A peerless expert—must also be slain.
Across the world, how many dare to say that? And how many are qualified to say it?
No one knew whether Li Daoqiang was qualified to utter those words, but he dared to say them, and he said them in public, like an oath. Coupled with the strength he had already displayed and his youth, no one thought he was spouting arrogant nonsense, ignorant of the heavens' heights and earth's depths, or driven by youthful brashness. Instead, they felt a domineering aura that proclaimed "none but me" would crush everything. It made people unable to take those words lightly. Some even felt he could achieve it.
In the silence, many young people sensed a surging, heartfelt boldness. A true man should be like this. At the same time, many women's eyes revealed indescribable emotions—envy, longing, confusion, and a hint of jealousy. Before the assembled heroes of the world, he proposed with five betrothal gifts. He even publicly declared that for her, he dared to slay a peerless expert with unmatched arrogance. In all the world, could a second woman receive such a proposal?
Even Zhu Yuyan's eyes showed a trace of strangeness. As if thinking of something, envy, jealousy, and cold murderous intent flickered in turn.
Huang Xuemei, though a avenger crawling out of hell, had her heart revived by the news that her brother was still alive, turning her back into a person. And as a person, she was also a woman. Being treated like this by a man, even she couldn't remain unmoved. Coupled with the five betrothal gifts, her heart was violently wavering. Indescribable feelings tangled together into complexity as she stared straight at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang met her gaze openly, without a trace of guilt. Everything he said was true. As long as Huang Xuemei agreed, he could fulfill those promises—wholeheartedly. As for the grudge with He Qinghua... he set it aside. No matter what, he would first secure Huang Xuemei; then there would always be a way. There was no choice—Huang Xuemei was too enticing. Her beauty and strength were exceedingly rare. If he hadn't seen her, or if Zhu Yuyan had been willing to trade, he could have endured. But fate was like this. Heaven's will is hard to defy. So he could only go along with it.
Moreover, from now on, the entire world would surely spread his reputation for greed and lust. It wasn't a good name. But for money and beauty, the meaning behind his actions would be noted by the observant. For money and beauty, he would do anything—even fight a peerless expert to the death. That was what he wanted the whole world to know. Only then would more people come to him, offering money and beauty willingly. "Spend a thousand gold to buy a horse's bones"—that was exactly it. The current situation couldn't be more perfect. In one stroke, his extreme love for money and beauty would spread across the world, sinking deep into people's minds. From today on, the persona he had painstakingly crafted was firmly established.
Heaven's timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony. With Zhu Yuyan uncooperative, proposing to Huang Xuemei was truly the best choice. Calling it fate wasn't far off.
After a pause of a few breaths, giving Huang Xuemei a moment to think, Li Daoqiang said solemnly, "Miss Huang, you've heard my sincerity. You can surely tell whether my words are true or false. Once you become my wife, with the whole world knowing, we will be one, inseparable. What I said won't be false. Your enemies will be my enemies. Miss Huang, you may choose."
Having spoken openly and magnanimously, he stood waiting calmly, as if no answer could shake him, like a mountain unmoved by a landslide.
Huang Xuemei lowered her eyelids slightly, her lips pressed tight, her hands clenched so hard they turned white, betraying her turmoil and hesitation. Everyone's gaze shifted to her—envy, curiosity, tension, all mingled. In the silence, they awaited her answer. Many secretly anticipated a spectacle, eager to stir things up. The Blood Saber Old Ancestor and his ilk were among them. Of course, with so many righteous and demonic experts present, no one dared to speak up first.
After a long moment, Huang Xuemei, head bowed, spoke in a cold, low voice: "Fine, as long as you help me find Xiaolin and protect him, I'll marry you."
The moment the words fell, murmurs erupted all around. She actually agreed! Zhu Yuyan, Geshutian, Sun Lutang—their faces darkened. Wuqing, Zhui Ming, and the others looked grim, as if deep in thought.
"Haha, the Great Chieftain gains another wife, and our Black Dragon Village gains another top expert!" the Blood Saber Old Ancestor laughed. Over these days, he had unknowingly come to enjoy bullying others through borrowed power. He now saw the Black Dragon Village as his backing. Before he could escape, the stronger the backing, the better. Beside him, Lü Lin felt only admiration and reverence. The others grew even more subdued, chiming in with agreement. The many martial artists couldn't stay calm either, all sorts of discussions rising and falling like a roaring tide.
"This trip wasn't wasted—I've witnessed such an event."
"Indeed, truly unique in the world!"
"The Great Chieftain Li is about to win beauty, strength, and treasure all at once!"
"Impressive, truly impressive. If only I had half his skill."
"A man should be like this."
Amid the countless murmurs, Li Daoqiang let out two hearty laughs, his tone brimming with joy. "Good, it's settled." As he spoke, he stepped forward happily.
"Li Daoqiang."
Suddenly, a cold shout rang out. Li Daoqiang paused mid-step, glancing sideways. Zhu Yuyan's face was icy as she gritted out, "'The more beautiful the woman, the more she lies'—you just said that yourself. Now you trust Huang Xuemei outright. Aren't you afraid she's just using you to find her brother and leave here safely? Or maybe you're doing it on purpose, your real goal being the Demon Qin? You don't care if she deceives you. Once you leave here, you can just snatch the Demon Qin. And that talk about knowing her brother's whereabouts—it's all a lie to trick her."
Her words made Li Daoqiang laugh in exasperation. Truly formidable—she directly sowed discord between him and Huang Xuemei, and also among the many experts present. Sure enough, suspicious glances turned his way. Huang Xuemei also looked up, calmly watching him.
"Enough, Zhu Yuyan." Without courtesy, he addressed her by name, his voice cold. "From now on, Huang Xuemei is my wife, Li Daoqiang's. If you dare to stir up trouble between us again, don't blame me for being rude." A hint of chill gathered in his eyes, shooting toward Zhu Yuyan.
Zhu Yuyan was furious, ready to attack recklessly. "Senior Sister, don't be impulsive." At that moment, Bian Bufu, now even more afraid of Li Daoqiang, quickly sent a mental message, stopping her. Because she knew deep down that if they fought, the brief exchange earlier had shown she was no match for Li Daoqiang.
Suddenly, she sneered, "Stir up trouble? Everything I said is true. What, hit a nerve because I'm right?"
Li Daoqiang sneered back, calm. "Fine, I'll answer you a few words, lest Xuemei misunderstand." He turned to Huang Xuemei with a hint of tenderness. Huang Xuemei's eyes instinctively avoided his, a strange discomfort in her heart. I'm not married to you yet. And 'the more beautiful the woman, the more she lies'—yet you trust me directly. Why? At the same time, his intimate address before so many people made her uneasy. But she said nothing, focusing intently on listening.
"'The more beautiful the woman, the more she lies'—Xuemei is naturally stunning, unmatched in the world." Li Daoqiang began, praising her without restraint. Huang Xuemei tensed, her eyes flickering with shyness. She instinctively glared at him, conveying one message: stop talking. Seeing this, Li Daoqiang only grew more amused, his mood even better. He smiled sincerely, "But some women in this world never lie about certain things—they mean what they say. Xuemei is such a woman. Since she agreed, I believe her."
Besides, her brother is in my hands. He silently added that, of course not saying it aloud. For a girl, for various reasons, coaxing was still necessary when possible. And this skill—had he never pursued anyone, or seen it done? With strong confidence and a thick skin, it worked.
Sure enough, he could tell he was right. After saying those words, Huang Xuemei's tense emotions eased slightly, a faint softness appearing in her brow. Her gaze toward him seemed more open. Smiling inwardly, Li Daoqiang said more clearly, "As for whether I covet the Demon Qin? Hah, the Yin Empress has grown foolish in her haste. She's mine now—why would I care about a qin?" With a proud, arrogant tone, he looked down at Zhu Yuyan.
Zhu Yuyan trembled with rage. Huang Xuemei felt a mix of shame and annoyance, overwhelmed but unsure what to do. She could only snort softly, standing there coldly and aloof. Li Daoqiang said no more, his expression turning cold as he slowly swept his gaze across the crowd, speaking each word deliberately: "Enough, I won't say more. You've all heard—Huang Xuemei is now my wife, Li Daoqiang's. If anyone still dares to bully my wife, it means war with me, to the death. Xuemei, let's go home."
With that, he flew to Huang Xuemei's side. Despite her wary look, he firmly wrapped an arm around her slender waist and headed toward the Black Dragon Village. Huang Xuemei wanted to resist, instinctively struggling twice before resigning herself. Given her agreement and her severely injured state, it was still within her tolerance.
(Thank you for your support.)