Chapter 196: The Magistrate’s Son
The room remained silent for several moments after Tony asked what he needed to do before she would willingly share a bed with him.
The bride sat upright against the headboard while staring at him as though she had just discovered an entirely new species.
Throughout the entire day, this man had continued saying things that made no sense. First, he claimed he would abandon Madam Lan. Then he behaved like a normal person during the wedding ceremony. Now he was asking questions that sounded suspiciously sincere.
The more she observed him, the more uncomfortable she became. The thought annoyed her immediately.
"Stop looking at me like that," she said.
Tony smiled. "Like what?"
"Like you want to eat me."
That answer genuinely surprised him.
The woman sighed before shaking her head. "My name is Skylar Sky. Since we’re apparently married now, I suppose I should at least remind you."
Tony nodded. "Skylar. Beautiful name."
The woman immediately ignored the compliment. Then, after several moments of hesitation, she finally spoke again. "Defeat Peter Jaint."
Tony blinked. That wasn’t what he expected.
The woman continued. "Before this marriage was arranged, I wanted to marry Peter Jaint. His father is the city magistrate. Our families maintained close relations for years. Everyone expected the marriage to happen eventually."
She looked toward the window. "The Clark Family needed an alliance. The Sky Family needed support. That’s why I agreed to this marriage. If you truly want my body, defeat Peter Jaint."
Tony immediately stood.
"Where are you going?"
Tony stretched his shoulders. "You already gave me the answer. Tomorrow I’ll find Peter Jaint."
Skylar stared. "You haven’t even met him."
"So?"
"He’s one of the strongest young cultivators in the city."
Tony shrugged. "So?"
Skylar became increasingly annoyed. "Do you understand what I’m saying?"
Tony nodded seriously. "You wanted to marry him. So naturally I need to beat him."
For several seconds, Skylar genuinely didn’t know how to respond.
The confidence sounded ridiculous. The logic sounded ridiculous. Everything about the statement sounded ridiculous. Yet somehow... The fool standing before her made it sound completely reasonable.
Tony walked toward the door.
Skylar finally recovered. "Where are you actually going?"
Tony stopped briefly. "Live the life before it’s too late."
The answer made absolutely no sense. Before Skylar could ask further questions, Tony had already disappeared through the doorway.
The woman sat silently inside the room.
Then she shook her head.... ’Definitely insane.’
The Clark Family residence had become much quieter after midnight.
Most guests remained drunk. Most servants remained exhausted. Which made it the perfect time for Tony to explore.
According to the fragmented memories he inherited from the original owner, the family possessed a surprisingly impressive library. The original Tony rarely visited because books couldn’t compete with beautiful women.
Fortunately, Tony possessed different priorities.
After avoiding several patrolling guards, he eventually arrived before a massive stone building located behind the ancestral hall. The library.
Rows of formation lamps illuminated the interior while countless books occupied enormous shelves stretching toward the ceiling.
Tony entered.
Now this looked like an opportunity. The spirit had already explained the rules.
No treasure can be taken away... That meant every book inside this Dream Realm possessed value.
Tony immediately began reading.
This ancient world proved far more powerful than the modern era. Several major clans controlled territories larger than entire modern nations. Ancient cultivation paths remained complete. Techniques lost for thousands of years still circulated openly.
Eventually Tony became bored.
Finally his eyes landed upon a thicker volume resting near the back of a shelf.
Classification of Martial Techniques.
Tony immediately became interested. ’Now this was useful...’
He carried the book toward a nearby table and sat down. The first few pages explained cultivation rankings. The following Chapters explained body refinement methods.
Then came movement techniques... Sword arts, Spear arts, Forbidden techniques, Ancient classifications, Lost inheritances.
Tony’s eyes brightened. This was exactly what he needed. The deeper he read, the more excited he became.
Many concepts had vanished entirely from the modern world. Several movement techniques sounded superior even to currently existing Sky Rank arts.
Most importantly... The book frequently referenced something called Origin Martial Paths.
Tony immediately marked the term. Anything repeatedly emphasized by ancient experts couldn’t be ordinary.
The night continued quietly. The library remained peaceful.
***
Meanwhile, somewhere else within the Dream Realm...
Another participant was having a considerably better evening.
Inside the Magistrate Manor, luxurious music echoed throughout a magnificent dining hall.
Beautiful dancers performed. Rare wines flowed endlessly. Powerful officials laughed while discussing city affairs.
The atmosphere couldn’t have been more different from the quiet library where Tony currently studied.
At the center of the gathering sat the Magistrate’s son... Peter Jaint.
At least... That was the identity everyone believed he possessed. The young man raised a wine cup while listening to the surrounding conversation. Yet behind those eyes existed another consciousness entirely.
Mark Smith!
The former Imperial genius had awakened inside this role hours earlier and was still adapting to the absurd amount of luxury surrounding him.
Servants attended his every need. Officials flattered him constantly. Even city leaders treated him with respect. The experience felt wonderful.
One elderly official suddenly laughed.
"What a pity about the Sky Family marriage."
"Indeed. Young Master Peter and Lady Skylar would’ve been a perfect match."
Mark paused... Skylar. The name sounded familiar.
Another official continued.
"Instead she ended up marrying that fool from the Clark Family."
The table erupted into laughter.
Mark frowned slightly. ’Clark Family...! Why did that sound familiar?’
The officials continued discussing the topic.
"The fellow nearly missed his own wedding."
"I heard he spent the night with a courtesan."
"The Sky Family must be furious."
Mark’s expression gradually changed. A strange feeling emerged. Then a name appeared.
Tony... Tony Clark.
The moment the name surfaced, something inside Mark’s mind stirred.
Nobody noticed the change. Tony Clark.... The name kept echoing.
"If he is real Tony, I can defeat him at this stage and eliminate him before real world tree blessing appears." Mark smiled while staring into mirror.
Tonight he intended to enjoy being the son of the most powerful magistrate in the region.
Outside, moonlight covered the city.
Inside the library, Tony continued reading forgotten martial knowledge.
Inside the wedding residence, Skylar lay awake while wondering whether her new husband had gone completely insane.
-
Tq guys!
