Chapter 65

His intent was clear: the Liu family was also gambling. They were betting that Xu Yang's success was not mere luck, but that he truly possessed talent not inferior to Lu Ren's, and they wanted to make Xu Yang see the reality of his situation.

"Marrying into the family is nothing to be ashamed of. In the future, if you achieve success in the martial path, whether or not you establish your own household will be entirely up to you."

Xu Yang shook his head: "Many thanks for your kindness, Senior Brother, but I am still unwilling to marry into the family, and I have no desire to marry for the time being."

Seeing this, Sun Tao did not try to persuade him further, saying: "If you are unwilling to enter into a marriage alliance, the Liu family is only willing to offer five silver taels a month to hire you as a general retainer; the same applies to you, Junior Brother Wu.

Recently, only the Liu family is in need of people. If you are unwilling, you can only wait."

Although martial artists are few, it is not as if there is work for you everywhere; otherwise, there wouldn't be people like Li Sanhe scouring the outskirts of the city to exploit the impoverished commoners.

Wu Yongfeng had reached the Qi Gathering Realm nearly half a month before Xu Yang, yet he had still not found any work to this day.

Wu Yongfeng agreed immediately; if he missed out on the Liu family, he did not know how long he would have to wait.

Five taels is five taels; it is better than sitting idle and exhausting one's savings.

Although a general retainer usually receives ten taels, that is based on the foundation of a marriage alliance.

Xu Yang was unwilling to enter a marriage alliance, while he himself had such poor talent that no family took a fancy to him; he didn't even have the opportunity for a marriage alliance.

Xu Yang hesitated slightly and asked: "Senior Brother Sun, the Liu family won't hold a grudge against me because of this, will they?"

Sun Tao wore an amused expression and said: "Don't overthink it. To the Liu family, this is just like a business deal that didn't go through. Whenever they recruit people, they try to arrange a marriage alliance for anyone with decent talent; you are not an isolated case."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang agreed to go and serve as a retainer for the Liu family.

"I will write a letter, and the two of you can go to the Liu family to report in a while."

Sun Tao left, and a moment later, he returned with a letter to hand to the two of them.

The two took the letter and soon departed.

"What a fool. The Liu family taking a fancy to him is already like his ancestral grave emitting auspicious smoke, yet he is still unwilling."

Jiang Ping could not help but feel amused upon hearing that Xu Yang had actually refused to marry into the Liu family.

Countless people wanted to become a son-in-law of the Liu family but lacked the qualifications.

"To each their own aspirations; there is no need to force it."

Sun Tao smiled as he looked at Lu Ren: "The Huang family must have made the same request to you, Junior Brother Lu."

Lu Ren nodded: "I am only willing to enter a marriage alliance; for me to marry into their family, the Huang family is still lacking." ===== CHAPTER 66 =====