"I will marry."
Just as Murong Zheng was about to step out of the study, Murong Qiudi suddenly spoke.
Her red lips parted slightly, her tone soft yet resolute.
Her eyes also opened.
Those eyes, beautiful as a starry sky, now held an indescribable chill rising within them.
Murong Zheng's steps halted abruptly.
His brows furrowed as he turned to look at Murong Qiudi, showing no hint of joy, but rather more gravity. "Have you made up your mind?"
"I will marry. Only I can best represent the Murong family and secure greater benefits for it." Murong Qiudi didn't turn around, her tone calm.
Calm without a ripple, yet carrying a piercing coldness.
Murong Zheng acknowledged this truth, and he knew it well.
That was why the four families had waited so long for Murong Qiudi.
But...
"Fine, if you're going to marry, then two matters must be resolved."
His tone solemn, Murong Zheng said seriously, "First, you can no longer hold full control over the power of our branch. You must hand over two-thirds of it, though the part you developed yourself can remain entirely under your command."
"Agreed."
Murong Qiudi didn't hesitate, accepting at once, a trace of warmth flickering in her eyes.
"Second, what about him? How will you face Li Daoqiang?" Murong Zheng's gaze turned cold and sharp.
Murong Qiudi's eyes shifted slightly, her tone indifferent. "Treat him as if he doesn't exist. I'll deceive Li Daoqiang."
"He's a peerless expert with unfathomable methods. If he sees through it, the consequences would be unimaginable," Murong Zheng said gravely.
"Then what does Father suggest?" Murong Qiudi still didn't turn around, her voice remaining cold.
"Since ancient times, blocking is worse than guiding, and concealment worse than honesty. I believe that even if we're honest, Li Daoqiang won't refuse," Murong Zheng asserted firmly.
Murong Qiudi was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "He is, after all, my child. I don't want to gamble on Li Daoqiang's magnanimity."
"We can keep this child a secret separately," Murong Zheng said, as if he had anticipated this.
Murong Qiudi fell silent again. Suddenly, she spoke softly, "Father, I hope he can live well."
Murong Zheng's face flushed with anger, displeased. "He's my grandson; of course, I won't harm him."
"But what about the other branches?" Murong Qiudi's tone carried a hint of agitation.
"I understand your meaning. I won't tell them," Murong Zheng said solemnly.
"Thank you, Father." Murong Qiudi's voice held a note of gratitude.
Hearing this, Murong Zheng's expression softened slightly.
He asked seriously, "Then how do you plan to face Li Daoqiang?"
"By concealing it," Murong Qiudi said firmly.
"Can you be sure to fool him?" Murong Zheng's brows knit tightly.
"Father need not worry. Since I say so, I am certain of it," Murong Qiudi replied earnestly.
Murong Zheng pondered for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, I'll leave this to you."
He paused, then continued, "Since you've made your decision, I'll notify the other families now. Prepare yourself well. At most half a year, at least two months, and I'll arrange for you to meet him."
Murong Qiudi nodded without a word.
Murong Zheng took a long, deep look at his daughter, silently sighed in his heart, turned, and walked away.
Only Murong Qiudi remained in the study.
After a few breaths, her expression finally shifted.
A look of ferocity and coldness emerged.
"Xie Xiaofeng~!"
...
In the Black Dragon Stronghold.
These past few days, Li Daoqiang had grown increasingly interested in training his two little lambs.
Under his gentle yet forceful guidance, the two little lambs couldn't refuse him and could only follow his lead.
The result was that he was satisfied.
The two little lambs grew more bashful, and as their relationship deepened, they would occasionally pout at him in mock anger.
With such gentle temperaments, they were almost driven to irritation by him.
So after more than ten days of this training, Li Daoqiang eased up.
He made a special trip out to visit He Qinghua and Huang Xuemei, to soothe them.
During that time, he also thought about training them.
Unfortunately, He Qinghua and Huang Xuemei were completely uncooperative.
One was a tigress baring her fangs.
The other was more like a plum blossom that could freeze people solid.
The moment Li Daoqiang even hinted at the idea, they fiercely resisted.
He had no choice but to give up.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly that the gentle little lambs were more obedient.
Of course, each woman had her own charm, and overall, he liked them all.
He was also happy to see things this way.
A few days later, news arrived that the Deaf-Mute Scholar was quietly sending out invitations.
The invitations called for talented young men to come play chess and solve a rare chess puzzle.
Seeing the news, Li Daoqiang smiled.
After thinking it over, he didn't wait any longer. He immediately set out with Duan Yanqing, Blood Saber Old Ancestor, and others, along with the most important person, Wang Yuyan, heading for Drummer Mountain's Deaf-Mute Valley.
Since Su Xinghe had started sending out invitations, there was no need to wait.
"Husband, where are we going?"
Leaving the Black Dragon Stronghold and sitting in the carriage, Wang Yuyan finally came to her senses and asked curiously.
Over time, the word "husband" had rolled off her tongue quite smoothly.
"I've picked up some news recently, so I'm taking you to verify it. Maybe it'll be a big surprise for you," Li Daoqiang said with a hint of fondness in his smile.
Wang Yuyan was puzzled, her innocent eyes blinking, even more curious. Her voice, naturally soft and coaxing, asked, "What surprise?"
Li Daoqiang couldn't resist ruffling her cute little head and laughed, "You'll know when the time comes. If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise anymore."
Feeling the big hand on her head, Wang Yuyan squinted her eyes in enjoyment, like a little kitten.
Though still curious, she didn't ask further.
Her eyes just sparkled with anticipation.
Traveling by carriage naturally wasn't fast.
But Li Daoqiang chose to set out early precisely to avoid rushing.
Wang Yuyan's body was delicate, and even with his protection, there was no need to hurry or travel long distances.
So this time, he used a carriage.
Of course, with him around, the carriage wasn't much slower.
And it wasn't too bumpy.
Along the way, with Wang Yuyan by his side, he didn't feel restless.
After an uneventful ten or so days, they arrived at Drummer Mountain.
There was still over half a month until the chess date mentioned in Su Xinghe's invitation.
The group abandoned the carriage and entered Drummer Mountain. Before long, someone came to greet them.
"May I ask who you are?"
A middle-aged man said quite politely.
Li Daoqiang didn't speak. Immediately, Blood Saber Old Ancestor understood and announced loudly, "Go tell the Deaf-Mute Scholar that the Black Dragon Stronghold's Chief Li has arrived. Have him come out to welcome us quickly."
The middle-aged man's face changed dramatically.
Fear and shock filled his expression as he looked at Li Daoqiang at the front, mixed with some uncertainty.
Li Daoqiang of the Black Dragon Stronghold, a peerless expert of the age!
Why would he come to Drummer Mountain?
His heart pounding with alarm, he didn't dare dwell on it. With a respectful bow, he said, "Please wait a moment. I'll go report immediately."
With that, he turned and hurried away.
Li Daoqiang paid it no mind and continued leading the group forward.
In the Deaf-Mute Valley of Drummer Mountain.
Upon hearing his disciple's report, Su Xinghe's usually steady expression also changed.
His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
He just furrowed his brows deeply, showing both gravity and confusion.
He hadn't sent an invitation to Li Daoqiang, so why had he come?
Even if he'd heard the news from elsewhere, he shouldn't have arrived this early.
Unable to figure it out, he pondered for a moment, then rose and went out to greet him.
A peerless expert had arrived; he had to go and welcome him.
(Rested for a few days, took a while to get back into the swing of things. Need to adjust. I'll stick with two chapters for now. I need to go write that other book.)