On the next day, at dawn, Long Chen was ready to leave with Dongfang Xuanxiao for the Northern Black Tortoise family.
Dongfang Xuanxiao had clearly told Long Chen that he would back him no matter how over-the-line he wanted to be.
Long Chen also understood in his heart that Dongfang Xuanxiao was being far too kind to him. This even made him feel bad, but he was not one to decline help. This was a major life event for Yang Lingqing. If he didnt deal with this appropriately, it could destroy Yang Lingqings whole life. That was why he had to go to the Northern Black Tortoise family and take a more aggressive stance against them even if it created a huge problem for Dongfang Xuanxiao.
Being also part of the inner family, the Eastern Azure Dragon family was not far from Northern Black Tortoise, so they arrived quickly.
The Northern Black Tortoise members near the entrance hurried off to inform their leaders when they saw them both.
After a while, a middle-aged man almost the same age as Dongfang Xuanfeng emerged, passionately greeting them. Brother Xuanxiao, its rare for you to visit the Northern Black Tortoise family! A rare guest, a rare guest indeed! Come inside!
Long Chen squinted. The mans features were similar to Beitang Mos, so he was probably his father, as well as the head of the Northern Black Tortoise family, Beitang Ming.
The fact that he was the head of the Northern Black Tortoise naturally meant that he was a late Heavenly Core Realm cultivator. Just like Dongfang Xuanxiao, he was much more powerful than the nine Grand Elders of the outer families.
Beitang Ming led them to a large building with mainly ink-green as its color theme.
They sat down in sequence, according to their rank, with Long Chen next to Dongfang Xuanxiao. He looked at his surroundings and then at Beitang Ming, feeling anxious. The people around him were much stronger than he was. Any one of them could kill him easily, but Long Chen needed to settle Yang Lingqings problem today, and it was going to be extremely difficult.
After noticing Long Chens gaze, Beitang Ming instructed his people to serve some tea, then he asked smilingly, Who is this little prodigy?
This is my stepson, Long Chen. He only recently joined the inner family. Im sure youve heard of him, Brother Beitang, replied Dongfang Xuanxiao mildly.
Of course. The name Long Chen has been as loud as thunder these days. The youth of my family have been talking about him. I heard that he defeated the boy who was called the number one prodigy of the outer family, at only the initial Earthly Core Realm?
Thats true. But on that note, Long Chen and you are actually indirectly related, said Dongfang Xuanxiao. He stared straight at Beitang Ming without expression, and Beitang Ming couldnt figure out what he was thinking.
I know about this. I took in a stepdaughter recently. Her name is Yang Lingqing, and she has the rare Dark Yin Body. I heard shes Long Chens cousin! Ill get someone to bring Yang Lingqing here so you guys can meet.
Beitang Ming was all smiles, though when he saw that Long Chen and Dongfang Xuanxiao didnt look happy, he had a bad feeling. But he relaxed when he thought about how Dongfang Xuanxiao couldnt interfere with Yang Lingqings matters.
Someone went to call for Yang Lingqing, while Beitang Ming took great interest in Long Chen. When he and Dongfang Xuanxiao chatted, he pulled the conversation topic back to Long Chen multiple times. In the end, he even asked him questions, showing him great care.
This old fox isnt easy to deal with. Although Long Chen was chatting with Beitang Ming, his heart was cold. Xiao Qing is just a weak girl. How could she fight back when shes living under the control of this old fox?
That was why he had to settle this problem.
The youthful Yang Lingqing spotted Long Chen immediately, and was initially pleasantly surprised, but then that feeling turned into confusion and worry. Shed only just met Long Chen yesterday, so why was he here today?
Qinger, Moer, come sit here.
Beitang Ming smiled and called the two of them over.
Behind Yang Lingqing was the cold Beitang Mo, whose gaze landed on Long Chen when he entered. There was surprise in his eyes.
The first time he met Long Chen was in the Blood Saints underground city. At the time, Long Chen was at the late Human Core Realm, but he could kill an opponent at the initial Earthly Core Realm. Now, Long Chen had entered the Earthly Core Realm, and he heard that Long Chen had defeated the very strong Jin Shengen, a mid-Earthly Core Realm cultivator, which resulted in him joining the inner family.
This brat was initially insignificant to him, but now he was shocked.
Following Beitang Mings instruction, both Yang Lingqing and Beitang Mo sat down obediently, despite their racing thoughts.
Another wave of anger surged in Long Chens heart, because he saw that her eyes were red and swollen. She had been crying.
He felt like he had been stabbed in the heart when he thought about how much psychological suffering his cousin had to endure here. At the same time, his viciousness was slowly growing. You two are cousins! Why so awkward? Haha, ignore us seniors, you guys go ahead and chat! said Beitang Ming with a smile. He picked up a cup of tea and took a small sip.
While he sipped his tea, Long Chen suddenly looked at him and asked a little coldly, Senior Beitang, I heard that Beitang Mo intends to wed Lingqing, and has already sent the dowry to my family?
Although Beitang Ming and Beitang Mo didnt think it was anything major, the question made Yang Lingqing shudder. She looked at Long Chen in a panic, as if a painful problem of hers had suddenly been exposed.
Haha, Long Chen, I was just about to tell you about that. My son and Qinger are interested in each other, and they agreed to wed last night. Well be holding a grand wedding ceremony on the seventh day of next month!
As he spoke, he looked at Yang Lingqing pointedly. Qinger, how could you forget to tell your cousin? You cant just tell your family at home.
I I forgot She was panicking internally, especially after seeing Long Chens eyes turn colder.
That was when, much to everyones shock, except Dongfang Xuanxiao, Long Chen slammed the side table so hard that it broke. Then he shot up and glared at Beitang Ming coldly.
Long Chen, what are you doing? Beitang Mo asked coldly with a frown.
He wasnt targeting Beitang Mo, but Beitang Ming. To Beitang Mings surprise, Long Chen exclaimed sternly, Interested? Is this what you call interested? Senior Beitang, by interested, do you mean using your power and status to bully my cousin into marrying your son?
Long Chens sudden move was very out-of-the-norm, so Beitang Ming and Beitang Mo were too shocked to react. Yang Lingqing was stunned. The longer she stayed in the inner family, the more she learned about their power. Long Chens behavior was undeniably the same as digging his own grave!
Nonsense! Beitang Mings glare darkened. He looked at Dongfang Xuanxiao immediately. If it wasnt for Dongfang Xuanxiao, Long Chen would be an ant he could kill with just one slap, an ant who had no right to yell at him.
But when he saw Dongfang Xuanxiaos neutral expression, and how he was still drinking his tea with his head lowered, he knew that this was all silently permitted by Dongfang Xuanxiao! Is there a problem with Xuanxiaos brain? How could he let me get embarrassed like this? This is infuriating! Fury slowly crept through Beitang Ming!
From his perspective, a brat questioning him like this in the great hall was a great humiliation, and the fact that Dongfang Xuanxiao silently allowed this Beitang Ming glared at Long Chen, killing intent evident in his eyes!
Why do you say its nonsense? Lingqing, come here! Long Chen showed no intention of backing down, still staring coldly at Beitang Ming.
Yang Lingqings brain had gone blank. All she knew was that Long Chens behavior was too shocking. When he called her name, she went towards him subconsciously!
Lingqing, what are you doing? asked Beitang Mo in a cold voice, startling her into halting.
Trust me. Come here, and I guarantee you will be safe. When she was faced with this extreme dilemma, Long Chen looked at her solemnly, saying the words that made her feel safe.
He had saved her a few times before, so she had formed a blind trust in him. That was why she gritted her teeth and, under Beitang Mos cold glare, stood next to Long Chen!
Brother What do I do? Hot tears welled up in her eyes.
I have confidence. Dont underestimate me; just do as I say. Itll be fine. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, only to realize that she had gotten thinner. She was a weak girl entering a stressful place like the Lingwu family; how could she not lose weight?
An older brother would never let anyone bully their younger sister! Long Chen should have realized earlier that Lingqing was suffering here, but he had been kept away by other matters since entering the inner family, and couldnt come to her care immediately. He knew in his heart that this was his mistake.
Mhm Yang Lingqing nodded tearfully. If it wasnt for the fact that Long Chen had her trust and she was confident in him, she wouldnt have stood with him at such a critical moment. This was a wild decision to make!
Qinger, what are you doing? Have you forgotten what Ive said to you? There was killing intent in Beitang Mings voice as he spoke darkly.
Dont try to intimidate my cousin! Senior Beitang, havent you heard the saying, The melon that was forcefully plucked will not be sweet? Lingqing is unwilling, and putting the fact that you didnt care for her well as her stepfather aside, what right do you have to force her into marrying your son? Long Chen confronted Beitang Ming directly without backing down.
In reality, the Lingwu family had long made a habit of forcing outsiders who entered the inner family to marry their youth, but Long Chen refused to believe that he was restricted to tradition! Would that mean he would be left with no choice but to marry a Dongfang girl? He would be against this arrangement.
Beitang Ming was completely embarrassed to be questioned by Long Chen like this. No longer able to suppress his anger, powerful Qi erupted from him, and he glared at Dongfang Xuanxiao and exclaimed, Dongfang Xuanxiao, what is the meaning of this?! Just speak directly to me! If you dont like me, dont use a junior to start trouble with me! Say it to my face, if you have the guts!