"What’s there to fear? Can’t I avenge my own son? Anyone who tries to stop me will be shown no mercy!"
Yin Yunru’s voice was filled with murderous intent as she glared at Yang Dingtian and spat out, "You stay in the Sect and find a way to heal Qi Chen’s injuries, especially his vital regions. We can’t let the Yang Family and Wuji Sect die out. I’ll handle the rest!"
"All right, be careful!"
Yang Dingtian’s gaze flickered as he nodded.
"Rest assured, what can mere mortals do to me?"
Yin Yunru stated disdainfully, oblivious to the heavy price she would soon pay for her arrogance.
Within the Lan Family of the Eight Great Families, in the grand hall, Lan Xuande sat in the seat of honor. Beside him, an elder dressed in a white robe, with hair as white as a crane’s and a face of eternal youth, exuded an air that seemed detached from the mortal world, embodying the very image of a hermit with a transcendent aura, clearly a peerless master.
In the hall, aside from these two, there were also the Lan Family Patriarch Lan He, and the previously seen young master from the Martial Arts World’s Shu Mountain, Lyu Yichen. Behind Lyu Yichen stood two Shu Mountain Disciples, both boasting the peak strength of the Qi Condensation Realm.
"Elder Deng graces us with a personal visit. May I inquire as to the purpose? Does it pertain to the Heart of Seven Orifices?"
Lan Xuande asked the aged man with a crane’s hair and a youthful face in a calm tone.
"Patriarch Lan, we’re well informed about your granddaughter’s condition. Although the Heart of Seven Orifices is indeed a precious item, as the saying goes, ’saving a life is more meritorious than building a Seven-Tiered Pagoda.’ As the leading righteous faction within the Chinese Martial Arts World, Shu Mountain cannot stand by and watch someone die. We’re willing to hand the Heart of Seven Orifices over to the Lan Family," the elder said with a smile.
At the elder’s words, both Lan Xuande and Lan He showed delighted expressions on their faces.
"Really? That’s wonderful! It seems I will have to visit and personally thank the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain!" Lan Xuande said with a smile.
"You flatter us, Patriarch Lan. It’s really nothing. However, that’s not the main reason for my visit," the elder shook his head.
"Oh, is there something else, Elder Deng?"
A look of puzzlement flashed through Lan Xuande’s eyes.
"The main purpose of my visit is to formally request the hand of Miss Lan on behalf of our Yichen," the elder stated as he looked at Lan Xuande.
"What, a marriage proposal?"
Both Lan Xuande and Lan He’s faces changed, their pupils contracted, and a look of astonishment flashed in their eyes.
"What do you mean, Elder Deng?"
Lan Xuande’s gaze flickered as he looked at the elder.
"Patriarch Lan, my nephew has been smitten with Miss Lan ever since he first saw her. Ever since returning to Mount Shu, he has been unable to eat or drink, constantly preoccupied with thoughts of her."
"So he made a special request to my master, expressing his wish to marry Miss Lan. Thus, my master sent me, Elder Deng, to propose this marriage. I sincerely hope Patriarch Lan will grant his blessing to our union, and I, Lyu Yichen, will surely treat Miss Lan well," Lyu Yichen spoke up, standing and bowing slightly towards Lan Xuande, his attitude exceedingly sincere.
"As you can see, Patriarch Lan, Yichen, as Tianji Peak’s Peak Master and First Senior Disciple, has never taken a liking to anyone before. Yet, he has been unable to forget about Miss Lan, which clearly shows his true feelings," the elder continued.
"Peak Master has always been extremely fond of Yichen, treating him as his own. That’s why he sent me to the Lan Family to request Miss Lan’s hand in marriage, hoping that Patriarch Lan will consent to their union. When the time comes, our Shu Mountain will certainly prepare a grand gift and will marry Miss Lan with great honor, without compromising her or the Lan Family’s dignity."
Elder Deng took a sip of tea and spoke to Lan Xuande.
Lan Xuande’s gaze was hesitant, and a light flickered in his eyes. Lan He, who sat beside him, also had a pensive look as he contemplated something.
"Patriarch Lan, may I know your thoughts on this matter? Both our Peak Master and Sect Leader are very keen on the success of this marriage proposal and hope that Patriarch Lan will not disappoint them!"
Elder Deng looked at Lan Xuande and spoke again.
"Elder Deng, it’s not that I disagree with the marriage, but my granddaughter is currently not suitable for marriage!"
Lan Xuande stated bluntly.
Elder Deng’s eyes revealed a hint of confusion as he looked at Lan Xuande.
"My granddaughter Ling’er has the Heart of Seven Orifices constitution. Without the assistance of a real Heart of Seven Orifices, she won’t live past twenty. It’s only because I’ve spent all these years traveling everywhere to find various spiritual medicines that she has been able to survive until now."
"However, if we cannot find a real Heart of Seven Orifices soon, she won’t live more than a year. Thus, she is really not suitable to marry Young Master Lü, as this would simply delay his happiness, wouldn’t it?"
Lan Xuande spoke indifferently.
"Is that so? But doesn’t our Shu Mountain possess a piece of the Heart of Seven Orifices? Can’t it be used to cure Miss Lan?"
"The Heart of Seven Orifices was originally whole, but legend has it that it was split into three pieces for some reason. The piece in Shu Mountain’s possession is merely one-third of the true Heart of Seven Orifices, with the other two yet to be found."
"Only by combining the three pieces into the true Heart of Seven Orifices can we cure my granddaughter Ling’er. Therefore, I must ask Elder Deng for understanding; I cannot agree to this marriage!"
Lan Xuande said with a heavy tone.
"Patriarch Lan, if I manage to find the remaining two pieces of the Heart of Seven Orifices and cure Miss Lan’s illness afterward, would you agree to her betrothal to me?"
Lü Yichen looked at Lan Xuande and spoke decisively.
Lan Xuande appeared slightly stunned before Lan He spoke up, "If Young Master Lü can find the remaining two pieces of the Heart of Seven Orifices, he would be Ling’er’s lifesaver, and naturally, she should be wed to him in gratitude!"
"Good, let it be settled then. I will definitely find the remaining two pieces of the Heart of Seven Orifices. Once found, I shall come personally to welcome Miss Lan!"
Lü Yichen said with a firm gaze and confident tone, then beckoned to Elder Deng, and they both left.
After the people from Shu Mountain had departed, Lan Xuande turned to Lan He and asked, "Lan He, how could you make such a hasty decision without even consulting Ling’er’s opinion?"
"Father, what matters most now is to save Ling’er’s life; all other matters can be discussed later. Shu Mountain, as a first-rate power in the Chinese Martial Arts World, has a strong Sect. If they take action, we might find the Heart of Seven Orifices quicker, preserving Ling’er’s life. Besides, if it comes to it and we do gather the Heart of Seven Orifices, Ling’er marrying Lü Yichen wouldn’t be such a bad thing."
"Lü Yichen is a handsome and extraordinary man, the First Senior Disciple and the future heir of Tianji Peak’s Peak Master. He has a noble status. For Ling’er to marry him, I think it would be a fortunate event. What do you think, Father?"
Lan He spoke his piece and looked at Lan Xuande, whose gaze flickered as he responded,
"Regardless, I hope to respect Ling’er’s wishes, as this is her crucial marriage decision and should not be taken lightly. However, all of this will wait until after we have gathered the Heart of Seven Orifices."
Outside the Lan Family estate, Elder Deng and Lü Yichen walked together.