Funny You Should Say That-I Was Thinking the Same Thing

Several more days passed.

Lin Xiaotian had mastered both martial arts manuals, bringing them to full proficiency. There was no further he could go.

As it happened, Xiao Jingli arrived just then.

"Hello, Brother Jingli."

"Little brother, have you been settling in these past few days?"

"You really are patient, little brother. You've stayed in this courtyard without going out at all. I thought you might take a stroll beyond it!"

Xiao Jingli's voice brimmed with amusement.

Lin Xiaotian raised an eyebrow and gave him a slightly scornful look.

As if I could go anywhere! Those young ladies have been taking turns watching me day after day, and no one would receive me. If I actually went out for a stroll, you'd be the ones worrying.

I just didn't want you reading too much into it, so I waited patiently. And now he's teasing me about it.

"Hahaha!" Xiao Jingli knew his remark had been ill-timed, so he laughed it off. "Come, little brother. Let's meet the elders."

"All right!"

Lin Xiaotian answered and followed Xiao Jingli to the Xiao Household's main hall.

"Uncle Ming, Uncle Tian, and Uncle Hua are here this time. The others came too, but they've already left."

A little surprised, Lin Xiaotian turned to Xiao Jingli.

Xiao Jingli smiled.

"They all observed you and thought well of you. But something happened within the Lineage, so they had to make preparations ahead of time. The Lineage's businesses need looking after, too."

Lin Xiaotian did not know how extensive those businesses were, but commerce in a single town was bound to be limited. Surely their reach did not extend in every direction, covering the whole county seat?

It seemed the Xiao Household was not merely snubbing him. Something really might have happened.

I'll wait and see.

They soon reached the main hall.

Fruit and other things filled the room. Incense burned near the center, its scent soothing the mind and sharpening the senses.

A narrow table stood on either side, each seating one person.

And at that moment—

A quick sweep of his gaze revealed four exceptionally beautiful women, each seated at a table and smiling toward him.

Three elders sat among them as well—presumably the uncles Xiao Jingli had mentioned—and watched him with smiles.

After Xiao Jingli made the introductions, everyone exchanged a few pleasantries and took their seats.

At the head of the hall stood an empty table, likely reserved for the head of the Household. But where was he?

"Heh, a young hero indeed! At last, we meet in person. You're every bit as fine-looking as I'd heard..."

The elder nearest the head seat spoke with a smile. This was Uncle Ming.

Lin Xiaotian raised a hand slightly in acknowledgment.

"You flatter me, Uncle Ming."

"No need to stand on ceremony, Xiaotian. You'll be one of the Xiao Household soon enough. How are you coming along with those two martial arts manuals?"

"Thank you for asking, Uncle Ming. Well enough."

"Heh. Then I'll speak plainly."

"We've watched you practice martial arts from a distance. Today, we'd like to see you in person. Another seven or eight young ladies of the Lineage were meant to be here, but unfortunately, they had matters to attend to and had to leave."

"These four are our daughters. If you perform well today, Xiaotian, you may marry one of them."

So the terms had changed: several women had become one. Fair enough. They could hardly offer him every benefit at once.

Even if they did, I wouldn't dare accept.

As for actually marrying one of them, he honestly had no interest. His earlier agreement had only been a temporary compromise to get away from the Ouyang Household and escape danger.

He did not want to become too deeply entangled with the Xiao Household, either.

He had thought they were merely going through the motions. He had not expected them to genuinely want to draw him in as a live-in son-in-law.

Marry into their Household? Absolutely not.

"Thank you, elders. But Ouyang Nianci and I have already been husband and wife in every sense. It wouldn't be fair to the other young ladies. About this..."

"That's enough. Don't make excuses." A woman's voice suddenly rang out.

Lin Xiaotian looked over. One of the four women had leaned forward slightly and nodded to him.

"Young Master Lin, the Xiao Household and the Ouyang Household may appear perfectly cordial on the surface, but in private, we compete with each other."

"What's more, after what happened in the mine, our two Households became mortal enemies."

"If you truly marry Ouyang Nianci, you'll be making an enemy of the Xiao Household."

Lin Xiaotian regarded the woman with mild surprise.

She was strikingly beautiful. Though she spoke bluntly, her voice was gentle, as pleasing to the ear as the tinkling of spring water.

And the confidence with which she spoke stirred something in him without his noticing.

The other three were no less beautiful, each with her own charms, but this woman wore a veil that lent her an air of mystery.

More importantly, his Blood Qi suddenly sent out a pulse that stirred an urge deep inside him once again—a desire to possess her.

So this Blood Qi is a lecher, too. I've only just slept with Ouyang Nianci, and now it wants me to set my sights on this woman.

Lin Xiaotian sighed helplessly and quietly shifted his gaze to the other three.

They were every bit as lovely, each with a beauty of her own, yet his brow furrowed slightly.

The powerful desire coming from his Blood Qi was directed only at the veiled woman who had spoken. Could it really be that particular about women?

Does it have requirements beyond their looks?

"May I ask your name, miss?"

Rather than answer her immediately, Lin Xiaotian asked politely.

"I'm Xiao Jingxin, daughter of Xiao Changsheng, the head of the Household."

"So you're the head's daughter. Forgive me for not recognizing you." At the mention of her father, Lin Xiaotian glanced at the empty seat and immediately realized something. Without addressing the issue between the Xiao and Ouyang Households, he asked directly:

"May I ask, my lady, why the head of the Household isn't here today? This may not be a formal selection of a husband, but it's close."

A brief silence fell over the hall. Xiao Jingxin replied calmly:

"A few days after you arrived, the head of the Ouyang Household came here. He and my father fought a duel."

"My father was injured and went into seclusion to recover. That's why I'm here in his place today."

"We'd planned to wait a few more days, but we don't know when Father will emerge. So I came with my three uncles and the others to meet you."

"I see." Lin Xiaotian then answered her earlier point.

"My position hasn't changed. Ouyang Nianci and I have been husband and wife in every sense. It wouldn't be right for me to take another wife."

Xiao Jingxin suddenly laughed.

"You men are so greedy! When it comes down to it, you just can't bear to part with that woman. Did you get a taste of her that day and find yourself hooked?"

Lin Xiaotian's eyes widened. She looked so elegant and proper, yet she spoke so boldly.

"My three sisters and I only thought you had potential, so we came to have a look. We haven't decided whether you pass. If you truly are exceptional, you could take that woman as a concubine. The Xiao Household isn't so small-minded that we couldn't make room for one woman."

The way she put it, she made me sound like some womanizing scoundrel.

Still... if there's a chance with Xiao Jingxin... No. I'll see when the time comes. I can't let this Blood Qi dictate everything I do.

I can't give it whatever it wants. If I do, I'll end up led by the nose into becoming a monster guilty of every evil.

I shouldn't have touched Ouyang Nianci back then, either... But lust got the better of me, and I lost my restraint.

Now that he had taken her, as long as she was not truly a bad person, he would naturally take responsibility for her to the end.

"What do you want?" Lin Xiaotian asked, going straight to the heart of the matter.

Xiao Jingxin narrowed her eyes.

"We've watched you in the courtyard, and you seem capable enough. But we'll only know how strong you really are if you fight."

"Here's your chance. Defeat me, and I'll agree to let you marry into the Household."

"And let me add this: my three sisters and I have all reached External Force, so don't complain that it's unfair."

"Given our standing in the Xiao Household, how many men in the world could catch our eye?"

"If you can overcome this challenge, then you'll have proved you truly have potential."

Lin Xiaotian smiled inwardly. What a coincidence. Ten or so days ago, I wouldn't have been confident. My level hasn't risen, but my strength has improved by leaps and bounds.

Why would I worry about facing someone at External Force?