Chapter Sixty-Two: Want to Marry Me Off?

"This..." Yan Tian heard Jiang Ziyang's sudden question, and his eyes could not help but burst with a gleam, but then he showed a charming smile and spoke in a low voice, "Little Firefly is, of course, the best girl I've ever met. She's beautiful and adorable, and kind-hearted. Ah, pity I'm a few years older and always focused on my career—otherwise, I'd shamelessly pursue her... Well, let's get back to how we should deal with the Yu and Zhou families!"

Yan Tian abruptly returned to a serious demeanor, clearly eager to help the Jiang family through their difficulties, with no intention of entertaining romantic matters for now. Jiang Liuying looked utterly unimpressed, shot Yan Tian a glance, and muttered under her breath, "Plenty of people chase after me; who do you think you are, huh."

"Liuying... Mind your manners. Come, step outside with me for a moment," Jiang Ziyang said, then turned to the core family members gathered, "Continue the meeting, I'll be back shortly."

Yan Tian laughed heartily, unable to hide his excitement. "No worries, we'll wait for you," he said.

Jiang Ziyang led Jiang Liuying out of the conference room, guiding her all the way to the balcony. From there, they gazed out at the nightscape; the Jiang estate seemed tranquil and still. Jiang Liuying sensed that her father had something to say, so she asked, "Dad, what is it? The question you asked Yan Tian just now... You're not thinking of marrying me off, are you? That would be unforgivable—don't be so old-fashioned!"

Jiang Ziyang turned and looked at her with indulgent affection, then sighed deeply. "You, you'll never truly grow up! This is your mother's favorite spot; every time she looked out at this view, she was so happy. I want you to be happy, too."

"Oh... I'm quite happy now. With you around, I feel pretty blessed!" Jiang Liuying sensed her father's sadness and walked over to hook her arm through his, resting her head gently against him, acting spoiled.

Jiang Ziyang reached out to touch her hair, smiling. "Your six brothers were all under my strict guidance—everything they did had to follow my plans, even their futures. And in the end, they all left me forever. Once, a fortune-teller told me this was the fate of the Jiang family. If I want you to live a long life, I must not control you..."

"So, I rarely interfere in your affairs. You went to school, faced bullying, gave your own blood to a spirit beast for Su Ye, even dragged him out at midnight to run wild, got soaked in the rain and fell ill... So many things. It hurt me to watch, but I didn't want to force you into what I thought was right..."

Hearing this, Jiang Liuying shuddered. She truly had done many reckless things, and always thought of herself as someone nobody cared for. But unexpectedly, her father simply wanted her to live well—not to leave him like her brothers.

"Dad—" Jiang Liuying whispered, suddenly realizing that the father she always viewed as strong and great had grown thin, his hair streaked with white, his face lined with wrinkles—he was old now. Tears welled up and spilled from her eyes.

Jiang Ziyang wiped her tears away, calling her silly, then quietly said, "Our Jiang family isn't ordinary; there are debts we must pay. You're my only daughter—I shouldn't be pressing you. But this time, the family faces a crisis. How I wish I could see you marry and have children in my lifetime, safe and sound..."

"Dad, you're healthy—and besides, I'm only seventeen! That annoying Su Ye keeps calling me 'mother-in-law,' isn't that bad enough? Now you're urging me, too—where am I supposed to find someone to marry and give you grandchildren?"

Jiang Ziyang spoke softly, "What about Yan Tian? His family is well-off, I've known him for ten years, and he cares for you."

"No, no, no—this is exactly what you shouldn't do. I feel nothing for him! Just because he's useful to the family doesn't mean I have to marry him. Someone like that is even more annoying than Su Ye. Impossible. If you keep matchmaking, I'll jump into a river like Mulan!"

"That... Mulan went to war for her father, you know. You—well, since you don't like him, that's that. Do you like anyone else? Is there someone you're fond of at school?" Jiang Ziyang pressed on.

Jiang Liuying shook her head vigorously. "There are plenty chasing me, but you know, I had Su Ye pretend to be my boyfriend—so the others gave up. Dad, what's wrong with you today? Are we Jiang family so afraid? Worst comes to worst, we leave. The Yu and Zhou families can't possibly kill us, can they?"

"That's a different matter..." Jiang Ziyang paused, looking deeply at his daughter, and asked in a low voice, "What do you think of Su Ye? He's recovered his cultivation, and now so many families want him dead—all because they're afraid of him, afraid of how powerful he'll become..."

"Dad—you, you, are you serious? You want me to marry Su Ye? Oh heavens! Father, you can't sabotage your own daughter!" Jiang Liuying let go of his arm, clenched her fists, and ground her teeth. "You have no idea how awful Su Ye is! Every time I see him, I want to beat him up. I'm telling you, even if every other man on earth died, I would never marry him. Hmph!"

"All right, all right, calm down! I'll find another way for the family," Jiang Ziyang said, seeing her so agitated. A barely perceptible smile tugged at his lips, but he sighed deeply again.

He hoped his daughter would always dislike Su Ye. With Su Ye's fate, and his family, anyone who got too close was bound to get hurt.

After his sigh, Jiang Ziyang took Jiang Liuying back to the meeting.

Back in the conference room, all eyes turned to them.

Yan Tian looked delighted, stood up with a smile. "Ha ha, the Jiang master is back. We've been waiting for you to lead the discussion! Uh... Liuying, sit here. What were you two talking about?"

"None of your business, nosy," Jiang Liuying snapped, finding a seat without a trace of friendliness.

Yan Tian's face changed instantly, but he forced a smile. "Ah, such a troublesome girl. Right—Jiang master, we've just been discussing uniting with other families. Also... I've pleaded with my father to come to Yangcheng, they're already on the way. I didn't mention it earlier because nothing was settled—I didn't want to say anything prematurely."

"Oh? Truly? Ha ha. We're deeply grateful that the Yan family is coming to help! You must have gone to great lengths to arrange this. I hardly know how to thank you!" Jiang Ziyang exclaimed, delighted.

Yan Tian laughed heartily, speaking with real conviction. "It's nothing. Su Ye may be an outsider, but he's lived with the Jiang family for so long. I've always treated him as a younger brother. He was reckless and caused trouble for the Jiang family—I can't just stand aside. When it comes to the Jiang family's troubles, I'll do everything I can. Uncle Jiang... ha ha, Jiang master, no need for thanks."

The meeting continued for five or six hours.

Yet no one could find a truly satisfactory solution. There were too many enemies to contend with: the Yu, Zhou, Ou families, and even the hidden forces that once conspired to steal Su Ye's thunder vein.

How could the Jiang family alone stand against them?

Clearly, their enemies had seized the opportunity, joining forces.

And the three families had issued a direct challenge:

"Su Ye, vile and inhuman, cruel and ruthless, has slaughtered twenty-one innocent souls! Yet today he remains at large. The spirits of the Yu, Zhou, and Ou families wander day and night. Tomorrow afternoon, when the Martial Alliance delivers Su Ye back to the Jiang family, do not shelter this murderer—hand him over. Otherwise, we will fight to the death, with blood, against this mad killer!"

Jiang Ziyang slowly closed the blood-red letter, his face darkening. "Tomorrow afternoon!!"