"Is that so?"
Han Xue touched her burning cheek, not realizing that Xiao Ze had already wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
Feeling those strong hands, Han Xue's face instantly flushed crimson, like the fiery clouds on the horizon. Her whole body stiffened, and she didn't know what to do.
"You clearly have feelings for me. Why don't you just say so?" Xiao Ze gently tightened his hold, drawing Han Xue into his arms.
"I-I don't dare." Han Xue had never faced anything like this. She was like a frightened little white rabbit, left entirely at someone else's mercy.
And Xiao Ze was unmistakably the big bad wolf—the kind that ate people without even spitting out the bones.
"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like I'm going to eat you." Xiao Ze's lips curled slightly.
Their eyes met. As they felt each other's breath, their hearts pounded uncontrollably.
"Your heart's beating so fast," Xiao Ze said with a soft laugh.
Han Xue could barely hold herself together. In front of Xiao Ze, she felt she could only be teased.
Just as she was wondering what to do, Xiao Ze leaned in and kissed her. Feeling his lips brush hers, Han Xue's mind went completely blank.
Is this really happening already?
Xiao Ze gave her no time to react. He pushed her onto the bed, and they began their little game for two.
Han Xue instinctively resisted, but how could someone as delicate as she was hope to match Xiao Ze?
Her so-called struggles were nothing more than feigned resistance.
Everything was understood without a word.
"Han Xue, will you marry me?" Xiao Ze asked, feeling their breathing grow heavier as he gazed at her delicate features.
"I-I will."
Now that Xiao Ze had asked her himself, what reason could she possibly have to refuse?
[ Ding! Congratulations, host, on marrying SS-rank Han Xue. Marriage rewards are being issued...]
[ Ding! Marriage reward issued: Seven-Grade Alchemist talent!]
[ Ding! Marriage dowry issued: Dou Sheng inheritance, Heaven Rank Low Grade Dou Technique: Phoenix Soaring Sword!]
"Don't worry. You won't lose out by staying with me," Xiao Ze said with a light laugh.
Then he kissed her again.
With the Dou Sheng inheritance and a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, she would be able to protect herself even when he wasn't by her side.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Tianbei City, at the Hong Family estate, news of the clan elder's disappearance soon reached Hong Li, the Hong Family head.
"Outrageous!"
Hong Li was instantly incensed.
Their elder had disappeared at the Han Family estate. Anyone could tell the Han Family had killed him, but did they think destroying the body would leave him without recourse? They'd underestimated Hong Li!
"Summon the clan elders immediately. I'll personally make the Han Family answer for this!" Hong Li roared, his eyes seeming to blaze.
"Yes!" His subordinate hurried away.
Anyone in Tianbei City who dared kill a Hong Family elder had to be extraordinarily bold!
In his view, there was no need for the Han Family to exist any longer!
The next morning, in a guest room at the Han Family estate, the two were still enjoying themselves in bed.
"Big Brother Xiao, let's call it a day," Han Xue said, nestled in his arms, her voice tinged with fatigue.
"Sure. You worked hard last night." Xiao Ze gently patted her shoulder.
Her soft, supple waist truly had its own special charm.
Han Xue lay quietly in his arms, in high spirits. She had never imagined Xiao Ze would take an interest in her. And he was clearly interested in her, too—otherwise, he wouldn't have been so vigorous last night.
Just as the two of them were enjoying this brief moment of peace, a roar suddenly rolled over and exploded above the Han Family estate.
"Han Chi, you'll pay for my clan elder's life!"
In an instant, the entire Han Family was thrown into panic.
The Hong Family had come for revenge!
"Big Brother Xiao!" Han Xue's body tensed, fear showing in her eyes.
The Hong Family loomed over the Han Family like a great mountain, pressing down on them until they could hardly breathe.
"Relax. I've got this," Xiao Ze reassured her softly, then quickly got dressed.
Having someone ruin his morning so early stirred a nameless anger in Xiao Ze.
At that moment, above the Han Family estate, Han Chi, the Han Family head, led his people in a standoff with the Hong Family.
Hong Li, the Hong Family head, was a Half-Step Dou Zong, while Han Chi was at the Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor level, only a hair's breadth away from Half-Step Dou Zong.
But the other side clearly had more Dou Huang experts.
So they were already at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.
Han Chi cupped his hands and said with a smile, "May I ask what brings you to the Han Family with such a grand show of force, Family Head Hong?"
"Han Chi, don't play dumb with me!" Seeing Han Chi's reaction, Hong Li flew into a rage and demanded, "Did you kill my Hong Family elder?"
Faced with the accusation, Han Chi looked troubled and replied apologetically, "Your Hong Family elder did die within the Han Family estate, but I wasn't the one who killed him."
"Fine, fine, fine! Han Chi, you've got some nerve, killing a Hong Family elder! I'd originally planned to marry your two daughters to my son so our families could become in-laws. But now, it seems there's no need!" Hong Li was practically ready to explode.
In Tianbei City, he was the only one who got to throw his weight around. Since when had the Han Family been allowed to push him around?
"Kill them all! Leave no one alive!" Hong Li snapped.
At once, the people behind him drew their weapons, ready to slaughter the Han Family. But to their surprise, the Han Family didn't seem panicked. Their eyes even held a trace of amusement.
Han Chi stood with his hands behind his back, completely composed, as though he didn't take these people seriously at all.
The Hong Family had no time to worry about that. They simply couldn't believe the Han Family's backing could be greater than the Wind Lightning Pavilion's.
Countless streams of Dou Qi surged into the sky. The terrifying pressure and vast killing intent could be felt not only throughout the Han Family estate, but across all of Tianbei City.
"Coming here to ruin my sleep so early in the morning? Looks like the Hong Family has lived long enough."
Just then, a clear, powerful voice drifted through the air.
An invisible force suddenly surged forth, effortlessly stopping the attack from all those people.
The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.
Han Chi, however, immediately grew respectful. He cupped his fists toward the guest room below and apologized, "Young Friend Xiao Ze, I was in the wrong. I disturbed your rest."
Hong Li, meanwhile, was dumbfounded. If Han Chi, that old bastard, was showing someone such respect, then the newcomer was likely a true Dou Zong expert.
"Quick, summon our Hong Family ancestor," he ordered quietly.
Hong Li and the Hong Family members all turned their gazes toward the guest room.
A man in green had just finished dressing. He then strolled calmly toward them.
He didn't manifest Dou Qi Wings, but instead walked through the air. He was undoubtedly a Dou Zong. Han Xue followed behind him.
A faint blush still lingered on her pretty face.
Seeing her, Hong Chen, standing behind Hong Li, instantly flew into a rage. Someone had slept with his woman!
"Where'd this nobody come from? You dare sleep with my woman? You must be tired of living!"
Before he could continue his bluster, Hong Li silenced him with a single look.
"Your Excellency, this is a matter between the Hong and Han Families. I ask that you show the Hong Family some respect!"
Hong Li had no choice but to treat a Dou Zong expert with caution.
He himself was only a Half-Step Dou Zong, so he was especially sensitive to a Dou Zong's aura.
This young man was unfathomable!
He was far beyond Hong Li's ability to contend with.
What shocked Hong Li most was how young the other man was. Compared to him, his own son was far inferior.
Xiao Ze merely smiled at that. "The Han Family is my father-in-law's family. You expect me to show you respect? Who do you think you are?"
Hong Li's face darkened. When had the Hong Family ever suffered such humiliation? This was simply too much!
By contrast, when Han Chi heard the words "father-in-law," his heart leaped, and he nearly fell out of the sky.
Xiao Ze had truly given him a surprise.
"Your Excellency, my son is an inner disciple of the Wind Lightning North Pavilion!" Hong Li tried desperately to invoke the Wind Lightning Pavilion's name.
But Xiao Ze didn't take it seriously. "Even if the Wind Lightning Pavilion Master came here himself, I'd still say the same!"
Uninterested in wasting words on this trash, Xiao Ze fixed his gaze first on Hong Chen, standing behind Hong Li. "Were you the one insulting us just now?"
Under that sharp gaze, Hong Chen felt as though he'd fallen into an ice cave. His whole body turned cold, and his Eight-Star Dou Huang cultivation sputtered out.
He shook his head frantically, but the only answer he received was a merciless finger strike.
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