Spirit Beast King

These words fell.

The hall fell into silence once more.

Qin Jiu revealed a meaningful gaze. The current Han Family was completely different from the various expectations he had when he arrived. The positions of the two families had now completely reversed, after all, Wang Yue's Tyrant Blade could match two martial artists of the same realm.

And the Han Family only had one Inner Strength martial artist left.

Who now appeared heavily injured...

"Bastard."

The Han Family Head's face darkened. "Let alone whether you can pass the sect's disciple selection trials, just considering the resources and authority the family has given you over the years, you should be prepared to make sacrifices for the family's rise or fall."

"Moreover, the Qin Family and my 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 him really be such a grievance to you?"

Yet Han Qingyue remained silent.

Still kneeling, her head touching the ground, as if she intended to stay prostrate indefinitely.

This made the Han Family Head's chest heave violently with rage.

"Father."

"Father..."

Suddenly.

Two calls came from outside the hall.

Then two figures walked into the hall.

One was about eighteen, the other around fourteen or fifteen, both maidens in their prime.

"Father, please don't force elder sister."

One of them spoke with tears glistening in her eyes. "Elder sister's martial arts talent is outstanding, her future immeasurable. Marrying her off to the Qin Family is like pushing her into a pit of fire."

"The eldest young master of the Qin Family's conduct is known to everyone in the city for years. He is arrogant, extravagant, and a complete wastrel..."

"Shut up."

The Han Family Head roared, abruptly cutting off the words.

His temples twitched slightly. He first swept a glance at Wang Yue, then his gaze fell on Lady Li and Qin Jiu.

"Han's poor discipline has made Madam and worthy nephew witness a disgrace."

"The marriage alliance is non-negotiable."

"Both of you rest assured..."

"Uncle Han."

Qin Jiu spoke calmly. "A marriage alliance requires mutual willingness. The eldest young lady is devoted to martial arts. Since she has no such intention, I naturally won't force it. After all, you don't have only this one daughter."

As he spoke.

His gaze fell on the figures who had entered later.

Their faces instantly turned deathly pale.

The Han Family Head's expression eased slightly at the words. He was about to nod when Han Qingyue, who had been kneeling all along, spoke up.

"Father, a family's strength lies in itself."

"If relying on sacrificing others to secure the family's stability, then the so-called rise and fall of the family can only end in decline. Look at what state the Han Family is in now after the demon attack. If those families who once formed marriage alliances with us learn of this news, will they save the Han Family from disaster? No, they will only bare their fangs, eager to devour the Han Family whole."

"Besides, the Qin Family can barely save itself now. Whether I or little sister marries into it, what will our future end be?"

"Father, give me some time."

"Just wait until next spring. Once I enter the Mystic Firmament Sect, I will surely lead the Han Family to its strongest era..."

"Slap"

"Wretched beast!"

A crisp slap echoed through the hall.

Han Qingyue covered her face, looking up with stunned eyes.

The Han Family Head's face was livid. A trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, his chest heaved violently, and his raised hand trembled slightly from the force.

"Uncle Han, let the marriage alliance be dropped for now."

Qin Jiu stood up.

His expression calm, he cupped his hands. "You have family matters to handle. We'll take our leave first."

The marriage alliance was meant to seek protection.

Now that the Han Family had suffered disaster and their strength had plummeted, even if the alliance went through, it would only be mutual support.

But judging by the daughter's words and actions...

He felt that even if he forced a marriage alliance with the Han Family, it might still stir up unforeseen trouble, so it was better to let the Han Family share some of the pressure.

After all, with demon attacks and Inner Strength martial artists dropping dead.

Even if the Qin Family didn't say anything, the Han Family probably couldn't cover it up, and the Han Family head's current state was far more dangerous than the Qin Family's.

As for letting Wang Yue take the chance to strike.

Qin Jiu thought it was pointless.

Right now, the Qin Family couldn't even look after itself; even if they took the Han Family, they couldn't hold onto those things.

"Nephew, you..."

"Let both our families go our separate ways from now on."

Qin Jiu's expression was calm as he helped Lady Li up and led the guards out of the hall.

Han Qingyue watched them leave without hesitation.

She was momentarily stunned.

Outside the Han Mansion.

Lady Li's face showed displeasure.

Qin Jiu thought she was upset because he had acted on his own, so he quickly lowered his voice to explain a few words.

"You did the right thing."

Lady Li snorted coldly. "I'm just angry at Han Zheng, raising such children, daring to refuse the Qin Family's marriage alliance one after another. Not to mention this was an agreement your father and Han Zheng made back then, those three girls actually had the nerve to reject us repeatedly."

"I think they're not worthy of entering the Qin Family's door!"

"Mother, don't be angry."

Qin Jiu shook his head. "After what the Han Family has been through, even if they agreed to the marriage, I wouldn't."

"The reason I asked Han Zheng earlier was just to test his attitude."

"Now it seems the Han Family is indeed in a bad way."

"Once news of the demon attack spreads, the wounded Han Zheng definitely won't be able to suppress the other families, and there are a few gangs in the outer city watching. The Han Family is far more dangerous than the Qin Family right now."

Hearing this.

Lady Li was both surprised and relieved.

"Xiao Jiu, you're much more mature now than before, and you have your own opinions. I'm at ease leaving the Qin Mansion's affairs to you from now on. I was originally hoping to use the Han Family's influence to protect you, but now it seems we need to find another path."

Qin Jiu nodded.

Just as he was about to reply, someone from the Han Family chased after them.

"Old Madam, Young Master Qin, please wait."

A burly middle-aged man strode quickly up to them and bowed. "Our family head deeply apologizes for the marriage alliance matter, so he ordered me to bring this to the two of you as compensation for the Han Family's rudeness."

As he spoke, he waved behind him.

Immediately, a servant carried out an iron cage wrapped in black cloth.

"Inside this cage is a third-rank spirit beast, caught by the family head during a hunt with the guard team long ago. It's only half a step away from advancing to a spirit beast king. Its flesh can reshape bone structure; if an Inner Strength martial artist consumes it, severe injuries can heal, and if uninjured, it can condense their strength, pushing their martial realm a step further."

The middle-aged man's gaze, as he finished speaking, meaningfully swept over Wang Yue.

Qin Jiu was surprised, then said thoughtfully, "Then I'll gratefully accept it."

"Please go back and tell Uncle Han that although the marriage alliance is off, the bond between him and my father remains. If possible, the Qin Family is willing to form an alliance with the Han Family, to advance and retreat together in Songshan County."

"I will certainly relay that to the family head."

The man's face lit up with joy.

Then he bowed again and hurried back to the Han Family.

"A third-rank spirit beast..."

"I didn't expect the Han Family to still have this thing. No wonder they haven't produced another Inner Strength martial artist in recent years."

Wang Yue watched the middle-aged man leave thoughtfully.

Qin Jiu was startled and asked, "Uncle Wang knows this beast?"

"Your father and I once pursued this beast together back in the day. The Han Family got it in the end, and your father, out of respect for his friendship with Han Zheng, didn't fight for it. I never thought it would end up back in the Qin Family's hands like this."