Chapter 88: The Strength of the Heavenly Gate
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan asked in confusion, "So, it was Shangguan Yanxin who threatened us?"
Murong Mingde sighed and said, "Just yesterday, Shangguan Yanxin brought people to the Murong residence, using the pretext of conquering Baiyun City to plot against the Murong family."
Murong Hanchan declared defiantly, "Shangguan Yanxin has completely disregarded you, yet you still allow him to be so arrogant. And now you want me to marry Shangguan Qinghuan? This is outrageous! I'll go and destroy the Xiantian Sect right now!"
Murong Mingde immediately shouted, "Hanchan! It's not that I'm afraid of Shangguan Yanxin, but I'm wary of the power behind him."
Murong Hanchan looked bewildered and asked slowly, "The power behind you?"
Murong Mingde nodded, then sighed and said, "Yes, what virtue or ability did Shangguan Yanxin have to quell the Dongyue Rebellion back then? It was only with the help of the power behind him that the Xiantian Sect is what it is today."
Murong Hanchan: "Who exactly is the power behind Shangguan Yanxin that even Father is so afraid of them?"
Murong Mingde: "It's Tianmen!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan exclaimed in surprise, "Tianmen! Is this the Tianmen recorded in Grandfather's notes?"
Murong Mingde: "That's right! There are few rumors in the martial arts world that the people of Tianmen have long since gone into seclusion in the mountains. In reality, they have been secretly helping the Xiantian Sect to eliminate dissidents."
Murong Hanchan: "How many of them are there?"
Murong Mingde: "More than twenty years ago, I met two of them. They were the left and right protectors of Tianmen, and their cultivation had already reached the Transcendent Realm. Now that so much time has passed, they must have already become saints."
Murong Hanchan said, "Even if their cultivation is profound, we cannot let them manipulate us. At the very least, we must fight them and win back the dignity of the Murong family!"
Murong Mingde: "How could I not want to? But our martial arts are simply no match for Tianmen's. The Frost Qi is indeed powerful, but it can only be truly effective if we break through the enemy's Qi."
Murong Hanchan: "Father, what is so terrifying about a Saint-level cultivator? Could it be that two Transcendent Realm experts are no match for him?"
Murong Mingde: "Then let me tell you about it. Many years ago, the Lord of Tianmen, Shen Ying Wuzong, was a saint. Your grandfather, along with Xu Zhuzi and Jian Wuji, all had unparalleled cultivation and their martial arts skills were almost at the Transcendent Realm. When they faced Shen Ying Wuzong in a series of moves, they were defeated in one move, and your grandfather died on the spot with resentment."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan retorted indignantly, "My eldest and second senior brothers are also peerless in cultivation, but even if they join forces, they might not be able to defeat me!"
Murong Mingde: "Hanchan, I know you are a martial arts prodigy and your cultivation has reached the pinnacle. But the strength of the Xiantian Sect should not be underestimated. Those two envoys and twelve generals alone can restrain me. Even if you defeat Shangguan Yanxin, the left and right envoys of Tianmen, Nenglai, can easily defeat you and me."
Murong Hanchan: "I don't care, I'd rather die than marry Shangguan Qinghuan." After saying that, she turned and left.
Murong Mingde watched the departing figure, closed his eyes and sighed, feeling utterly helpless.
After a long while, Murong Mingde approached the secret chamber and addressed the Murong family's ancestral tablets: "Ancestors above, I, Mingde, am unfilial, failing to provide the Murong family with a son. Now, my daughter, Murong Hanchan, is strong-willed and unwilling to submit to the status quo. I, Mingde, have only this one daughter, and I cannot bear to see her suffer a lifetime of pain. I beg our ancestors to forgive my daughter, Hanchan. If I cannot protect the Murong family, I will be a sinner for the entire Murong family, and may the underworld hold me accountable. I beg our ancestors to punish me." With that, tears streamed down his face as he bowed his head and knelt, sobbing for a long time.
...
At Xiushui Villa, Xiaoyao Lang and Yu Linglong, wanting to enjoy the scenery of the villa, followed Xue Qingrou to the riverside for a stroll.
The three arrived at the riverbank and saw a man sitting alone on the shore, holding a fishing rod and fishing attentively.
Xue Qingrou stepped forward and said from behind him, "I met a man fishing by the river. I wonder how many fish he has in his basket. May I ask if he has any for sale? I'd like to buy three catties to make some wine and dishes."
Without turning his head, the man said, "I fish alone by the river, not for meat or money. Three pounds of fish carry several lives. I advise you to cultivate good karma."
Xiaoyao Lang said arrogantly, "The fishermen who eat meat are not necessarily evil. Whether they escape or die in the net is all up to fate. If Heaven cared about the life and death of the fish, where would the fishing nets and fishing rods come from?"
Upon hearing this, the fisherman scoffed and laughed, "A remarkable insight. May I ask your name?"
Xiaoyao Lang immediately replied, "I am Xiaoyao Lang. I was just speaking casually. Please forgive me if I have offended you!"
Upon hearing this, the fisherman did not turn around or speak. Instead, he raised his hand, swung his fishing rod, and attacked Xiaoyaolang with a backhand.
Seeing this, Yu Linglong stepped forward and snatched the fishing rod with her bare hands. After exchanging several blows from a distance, Yu Linglong struck hard, and the fisherman, slightly careless, had his fishing rod plunge into the water. The fisherman reached out and grabbed the fishing rod.
The fisherman turned around and looked at Xiaoyao Lang. When Xue Qingrou saw the fisherman turn around, she quickly turned to face him.
Seeing Xiaoyao Lang, the fisherman suddenly laughed and said, "I never expected that someone so young would have such insight. I'm quite surprised!"
Yu Linglong replied, "No matter how surprised you are, there's no need to hit someone with a fishing rod!"
The fisherman laughed loudly, "I was rude just now, and I apologize to Young Master Xiaoyao!" After saying that, he bowed and apologized.
Xiaoyao Lang hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, saying boldly, "Your Excellency is kind and compassionate; I have been very rude to you!"
The fisherman turned and asked, "Which young lady wanted to buy fish just now?" As he spoke, he looked at Xue Qingrou.
Xue Qingrou turned around and said, "It's me!"
The fisherman stared at Xue Qingrou for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "You're the little sister!?"
Xue Qingrou said emotionally, "Second Brother!"
The fisherman threw down his fishing rod, stepped forward, grabbed Xue Qingrou's arm, and looked her over closely. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Four years! My little sister has changed so much in four years."
Xue Qingrou hugged Xue Huaicai and cried, "It's all my fault. I didn't listen to my second brother back then, and now I'm suffering like this."
Xue Huaicai comforted him, "It's good that you're back safe and sound. What's past is past. You have friends watching over you, so don't be too rude."
Xue Qingrou wiped away her tears and greeted Yu Linglong, saying, "This is the wife of Young Master Xiaoyao, Miss Yu Linglong. She has saved me many times."
Xue Huaicai bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Miss Yu, for your righteous help to my sister. I am Xue Huaicai and I am deeply grateful!"
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "Sister Xue and I are like sisters. It's only right that we help each other!"
Yu Linglong's words were full of meaning, and Xue Qingrou was deeply moved. Xiaoyao Lang, however, was secretly puzzled. They had only met a few times and exchanged a few words, yet they were already like sisters. It was truly astonishing that someone who was usually mute would speak so eloquently! What kind of talk was this?!
Xue Huaicai laughed and said, "Miss Yu and Young Master Xiaoyao are truly a perfect match, a couple for all time!"
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise, Second Brother Xue!"
Xue Qingrou was taken aback. Yu Linglong made no attempt to hide it and directly called him Second Brother Xue.
Hearing this, Xue Huaicai assumed they were truly like sisters, and said, "Little sister, since she's your good friend, you should treat her well. I just caught two fish; let's take them home and make them into snacks with our drinks while they're still fresh!"
Xue Qingrou hurriedly said, "Second Brother, you mustn't! You've been fishing for over ten years, and you probably haven't even eaten a single fish. There are plenty of snacks to go with wine; it doesn't have to be fish!" After saying that, she stepped forward and released the fish from the cage.
Xue Huaicai smiled and said, "It's been years, but my little sister is still as gentle and kind as ever!"
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