The Idea of Taking Her by Force!

Anxi County, east side, the Zhang Family's manor.

Inside a lavishly furnished, brightly lit study, the air had frozen over like the bitter cold of midwinter.

"Xu, you've disappointed me terribly!"

A middle-aged man in a dark purple brocade robe patterned with round flowers stood behind a large rosewood desk, his hands clasped behind his back. He was somewhat lean, and his stern face bore a hint of shrewd competence. His gaze was like a tangible blade, scraping across Zhang Xu's paper-white face.

He was Zhang He, head of the Zhang Family—and Zhang Xu's father.

Faced with his father's scolding, Zhang Xu—usually arrogant and overbearing around others, with his nose in the air—was now like an eggplant struck by frost. He hung his head, teeth clenched, not daring even to breathe too loudly, much less talk back.

In the Zhang Family, no one could challenge Zhang He's authority.

"Think about your big brother!"

Zhang He took a step forward, his voice growing colder.

"His bone structure is only above average, and he's not as gifted as you. But he's strong-willed, can endure loneliness, and can bear hardship. When he broke through to Dark Strength, he succeeded in one go! He's never once made me waste my energy worrying about him!"

"You have superior bone structure. I expected more from you, and invested more resources in you, too!"

He stared at Zhang Xu with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, then continued:

"And what about you? You have superior bone structure and were blessed with extraordinary gifts! My expectations for you far exceeded those I had for your big brother. Have I ever skimped on the resources I gave you? And this is how you repay me?!"

Zhang He's voice suddenly rose, the fury he'd held back like a volcano finally finding a crack through which to erupt.

"Normally, you run around with your friends, waste your time in taverns, and chase after wine and women. I just thought it was youthful recklessness, a little too much indulgence!"

"But you actually treated breaking through to Dark Strength—a matter that affects the very foundation of your martial path and your future—with such frivolity! You were that utterly useless! You failed?!"

He nearly growled the last three words. Each one struck Zhang Xu's already battered pride like a heavy whip.

The mountain-like disappointment and pressure nearly suffocated Zhang Xu. His body swayed almost imperceptibly, and his already unsteady breathing grew even more ragged.

Zhang Xu was frighteningly pale, tiny beads of cold sweat gathering at his temples. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He could only bow his head even lower, almost burying it in his chest.

The crushing humiliation and pressure from his father made even breathing difficult.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. The only sound was Zhang He's slightly labored breathing as he fumed.

After a long while, Zhang He looked deeply at his silent, bowed son. His gaze was hard to read. There was anger that Zhang Xu had failed to live up to his potential, and perhaps a trace of weariness and helplessness that was difficult to detect.

In the end, he let out a long sigh. It sounded especially heavy in the silent study.

"Enough. I've said all I needed to say." Zhang He's tone softened a little, but his authority remained. "The most important thing now is for you to recuperate properly and replenish your depleted vitality. The Zhang Family has no shortage of medicinal herbs. I'll have someone send you the best supplements. Once your qi and blood have recovered and your mind has settled, you'll have another chance to break through."

He paused, his gaze turning sharp again as he fixed it on Zhang Xu. "But remember this, Xu: opportunity won't wait for you forever! Don't disappoint me again! Do you understand?!"

Like a drowning man clutching at a floating log, Zhang Xu jerked his head up and met his father's stern gaze. His words rang out with conviction.

"Father! Don't worry! From this day on, I'll turn over a new leaf and devote all my thoughts and energy to martial arts!"

"I'll train in seclusion. Next time I try to break through to Dark Strength, I'll succeed!"

"If I fail again, I... won't have the face to see you!"

At that blood-oath-like promise, the thick layer of ice on Zhang He's face loosened slightly, and his anger eased.

He nodded faintly. "I hope you'll do as you say."

Then he changed the subject, his gaze turning somber, carrying a hint of scrutiny and calculation. "By the way, how have things been between you and Liu Qingshi's daughter at the Martial Academy lately? Has there been any real progress?"

"Father, she... she..."

Zhang Xu's face stiffened. His eyes darted away, and he stammered, fresh beads of sweat seeming to form on his forehead.

He truly didn't know how to answer.

At the Martial Academy, Liu Yiyi had always treated him as if he didn't exist.

Her face, as cool as a Snow Lotus, had never shown him the slightest sign of treating him differently from anyone else.

All his deliberate attempts to get close to her and subtle displays of goodwill had vanished like mud sinking into the sea, without raising so much as a ripple.

One look at his son's halting, embarrassed manner was enough for Zhang He to understand most of the situation.

The expression that had only just softened darkened again, and his eyes filled once more with exasperation at Zhang Xu's failure to live up to his potential.

"When I sent you to Bluestone Martial Academy, I told you again and again!"

Zhang He's voice once again carried tightly restrained anger.

"Training in martial arts is only one part of it, and not even the most important! The most important thing is to use your bond as fellow disciples to win over Liu Qingshi's daughter and build a closer relationship with her!"

He stepped closer and lowered his voice, but his words grew even more weighty and pressing.

"Xu, open your eyes and look around! The world is growing more and more unsettled! Disasters are striking one place after another, refugees swarm like locusts, and all kinds of demons and monsters are showing their faces!"

"Who knows when Anxi County might descend into chaos!"

"Using your relationship with Liu Yiyi to bring Liu Qingshi, a Transformation Strength martial artist, over to our side is crucial for the Zhang Family!"

Zhang Xu hesitated. "Father, the world is unsettled, and there are some commoners in various places who've been driven to desperation and started causing trouble..."

"But can those ragtag 'bandits' really breach Anxi County's walls? That won't be so easy, will it?"

The Zhou Kingdom was already in its final days, and refugees everywhere were rising up in rebellion.

These refugees usually just robbed and looted to scrape together a living, so they were called bandits.

Zhang Xu didn't believe those commoners could breach the county walls.

"You think I'm trying to scare you?" Zhang He gave a cold snort, a flicker of anxiety and gravity passing through his eyes. "I've just received word that Lushan County went into lockdown yesterday, and the city has fallen into chaos!"

"What? Those wandering bandits caused chaos inside Lushan County and forced it into lockdown?"

Zhang Xu jerked his head up, his face full of disbelief.

Lushan County was right next to Anxi County. If the unrest really spread here, wealthy city families like the Zhangs would be among the first targets—the fat sheep everyone would want to fleece.

"Those commoners alone naturally wouldn't have the ability."

Zhang He's expression was so dark it seemed water might drip from it. He leaned toward his son and lowered his voice to a near whisper, as if afraid some unseen thing might overhear. "I've heard that behind the unrest in Lushan County... the Seven Kill Cult may be involved!"

"What?! The Seven Kill Cult..."

At the words "Seven Kill Cult," Zhang Xu's heart lurched.

In the Zhou Kingdom, the name Seven Kill Cult was so infamous it could stop children from crying at night!

The cult dated back to the previous dynasty and was the foremost demonic sect in the land. Its members acted in secret and with brutal cruelty, believing that the path to enlightenment lay through killing. Back then, the founding emperor of the Zhou Kingdom had personally led a great army to exterminate them, and they had disappeared for a time.

But after the emperor's death, the remnants had crept back to life like rats in a gutter, quietly stirring in the shadows. They had endured to this day.

The Seven Kill Cult was most notorious for the savagery of its followers, whose actions defied all reason.

It was said that one of the requirements for joining the Seven Kill Cult was having at least a thousand lives on one's hands.

That meant every member of the Seven Kill Cult was a butcher.

In the several hundred years since the founding of the Zhou Kingdom, the cult had been suspected of having a hand in nearly every massacre that had shaken the land.

Seeing his son turn deathly pale and tremble, Zhang He's heart sank as well. But he forced himself to remain calm and shook his head slightly. "Of course, this news may not be entirely accurate."

"The Seven Kill Cult's lair and main forces have always been entrenched in the northern provinces. They rarely set foot in the south."

"Perhaps... someone is just using their name to make a show of strength. That's possible, too."

At this, some color returned to Zhang Xu's ashen face, though the fear in his eyes did not completely fade.

"But whatever the truth, the alarm has been raised, and the situation is changing fast!" Zhang He declared, his tone firm and indisputable.

"Whether the Seven Kill Cult is really involved or not, the lockdown in Lushan County is real! The unrest is spreading!"

"No one can guarantee Anxi County will escape unscathed! When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? How could the Zhang Family, rooted in this city, afford to sit back and feel safe?"

He stared into Zhang Xu's eyes, each word deliberate. "So, do you understand how crucial it is that you win Liu Qingshi over?"

"I... I understand, Father!"

Zhang Xu swallowed hard, suppressing the chill and panic in his heart, and nodded with determination. "I'll... I'll think of another way. No matter what, I'll get close to Liu Yiyi."

"Xu..." Zhang He abruptly interrupted him. His gaze grew unfathomable, and his tone took on an indescribable note, as if he were passing on experience not meant for outsiders. He spoke softly.

"Actually, when it comes to men and women... sometimes it doesn't all depend on mutual affection and letting things take their course. In extraordinary times, you may need to resort to... extraordinary measures."

He paused, as if recalling something, and his voice drifted. "When I was courting your mother, she rejected me again and again at first, treating me as if I didn't exist. But later... your father used a little... trickery and a few small measures."

"Look at your mother and me now. Don't we live in perfect harmony and love each other dearly?"

Zhang Xu was stunned at first, then it was as though a bolt of lightning had split the fog.

His eyes suddenly lit up, flashing with a mixture of realization and a dark excitement. His voice trembled slightly with eagerness.

"Father, you mean... I can... I can take her by force—"

"Go back and think it over carefully."

Zhang He didn't let him finish the distasteful words. He turned away, putting his back to him, and waved a hand. His tone returned to its usual authority and detachment, as if he had never made that heavily suggestive insinuation.