The ruined stage lay silent, its debris scattering under the pale winter sun. Xiao Teng stared blankly at Xiao Ye, his confidence shattered, a dark shadow etched into his heart. Body Refinement Pills, Jiaoshe Blood… even with all that, I'm still light-years behind him. He clenched his fists, vowing silently: If you ever cross me again, Xiao Ye, I won't show mercy.
Xiao Ye glanced coldly at Xiao Teng, then turned to leave the rubble. He's still my fellow villager. I won't stoop to killing him… not yet.
"Dear Nephew Xiao!" A cloyingly sweet voice cut through the tension. Shi Zhan, the silver-haired village chief of Shi Clan Village, approached with a grin that didn't reach his eyes. "Look who's here!" He gestured behind him.
Xiao Ye stifled a sigh. Uncle Shi? More like "Grandpa Shi"—this man's granddaughter must be younger than my little sister. Following Shi Zhan's gaze, he saw a girl in her early teens, dressed in a pale yellow dress, her youth and innocence a stark contrast to Wu Meier's bold allure.
"She's… quite the looker," Xiao Ye said flatly, hiding his bewilderment.
Shi Zhan chuckled, producing a marriage proposal. "Since you approve, accept this! We'll hold the wedding tonight if you wish!"
Xiao Ye's jaw dropped. A thirteen-year-old?
"Don't act coy!" Shi Zhan leaned in, leering. "She's ripe for the picking!"
Before Xiao Ye could respond, a slap echoed. Shi Qingqing, the girl in question, stomped her foot. "Grandpa! I'll pluck your beard out!" Her face flushed red, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of admiration for Xiao Ye.
"Shameless old fool!" Wu Lion roared, storming over. His gaze shifted to Wu Meier, who was already tugging at her sleeve. "What about my granddaughter? She's sixteen—ripe and ready!"
Wu Meier glared at Xiao Ye, her pride wounded. With a trembling hand, she thrust her own proposal forward. "Xiao Ye… please."
The crowd gasped. The town's most desired maiden, humiliated by silence.
Xiao Ye's expression hardened. Marriage? I'm not done avenging Father. A tremor shook the ground as hoofbeats thundered into the plaza.
"Hand over your tribute!" A bald man on horseback barked, waving a bloodstained broadsword.
The Blood Wolf Gang. Xiao Ye's fists burned. Uncle Zhao… I'll make you pay.
The villagers froze. Liu Er, the gang's second-in-command, smirked. "No need to count. We trust you… mostly." The clans' chiefs bowed stiffly, their fear palpable.
As the raiders departed, murmurs rose. "Their leader's a half-step to Heaven's Gate… and his Blood Wolf Guard has a hundred killers."
Xiao Ye's mind raced. Zhao Qian could slaughter them all… but I can't. Bitterness flooded him.
After the gang left, the chiefs announced Xiao Ye the winner. Shi Zhan and Wu Lion retreated, plotting.
That evening, Xiao Ye returned to the village, summoned by the chief.