Chapter 2: I Object to This Marriage
You didn't hear wrong; this is a world with Ancient Martial Arts.
However, there are very few practitioners who can step onto the path of Ancient Martial Arts. Therefore, only those in the upper class know the inside story. Some family forces will hire and train Ancient Martial Artists to work for them.
Within the circle, a rule circulates: Ancient Martial Arts must not be insulted.
That is to say, if you take the initiative to provoke an Ancient Martial Artist, they can kill you without bearing any legal responsibility.
However, the authorities have strict control over civilian Ancient Martial Artists. If one kills someone for no reason, they will face a government crackdown.
Ye Chen is an Ancient Martial Artist, but his realm is only at the Middle Stage of Bright Strength.
Su Ci looked at the options before her eyes. Choosing Option One would not only be of no benefit to her but would instead accelerate her death.
As for Option Two, what use was there in raising the favorability of a cannon fodder villain? She wasn't gay.
Regarding the power of the Early Stage of Bright Strength, Su Ci looked at Jiang Su beside her.
Her bodyguard was also an Ancient Martial Artist, and she possessed excellent cultivation talent.
Under the cultivation of the Su Family's resources, Jiang Su was already an Initial stage of Dark Strength expert.
Before Su Ci's death in the original plot, Jiang Su's strength had even reached the Late Stage of Transformation Strength by relying on the Su Family's resources.
Yet she was still no match for the cheat-like Ye Chen. In the end, she died at Ye Chen's hands while protecting Su Ci.
Now, Jiang Su's realm was higher than Ye Chen's, which was more than enough to protect her safety.
However, killing Ye Chen would still be somewhat difficult.
After all, protagonists don't follow logic; deathbed breakthroughs and sudden power-ups were common occurrences.
However, she could dispatch stronger Ancient Martial Artists from the Capital; it wasn't necessarily impossible to kill him.
Su Ci then asked the system, "Can I kill the male lead?"
[Ding! No. As the protagonist of the novel, Ye Chen possesses the novel's Luck. Unless his luck value is lowered, a great calamity will descend.]
[The system suggests the host start with the protagonist's harem, opportunities, and backing forces to reduce the protagonist's luck value. When the luck value drops to 10,000, the protagonist can be killed.]
[Ding! Based on the host's needs, the system has loaded the Luck Point Exchange function. You can exchange points for Free Attribute Points and Skill Upgrade Cards. The exchange ratio for Attribute Points is 1000:1.]
Su Ci nodded understandingly. This system was truly user-friendly, loading new functions right on the spot.
She also temporarily abandoned the plan to mobilize Ancient Martial Artists from the Capital.
Looking at the three options presented before her, Su Ci said without hesitation:
"I choose Option Three!"
A cultivation constitution plus a matching Grandmaster-level technique.
In the world of Ancient Martial Arts, the biggest fist is the only logic that matters.
[Rewards will be granted once the host takes the corresponding action for the choice.]
Su Ci looked at Jiang Su beside her.
Jiang Su was always attentive to her young lady's gaze and habitually leaned down. "Is there something the Eldest Miss needs?"
"In a moment, protect me."
Su Ci whispered a sentence.
Lan Wanting was the first prey Ye Chen had his eyes on; Ye Chen would definitely not let the engagement banquet proceed.
Her current goal aligned with Ye Chen's, so a direct confrontation was inevitable.
Hearing this, Jiang Su's expression turned stern. Her eyes scanned the surroundings like a hawk, as if searching for hidden enemies. Finally, her gaze lingered for a moment on Ye Chen on the second floor before she nodded.
Then she saw Su Ci stand up and walk towards Lan Hong's group.
"I want to announce a happy occasion for our Lan Family."
Lan Hong drew out his words and looked around. His gaze couldn't help but linger on Su Ci, the only person moving. He hadn't seen this person before.
Lan Hong couldn't be bothered with that; anyone who could enter had an invitation. "Today is not only my birthday but also the day our Lan Family and the Tang Family have decided to form an alliance through marriage."
The guests more or less already knew the inside story.
Lan Hong finished his announcement to a burst of applause from many guests.
As for how many of them were actually offering congratulations, only they themselves knew.
The union of the two families was a good thing for them, but for other families, it wasn't necessarily so.
While everyone from the Lan and Tang families was overjoyed, Lan Wanting alone pursed her lips, her eyes filled with resentment.
Her own marriage had been decided by her family just like that.
On the second floor, Ye Chen's face was as dark as water, his eyes burning with killing intent as his hands gripped the railing tightly.
He couldn't bear to watch the woman he had claimed for himself get engaged to someone else; he didn't even notice the abnormality in the hall.
As if having made a decision, he propped himself up on the railing and lifted a foot to jump down, opening his mouth to say something.
"I object to this marriage!"
A clear voice was faster than him.
The reversal came so fast, like a tornado.
It left Ye Chen stunned, but in that moment of distraction, he had already stepped out with one foot, and half his body was leaning out. Momentum caused his figure to fall forward.
He didn't care and was about to use the force to return to his position.
But the railing and the 'two taels of meat' between his legs squeezed against each other, accompanied by the faint sound of eggshells cracking.
An unbearable dull pain swept from his crotch to his entire body, and Ye Chen instantly went stiff.
Then he fell straight from the second floor to the ground, his chiseled face making intimate contact with the floor.
No one cared about the commotion Ye Chen made.
The guests' eyes were all fixed on the person who had spoken.
They saw Su Ci dressed in a black unisex suit evening gown and black trousers, which showcased her figure to the fullest.
Her black Martin boots clicked on the floor, making a rhythmic sound. A white inner shirt was paired with a red tie, and her jet-black, beautiful long hair was draped loosely behind her ears.
Su Ci carried an innate aura of excellence; her skin was fair, and her appearance was exquisite.
Wearing light makeup, her eyes were as bright and moving as autumn water. A beauty mark at the corner of her right eye gave her a unique charm.
In terms of looks, the Su Ci before them was even three points superior to Lan Wanting.
The guests all showed playful expressions; there was gossip to be had!
If this engagement banquet fell through, it would be a cause for universal celebration.
The relatives of the Lan and Tang families frowned so hard they looked like they could crush a fly.
Who exactly dared to ruin their good news? They sized up Su Ci with unfriendly gazes.
Their first thought was that Su Ci was some romantic debt Tang Cheng had provoked somewhere. They wondered where she had gotten an invitation to sneak in, and they all glared at Tang Cheng.
Lan Hong's face was as black as the bottom of a pot as he shouted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you cause trouble on my Lan Family's joyous day! Someone, kick her out!"
With a single command, seven or eight bodyguards waiting outside the hall rushed in through the door.
Among the guests, few knew Su Ci's background.
"Who is she? Did she really sneak in?"
Some guests asked those around them.
"I know her. I was fortunate enough to meet her a few days ago."
Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes to the familiar acquaintance. "Old Li, who is she exactly? Even you say you were fortunate to meet her?"
They spoke in low voices, not intending to broadcast this news loudly. After all, seeing two major giants suffer a setback was a good show.
"The elusive CEO of Changsheng Biotechnology, Su Ci."