10: Li Family's Feast at Hongmen, Attending Alone

Chu He's words exploded in Lin Waner's ears like a sudden clap of thunder on level ground.

Marry... marry him?

The Hundred Herbs Hall merging into the Chu Family?

Lin Waner was completely dazed.

She had imagined countless possibilities.

Chu He might agree, he might refuse, or he might bargain.

But she never expected Chu He would propose something so... simple and crude, yet making it impossible for her to refuse.

Her mind went blank, and within her clear eyes on that beautiful masked face, shock and confusion were written all over.

Marry a man she had met less than fifteen minutes ago?

This... this was too absurd!

But... as she thought about it carefully, this seemed to be the most perfect, once-and-for-all solution to all her problems.

Once she became Chu He's woman and one of the Chu Family's mistresses, then she and the Hundred Herbs Hall would be completely tied to this Foundation Establishment Stage Master.

Everything she wanted—protection, resources, a research subject (Little Chu Tian)—she would have it all.

Moreover, it would be perfectly legitimate!

Compared to the previous loose relationship of "seeking cooperation," this "becoming Family" bond was undoubtedly ten thousand times stronger!

For her and the Hundred Herbs Hall, this was a monumental blessing.

But... this also meant she would lose her freedom and become a man's subordinate.

She, Lin Waner, was proud and single-mindedly pursued the peak of the Dao of Alchemy; she had never thought about marrying anyone.

"What's wrong?" Chu He looked at her flickering gaze, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Does Young Miss Lin feel that I, Chu He, am not good enough for you?"

"No! It's not that!" Lin Waner snapped back to her senses and shook her head hurriedly. "Senior is a Foundation Establishment expert, a dragon among men. It is I... I am the one reaching above my station. It's just... just that this is too sudden, and for a moment, I..."

Her heart was in turmoil.

Reason told her this was the only chance for the Hundred Herbs Hall to escape its predicament and move toward glory.

Emotionally, she could not accept deciding her lifelong affairs so hastily.

"I will give you time to consider." Chu He saw her internal conflict and was in no rush.

This kind of talent had to be held firmly in his hand.

"Three days. After the Li Family matter is settled in three days, I need your answer."

Chu He's tone was very calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"In three days, either you bring the Hundred Herbs Hall and become part of my Chu Family, or you take your spirit nurturing grass and our fate ends here."

"Of course, I should also remind you," Chu He's gaze became deep, "when the Li Family falls, the Pill Treasure Pavilion will naturally be finished. At that time, the Medicinal Pill business in Qingyang City will be dominated by your Hundred Herbs Hall alone. But do you think that without a sufficiently strong backer, you can hold onto this Family business?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking Lin Waner up.

Indeed!

An ordinary man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty.

After the Li Family's downfall, the Hundred Herbs Hall would seemingly welcome spring, but in reality, it would become a piece of fat meat that everyone would want to bite into.

Without the great Buddha of the Chu Family protecting them, new "Li Families" and "Wang Families" would likely emerge soon, using even more ruthless methods to annex her.

By then, her fate might be even more miserable than it was now.

Chu He was telling her that she had no choice.

Either board the ship voluntarily or wait to be swallowed by the waves behind.

Lin Waner bit her lower lip tightly with her pearly teeth.

She knew she no longer had a way out.

"I... understand." She took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Chu He. "Within three days, Waner will definitely give Senior a satisfactory answer."

"Very good." Chu He nodded. He knew this matter was settled.

"Take the spirit nurturing grass and the Pill Formula back for now," Chu He said. "Once we become one Family, these things will naturally belong to my Chu Family anyway."

Lin Waner's cheeks flushed slightly; she hadn't expected Chu He to be so direct.

She tucked away the jade box, bowed once more, and then turned to take her leave.

Watching her departing figure, Chu He was in an excellent mood.

An S-rank potential Alchemist wife was about to be his; the Family's logistics problem was solved!

Next was to deal with the trouble of the Li Family... Time passed quickly.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, the entire Qingyang City was shrouded in a bizarre atmosphere.

Everyone was waiting, waiting for the final showdown between the Chu Family and the Li Family.

The Li Family's gates remained tightly shut with no movement.

The Zhao Family also ceased all activity; it was said that Zhao Wuji had prepared a generous gift to go to the Chu Family to apologize, but he was directly turned away at the door by Chu He, not even seeing his face.

The City Lord's Manor was even more strangely quiet, as if they knew nothing about the matter, clearly intending not to get involved in this muddy water.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the morning of the third day.

The Chu Family.

Qing'er could already get out of bed and walk around; her complexion was much better, and she was in the room clumsily changing Little Chu Tian's diaper.

Chu He stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, looking toward the Li Family's direction with a calm gaze.

"Young Master..." Qing'er walked out holding the child, her face carrying a hint of worry. "Today... is the third day. There hasn't been any movement from the Li Family's side. Could they be..."

"Don't worry." Chu He turned around, took his son from her arms, and said with a smile, "They wouldn't dare not come. It's just that the way they come might be a bit different from what we expect."

He knew that a person like Li Zhentian would never obediently kneel at the door to beg for mercy.

Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall, let alone a local tyrant who had controlled Qingyang City for many years.

He was certain the Li Family would set a trap, waiting for him to walk into it.

Sure enough.

Just after the hour of Si, a servant from the Li Family arrived outside the Chu Family gates on a fast horse.

He didn't dare enter, only shouting loudly at the door: "Senior... Senior Chu! My Family Head has a message to convey!"

"Speak," Chu He's voice came from inside the courtyard.

The servant swallowed hard and shouted with forced courage: "My Family Head says he is willing to obey Senior's orders! However... the Li Family's assets are numerous—land deeds, account books, gold, silver, and jewels are piled like mountains and truly difficult to transport. He humbly requests that Senior... that you can move your steps to the Li Residence to personally inspect and receive them! My Family Head has already prepared a modest banquet in the manor to welcome you and apologize for his offenses!"

It had come.

A Hongmen Banquet.

Qing'er's face instantly turned pale: "Young Master! They... they really are up to no good! You absolutely must not go! That must be a dragon's pool or a tiger's den!"

Chu He smiled and handed his son back to Qing'er: "Don't worry. Before absolute strength, any schemes or intrigues are just paper tigers."

"Look after our son at home; I'll be back shortly."

His tone was as relaxed as if he were just going out for a stroll.

"But..."

"No buts." Chu He interrupted her, his gaze turning sharp. "Some people just won't shed a tear until they see the coffin. Today, I will let everyone in Qingyang City see the consequences of provoking me, Chu He, and provoking my Chu Family!"

Having said that, he didn't linger; with a flicker of his body, he vanished from the spot.

Holding the child, Qing'er stared blankly toward the main gate, her eyes full of worry, but even more so, a kind of blind trust.

She believed her Young Master was omnipotent... The news that Chu He was going to the Li Family spread through the city like the wind.

The streets that were usually quite lively became empty in an instant.

All the shops closed their doors, and the citizens hid at home, nervously peeking out through door cracks and windows.

They knew that the sky over Qingyang City might change today.

Chu He walked down the empty main street at an unhurried pace.

He could feel countless gazes from all directions watching him.

There was curiosity, awe, worry, and also... killing intent hidden in the shadows.

He didn't care at all.

Soon, the Li Family's grand manor appeared before his eyes.

The vermilion gates stood wide open, like the mouth of a giant beast waiting to devour its prey.

Inside the gate, Li Zhentian stood with over a dozen Li Family Elders.

Each of them forced a smile onto their faces, but those smiles looked worse than crying.

Seeing Chu He arrive alone, a flash of imperceptible joy and ruthlessness crossed Li Zhentian's eyes.

He's here!

This fool who doesn't know the height of the heavens actually dared to come alone!

Inside the manor, three hundred elite guards plus the "Four Symbols Maze Formation" he had spent a fortune to set up—even if it couldn't kill a Foundation Establishment, trapping him for a moment would be enough!

And in his hand, he still had the final trump card borrowed from the City Lord!

Today is the day you, Chu He, die!

Li Zhentian roared in his heart, but his face piled on an even more enthusiastic smile as he stepped forward to greet him.

"Senior Chu's presence brings light to my humble dwelling. I have failed to welcome you properly; please forgive me, forgive me!"

Chu He stopped his footsteps, standing at the Li Family's main gate and looking at this group of people, each with their own sinister designs; his gaze was as calm as water.

He spoke faintly, his voice carrying through the entire street.

"I have arrived."

"Are your Li Family's total assets ready?"