Chapter 1460

"Hmph! Women are such a hassle. Not like us martial men — we don't bother with all these tedious rituals and proprieties."

Watching Miss Master Gongye Ling's departing figure, Master Gongye Zhiping curled his lip and muttered. As long as Miss Master Gongye Ling was willing to be his woman, he could marry her into his household right away.

He had to admit he was quite the dreamer. Miss Master Gongye Ling could never become his wife in this lifetime, and Master Gongye Zhiping could never marry her either, because Miss Master Gongye Ling already had a boyfriend — that was Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong. Miss Master Gongye Ling was the one she liked, but constrained by her own circumstances she had no choice but to marry into Liu Bei's household, which was why she had schemed in every way to bring about the marriage between Master Gongye Zhiping and Xia Yu.

However, regarding this matter, Xia Yu also had his own considerations. Master Gongye Zhiping was the only man Miss Master Gongye Ling admired, and he was also a brave and fierce general. If the two joined forces, they would surely occupy an extremely important place in history, and this was precisely what Xia Yu hoped to see. After all, Miss Master Gongye Ling was also his woman, and he did not wish for her to be wronged.

That was why he had agreed to make a deal with Lady Gongsun Zan, though this deal was not entirely without its benefits — at the very least, Xia Yu now knew where Lady Gongsun Zan's weakness lay.

"Boom~~"

An explosion spread through the darkness, followed immediately by Miss Master Gongye Ling's scream. Her room had been hit by a rocket strike. Fortunately, Xia Yu had taught her many things during this period, otherwise she would have already perished.

"How could this happen?"

Clutching her chest, Miss Master Gongye Ling murmured. Could it be that she had been abandoned by that man? No, it couldn't be. He was so kind, so gentle — he would definitely come back to save her. Yes, wait for him, wait for him, wait until that person comes.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Master Gongye Zhiping, hearing Miss Master Gongye Ling's scream, also rushed in. He saw Miss Master Gongye Ling's face ashen, silent. Master Gongye Zhiping knew she must have suffered an enormous shock, and hurriedly gathered her into his arms to comfort her.

"Ling'er, don't overthink it. He definitely won't abandon us and leave on his own. You have to hold on."

"Second Brother! Waaah~~"

Held by Master Gongye Zhiping, Miss Master Gongye Ling finally could not hold back and burst into tears. The guards outside also heard this wretched weeping and felt a pang of sorrow in their hearts — after all, they too were brothers and sisters who had grown up playing together!

"Second Brother, what should I do? He's gone, gone…"

"Silly girl, stop crying. I'll go chase him back right now. I refuse to believe he'd disregard our bond — even if I have to beg him."

Listening to Miss Master Gongye Ling's words, Master Gongye Zhiping's expression shifted slightly. Clearly, Xia Yu still held considerable weight in Miss Master Gongye Ling's heart. But this was his only chance to bring down Miss Master Gongye Ling — miss tonight, and getting close to her next time would not be easy.

"I'll go with you."

Seeing Master Gongye Zhiping's state, Miss Master Gongye Ling also came to her senses. She did not want to live alone in the darkness of night once again.

"Fine!"

Master Gongye Zhiping nodded.

"Creak~~"

The two pushed open the door. By moonlight, they saw a charred corpse — it was unmistakably the body of Lady Gongsun Hu, Lady Gongsun Zan's personal guard. He had been killed by Xia Yu using a fire attack, and so Master Gongye Zhiping was mentally prepared.

"Xia Yu, I know you're nearby. Get out here!"

Lady Gongsun Ping raised his sword and cursed.

"Whoosh~ whoosh~ whoosh~~"

Several rockets shot toward the eaves, sparks flying everywhere. And Xia Yu, hiding in the shadows, also revealed half his face — his cold, cruel eyes brimming with thick killing intent.

"I originally intended to spare your life. Since you're asking for death, I'll grant it. Master Gongye Zhiping, your life is forfeit."

As his words fell, a crossbow bolt tore through the air, heading straight for Master Gongye Zhiping's throat. Caught off guard, Master Gongye Zhiping frantically swung his long sword to block, but the bolt pierced straight through the sword's obstruction and brutally impaled his throat.

"Squelch~~"

Blood gushed out. Master Gongye Zhiping stared wide-eyed at Xia Yu. He had never expected all this to happen so fast — he didn't even have a chance to flee for his life.

"Pfft~~"

Pulling out the bolt, Master Gongye Zhiping fell flat on his back onto the ground, his breath gone. Xia Yu slowly walked in. He had long guessed that Master Gongye Zhiping would not let Miss Master Gongye Ling off easily, so before leaving he had set up several explosive packs of tremendous power.

The shrapnel from this kind of gunpowder explosion had terrifying killing power — even an ordinary warrior could not withstand such damage, so Master Gongye Zhiping was doomed to be instantly killed.

Miss Master Gongye Ling looked at Master Gongye Zhiping collapsed on the ground, and tears once more burst from her eyes. In her mind, Xia Yu's care for her, his deep affection, kept flashing back. She still remembered what Xia Yu had said when he first came to the Liu residence to propose: "I wish to marry the eldest Miss of the Master Gongye family as my wife."

"Miss Master Gongye, I am Xia Hou Yuan of Hanyang County, Shu Commandery. I am willing to spend the rest of my life with you, without regret in this life. If I break this oath, may heaven punish and earth destroy me."

"I agree. I am willing to marry you as my wife."

"Hahaha~~"

Recalling the scene from that day, Miss Master Gongye Ling could not help but laugh, though the smile carried a touch of bitterness.

"General Xia Hou, I am truly glad to have met you, but why did you have to kill my second brother?"

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Miss Master Gongye Ling asked.

"Miss Master Gongye, do you think your second brother is worthy of you?"

"He is. He is my best brother. No one can tear us apart — unless I die!"

Though she did not understand the meaning behind Xia Yu's words, as a girl, Miss Master Gongye Ling had her own pride.

"Heh, is that so? Then fine. Today I'll let you see what your second brother really looks like."

Xia Yu snorted coldly, reached out with a beckoning gesture, and a wooden disc on the floor was flipped open, and a human head rolled out from within.

"Second Brother~~ you, you…"

Miss Master Gongye Ling's eyes widened, unable to believe the scene before her. This was her second brother — why was he so cruel, why didn't he tell her, why did he disguise himself as her second uncle?

"Ling'er, my dear niece, I am your uncle. Don't blame your uncle for being ruthless — it's all to keep you safe!"

As he spoke, a hideous illusion was revealed before Miss Master Gongye Ling — a nauseating portrait. The ugly face was full of lecherous intent, and moreover, those small eyes greedily fixed on Miss Master Gongye Ling's body.

"Ah~~ Demon! I'll kill you!"

At this moment, Miss Master Gongye Ling went mad, charging toward the fake who had been impersonating Master Gongye Zhiping.

"Bang!"

But before she could touch the fake, a surge of powerful inner breath came rushing in, slamming into her heart meridian in an instant. She coughed up a mouthful of backflowing blood, and her body went limp as she collapsed to the ground.

"Cough~~"

"Thud~~"

Master Gongye Zhiping's head dropped to the ground, and Miss Master Gongye Ling was in despair.

"Ling'er, don't you like me? As long as you marry me, I will guard you forever, protect you, cherish you, care for you for a lifetime."

Xia Yu walked over, dropped to one knee before Miss Master Gongye Ling, and gathered her delicate body into his arms. He buried his head in her jet-black hair, breathing deeply. A faint, delicate fragrance intoxicated Xia Yu, as if his whole being were floating away.

"You evil ghost!"

Miss Master Gongye Ling struggled desperately, but her martial arts could not resist Xia Yu at all — it was an invisible force that bound her in place.

"Hehehe~~ Ling'er, just lie quietly in the crook of my arm! You are mine."

"Crack~~"

Xia Yu untied the ropes binding Master Gongye Ling'er's wrists and ankles.

"Let me go."

Master Gongye Ling'er struggled and kicked, but Xia Yu remained unmoved.

"Let you go? You're dreaming."

……

At night, a series of crisp slaps echoed through the silent courtyard; by this time, Master Gongye Ling'er had long since fainted.

"Master Gongye Ling'er, oh Master Gongye Ling'er, your chastity, and everything else of yours, now belong to me, Xia Yu."

Only after saying this did Xia Yu set her down and neatly arrange her clothes for her.

Master Gongye Ping's death caused no ripple in Xia Yu, for he was merely a pawn that could be discarded at any time; his existence held no value for Xia Yu, yet his death was not good news for the Master Gongye family, for he died at Xia Yu's hand.

Xia Yu would not care what others thought; his task was to maximize profit. Master Gongye Ling'er must be taken away, but she was not suited to remain here, and her brother Master Gongye Zan was the perfect substitute; one only needed to wait for the Spring Grand Examination a year from now.

……………

"Ding~~ Congratulations, Host, on completing the hidden plot: The Death of Master Gongye Ping."

Hearing the system's prompt, Xia Yu's lips curled slightly; this trip had indeed not been in vain. The matter of the Master Gongye family and Master Gongye Ping was thoroughly settled; now only Master Gongye Ping's parents remained.

Although Xia Yu feared not the Master Gongye family, it was still a trouble, but now it was fine; he had already thrown Master Gongye Ping's body out, so even if they reported it to the authorities, they could not trace it back to him.

Unknowingly, Master Gongye Ling'er had fallen into a deep sleep; she was too exhausted, too many things had happened today, and she now needed rest.

Xia Yu quietly left the room; he was going to find Uncle Master Gongye and Aunt Master Gongye.

"Thump, thump, thump~~"

He gently knocked on the door of Master Gongye Zan and his wife; Master Gongye Zan opened the door.

"Who are you looking for?"

Seeing the strange man standing before him, Master Gongye Zan asked in confusion.

"My name is Xia Yu. I have come to discuss some matters with you; please follow me."

Xia Yu had already sized up the Master Gongye family; now he was paying a formal visit to Master Gongye Zan and his wife.

"Please come in!"

Master Gongye Zan politely invited Xia Yu into the room to sit, brought over a teacup, and only then asked.

"I wonder, Mr., what business do you have with me?"

"Hmm…"

Xia Yu pondered for a moment and said, "I hope you will support my marriage to Miss Master Gongye Ling'er. Of course, you may choose to refuse, but in that case, you and Miss Master Gongye Ling'er's fiancé would be the same person."

Xia Yu stated his purpose directly; against a behemoth like the Master Gongye family, he did not wish to use underhanded schemes, but rather to compete openly and fairly.