Chapter 21: My Lord, the Times Have Changed? How Have They Not!

"I already told you, if you can't drink it, then don't drink it."

Watching Shi Xue, who was slumped over the wine table with a frown, Ren Yidao shook his head slightly and turned to ask:

"Brother Shi, was there really no problem with me saying it like that just now?"

Ren Yidao would not have been so blunt with those final words.

But just a moment ago, Shi Anqi had taken the initiative to send him a voice transmission, asking him to teach Shi Xue a lesson if possible.

Draping his outer robe over his niece's shoulders, Shi Anqi sighed:

"It is good for her to suffer a few more setbacks; otherwise, what has she become?"

To think she would actually make such a dangerous move as drawing her blade!

Shi Xue's actions today were extremely rude in every possible aspect.

Shi Xue was in the wrong from the start in this matter, so even if she had been injured because of it, no one could have found fault with him.

Just thinking about that scenario made Shi Anqi break into a cold sweat, while simultaneously feeling even more grateful to the kind-hearted Ren Yidao.

He cupped his hands toward Ren Yidao and thanked him sincerely:

"Many thanks to Daoist Ren for showing mercy."

If Ren Yidao were a cultivator who sought revenge for the slightest grievance, Shi Xue would not have just been dazed for a moment.

And more importantly, even though he was sitting right beside Ren Yidao, Shi Anqi had not figured out what exactly happened just now.

There was no movement of Dharma Power; it seemed to be some kind of application of spiritual power.

He carefully checked Shi Xue's Consciousness Sea, and Ren Yidao had not left any traces inside; he really had just tapped her lightly and withdrawn.

He raised the issue high, then set it down gently.

"What are you saying, Brother Shi?"

Ren Yidao turned to the side, refusing to accept his bow, and said with a smile:

"Young people, you know, it's normal to be impulsive. You were the same when you were young, right? You must have done your fair share of foolish things back then?"

Recalling the foolish things he did in his youth, Shi Anqi shook his head with a bitter smile:

"Now that you mention it, Xiaoxue's temper is somewhat similar to mine when I was young. I certainly did many wrong things when I was young and frivolous, hahaha."

"Of course, the biggest foolish thing I ever did... was go to propose marriage at her aunt's house."

Speaking of this, his expression clearly began to turn painful, and he even glanced behind him with some fear, only continuing to speak after confirming no one was there.

"Brother Ren, let me tell you, whether it's taking a wife or finding a Dao companion, you must think thrice."

"You absolutely cannot find one with a personality that is too overbearing! Otherwise, the days ahead... sigh! They will be impossible to live!"

Grasping Ren Yidao's hands emotionally, Shi Anqi said with tears in his eyes:

"Your older brother made this mistake, you must, must learn from my lesson!"

Watching a middle-aged man be reduced to such a lowly state, Ren Yidao's expression also turned serious; he tightened his composure and nodded slowly.

"Understood."

Joy.

Must hold it in.

Must not laugh out loud.

We are professionals; unless we can't help it, we will not laugh!

But just as Ren Yidao was holding it in halfway, the face of Senior Sister suddenly flashed through his mind.

"..."

Thinking of that free and wild woman, he could not help but fall silent.

For no reason, Ren Yidao suddenly felt a bit of empathy.

Oh no, no joy.

While Ren Yidao fell into melancholy, Shi Anqi had recovered.

He looked at Ren Yidao and nodded inwardly.

"This person must not be easily offended."

When they first met, Shi Anqi only saw the other's aura of Merit and a fiery personality that could explode at any moment.

In his way of handling matters at the government office, he saw a mature and experienced side, as well as clues that he seemed to know how to solve his own problems.

In their conversation at the Zuixian Small Pavilion, Shi Anqi felt he had met a rare confidant, an interesting and wonderful person.

But up to that point, Shi Anqi had never truly valued Ren Yidao, never regarded him with much importance.

At most, he treated him as an eccentric with some utility value.

But when he finally dealt with Shi Xue's provocation, Ren Yidao revealed the tip of the iceberg he had been hiding all along.

Strength.

On one point, Shi Anqi and his niece had an unexpectedly identical thought.

This man is absolutely not simple.

And now he truly began to value Ren Yidao, even treating him as a friend of equal status.

"To repay Brother Ren's kindness this time, I will reveal some more details about the previous matter to you."

"On the fifteenth of next month, the night of the full moon, a major event will occur at the Divine Path Sect."

Squeezing Ren Yidao's shoulder, Shi Anqi nodded slightly.

"Regardless of how you choose when the time comes, this is all your older brother can reveal to you."

This was not just a hint; it was the stake Shi Anqi was placing in this matter.

There was no other reason; simply for the sake of Ren Yidao as a person, Shi Anqi intended to get involved in this affair.

Moreover, he wanted to bet even more.

"Brother Ren, tell me the truth... are you the kind of person who possesses great Merit?"

By asking this question, Shi Anqi's intention was actually already very clear.

Ren Yidao did not equivocate and gave the answer he wanted directly:

"At the right time, I can indeed use my Merit to offset the Evil Qi of you, or even your family."

Somewhat surprised by Ren Yidao's directness, Shi Anqi was stunned for a moment before saying readily:

"Since that is the case, I will enter the Divine Path Sect in a private capacity when the time comes, and I will do my best to protect you."

"That works too, then I shall thank Brother Shi in advance."

Having finalized their plan, the two exchanged contact methods for that time and prepared to end this banquet that had gone through several twists and turns.

And as they passed by the unconscious Shi Xue, Shi Anqi said as if unintentionally:

"I remember you said just now that marriage is also a method?"

Ren Yidao shook his head and said with a wry smile:

"Uh, let's forget about marriage; Miss Shi deserves a better husband."

Ding-ding, one "nice guy" card.

Please accept it!

Ren Yidao did not look into Shi Xue's background in detail; with such a second uncle, her family must not be much weaker.

If he guessed correctly, Shi Xue was very likely a wealthy and powerful "white-rich-beautiful" young lady.

And one with the elegant hobby of liking to play the role of a female knight, a cosplayer.

But what does that have to do with me?

I am merely a little fox.

Not to mention anything else, the mere fact that the two had only met once made it unacceptable to Ren Yidao.

Even for arranged dates, one still needs to spend some time together before deciding; how could one decide a lifetime commitment after meeting just once!

It's not the feudal era, are we still doing that whole arranged marriage thing?

My lord, the times have chan... eh?

Wait, that's not right!

It seems this is the feudal era!

"Then you..."

After pondering for a moment, Shi Anqi had a flash of inspiration and asked without warning:

"Then are you willing to take Xiaoxue as your foster daughter?"

"Pfft!"

Spraying the tea in his mouth onto the back of a black-clad soldier, Ren Yidao blinked rapidly.

Ren Yidao:?

What is going on?

Could it be that I still cannot escape such a fate after all!?

Comment a lot, I will read them all—love you!

(End of this chapter)