Volume 3 - Chapter 395: A Century of Solitude (Part 3)
Li Hao stood and bowed his head respectfully.
Su Zhenyuan’s lips twitched slightly. He was both infuriated and at a loss for words.
Just then, his gaze landed on the returning guard, empty-handed, and he seized the moment to vent his simmering anger. “Where is Wanyi?”
“Miss Wanyi is still away training under her master. She has not yet returned,” the guard replied, lowering his head hastily. Though he was an Immortal King, even he trembled slightly under the Patriarch’s wrath.
Su Zhenyuan fell silent. Among his four daughters, the eldest, Su Wanyi, was unmatched in beauty—but her talent fell just short of Su Muqing’s.
Yet if this youth before him only coveted appearances, why such persistence? After all, as cultivators, if one couldn’t even see past outward beauty, what hope was there for achieving enlightenment?
“Father, what’s going on?”
Su Wanxue asked curiously, her eyes drifting toward her two sisters.
Su Muqing quickly sent her a sound transmission, summarizing the situation—but not without adding embellishments, describing just how obnoxious the boy was.
Su Wanxue looked surprised and began to study Li Hao more closely. Just who was this youth, to make their father compromise to such a degree?
“Young man, don’t push your luck. Do you really think that just because you have an Imperial Lord behind you, you can threaten the Su family?!”
Su Qingmei snapped, her gaze sharp with cold fury.
Li Hao looked at her calmly, then lowered his head and cupped his hands.
“Madam, this junior only wishes to remain by Miss Su Muqing’s side. I ask that you allow it.”
“Hmph.”
Su Qingmei scoffed coldly.
The atmosphere in the great hall grew stifling. The faint smile on Su Zhenyuan’s face vanished, replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to press down on everyone.
Su Muqing was about to speak, but seeing the look on her father’s face, she held her tongue.
“If you truly insist…”
After a long silence, Su Zhenyuan finally spoke. His eyes, dark as stars, fixed on Li Hao—not with the gentle elegance of before, but with domineering pressure radiating like an emperor’s aura.
“I’ll give you a chance. Whether you can seize it is up to you. If you fail, the engagement will be void—and the Su clan will not be accused of breaking our ancestral promise. Do you accept?”
Li Hao’s heart clenched. He drew in a deep breath.
He knew—this might be his only chance.
After all, the engagement token had come from the Dao-Origin Immortal Emperor. His presence here today existed solely because of that. Beyond that, before the might of the Su clan, he was nothing.
“What kind of chance?”
Li Hao asked solemnly.
Su Zhenyuan said slowly, “Muqing has already agreed in principle to marry the Imperial Scion of the Lin clan. No official betrothal gift has been made. If you can make her change her mind—if you can win her approval—then I will permit the two of you to be together.”
He had barely finished speaking when Su Muqing snapped:
“Impossible! There’s no way I’d ever like him—not a chance!”
Su Zhenyuan’s gaze sharpened. A wave of oppressive force swept out, making Su Muqing’s face turn pale. She instantly fell silent.
She knew her father cherished them deeply, but when it came to his convictions, no one could sway him. His word was law, and he detested defiance.
Su Qingmei’s face also changed briefly, but seeing Su Muqing fall silent, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief—then shot the boy a mocking look, eyes full of scorn.
Li Hao had heard Su Muqing’s rejection. Though he knew this Su Muqing was not Ying Xiaoxiao, nor the Shi Miao of past and future… the words still pricked his heart.
He composed himself quickly. Thoughts churned. Then he asked:
“Is there a time limit?”
“Ten years,” Su Zhenyuan replied.
Li Hao’s expression shifted. He slowly shook his head and said firmly, “Too short.”
She had traded an entire lifetime to let him live. Ten years of companionship was far too little.
“Oh?”
Su Zhenyuan frowned.
Li Hao remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, “One hundred years. During that century, I must have the same rights as Miss Su. She must not be allowed to drive me away.”
“In your dreams!”
Su Muqing’s face flushed with rage. She turned abruptly toward her father.
But Su Zhenyuan said nothing.
The hall fell deathly still.
Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue both widened their eyes in astonishment. Their father… wasn’t rejecting this? Could he actually be considering it?
Su Qingmei’s face also changed, darkening as she clenched her fists.
Then—
“Very well. I accept.”
As the tension reached its peak, Su Zhenyuan finally spoke.
“Father!”
Su Muqing’s face drained of color, her voice full of disbelief.
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