Xu Yan, truly detestable.

Even as Gu Shen smiled indifferently, that was what he thought in his heart.

Anyone who encountered a person like Xu Yan… would find him detestable.

This fellow’s file was as blank as a sheet of paper.

And what he did…

Was to imitate Gu Shen's "life."

Standing out from an unknown small place, then coming to Nagano and becoming famous overnight.

Except… what he did was even more sensational than Gu Shen.

"This guy is no match for you!"

Luo Yu said through gritted teeth, "Logically speaking… the review committee examines talent at the very beginning of an Adept's ability awakening. This guy joined Zhu Wang's sect, and who knows how long he'd been cultivating! He says he just started cultivating, and that's supposed to be the truth? What a load of bull!"

The most hateful thing was…

Xu Yan's sanctimonious attitude had actually convinced many people in Nagano.

Luo Yu felt a surge of anger whenever he saw him acting like a clown.

Gu Shen lightly tapped the table and said softly, "Where did he go after completing the comprehension?"

…

…

Today, Snow Forbidden City was captivated by "Xu Yan."

The Five Great Families all cast their gazes.

And the Mu Family welcomed an unexpected guest.

Inside a quiet room…

The elders of the Mu Family, still in the clan hall, silently watched this "stranger" who had never visited before.

Han Dang.

"I have come to the Mu Family today… with a request."

Han Dang opened his mouth with a smile, "I have come to seek a marriage for my junior brother."

The elders were all puzzled.

Han Dang's junior brother?

There were so many disciples under Zhu Wang, countless… At this rate of accepting disciples, in a few years, he might rival a certain sage of Nagano's legends, with three thousand disciples.

"Junior brother… which one?"

"Xu Yan."

Those two words made the clan hall so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping.

Those two words were more famous than all of Zhu Wang's other disciples combined.

In just a few days, the entire Snow Forbidden City knew of this "S-rank" existence.

The network of connections and resources that Zhu Wang had accumulated over the years finally came into play, with each of his disciples spare no effort in mobilizing forces to publicize him…

Because under Zhu Wang’s tutelage…

Xu Yan was everyone's junior brother.

"Han Dang, speak plainly," the Great Elder of the Mu Family said in a deep voice. "Don't beat around the bush."

Han Dang smiled slightly.

"Among the Five Great Families of Nagano, apart from the most mysterious Li Family, the Mu Family is the weakest. Even if the Gu Family is divided into two major factions, taking out one faction alone is enough to crush the Mu Family. And there's no need to say more about the Bai Family, which is the second largest family currently vying for the top spot. Only by merging can the current Gu Family surpass the Bai Family."

Han Dang slowly opened his mouth.

The situation of the Five Great Families in Nagano was actually very clear.

The eight-year civil war in the Gu Family led to the fragmentation of the battlefield.

Of course, the other four families would not help… They could not take a stand, because from the perspective of "balance," the Gu Family being divided into two was the best choice for them. If possible, the Mu Family would even prefer the Gu Family to be divided into three, four…

Because compared to the other families, the Mu Family was indeed somewhat weak.

The development of Jiangbei was also not satisfactory.

The Li Family maintained a high degree of independence and hardly engaged in any disputes with the other families… hence, it was known as the "most mysterious."

The remaining four families, in fact, formed a tripartite balance.

Gu, Bai, Gong-Mu.

The Mu Family and the Gong Family were almost tied together, which was the choice the two families had to make under the current situation.

Unite and thrive, separate and perish.

Han Dang said, "As far as I know, the cooperation between the Mu Family and the Gong Family is mostly dominated by the Gong Family… Of course, Gong Qing is capable enough, stable enough, and trustworthy, but the feeling of living under someone else's roof is not very pleasant, right? Have you ever thought about finding a reliable force besides the Gong Family?"

The elders in the Mu Family's clan hall frowned.

"In fact… the purpose of my visit this time is very simple. Rather than seeking a marriage for my junior brother Xu Yan, it's more like carrying out my teacher's orders to find an opportunity for you."

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said softly, "An opportunity for the Mu Family to revive."

"What opportunity?" someone asked with a frown.

"Xu Yan wants to set up a marriage with the Mu Family. If you nod and agree… then the future of the Mu Family will undergo earth-shattering changes," Han Dang said calmly. "He will be the infinitely bright S-rank in Snow Forbidden City."

"If I remember correctly, Xu Yan should be in the Trial Court's dojo right now…"

An elder glanced at the time and reminded coldly, "The assessment only started an hour ago… If you want to talk about S-rank, he doesn't count yet!"

In these few days…

The publicity was overwhelming.

Who in Snow Forbidden City didn't know the name "Xu Yan"?

Today's assessment was eagerly anticipated by the entire Nagano.

However, this fellow's appearance was too abrupt, and many people didn't like him.

Including even Han Dang himself.

However… the meaning of Xu Yan's appearance was not to be liked. If he could provide the "value" that people needed, then those who didn't like him wouldn't hate him so much.

Hearing the elder's reminder, Han Dang wasn't annoyed.

He also glanced at the time and said two words lightly, "…Soon."

The silence in the clan hall didn't last long.

"Ding-dong."

Someone received a message.

Not just one person.

Many people received messages.

It was news about Xu Yan.

He had completed the comprehension of three Nightmare Sealed Items in one hour and thirty minutes, becoming the new "S-rank"!

Snow Forbidden City was shaken by this.

Han Dang glanced at the message.

He said calmly, "Now… Xu Yan is."

The negotiations, which were originally impossible to advance, underwent a subtle change at this moment.

"Han Dang, you came to our door just to seek a marriage?"

An elder said gloomily, "This kind of thing is no longer popular… The children born in our Mu Family have their own freedom."

"These words are only good for fooling children."

Han Dang bluntly pointed out, smiling, "Everything in this world can be weighed and divided on a scale, it just depends on whether the bargaining chip is enough… How much is the freedom you just mentioned worth?"

The elder fell silent.

He had nothing to say.

Finally, the Great Elder lightly tapped the long table and asked, "How do you want to arrange the marriage?"

"Mu Ya."

Han Dang said a name and said seriously, "I don't know how my junior brother took a fancy to this girl… Well, he wants to use his 'S-rank' status and the title of disciple of the Grand Arbiter to set up this marriage."

When Mu Ya's name was mentioned, the faces of the elders on the council immediately changed color.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

An elder slammed the table and stood up.

His forehead veins bulged, and he vaguely wanted to say something, but he swallowed it in the end.

In recent years…

The matter between Mu Ya and Gong Zi… they had all seen it, tacitly understanding. Although the two of them did a good job of keeping it a secret, this was Nagano after all, and everyone wasn't blind.

This was a matter of mutual affection.

They, the elders, weren't villains, they couldn't help, and they couldn't personally break them up!

The Great Elder pressed his palm on the table.

He signaled the others to be calm.

The Great Elder looked at Han Dang and said calmly, "This won't work, change to another one…"

"Change to another one?"

Han Dang smiled.

He said helplessly, "Please… everyone, do you think this is like selling vegetables? Can this kind of thing be changed just like that? My junior brother has invested his feelings."

"Feelings?"

An elder also smiled coldly.

"As far as I know… Xu Yan and Mu Ya haven't even met, right?" he said sarcastically. "Could it be that your junior brother's feelings are so casual? Has he been in the tundra for too long, only able to see savages in the snowy mountains?"

Many people in Nagano didn't like Xu Yan.

Anyone with eyes could see that this guy… was imitating Gu Shen.

And the relationship between the Mu Family and Gu Shen was good. In the past year, Mu Nan and Mu Ya had both visited Chun Yu Temple as guests.

"Is that important?"

Han Dang glanced at the time again, took off his glasses, and slowly wiped them while asking the most crucial question.

"Whether Xu Yan likes Mu Ya or not… whether Mu Ya likes Xu Yan or not…"

"Whether they have any feelings at all, is that important?"

Han Dang put on his glasses again and said word by word, "I'm here to ask for a marriage after all…"

These kinds of things…

Where do you get willing hearts?

This… is like a transaction.

It doesn't matter whether the parties involved are happy or not, what matters is whether the outcome of the transaction is worthwhile.

Those angry elders suddenly fell silent… The things they were doing here at this moment were not worthy of being crowned with the false cloak of "emotion," because the so-called "marriage alliance" never considered "emotion" first. And the most terrifying thing was that the Five Great Families of Nagano had been doing this for a long time.

"If my information is correct… you would be so angry because of the things between Mu Ya and Gong Zi."

Han Dang said lightly, "But don't forget, Gong Zi's identity is that he is the designated heir of the Gong Family, and he himself carries the marriage contract of the Duke of Forging Sun in the Northern Continent… You don't really think that these two can be together in the end, do you?"

"Taking a step back, does the marriage arranged by the Gong Family have so-called feelings? They can make some sacrifices for the long-term fortune of the family, even if that person is the future head of the family, and can't you?"

Han Dang stood up: "The Bai Family has Bai Xiu. The Li Family has Gu Shen. The Mu Family has nothing… But you can have Xu Yan."

He smiled and looked at the silent elders of the Mu Family.

"I'll go out and calm down. Everyone, think about it carefully. I'll be back here in half an hour."

Pushing the door open and leaving, leaving only the old folks of the Mu Family in the clan hall.

Pairs of eyes looked at each other.

The previous anger… had already changed somewhat.

And soon after, there was another message.

"Ding-dong—"

It was the news that Xu Yan had comprehended the Awakening of Insects Scroll and broken the record again.

This genius who had appeared out of nowhere had used less than half a day to prove his potential to Nagano.

At least for now… he was stronger than Gu Shen.

Perhaps, even stronger than Bai Xiu.

…

…

Half an hour later, Han Dang returned to the clan hall, and he was very satisfied with the expressions of the elders at this moment.

The gazes that were originally full of anger.

At this moment, most of them had turned into silence, entanglement, and confusion.

Of course, this amount of time was not enough for them to discuss a result…

"Three days."

The voice of the Great Elder Mu Zhong sounded.

He looked at Han Dang and used a wisp of mental power when he spoke this time.

Pressure filled the quiet room.

Mu Zhong and Han Dang, like each other, were both mental-type Adepts in the eleventh level of the Deep Sea. Their spirits should not be distinguished, and the pressure or potential guidance they exerted would not have any effect.

However, Mu Zhong had heard that Han Dang suffered from a chronic illness and had been searching everywhere for a mental-type Title in the past year to save his "mental illness."

And this time, exerting mental pressure…

Was his hope to take the opportunity to dominate the situation of the conversation.

But… nothing unusual happened.

Han Dang sat down, lightly sipped his tea, and when he raised his eyes to look at Mu Zhong again, there was a hint of teasing smile in his eyes.

Mu Zhong was a little incredulous.

If he guessed correctly… Han Dang's "spiritual illness" should have been planted by [Heavenly Eye]!

That was a Title-level mental method.

And if he wanted to solve it… there was only one possibility.

Could it be that Han Dang had become a Title?

Mu Zhong tried to sense Han Dang's spiritual aura. Although it wasn't as strong as the pressure given by a Title, he couldn't detect the specific depth either. This suspicion couldn't be verified, so he could only explain it with the most secure possibility.

If that was the case…

Mu Zhong raised his head with a complicated expression and looked at the young man in front of him. He only felt that the bargaining chip that Han Dang had put on the scale at this moment was too heavy.

Zhu Wang's lineage was too powerful.

A huge influence that spread throughout Nagano.

Two Titles, plus an "S-rank" with unlimited potential… Although this lineup was a bit familiar, the overall strength was really hard to refuse.

"One day."

Han Dang put down the teacup and said lightly, "You only have one day."

From beginning to end, Han Dang didn't care about the thoughts of the parties involved.

Since this was just a transaction.

Then… why bother to consider so much?

He handed over the right to choose to these elders who had nothing to do with Mu Ya.

And the most important thing was time.

He only gave the Mu Family one day.

Han Dang said slowly, "Xu Yan has just completed two comprehensions, he needs to rest today. Tomorrow we will personally come to the Mu Family. Everyone, consider it… and give your answer tomorrow."

After saying that, he didn't hesitate and left the clan hall directly.

…

…

The elders in the clan hall looked at each other.

"Why don't we… agree?"

A very small voice came from the corner, not knowing who said it.

The elder who had slammed the table and stood up earlier angrily said, "Bullshit! I watched Mu Ya grow up since she was a child. Whoever dares to push her into the fire pit, I'll be the first to get angry with him!"

"Xu Yan doesn't seem that bad…"

"Breaking the record twice in a row, at least in cultivation, he's stronger than Gong Zi…"

"And… will that Gong Family even cancel the marriage contract?"

The elder who slammed the table and stood up heard the voices in the clan hall, and his full of anger was suddenly splashed with a basin of cold water. These voices weren't loud, but slowly, slowly, there were more and more of them.

He suddenly felt very tired.

And couldn't refute them.

Because… what these elders said was the truth.

This was the most fatal thing.

Although the matter between Gong Zi and Mu Ya looked very perfect, everyone knew in their hearts… with the marriage contract between the Gong Family and Forging Sun, the two of them couldn't be together.

"Time is tight… Where is Mu Ya now?"

"This matter, we should notify her as soon as possible… Maybe, she'll be happy too?"

These voices were like bullets.

Hitting his chest.

Looking around, all kinds of beings.

Perhaps the people sitting here didn't care how a child's heartfelt love should naturally go to the end…

Or perhaps.

They had always crowned their own "dictatorship" with a reasonable name.

Someone left the clan hall.

More and more people left the clan hall.

In the end, there were only two people left in the clan hall.

"Fourth brother…"

The Great Elder Mu Zhong looked at the elder who was standing there blankly and said softly, "You should rest well these days… If you're really unhappy, you don't have to come to the clan hall tomorrow."

The Fourth Master lowered his head silently.

…

…

The Mu Family's clan hall on the second day was still quite lively.

Many people were waiting in the clan hall.

Because only one day had passed.

Therefore, the news of Han Dang's visit hadn't spread… Only the high-ranking members of the Mu Family's elders council knew what had happened last night.

Several elders hadn't slept all night.

They waited anxiously outside the clan hall.

And finally waited for the "distinguished guests."

But unexpectedly, only Han Dang and Xu Yan came, and they didn't even see the Grand Arbiter Zhu Wang.

"Sorry, Teacher is too busy."

Han Dang said with a smile.

He and Xu Yan entered the courtyard.

Most of the elders' gazes fell on this thin young man. This young man had a gentle smile on his face and seemed harmless to humans and animals, very friendly.

Perhaps it was because of his radiant performance in the dojo yesterday.

When these elders saw Xu Yan again… the prejudices they had originally had unknowingly disappeared.

The more they looked at him, the more delighted they were.

He looked like a humble and respectful young man.

"Xu…"

An elder was responsible for greeting them. He looked at Xu Yan and didn't know what to call him for a moment.

Xu Yan nodded slightly and smiled, "Just call me Little Xu."

This address sounded a bit familiar…

"Little Xu." The elder smiled and extended his hand, inviting, "Please come in and sit down."

"Sit… there's no need."

Xu Yan shook his head.

He stood in the Mu Family's clan hall and smiled softly, "I think today's matter shouldn't take too much time… By the way, where is Miss Mu?"

The elder looked a bit embarrassed.

He glanced at the clan hall, lowered his voice, and said, "Mu Ya is also here, but she's locked in a separate pavilion in the clan hall… She learned about this kind of thing temporarily, you understand. But she can hear us talking here."

Xu Yan revealed a look of understanding.

He nodded.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yan smiled and said, "About the marriage…"

The elders in the clan hall were a bit taken aback.

This was really different from what they had imagined.

They had originally prepared to invite Xu Yan in, and everyone would drink tea together and reminisce about the old days.

Although there were no old days to reminisce about.

But they always had to chat and exchange pleasantries.

Why was this guy… opening his mouth already?

The Mu Family's clan hall was very quiet.

Before Xu Yan could finish speaking.

A voice rang out from the distance at the entrance of the clan hall.

"Sorry, I object."

The appearance of this voice was even more unexpected.

Logically speaking… the appearance of this voice should follow "Who objects?"

But in this kind of occasion, there was no need for more questions.

It seemed that there would be no "Who objects?" link in the first place.

But a ridiculous scene appeared.

After this voice landed, the room was silent, and the elder in charge of the reception was furious and subconsciously asked, "Who objects?"

A figure appeared outside the clan hall.

That person said calmly, "Me, Gu Shen…"

"Objecting on behalf of Gong Zi."

…

…

(ps: 1. Okay, I have to admit, I also hate Xu Yan very much. This guy's ability actually appeared a long time ago, I don't know if anyone can guess it. In addition, don't worry, everyone, I can guarantee how jumpy this guy is now, the ending will be… Well, everyone understands. 2. This seemingly cliché plot is actually quite interesting, of course, it will only be clear what I mean when you eat it with the next chapter. 3. The last day of the month! Request! Moon! Ticket!)