Chapter 322: Azure Gold Flood Dragon
"Sigh…"
In the grand hall, Hei Yanjiao let out a long sigh. "Virtuous son-in-law, I know you are eager for the family to be reunited, but this matter is not for me alone to decide.
"To be honest, it was not I who introduced Suxin to that Azure Gold Flood Dragon. Rather, it was he who took a liking to Suxin's awakened dragon bloodline and thus sent a marriage proposal to my Blackflame Water Mansion.
"I am but a Path Union flood dragon general, while that Azure Gold Flood Dragon is the direct son of the Azure Flood Dragon King, and his ancestor is a Half-Saint of the dragon clan."
Cao Youqian's lips curved slightly at these words. "Senior Hei Yan, you mean this matter will be difficult to resolve?"
Hei Yanjiao nodded. "Indeed, it will be very difficult."
"In that case, since you think it so difficult, why not let my fellow disciples and me handle it?"
Before coming, Cao Youqian and the others had already guessed Hei Yanjiao would push this matter onto the Azure Flood Dragon clan.
Hei Yanjiao paused at his words, then felt secretly overjoyed. While drinking earlier, he had been thinking of ways to remove himself from the situation. Now that Cao Youqian had offered, he was more than happy to oblige.
"That could work. If you geniuses can persuade the Azure Flood Dragon clan, I will have no objections on my side."
Old fox.
Cao Youqian sneered inwardly, though he didn't expose it. This old thing would have his suffering later.
"Very well, in that case, Senior Hei Yan, you can take us to the Azure Flood Dragon clan to annul the marriage."
"Ah?"
Hei Yanjiao hadn't expected them to drag him along. If he went to the Azure Flood Dragon clan, the matter would no longer be something he could separate himself from.
"Hmm?"
Cao Youqian's brows furrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, making Hei Yanjiao's heart skip.
"Junior Brother Cao, mind your manners."
Xiao Chen cut off Cao Youqian's move, smiling as he said, "Senior Hei Yan, at Wendao Academy we believe in acting with proper justification. For something like breaking off a marriage, if you are not present, it would seem inappropriate."
One played the harsh role, the other the conciliatory—Hei Yanjiao knew their game but could only swallow his frustration.
Given the current balance of power, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Fine, we'll do as the two prodigies say."
The banquet continued, though the atmosphere in the hall quickly turned subtle.
When the feast ended, Cao Youqian, Xiao Chen, and the others took their leave, returning to the side courtyard to report to Chu Feng.
Soon, only Hei Yanjiao and the old white-headed turtle remained in the hall.
Hei Yanjiao asked, "Whitehead, what do you think we should do next?"
The white-headed turtle replied, "General, in my opinion, you should inform the Azure Flood Dragon clan in advance, let them prepare, and hint that you are being coerced. Knowing Azure Gold's temper, he certainly won't let this go."
Hei Yanjiao understood the underlying meaning at once, and a cold smile spread over his face.
"I'll leave this to you."
"Yes."
The white-headed turtle turned and left.
In the side courtyard.
After hearing Cao Youqian's report, Chu Feng's lips curved slightly. "You handled this well."
Bing Yan said, "Husband, I don't think that Hei Yanjiao is an honest sort. He's likely to make a move over this."
Chu Feng smiled. "I actually hope he does. Let's just wait for the show."
At this, Cao Youqian's face showed an eager anticipation.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Chu Feng received word that in three days, Hei Yanjiao would take them to the Azure Flood Dragon Palace to annul the marriage.
Chu Feng paid the news little mind and soon set it aside.
…
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
That morning, Chu Feng and his group boarded the Blackflame Water Mansion's carriage toward the Azure Flood Dragon Palace.
Along the way, Chu Feng quietly admired the scenery. In his previous life, he'd never had the chance to appreciate the deep-sea sights from such close range.
The two young women beside him leaned together at the carriage window, their eyes filled with curiosity.
About several hours later.
From the front of the convoy came a loud voice.
"Halt!"
The convoy stopped instantly. Chu Feng swept his divine sense outward.
Before them stood an incomparably majestic Flood Dragon Palace, with one hundred thousand shrimp soldiers and crab generals arrayed in strict formation. The blue flood dragon banners they held swayed with the current, giving off a crushing pressure like black clouds pressing down on a city.
Seeing this, Chu Feng's lips curved slightly. "Interesting. Looks like Hei Yanjiao's underlings have been busy."
Bing Yan said calmly, "Husband, will you make a move yourself?"
"A mere group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals—not worth my hand."
Just as Chu Feng finished speaking, that loud voice rang out again from among the hundred thousand troops.
"Prince Qingjin arrives!"
With the shout, a tall man, his forehead covered in golden scales and radiating an imposing aura, rode forth on a fish-shaped sea beast.
He wore azure-gold armor, a black cloak trailing behind him, and every movement carried the bearing of one in command, instantly drawing all eyes to him.
This was Qingjin Jiao, the legitimate son of the Azure Flood Dragon King and a prodigy of the Azure Flood Dragon clan.
Qingjin Jiao swept a cold gaze over everyone present and barked, "Which one of you is Xu Caichen? Come out and die!"
With that, a terrible flood dragon might burst from his body.
"Just this? A mere second-level Path Union nobody."
From within one of the carriages, Cao Youqian sensed the man's aura and looked on with disdain. He instantly lost interest in making a move.
Xu Caichen said nothing, only stepping slowly out of the carriage. Facing one hundred thousand shrimp soldiers and crab generals and the overbearing Qingjin Jiao, there was not a trace of fear on his face, his eyes as calm as an ancient well.
He cupped his hands toward Qingjin Jiao. "You must be Qingjin Jiao?"
Qingjin Jiao stared hard at the mortal before him and said coldly, "You are that self-important scholar Xu Caichen?"
Xu Caichen replied evenly, "Self-important is hardly the word. I am indeed Xu Caichen."
"Good. At least you have some spine."
A cold light flickered in Qingjin Jiao's eyes. "I hear you joined Wendao Academy and think you can steal my woman, is that it?"
Xu Caichen remained composed. "Suxin is my wife by first marriage. How can you call it stealing?"
"Hmph!"
Qingjin Jiao snorted coldly. "Without a matchmaker's word or parents' consent, how could Suxin be your wife?"
"But Heaven and Earth have witnessed our vows, we are husband and wife in fact, and we even have a child together."
Xu Caichen spoke without haste.
"A sharp tongue indeed."
Qingjin Jiao sneered. "I've long heard that you scholars can twist black into white. Seeing you today, the reputation is well deserved. But that won't work on me."
Xu Caichen smiled lightly. "Then how does Daoist friend wish to resolve this matter?"
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