family, I wouldn't have agreed to the alliance even if they had accepted."
"I only asked Han Zheng about it earlier to test his attitude."
"From what I've seen, the Han Family is in a truly miserable state."
"Once the news of the Demon attack gets out, the injured Han Zheng won't be able to keep the other families in check. And there are several gangs in the Outer City watching them. The Han Family is in far more danger than the Qin Family."
Lady Li heard him out.
She felt both surprised and relieved.
"Ninth Son, you're much more mature than you used to be, and you have a mind of your own. I can finally trust you with the affairs of the Qin Mansion. I'd originally hoped to rely on the Han Family's influence to protect you. Now it seems we'll have to find another way."
Qin Jiu nodded.
He was about to reply when someone from the Han Family came hurrying after them.
"Old Madam, Young Master Qin, please wait."
A burly middle-aged man strode up to them and bowed. "Our family head deeply regrets the matter of the marriage alliance. He has ordered me to bring you both this gift as an apology for the Han Family's discourtesy."
As he spoke, he waved to the people behind him.
A servant immediately came out, carrying an iron cage wrapped in black cloth.
"Inside is a Third-Order Spirit Beast. Our family head captured it while leading the guards on a hunt. It's just half a step away from becoming a Spirit Beast King. Its flesh and blood can reshape one's bones and constitution. If an Internal Strengthening warrior eats it, severe injuries can heal; if they're unharmed, it can refine their strength and advance their martial realm."
As the man finished speaking,
his gaze swept meaningfully over Wang Yue.
Qin Jiu was surprised. After a moment's thought, he said, "Then I'll accept it."
"Sorry for the trouble, sir. Please tell Uncle Han that although the marriage alliance is off, the old ties between him and my father remain. If possible, the Qin Family is willing to form an alliance with the Han Family and stand together in Songshan County."
"I'll certainly pass your words on to our family head."
The man's face lit up with delight.
He bowed again, then hurried back to the Han Family.
"A Third-Order Spirit Beast..."
"I didn't expect the Han Family to still have one of these. No wonder they haven't produced another Internal Strengthening warrior in recent years."
Wang Yue watched the middle-aged man leave, deep in thought.
Qin Jiu froze. "Uncle Wang, you know this beast?"
"Back then, the family head and I joined forces to hunt it down. The Han Family got it in the end. Out of consideration for his friendship with Han Zheng, the family head didn't fight them for it. I never thought it would return to the Qin Family like this."
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