In Lu Liangfei's view, it was a blessing cultivated over three lifetimes for Lin Tang to be taken under his wing. The man should have been grateful.
However…
"Are you out of your mind? You want me to kneel to you? And what the hell is a True Martial Association?" Lin Tang thought the man was being ridiculous.
"Hmm?" Lu Liangfei's expression darkened. This brat doesn't know what's good for him!
Xie Qinghong, who was still in a state of shock, saw an opportunity and hastily fanned the flames. "Wow, you dare to insult the True Martial Association? You're as good as dead!"
"Noisy!" Lin Tang sent him flying with a kick, then reached for the Returning Grass on the table.
"How dare you!" Lu Liangfei was incandescent with rage. "This is a treasure meant as a tribute to my True Martial Association! You dare covet it? Die!"
He considered himself a Postnatal Expert, so dealing with this upstart would be child's play. I originally had some appreciation for his talent, but it's a pity he's so insolent. He deserves to die on the spot!
Lu Liangfei threw a punch, a surge of energy flowing from his fist and shattering the table into pieces. Seeing his power, Xie Yingying's eyes filled with admiration, hoping he would beat Lin Tang to death. To her surprise, Lin Tang met his fist with his own. When their fists collided, Lu Liangfei's hand snapped as if it were made of paper. He spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying a great distance.
"How is that possible?" Xie Yingying's mouth gaped open. The guests also couldn't believe their eyes. This was a director from the True Martial Association! How could he be so weak?
***
When Wei Shanhe and his party arrived at the Xie Family estate, they were greeted by a scene of total devastation. The injured were strewn about, crying and howling in agony.
"What happened here?" Wei Zichu blinked.
"Little Lu!" Wei Shanhe's eyes blazed with a tiger's fury as his formidable aura erupted. "Tell me, who did this to you?"
Lu Liangfei slowly regained consciousness. Seeing who it was, he trembled. "President… President Wei, have you broken through to the Innate Realm?"
When Wei Shanhe nodded, Lu Liangfei was overjoyed. I was shocked by how powerful that young Lin Tang was. Even if President Wei had reached the peak of the Postnatal Realm, he's too old; I was afraid he wouldn't be a match. But now, it's different. President Wei is an Innate master! The difference between the Postnatal and Innate realms is as great as an impassable chasm!
Damn that little bastard! He deserves to die young! Seething with hatred, Lu Liangfei immediately burst into tears. "It was the Shen Family's son-in-law! He's too tyrannical! He knew the Returning Grass was for our association, but he still stole it by force…"
A trembling Xie Yingying also chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. She claimed the bastard had not only bullied their Xie Family but had also arrogantly proclaimed that the True Martial Association was nothing but trash.
"Outrageous!" Wei Shanhe spun around. "I'm going to the Shen Family right now to demand an explanation. I want to see for myself just how arrogant this son-in-law of theirs is!"
Wei Zichu asked curiously, "What's the name of this son-in-law of the Shen Family? What's his background?"
"This…" someone stammered.
"We don't know his name."
"I heard he's some bumpkin Shen Youling picked up from the countryside. They just got their marriage certificate."
"Oh?" Wei Zichu looked astonished. She had long heard of Shen Youling's legendary beauty. For such a woman to rashly marry a country bumpkin... It's unthinkable!
***
In the main hall of the Shen Family residence.
"Dad, have you gone mad? How could you marry my daughter off to a country bumpkin?" Dong Mingfeng exclaimed in disbelief. Her husband, Shen Xin, who was Shen Youling's father, was equally baffled.
"Dad, maybe you should reconsider…"
"All of you, shut up!" Shen Qiushi's face was dark with anger as he berated them. "Youling's marriage is decided! As long as I'm alive, none of you are to interfere!"
That damned old fool! Who does this Lin Tang think he is, ruining my daughter's prospects?! Dong Mingfeng cursed inwardly, growing anxious. She had always hoped her daughter would marry into a top-tier family so she could finally hold her head high.
Just then, a weary-looking Shen Youling returned home.
"Youling, tell me, you were just joking with your grandfather on the phone, right?" Shen Qiushi immediately asked.
Shen Youling pursed her lips and shook her head. "I really am married. I can't marry anyone else."
"What?" Dong Mingfeng and the others were shocked once again. Since when had marriage become such child's play?
After she spoke, Shen Youling took out her marriage certificate, about to say Lin Tang's name.
"Foolish girl!" Shen Qiushi didn't even look at it, slapping it away as he scolded, "Go and get a divorce right now, do you hear me?" Seeing her stand motionless, he trembled all over. "Are my words just wind in your ears? I've always doted on you the most! Are you really trying to anger me to death?!"
"I wouldn't dare, Grandfather!" Shen Youling said, feeling utterly helpless. "But even if I wanted a divorce, I can't do it alone."
She then explained how Lin Tang had crippled Xie Changchun and fled.
"What!" Shen Xin's face turned pale. "Isn't he just bringing disaster down on us? Offending the Xie Family will implicate us all!"
Dong Mingfeng also began to panic. "Youling, what is wrong with you? How could you just marry a troublemaker like that?" She slapped her daughter hard across the face and roared, "Go find him and get a divorce right now! You must completely sever all ties with him before the Xie Family comes to hold us accountable. We can't get dragged into this!"
Tears streamed down Shen Youling's face, her cheek stinging from the blow. Her heart filled with bitterness, and she couldn't help but resent Lin Tang. It's all his fault for being so impulsive! She hadn't told her family about her terminal illness because she didn't want them to worry, so from her perspective, their extreme reaction was only natural. She let out a long sigh, deciding to go to her room to freshen up before heading out to look for Lin Tang.
She had no idea that Lin Tang, following the spiritual mark he had left on her, had already arrived. When he reached the location, he realized that Shen Youling's address was identical to the one given for his arranged marriage. So Shen Youling really is the destined opportunity my master spoke of!
"Hey, who are you?" Dong Mingfeng frowned deeply. Where did this young punk come from, daring to trespass on our property?
"My name is Lin Tang, and I'm—"
"You're Lin Tang?" Shen Qiushi surged forward, grabbing both of his hands and laughing heartily. "My good grandson-in-law! You're finally here!"
Dong Mingfeng stood there, speechless. So this is the country bumpkin the old fool chose? Seeing Lin Tang's coarse linen clothes and his casual, undisciplined air, her aversion intensified. She suddenly yelled, "Youling is already married, and she's pregnant! If you have any sense of shame, you hick, stay away from her!"
"Shut up!" Shen Qiushi looked as if he wanted to tear her mouth off.
"I'll say what I want!" Dong Mingfeng shot back, digging in her heels. Her plan was to use the excuse of Youling's marriage to send Lin Tang away, then make her daughter get a divorce later. She didn't notice the strange expression that came over Lin Tang's face.
He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Shen Youling is pregnant already?"
"This… this…" Shen Qiushi was visibly embarrassed, stammering, "Young Tang, don't misunderstand. Youling… she is married, but I assure you she isn't pregnant! I've also told her to get a divorce immediately, and then you two can…"
"Wait, I think you've all misunderstood," Lin Tang said, stifling a laugh. He turned his head just as Shen Youling, now in a fresh set of clothes, walked quickly toward them.
"Hey, wife!" he waved.
Shen Qiushi and the others looked bewildered. "You… you called her your wife?"
Shen Youling was just as surprised. "How did you know I live here?"