Chapter 70: Looting Amidst the Flames

People from the Yan family have arrived?

In an instant, everyone furrowed their brows and cast their gazes around the Jiang family estate. Although the Yan family was not well-known in Yang City, having only entered the local business scene in recent years and still struggling to make progress, their influence in River City was formidable. There, they ranked among the top five families.

“Where are the people from the Yan family?” Yu Xingkun looked around with a vigilant glint in his eyes. Before coming, he had investigated thoroughly, and most of the families the Jiangs had hoped to ally with had already been dealt with by him. The Ning family, led by Ning Shuang, and the Jiu family, headed by Jiu Yanyue, were present and seemed inclined to support the Jiangs. But with the situation still unclear, none dared to openly take sides.

However, if the Yan family’s forces suddenly appeared, the delicate balance would be shattered.

“Yan Tian, are your people really here?” Jiang Liuying also questioned Yan Tian, but her tone held not hope or excitement, but a trace of anger. If the Yan family had arrived earlier, why wait until now to make their presence known? Hadn’t Yan Tian sworn during the meeting that he would bring reinforcements? Now, with her father severely wounded, why only show up at this moment? Hadn’t everything been agreed beforehand?

Yan Tian seemed oblivious to her fury, his face instead alight with pride. “Liuying, I won’t let anyone harm you! I will protect you!”

Almost as if to prove his words, a commotion rose in the distance. A contingent of martial artists, all dressed in identical attire, charged forward with a formidable presence—over two hundred strong. Each exuded a chilling aura, their cold smiles aimed at the Yu family and their allies. At their head strode a middle-aged man, chest out, steps bold and predatory, exuding a murderous intent that warned all not to cross him lightly.

He walked straight toward Yan Tian.

Exclamations burst from the crowd, “It really is the Yan family! So many of them! When did they arrive?”

“The Yan family’s involvement complicates things! The Yu family’s attempt to swallow the Jiangs just got much harder!”
“It seems the Jiang family’s fortune hasn’t run out yet—facing such calamity, they still find a lifeline. If the Yan family is determined to help, the Jiangs might just survive!”
“I recognize their leader—he’s one of the Yan family’s most formidable figures! They used to run a bodyguard company and trained many fighters. That must be their patriarch, Yan Youtu!”

As the crowd whispered, even Yu Xingkun paused, preferring to see clearly before making his move.

Upon seeing his family arrive, Yan Tian laughed heartily, stepping forward under countless gazes and addressing the leader in a clear voice, “Father! You’ve come!”

With a booming laugh that revealed teeth stained by smoke, Yan Youtu replied, “Ha! My in-laws are in trouble—how could I not come? After all this time, it’s finally my turn to take the stage!”

Yan Tian glanced worriedly at Jiang Liuying, then protested, “Father, Liuying and I aren’t engaged yet—please mind your words! I asked you to help only to save the Jiang family from disaster.”

Yan Youtu ignored the others, his tone turning stern. “Son, that’s not like you! Weren’t you the one who swore you’d win her hand? I’ve been waiting for the wedding feast! Haven’t I always taught you to be wolfish in spirit? If you want something, seize it—don’t hesitate!”

The Jiang family members all frowned, casting odd glances at Yan Tian. They had never heard of any betrothal between the Jiang and Yan families. Had the Jiang patriarch already decided to marry Liuying to Yan Tian? Yet at a time like this, no one pressed for details.

Yan Tian nodded solemnly, taking the lesson to heart. Yan Youtu’s gaze fell on Jiang Liuying—her delicate features, fair and flawless skin, and luminous eyes bestowed a fragile beauty that stirred a protective instinct in every man. At only seventeen, her charm was already remarkable; with a few more years, she would be truly breathtaking.

“Hmm, my son has good taste—indeed a rare beauty,” Yan Youtu praised, then admonished, “But remember—a woman as enchanting as this can bring ruin to nations. With a single glance, she could seduce any man. You mustn’t be distracted by beauty; a man’s duty is to achieve great things.”

With those words, he turned to the Jiang family and declared, “In-laws of the Jiang family, I am Yan Youtu. Rest assured, now that I am here, your safety is guaranteed!”

Supported by his kin, Jiang Ziyang slowly struggled to his feet, a broken sword still lodged in his arm. He frowned and said, “I am Jiang Ziyang. Thank you, Brother Yan, for your assistance. But there seems to be a misunderstanding about the in-law arrangement. Whomever my daughter marries will be her own decision.”

“What? A misunderstanding?” Yan Youtu looked at Yan Tian in shock and growled, “Useless boy! Every time you need your father to clean up your mess—how can I entrust Yang City to you in the future?”

Yan Youtu’s domineering presence swept over the assembly, his gaze lingering on the Yu, Ou, and Zhou families, noting their considerable numbers.

He then addressed Jiang Ziyang, “Patriarch Jiang, there’s no escape for your family. If you want my help, I won’t act for nothing. If our families become in-laws, I won’t have to fear the Martial Alliance’s interference in Yang City. My son is more than worthy of your daughter—many noblewomen would dream of joining the Yan family.”

Jiang Ziyang’s expression shifted repeatedly. On any other day, he would have argued at length, but with the crisis at hand, he had no time to explain.

“I refuse! Yan Tian, is this why you wanted to save the Jiang family?” Jiang Liuying’s nature would never allow her to accept such terms—she immediately objected.

Yan Youtu’s face darkened. “Insolence! When is it a woman’s place to contradict elders in public? Once you marry into the Yan family, you will obey our rules and uphold the proper virtues. If you remain so unruly, even as my daughter-in-law, you will not be spared family discipline!”

Jiang Liuying’s cheeks flushed with anger. Never in her life had she suffered such indignity.

On the other side, Yu Xingkun, who had remained silent until now, burst into loud laughter. “So, Yan family, your plan is to force Jiang Liuying into marriage! Isn’t that taking advantage of their plight? But it’s a good opportunity—the Jiang family are all cowards and will surely sell their young mistress to you! Hahaha!”

His laughter was echoed by the other martial artists, their jeers and ridicule making the Jiang family hang their heads in shame.

Jiang Ziyang shot a fierce glare at Yu Xingkun. Though his words seemed mocking, they were designed to drive a wedge between the Jiang and Yan families and undermine any hope of alliance—ultimately benefiting the Yu family.

Yan Youtu also cast a cold glance at Yu Xingkun and said in a low voice, “Laugh all you want. Soon I’ll have you kneeling in tears. Patriarch Jiang, make your decision! If you become our in-laws, we will aid you without reservation. I still have hidden forces enough to guarantee your safety. If not, then we will not meddle in your affairs.”

This put Jiang Ziyang in a dilemma. The survival of the Jiang family was at stake, and only the Yan family had the power to save them.

Jiang Ziyang slowly turned to his daughter, leaving the choice to her.

As Jiang Liuying saw the sorrow on her father’s face and felt the expectant eyes of her family—those who had accompanied her since childhood, closer than any blood relative—her heart wavered. Could she really watch them die?

She opened her delicate lips, her voice trembling, “I…I…”