The room was suffocatingly silent.
The Soul Television's bright screen still showed the frozen image of Qiang Ming and Su Yang entering his room together — her cheeks flushed with wine, his arm confidently wrapped around her waist. It was an image that screamed intimacy, scandal, and ruin.
With a flick of his hand, Qiang Ming turned off the STV, the glow dying in an instant. Only the sound of breathing remained — Su Yang's ragged and shallow, Elder Cai's calm but heavy, and the golden-haired Marquis's furious enough to make the air tremble.
Qiang Ming straightened his back and took a quiet breath, letting his calm, sharp eyes settle on Su Yang. His voice came soft but cutting through the tension like a blade.
"I wouldn't be against marriage," he began, his tone steady, rational. "Sure, there's an age gap — nine, ten years maybe — but that means nothing among Soul Masters or nobles. However…"
He turned his gaze from the Marquis to Su Yang, his expression softening. His hand moved gently, raising her chin so she would meet his golden-purple eyes.
"I won't force you, and I won't allow you to be forced. So tell me, truthfully, Su Yang — do you want this marriage?"
Her lips trembled. For a long moment, she couldn't speak, her hands shaking as her eyes darted between Qiang Ming's calm defiance and her father's blazing fury. Then, her shoulders rose, her posture straightened, and her expression — the one she wore as a teacher, proud and unyielding — returned.
"I like you, Ming. Truly. But…"
Her emerald eyes flicked toward her father. And then, with a voice firm and proud, she said:
"Between you and me… we eat the same fruit, if you catch my meaning."
The silence that followed was so deep it could have devoured sound itself.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, Qiang Ming broke into soft laughter — genuine and amused, his usual mocking smile returning to his lips. He turned toward the two elders and shrugged.
"Well, there goes that plan. Elder Cai, Marquis Su — seems there won't be a wedding after all."
The Marquis's face darkened to a storm. His golden aura began to surge, pressure flooding the room like molten metal.
"And what gives you the right to speak here, boy?!" Su Wang's voice thundered. "This is a matter of the Su Clan's honor — not your convenience! The union will happen, whether you like it or not!"
Qiang Ming's expression didn't waver. He stood tall, his own aura rising — purple-gold energy crackling faintly at his back, like the heartbeat of something vast and destructive.
"It matters because I am Qiang Ming," he said, each word deliberate. "And this marriage will not happen. If anyone tries to force it, I'll break them myself."
The air between them warped — two bloodlines, two prides clashing like fire and stone. Cracks appeared along the walls, the furniture trembling under the weight of their confrontation.
Before the tension could explode into violence, a cold silver light flooded the room, cutting through both their auras with effortless superiority.
"Enough."
Elder Cai's voice rang like a bell in the night — clear, commanding, absolute. Her silver eyes glowed with the faint radiance of the moon, her power blanketing the room and freezing both men in place.
"You," she said, her gaze locking onto Qiang Ming, "shut your mouth before you create another diplomatic disaster."
Then her eyes turned to the Marquis, and though her tone softened, it carried no less authority.
"Marquis Su, I understand your anger. Truly. But forcing them would be meaningless. You said she'd accept — she hasn't. If you continue this, you'll only make the scandal worse. Let the matter rest here."
Su Wang's jaw clenched tight enough to crack. For a moment, Qiang Ming thought he'd attack anyway. But then the man turned, his golden hair rippling with his movement, his fury no less heavy for being restrained.
He looked at his daughter — his expression filled with disappointment rather than wrath now.
"Don't bother returning to the clan," he said coldly. "You're not welcome there anymore."
Then, without another word, he walked out — leaving silence and the echo of his anger behind.
Su Yang sat frozen for a few seconds, then broke. Tears streamed down her face, quiet sobs escaping through trembling lips. She hid her face in her hands, shaking.
Qiang Ming sighed and lowered himself beside her on the bed, placing one arm around her shoulders. His tone was soft — so rare for him that it almost sounded like another man speaking.
"It's alright. He'll cool down. And even if he doesn't — you have a place with us now."
Elder Cai exhaled, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"You better win that tournament, Ming," she said, her tone weary but edged with threat. "Because if you don't, not even your master will stop me from beating some sense into you."
Her gaze shifted to Su Yang, her voice softening.
"Miss Yang, you're welcome to stay with us. The Shrek delegation apologizes for the… situation."
With that, she turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Inside the room, the silence lingered again — heavier this time, but not unbearable.
Qiang Ming leaned back on the bed frame, watching the morning light filter through the window. Beside him, Su Yang's sobs had quieted, replaced by tired sniffles.
He closed his eyes for a moment, muttering quietly to himself.
"Two weeks back in civilization… and I've already caused another international incident. Master's going to love this."
A small, reluctant laugh escaped Su Yang's lips. For the first time that morning, the storm in the room began to fade.