Rou Mei stood outside the door.
"Open the door," she repeated.
After a pause, the door creaked open. A broad-shouldered man with a short black beard stepped out. This was Rou Han.
He looked annoyed. "Girl, don't play with me."
"I'm not."
"Where's your husband? Don't tell me he's a ghost." He laughed.
Rou Mei ignored him and stepped aside.
Ji Zong walked forward.
"This man," she said.
With a faint smile, Ji Zong added, "Greetings. I'm your daughter's husband."
In his mind, he thought,
"I've lived a long life, but never in this kind of situation. I'm enjoying it."
Rou Han's eyes widened.
"What the hell? You got married without telling me?"
He scanned Ji Zong from head to toe, frowning.
"Him? Never seen him before. What's his background?"
Rou Mei began, "Father, his background is not your concern—"
Ji Zong cut her off, bowing slightly. His tone was serious.
"Before I married her, I was a slave. Just a few hours ago, nothing more than a slave."
Inwardly, he smirked.
"Now let's see how my wife handles this."
Rou Han exploded.
"Have you lost your mind? You married a slave just to take the clan leader's seat?"
Rou Mei crossed her arms, cold.
"If marrying a slave is so low, then blame yourself. You forced me into it."
Rou Han slammed his hand against the wall.
"I wanted you to marry Xie Tian, the most talented man on this continent! Instead, you chose this talentless nobody!"
Rou Mei shot back, "And that's exactly why I married him. I won't let others choose for me. I made my own choice, and I'm glad it wasn't Xie Tian."
Rou Han rubbed his head in anger.
"What do you even see in this guy? Look at him—he's worthless. He can't help you with anything."
Ji Zong, amused, thought,
"Now I understand why gods enjoy stirring conflict. This is fun. But I should protect my image too."
He raised his hand. "Father-in-law, forgive me, but I suggest you stop talking."
Both Rou Han and Rou Mei turned to look at him.
Rou Mei thought, "How much more trouble will he cause me? I told him not to mention being a slave, and now he's even daring to order my father around."
Rou Han stepped forward, face-to-face with Ji Zong.
They stood at the same height. One calm, as if strolling in his yard. The other radiating killing intent.
Rou Han growled, "Kid, are you crazy? Anyone can sense danger, yet you poke at it."
Ji Zong waved his hand lightly, then stepped back.
"No, sir. I mean no offense. But the reason I said that—" his eyes sharpened, "—is because shouting wastes your breath when you're already dying from severe internal injuries. And I can see that."
Rou Mei was dumbfounded.
"What the hell is he talking about, Father?"
But he ignored her and asked Ji Zong, "Hey, boy, I've met many alchemy grandmasters across continents. None of them could figure out my condition without me telling them. But you… how the hell did you do it? Was it just a guess?"
Ji Zong, calm and steady, said with pride, "That only means I'm better than them. And no, I didn't guess. I have talent in alchemy."
Rou Han laughed. "Hahaha, what a bad lie. If you had talent, you wouldn't have ended up as a slave, right?"
Ji Zong, unfazed, replied, "Don't laugh. You'll die soon. But if you want, I can cure you."
Rou Han froze and spoke in a low tone. "You can?"
Ji Zong nodded.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Rou Han's eyes. "If you really can, then I'll acknowledge her as my successor and even you as my son-in-law. What do you say?"
"But I'll need to make a pill for you," Ji Zong said plainly. "And since I'm just a mortal, I can't do it unless my wife—your daughter—allows me to cultivate."
Rou Han was shocked. He turned to his daughter. "What the hell? You're more controlling than your mother. It's a man's right to cultivate. If you don't want me dead, then allow it."
Rou Mei sighed angrily. "No. I think you deserve to die. How could you hide something this important from me?"
Rou Han lowered his tone. "I'm sorry. That's why I wanted you to marry him. But we can talk about this later."
She gave him a nod, then told Ji Zong, "I allow you to cultivate. And your wishes that you told me will be fulfilled too."
"Then I'll be waiting in the hall. You two continue." Ji Zong waved his hand and left.
Rou Han and Rou Mei looked at each other.
Rou Han asked, his voice low, "Are you sure he was a slave?"
"Why?"
"Because you came here to fight for my seat. But he did it for you. He even exposed my illness. And through all this, he stayed calm, like a mountain of ice—not afraid of me, a small fire."
Rou Mei let out a short sigh.
"No, Father, you're exaggerating. The way you put it, it sounds like we were being played in his hands."
"Are you sure?" Rou Han pressed, his tone sharp.
She hesitated, her voice softer. "Yes. Just go rest. I'll do what I can to make you healthy."
But in her mind, another thought lingered.
"Now that Father pointed it out… How the hell could someone win so much money in such a short time—and from the lottery? That's impossible."