Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 64

“Jiang Tian… is Master Jiang?!”

Zhou Xianya let out a shrill, disbelieving scream, as if someone had just stabbed her in the back. Every hair on her body stood on end.

The very people she had once looked up to—untouchable, powerful figures—were now bowing before Jiang Tian like devout worshippers before a god.

“H-He’s Master Jiang?”

Li Bokai’s eyes bulged, his face cycling through confusion, shock, and finally, abject terror.

His father had warned him repeatedly—never cross Master Jiang. And yet, today, he had dared to raise a hand against him!

Who could have imagined that this unassuming young man was the legendary figure who could walk on water, strike from a distance, command lightning, and slay demons with a single hand?

His legs turned to jelly. He wanted to cry, but no tears came—only a suffocating dread.

“Xianya… you’ve killed me,” he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling with despair.

“Him? That worthless loser I once rejected? How… how is he this powerful?”

Zhou Xianya stood frozen, her mind refusing to accept the scene before her. It felt like a cruel, surreal nightmare.

And then—regret.

A tidal wave of it.

She had once looked down on Jiang Tian, discarded him like trash, only to realize now that he stood as high and untouchable as the stars.

She had thought marrying Li Bokai would elevate her status, make Jiang Tian envy her.

But now?

Li Bokai, compared to Jiang Tian, was like a flickering candle next to the sun—utterly eclipsed.

She had mocked Zhao Xueqing for choosing Jiang Tian, calling her a fool.

But now?

Zhao Xueqing was the real genius. The real winner.

And Zhou Xianya?

She was the joke.

“You… you went on a date with him?!”

Li Bokai’s bladder nearly gave out.

“Rise,” Jiang Tian said calmly, his voice carrying effortless authority.

“Thank you, Master Jiang!” The crowd straightened, though their knees still shook.

Some of the wealthy onlookers exchanged uneasy glances.

This unremarkable young man… is the legendary Master Jiang? The one even Long Wu and Tang Wannian bow to?

Li Zhenwei, forcing his nerves under control, stepped forward.

“Master Jiang, this humble one has a presumptuous request… May I introduce my son to you?”

He turned and barked, “Bokai! Stop cowering and kneel before Master Jiang!”

“Y-Young one… pays respects to Master Jiang!”

Li Bokai stumbled forward and dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the ground.

“He’s… kneeling to Jiang Tian?”

Zhou Xianya let out a hollow laugh, her mind teetering on the edge of madness.

She had mocked Jiang Tian, treated him like dirt, even plotted to kill him.

And now?

The man she had begged to save her… was Jiang Tian.

…

“Master Jiang, this is my son, Li Bokai. He has always admired you. If you could… guide him in the future…”

Li Zhenwei’s voice was thick with pleading. He then gestured to the pale-faced Zhou Chenghui.

“This is Zhou Chenghui, a medicinal herb trader. He has brought a rare ‘Dragon’s Saliva Herb’ as an offering to you!”

His mind raced—how to introduce Zhou Xianya without implicating his family?

But before he could speak, Jiang Tian chuckled.

“Oh, I know them. She’s your son’s girlfriend.”

His tone was light, but his words were law.

“Y-Yes! Exactly!” Li Zhenwei nodded frantically, then turned to Zhou Xianya with forced warmth.

“Since Master Jiang approves, you are now part of the Li family! We’ll arrange the engagement immediately! What an honor—to have Master Jiang’s blessing!”

But Li Bokai collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, wailing:

“Master Jiang, I-I wouldn’t dare! I was wrong! I was a fool!”

Marry the woman who had rejected Master Jiang? That was a death sentence!

Zhou Xianya watched in silent agony as Li Zhenwei’s attitude flipped 180 degrees—all because of Jiang Tian’s offhand remark.

And then Li Bokai’s rejection.

Her heart twisted.

“D-Did you offend Master Jiang?!” Li Zhenwei’s face drained of color.

“I didn’t know it was him! But—but Zhou Xianya provoked me!” Li Bokai sobbed.

“You idiot!”

Li Zhenwei kicked his son repeatedly, howling in rage. “I told you—treat Master Jiang like your ancestor! Do you want to die?!”

Once his fury was spent, he dropped to his knees.

“Master Jiang, my son is an ignorant fool. His life is yours to take!”

“If I wanted him dead, he would already be a corpse,” Jiang Tian said dismissively.

Zhou Chenghui, unable to bear the terror any longer, flung himself forward, pressing a gift box above his head.

“Master Jiang, I was blind! Please accept this Dragon’s Saliva Herb—spare me!”

“Didn’t I say it before?”

Jiang Tian didn’t even glance at him, idly admiring the garden.

“Even if you begged on your knees, I wouldn’t take it.”

Zhou Chenghui’s entire body locked up in terror. Sweat drenched his clothes.

“Master Jiang, I—I’ll be your dog! Your loyal servant! Just spare me!”

“Dad…”

Zhou Xianya’s heart shattered. Her proud, unyielding father—reduced to this.

And then—

“An ant like you isn’t even fit to be a dog.”

Jiang Tian smirked, taking Zhao Xueqing’s hand.

“Come, let’s go see the seagulls.”

Gui Jiao Ti sneered, kicking Zhou Chenghui aside. “You think a nobody like you can serve Master Jiang? Pathetic.”

…

As Jiang Tian walked away, Li Bokai clutched his father’s sleeve, weeping.

“Dad, it’s not my fault! Zhou Xianya tricked me! And I can’t marry her—she’s a curse!”

“Of course not!” Li Zhenwei shuddered. “That woman is poison!”

Behind them, the other tycoons closed in on Zhou Chenghui like wolves.

“You dared to threaten Master Jiang?” Zhou Zhenghao snarled.

“Should we kill him now, or cripple him first?” Long Wu mused.

“No one who offends Master Jiang gets to walk away happy,” Tang Wannian said coldly.

“Mercy! Please!” Zhou Chenghui wailed, collapsing into a puddle of his own filth.

Zhou Xianya, watching her father’s ruin, swayed on her feet—then crumpled to the ground, her vision blurring with tears.

“What… have I done?”