Doubt showed in Gu Xiaotian's eyes. "Qingyao, aren't you rating him a little too highly? Fourth place at the Gathering of Heroes is certainly something to be proud of, but compared with the Sacred Martial Dynasty, Northern Liang, and Southern Qing, the Desolate Ruins can only be called weak.
"For Chen Shi'an to shine and reign supreme in our region is probably already his limit.
"He and you are a talented man and a beautiful woman, well matched. Neither is unworthy of the other.
"Once you women fall into the net of love, you start fretting over gains and losses and lose your sound judgment.
"Stay out of this matter. Let your father handle it..."
"Father!"
Gu Qingyao suddenly raised her voice, her expression utterly serious. "You must not interfere in this matter.
"As things stand, there is still a sliver of possibility between him and me. If you bring this into the open now, I won't have even the slightest chance left."
Gu Xiaotian added, "You haven't even sounded him out. How do you know he has no place for you in his heart?"
Gu Qingyao gave a bitter smile. "Father, how could I not sense whether he has a place for me in his heart?"
Gu Xiaotian fell silent and said nothing.
Gu Qingyao continued, "Father, you must promise me that you won't interfere in this."
Gu Xiaotian shook his head and finally let out a long sigh. "Of all the outstanding young men in our Stronghold, not one could earn a second glance from you. Who could have imagined that Chen Shi'an would have you tied to him?
"Ah, what a cruel twist of fate... Apart from having somewhat better cultivation talent, better looks, and passable courage and strategy, what else does Chen Shi'an have? How did