Lin Xian spoke with sincere earnestness, his turbid old eyes filled with genuine warmth. He had used a small trick—calling Yun Hao “Hao’er” for the first time—to draw their hearts closer together.
He knew that in Yun Hao’s heart he held a position similar to a grandfather. Lin Xian now wanted to use that grandfather-grandson bond to break through Yun Hao’s defenses and make him agree to the betrothal with Yu’er.
“……..”
For a moment Yun Hao thought he had misheard. He looked at Elder Lin in shock, only to find the old man gazing at him with sincere, heartfelt eyes. That expression confirmed he had not heard wrong.
His throat suddenly felt dry. An inexplicable panic rose inside him. He sat up straight in alarm and said,
“Elder Lin, this is absolutely impossible! This disciple was once a mere slave in the mortal world. Being allowed to call Junior Sister my sister is already the greatest blessing. How could I dare to… This disciple’s status is unworthy.”
He could not bring himself to finish the sentence.
Yun Hao nervously met Lin Xian’s gaze, yet the old man seemed not to have heard him at all and continued looking at him with kind affection.
“Hao’er, I do not care about your status from the mortal world. In the end, whose ancestors have not known glory or fallen on hard times? If we trace back thousands or tens of thousands of years, my own ancestors were poor scholars. It was only by chance that one met an immortal elder and stepped onto the immortal path.”
“Besides, you are no longer a slave. You are an inner sect disciple of Proud Sword Sect. Most importantly, you have earned my approval. I believe you are worthy of Yu’er.”
Lin Xian gently guided Yun Hao, slowly unraveling the knots in his heart as he looked at the conflicted and fearful youth before him, wanting to reach the deepest part of his mind.
Yun Hao was at a loss for words. He felt uneasy, paused, and tried another approach.
“This disciple has no power or influence. I am only a minor inner sect disciple. If any trouble arises in the future, I fear I would be powerless to protect Junior Sister completely.”
“You need not worry about that. I have already prepared a path for you and Yu’er. As long as the two of you stay out of the sect’s messy affairs, no one will come looking for trouble.”
Lin Xian continued dismantling Yun Hao’s defenses. Two years ago he had already made preparations for Yu’er’s future marriage. Everything Yun Hao mentioned now had long been considered and arranged.
Right now he had only one goal: to make the youth before him agree to the betrothal with Yu’er. Even if he had to be a little forceful, it did not matter. He understood young men. Yun Hao was pure of heart and kind by nature.
Once he agreed, even if he felt reluctant at first, he would honor his promise. Lin Xian also trusted Yu’er. As the two spent more time together, she would surely enter Hao’er’s heart, and they would become true Dao Companions who walked through life hand in hand.
Seeing Yun Hao remain silent and run out of arguments, Lin Xian spoke again, gently coaxing him.
“Hao’er, to be honest, from the day I met you I was moved by your purity. Do you remember the time I asked you to deliver pills? Despite the temptation, you still kept your principles and returned the extra pills. That alone shows your upright character—you are a true gentleman.”
He paused, then continued.
“Child, life is full of opportunities. I have been training you as half a grandson and as my successor. If you and Yu’er become husband and wife, everything I possess will be yours. Your future cultivation path will be smooth and unobstructed.”
Lin Xian kept guiding him, dissolving the youth’s worries with both emotional appeal and external temptation. Though the method was not entirely honorable, it was harmless. As long as Yun Hao agreed, that was enough.
Yun Hao felt troubled. Elder Lin’s kindness was almost more than he could bear. Being treated as half a grandson and successor left him overwhelmed and deeply moved.
As for the pills, he had simply done what was right. Any person with a conscience would not have kept them all. It did not prove exceptional character; he had only done what any ordinary person would do.
But no matter how moved he felt, he only saw Junior Sister as a sister. There were no romantic feelings between them. Besides, he already…
Yun Hao calmed the surging emotions in his heart and forced himself to stay composed. Looking at Lin Xian’s expectant face, he spoke with full guilt yet firm resolve.
“Thank you for your high regard, Elder Lin. For you to treat this disciple as half a grandson and even offer to betroth Junior Sister to me leaves this disciple endlessly grateful. However, this disciple feels only brotherly affection toward Junior Sister and harbors no romantic intentions. I hope Elder Lin will not blame me.”
With that, he lowered his head slightly to show both guilt and gratitude.
Yun Hao’s words rejected Lin Xian. Yet the old man felt neither disappointment nor frustration, because he had seen the guilt and gratitude in Yun Hao’s eyes. This was an excellent opening.
Lin Xian quickly calculated his plan. In just a few breaths he had decided his next move.
He looked up at the sky and let out a bitter laugh filled with exhaustion and despair. His body seemed to lose all support and slumped wearily.
“Hao’er, I won’t hide it from you. I am going to die.”
“What! Elder Lin, you—!”
Yun Hao jerked his head up, staring at Lin Xian in disbelief.
“Three years ago during that great battle, it wasn’t only Yu’er who was injured. I was surrounded and attacked by demonic cultivators and suffered severe wounds. I have not had long to live for some time now!”
As he spoke, he could no longer hold on. A deathly aura emanated from his body, oppressive and heavy.
“After suffering such heavy injuries, I should have died two years ago.”
“…But I dared not die. If I die, what will become of Yu’er? The cultivation world is ruled by the strong devouring the weak. She is only a frail young woman—how could she survive alone?”
“A man without crime still bears guilt for possessing jade. Without her cultivation, she would be guarding the foundation I leave behind, and there will always be people coveting it. She has a strong personality too. If others try to seize it, she will not let go easily.”
“At that time, who would be able to protect her completely?”
Lin Xian’s voice was filled with grief. Deep helplessness and sorrow poured out before Yun Hao. He was no longer the all-powerful Void Condensation cultivator—only a heartbroken old man worried that his granddaughter would be bullied after he was gone.
“I have been holding on bitterly for these two years just to find Yu’er a suitable husband.”
“Hao’er, your character is excellent and upright. Your immortal aptitude is high, and you have no complicated entanglements with other forces. As long as you cultivate diligently, your future achievements will be no lower than mine. You are the only suitable Dao Companion I have been able to find for Yu’er.”
“Hao’er, I beg you, this old man. I have endured for two years, but my lifespan is completely exhausted. There is no time left to search for another candidate. You are my last hope.”
The moment Yun Hao heard Lin Xian say he was going to pass away, he had already panicked. These words struck him again, shattering the calm he had barely regained.
He scrambled over to Lin Xian in alarm, hands waving helplessly.
“Elder Lin, please don’t be hasty. It’s not that I refuse you—there is also Junior Sister! She is only fifteen and has just come of age. Arranging a husband for her now is something she would never agree to.”
Yun Hao hesitated, a trace of shame in his voice.
“Besides… besides, Junior Sister may not even like this disciple.”
Lin Xian watched Yun Hao, who had grown flustered and guilty, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief inside. Hao’er had taken the bait. On the surface he kept up the sorrowful act and answered Yun Hao word by word.
“Silly child, have you still not noticed Yu’er’s feelings for you? The personal brocade pouch she gave you is the best proof that she admires you!”
“What!”
Yun Hao was struck once more. That brocade pouch carried this meaning! His head felt dizzy, yet he still refused to believe it. He tried to explain to Lin Xian.
“Junior Sister said the brocade pouch wards off evil and misfortune. She never said anything else.”
Lin Xian let out a long sigh.
“Silly child, that brocade pouch belonged to Yu’er’s mother and was always kept close to her body. Giving it to you now represents her true feelings! Think about it—would any girl give something so personal to an ordinary man?”
“This… this…”
Yun Hao was stunned. The news of Elder Lin’s impending death and Junior Sister’s affection for him had completely shattered his defenses. He fell silent, at a complete loss.
“Child, tell me honestly. The reason you keep refusing Yu’er—is it because her body has defects and you look down on her?”
“This disciple—how could this disciple ever think such a thing! In this disciple’s eyes, Junior Sister is the most lovable girl. I have never once looked down on her.”
Hearing Lin Xian’s words, Yun Hao hurriedly denied it in a panic. So many thoughts crowded his mind that he wanted to speak yet could not get the words out. He could only stare helplessly at Lin Xian, hands waving.
Lin Xian saw that Yun Hao was now completely lost and knew the moment had ripened perfectly. With a trace of accusation he asked,
“If that is the case, then why have you kept refusing Yu’er?!”
“This disciple… I… this…”
Faced with Lin Xian’s question, Yun Hao could not speak. At that moment, Eldest Senior Sister’s face appeared in his mind. He desperately wanted to tell Elder Lin that he already had someone he liked—Eldest Senior Sister. But… he dared not.
Such a thought would be seen as defying one’s superior and shameless. If he said it aloud, he would be scorned and hated. He could not say it.
Senior Sister… Senior Sister… That’s right!
Suddenly he remembered. Hadn’t Senior Sister told him to focus on cultivation? Then he could let Senior Sister decide for him. Even if Senior Sister refused Elder Lin, he would still protect Junior Sister properly in the future and never let her suffer the slightest grievance! This was the only way that could satisfy everyone.
Yun Hao regained a little composure and said to Lin Xian,
“It is not that this disciple is unwilling. Marriage is a major matter—how could this disciple decide it alone? It should have been discussed by this disciple’s parents, yet this disciple’s mortal parents passed away long ago.”
“Moreover, this disciple was rescued by Eldest Senior Sister. An elder sister is like a mother. Although there is no blood relation, this disciple has long regarded Eldest Senior Sister as my own sister in my heart. This matter should be decided by Senior Sister.”
With that, he knelt before Lin Xian.
Lin Xian’s expression turned somewhat strange. He spoke gently,
“If Martial Niece Luo Shuiling agrees, then you will agree as well?”
Yun Hao, still kneeling, hesitated for a moment. But remembering how seriously and sternly Senior Sister had told him to focus on cultivation, he gritted his teeth.
“Yes! If Senior Sister agrees, then this disciple will agree too!”
He trusted Senior Sister.
“Good! Then it is settled.”
Lin Xian stood up. He gently helped Yun Hao to his feet and had him stand beside him. Then he circulated his spiritual power, murmured something toward Sect Master Peak, and fell silent.
A dozen breaths later, a tall, peerlessly beautiful woman wearing a thin veil appeared before them. It was Luo Shuiling, whom he had not seen for five days.
Yun Hao looked at Senior Sister, whom he had not seen for several days, and felt a surge of excitement. He opened his mouth, unable to hide the joy in his voice as he called out,
“Senior Sister!”
Luo Shuiling gave him a faint glance but did not reply. Instead she walked straight up to Lin Xian.
“Elder Lin, what is the matter?”
Lin Xian did not waste words. He had no need to hide anything from Luo Shuiling.
“I wish to arrange a betrothal between Hao’er and Yu’er. Martial Niece, do you consent?”
Luo Shuiling’s pupils contracted sharply. A betrothal? Consent? How could she possibly agree? Yun Hao belonged at her side—how could she let him form a marriage agreement with Lin Shengyu?
She had been summoned here for this? Cold laughter rose inside her—cold with rage. She was about to refuse firmly when Lin Xian’s voice exploded in her ear.
You and I once swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao! I now demand that you agree to this matter. You are duty-bound to help me. You must not violate the oath!
In the void, the oppressive might of the Heavenly Dao appeared around Luo Shuiling and grew stronger by the moment. Only she could feel it. She suddenly understood why Lin Xian had not asked for her help even after two whole months had passed.
Old fox!!!
She stared at the withered old man before her, fury nearly driving her mad inside. She had finally seen Yun Hao after several days apart, yet it was for this! And he was using their oath to threaten her!
How could she, Luo Shuiling, ever accept it? A pet should always stay by its master’s side! How could he leave her? This was disobedience and absolutely not allowed!
He was hers!
She did not answer. She continued struggling against the Heavenly Dao with all her might. The indifference in her eyes seemed capable of freezing everything around her; all things would lose their vitality beneath her gaze.
Crack!
A faint breaking sound rang out. Luo Shuiling’s body trembled ever so slightly.
A moment later she looked at Lin Xian with utter reluctance. The anger inside her was almost tangible, yet her voice remained as cold and clear as ever.
“…I agree.”
Then, without sparing Yun Hao another glance, she turned and left Western Peak. Only at the very last moment did she seem to linger on the side of Yun Hao’s face.
Yun Hao stood frozen. Senior Sister had… just agreed? He could hardly believe it. Hadn’t Senior Sister told him earlier to focus his mind on cultivation? Why, after only five short days, had she…
And after five days apart, Senior Sister had not said a single word to him before turning and leaving… He had missed her so much…
A powerful sense of loss welled up deep inside Yun Hao. He felt as if Senior Sister had deceived him. No—it was not deception… It felt as if she had abandoned him.
He looked up at Lin Xian, unsure what to say, growing more and more at a loss. Things were not going the way he had imagined.
“Martial Niece Luo Shuiling has already agreed to your betrothal with Yu’er. Hao’er, what about you?”
Yun Hao looked at Lin Xian’s expectant face, recalled the words he had just spoken, and forced out an extremely strained smile.
“This disciple… agrees.”