Chapter 70 - Ten Years of Life and Death Unknown Close as Childhood Playmates Along with a Gift from Above

Facing such circumstances, the main seat in the Xiao Family hall was vacant, surrounded by Xiao Family elders and stewards—yet not a single person dared to speak.

For the previous Xiao Family Patriarch had passed away, and the young master, Xiao Han, had succeeded to the position in utmost secrecy, known only to a few trusted elders.

Publicly, it had been announced that Xiao Zhan was in secluded cultivation to break through to the Sword Spirit Realm.

But now, things could no longer be kept under wraps, as Nolan Qiushui, who had not yet married into the family, arrived alone with a sect steward—clearly, her intentions were not friendly.

The situation today evidently could not end amicably; a decision had to be made.

“Ze’er, aren’t you going to invite the Family Head over?” At this critical moment, the Great Elder of the Xiao Family gave the order with a smile on his face.

As for Xiao Ze, he was the Great Elder’s youngest son, nineteen years old and at the Nine-star Swordman Realm, with talent that was not lacking, seemingly eager to demonstrate his worth.

“Nolan Qiushui, Junior Sect Leader, let me go and assist you by inviting the Family Head over!” Xiao Ze said to the exceptionally beautiful young woman in the hall, finding it hard to even move his feet.

“Oh, thank you.

Then, please ask Uncle Xiao to come out quickly,” replied Nolan Qiushui, with an indifferent expression.

At this moment, you didn’t wait for anyone’s urging and confidently strode into the hall, saying, “Looking for me?”

“Who are you?

Where is Family Head Xiao Zhan?” Nolan Qiushui seemed puzzled, and the appearance of your thirteen stunning sisters lined up behind you suddenly put her under unexpected pressure.

“My father, Xiao Zhan, has long passed away.

I, as his only son, have assumed the position of the Family Head for ten years now, a matter kept secret until today.

Four elders—now is the time to make the announcement.” You sat down in the primary seat with authority, and although you lacked any cultivation, your momentum was fiercely imposing.

Upon hearing this, many of the Xiao Family members were also shocked—it was their first time hearing such news, and they couldn’t help but whisper among themselves, as few knew of Xiao Zhan’s death.

However, your status as the Family Head had been determined many years prior, and no one could oppose it.

The four elders, coerced by your forceful presence, had no choice but to officially read the succession notice, and everyone accepted the announcement.

“So the rumors are true, Uncle Xiao Zhan has indeed passed away, and you truly lack the talent for cultivating Sword Qi,” Nolan Qiushui nodded, pulling out a delicate jade box, and spoke to you, “Xiao Han, now that you’re the Xiao Family Patriarch, let’s discuss this matter directly.”

What matter?

You pretended not to understand and asked.

“It’s about the matter of canceling the engagement, here is a Sword Heart Condensing Pill…”

Suddenly, a postdoc scholar burst out, interrupting Nolan Qiushui with a scream: “Sword Heart Condensing Pill?

The legendary pill that guarantees a breakthrough in the Swordman Realm and even improves one’s aptitude—the one that only Medicine King Xu Fu in the entire Qin Country can refine?”

This statement caused a stir, and people began to echo, “My God!

Such a pill!” and “With that pill, even a good-for-nothing like Xiao Han could become a Swordman!”

“Very well, Sword Heart Pill, engagement cancellation!

The time is ripe—let the show begin!”

So, let me say that line.

My arrogant heart is itching for release.

Xu Shu chuckled.

While you were secretly delighted inwardly, you pretended to be enraged as you stood up, teeth clenched with eyes blazing:

“How audacious!

Nolan Qiushui, by coming here to cancel our engagement in front of so many people, have you considered the humiliating and embarrassing position you are putting me in?

I will not agree to it!”

“You don’t agree with canceling the engagement?

Why do you think it’s embarrassing?

Xiao Han, listen to me—” Nolan Qiushui’s expression was one of mild shock, as she seemed to want to explain.

Seeing this, Xu Shu laughed even more.

Why embarrassed?

It’s a wonder you could even ask!

What low emotional intelligence and stupidity!

Tai Chu Scroll, oh Tai Chu Scroll, is this the best you can do?

Creating such a character is an insult to me.

I’m tired of playing this game; I’m about to use my trump card—hurry up and let her say, “The difference between us is too great; it’s impossible!”

Xu Shu was preparing a series of maneuvers to pressure the opposition into submission, then he could conspicuously retort with “Do not look down on the poor youth.”

However, what happened next in the story seemed to catch Xu Shu off guard.

At this point, the scene fell into turmoil, with everyone discussing heatedly and looking at you with a mix of mockery and schadenfreude, while Nolan Qiushui’s face showed confusion, wanting to explain.

[At that moment, the Great Elder’s son, Xiao Ze, suddenly stood up and bellowed, “Xiao Han, what right do you have to disagree?

I don’t even approve of you, Xiao Han, as the Family Head!

I too bear the Xiao surname, and the position of Family Head should be held by the worthy.

Xiao Han, I challenge you!

You’re simply not fit to be the Family Head!

Nor are you worthy of being Nolan Qiushui’s fiancé!

If you’re too scared to accept the challenge, then you’re a coward—get off the Family Head’s seat!”]

[To challenge you, a mere commoner, with such strength was an obvious bullying act, but if you didn’t accept the challenge today, winning over the crowd would likely be difficult.

You prepared…]

[You were prepared to send out your eldest sister, the weakest among your sisters in terms of strength, yet possessing a pair of beautifully proportioned jade legs, and who had already tasted the forbidden fruit with you, the Three-star Sword Master, Xiao Yu’er, to teach him a lesson.

But just at that moment, an unexpected change occurred.]

[Clang!

A sword light that shocked the common folk tore through the hall’s clamor, as lotus flower illusions descended from the sky, followed by sword light tearing through the lotus reflection.]

[Ah!

Xiao Ze let out a miserable scream as his right arm, along with his sword, went flying, and he lay on the ground continuously wailing, “Ah!

My hand!

My hand~ My Nine-star Swordman power…”]

[“How dare you!” The Great Elder, seeing his son’s arm severed, was so furious that he lost his wits.

With a stroke of Xiao Family sword technique·Green Forest Far and Wide, he lunged at Nolan Qiushui, only to be counter-attacked and left with broken bones and tendons.]

[“You’re a Great Sword Master too?” The Great Elder was astonished.

Nolan Qiushui, young in age, was also a Great Sword Master, with strength even greater than his—she was not an opponent he could match.]

[“You wretch, who gave you permission to challenge my fiancé?

And you, you old thing, you must have been coveting Xiao Han’s position as Family Head for a long time, right?

Die!” With a flick of her long sword, Nolan Qiushui’s cold voice rang out decisively, silencing the entire place as the Great Elder’s head was sent flying.]

[Ah?

You were slightly dazed by the scene before you.

Could it be that Nolan Qiushui also possessed a ‘yandere’ trait?]

[The freshly murderous Nolan Qiushui turned to look at you, her gaze as clear as lake water: “You misunderstood, didn’t you?

It wasn’t me who broke off our engagement!

Born between heaven and earth, I, Nolan Qiushui, value my promises like gold, and since we are betrothed, I naturally intend to be only your wife in this life.”]

[“Ah?

Then what were you saying about breaking off the engagement?”]

[“Yes, there is a breaking off of an engagement, but not by me, rather, it’s my cousin, Xiao Yanran.

She’s the illegitimate daughter born from a night of passion between your father when he was in the capital city and my aunt.

She is your biological younger sister.”]

[Bullshit, if Xiao Zhan was infertile, where would an illegitimate daughter come from?

You wanted to say just that, but obviously, it was a topic that you could not broach, so you could only respond with a shocked word:—

[Not just you, but everyone present, apart from Xiao Ze who had fainted from pain on the ground, let out a surprised exclamation just like yours:

[Nolan Qiushui continued to clarify, “It surely seems unbelievable, but it’s the truth.

Yanran’s mother was driven senseless, seeing that your father never sought her out, she mistook herself for being abandoned after a fling, and so, ten years ago, deliberately betrothed Yanran to the son of your rivals, Naxi Tianyuan of the Naxi family.”]

[“Not long ago, we suddenly received news that your father had already passed away, and Yanran’s mother, consumed by her longing for years, followed him in death, leaving behind the eleven-year-old Yanran as an orphan.

She should rightfully return to the Xiao Family to recognize her lineage.”]

[“Yanran’s marriage was not approved by your father, Xiao Zhan, so of course it can’t be considered valid.

Now with Uncle Xiao gone, as the eldest brother and acting father, it’s only right that you make the decision on behalf of Yanran.”]

[“She and her mother have endured scorn and misery as a widow and orphan for eleven years.

I hope you will treat Yanran kindly and ensure she no longer suffers any humiliations.”]

On the screen, the figure in pure white garb eloquently narrated a mourning story of an aged carefree playboy, a pitiful widow, and their woeful young daughter—a tale of love both haunting and sublime.

But Xu Shu was completely flabbergasted.

No, Tai Chu Scroll, you…

Where in God’s name did you dig up this B-list romance plot and ham-fistedly stitch it in?

Did you even consider the will of your master?

I swear I’ve never stuffed such a thing into a file folder!

Absolutely impossible!

At this moment, Xu Shu had but one thought.

Just as the Tai Chu Scroll had evaluated him.

Now, he would return the favor verbatim:

“Go to hell, you Heavenly Defiance!”