“Ah, Yuer has arrived already, come quickly, come quick,”
The head of the Shen Family burst into laughter upon seeing Shen Yuer. Stroking his beard, he immediately brought her before the three gentlemen.
“Father,” Shen Yuer instinctively wore a stern expression. She had just performed a courtesy bow, but it only seemed to displease the head of the Shen Family.
“When did you become so distant with me? We were fine before, weren’t we? Or…” Suddenly, as if an idea struck him, the Shen Family head laughed again, “I understand now, Yuer’s shy because she saw these three suitors, hahaha!”
A strange unease rose in Shen Yuer’s heart. She could hardly remember ever being so close with the Shen Family head.
“Don’t be afraid, Yuer, these three are men of great stature. You just tell me who you fancy, and I’ll make it happen!”
Shen Yuer bit her lip but still could not bring herself to say, “I don’t fancy any of them.”
“Miss Shen, I come from Bianzhou. My family has been merchants for generations, all wealthy beyond measure. I’m currently in charge of our family’s water transportation business. Coincidentally, Miss Shen manages the waterway spirit beasts. Together, we will create a new legend in commerce!”
Shen Yuer’s expression remained calm as she looked at the second man.
“Miss Shen, I am a scion of the Dongyun family. Our house has produced countless scholars and poets, all well-versed in the classics, steeped in generations of political immersion. We both know that although the Shen Family is large, it has never ventured into politics. If our two families unite, the future is limitless!”
A sigh escaped Shen Yuer’s heart. Of course, these were all trivialities.
Her interest suddenly waned. She turned to the white-haired, blue-eyed woman and asked, “What about you? What if we joined together?”
The woman remained gentle and warm. She spread her empty hands, “I have no money, no power—nothing but empty hands. But I can promise you my love. Because I sensed the same flavor from you; we are the same kind of people.”
Suddenly, Shen Yuer stared at her in stunned silence. Though they had never met before in their lives, she firmly believed the woman’s words were true.
If they united, wealth and power might be absent, but love would be unparalleled.
But… was it really for love?
Biting her lip, Shen Yuer thought long and hard, then turned her head and looked seriously at the Shen Family head, speaking every word carefully, “Father, I choose none of them.”
The Shen Family head exploded in rage. Flames blazed behind him as he roared in madness, “You don’t want wealth, you don’t want power, you keep saying you only want love. Now I bring you love, and you refuse it too! What exactly do you want?!”
The flames reflected in Shen Yuer’s eyes. She could feel the burning heat licking at her skin, yet she grit her teeth and said resolutely, “The Dao. The only thing I want is the Dao.”
The fire climbed over her skin, tearing and charring flesh to blackened ash, but she endured the pain and spoke.
“Life is precious, love is even more valuable, but for freedom’s sake, both can be cast away.”
“This is my Dao.”
Boom—
A thunderous sound of bells and drums shattered Shen Yuer’s illusion. She broke through all falsehoods and stood once again before the mountain gate. A cool breeze swept across her cheeks, brushing away fine sweat, only to bring a cold chill in its place.
She turned to the girl beside her, momentarily speechless.
Outside Longjing City, the tavern “Riding the Wind” was lively.
“Lin Nan, come over here,”
The Boss Lady took a handkerchief to wipe the moisture off her hands and pulled Lin Nan to sit beside her at the table. She spoke seriously, “Lin Nan, have you really made up your mind to marry into that noble family in the city?”
The girl nodded, “Yes, I have.”
“Oh, our families are worlds apart. It’s just not a match. If you marry in, and they bully you, we won’t be able to help!”
“Why would you help me?” The girl tilted her head, puzzled, “I’m asking for trouble myself. You don’t need to worry.”
“You kid! Ahh,” The Boss Lady sighed heavily and waved a hand. “Old man, come over here and give her some advice!”
The stout Boss spat, flicking a bit of leafy debris from his golden tooth, then hurried over and plopped down opposite Lin Nan.
“Lin Nan, didn’t we just invite a Heavenly Way Immortal yesterday? The immortal told you things that will definitely happen in the future!”
“That noble lady in the city isn’t kind! For her own career, she’ll ruthlessly abandon you, leaving you to wash clothes, cook, sweep floors, and tend flowers alone in the Shen Mansion. In the end, even the servants will bully you!”
“That Shen Family daughter will become a Heavenly Way Immortal, and the first thing she’ll do after entering the immortal realm is sever her mortal ties. You’re that mortal tie! She’ll kill you!”
Lin Nan remained as calm as ever, blinking slowly, “Then let her kill me.”
“You, you!”
“Lin Nan, do you understand that when a person is killed, they die?”
“I know.”
“Then what do you mean by saying that?”
“That I deserve it.”
This time, the Boss could do nothing. He exchanged a glance with the Boss Lady, both full of pity and helplessness.
They couldn’t understand how Lin Nan, such a foolish child, knowingly walked into danger anyway.
Lin Nan lowered her head and glanced at the mark in her palm. She casually walked to the nearby grass and squatted down, plucking a foxtail grass and holding it between her teeth.
She looked up at the grand and imposing Longjing City Gate, where the fearsome Demon King’s head hung.
Jokingly, she said, “If not hell, then who else will enter hell?”
Knowing something is impossible yet still doing it, defying Heaven to change fate—this was Lin Nan’s Dao.
Having persevered through nine lifetimes, how could she be defeated by a mere illusion?
Lin Nan stood, folded her sleeves, bowed slightly to the Boss and Boss Lady, then strode into Longjing City.
The Shen Mansion was enormous. After all, it monopolized all the floating skyships of the Central Continent. Its spirit beasts and magical tools were among the finest in their respective fields.
The servants respectfully led Lin Nan into the main hall.
One servant kindly said, “Miss Lin, your opponents have both spent a fortune—one family with endless wealth, the other with limitless prospects. I don’t question what Miss Lin has, but my advice is: whatever you have, bring it all out.”
Lin Nan pursed her lips and thanked him politely.
What did she have? Nothing but a true heart.
Sadly, in this era, true hearts were worthless worth less than feeding to a dog.
Lin Nan sat quietly in the hall’s chair, listening as the other two contenders chatted with the Shen Family head. Their topics ranged from commercial strategies to philosophies of governance, discussing everything from astronomy to geography.
Then she saw the Shen Family daughter standing dignified before her, extending a finger, beckoning her.
The Shen Miss said, “Though I don’t love you, it’s enough that you love me. Do you dare marry me?”
Lin Nan smiled, “What’s there to be afraid of?”
“Oh? Then what if I want your life?”
“Still no fear.”
It wouldn’t matter if it ended here or rather, this was the last chance.
Lin Nan thought to herself.
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