Chapter 1225

"But she fell in love with a poor, penniless scholar—how can I possibly tolerate this?"

"My wife and I have always hoped she would marry into a wealthy family, and the Lin family is the most suitable match!"

"But the Lin family is a major power in the cultivation world—they wouldn't even consider the Ouyang family worthy of notice."

"Moreover, the Lin family's customs are extremely conservative—they would never allow a woman to abandon her husband and run off to another man. After discussing all night with her mother, we finally decided to break off her engagement and then arrange for her to marry into the Lin family."

"But Xiaoqian is stubborn and strongly opposes breaking off her engagement with Ximen Wudi. I dote on her too much to hurt her feelings, so I let her run away from home for a few days."

"Just now, she came back—but she refuses to break off her engagement with Ximen Wudi, so…" Ouyang Batian shrugged helplessly, "I have no way out."

"Uh…" Ximen Wudi hadn't expected the truth to be like this.

Then again, it was pitiful—Ouyang Batian, as a nation's marshal, had no children of his own; Xiaoqian was his only heir. And because of me, their relationship had shattered. This paternal love was truly admirable.

"Xiaoqian is too foolish—you two are perfectly matched." Ouyang Batian shook his head repeatedly.

"Lin Shiyin, you're Xiaoqian's friend, so I'll presume to call you Lin Xianzhi. These spirit herbs were prepared by this old man for your betrothal to Xiaoqian. Since you've refused, forget it." Ouyang Batian finished speaking and turned his gaze back to the ancient book.

Seeing Ouyang Batian's attitude, Ximen Wudi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

He had no idea that Ouyang Batian was seething with rage, pretending indifference on purpose—he longed to immediately expel Ximen Wudi and beat him senseless until he vanished forever.

"Alas, what a pity—if Xiaoqian had met Ximen Wudi just one day earlier, perhaps there might have been a chance." Ouyang Batian sighed, a look of regret on his face.

Seeing this, Ximen Wudi suddenly understood.

So Ouyang Batian thought he was too ugly to be worthy of Xiaoqian, hence pretending not to care—when in truth, he was suffering more than anyone else.

"Hehe, Uncle, I don't care what Xiaoqian looks like."

"Hm?" Ouyang Batian froze, stunned that Ximen Wudi would say such a thing.

"Lin Shiyin, you…" Ouyang Batian opened his mouth, then said with clear admiration: "You're straightforward—I admire your honesty."

Here, Ouyang Batian fell into quiet thought, as if considering how to phrase his next words.

Ximen Wudi stood by patiently, knowing his words had struck a chord deep within Ouyang Batian.

After a long while, Ouyang Batian looked up and spoke solemnly to Ximen Wudi.

"Lin Xianzhi, although you don't mind, I am Xiaoqian's grandfather—I cannot bear the thought of her suffering even the slightest hardship. I hope you can understand."

"Senior, rest assured—Xiaoqian won't suffer a single loss by being with me. I will take excellent care of her." Ximen Wudi declared with unwavering certainty, as if Xiaoqian were already his wife.

Puch~

Seeing Ximen Wudi's excited expression, Ouyang Batian nearly spat blood.

Damn it, my precious daughter is a Gao Jie Jin Dan cultivator, and you—a mere Nascent Soul cultivator—dare to boast publicly? This is absurd!

"Lin Xianzhi, I hope you understand your place!" Ouyang Batian's face hardened, his voice icy.

Ximen Wudi frowned, a deep sense of irritation rising in his chest.

"Uncle, what do you mean?"

"Haha, nothing else—I just want to remind you: Xiaoqian is my only granddaughter. Even if I don't demand you take responsibility for her, you should still respect her wishes and never make her feel humiliated."

"I hope you think carefully about this. Otherwise, if you hurt Xiaoqian, the consequences are one you cannot bear." Ouyang Batian's tone carried a clear threat.

"Consequences?" Ximen Wudi suddenly smirked wickedly. "You might be mistaken."

With that, Ximen Wudi turned and walked toward the door.

"Hey, Ximen Wudi!" Ouyang Batian glared, barking sharply.

"Remember this—my fiancée is Ouyang Xiaoqian!" Ximen Wudi didn't look back, coldly tossing out the words before swiftly leaving.

Bang~

Moments after Ximen Wudi left, Ouyang Batian smashed the tea table with a punch.

"This is too much!" Ouyang Batian's beard bristled with rage. "Someone! Capture Ximen Wudi and throw him into the dungeon! Execute him at the appointed time!"

Ouyang Batian's personal guard panicked instantly.

"Marshal, calm down! Please, don't do this!"

"Hmph! I, Ouyang Batian, have fought battles for centuries—I've never feared provocation. This little Wang Ba has pushed me too far. Whether he's imperial royalty or not—he dies!" Ouyang Batian snarled.

"Marshal, that boy isn't ordinary!" The guard's expression turned solemn; he paused, then spoke.

"Not ordinary?" Ouyang Batian laughed upon hearing this.

"Hah! So what if he isn't ordinary? In the cultivation world, where strength reigns supreme, the weak have no right to make demands!"

As Ouyang Batian spoke, he suddenly swept his hand toward the guard.

Shuaa! A gust of Jian Jingfeng shot out, striking the guard's neck instantly. A sharp pain surged through him, and he collapsed straight to the ground.

"Marshal, spare my life! Marshal, spare my life…"

"Hmph!" Ouyang Batian snorted, then tossed a pill into the guard's mouth. The guard slowly regained consciousness.

"You're saying a young boy just saved you?"

"Yes!"

"What's his name?"

"Lin… Ximen Wudi!"

"Lin?" Ouyang Batian's eyes flashed bright, then he sneered darkly.

"Hahahaha! I've searched high and low—and now it's handed to me on a silver platter!"

Ouyang Batian's face glowed with ecstatic joy.

"Go now and investigate Ximen Wudi's background—get every detail. Also, find out exactly where he's staying!" Ouyang Batian ordered.

"Yes, Marshal!" The guard hurriedly accepted the order and dashed out.

"Hah! Who would've thought Ximen Wudi would walk straight into my trap?"

Ouyang Batian gripped his cane with both hands, pacing back and forth in the living room.

"Ximen Wudi, oh Ximen Wudi — I, Ouyang Batian, have roamed unchecked across the three southern provinces for years. Apart from that old coot back in the day, no one has dared defy my will. You, a snot-nosed whelp, actually dare to covet my granddaughter?"

"You're truly seeking death!"

"Hmph, once I track down your hideout, I'll immediately dispatch experts to wipe you out!"

"I want to see just how powerful your backers really are — whether they can protect you, or whether they can protect the family behind you!"

Ouyang Batian ground his teeth, secretly steeling his heart.

"But first, I need to investigate clearly — does Ximen Wudi have any grudge with the Ouyang family? If so, even if I have to stake everything, I'll help them settle this matter!"

……

Ximen Wudi returned to the hotel, lay on the bed, and the face of Ouyang Batian surfaced in his mind. His brows knitted tightly.

Why did the name Ouyang Batian feel so familiar to him?

"Brother Ximen Wudi!" Just as he was pondering, his ear was suddenly tickled by a soft, warm breath.

Ximen Wudi turned his head and saw Nie Xiaoqian, dressed in pajamas, sitting prettily beside him.

"Xiaoqian!" Seeing Nie Xiaoqian, Ximen Wudi's heart gave a sudden surge.

"Hehe, stunned silly?" Nie Xiaoqian pressed her lips into a smile and stretched out a jade-white arm to wrap around Ximen Wudi's waist.

"Ahem…" Ximen Wudi hurriedly and awkwardly broke free, his heart pounding wildly.

Nie Xiaoqian, however, lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushing red, her beautiful eyes brimming with spring warmth — a picture of boundless bashfulness.

"Xiaoqian, you…" Ximen Wudi was about to say something, but Nie Xiaoqian suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Brother Ximen Wudi, do you dislike me?" Nie Xiaoqian tilted her head up, looking at Ximen Wudi pitifully as she asked.

"Uh…" Ximen Wudi froze, not knowing how to answer.

Nie Xiaoqian, however, let out a sudden giggle, then said softly: "I'm already a wilted flower and broken willow — don't let me hold back your bright youth."

"What? Who told you I dislike you!" Ximen Wudi flew into a rage at once.

"Then why won't you touch me?" Nie Xiaoqian pouted her little mouth and asked.

"I…" Ximen Wudi was choked into complete silence.

"Hmph, not a single man is any good!" Nie Xiaoqian muttered, then got up and walked toward the bathroom.

"Ouch!" Suddenly, Nie Xiaoqian's foot slipped and she tumbled onto the floor, grimacing in pain.

"What's wrong, Xiaoqian?" Ximen Wudi rushed over, crouched down, and helped Nie Xiaoqian up.