Chapter Four: The Engagement

The Ché couple was both puzzled and anxious after hearing the steward’s report. Not daring to delay, they quickly mounted their fast horses and followed the steward toward the city wall. As the Ché estate was not far from the city’s ramparts and all three were driven by urgency, they urged their mounts relentlessly, arriving at the city walls in short order.

Without waiting for the city guards to salute, the three dismounted in unison and handed their horses to one of the soldiers. Ché Hongshi then turned to a man who bore the look of a commander and asked, “Brother Laiwu, have those people made any suspicious moves?”

The young commander, Laiwu, considered for a moment before replying, “They’re merely conversing idly at the foot of the city, nothing more.”

Ché Hongshi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his family’s soldiers, stern and resolute as ever, then over the neatly arranged weaponry and several Immortal-Slaying Cannons atop the wall. This sight eased his worries somewhat.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode to the edge of the battlement and looked down. There, at the foot of the wall—some ten meters below—sat fourteen imposing figures atop their steeds. Though the distance would have rendered them indistinct to ordinary eyes, Ché Hongshi could clearly make out the group below.

Each of the fourteen was remarkable, exuding an air of calm authority, and each rode an Eastern Lightning—an extraordinary breed of horse—making for a striking tableau. Ché Hongshi could not help but inwardly praise the impressive assembly.

Taking no chances, he raised his voice and called out with measured humility, “I am Ché Hongshi, the current lord of Guhé City. May I inquire what business brings you all here?”

The fourteen below, seeing the commotion atop the wall, knew the city lord had arrived. Hearing his voice, they conferred quietly among themselves, intending to send their youngest as an envoy, for none of them relished speaking as equals to one so much their junior.

Yet among their number was a bristly-bearded man of impatient temperament. Aggrieved at having been barred from entering the city by mere guards, he had half a mind to force his way in earlier. Now, seeing the young city lord standing so brazenly atop the walls—making no mention of inviting them within—his displeasure only grew. Not even in Yèzhou, the great state of the southern frontier, would one dare address him from such a height.

Growing more vexed by the moment, he spurred his horse forward and, pointing his halberd skyward, shouted, “Hey, you there! Are you Ché Hongshi?”

Ché Hongshi, already wary of their intentions, grew even more certain these men meant trouble. Seeing the bristly man’s insolence toward the city lord’s authority, his suspicions deepened.

With a frown, he replied coolly, “I am indeed. And may I ask for your advice?”

No sooner had Ché Hongshi spoken than the bearded man let out a cold laugh. “Advice? Of course we have some! But how are we to advise you if you don’t invite us into your city?”

Stung by such open scorn, anger flared in Ché Hongshi’s chest. For years, none had dared treat him so rudely. As lord of the city, commanding its entire force, he was being mocked repeatedly in public by this upstart—a provocation he could hardly endure.

His face darkening, he declared, “We of Guhé City have always kept to ourselves. If you have no urgent business, I must ask you to take your leave.”

The bearded man, accustomed to deference wherever he went, was incensed. To think that in this desolate backwater, he would not only be denied entry but also shown the door! His fury exploded. “You impudent brat! How dare you treat—cough, cough—the House of Yè with such disrespect?” He had nearly said “your grandfather” out of habit, but caught himself, recalling the purpose of their visit and the wrath of their own family head.

Even as he spoke, he leapt lightly from his horse, rising to hover in the air level with the city wall—a display of mastery that revealed his true prowess.

Ché Hongshi was astounded; the man seemed to stand weightlessly in midair, as if on solid ground. In the current cultivation world, there were seven realms: Qi Condensation, Purple Palace, Return to Origin, Core Formation, Spirit Transformation, Dao Ruins, and Seeking Immortality—each divided into early, middle, late, and peak stages. To stand unaided in midair was the exclusive mark of a Core Formation expert.

This was a watershed cultivation stage—below it, one’s lifespan might reach two centuries, but upon reaching it, three hundred years became possible; Spirit Transformation brought four, Dao Ruins five, and at Seeking Immortality, one might live seven centuries. Ché Hongshi had not expected this unremarkable man to be such a master—no wonder his arrogance.

Still, having spoken, there was no withdrawing now. Even if the man was a Core Formation expert, what could he do? One man could hardly contend with the city’s entire force.

With that thought, Ché Hongshi steadied himself and replied, “So you are a master of the Core Formation realm—no wonder your pride. But Guhé City is a humble temple, unfit for such a great deity. I ask your forbearance.”

At this, the bearded man grew even more incensed. Just as he prepared to teach Ché Hongshi a lesson, another figure rose from the group below, coming to stand in the air beside him with effortless grace.

Ché Hongshi’s expression changed again—another Core Formation master. Two such experts would mean a heavy price if hostilities broke out. As he weighed whether to use the Immortal-Slaying Cannons for a surprise attack, the rest of the group, save one white-clad man who remained seated atop his horse, also floated into the air.

Seeing that all but one were at least Core Formation cultivators, Ché Hongshi drew a sharp breath. Against one or two, perhaps the city could fight; but so many? Even all of Jizhou could not produce such an array. Who were these people? What power did they represent?

Glancing at his wife, he saw the same worry mirrored in her eyes. If these men truly sought harm, escape would be impossible. As Ché Hongshi’s mind raced for a way out, a cool, authoritative voice sounded from below.

“All of you, get down this instant.”

Though the white-clad man’s tone was not loud, it carried immense authority, ringing clearly in every ear. The Core Formation experts all obeyed at once, as if receiving an imperial edict, drifting down to their horses without protest.

The white-clad man then turned to Ché Hongshi and offered a polite bow. “City Lord Ché, my brothers were rude just now. I hope you will forgive them.”

The bearded man muttered in protest, “Elder brother, he’s just a junior. If we deign to speak with him, it’s already a great honor. Why show him such courtesy and lower ourselves?”

The white-clad man rebuked him sharply, “Enough. Hold your tongue.”

Chastened, the bearded man shrank back and grumbled, “Fine, I won’t speak.”

Recognizing the white-clad man as the leader of these formidable masters, and seeing how courteously he addressed him, Ché Hongshi was both relieved and flattered. “No offense taken, none at all.”

Just then, the white-clad man continued, “Since the city lord is reluctant to admit us all, perhaps it’s best we say no more. Still, there is a matter of great importance that compels me to enter and confer with you. Would you be willing to make an exception?”

Seeing Ché Hongshi hesitate, he added, “If you truly dislike my brothers’ company, I can enter alone and leave them outside. Would that suffice?”

Ché Hongshi, moved by such graciousness and deference, dared not refuse. “Please, think nothing of it—my earlier hesitation was entirely my fault.” He ordered the gates opened, though inwardly he remained on his guard. Yet with so many powerful visitors, what use was caution? He could only meet the situation as it came.

He and his wife personally escorted the party into the main hall, where everyone was seated and served fine tea. After the guests had refreshed themselves, Ché Hongshi humbly inquired, “May I ask the honored guests’ names, and what guidance you wish to offer Guhé City?”

The bristly-bearded man, noting Ché Hongshi’s shift from defiance to deference, smirked and said boorishly, “At least you know to show some respect. Of course we have guidance for you—otherwise, your muddleheaded ways might bring disaster. Fortunately, we’re even-tempered and reasonable. Had you met others, your whole family might have been wiped out by now.”

The white-clad man silenced him with a cold snort, and the bearded one, seeing his elder brother’s displeasure, reluctantly fell quiet.

Ché Hongshi, unsettled by the bearded man’s casual threats of extermination, could not discern their true motives. Their conduct hardly seemed virtuous—could they be from the Demonic Sect? Yet rumor had it the Demonic Sect had long since vanished from the world. If they truly were demons, he resolved, he would rather see Guhé Town run with blood and piled with corpses than ever submit.

He steeled himself, wondering, “What could these people possibly wish to ‘discuss’ with me? I am but a cultivator of the Return to Origin stage, while they are all mighty masters of Core Formation. Isn’t this putting too much weight on me?”

As Ché Hongshi pondered, the white-clad man seemed to read his thoughts and smiled, “Do not take offense, City Lord Ché. My brother enjoys speaking nonsense. We are of the Ye family, one of the ancient Ten Great Immortal Clans. My name is Ye Gucheng, and this is my brother Ye Guying.”

Ché Hongshi exchanged a glance with Ye Hongyu; both realized this was indeed the Ye family of Ye Prefecture—renowned throughout the land. Though somewhat fallen from their former glory, they remained a top clan in the southern frontier, a true power even in all of the southern continent.

Perhaps their low profile had concealed their full strength, but this encounter proved the ancient clans’ foundations remained unfathomably deep.

With this realization, Ché Hongshi relaxed. Whatever their shortcomings, the Ye family was a pillar of orthodoxy among cultivators and would not be connected to the Demonic Sect. Still, a tinge of bitterness crept into his heart. Both the Ché and Ye families were ancient clans, yet the Ye could field so many Core Formation experts at a whim, while the Ché had none. The disparity was staggering.

Composing himself, Ché Hongshi said respectfully, “So you are scions of an ancient house. Forgive my ignorance. May I ask what business brings you here?”

Ye Gucheng had thought a minor city lord in distant Jizhou would know nothing of the ancient clans, given their inscrutable reputation and the remoteness of this place. He had brought so many companions to impress upon the Ché the depth of their background. Yet this small-town lord seemed to know something of the old families—he was not as ignorant as expected.

Seeing in Ché Hongshi’s eyes a deep respect for the ancient clans, Ye Gucheng smiled kindly. “What we ask is, in truth, all benefit and no harm to you.”

Seeing Ché Hongshi’s confusion, he did not keep him in suspense. Smiling gently, he said, “We have come to propose a marriage. Our family head wishes for his beloved daughter to marry your son, City Lord. He hopes to settle the matter soon, and has charged me to see it through. What say you to this proposal?”