Chapter 69: Marriage Alliance?

"You attack first. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even be able to withstand three of my moves later."

Yang Shidao's words were sharp, but in reality, his eyes were locked onto his opponent, not daring to show any contempt.

"That's not certain, but since you're being so polite, I'll gratefully accept."

Xu Mingwei was now at the peak of late innate stage. Even encountering an innate perfection martial expert, he could still prevail.

Suddenly, his feet struck the ground like an elephant's feet shaking a mountain. The innate true qi around his body surged like a dragon rising from the abyss. His left palm formed a dragon claw reaching for the Tiantu acupoint, while his right fist transformed into an elephant trunk hammer striking directly at Yang Shidao's abdomen.

Seeing this, Yang Shidao didn't retreat but advanced instead. Both palms glowed red-hot like branding irons as he met the dragon-elephant force head-on.

Boom~

The bluestone slabs at the point of collision shattered.

"Late innate stage!"

Not only him, but everyone present, the Yang family head, all the elders, Yang Zhao, and the others, all showed shocked expressions.

Xu Dezhao watched excitedly and shouted, "Father, keep it up!"

Yang Shichang turned his head to stare blankly at his younger sister, "Little sister, when did Mingwei reach late innate stage?"

Yang Ronghua smiled and shook her head, "I never interfere with husband's martial affairs. Ahyuan might know more."

Xu Mingyuan spread his hands, "I'm busy with the family business all day, traveling outside. I also don't know much."

On the other side, the grand elder said softly to the Yang family head, "This young man is not simple. His talent is indeed outstanding. Ronghua bore two sons, both with pure bloodlines. Perhaps there's a reason related to him."

"Grand elder, are you saying the Xu family also has special bloodlines..."

"We could marry a Xu family woman and observe the descendants. Everything will become clear."

Hearing this, the Yang family head pondered briefly, then continued, "I heard Yang Zhao mention that the Xu family's former family head has five children, and there happens to be a daughter."

The grand elder said nothing more, his gaze already returning to the two people in the arena.

In just a short moment, Xu Mingwei and Yang Shidao had exchanged twenty or thirty moves, evenly matched.

The scorching true qi formed heat waves, forcing Yang Zhao and the others to retreat three zhang.

In an instant, a huge crimson palm imprint formed.

Xu Mingwei responded with the Dragon Elephant Vajra Fist recorded in the "Innate Dragon Elephant Art." His entire arm seemed coated with a layer of gold lacquer.

Innate true qi surged out from his arm's meridians, enveloping his fist and forming a golden fist imprint.

Fist and palm collided, once again stirring up violent winds that scattered the broken stones underfoot to the corners all around.

At least it would save the cleanup crew some work afterward.

"Break for me!"

Suddenly, the golden fist imprint actually shattered the crimson palm imprint, and the violent true qi sent Yang Shidao flying.

A green shadow swiftly pursued.

Xu Mingwei's ten fingers locked onto Yang Shidao's wrist pulse like a vajra lock. With a forceful pull, he bound his arm behind his back and said, "If I apply a bit more force, this arm of yours will break."

"Even if it can be healed, I'm afraid it will take a month or two."

"You!"

Yang Shidao's eyes filled with fury. His other hand was about to counterattack, but was stopped by the Yang family head's shout, "Enough."

"Shidao, you've already lost by a margin. No need to continue fighting."

"Family head, I haven't lost yet." Yang Shidao refused to accept it.

"His innate true qi is more refined than yours. Clearly, he entered late innate stage earlier than you. If you want to turn this around, you should train harder and fight again in the future."

Yang Shidao looked up and saw the Yang family head's expression. He immediately lowered his head, "Yes, family head."

Xu Mingwei also released his hand.

"Amazing, my brother-in-law." Yang Shichang praised with a smile.

Xu Mingwei smiled faintly and walked to Yang Ronghua's side.

"Father, you're so amazing!" Xu Dezhao looked up at Xu Mingwei, his eyes full of worship.

At this moment, Yang Zhao came before the Yang family head and cupped his fists, "Family head, Mingwei won by a narrow margin. So according to what was agreed, we'll discuss this again in six years?"

The Yang family head looked at Yang Zhao with slight dissatisfaction.

His cousin was helping outsiders. Even though he saw through the family's scheme, he still helped the Xu family, which disappointed him.

But he also knew well that Yang Zhao might not agree with the Yang family's actions today, which was why he hadn't notified him in advance.

Who would have thought it would be ruined by a youngster from the Xu family?

As a great clan in the commandery capital, they should naturally have the bearing of a great family.

His eyes swept over the two brothers Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan. He thought to himself, "The Xu family is indeed full of talented people. My cousin's vision is truly good.

Given a hundred years, perhaps the Xu family really does have a small chance of catching up to my Yang family."

After pondering, his gaze fell back on Yang Zhao. He said calmly, "Since cousin pleads on their behalf, then let it be so."

Joy appeared on Yang Zhao's face. He cupped his fists again, "Thank you, family head. Then I'll take Mingwei and them back now."

"Wait."

Yang Zhao had just turned around. Hearing this, he turned back again, looking over with surprise, "Does the family head have other instructions?"

"Previously, I somewhat underestimated the Xu family. But as you said, the Xu family indeed has extraordinary potential and can be drawn as a future support for my Yang family. It just so happens the Xu family head is here. How about the Yang and Xu families form another marriage alliance?"

"Another marriage alliance?" Yang Zhao was slightly stunned.

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan looked at each other, sensing something was wrong.

When one scheme failed, they devised another.

Apart from Yang Zhao's family, they really didn't want any more entanglements with the Yang family.

As for the so-called six-year agreement, it was merely a delaying tactic.

After returning, even if the two of them had no solutions, they deeply believed Xu Chuan would definitely have a way to prevent it.

"What do you think of Shidao?" the Yang family head asked.

"Nephew Shidao is the most outstanding of their generation, most diligent in martial training, practicing in the coldest winter and hottest summer without interruption. Few in the commandery capital can match him."

"Yes, he's single-mindedly devoted to martial arts, which is why he hasn't married yet."

Yang Zhao immediately understood and blurted out, "Does the family head want Shidao to marry a Xu family woman?"

"Marriage alliances between aristocratic families, isn't that normal? If the two families' relationship grew closer, my Yang family could certainly fully assist the Xu family's development in the commandery capital in the future."

Yang Zhao remained silent but Xu Mingwei said, "Yang family head, it's not that I'm unwilling, but my younger sister is still young. Although I've been appointed Xu family head, my father is still alive. Xueji's marriage is not for me, her elder brother, to decide."

"Young?" The Yang family head looked at Yang Zhao.

"Not yet fifteen." Yang Zhao said.

"That's not small. Old enough to marry."

Xu Mingyuan also cupped his fists at this time, "Yang family head, my elder brother truly isn't making excuses. Based on Brother Shidao's performance just now, even in the commandery capital, countless high-born noble ladies would be willing to marry him.

But the marriages of us several brothers and sisters are all decided by our father. My elder brother doesn't have this authority."

"Is this really so?"

"Family head, I'm willing to testify to this matter. My Brother Chuan indeed has absolute authority in the Xu family. Moreover, marriage requires parents' orders and matchmakers' words, this is ethical principle. Only when parents have passed away does the eldest brother make the decision."

Seeing them make various excuses, the Yang family head became displeased, "Then one year later, when she turns sixteen. Women of aristocratic families mostly marry at this age."

Xu Mingyuan continued, "My younger sister was born in the countryside and has been mischievous since childhood. I'm afraid it will take six years before her character matures enough to match Brother Shidao. Please forgive us, Yang family head."

Hearing this, Yang Zhao looked at Xu Mingyuan with surprise and confusion.

Good heavens, another six-year agreement?

Aren't you afraid of angering my cousin?!

At this moment, he didn't even dare look at his cousin's expression, imagining it must be as black as charcoal.