Chapter 84: Jia Xingtian's Request for an Audience
Young Master wants to marry my sister?!
Yao Yan's words struck Caidie like a bolt of lightning to the head. Her mind buzzed, overwhelmed with a mix of emotions—bitter, sour, and difficult to describe. It felt like something that used to belong to her had suddenly become someone else's... and that someone was her sister.
In an instant, the bright spark in her peach blossom eyes dimmed, as if all her energy had been drained. Even her lively swaying tail stilled.
She looked at Yao Yan with complicated eyes and softly muttered, "…Young Master, maybe don't. My sister has a really bad temper. If you say something like that to her, she might kill you."
Caidie wasn't even sure how she was feeling right now. But one thing she was sure of: her sister didn't like humans—she hated them, in fact. Once, her sister had crushed over a dozen human mercenaries with a single strike, melting them into blood with poisonous Dou Qi.
If Yao Yan said something like that in front of her… she might treat him the same way.
Yao Yan frowned slightly, seeming to hesitate, then looked at Caidie and said, "It's fine. If your sister hits me, I'll hit you."
"?!"
Caidie was stunned. She hadn't expected Yao Yan to say something like that. Her lips trembled, and after a long pause, she whispered in grievance, "Young Master… how could you say that…"
"I treat you so well, and you won't even help me. You think that's fair?"
Yao Yan, shameless as ever, spoke without blinking, leaving Caidie completely at his mercy.
She nearly burst into tears, her mesmerizing peach blossom eyes welling up with mist. She glared at Yao Yan with puffed cheeks and huffed angrily. "…Fine! I'll make sure you don't get beaten to death."
Despite everything, she still couldn't bear the thought of her sister killing Yao Yan—even if he didn't act like a decent person most of the time.
To Caidie, Yao Yan was the most important person in her life besides her sister.
"You silly girl."
Yao Yan couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently pinched Caidie's cheek, his gaze softening instantly. He didn't press the topic any further.
Caidie blinked in surprise, then rolled her eyes as if realizing something. She huffed and said, "That wasn't funny at all, Young Master!"
"I never said it was a joke."
Yao Yan smiled softly as he replied.
Caidie's breath caught. She felt so flustered by Yao Yan's teasing that she didn't know how to respond. She bit her lip, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Her emotions were a tangled mess. Seeing Yao Yan's teasing yet affectionate gaze, she huffed and said, "If you really like my sister, then go for it. If you need help, I'll help you."
"Don't you know the saying 'love me, love my kin'? You and your sister look exactly alike. Maybe I like your sister because I like you."
Yao Yan's smile deepened. He gently took Caidie's soft hand, looking at her slightly embarrassed yet beautiful face and spoke gently.
"…"
Caidie froze. Her pale cheeks quickly turned red, and she pulled her hand away with a jerk. Without a word, she turned and ran toward her room, clearly unsure how to respond.
Sometimes she could be bold. But when it came to feelings, she became timid—unlike Yao Yan, who was experienced and confident.
Most people, when facing their first love, become clumsy, shy, and overwhelmed.
That's the wonder of love.
It's also why most people only truly love once in their lifetime.
Yao Yan was different. His soul was that of an adult—only children believed in "love" like that.
As he watched Caidie flee, a subtle smile lingered at the corner of his lips. Maybe it was because he had acquired the Flame Mantra and the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade—his heart felt incredibly light. In Hai Bodong's words, he had never felt this refreshed.
From this day forward, the game called "Becoming a Dou Di" would follow his rules. If he didn't agree to end it, no one could end it early.
To go from a pawn to the player holding the pieces—this was a feeling no one else could understand.
"Life can't be only about cultivation…"
Yao Yan smiled faintly to himself. After all, he had been reincarnated into this world. There were many things he wanted—things he had never had the strength or time to pursue before. But now, he could finally slow down. No need to stay on edge anymore. This game… he could play at his own pace.
He paused.
His gaze shifted toward the courtyard gate. In his soul perception, he sensed the arrival of a familiar figure.
Hai Bodong wasn't in the imperial capital anymore—he had gone back to the Tagor Desert to continue searching for the fragmented map of the Nihility Devouring Flame. So, the familiar presence now was the current head of the Miteer Family, Teng Shan. They had dealt with each other a few times already.
Yao Yan had been living in this courtyard, relying on Teng Shan to help him gather a large number of herbs and resources—all for free.
Teng Shan had never once objected, and always delivered promptly.
Truly worthy of being called the most investment-savvy family on the Dou Qi Continent. From Hai Bodong to Ya Fei later on, they were consistent. All they ever lacked was a worthy target—and Yao Yan had become that target.
The Jia Ma Empire was simply too remote. For people like Teng Shan, Yao Yan represented the kind of power that could change their family's fate.
However, Teng Shan's arrival today had interrupted Yao Yan's "courtship" of Caidie. Teasing a beautiful Queen Medusa was, after all, an immensely enjoyable experience—one only the doer could understand.
Yao Yan pushed open the door and walked out to greet him. He was never the type to act cold toward those who showed him respect. That wasn't about power, but personal upbringing. Soon, he spotted Teng Shan standing awkwardly at the courtyard entrance, clearly struggling with something.
When Teng Shan saw Yao Yan, his expression eased slightly. He stepped forward and cupped his hands with a smile. "Young Master, you've finished refining your pill?"
"This time it failed. The cauldron even exploded…"
Yao Yan shook his head and repeated what he'd told Caidie, then looked at Teng Shan and asked, "So, what brings you here?"
"The current emperor of the Jia Ma Empire, Jia Xingtian, wishes to meet you. Would you be willing to grant him an audience?"
Teng Shan looked a bit helpless as he spoke.
Yao Yan was surprised. He looked at Teng Shan and asked, "How does he know I'm here?"
Teng Shan hesitated, then explained the previous meeting between Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong. He didn't hide anything. He understood that if you wanted to build a relationship with someone like Yao Yan, honesty was essential. One lie could irreversibly damage everything—something he couldn't afford.
"Then let's meet him."
Yao Yan thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.
He figured he might as well deliver a bride-price to Caidie's sister.
(END CHAPTER)
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