Chapter 166

Xuan Zhou, this senior..." Xia Wuyan murmured.

Elder Ancestor, the senior seems quite kind to my daughter." Xia Xuan Zhou said.

This is an opportunity for the Xia family." Xia Mingyuan sighed, "If we could gain the senior's support, perhaps the Xia family could advance further, and...

He paused, his expression somewhat solemn, "With the senior present, perhaps that matter could turn around."

Upon mentioning that matter, the atmosphere in the hall instantly grew heavy.

Xia Xuan Zhou sighed, a worried look on his face: "But the Moling Ancient Clan is ultimately a colossal power with a Dao Emperor Realm peak expert holding the fort."

Although the senior is powerful, offending the Moling Ancient Clan for our Xia family's sake seems unrealistic...

Let's take it step by step." Xia Wuyan shook his head, "At least for now, we have a glimmer of hope."

……

Star Moon Lake is located behind the Xia family's mountain, a wondrous lake!

Looking up, one can see the starry sky; starlight and moonlight sprinkle the lake surface, rippling with light, breathtakingly beautiful.

How is it, pretty?" Xia Xu sat on a large stone by the lake, swinging her legs, asking proudly.

Li Zhangsheng stood by the lake, gazing at the wondrous sight, and nodded: "Indeed, quite unique."

Xia Xu rested her chin on her hands, gazing at the starry sky, then suddenly asked: "Li Zhangsheng, what is the outside world like? Is it vast, vast, with many fun places?"

Hmm, very large." Li Zhangsheng sat beside her, "There are countless worlds, each with its own scenery and its own people."

How wonderful." Xia Xu's eyes filled with longing, "I really want to go out and see. But Father says my strength is too weak; going out would get me bullied."

She suddenly turned her head to look at Li Zhangsheng, eyes shining: "Li Zhangsheng, you're so powerful, could you take me out to play?"

I promise to be well-behaved and not cause you trouble!

Seeing her expectant eyes, Li Zhangsheng chuckled: "Your father probably won't agree."

Hmph, Father is the worst, always bossing me around." Xia Xu pouted, suddenly thinking of something, her mood sinking: "But... maybe he won't be able to control me for much longer."

Oh?" Li Zhangsheng noticed her change in mood.

Xia Xu bit her lip, hesitated a moment, then said: "Li Zhangsheng, I'll tell you a secret, don't tell anyone else, okay."

What secret?

Father wants to marry me off." Xia Xu lowered her head, her voice somewhat muffled, "But I really don't want to marry; I don't even know what that person looks like."

Besides, I've heard that person is terrible, with many, many concubines.

Li Zhangsheng raised his brows slightly: "Your father is forcing you to marry?"

Not exactly forced..." Xia Xu shook her head, "Father is also in a difficult position; that person has great background, he's the young master of the Moling Ancient Clan, named Mo Qin."

He said if I don't marry him, the Xia family will... will have trouble.

She lifted her head, her eye sockets a bit red: "Li Zhangsheng, you say why can some people be so overbearing?"

Just because he's strong, does that mean he can arbitrarily take others' belongings, take others' persons?

Looking at the confusion and grievance in the eyes of this pure, kind girl, Li Zhangsheng fell silent for a moment.

There are always such people in the world." He said slowly, "Relying on strength to bully the weak, thinking they can do as they please."

Why does this world have such people? Can't everyone live in harmony?" Xia Xu sighed gloomily.

Li Zhangsheng gazed at the starry sky, "Only when one is strong enough does one have the foundation for peaceful coexistence."

Oh right, when Mo Qin comes to marry you, I'll help you kill him!

Xia Xu left a good impression on Li Zhangsheng; if such an innocent, kind girl were forced to become a concubine, her fate would be utterly tragic!!

Therefore, Li Zhangsheng naturally would not stand by idly!

Moreover, Xia Xu is also his friend!

Upon hearing Li Zhangsheng's words, Xia Xu was startled, her heart stirred, and she hastily said bitterly: "No, Li Zhangsheng, that Mo Qin is the young master of the Moling Ancient Clan."

Killing him would bring you great trouble; his clan would surely be enraged, hunting you across the world, you cannot implicate yourself because of me!

No matter, then we'll just wipe out his clan." Li Zhangsheng said lightly, as if describing a trivial matter.

Xia Xu stared blankly at Li Zhangsheng's profile; under the moonlight, that calm profile seemed to contain some indescribable power!

Li Zhangsheng, how do I feel... you're so overbearing." Xia Xu burst out laughing.

I just can't stand this bullying, forceful, and seizing of civilians' daughters' ways; rest assured, with me here, as long as you don't want to marry, whoever dares to coerce you, I'll kill them!" Li Zhangsheng smiled and said, "After all, we are friends!"

Xia Xu's eye sockets warmed, almost tearing up: "It's an honor to befriend someone like you, but let's forget this matter; I don't want to implicate you."

Li Zhangsheng said nothing!

Thus, the two stayed at Star Moon Lake until late night, Xia Xu spoke many words about her childhood, her dreams, and her worries for the future.

Li Zhangsheng mostly just listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few remarks.

That night, Xia Xu felt that she truly had gained a reliable friend!

……

The next morning, Xia Xuan Zhou personally came to the courtyard where Li Zhangsheng resided.

Senior, did you rest well?" Xia Xuan Zhou asked respectfully.

Passable." Li Zhangsheng sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, sipping tea, seeing Xia Xuan Zhou's hesitant expression, he directly asked, "Does the head of the Xia family have business?"

Xia Xuan Zhou took a deep breath, then bowed deeply: "Senior, I, Xia, have a request; I implore your assistance!"

The matter of Xia Xu's marriage?" Li Zhangsheng looked at Xia Xuan Zhou.

Xia Xuan Zhou straightened up, shook his head with a bitter sigh: "As it turns out, you've already heard about this from my daughter."

A month ago, the young master of the Moling Ancient Clan, Mo Qin, passed through Wansheng Sea, and within our Xia family's territory saw my daughter playing.

That Mo Qin is lustful by nature, took a liking to my daughter's appearance, and on the spot wanted to take her away.

I rushed over and pleaded repeatedly; he reluctantly agreed, saying she would become his concubine, and he would come to fetch her in a month.

He paused, his voice trembling slightly: "That Mo Qin is notorious as a playboy, having forcibly taken countless women; to this day he already has hundreds of concubines."

The young lady is innocent; if she really falls into his hands, her life will be ruined, but our Xia family… truly lacks the power to oppose the Mo Ling Ancient Clan.

So, you want me to help? Li Zhangsheng asked.

Exactly! Xia Xuan Zhou bowed again, "Senior, I don't mean to have you clash with the Mo Ling Ancient Clan."

I only ask that, as a Guest Elder of the Xia family, you persuade Mo Qin a few words.

You are a Dao Emperor Realm expert; no matter how arrogant Mo Qin is, he should still have some respect for you.

As long as he is willing to give up the young lady, the Xia family is willing to pay any price!

He raised his head, eyes full of pleading: "The Xia family is willing to offer ninety percent of its wealth; although this may be trivial to you, Senior, it is all the Xia family can muster."

Furthermore, if you have any needs, Senior, the entire Xia family will spare no effort!

Li Zhangsheng leisurely took a sip of tea: "When will Mo Qin arrive?"

"In three days!" Xia Xuan Zhou hurriedly replied.

Li Zhangsheng nodded: "I'll take care of this; rest assured, with me here, no one can force Xia Yu!"

Oh, by the way, you don't need to offer anything; I'm helping Xia Yu.

I'm helping her simply because she is my friend!

Xia Xuan Zhou's body trembled, he looked at Li Zhangsheng in disbelief, then joy surged in his heart; he fell to his knees with a thud: "Thank you, Senior, your great kindness, the Xia family will never forget!"

"Get up." Li Zhangsheng raised his hand in a virtual support, an invisible force lifted Xia Xuan Zhou, "I said it, I'm helping Xia Yu because Xia Yu is my friend!"

"Yes, yes!" Xia Xuan Zhou stammered with excitement; he had only hoped Li Zhangsheng would say a few words, never expecting the senior to so readily agree to help—this was nothing less than a heavenly blessing!

The news quickly spread through the Xia family's upper echelons; several Elder Ancestors were both shocked and delighted!

With Li Zhangsheng's words, the Xia family might truly survive this calamity this time!

With Li Zhangsheng presiding, the Xia family gained some confidence, but the Mo Ling Ancient Clan is ultimately a colossal power, so they still couldn't help feeling uneasy.

……

The third day finally arrived!

At dawn, the sky over the Xia family's territory suddenly darkened!

It wasn't overcast; rather, a massive warship blocked the sunlight.

That warship was pitch black, its hull carved with ferocious beast motifs, exuding a cold, murderous aura, like a moving fortress hovering above the Xia family's station!

Xia family, why haven't you come out to greet the young master?!

A cold shout rang out from the main ship, its sound waves rolling, shaking the Xia family's grand protective formation until it rippled.

The Xia family gathered in the square, Xia Xuan Zhou stood at the front, flanked by three Elder Ancestors and Li Zhangsheng.

Xia Yu was shielded behind Bai Lian Yue, her little face slightly pale, but seeing Li Zhangsheng's calm back eased her considerably.

Xia family's Xia Xuan Zhou respectfully greets Young Master Mo Qin. Xia Xuan Zhou proclaimed loudly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

On the warship's deck, a group of figures appeared!

Leading them was a youth in fine robes, about twenty years old, his features somewhat handsome, but his eye sockets were sunken and his complexion pallid.

He had a lazy demeanor—he was precisely the Mo Ling Ancient Clan's young master, Mo Qin.

Behind Mo Qin followed more than ten guards with powerful auras, the weakest among them being late Dao Lord Realm, and one of them was even an early Dao Emperor Realm expert!

Such a force could sweep across the entire Ten Thousand Saints Sea.

Head of the Xia family, it's been a month—how have you been? Mo Qin said with a smile, his gaze skipping over Xia Xuan Zhou to fix directly on Xia Yu behind him, "Little beauty, I've come to fetch you—are you happy?"

Xia Yu bit her lip, saying nothing……