Chapter 19: When Did I Ever Say I Agreed to the Breakup?

“May I ask… Miss Yingfeng… is your surname Liu?”

Lin Family patriarch Lin Tiancheng looked at the veiled girl before him, suspicion and unease flickering across his face.

“I am indeed Liu Yingfeng, eldest daughter of the Liu family.”

She replied calmly.

“Since you know who I am, you should also know who I’ve come looking for.”

“This…”

Beads of cold sweat appeared on Lin Tiancheng’s forehead.

Liu Yingfeng—the eldest daughter of a small noble house in the capital, the Liu family.

Years ago, her family had some dealings with Lin Wuming’s father, then an elder of the Lin family, and the two houses had arranged a marriage early on.

But both of Lin Wuming’s parents died young, and with no one to support him, Lin Wuming quickly fell from grace—becoming an unremarkable branch member of the clan.

A year ago, he had sent a letter breaking off the engagement and left the family, which had caused a minor stir at the time.

After all, the Liu family, though not one of the capital’s top noble families, still held higher status than the Lin family in Luoshui City.

But with Lin Wuming’s parents gone and no further ties between the two families, no one in the Lin family had bothered to follow up.

The Liu family, for their part, had never responded, so the matter was simply left behind.

No one had expected that the very same Liu family daughter was now a personal disciple of Taixu Hall, the greatest sect under heaven!

The silence from the Liu family back then was likely because she wasn’t even home, having gone to Taixu Hall to cultivate.

Now, having returned to visit family, she found out about the situation—and came straight to the Lin household for answers.

“Patriarch Lin.”

She said with an edge of coldness and resentment in her voice….

“May I ask—where is my fiancé now? Can I see him?”

She had been cultivating far away, and upon returning home, she was told she’d been suddenly dumped.

The breakup letter had been flung in her face like garbage—

She was a young woman; how could she not feel ashamed and angry?

This wasn’t just a confrontation—it was also her return in glory, demanding an explanation.

“Ah… well…”

Lin Tiancheng’s forehead was soaked with sweat, and he had no idea how to answer.

‘Your fiancé?’

No one even knew where he was!

He might not even be in the empire anymore!

How was he supposed to bring the guy out now?

“Ahem…”

He coughed.

“Miss Liu, about that engagement… wasn’t it already…”

He trailed off, glancing nervously at her expression.

Liu Yingfeng’s brows furrowed.

“Even if it was canceled, I can’t even be allowed to see him?”

Her tone turned sharp.

She was starting to suspect something.

Why was the family being so evasive?

Why were they hiding her fiancé?

Could it be that this family head was the real mastermind behind that breakup letter?

“Um… the letter’s already been delivered. Technically, the two of you have no ties anymore. There’s no need to drag this out. Why not go your separate ways, part peacefully, and move on? Wouldn’t that be better for both of you?”

“…So what you’re saying is, I’m being unreasonable?”

Liu Yingfeng’s face darkened immediately.

Her tone grew icy as she stared down Lin Tiancheng.

Now she was sure—this guy had something to do with that letter.

Lin Tiancheng broke into a cold sweat and waved his hands quickly.

“Heavens no! I wouldn’t dare… I just meant…”

“I don’t care what you think.”

Liu Yingfeng cut him off coldly. Her voice was calm but firm:

“What matters is what I think. And tell me—when did I ever say I agreed to the breakup?”

“…”

Lin Tiancheng was about to cry.

She had joined Taixu Hall—she must have countless suitors, all of them young geniuses from great sects.

‘Why on earth is she still hung up on that nobody from our family?!’

Liu Yingfeng pulled out the breakup letter and held it up.

“Let me be clear, Patriarch Lin: I, Liu Yingfeng, do not accept this breakup.”

With that, she tore the letter in half and let the pieces fall to the ground.

Perhaps due to anger, her cheeks flushed red, and her voice rang loud and clear:

“Since the marriage was agreed upon, I, Liu Yingfeng, will marry no one but Lin Wuming!
No one can stop me. That’s final!”

She was a disciple of Taixu Hall—even in her anger, her pressure was palpable.

Lin Tiancheng was completely overwhelmed and stood frozen, unable to utter a word, bitterness rising in his heart.

‘If only I’d known… I’d have tied that kid up and dragged him back myself…’

Had the marriage gone through, the Lin family would have formed ties with Taixu Hall.

Even the City Lord would have to treat them with respect.

“Now, Patriarch Lin.”

She said coldly….

“…Are you still not going to let me see him?”

As she spoke, her tone grew dangerous.

Her hair swayed slightly in the air, and her true essence surged—

She was clearly about to get violent.

“Essence Return Realm!”

Lin Tiancheng gasped sharply, feeling her overwhelming energy.

‘How old is this girl?’

And she had already reached the Essence Return Realm?

He himself had taken eighty years to reach that level!

Now, nearing two hundred years old, he had only just stepped into the Core Formation Realm—

And yet this girl was already almost at the same stage?

So this is the power of a Taixu Hall personal disciple.

Truly terrifying.

Facing her suppressed fury, Lin Tiancheng knew—there was no way to cover this up anymore.

He could only force a bitter smile and tell the truth.

“…He’s gone?”

When she heard the full explanation, the pressure around Liu Yingfeng vanished.

Her face showed a flash of disbelief.

“Yes.”

Lin Tiancheng said with a bitter smile.

“A year ago, shortly after he sent the breakup letter, he left the clan. We haven’t seen or heard from him since.”

Liu Yingfeng frowned and was silent for a long while.

Then she said…

“Understood. But…”

She didn’t believe him—not fully.

‘What if you killed him, and now you’re saying he ran away?’

‘You’re telling me you have no clue where one of your own clan members went after leaving? Who are you trying to fool?’

She was determined to get to the bottom of this.

If he’s alive, I’ll see him.

If he’s dead, I want the body.

“Patriarch Lin, let me make this clear— I will not let this matter go until I get answers.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Use whatever means you want. But within half a month, I want to see him. Otherwise…hmph.”