Chapter 2

C2 – Qiao Family’s Marriage Proposal!

​As dusk fell on the training field, a voice rang out, “Look, isn’t that Jiaang Lin, the notorious failure of our Jiaang family?”

​The training field was bustling with Jiaang family disciples. Upon spotting Jiaang Lin, one of them sneered derisively. “Looks like he’s been roughed up by Jiaang Ren again!”

​Laughter followed, as the disciples noticed the bruises marring Jiaang Lin’s body, convinced he had suffered another beating at the hands of Jiaang Ren in the back mountains.

“It’s such an embarrassment for the Jiaang family to be saddled with such a failure,” another disciple scoffed.

“What can you do? He’s lucky to have our patriarch for a father. Without that protection, he’d have been expelled from the family and left to his own devices long ago.”

​”Absolutely! He’s useless. For over a decade, he’s done nothing but hide behind his father’s protection. And Jiaang Xue’s unwavering loyalty to him is baffling. I can’t fathom what she sees in him, considering she’s such a distinguished figure.”

The disciples whispered and jeered as Jiaang Lin walked past the training field, their eyes filled with scorn.

​Unfazed by their mockery, Jiaang Lin continued on his path to the Family Medicine Pavilion. He paid no mind to their contemptuous stares. His only goal was to find the spiritual medicines necessary to unlock his meridians and awaken his Battle Soul.

“By the way, speaking of Jiaang Xue, didn’t the Qiao family come to ask for her hand in marriage again?” one disciple suddenly remarked.

​”Yes, I heard the Qiao family patriarch brought his son, Qiao Junhan, to our Jiaang family’s doorstep to formally propose marriage, intent on securing Jiaang Xue as his bride,” another confirmed, nodding in agreement.

​At the sound of this, Jiaang Lin came to an abrupt halt, his brow furrowing in concern.

The Qiao family!

Jiaang Lin recalled that the Qiao family, much like his own Jiaang family, was a prominent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town. They controlled numerous trading companies, boasting a robust foundation and considerable influence.

In Clear Water Town, they were subtly on track to become the preeminent family, posing as the Jiaang family’s most formidable rival.

Lately, the Qiao family had managed to enlist a Pill Refining Master, significantly elevating their standing in town.

Pill Refining Masters were exceedingly scarce on the Divine Martial Continent.

Cultivators seeking to enhance their Cultivation Level depended on various pills.

A Pill Refining Master, therefore, was held in high esteem by all cultivators, enjoying a position of great respect and admiration.

The greater the Pill Refining Master’s skill, the more beloved and esteemed they became across the Divine Martial Continent.

​As the Jiaang family patriarch, Jiaang Zhengzu had to weigh the welfare of his entire clan. He was careful not to rashly provoke Qiao Kai, to avoid incurring the Qiao family’s enmity.

“Patriarch Jiaang, why would you say such a thing? Your daughter is widely known for her exceptional talent. At just fifteen, she has already reached Qi Gathering Level One, a feat that places her talent on par with, if not superior to, my own son’s. Where does this notion of mediocrity come from? You are far too humble,” Qiao Kai replied with a smile.

“Big brother, given the Qiao family patriarch’s keen interest, why not accept his proposal? Aligning our Jiaang family with the Qiao family through marriage would surely allow us to thrive even more in Clear Water Town,” suggested a middle-aged man in the hall, bearing a resemblance to Jiaang Zhengzu, as he spoke up.

​Jiaang Zhengshan was the biological brother of Jiaang Zhengzu. Possessing the strength of Qi Gathering Level Six, he was among the elite experts of Clear Water Town.

At the head of the table, Jiaang Zhengzu’s eyes narrowed upon hearing his brother’s words, a flicker of displeasure crossing his gaze.

“Big brother, there’s no need for anger. I’m simply speaking the truth. Nephew Qin is not only handsome and talented, but he also comes from an extraordinary family. With his abilities and status, he’s more than suitable for Xue.

“If Xue were to marry him, it would be a match made in heaven.

“This marriage proposal is indeed worth considering!”

Jiaang Zhengshan was oblivious to Jiaang Zhengzu’s feelings and continued to speak his mind.

Across the table, Qiao Kai, Qiao Junhan, and several members of the Qiao family all wore smiles at Jiaang Zhengshan’s words.

“Indeed! Patriarch, please reconsider. Forming a marital alliance with the Qiao family would surely elevate our own. There’s no reason to decline such a marriage.”

At that moment, within the Jiaang Family Main Hall, other senior members of the Jiaang family began to chime in with their advice.

The rest of the Jiaang family’s high-level members present nodded in agreement.

They were all aware that the Qiao family had grown significantly, boasting a robust foundation and vast influence, even rising to become the preeminent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town, complete with a Pill Refining Master in their ranks.

In comparison, the Jiaang family paled significantly.

An alliance through marriage with the Qiao family promised to bring considerable advantages.

As Jiaang Zhengzu watched his family’s high-level members persistently plead their case, his expression darkened with growing resentment. He was acutely aware of the Qiao family’s wolfish ambitions; they had long sought to eradicate the Jiaang family and claim dominance over Clear Water Town.

​Given these circumstances, how could he, Jiaang Zhengzu, possibly consent to marrying his daughter to Qiao Junhan, the Qiao family’s heir?

Yet, his family members were blinded by short-sightedness, fixated only on immediate gains, utterly disregarding the potential dire consequences that might unfold in the future.

How could he not be infuriated?

“The Qiao family thinks they’re worthy of marrying Xue?”