"Qi Tuojiang, you've grown, but your scheming isn't as good as your grandfather's."
As Qi Tuojiang's face changed, the door of the bamboo house opened. Following that, Master Shanyuan, clad in a grey monk's robe and holding a whisk, but devoid of any trace of a high monk's demeanor, walked out.
Looking at Qi Tuojiang, Master Shanyuan expressed disappointment. "Among the third generation of the Qi family, you were the one I had the highest hopes for. Your grandfather also considered you the most outstanding. Yet now, even from three meters away, I can feel your heart pounding and blood surging with anger. Rage has blinded your eyes, rendering you irrational and impairing your judgment."
Qi Tuojiang did not refute Master Shanyuan's words. Instead, he knelt down respectfully. "Great-aunt, your grandson Qi Tuojiang bows to you."
After kneeling, Qi Tuojiang began to speak. "Great-aunt, you are truly a formidable Heavenly Realm cultivator, skilled in both Buddhism and martial arts. Nothing escapes your eyes. That's right, my hatred for Shen Lang runs deep, and my rage has indeed changed my temperament."
"Shen Lang alone has made you like this. How will you carry the Qi family's banner in the future? How will you make the Qi family the foremost among the Five Great Families?"
Shanyuan looked at Qi Tuojiang and sighed. "That young man, Shen Lang, is indeed cunning and vicious, not an ordinary person. Even I fell for his trick. Losing to him is not something to be ashamed of."
"However, Shen Lang, at such a young age, is so cruel and terrifying. If he is allowed to grow, he might become another Shen Tianjun. Therefore, we must eliminate him in his infancy before he can develop."
"Master, although Shen Lang is terrifying, he is not beyond our capabilities. What is truly frightening is the Song Sha Dao behind him."
Kong Wudao spoke, "Song Sha Dao is Shen Tianjun's junior brother. Their strength was originally on par with Shen Tianjun's. After twenty years of dormancy in Nanling, his martial cultivation has become the foremost in the world. Furthermore, he greatly values Shen Lang. If we are to eliminate Shen Lang, we must first get past Song Sha Dao."
"Indeed, Song Sha Dao is a genuine trouble. If it weren't for him, I would have already mobilized the Qi family's experts to Nanling to kill Shen Lang."
Qi Tuojiang echoed, upon hearing this.
"Hmph, Song Sha Dao, is he very formidable?"
Hearing Qi Tuojiang's words, Master Shanyuan let out a cold snort. "Last time, before Xi Xin Cliff, it was because he hid behind Shen Lang and lent him his power that he managed to ambush and injure me. Now that my injuries have healed, and my martial cultivation has advanced further, this time, not only will he be unable to protect Shen Lang, but he won't be able to protect himself either."
As Master Shanyuan spoke, suddenly, hundreds of crows flew across the sky, a dense black mass, and they cawed incessantly.
"Vile creatures—"
Master Shanyuan cast a look of disgust at the flock of black crows, then gently waved her whisk. In the next second, the crows, hundreds of meters high, all exploded, turning into a shower of blood that rained down.
"What?"
Witnessing the terrifying power of Master Shanyuan's casual whisk, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao's faces changed in unison. It seemed that Miaoshi was right; Master Shanyuan's martial cultivation had reached a new realm.
"Grandmother, has your martial cultivation reached the peak of the Heavenly Realm?"
Qi Tuojiang cautiously probed.
"Peak of the Heavenly Realm?"
Hearing these four words, Master Shanyuan's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed. "I am still a hair's breadth away from the peak of the Heavenly Realm. However, with the aid of my Yitian Sword, I can cross this line."
As Master Shanyuan spoke, at that very moment, Miaoyin, Miaole, Miaoshi, and Mihua walked out from the house. Miaoshi respectfully held a black sword in her hands.
Although the black sword was sheathed, it trembled restlessly, like a caged, bloodthirsty beast, causing Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao to feel a chill down their spines with just a glance.
However, the two began to rejoice, for Shen Lang was surely doomed this time.
"Grandmother, what is your next plan?"
Qi Tuojiang suppressed his excitement and asked Master Shanyuan.
"I heard that Shen Lang is going to marry Gu Qinghan, right?"
Master Shanyuan closed her eyes, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
"Great-aunt, though you have been diligently cultivating, you are privy to all worldly affairs. Tuojiang admires you. Yes, they are getting married."
Qi Tuojiang spoke, "Gu Qinghan was originally my fiancée. We had already held our engagement ceremony. Then Shen Lang snatched Gu Qinghan away during the wedding, and moreover, had an affair with her. Now they have a child. Great-aunt, you must seek justice for me."
"Alright, I promise."
Master Shanyuan replied, "Since Shen Lang, that beast, ruined your wedding, we shall retaliate in kind. We will take his life during his wedding."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Upon hearing Master Shanyuan's words, Qi Tuojiang was deeply moved and said.
For the next half hour, Qi Tuojiang, Kong Wudao, and Yu Lingling entered the bamboo house. What the four discussed inside remained unknown to others, but as they left, both Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao wore smiles that had been long absent.
Those eavesdropping by the entrance, having heard the conversation inside, couldn't help but begin to worry for Shen Lang.
"Mom, what are you saying? The wedding is in just three days?"
At the same moment, Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan arrived at the Song family manor and were shocked to see Song Qingyi.
"Yes, it's in three days."
Song Qingyi smiled. "I consulted a master. Three days from now is the best auspicious day in ten years. Marrying on that day will not only ensure you and your spouse grow old together but also bless you with a multitude of descendants."
"Of course, three days is a bit rushed, but don't worry, I will prepare everything that needs to be prepared. You just need to be the bride and groom."
Song Qingyi seemed to care deeply about this matter, speaking with great animation.
Song Shadao, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Shen Lang, since your mother will arrange everything for you, then listen to your mother."
"Alright—"
Hearing his uncle's words, Shen Lang nodded and said, "In that case, I'll listen to my mom."
He then looked at Gu Qinghan and smiled slightly. "Sister, do you have any objections?"
"Mm, I'll listen to Mom."
Gu Qinghan said shyly.
"Good, since neither of you have any objections, I will proceed with the arrangements. Don't worry, I will ensure you have a grand wedding, one you'll never forget."
Song Qingyi was delighted by Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan's attitude and immediately began making calls. Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan didn't know who she was calling, but the conversations were all about wedding details.
After spending half an hour with Song Qingyi, Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan left the Song family manor. However, as they exited, Shen Lang received a call from Shen Tianjun.