Chapter 212: Chapter 136: Your Problem Is the Song Family’s Problem
Their arrival immediately caused a minor stir, with guests from all parties rising to greet them.
Unsurprisingly, they were seated at the most prestigious table, reserved for the guests of honor.
As noon approached, the guests had nearly all arrived. The vast courtyard was packed to the brim, buzzing with conversation.
Song Renyi surveyed the guests filling the hall, his heart swelling with pride.
His only slight regret was that while the major powers had shown their respect by attending, they had mostly sent junior disciples rather than any truly important figures.
However, Song Renyi wasn’t discouraged. ’Once I get my hands on the Spiritual Object the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance promised me,’ he thought, ’the one that will help me break through to the Profound Gang Realm, the Song Family will finally be able to cast off its Shackles and stand independent. At that point, even the Six Major Sects will have to treat the Song Family with respect.’
DONG! DONG! DONG!
After three long, resonant drum beats, Song Renyi straightened his robes, his face beaming. Flanked by Gao Qilin and the magnificently dressed legitimate daughter of the Song Family, he slowly ascended the temporary ceremonial stage. He faced the assembled guests, clasping his hands and bowing to the crowd, his voice booming:
"Today is the auspicious day my daughter and the Iron Sword Sect’s esteemed disciple, my dear nephew Gao Qilin, are to be engaged. To all our friends and honored guests who have taken the time to be here and witness this happy occasion, I am eternally grateful. I thank you all."
The crowd below immediately erupted in a chorus of agreement and congratulations.
"You’re too kind, Clan Leader Song."
"Congratulations, Clan Leader Song! Our sincerest congratulations!"
"A talented groom and a beautiful bride—a match made in heaven."
The atmosphere was lively and joyous.
"Alright! The auspicious hour has arrived! I hereby declare the engagement ceremony officially..." Song Renyi began to announce, his face wreathed in smiles.
RUMBLE—!!!
RUMBLE—!!!
Just then, a deep, rhythmic rumbling, like rolling thunder, suddenly erupted from outside the Song Mansion’s main gate.
The sound grew closer, accompanied by the grating screech of metal on stone. It was as if a mighty army was bearing down on them, and the very ground beneath their feet began to tremble!
The festive atmosphere froze in an instant.
The guests exchanged bewildered glances, their faces a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Is... is that the sound of horses’ hooves? And armor?"
"What’s going on? Is it the Government Office? I thought only Vice General Hao was here to represent them."
"From the sound of it, there must be a lot of them..."
Song Renyi’s expression darkened instantly. The sudden turn of events completely shattered his joyous mood, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. He quickly turned to a clan elder beside him and ordered:
"Quick! Send someone to see what’s going on! Could another official from the Government Office have arrived unannounced, besides Vice General Hao?"
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
The Song Family elder acknowledged the order and was about to rush off the stage to investigate, but before he could take a single step, several Song Family disciples who had been guarding the entrance burst in. They were scrambling and tumbling over themselves, their faces pale with panic, and their voices were a frantic, jumbled mess:
"C-Clan Leader! It’s terrible! Outside... a huge force from the Jingwu Bureau has arrived! There’s a sea of them, and... and they’ve surrounded the mansion!"
Jingwu Bureau?!
Those two words landed like a boulder in a calm lake, sending ripples of shock through the guests.
An uproar broke out as the guests began whispering amongst themselves, their voices filled with shock and uncertainty. They had never heard of the Song Family being on such good terms with the Jingwu Bureau—why would the Bureau dispatch such a large force just to offer congratulations? This clearly wasn’t a friendly visit!
However, Gao Qilin’s reaction was completely different from everyone else’s. The moment the words "Jingwu Bureau" were spoken, the color drained from his face, leaving it ashen and pale as a sheet of paper.
A single name flooded his mind like a recurring nightmare.
Chen Sheng!
’The man who murdered his father and destroyed his family.’
Gao Qilin began to tremble uncontrollably. He grabbed Song Renyi’s sleeve, his voice shaking with despair:
"Uncle... it’s Chen Sheng. It has to be him! He... he’s here for me!"
Song Renyi could feel the terror radiating from Gao Qilin, and his own expression grew as dark as a thundercloud.
But he was, after all, a clan leader who had weathered many storms. He quickly composed himself, patting the back of Gao Qilin’s icy hand. His voice was firm as he said:
"Do not panic, my boy. As of today, you are the future son-in-law of the Song Family. Your affairs are the Song Family’s affairs. I’d like to see what this Deputy Captain Chen, who’s been making such a name for himself lately, thinks he’s doing here today."
"Does he really dare to act so lawlessly on the Song Family’s day of celebration, in front of all these guests?!"
’Though I, too, am wary of the Jingwu Bureau, I trust my own judgment more,’ he thought. ’No matter what a prodigy that Chen Sheng might be, he is still just a Chaoyuan Realm Martial Master. He is no match for me. Besides, Lu Maozhi of Luoyun Manor is here today, representing the manor’s prestige. I refuse to believe this Chen Sheng would dare to offend the Song Family, the Iron Sword Sect, and Luoyun Manor all at once!’
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Nine thousand words for you all, please give me your guaranteed monthly votes.
I was planning a mass release tonight so everyone could binge-read, but I’ve come down with a fever from the flu and my head isn’t clear. So, I can only manage two Chapters.
I’ve already had a shot, though, so I’ll do my best to post an extra Chapter tomorrow.
In the meantime, I can only ask for your support with monthly votes!
