Long Chen was suddenly taken aback, not expecting Long Xin to speak such words.
Little did he know, Long Xin had harbored romantic feelings for him for a long time but had never crossed the line because of their kinship. Now that she knew she had no blood relation to the Long Family, she was both saddened and overjoyed.
"Hmm, Xin’er has reached sixteen, and Chen’er is a year older than her. It is indeed time to discuss marriage," Long Dou suddenly spoke.
"The Clan Leader is right! The Young Clan Leader and Miss Xin were childhood sweethearts. There couldn’t be a more suitable match!" the Long Family members echoed in agreement.
For a moment, Long Xin was brimming with joy, looking at Long Chen with great anticipation.
Long Chen glanced at his father, speechless. For over a decade, I’ve only ever seen Long Xin as a sister and held no inappropriate thoughts. Yet here my father and the clan members are, all egging us on. Judging by her expression, she isn’t joking at all. This has taken me completely by surprise, and I have no idea how to react. After all, she only just learned that she isn’t Long Hen’s biological daughter. A single night has passed; her emotions must still be unstable. If I reject her now, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Long Chen said solemnly, "Sister Xin, today is a matter of life and death for the Long Family..."
"Brother Chen, I’m not in a hurry for your response," Long Xin interrupted him, her expression resolute. "I am also going to participate in the Martial Ancestor’s trial competition today. I will go to the Martial Ancestor to cultivate with you, Brother Chen!"
"Alright, let’s go," Long Chen nodded.
"Wait!"
The Great Elder Long Tian said indignantly, "That little bastard Long Yu, in order to join the Martial Ancestor, ran off behind my back yesterday and pledged his allegiance to the Su Family! He will surely participate in today’s trial competition. In any case, Chen’er, your uncle hopes you can..."
Long Chen gave him a nonchalant glance. "We’ll see when the time comes."
If I hadn’t been in a rush to enter seclusion and recover yesterday, would I have let Long Yu go unpunished? In an attempt to ingratiate himself with Su Jun of the Su Family, Long Yu nearly harmed Long Xin! If Second Elder Long Hen bowed to the Su Family for the sake of the entire clan, then Long Yu did it purely for himself! Since I already broke several of Long Hen’s ribs, confining him to bed for months, Long Yu’s fate will only be worse!
"Third Brother, Chen’er, he..." Long Tian looked at Long Dou, both ashamed and worried, hoping he could put in a good word.
However, Long Dou only replied helplessly, "Whether the Long Family lives or dies today relies entirely on Chen’er’s abilities. It is only right that he makes all the decisions."
「At the same time.」
The venue for the Martial Ancestor’s trial competition was already packed to the brim.
Shangguan Ming, as an official of the Martial Ancestor Earth Institute, was already seated in the highest seat. Su Miaoyu was notably sitting beside him, dressed to impress today and exuding an air of nobility.
Throughout all of Dragon City, only Su Miaoyu was worthy enough to sit beside Shangguan Ming. Even the Su family head could only sit below with the other Su Family members, while the common onlookers didn’t even have seats and had to stand to watch.
"Judging by the time, they should be here soon," Shangguan Ming said, looking up at the sky.
Hearing this, Su Miaoyu’s eyes flickered, and she couldn’t help but glance at two empty seats. Those seats were reserved for the officials of the Martial Ancestor Heaven Institute and the Martial Ancestor Human Institute.
The Martial Ancestor has four major institutes: the King’s Court, the Heaven Institute, the Earth Institute, and the Human Institute.
"The Long Family has arrived!" In an instant, the crowd tactfully made way.
Then, under the watchful eyes of Shangguan Ming and Su Miaoyu, more than a hundred members of the Long Family, led by Long Dou and Long Chen, strode into the arena.
Su Miaoyu sneered contemptuously, "What a bunch of ignorant fools! Especially you, Long Chen. A mere good-for-nothing, yet you dare come and participate in the Martial Ancestor’s trial competition? Could it be that you’ve come to kowtow, admit your wrongs, and become my dog?"