Seeing the visitor, Xu Ping’an addressed the matter without taking it personally, raising his hand to offer a respectful fist salute.
“Old Ancestor of the Liu Family, I hope you have been well?”
“Hm, well enough, well enough. What could possibly be wrong with me? It’s just…
-Where did you learn these techniques? Didn’t you say before that you couldn’t cultivate?”
Liu Zongting was somewhat surprised and wary of Xu Ping’an’s sudden arrival, clearly sensing hostile intent.
But what puzzled him more was how Xu Ping’an, who previously seemed utterly incapable of absorbing Spiritual Energy, was now able to manipulate such a vast energy array?
“It’s a personal matter of fate. It’s not that I am unwilling to explain, but I simply cannot speak of it. I hope the Liu Family’s Old Ancestor will not take offense.”
“Offense? None at all. It was rude of me to pry into your roots so easily, I admit. But… Xu family lad, since you’re here looking for Yingying, is it really necessary to set up such a massive formation? Those who know you would understand, but those who don’t might think you’ve come to cause trouble.”
Seeing Xu Ping’an so easy to talk to, Liu Zongting’s guard lowered somewhat, and a broad smile spread across his face as he began to make small talk.
He had long suspected this young man from the Xu Family was no ordinary person, and now his suspicions were confirmed.
The more he looked, the more satisfied he became!
This Xu lad not only possessed great medical skills but also strange abilities like these. Marrying into the Liu Family would be a perfect match.
“No, Old Ancestor, you’re right. I came this time looking for Liu Chengdong. After all… it seems Liu Chengdong is probably already on his way to the Floating Cloud Sect, and I… have indeed come to cause trouble.”
Liu Zongting was stunned.
“What’s going on!? Didn’t that girl Yingying go to live with you? How… how could she be going to the Floating Cloud Sect? I thought the sect wouldn’t take her in until five years later?”
“That question is best directed to the Liu Family Patriarch, right? Patriarch?”
Xu Ping’an’s expression remained calm as he shifted his gaze to the man stepping out from the back hall.
“Xu Ping’an… what are you trying to do? Offend the Liu Family? Do you want to die here today?”
Liu Chengdong looked at the young man before him, forced to admit he had underestimated him.
This Xu Ping’an really did have some skill—able to manipulate the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth to form a formation locking down the entire Old Mansion of the Liu Family.
But what had been said and done was already done. Now, to grovel and apologize to this young man and hand over his daughter on a silver platter? Liu Chengdong was no pushover!
“Patriarch, that’s not right. What do you mean by offending the Liu Family? The Liu Family was disrespectful first. Today… I’m here to seek justice.”
Xu Ping’an stamped his foot, causing the entire space’s Spiritual Energy to tremble violently.
At this moment, the Great Array was complete!
With just a thought, the Old Mansion of the Liu Family could be reduced to rubble!
As the Great Array solidified, the previously fluctuating Spiritual Energy instantly calmed.
Seeing this, a trace of gravity crossed Liu Zongting’s brow.
He was no cultivation novice and knew quite a bit about formations.
To control an entire formation with a simple gesture showed that Xu Ping’an’s mastery was likely on par with some elders of major sects.
Even without cultivation, such a man would be treated as an honored guest by the leading inner sects.
Thinking this, Liu Zongting sighed inwardly.
‘Chengdong is foolish!’
But at this point, it was no use to say anything else. After all, he was still the Old Ancestor of the Liu Family. The family’s forebears were currently in seclusion, so he could not intervene. Naturally, he had to bear the responsibility.
Even if the Liu Family was in the wrong this time, he had to force the matter to go smoothly.
Otherwise, the Liu Family’s face would be lost for good.
“Xu family lad, we can talk things over properly. Since you came, come in and sit down. If Chengdong made a mistake, then for my sake, don’t let things get so hostile, okay?”
If possible, Liu Zongting truly did not want to clash with Xu Ping’an.
Putting aside the abilities Xu Ping’an had displayed, the fact that he was favored by the Zhennan King’s Shizi made the Liu Family hesitant to act rashly.
The Liu Family held some political influence, which also supported their cultivators.
If they lost that influence, it would be a massive blow to the family’s future.
“Old Ancestor.”
Xu Ping’an first bowed respectfully to Liu Zongting, then slowly turned to Liu Chengdong.
“Yesterday, Liu Family Patriarch, you brought your men into my clinic and forcibly took away my patient, Liu Yingying. I know Yingying is your daughter, but you came to my clinic without my permission and took someone under my care. My wife tried to stop you, and there was another patient at home who also tried to intervene, but you insisted.”
“Setting aside the father-daughter relationship, Patriarch… you barged in and took someone without even a word of greeting. Do you really think I, Xu Ping’an, am just a roadside ant for you to trample on at will?”
With his words finished, the earth-shaking Great Array activated instantly.
In a flash, the entire Old Mansion of the Liu Family was thrown into chaos.
Countless servants were knocked unconscious, and only the cultivators and Xu Ping’an, who activated the formation, remained standing.
In the next moment, dozens of figures swiftly leapt from courtyards around, converging on the front yard.
Within moments, over a dozen cultivators of the Liu Family surrounded Xu Ping’an.
“Who dares cause trouble in my Liu Family!?”
“Isn’t that the miraculous doctor Xu? Why is he here?”
“Miraculous doctor? I don’t care what kind of doctor he is. This is the Liu Family’s territory!”
Seeing his clan rallying to support him, Liu Chengdong knew as the family patriarch, there was no chance for him to back down.
If he gave in now, his days as head of the Liu Family would be over.
“Xu Ping’an, even if you were a cultivator, wanting to marry my daughter means you have to ask me first! You let her live in your clinic without my consent—your ambitions are clear to everyone.”
“As the Liu Family Patriarch, I’m not going to be bullied by some junior. I could have let this go, but today, you dare to cause chaos in my Liu Family? Do you really think no one here will stand against you?!”
Liu Chengdong’s words left no room for compromise.
Liu Zongting sighed deeply and looked toward Xu Ping’an.
“Ah… it seems you and Yingying are truly fated but cannot be together.”
“Xu family lad, don’t say I’m not on your side. If you leave the Liu Family now and promise never to see Yingying again, today I guarantee your safety. After this, no one in the Liu Family will dare trouble you. If anyone does, they’ll be opposing me, Liu Zongting. How about that?”
The situation had escalated beyond normal resolution.
Even if the Liu Family was in the wrong, Liu Zongting could not side against his own clan.
In his mind, putting his reputation on the line to protect Xu Ping’an’s life was both a repayment for their past acquaintance and a promise to Yingying.
“You… may leave now.”