Just as the Ning Family's envoy was secretly rejoicing, Chu Yun suddenly let out a cold laugh and spoke.
"Alchemist, I'm afraid you're mistaken." His clear, black-and-white eyes swept over White-Browed Alchemist beside him. A trace of pride crept across his face.
"A great man should stride across the world and forge an unprecedented legacy! In life, he should be a hero among men; in death, a champion among ghosts. But a gentle woman's embrace is a hero's grave. How could I let romantic entanglements ruin great plans? In my heart, establishing a career comes before starting a family. My great undertaking remains unfinished. How can I make a family my priority?"
His words were lofty and righteous, his bearing awe-inspiring. Had Chu Yun said this before, most people who heard him would probably have sneered.
But now, having slain Remnant Wolf, Chu Yun spoke with his head held high and his brows raised, his voice ringing out. His words sent a sweeping, unstoppable force crashing over everyone present, like an eagle striking across the vast sky.
Everyone was moved.
"His domineering spirit is plain to see. Like father, like son indeed. He's so much like All-Star Fierce Tiger in his prime!" White-Browed Alchemist was deeply shaken, his thoughts churning.
"Y-Young Island Lord Chu, please think it over..." The Ning Family's envoy gaped. When he finally came to his senses, he had no idea what to say!
He had never imagined that Chu Yun would reject such a wonderful offer right to his face.
This marriage proposal was practically sending a delicate, stunning beauty straight to his residence. He never expected Chu Yun to turn it down!
Was this proof that he was a young hero, or that he was a fool?
For a moment, the Ning Family's envoy stared blankly at Chu Yun.
Chu Yun gave a cold snort and narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flickering in them.
The envoy's eyes suddenly stung. His heart quivered, and he shifted his gaze, wisely turning to Shu Tianhao. "Marriage is decided by one's parents and arranged by the matchmaker. Island Lord Shu, you..."
Shu Tianhao glanced at Chu Yun and smiled. "I don't want to decide this for my son. Perhaps this all happened too suddenly, and he hasn't adjusted to it. Why don't you rest at my residence for a few days, while Chu Yun gives it some careful thought?"
"I hope Island Lord Shu will persuade him. A marriage between the Ning and Shu Families would benefit both sides. I'll await good news." The envoy sighed and had no choice but to take his leave.
"Dad, do you really want me to marry Ning Yiyi?" That evening, only Chu Yun and Shu Tianhao remained in the study. Chu Yun furrowed his brow and asked first.
"Don't rush. Sit down and talk. First, tell me: did you mean what you said this afternoon, or were you holding something back?" Shu Tianhao waved him over to a seat.
Chu Yun sat down and said, "I meant it, but I also had my concerns. I'm wary of the Ning Family growing too powerful on Shu Family Island. Sooner or later, they could become too entrenched to control, then take over the place."
At that, Shu Tianhao's brow unfurrowed, and he burst out laughing. "Chu Yun, you always find a way to surprise me. Very good, very good. I'm amazed you could recognize that. That's quite impressive."
His laughter faded, and his face grew grave and serious. Fixing his gaze on Chu Yun, he said, "Over the years, the Ning Family has opened countless shops on Shu Family Island. They've taken away who knows how much of our profits. Using those shops, they've secretly cultivated who knows how many allies and spread their influence far and wide. I'll tell you frankly: your adoptive father knows all about it."
"D-Dad..." This time, it was Chu Yun's turn to be astonished.
"The Ning Family Head is an old fox. He doesn't expand through war. Instead, he arranges marriages everywhere, quietly eroding the strength of all sides. Ning Family Island is now astonishingly wealthy. He's certainly shrewd. He set his sights on Shu Family Island, and I set mine on him."
"So you've been making use of the Ning Family's influence, Dad." Chu Yun stared blankly at Shu Tianhao, seeing a new side of him.
"Exactly. Shu Family Island is remote, its conditions harsh, and its people fierce. The island's economy is weak. Without the Ning Family's help developing the place and using their merchant ships to open trade routes, where would I get the tax revenue to cover the upkeep and expenses of the Shu Family Army?"
Shu Tianhao spoke slowly, his eyes glimmering with wisdom.
Everyone knew All-Star Fierce Tiger for his domineering courage, but who could truly understand the wisdom of this tiger?
"So, Dad, you've been wise all along, just hiding it beneath a foolish exterior. I don't even know what to say." Chu Yun spread his hands and smiled wryly. He'd prepared a whole speech explaining the threat posed by the Ning Family, but now there was no need for it.
"Enough, you're buttering up your old man too." Shu Tianhao laughed and scolded him.
Chu Yun hurriedly shook his head and said with a straight face, "You've got it wrong. You're All-Star Fierce Tiger. I'm not buttering you up—I'm kissing tiger butt!"
"Hahaha, you rascal!"
"Hehehe."
Father and son looked at each other and laughed, the air between them warm and easy, without the slightest barrier.
After their laughter, Shu Tianhao waved a hand and grew solemn. "All right. Rejecting Ning Family Island's marriage proposal has its advantages and drawbacks. I'm still weighing it myself, so the decision is yours. If you agree, you'll have a beautiful wife and the Ning Family's commercial resources to rely on. If you refuse, Shu Family Island will have to depend on you alone in the future. When you try to open markets and establish merchant routes, the Ning Family's forces may well try to suppress you."
"You need to think it through. Shu Family Island will be yours one day. I'm old, and I'll keep watch over it for a few more years before stepping down to enjoy my retirement. I'll spend my days drinking and joking around with Old Red Spear and the others. And you'd better hurry up and give this old man a grandchild or two to hold."
His words were full of deep affection, and Chu Yun was moved.
He quickly said, "Dad, what are you talking about? You're not old. All-Star Fierce Tiger should still reign supreme beneath the heavens. You've got an unprecedented legacy and great achievements ahead of you."
Shu Tianhao curled a finger and tapped Chu Yun on the forehead. "Are you trying to sweet-talk this old man too? What unprecedented legacy? Save that for those young hot-blooded fellows. I really am old. Seeing you start a family and build a career would make me happier than anything."
Emotion stirred in Chu Yun's chest, and he sighed inwardly. He knew that although he had saved Shu Tianhao, this battle had cost him his fighting spirit. On top of that, the Drunken Snow Blade had changed hands, and Chu Yun had made him so proud. With someone ready to inherit Shu Family Island, all of Shu Tianhao's ambitions had truly fallen away.
This won't do. I saved my adoptive father's life, but I have to save the All-Star Tiger's spirit too! Besides, I have no interest in being an island lord. My plan for this new life is to make up for my regrets, then pursue the pinnacle of the Spirit Beast Master's path with everything I have. Trying to persuade him outright won't work. I'll just agree for now and slowly make plans later! No matter what, I have to rekindle Dad's ambition!
After mulling it over, Chu Yun smiled at Shu Tianhao. "In that case, Dad, enjoy your retirement while I show you how to stride across the world."
Shu Tianhao burst out laughing again. "Now that's my good son!"
"However..." Chu Yun's tone shifted. "For the three years I'm studying at Heavenly Song Academy, you'll have to look after Shu Family Island and leave me with a solid foundation."
"Don't worry. You can count on me." Shu Tianhao thumped his chest.
The smile at the corner of Chu Yun's mouth widened. With a meaningful look, he said, "With that promise, Dad, I can rest easy."
Shu Tianhao caught the hint in his words. Rubbing his chin, he scrutinized Chu Yun. "There's something odd about the way you put that. You're not planning to scheme against your own father, are you?"
"How could I? But there's an opportunity right in front of us. If we seize it, Shu Family Island will become the leading salt producer in the entire All-Star Archipelago. Are you in?" As he spoke, Chu Yun laid out his plan.
"You think the Jade Sea Kelp epidemic will spread throughout the entire All-Star Archipelago? And that it'll cause the market to fluctuate?"
"What? You've already come up with a formula to treat the disease? How did you manage that?"
"What! You just got lucky by accident?! You stumbled into it while making something at random?"
The more Shu Tianhao listened, the wider his eyes grew.
"I was wondering why you were grinning so slyly. So that's what you had in mind. I trust you, but if things really go the way you predict, trying to profit on Shu Family Island alone could bring disaster, and the gains wouldn't be worth the risk. We need a reliable ally, but there aren't any on the All-Star Archipelago..." Shu Tianhao sighed.
"Speaking of reliable allies, I have an excellent suggestion."
"Oh? What is it?"
Shu Tianhao looked over in surprise. The study was brightly lit, but he felt that no matter how brilliant the light, it couldn't compare with the sparkle in Chu Yun's eyes.
Those eyes gleamed, bright and dark, brimming with ambition and confidence.
Looking at Shu Tianhao, Chu Yun took a breath before speaking, each word deliberate. "Heavenly Song Academy!"