— Finally, you have seen the light, — he said with obvious relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. There was pride in his voice for his son, who had finally made the right choice.
Chen Xiao had two unhealing wounds in his life — like two deep scars on his heart. The first was the mysterious disappearance of his beloved wife, shrouded in a veil of dark secrets. The second was his son's fateful encounter with Liang Si Yao, which turned their family's familiar world upside down.
These two tragedies, like two black holes, had swallowed the peace of his soul, leaving behind only a bitter taste of loss and disappointment.
His wife had vanished under mysterious circumstances — a secret that Chen Xiao jealously guarded behind seven seals. He deliberately concealed the details of her disappearance, presenting everyone with the version of her untimely death.
No less fateful was Chen Ge's encounter with Liang Si Yao. The image of his son — a diligent young man whose gaze was fixed only on the peaks of cultivation — was forever etched in the father's memory.
However, after that fateful meeting, everything changed dramatically. Chen Ge's former determination seemed to have vanished into thin air — now his thoughts and aspirations were consumed only by the pursuit of illusory love, while the path of self-improvement receded into the background.
When Chen Xiao, exhausted by endless struggles, finally accepted his fate and bowed his proud head before the powerful Liang Clan, offering a marriage alliance in exchange for invaluable resources, the unthinkable happened — his love-blinded son finally regained his clarity of mind.
The emotions flooding Chen Xiao's soul were beyond words. It was a whole storm of feelings: relief that his son had finally seen the truth; pride in his wisdom; joy that they had avoided a fatal mistake; and deep satisfaction that his heir had finally embarked on the right path.
— Good… Good… Good… — Chen Xiao repeated three times, his voice trembling with overwhelming emotions. He abruptly rose from the table, his movements betraying his inner elation.
The clan leader's face lit up with a genuine smile, and joyful sparkles danced in his eyes. He seemed to have become ten years younger.
— We're heading to the Liang Clan immediately! — his voice was firm and resolute, filled with relief and anticipation of the imminent resolution of a long-standing problem.
Not giving Chen Ge even the slightest chance to change his mind, Chen Xiao acted with lightning speed, rushing to cancel the wedding — there was only an hour left until the ceremony. His determination was unshakable: even if it would arouse the anger and dissatisfaction of the Liang Clan, even if it could lead to a serious conflict — the fate of his son was more important to him than any political calculations or clan interests.
At that moment, nothing was more important to the clan leader than the well-being of his heir. All diplomatic considerations took a back seat to the opportunity to save his son from a fatal mistake.
Watching his father's decisive actions, Chen Ge couldn't help but smile slightly. What had seemed to him an almost impossible task had been resolved surprisingly easily and quickly.
With a sense of relief mixed with bewilderment at such a fortunate outcome, Chen Ge followed his father. His steps were confident, and a strange sense of peace reigned in his soul — as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders.
They headed towards the Liang Clan, and with every step they got closer to the final resolution of this tangled situation.
As soon as they stepped out of the room, Chen Yanran burst into loud laughter, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Through gritted teeth, she sneered:
— Big brother, does that vile woman's witchcraft finally stopped affecting you? Or have you just seen her true nature?
Her voice was filled with obvious mockery, laced with a considerable amount of schadenfreude — it seemed she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
*****
The city of Shentou was a lost gem in the vast territories of the Scarlet Phoenix Empire — tiny, hidden among endless expanses, like a grain of sand in the ocean. Its geographical location was so secluded that it seemed as if fate itself had doomed this place to eternal oblivion.
Here, in this land forgotten by the gods, an atmosphere of desolation and decay reigned supreme. The population barely flickered with a pitiful flame, the economy was in deep stagnation, and cultivators could barely reach the most basic levels of development. Shentou was rightfully considered not just a backwater — it was a veritable hole, even more remote than most corners of the First Heaven, and certainly did not shine among the other lands of the majestic Scarlet Phoenix Empire.
Like a world forgotten by everyone, this city seemed to be an island of stagnation in a seething ocean of progress, where time seemed to have stopped and development had frozen in motionless silence.
Today, Shentou was unusually lively — for the first time in many years, the city's streets were filled with the hum of excited voices and bustling activity. It was as if the dam of years-long stagnation had broken, and now the entire city was seething like a cauldron of boiling water. The reason for this sudden revival was obvious to everyone.
The centre of everyone's attention was the upcoming wedding — the union of Chen Ge and Liang Si Yao.
If it had been just the wedding of young Master Chen, it would hardly have aroused such intense interest. But the upcoming marriage of Liang Si Yao had become a real sensation that the entire neighbourhood was buzzing about. This event disrupted the usual silence of the city like lightning splitting the calm sky.
The Liang Clan, much like the powerful Chen Clan, held a prominent position among the noble families of Shentou, though it was inferior to its rival in terms of strength and influence. It was an influential family whose roots ran deep into the city's history.
Unlike many other clans, the Liangs did not limit themselves to merely developing internal strength — they had built a veritable trading empire, whose tentacles extended far beyond the city limits. Their caravans traversed trade routes, and their warehouses were overflowing with rare goods and valuable resources.
Thanks to the skillful combination of military power and commercial acumen, the Liang Clan managed to create a unique system where spiritual development went hand in hand with material prosperity, making them one of the most viable clans in the region.
Clan leader Liang had two daughters — Liang Si Rou and Liang Si Yao. To their father's surprise, both girls rejected the traditional family business, choosing the path of cultivation instead. Their souls yearned not for wealth and power, but for strength and spiritual perfection.
Initially, the clan leader, faithful to tradition, resisted this choice. But fate had a surprise in store for him — both daughters displayed rare talent for developing internal strength. Upon seeing their astonishing abilities, the father not only accepted their choice but became their most devoted patron on their path.
He spared no effort to provide his daughters with the best mentors and resources necessary for the development of their gift.
Thanks to the efforts of the sisters, and especially Liang Si Yao, the Liang Clan entered a period of rapid flourishing. Her exceptional talent and indomitable will served as a catalyst for the clan's swift rise in influence.
The entire Shentou was in motion — the noble families of the city were doing their utmost to attract the attention of the rising star, striving to establish friendly relations with her. Her name became synonymous with exceptional talent and a brilliant future.
Over time, even the most skeptical observers were forced to acknowledge her incredible potential. Seers and masters predicted that Liang Si Yao was capable of reaching the Earthly Ascension stage(3), and perhaps even surpassing it.
Such prospects meant that the once modest Liang Clan could not only equal but surpass the powerful Chen Clan, taking the dominant position in the city.
However, something happened that plunged the entire city into complete bewilderment: the precious treasure of the Liang Clan, the pride and hope of the clan, was to become the wife of the young master of the Chen Clan.
Such an alliance might have met with universal approval if the Chen heir had at least matched Liang Si Yao's level or been only slightly inferior to her in talent. In that case, no one would have had reason to criticize or doubt.
But the situation took a completely different turn. The heir of the Chen Clan had a reputation in the city as a complete failure, a worthless person incapable of anything worthwhile. His name had become synonymous with mediocrity, and it was this fact that caused universal bewilderment and indignation.
That was precisely why the news of the upcoming wedding caused a real uproar in society, giving rise to numerous rumours and speculations about the reasons behind such a strange decision.
And yet, to the great disappointment of many city residents, the wedding had been scheduled for today. It seemed as if fate itself had decided to test the nobles' patience, forcing them to accept this incomprehensible union.
How many hidden feelings were seething in the hearts of the townspeople! Anger, envy, indignation — a whole palette of emotions overwhelmed those who considered such a marriage an insult to the dignity of the Liang Clan. Many gnashed their teeth, secretly cursing Chen Ge for his unexpected good fortune.
As soon as Chen Ge crossed the threshold of the gate, an impressive sight greeted his eyes: a majestic red carpet stretched like a fiery river from the very threshold of his home to the imposing gates of the Liang Clan. This ancient custom of Shentou City symbolized not only the union of two families but also the path leading to a new destiny, to the changes that lay ahead.
The scarlet ribbon that lined the way shimmered in the sun, as if inviting all witnesses of this event to become part of something greater. Every meter of it was imbued with centuries-old traditions of the city, where such ceremonies were conducted with special reverence and attention to detail.
The journey to the Liang Clan's estate passed in no time — less than ten minutes had passed when the travellers reached the imposing gates of the family mansion. At the entrance, they were met by Liang Zheng — the clan leader, whose usually welcoming smile now resembled the grin of a predator poised to pounce.
His gaze, normally good-natured, now pierced through them, as if trying to read the uninvited guests' thoughts. The clan leader's posture exuded wariness, and a shadow of concern lingered in the corners of his eyes — the unexpected arrival of Chen Ge and his father so early in the day was too unusual.
If this had happened yesterday, Chen Ge would have rushed forward without hesitation, bowed low, and showered the clan leader with flattering speeches, trying to please him.
But now everything had changed — he was no longer that pitiful, humiliated youth, ready to undergo any indignity for the approval of others. An unusual confidence appeared in his posture, and his voice had a firmness that no one had noticed before.
— Uncle Liang — Chen Ge spoke, and there was no trace of his former obsequiousness in his tone. Now it was a simple, almost equal address that could not but alert Liang Zheng.
— Hahaha, today you are marrying my daughter, and you still call me uncle? — Liang Zheng laughed boisterously, but there was a slight tension in his laughter. He was about the same age as Chen Xiao, but the difference between the two men was truly colossal.
Liang Zheng was distinguished by his imposing physique and had absolutely no interest in cultivation. His appearance might have seemed comical, but no one in the city would dare to mock him — few wished to incur the wrath of a clan whose position was rapidly strengthening with each passing day.
However, the expected words from Chen Ge never came. There was neither obsequiousness nor ingratiating behaviour in his demeanour, to which the clan leader had grown so accustomed.
«What is happening?» — flashed through Liang Zheng's mind. His intuition, honed by years of clan management, suggested that the groom's appearance today was not without reason, and events could take an unexpected turn.
The appearance of Chen Ge together with his father was doubly unexpected — they had arrived even earlier than the agreed time. Their calm faces and unusually serious demeanour could not but alarm Liang Zheng.
An inexplicable tension hung in the air. The clan leader, accustomed to a certain order of things, now felt an uneasy premonition growing inside him. His experienced eye caught something strange in the behaviour of his future son-in-law, something that could not be immediately explained.
The instinct of a ruler, honed by years of clan management, told Liang Zheng that what was happening was beyond the scope of a regular visit. Something had changed, and these changes could have far-reaching consequences.
— Today you are marrying my daughter — said Liang Zheng, trying to hide his anxiety behind feigned confidence. — Maybe you're not a cultivation genius, but I'm still giving you my daughter without the slightest doubt.
His voice sounded firm, but deep down he still couldn't understand the changes that had occurred in his future son-in-law. The clan leader stared intently at Chen Ge's face, trying to unravel his true intentions.
— Even if you remain the same in the future — Liang Zheng continued — I hope you will take good care of my daughter and be able to fight back against anyone who dares to speak ill of you.
With these words, he placed his hand on Chen Ge's shoulder, but there was no longer any paternal warmth in this gesture — only the wary determination of a man ready for any eventuality.
Chen Ge merely smiled enigmatically, his lips curling into a barely noticeable smirk, and a malicious glint flashed in his eyes. He nodded silently, but this gesture contained a hidden threat.
— Uncle Liang, there's no need to worry — he said in a calm but firm voice. — All those who now look down on me and consider me worthless will soon regret their words bitterly.
At that moment, Liang Zheng felt a chill run down his spine. A look of outright panic flashed in his eyes — he recognized a completely unfamiliar person in front of him. The weak and cowardly boy who used to fawn over everyone had vanished without a trace.
Standing before him was a different Chen Ge — confident, resolute, with an inner fire that the clan leader had never noticed before. This revelation forced Liang Zheng to seriously consider what other surprises the upcoming alliance might bring.
Such crystal clarity in the gaze, as well as unshakable confidence and composure — these qualities did not at all correspond to the image of Chen Ge that everyone in the city knew. What he saw before him did not fit into the familiar picture at all.
Realizing that his carefully calculated plan could crumble like a house of cards due to this sudden metamorphosis in Chen Ge, Liang Zheng lost his usual composure. His face contorted with worry, and unable to contain his growing anxiety any longer, he hastily blurted out:
— Excellent! — Liang Zheng forced out, trying to hide his growing anxiety behind feigned enthusiasm. — I always suspected that Chen Xiao's son couldn't be an ordinary person!
His voice trembled, betraying his inner tension. He frantically tried to regain control of the situation, but the sudden change in his future son-in-law's behaviour unsettled him.
— Now go — he added hurriedly — Liang Si Yao is waiting for you.
These words revealed not so much concern as a desire to quickly get rid of the unexpected guest, whose behaviour was going beyond the usual script.
After a brief hesitation, Chen Ge moved towards the bride's chambers, but first gave a barely noticeable sign to his father. This nod was a prearranged signal, part of a carefully thought-out plan.
Their intention was crystal clear: Chen Xiao was to have a conversation with Liang Zheng, while Chen Ge was to speak with Liang Si Yao. They decided that the cancellation of the engagement should appear as a result of mutual agreement between both parties, rather than a unilateral decision.
Throughout their conversation, Chen Ge couldn't help but notice Liang Zheng's blatant disrespect towards his father — the clan leader hadn't even deigned to greet Chen Xiao, which was an unheard-of insult in their society.
This demonstrative rudeness deeply hurt the young man, and he couldn't understand why his father was meekly enduring such treatment. Anger was simmering in Chen Ge's soul, but outwardly he maintained his composure.
Meanwhile, everything was falling into place — Liang Zheng's behaviour was just the tip of the iceberg. It was quite obvious that the Liang Clan was already hatching far-reaching plans to absorb the Chen Clan, viewing them as easy prey that could be easily taken over.
The wealth and resources of the Chen Clan were not only of interest to the Liang Clan — they were vital for Chen Ge himself. To rapidly advance on the path of cultivation, he required a colossal amount of resources: rare ingredients, ancient scrolls, spiritual stones, and much more.
It was this urgent need for resources that was the only reason he had remained in the Chen Clan until now, despite all the humiliations and the contemptuous attitude of those around him. Leaving the clan meant losing access to all these valuable resources.
And now, to gain full control over the clan's wealth, the first and most important step was to annul the engagement — an action that was supposed to mark the beginning of his grand plans.