Direct Refusal, Father and Son United

Just as the Ning family envoy was secretly rejoicing, Chu Yun suddenly let out a cold laugh and spoke.

"Alchemist, your words are mistaken." His clear, black-and-white eyes swept toward the White-Browed Alchemist beside him, a trace of arrogant amusement climbing onto his face.

"A true man should roam the world and carve out an unparalleled legacy! In life, one should be a hero among men; in death, a legend among ghosts. Yet, the bed of comfort is the graveyard of heroes. How can I let the entanglements of romance ruin my grand cause? In my heart, establishing a career comes before settling down. My great cause is not yet achieved; how can I take a wife?"

These words were spoken with grandiloquence and imposing momentum. Had they come from the Chu Yun of the past, most who heard them would likely have sneered.

However, now that Chu Yun carried the prestige of having slain Remnant Wolf, he held his head high and spoke in a resonant tone. As the words left his lips, everyone present felt a sweeping, eagle-striking-the-sky momentum wash over them.

They were all moved.

"Such overt dominance—truly, like father, like son. How much he resembles the All-Star Fierce Tiger of yesteryear!" The White-Browed Alchemist felt a tremor in his heart, his emotions churning.

"Y-Young Island Master Chu, I beg you to reconsider..." The Ning family envoy was dumbfounded; once he regained his senses, he didn't know what to say!

He had never expected that Chu Yun would reject such a gift delivered to his doorstep.

This marriage proposal was tantamount to delivering a delicate beauty straight to his manor. To think that Chu Yun would actually refuse!

Was this to be called the heroism of a youth, or was he simply a fool?

For a moment, the Ning family envoy stared blankly at Chu Yun, lost in thought.

Chu Yun let out a cold snort, his eyes narrowing as a sharp, flickering light glinted within them.

The Ning family envoy felt a sudden sting in his eyes. His spirit trembled, and he wisely shifted his gaze, turning to Shu Tianhao. "Matters of marriage are decided by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. Island Master Shu, you..."

Shu Tianhao glanced at Chu Yun, smiled, and said, "I do not wish to make decisions for the child in this matter. Perhaps it was too sudden, and he is not yet accustomed to the idea. Why doesn't the envoy rest at the manor for a few days? Let Chu Yun consider it carefully during this time, how about that?"

"I hope Island Master Shu will offer some persuasion. A marriage between the Ning and Shu families would be beneficial to both sides. I shall await the good news." The envoy sighed and had no choice but to withdraw.

"Father, do you truly want me to marry that Ning Yiyi?" That evening, only Chu Yun and Shu Tianhao remained in the study. Chu Yun frowned as he asked the question.

"Don't be in such a rush; sit down and answer me. First, I ask you: was that speech this afternoon from the heart, or were you holding back?" Shu Tianhao waved his hand, gesturing for Chu Yun to sit.

Once seated, Chu Yun replied, "It was both sincere and cautious. I am wary of the Ning family's influence growing too large on Shu Family Island. Sooner or later, they will become impossible to control, like a cuckoo occupying a magpie's nest."

Hearing this, Shu Tianhao's brow smoothed out, and he laughed heartily. "You rascal, you always surprise me. Very good, very good. That you can realize this point surprises me—it is quite impressive."

As his laughter subsided, a serious and earnest expression appeared on Shu Tianhao's face. He stared intently at Chu Yun. "Over these years, how many shops has the Ning Family Island opened on our island, and how much profit have they siphoned away? Through these shops, how many partisans have they secretly cultivated, and how much influence have they laid out? I tell you the truth: your foster father is well aware of all this."

"F-Father..." This time, it was Chu Yun's turn to be surprised.

"The Ning Family Head is an old fox; he does not expand through war. By marrying into families everywhere and secretly eroding their influence, the Ning Family Island has amassed astonishing wealth. He has his sights set on my Shu Family Island, and I have mine set on him."

"So, Father, you were utilizing the Ning family's influence." Chu Yun stared blankly at Shu Tianhao, seeing a new side to the man.

"Indeed. Shu Family Island is located in a remote area with a harsh environment. The islanders are fierce and brave, but the island's economy is quite weak. Over these years, if not for the Ning family's help in development and the use of their merchant ships to open trade, where would I have found the tax revenue to support the maintenance and expenses of the Shu Family Army?"

Shu Tianhao spoke slowly, wisdom flickering in his eyes.

Everyone knew the dominance and ferocity of the All-Star Fierce Tiger, but who could understand the wisdom of this tiger?

"So you were playing the fool to hide your brilliance, Father. I don't even know what to say." Chu Yun spread his hands and gave a wry smile. He had prepared a whole speech to explain the threat of the Ning family, but it was completely unnecessary now.

"Enough, stop trying to butter up your old man." Shu Tianhao scolded with a laugh.

Chu Yun shook his head quickly and said with a straight face, "You're wrong. Father, you are the All-Star Fierce Tiger. I am not buttering you up; I am stroking the tiger's fur!"

"Haha, you rascal!"

"Hehehe."

Father and son looked at each other and laughed, the atmosphere harmonious, without a hint of estrangement.

After the laughter died down, Shu Tianhao waved his hand slightly and said solemnly, "Enough. Your refusal of the Ning family's proposal has both advantages and disadvantages. I, too, am hesitant; the matter rests on your decision. If you agree, you gain a beautiful wife and can utilize the Ning family's commercial power. If you refuse, the future of Shu Family Island will rest entirely on your shoulders. If you wish to open markets or establish merchant shipping lanes later on, I fear you will face suppression from the Ning family's forces."

"You must consider this clearly. The future Shu Family Island will be yours. I am old; I will manage it for you for a few more years, then retire to enjoy my twilight years. I'll spend my days drinking and joking with Old Red Spear and his lot. You should hurry up and give this old man a grandson or granddaughter to hold."

His words were filled with deep affection, moving Chu Yun instantly.

He quickly said, "Father, what are you saying? You are not old. The All-Star Fierce Tiger should soar above the heavens. There are still unparalleled achievements and glory waiting for you."

Shu Tianhao curled his finger and tapped Chu Yun on the forehead. "You're trying to bewitch this old man too? What unparalleled glory? Save that for the hot-blooded young men. Your father is truly old. Seeing you settle down and build a career is more satisfying than anything else."

Waves surged in Chu Yun's chest, and he sighed inwardly. He knew that although he had saved his foster father's life, the battle had sapped his fighting spirit. Coupled with the loss of the Drunken Snow Blade and the fact that Chu Yun had performed so well that he felt the Shu Family Island had a worthy successor, his ambition had truly withered away.

This won't do. I saved my foster father's life, and I must save the spirit of the All-Star Fierce Tiger! Besides, I have no interest in the position of Island Master. My plan for this new life is to make up for regrets and then strive with all my might for the peak of the Spirit Beast Master realm. It seems direct persuasion is useless. I will have to agree for now and plot slowly in the future! In any case, I must awaken Father's ambition!

After pondering, Chu Yun smiled at Shu Tianhao. "In that case, Father, you should enjoy your twilight years and watch how I roam the world."

Shu Tianhao laughed again. "That's my good son!"

"However," Chu Yun's tone shifted, "during the three years I am enrolled at the Heavenly Song Academy, you must manage Shu Family Island well for me and leave a solid foundation for your son."

"Rest assured, I will not shirk my duty." Shu Tianhao patted his chest.

The smile on the corner of Chu Yun's mouth widened, and he said meaningfully, "With those words from you, Father, I can rest easy."

Shu Tianhao caught the implication, stroked his chin, and scrutinized Chu Yun. "Why does that sound a bit off? You wouldn't be calculating against your own father, would you?"

"How could that be? But there is an opportunity right before us. If we seize it, our Shu Family Island will become the leader of the entire salt industry in the All-Star Archipelago. Are you in, Father?" With that, Chu Yun laid out his plan.

"The plague of the Jade Sea Kelp—you estimate it will spread across the entire All-Star Archipelago? And it will trigger market fluctuations?"

"What? You have already developed a formula to treat this plague? How did you manage that?"

"What! A blind cat bumping into a dead mouse?! You just happened to create it by accident?"

As he listened, Shu Tianhao's eyes widened further and further.

"I said you brat were smiling too cunningly; so that's what you were thinking. Your father believes in you, but if it truly is as you estimated, relying solely on our Shu Family Island to reap the profits will likely invite disaster and do more harm than good. As for finding ordinary allies, there are no reliable ones to be found on the All-Star Archipelago..." Shu Tianhao sighed.

"Speaking of reliable allies, this son has an excellent proposal."

"Oh, what is it?"

Shu Tianhao looked over in surprise; the study was brightly lit at this moment. Yet, Shu Tianhao felt that no matter how brilliant the light, it could not compare to the radiance in Chu Yun's eyes.

Those eyes, dark and bright, radiated ambition and soaring self-confidence.

Looking at Shu Tianhao, Chu Yun took a breath, then said word by word: "Heavenly, Song, Academy!"