Chapter Seventy-One: Want to Marry Her? Have You Asked Me?

Jiang Liuying realized that she had never faced such a difficult choice in her life. Even in all those years past, whenever she encountered something she couldn’t resolve, she simply handed it over to Su Ye. If even Su Ye couldn’t solve it, at least she could say it was Su Ye’s responsibility.

But now?

She had no idea how to choose!

She knew she was being selfish, that for the sake of her family’s safety she ought to agree without hesitation, but deep within her heart she was unwilling. Why? Why, as the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, could she not decide the kind of life she wanted to live?

Jiang Ziyang’s lips trembled slightly. He spoke in a low voice, “Daughter, no matter what you decide, your father will support you.”

“Miss, I... I hate seeing you unhappy,” Xiaodie said quietly, tears threatening to spill. She was the maid Jiang Liuying favored most, treated with kindness every day. Seeing her like this brought a deep sorrow to her heart.

From the back, Li Wei, the cousin, quickly called out, “What are you waiting for? The Yan family is a great house! Marry into their family and you’ll never want for anything. With me here in the Jiang family, you don’t need to worry.”

Uncle Zhong, blood pounding, spoke in a deep, fervent voice, “Let’s fight them! Why should the Jiang family endure such humiliation? Even if I die, I’ll get you all out safely! We will always follow our lord and you, Miss. We will rise again!”

But everyone knew: rising again was easier said than done.

Once they lost their power, how many would covet the Jiang family’s spiritual techniques? Would they survive? Even if they weren’t killed outright, they’d likely be imprisoned, forced to divulge every secret.

Suddenly, Jiang Liuying turned to Yan Tian, biting her lip. “If I agree, what will happen to Su Ye?”

Yan Tian’s face lit up with joy, but jealousy quickly flickered across his expression as he glanced at the villa’s rooftop. Since Su Ye had climbed up there, he hadn’t spoken a word.

To think, even at a moment like this, Jiang Liuying would ask about Su Ye!

“He’s not a Jiang family member! All I can do is try to keep him alive,” Yan Tian replied.

Yan Youtu barked coldly, “Are you feeling aggrieved? Don’t think so highly of yourself! You’re about to become one of us, yet your heart remains unruly. One question: will you marry or not?”

Jiang Ziyang’s body trembled—not for the sake of the clan, he would never let his daughter be so humiliated.

Jiang Liuying’s delicate body shook, her rapid breathing causing her chest to rise and fall. What could she do? Any answer was not the one she wanted! She always believed she could grow carefree, without worries, but now, this sudden, momentous choice had landed in her hands...

Just then, a thunderous, resolute shout echoed:

“You want to marry her? Did you ask me first?!”

The voice rolled like thunder, shaking the air, deafening!

Jiang Liuying’s body shuddered, her mind buzzing—like grasping the last hope before drowning. Tears sprang from her eyes. She looked up sharply, trembling, and cried out, “Su Ye!!”

The grievances in her heart were impossible to express! Only Su Ye, who had lived by her side for six or seven years, could truly understand her pain.

Many eyes turned to the villa rooftop. There, Su Ye, who had been meditating, now stood tall, fists clenched, his expression fierce as he surveyed the crowd gathered in the manor.

It was as if an indescribable aura of authority emanated from him!

Yan Tian was the first to burst into anger, shouting, “Su Ye, don’t make trouble now! All this is because of you. If it weren’t for you, would the Jiang family be in this situation? Everyone is trying to protect you. Our Yan family came to protect you too. Shut up and don’t cause trouble! Otherwise, you won’t even keep your life!”

Su Ye’s lips curled in disdain. Compared to the Yu family and the Ou family, his anger toward Yan Tian was no less. He retorted coldly, “You traitorous dog! Always striking when others are down, utterly despicable! The Jiang family doesn’t need your rescue, and I certainly don’t need you!”

Hearing this, Yan Tian was enraged.

The Yu family and Ou family members burst into laughter. This was exactly the scene they wanted to see. Now, the Yan family, who were about to ally with the Jiang family, saw their alliance destroyed by Su Ye’s words.

This was the outcome they most desired!

As expected, Yan Youtu roared, “Very well! Our Yan family will not intervene. If you want to survive, if you still want our help, have your young lady come forward, kneel three times and bow nine times to admit her mistake! She must learn how to be a proper daughter-in-law first!”

Yan Tian clenched his teeth, glancing at Su Ye and then at Jiang Ziyang. Suddenly, he turned and led his people away, saying coldly, “Without our Yan family, you Jiang family are nothing! Let’s see how you manage!”

Led by him, the Yan family retreated to a distant corner.

They all adopted a stance of indifference, watching coldly. They wanted to see just how miserable the Jiang family’s fate would be without their support.

As the Yan family’s warriors withdrew, the other martial artists who had intended to support the Jiang family also began to pull back.

Even those who had already stood among the Jiang family’s ranks now immediately excused themselves.

Everyone knew—the Jiang family’s great ship was sinking! If they wanted to escape, now was the time.

Jiang Ziyang cast a distant glance at Su Ye and sighed deeply. It seemed they could only retreat to their underground palace, perhaps even unleash their spiritual beasts for a desperate fight.

“Su Ye, you little brat, how dare you act up! Have you forgotten the wounds you just received?” Yu Xingkun laughed arrogantly, swinging his Thunder Sword. If things were like this, it was time to wipe out the Jiang family.

“Old scoundrel! Three years ago you stole my thunder vein to forge your sword. Do you think that lets you sweep through Sheep City?”

Standing atop the villa, Su Ye pointed sharply, his voice fierce. “You will never truly master the thunder vein in your life!”

Yan Tian, watching from afar, sneered, grinding his teeth. “He’s clueless, really thinks he’s someone, always going on about thunder veins. I’ve never seen anything special.”

Su Ye turned his face sharply, and even from such a distance, he heard him. He shouted, “Then open your dog eyes and look closely!”

Buzz!

Yu Xingkun raised his Thunder Sword, shouting angrily, “Hahaha, brat, within ten moves I’ll cut off your hands!”

Boom—

Su Ye clenched his fist, and suddenly thunder crashed above his head.

It was a bolt from a clear sky, making everyone tense instantly.

“Within three moves, I’ll take your head!” he replied coldly.

Bang!

Su Ye’s voice was sharp, as if he had comprehended a unique technique. He leaped into the air, and under his feet a roaring whirlwind formed. The whirlwind was like a coiling dragon, trailing behind him.

Swish—

In an instant, he vaulted from the villa rooftop, arrowing toward Yu Xingkun. His right hand reached out, as if to grasp something mysterious in midair, then spun powerfully and struck down.

Boom!

Another thunderclap, and with that blow, he generated a surging wave of energy!

Everyone gasped. There were plenty of martial artists present who had entered the Qi Gathering stage and could generate energy waves, but Su Ye’s “dragon-shaped” surge was a sight never before seen.

Moreover, this swirling energy seemed to contain endless destructive force!

Yu Xingkun’s pupils contracted. How long had he been fighting Su Ye? He knew Su Ye’s strength—how had he changed so much in such a short time?

Was Su Ye always hiding his true power?

But now was no time to ponder. No matter how talented Su Ye was, he would ultimately be killed by his sword. The Thunder Sword in his hand crackled with arcs of lightning, and with a buzz, he thrust it directly at the charging Su Ye.

Su Ye was reckless, daring to face the Thunder Sword bare-handed—it was suicide! Ten moves to sever Su Ye’s hands seemed excessive; three would suffice!

Just then, the visible vortex of energy Su Ye unleashed crashed forward.

Crackle!

In a flash, the vortex slammed into him.

Yu Xingkun gasped in shock, blurting out, “What is this?”