The Xu Family Wanted a Marriage Alliance

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the private room became subtly tense.

Xu Qingshan's expression changed slightly, but he remained silent.

A disciple behind Xu Mingting chuckled and chimed in, "Deputy General Yang's status is different now. He's taking on missions for those at the Aperture-Opening Realm, so naturally he looks down on someone like you at the Liquid Condensation Realm."

"That's true. Deputy General Yang didn't even bring you this time, probably because he thinks you'll be a burden."

The group exchanged barbs, each word dripping with sarcasm.

Xu Qingshan's expression gradually darkened, but he did not immediately become angry. Instead, he lowered his eyes, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea had gone completely cold and tasted bitter.

Xu Mingting observed his expression, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"Ultimately, the only reason you were able to follow Yang Xiao was because he needed someone to guide him."

"Now that he's become Deputy General, why would he need you?"

These words struck Xu Qingshan's sore spot precisely.

Now that Yang Xiao has become Deputy General and is taking on missions at the Aperture-Opening Realm level, he really doesn't need Yang Xiao's partner, who is at the Liquid Condensation Realm.

These thoughts had been swirling in his mind for a long time, but now that Xu Mingting had directly exposed them, it was as if he had dragged out his most unbearable side for everyone to see.

The private room immediately fell silent.

"I'm not here to make things difficult for you. Deputy General Yang is truly capable; I don't know where he gained General Pei's favor."

Seeing that he remained silent, Xu Mingting smiled gently and said, "Deputy General Yang's performance has now reached a point where even the Xu Family needs to take him seriously. Our previous attempts to win him over were indeed insufficient."

"The clan elders heard that you and Yang Xiao have a good relationship, so they sent me to propose marriage between you and Yang Xiao."

Xu Mingting gently fanned himself with his fan, thought for a moment, and said, "He can choose any eligible women from the Xu Family's branches and even the main branch. In addition, he can choose three properties in Qingzhou City from his family."

"If you can accomplish this, the clan elders promise to add several more major merits to your Merit Booklet."

The disciples behind him couldn't help but breathe rapidly when they heard what Xu Mingting said.

"Brother Mingting, forget about the branch branches, but does that Lieutenant Yang from the main branch even Deputy General to be mentioned?"

"Half of the women in the main branch are on good terms with major powers, so what's a mere Deputy General?"

"Shut up!"

Xu Mingting's expression hardened, and he used his eyes to stop the others from speaking further.

The significance of a Deputy General appreciated by the Demon Suppression General goes far beyond that; the implications are immense.

I will find an opportunity to talk to him.

Xu Qingshan was silent for a moment, then put down his teacup and looked at Xu Mingting with suspicion in his eyes. "But are you sure that he can choose any woman from the branch or even the main branch at will?"

"That's natural."

Seeing that Xu Qingshan did not refute him, Xu Mingting secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement without thinking too much about what he had said.

"What about Xu Qinglan?"

"Xu Qinglan?"

Xu Mingting's face stiffened; Xu Qinglan was his uncle's eldest daughter.

She was exceptionally beautiful, with cool and aloof eyes, and an aura as serene as the moon atop a mountain peak, captivating countless scions of noble families.

Moreover, he was born with Sword Bone and was taken away by a peak master of Sword-Hiding Mountain to cultivate since childhood. Now he is the peak master's personal disciple and at only 21 years old, he has already reached the Quasi-Mysterious Core Realm, surpassing the younger generation of Qingzhou.

Although she hadn't been home for many years, the entire clan regarded her as the future leader of the Xu Family, and he had completely forgotten about her.

How dare you propose marriage to her?

"Why are you silent? Does your Lineage really have Xu Qinglan to offer?"

Xu Qingshan grinned and pressed on with his question.

"Of course not!" Xu Mingting hurriedly tapped the table with his fan, his voice instantly becoming much louder. "Sister Qinglan is the face of the Lineage, the focus of everyone's attention. How could she be arranged to marry someone else?"

"You're a Xu Family, how can you say such a thing?"

Xu Qingshan didn't refute, but just glanced at Xu Mingting indifferently, his expression immediately turning meaningless.

"Okay, I understand."

Xu Mingting's expression darkened slightly. He hadn't expected that Xu Qingshan, a member of a collateral branch of the family, would have no sense of Lineage honor whatsoever.

If Qinglan were to actually be married off, what would the Xu Family be considered in Qingzhou?

Just as he was about to continue speaking, a commotion suddenly arose downstairs.

"The Demon Suppression Division is back!"

"Look, it's the Demon Suppression Division's team!"

Everyone in the private room was stunned for a moment.

Xu Mingting stood up, walked to the window and looked down. Xu Qingshan and several other young men from prominent families followed him.

On the long street, the Demon Suppression Division's procession was slowly entering the city.

Ahead stood dozens of Demon-Suppressing Captain, riding tall horses, their armor gleaming coldly, the demon-suppressing tokens at their waists gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Behind them were the captured monks of Golden Buddha Temple, each one tightly bound with ropes, their faces covered in dust and dirt.

Most striking was the corpse bound to the back of a warhorse.

The corpse was naked from the waist up, with pale golden skin. Its chest had been pierced from both the front and back, and the wounds were gruesome. It was none other than Huiming, the abbot of Golden Buddha Temple.

The patrons in the teahouse fell silent instantly, watching the demon-suppressing procession pass by with awe.

Xu Mingting frowned.

He recognized the body.

Huiming, the abbot of Golden Buddha Temple, is a renowned figure in Cloud Fir Commandery with a cultivation level of the Aperture-Opening Realm, and is known as the reincarnation of a living Buddha.

Now, however, he is tied to a horse like livestock and transported back to Qingzhou.

Despite his enmity with Buddhism, Yang Xiao actually managed to take over the Golden Buddha Temple, a feat that is enough to prove his strength and methods.

He is certainly qualified to be their son-in-law, but it is still impossible for him to be worthy of Xu Qinglan!

Just then, Yang Xiao rode his horse past below the teahouse.

He seemed to notice the gaze from upstairs and looked up to glance at them.

Xu Mingting subconsciously curled the corners of his mouth and greeted him with a smile.

Yang Xiao didn't linger. He nodded slightly to Xu Qingshan upstairs and led the Demon Suppression Division team straight away.

The sound of horses' hooves gradually faded into the distance, and the long street returned to its bustling state.

Xu Qingshan withdrew his gaze, put down his teacup, stood up, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Xu Mingting.

"Brother Mingting, I'll be going now. I'll put in a good word for you about that matter when I have time."

After saying that, he turned and left the private room.

It is near the Demon Suppression Division.

Zhao Kui led his horse alongside Yang Xiao, remaining silent the entire way, seemingly deep in thought.

Zhao Kui didn't come over until the team was reorganizing in the Martial Arts Arena.

"Deputy General Yang."

Zhao Kui lowered his voice, glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, and then spoke.

"The Lotus Platform Rebirth Body manual from Golden Buddha Temple, along with the remaining Qi Gathering Liquid Condensation martial arts manuals, must all be returned to the Technique Pavilion for archiving, according to the rules of the Demon Suppression Division."

Yang Xiao glanced at him but did not answer immediately.

"But everyone in the company tacitly agrees that the Deputy General carrying out the mission can make a copy for their own use first, and the Technique Pavilion won't say anything."

Zhao Kui assumed Yang Xiao was unaware of the unspoken rules, so he whispered a reminder.

"Do you think I should arrange for someone to make a copy for you? I'll send it to you later."

"Find someone to make a copy yourself, and send the original back to the Technique Pavilion for archiving." Yang Xiao was silent for a moment, then took out the yellowish-brown booklet from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Kui.

"In addition, set aside some money from the stolen goods at Golden Buddha Temple as a reward for the brothers' hard work on this mission."

Zhao Kui took the booklet, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

He solemnly cupped his hands in greeting and carefully put the booklet away.

"On behalf of my brothers, I thank you, sir!"