Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 62

“Dad, Xianya and I grew up together! Our bond is unbreakable!”

Li Bokai pleaded desperately, gripping Zhou Xianya’s hand. “She’s the woman I’ve chosen. You can’t tear us apart!”

“How dare you speak to me like that!”

Li Zhenwei’s eyebrows shot up like drawn swords. “You ignorant fool! To enter the Li family, she must pass my test! If I refuse, you’ll die a bachelor!”

Zhou Chenghui’s face stiffened at the sudden betrayal. But after witnessing Li Zhenwei’s influence today, he wasn’t about to let this golden opportunity slip.

Forcing a smile, he bargained: “Brother Zhenwei, their engagement was settled a decade ago. If they marry, I’ll demand no dowry—and gift 30% of my company’s shares!”

Thirty percent—tens of millions!

The surrounding tycoons silently applauded. Zhou Chenghui was playing the long game: offering his daughter and a fortune to climb the social ladder. Ruthless.

“Even a billion in dowry means nothing.”

Li Zhenwei didn’t even blink, his gaze cold as he looked down on the Zhous. “Clearly, you don’t understand what an Inner Strength martial artist is worth. Attend the tournament today. See for yourself.”

So in Uncle Li’s eyes… I’m not good enough for Bokai?

Zhou Xianya’s face burned crimson, tears welling in her widened eyes.

“Dad—” Bokai tried again, but Li Zhenwei had already turned away. “Stop dawdling! If we keep Master Jiang waiting, neither of us will walk away unscathed!”

As their hopes crumbled, Zhou Xianya’s legs nearly gave out.

Bokai quickly whispered: “Don’t worry. Once we meet Master Jiang, we’ll ask for his blessing. Dad fears him. If he approves, Dad won’t dare object!”

“Hmph!”

Li Zhenwei snorted, watching his son usher the Zhous into the car. His eyes closed in displeasure.

The Legend Grows

“Uncle Li, is Master Jiang really that powerful?” Zhou Xianya ventured, desperate to break the tension.

“Of course.”

For the first time, Li Zhenwei’s expression warmed—with awe. “Master Jiang, titled ‘Taichu,’ is Linzhou’s number one hero. The only person more untouchable here is Tang Guozhu of the Tang family.”

He lowered his voice reverently. “Master Jiang commands thunder, condenses qi into blades, and can strike foes from a hundred meters away.”

“That’s… incredible.” Father and daughter gasped in unison.

Xianya quickly flattered: “But with you and Bokai under Master Jiang’s wing, no one would dare cross you either!”

“Don’t speak nonsense!”

Li Zhenwei’s face darkened. “Master Jiang is a dragon among men. His standards for disciples are immense. Not even I qualify—he merely gifted me some techniques out of kindness!”

The Zhous’ shock deepened. If even Li Zhenwei isn’t worthy to be his disciple… just how formidable is Master Jiang?

“Remember this: In Linzhou, never offend Master Jiang. The Tang family has named him Grand Advisor.”

Li Zhenwei’s voice turned grave. “Cross him, and you cross the Tangs. The consequences… are beyond hell.”

“We’ll treat him with utmost respect!” Xianya vowed hastily.

Seizing the moment, Zhou Chenghui presented an ornate box. “Brother Li, this Dragon’s Saliva Herb… perhaps you could deliver it to Master Jiang?”

“Dragon’s Saliva Herb?”

For the first time, Li Zhenwei smiled. “You’ve done well, Zhou. If Master Jiang is pleased, this could be your ticket upward.”

“We rely on your praise, Brother Li!” Zhou Chenghui exhaled in relief.

Then Li Zhenwei’s phone rang. After a brief call, his face twisted in fury. “Zhou Zhenghao! That bootlicker stole a march on us—he’s already fetching Master Jiang!”

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

“So much for currying favor,” Li Zhenwei grumbled. “To Hidden Dragon Manor! We’ll wait for Master Jiang there.”

…

“Master Jiang, Linzhou’s honor rests on you today!”

In the mansion’s parlor, Zhou Zhenghao and Tang Wannian bowed deeply, faces earnest.

“Hmm.” Jiang Tian nodded briefly before turning to his wife with a smile. “Xueqing, come with me. We’ll greet Linzhou’s elite at the manor, then board the ship by afternoon.”

“Really? I’ve never been on a cruise!” Xueqing clapped her hands like an excited child.

In her past life, she’d worked herself to the bone, squeezing joy from rare days off spent watching TV at home. Now, the simple prospect of sailing with Jiang Tian filled her with pure delight.

Like a caged bird finally tasting the sky.

Best of all? It’s free!

“Let’s go.” Jiang Tian took her hand, standing.

But then Xueqing hesitated. “Jiang Tian… they said you’ll be fighting on the ship?”

“Ah! I forgot—my Xueqing dislikes violence.” He waved dismissively. “Then I won’t fight.”

“Master Jiang, we know you adore your wife, but this is too much!”

Thud! Tang and Zhou dropped to their knees, faces ashen.

Without Jiang Tian’s protection, they’d be lambs to Ye Gufeng’s slaughter.

“Madam Jiang, it’s not a brawl! A martial arts exchange!” Zhou Zhenghao begged.

“We have no one else! If he doesn’t fight, we’re finished!”

“Martial arts? Like taekwondo matches? With rules?” Xueqing’s eyes lit up—she’d mistaken it for a sport.

“Well…” Zhou stammered.

“Yes, exactly.” Jiang Tian shot them a warning look. Let her believe it for now.

Xueqing would learn the truth of the martial world eventually. She was clever—she’d understand.

“Then let’s go! Can we feed seagulls? Fish off the deck?” She tugged Jiang Tian toward the door, radiant with joy.

Watching her, Jiang Tian’s heart ached with guilt.

“From now on, I’ll show you all the world’s splendors—its mountains, its oceans, even the stars beyond.”

As they stepped into Zhou’s Mercedes, Zhou Zhenghao sighed. “Only with Miss Zhao does Master Jiang ever smile…”

The icy arrogance Jiang Tian showed them was a stark reminder:

No matter how close they thought they were, they’d never stand as his equals.

…

At Hidden Dragon Manor, Tang Wannian reported: “Master Jiang, my father is en route. Perhaps you’d like to—”

“We’ll stroll the Moonlit Pavilion first.”

Jiang Tian waved them off, leading Xueqing toward a secluded courtyard—Tang’s daughter’s former quarters, now reserved exclusively for them.

But as they entered, an old man rushed forward and knelt.

“Ghost-Kicker pays respects to Master Jiang!”

“You? Why are you here?” Jiang Tian arched an eyebrow.

“This humble one has waited three days for your arrival!”

The old martial artist kowtowed. “I beg to serve you as my master! Let me follow you all my days!”

He’d pondered this deeply. Since Jiang Tian had refused to take him as a disciple, he’d settle for being a guard.

Staying close, he might glean even a fragment of Jiang Tian’s knowledge—enough to reach pinnacle heights.

While others bribed Jiang Tian with villas and riches, Ghost-Kicker—after years in seclusion—could only offer his martial prowess and loyalty.

“Do I need your protection?”

Jiang Tian sat in the master’s chair, looking down at the veteran fighter with a faint smile.

Ghost-Kicker paled—then clenched his fists. “Not you, Master… but perhaps Madam Jiang does.”

“Done. Rise.”

Jiang Tian’s eyes flickered. With enemies in Jinling and his own cultivation to attend to, Xueqing would need guardians.

“Thank you, Master! I swear—I’ll guard Madam Jiang as my own ancestor! If a single hair on her head is harmed, I’ll bring you my head on a platter!”

Tears streamed down the old man’s face as he kowtowed repeatedly, overwhelmed with gratitude.

…

“This is the back garden. Beautiful, isn’t it? That’s the Moonlit Pavilion—the most exquisite courtyard. It belonged to Tang’s daughter.”

With Jiang Tian resting and the gathering not yet started, Li Bokai led Zhou Xianya to the deserted gardens for privacy.

“I never imagined such luxury in Linzhou! Without you, I’d have died a frog in a well!”

Xianya clung to Bokai’s arm, her earlier arrogance humbled.

She and her “queen” friends had prided themselves on being high-society elites.

But Tang Manor had shown her the truth: they’d been deluded, laughable pretenders.

Still, a smug thrill ran through her. I’ve breached the real upper echelon at last!

And once we meet Master Jiang…

Her eyes glinted. That bastard Jiang Tian and his wife will pay. I’ll make sure they die screaming.