Chapter 592 - 197: Marriage Alliance (2)
Yang Jing smiled and nodded. "Alright, I’ll be sure to attend."
He was also thinking about his old acquaintances from Yuhe County. When Senior Brother Liu arrived, he could ask about how things were back home.
After a few simple pleasantries, Miss Jinlian clasped her hands. "We have some other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now."
Yang Jing smiled and returned the gesture. "Take care, Miss."
Wang Xiao also quickly bowed. "Young Master Yang, Miss Sun, goodbye."
Yang Jing gave a slight nod, then turned around with Sun Ningxiang. They walked side-by-side toward Lingxi Peak.
Wang Xiao remained standing where she was, her gaze fervent as she watched Yang Jing’s tall, straight back recede into the distance. An idea burned in her heart like a raging fire.
’With Yang Jing’s talent, and now that his fame is skyrocketing in the Xuanzhen Sect, he’s bound to become a powerhouse whose name will shake Jintai Prefecture in the future.’
’If the Wang Family could form a marriage alliance with him, it would be of immense benefit to the entire family’s status and influence.’
’And if she herself could marry Yang Jing, her own status in the Wang Family would rise with the tide. She would never again have to worry about the opinions of the main and side branches.’
’Besides, the Wang Family is quite powerful in Jintai Prefecture, lacking neither connections nor resources.’
’If Yang Jing wants to go further on the Martial Dao, having an ally like the Wang Family would undoubtedly be like giving a tiger wings. From this perspective, it’s highly likely he’d agree to this marriage.’
At this thought, the light in Wang Xiao’s eyes grew even brighter as she gazed at Yang Jing’s back.
She had seen it all clearly—Yang Jing on the stage just now, fighting tooth and nail in a bloody battle against Chu Yunhai.
’Powerful, with an imposing figure, even the top-ranked expert on the Hidden Dragon List couldn’t defeat him. A man like that is the only one worthy of her status as a direct daughter of the Wang Family.’
’But she has to act fast. If she waits for the influence of the Fushan Grand Competition to spread and for Yang Jing’s name to become known throughout Jintai Prefecture, he’ll be recognized as a top prodigy. By then, countless families will have their eyes on him, and it’ll be too late for the Wang Family to make a move.’
’The best strategy is to seize this opportunity while he’s just beginning to rise, before the other powers have reacted, and tie him to the Wang Family’s ship.’
But on second thought, her brow furrowed.
’How should I make this happen?’
’I can’t just go to his door with a marriage proposal. That would be far too abrupt.’
Her gaze shifted to Miss Jinlian beside her. ’Jinlian knew Yang Jing first and is familiar with him. She’s the most suitable intermediary. It seems the breakthrough for this matter will have to come from her.’
...
「At the same time.」
On the docks of Fushan Island’s Outer Island.
Patriarch Lin Weiyuan of the Lin Family stood by the railing, his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed out at the vast, boundless waters of Hidden Dragon Lake, where shimmering waves met the horizon, sky and water blending into one.
Beside him stood Lin Ziheng, who had just rushed over from Fushan Square.
Lin Weiyuan’s gaze was profound, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable weight. "Ziheng, find some time to make a personal trip. Invite Yang Jing to be a guest at our residence. I will personally host a banquet for him."
Lin Ziheng was startled by his words, his eyes widening as he looked at his father, unable to hide his astonishment. "Father, you want to see Yang Jing personally?"
In his memory, his father rarely hosted banquets for the younger generation personally. The only ones who received such treatment were usually the leading figures of the younger generation from the five major sects.
Lin Weiyuan grunted in affirmation and nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on the lake. His tone was certain. "Yang Jing is so young, yet he possesses such strength. He has cultivated Three True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm and even fought Chu Yunhai to a draw. His future prospects are limitless. We must befriend such a person in advance to secure a path for the Lin Family’s future."
Lin Weiyuan turned to look at Lin Ziheng and said slowly, "Since you’re acquainted with Yang Jing, this is the perfect opportunity to use that connection to bring our Lin Family closer to him."
Lin Ziheng was filled with emotion. Yang Jing was around his age, perhaps even a little younger, yet he had already reached a point where his father would personally host a banquet for him.
He knew his father’s temperament all too well.
As the Patriarch of one of the three great clans of Jintai Prefecture, he had been in charge of the Lin Family for decades, a man who could command the wind and rain in the prefecture. Ordinary people would never even catch his eye.
The only ones he ever took seriously were, without exception, the most renowned and powerful experts in Jintai Prefecture.
And yet Yang Jing, a disciple who had been in the Xuanzhen Sect for just over half a year, had already earned such high regard from his father.
Lin Ziheng nodded in agreement. "Father, Yang Jing is surely busy these next few days. He’s also in the limelight right now and probably doesn’t want to go out. Just now, we tried to invite him to a restaurant in the Prefecture City to celebrate, but he politely declined."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Why don’t we wait a few more days? Once the buzz from the Fushan Grand Competition dies down a bit, I’ll go and invite him to our residence."
Lin Weiyuan nodded slightly. "Alright, do as you suggest. You must treat this matter with the utmost importance. Do not be neglectful."
...
「Meanwhile.」
Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang walked side-by-side toward Lingxi Peak.
Along the way, any disciple they encountered, whether from the Inner or Outer Sect, would stop in their tracks. They would either bow or offer a respectful greeting, their eyes filled with awe and admiration as they looked at him.
Yang Jing simply nodded slightly in response to everyone, his expression calm, without a trace of arrogance.
When they passed the kitchens, Yang Jing went to speak with the manager, asking them to prepare some extra food and have it sent to Qing No. 4 Courtyard in the evening.
He was now a prominent figure in the Xuanzhen Sect and had tied for first place in the Fushan Grand Competition. The kitchen manager wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful, readily agreeing on the spot. He even smiled and said there was no need to deduct any contribution points; they could consider it a celebration for Senior Brother Yang.
But Yang Jing shook his head, took out his Disciple Token, and voluntarily deducted the corresponding contribution points.
Though his fame had skyrocketed, he was unwilling to take such a small advantage. He continued to act according to his principles.
After leaving the kitchens, the two were walking on the path at the foot of Lingxi Peak when they unexpectedly ran into someone.
Yang Jing raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. The person was actually Chu Yunhai.
’He’s a disciple from Celestial Derivation Peak. What’s he doing here at Lingxi Peak?’
’The Fushan Grand Competition just ended. The two of them had an intense battle on the stage, and both suffered considerable injuries. They’re also exhausted. Why isn’t he back resting and recovering instead of being here?’
’Judging by his posture, it seems like he was waiting here specifically for me.’
Just then, Chu Yunhai also noticed the returning Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang.
His gaze swept lightly over Sun Ningxiang before locking onto Yang Jing, and then he strode toward them.
When Sun Ningxiang saw Chu Yunhai, her expression changed slightly. She subconsciously leaned closer to Yang Jing’s side, her eyes filled with vigilance.
Not long ago, the two had been fighting a bloody battle on the stage. All of Yang Jing’s injuries had been inflicted by Chu Yunhai. She was afraid that Chu Yunhai, having failed to defeat Yang Jing and thus losing face, had now come looking for more trouble.
Chu Yunhai, however, paid Sun Ningxiang no mind. His eyes were fixed on Yang Jing, his expression calm but with a hint of approval. He began to speak. "Yang Jing, you are very good. The gap between Bai Ziyu, Lu Shaohua, and myself is too great. They can’t give me any pressure or motivation at all."
"But you are different. Your strength and talent are more than sufficient. Even when I activated my War Body, I still couldn’t defeat you. You’ve given me pressure, and that has given me even stronger motivation."
Although Yang Jing was inwardly puzzled by Chu Yunhai’s intentions, he nodded candidly. "The same goes for me."
The battle with Chu Yunhai had allowed him to fully gauge his own strength and experience the tempering that comes from facing an evenly matched opponent.
Hearing this and sensing his own approval mirrored in Yang Jing’s words, Chu Yunhai’s lips curved into a faint smile, a trace of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "My War Body has only recently manifested, and I haven’t fully mastered it yet. Once I completely grasp its power, you and I will fight again. We’ll see if you can still stop me then."
Yang Jing smiled and agreed. "Alright. We’ll determine who is superior then."
It wasn’t just Chu Yunhai who had room to improve; he also had plenty of ways to grow stronger. Although his Three True Skills had reached the Qi Eating Realm, they weren’t yet at their peak. His three martial arts techniques also had room for refinement. When they fought again, the victor would still be uncertain.
Chu Yunhai nodded and was about to turn and leave. But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped, looked back at Yang Jing, and said in a low voice, "You should watch out for Yuwen Mingjue. He’s a petty man. He approached me before and asked me to teach you a lesson on the stage."
He paused, his tone laced with a hint of disdain. "But you don’t need to worry too much about it. Now that you’ve won first place in the Fushan Grand Competition, the entire Yuwen Clan will be trying to win you over. That Yuwen Mingjue is just a fool blinded by hatred. The gap between him and the two of us is already as wide as the sky and the earth."
With that, Chu Yunhai said no more. He turned and strode away, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the mountain path.
Yang Jing watched his departing back and nodded slightly.
He had long known that Yuwen Mingjue had some dealings with Chu Yunhai and had guessed the man would try to cause trouble behind the scenes. He just had never paid the buffoon any mind.
But now, hearing Chu Yunhai spell out the man’s scheme, a cold, sharp glint flashed in Yang Jing’s eyes.
Some things can be tolerated once, but not twice. If Yuwen Mingjue didn’t know when to back down, then he wouldn’t mind doing something... discreet.
In the half-year since he’d arrived at the Xuanzhen Sect, he still hadn’t killed anyone.