Silence fell. The Wang family hall suddenly became quiet.
The surrounding guests also noticed that the Wang family members' expressions seemed a bit off.
Anyone who could come here wasn't a fool, and they knew something about the Wang family. They'd all heard about the Wang family's live-in son-in-law named Wang Baole.
Could it be that Wang Baole had brought people from Wendao Academy to break off the engagement?
After all, it really didn't sound good for the Academy's top genius to have the reputation of being a small family's son-in-law.
Sigh...
The Wang Family Ancestor sighed inwardly. "Baole, tell us why you're here."
Wang Baole cupped his hands. "Ancestor, aside from celebrating your birthday, I have come to dissolve my engagement with Wang Yulin."
In the crowd, Wang Yulin, who had already become numb, collapsed to the ground the moment she heard this.
Madam Wang hurried over to hold her daughter, crying out, "Yulin, Yulin, what's wrong? Don't scare your mother!"
Wang Chongyi's face darkened. Even with Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian present, he couldn't care about anything else and shouted angrily, "Wang Baole, you heartless wretch! How can you face our Wang family?"
"Enough!"
The Wang Family Ancestor directly scolded Wang Chongyi, then suddenly looked as if he had aged decades, the redness draining from his face.
"Baole, have you made up your mind?"
Wang Baole cupped his hands. "Ancestor, I have made up my mind."
"In that case, the engagement is dissolved. I'll send over the engagement letter later. As for the gifts from Wendao Academy, this old man dares not accept them. Take them back."
The Wang Family Ancestor understood things clearly. Even if he accepted these things today, without Wendao Academy's protection, how could he keep them?
It was better to reject them outright and preserve the Wang family, avoiding being carved up by other powers.
Xiao Chen laughed. "Old Master Wang, where in the world is there an engagement without a bride price?"
???
The entire Wang family, including the Ancestor, was stunned, as were the guests.
The Ancestor looked at Xiao Chen in confusion. "Young Master Xiao, please don't make fun of this old man."
Xiao Chen smiled. "My junior brother did indeed say he wanted to dissolve his engagement with Wang Yulin, but he never said he wanted to break off ties with the Wang family."
Everyone present was sharp, and instantly understood the hidden meaning.
The Wang Family Ancestor's face immediately changed from pale to flushed, the speed like a Sichuan opera face change.
The Wang family's emotions were even more like riding a roller coaster. They wanted to say something, but the wild joy in their hearts left them speechless.
"Is… is this true?"
The Wang Family Ancestor still couldn't quite believe his ears.
Cao Youqian patted Wang Baole's shoulder. "Junior brother, it's your turn to shine."
Wang Baole stepped forward. "Ancestor, the one I have always liked is Yufei. Please arrange for her to marry me."
He said "marry," not "take as a wife in name only."
But to the Ancestor, it made no difference—as long as the Wang family had a marriage bond with Wang Baole, the family could stand firm for a thousand years.
"Good, good! I'll make the decision for you right now. Fortunately, the engagement letter didn't have Yulin's name on it, so there's no trouble at all."
He looked at Wang Chongyi. "Chongyi, do you know whose daughter Yufei is?"
Wang Chongyi was still stunned. Apart from the Ancestor, he was the most excited in the room—Wang Baole's actions had taken him from the clouds to the abyss and now back up again.
"An… Ancestor, Yufei is also my daughter."
The Ancestor said, "Then you know what to do, right?"
"I understand, Ancestor."
Wang Chongyi was excited. No matter which daughter married Wang Baole, she'd be marrying a genius. The more daughters, the better—if all his daughters married geniuses, he'd be the father-in-law of heroes.
In the courtyard, Wang Yufei was already moved to tears. She never expected that her brother-in-law—no, Baole-ge—would propose to the Ancestor for her. Her childhood dream had finally come true.
Liu Yue'er turned her gaze toward Nangong Yu.
Nangong Yu didn't seem to care at all, just giving Wang Yufei a casual glance.
"Junior sister, are you alright?" Liu Yue'er asked gently.
Nangong Yu smiled. "It's nothing. Isn't it normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines? I believe that in the future, I'll surely be by Wang Gongzi's side."
Liu Yue'er: "…"
Very quickly, the hall turned into a sea of laughter and joy.
Everyone began congratulating the Wang Family Ancestor.
"Congratulations, Old Master Wang, on gaining such an excellent son-in-law."
"Brother Wang, congratulations, congratulations."
…
Old Master Wang chuckled and said, "Everyone, the birthday banquet officially begins now."
Xiao Chen's group sat at the main table with the Wang Family Ancestor.
Throughout the banquet, many people came forward to offer toasts. The celebration lasted until nightfall.
After Wang Baole and his companions returned to the guest courtyard, the first thing he did was bow to Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian.
"Baole thanks both Senior Brothers for your help today. I'll return treasures of equal value to you both later."
Xiao Chen waved it off indifferently. "No need. As your senior brother, it's only right for me to contribute a bit to your betrothal gifts. A mere Sword King inheritance—at our Miscellaneous Dao Institute, that's the lowest tier."
Cao Youqian threw his arm around Wang Baole's shoulder and said, "Have you forgotten which institute your second senior brother comes from? Spiritual pills—I used to eat those like snacks."
Walking behind them, Wang Yufei was so shocked by what she heard from the two that her mouth formed an "O."
A Sword King inheritance was the weakest? Spiritual pills were snacks? These two senior brothers were simply unbelievable.
The events at the Wang Family's birthday banquet spread throughout the region by the next morning.
All the major and minor powers felt nothing but envy when they heard what happened.
Why hadn't they found themselves a live-in son-in-law who could join Wendao Academy? Maybe they should start recruiting some children, too.
Who knows, in ten or so years, maybe they'd also have a chance to become in-laws with a Half-Saint.
After several days at the Wang family, Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian prepared to depart.
"Second junior brother, where are you heading next?" Xiao Chen asked.
Cao Youqian replied with a grin, "I'm planning to make a trip to the Southern Yunlan Sect."
Xiao Chen teased, "Going to see your little purple sister?"
"Her name is Xiao Yi."
Cao Youqian couldn't help but make a disdainful gesture at Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen smiled, "Alright, alright, little purple Xiao Yi."
"Heh."
Cao Youqian snorted, "I can't be bothered with you. Next time we meet, I'll show you my Extreme Dao Divine Fist."
Xiao Chen nodded seriously, "Alright, hope you can take a few more of my sword moves before you surrender next time."
"What's with you!" Cao Youqian retorted, then turned and left.
Xiao Chen then took Liu Yue'er with him and headed east on their travels.
Wang Baole looked at Wang Yufei and Nangong Yu behind him and said, "I'll go bid farewell to Ancestor first. It's time for us to head out and train, too."
"Mm!" the two girls answered in unison.
Wang Baole soon found the Wang Family Ancestor and bade him farewell.
When the Ancestor heard Wang Baole was leaving, he didn't try to stop him. Instead, he summoned a trusted aide and whispered a few instructions.
Not long after, Madam Wang, Wang Yulin, Wang Kaixuan, and others arrived in the hall.
As soon as they came in, the Ancestor said, "All of you, kneel and apologize to Baole. If you can't get his forgiveness, you will be expelled from the Wang family!"
As soon as the words fell, everyone's hearts seemed to be struck with a heavy blow, and they immediately knelt to the ground.
"Baole, we were wrong!"
"Brother-in-law, I won't dare again, please forgive me!"
…
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