When he heard 'Lee Encai' suggest they beco sworn siblings, Lin Tang was stunned.
That wasn't in the script we rehearsed! This Encai is really going off-script! Doesn't she realize that with Long Tianji's persona, agreeing to beco sworn siblings would be totally out of character? People aren't stupid; they'd definitely get suspicious!
Lin Tang shook his head inwardly, then feigned disdain.
"Kid, if you want to call your big brother, go ho and train for a few more decades. Since this is your first offense, I'll let it slide. But there won't be a next ti."
"That son of a bitch—" Guo Jufeng wanted to curse again.
Long Tianji is way too lenient with Lin Tang, but he's so harsh with and Old Xiao. It's so damn unfair!
He was about to protest again, but a single warning glare from Lin Tang made him swallow his words.
"Oh," 'Lee Encai' said, clearly disappointed. She then took Shen Youling's hand and pleaded, "Heavenly King Long, Youling and I are truly in love. We haven't even officially divorced, so we're still husband and wife. I beg you, please let her go, won't you?"
"What 'true love'..." Shen Youling cringed, her face flushing red. However, she didn't pull her hand away or deny the words. Instead, she squeezed her hand back tightly.
Huh? Why has Lin Tang's hand gotten so soft and delicate? It's like a girl's...
This thought flashed through her mind, but she didn't dwell on it. Her main focus was on Long Tianji. Would he nod in agreent or refuse in anger?
'Lee Encai' pressed on, "President Xiao and the others claim you've taken a fancy to Youling. They even said that any woman you set your eyes on, you must possess... I refuse to believe it. With your noble character, how could you stoop to forcibly stealing another man's wife? I think they're just taking advantage of your absence to slander your na..."
"Nonsense!"
"Lin Tang, you're full of shit!"
Xiao Xuanye and Guo Jufeng were seething, wishing they could tear this son of a bitch to shreds. It wasn't that they didn't want to strike him down on the spot, but they could sense that Long Tianji had already locked onto them. If they dared to make a move, they would be t with a thunderous counterattack.
Long Tianji was clearly protecting Lin Tang!
"Good, good, good!" Lin Tang sneered, his voice cold. "Xiao Zhanchong, Guo Tortoise, so this is how you operate behind my back? I see many of the won here look miserable. I suppose you forced them to be here? Are you trying to tarnish my na for all eternity?"
"Heavenly King Long, please calm your anger!"
"It's a misunderstanding, truly a misunderstanding! We absolutely did not force anyone. If you don't believe us, you can ask them yourself!"
Xiao Xuanye and Guo Jufeng trembled as the shadow of death lood over them. Yan Qinghe tried to diate again, hoping Long Tianji would show rcy.
Lin Tang snorted, his voice echoing through the venue. "If any of you were forced to participate in this selection, you can raise your hand now. I guarantee no one will dare to retaliate against your family. If anything happens to any of your families afterward, I will personally slaughter Guo Tortoise and Xiao Zhanchong."
Xiao Xuanye and Guo Jufeng were speechless.
Wait a minute, be reasonable! If our families run into trouble later because they provoked soone else, you're going to bla that on us too?
The crowd exchanged uncertain glances. After a few seconds, a woman stood up.
"I'll speak up! I was forced to co here. I already have soone I love!"
" too! I have a boyfriend."
"And ! I'm already a mother of two."
...
In the audience, a small number of won summoned their courage and rose to their feet. Their furious family mbers tried to pull them back down or silence them. From a distance, Lin Tang sent several slaps through the air, knocking their teeth out.
"A bunch of trash! So eager to find a powerful backer that you'd ruthlessly sacrifice your own daughters' happiness and tear true lovers apart. You're all pathetic!"
Dong Mingfeng and the other two exchanged puzzled glances.
Why does it feel like he's making veiled accusations? Did he just give us a pointed look? Or was it just my imagination?
Lin Tang continued, "I, Long Tianji, have always stayed out of worldly affairs. I am accustod to a life of seclusion and have no interest in your so-called great families and powerful factions. Even if I marry one of your daughters, her family's life or death will have nothing to do with . I won't help you with anything. I've laid my cards on the table. If any of you still want to force your daughters to continue, be my guest."
"What?"
"This—"
"How can he be like this?"
"If that's the case, there's no point in a marriage alliance..."
A chill ran down many spines, including those of the foreign dignitaries.
Dammit! I'm offering mines, company shares, and other valuable assets as a dowry, but you won't be my backer or offer any protection? Why would I give you all that for free?
Shatana, however, was pleasantly surprised. As the princess of the Sunset Country, she had no lack of security and had no intention of ordering Long Tianji around. She was interested in him, the man. Seeing most of her rivals drop out ant her chances had just improved significantly. Most importantly, her biggest competitor, Shen Youling, was being led away by that devil Lin Tang, and Long Tianji had tacitly approved! Her second-biggest rival, Ning Yuexi... didn't she despise Long Tianji? Why hadn't she raised her hand and claid she was forced to be here?
Shatana was confused.
Ning Yuexi kept her head down, her heart in turmoil. She had also wanted to raise her hand to escape this farcical selection. But on second thought, if she withdrew and Long Tianji went into seclusion again, how would she ever get her revenge?
My only chance is to pretend to continue, get selected, and stay by his side... she thought, resolving to swallow her pride and endure the humiliation.
...
After Lin Tang's declaration, the vast majority announced their withdrawal. 'Lee Encai' also led Shen Youling away, and Xiao Xuanye didn't dare make a peep.
Seeing this, Dong Mingfeng and her companions were beside themselves with fury. They hated Lin Tang for ruining their plans and cursed Long Tianji in their hearts for being such a selfish bastard. To marry a woman but refuse to care about her family's fate—what kind of son-in-law from Central Earth would say such a thing?
The few who remained, for reasons unknown, were unwilling to give up. They took the opportunity to get on stage, joining Ning Yuexi and the other eight contestants in several rows. Shatana, dressed in magnificent attire, stood like a proud white swan. Even when she humbly stood in the back row, her height made her stand out.
"You, little girl, co here!" Lin Tang said, suddenly beckoning with his hand after scanning the remaining won.
"Huh? He's choosing soone already, without asking any questions?"
"Who did he pick?"
"Is he talking to ?"
The young won were all stunned. Shatana also felt his gaze on her. Overjoyed but not entirely surprised, she was about to step forward.
"Coming, coming!"
Like a little rabbit, Wei Zichu bounced forward, pitter-pattering her way toward Lin Tang.
"Huh?" Shatana was shocked. No way, he fancies such a short girl? Does he prefer short won to tall ones like ?
The others also thought Wei Zichu must have misread the situation and that he wasn't calling for her. To their surprise, Lin Tang smiled and pulled Wei Zichu into a hug.
Wei Zichu gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "Uncle Long, you finally ca for ."
PHEW—
Seeing this, Zhao Xinghe and the others from the Star Evil Group broke out in a cold sweat. Wei Shanhe and Huangfu Zhan, who were also present, froze in astonishnt. It turned out she hadn't been lying. She really had beco Heavenly King Long's woman!
Below the stage, Shen Youling felt a great weight lift from her shoulders, once again breathing the air of freedom. Just as she was rejoicing, she saw the scene on stage and glanced subconsciously at 'Lee Encai', whispering, "Don't you feel any regret?"
"Regret?" 'Lee Encai' asked, startled for a mont before catching on. She laughed heartily. "My dear wife is you, not Wei Zichu. Why would I feel any regret?"
"...Stop saying such strange things!" Shen Youling finally managed to pull her hand free.
Playfully, 'Lee Encai' reached for her again, pretending she was about to kiss her. "My dear, beautiful wife, after all the storms we've weathered together, you an to tell you still haven't fallen in love with ?"
"Well..." Shen Youling dodged while she silently asked herself what her feelings for Lin Tang truly were. She thought about it for a long ti but remained lost. Was it love? She still didn't feel that heart-pounding flutter. Was it not love? Then why did she always find herself wanting to return to his side, ti and ti again?
Damn it, that's my wife! How dare 'Encai' take advantage of her? Lin Tang thought, spotting the interaction and growing angry enough to march over and intervene.
But Wei Zichu clung to him like a mischievous child, climbing onto his back and whispering into his ear, "Are you still going to continue the concubine selection?"
'Lee Encai' saw this too. "Damn! Getting all lovey-dovey with another woman right in front of your wife! You've really got so nerve, Lin Tang!"
Shen Youling saw her jealous act and assud Lin Tang was being greedy, wanting to keep her while also being unable to let go of Wei Zichu. She said coolly, "Since Heavenly King Long has given you so much face, why don't you ask him to let Wei Zichu go as well?"
"Alright, I'll go give it a try."
"...You're actually going to do it?!" Shen Youling bit her lip, about to reach out and stop her.
On stage, Lin Tang was about to answer Wei Zichu. At the sa ti, an unwilling Shatana was preparing to make her own case.
Suddenly, a voice, cold and laced with madness, echoed across the entire venue.
"Lin Tang, I have co to kill you. Are you ready?"
"Holy crap!"
"Who is that?"
"So arrogant!"
"How dare he be so insolent in front of Heavenly King Long?"
"That raises the question: this man is here to kill Lin Tang. Will Heavenly King Long intervene?"
The crowd buzzed, turning toward the source of the voice. They saw Yan Renjie, walking forward alone with a single sword. He moved as if he had broken free from gravity, his steps light and airy. He wasn't so much walking as he was gliding, like a transcendent immortal banished to the mortal realm.
"That person..."
"He looks sowhat familiar!"
"It's Yan Renjie from Sword Casting Manor!"
"Wasn't he just at the peak of the Innate realm? How did he suddenly get so powerful?"
"This aura... it feels like the Master Realm, but also like a Grandmaster... and is there even a hint of a Heavenly King?"
"How is that possible?!"
The crowd was astounded. Xiao Xuanye and Guo Jufeng were utterly shocked, their jaws nearly hitting the floor. They simply could not comprehend how a peak Innate cultivator could beco a hundred tis stronger in such a short ti. The aura he was emitting even faintly overshadowed Long Tianji's!
"Regardless, Lin Tang is a dead man now!"
"Will Heavenly King Long protect him?"
"Even if he wants to, I'm afraid he won't be able to, right?"
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