Xiaogang's Daily Torment

"My daughter is traveling, and her whereabouts are uncertain. I'm afraid it may take some time," Yu Luomian said hesitantly.

"She's in a town at the southern end of the Heaven Dou Empire, near the Great Star Dou Forest. Send her a message directly," Qin Xuan said. "Remember, send the message first. If she refuses, tell me, and I'll go with you myself."

"As it happens, I don't want a grand wedding, and I certainly don't want too many people knowing about it."

"Do you understand me?"

A secret affair?

The words suddenly sprang to Yu Luomian's mind, and everything clicked into place.

But the bargain was worth it. He would trade an illegitimate daughter born to a woman of ill repute, one he could neither bring back to the clan nor acknowledge openly, for a connection to someone as powerful as Qin Xuan.

It was more than worth it.

"I understand. I understand," Yu Luomian said with a leering grin.

"On the day I marry your daughter, you'll receive an opportunity to advance to Titled Douluo within ten years," Qin Xuan said.

After Yu Luomian left, a sinister smile spread across Qin Xuan's young, handsome face. Heh, heh, heh... Yu Xiaogang, I can't wait to see your face when Liu Erlong leaves with me.

Within the Heaven Dou Empire, on a hill overlooking a small town near the Great Star Dou Forest...

A campfire blazed in a small grove.

Its light fell on three very different faces. One pretty face was deathly pale, its expression wretched. One stiff face was filled with shock. The third, beneath a hooked nose and rectangular glasses, was furious.

"Marriage?" Flender forced down his anger and managed a thin smile as he turned to Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong nodded helplessly. "My father arranged it.