A servant came to lei wei and said " young lady has invited u to the residence to give u a proper thanks".
The Hengyuan residence stood like an ancient shrine of blue-tiled roofs and stone courtyards, quiet yet dignified. Compared to the roaring bustle of the inner city, this place felt like an island of calm.
A servant bowed deeply as he guided Lei Wei and Elder Yun inside.
"Miss Su is expecting you."
Lei Wei felt a tightness in his chest as they walked through a long corridor lined with fading murals of soaring eagles and spirit warriors. The paintings were old, cracked… just like the clan's current state.
At the end of the hall, a pair of large doors opened.
Inside sat three people.
Hengyuan Su stood first—straight-backed, robes fluttering like a stream of light. Beside her was her brother, Hengyuan Ren, still in his wheelchair, his face pale but smiling faintly.
And at the center…
A man with long ash-gray hair tied behind him, broad shoulders, and a calm yet heavy aura that filled the room like a mountain.
Hengyuan Tian, the Patriarch.
Veinforge Late Stage.
The moment Lei Wei entered, the man's eyes opened slightly—sharp, like a blade drawn only halfway.
"You are Lei Wei," he said, voice deep and steady.
Lei Wei bowed. "Junior greets the Patriarch."
Hengyuan Su stepped forward, her voice soft yet firm.
"You didn't have to come… but thank you. For saving my brother at the gate."
Her cheeks held a faint pink. Even her composure couldn't hide the sincerity in her eyes.
Hengyuan Ren wheeled himself slightly closer, managing a weak laugh.
"If not for you, I'd be rolling into the afterlife instead of this hall."
Lei Wei shook his head. "Anyone would've stepped in."
The Patriarch raised an eyebrow.
"Not anyone. Many watched. Only you moved."
Silence settled for a heartbeat.
Then the Patriarch spoke again, fingers tapping his armrest.
"Sit. There is much we must discuss."
---
THE FORCE MARRIAGE PROBLEM
Once Lei Wei and Elder Yun sat, Hengyuan Tian exhaled heavily.
"My daughter's marriage has become a tool of politics," he began.
Hengyuan Su's eyes tightened.
"The City Council has approved a union between our clan and Baiye… unless we can prove our strength is not inferior."
Hengyuan Ren's fists clenched weakly.
"They gave us three months," he said bitterly. "Three months to produce someone who can defeat Baiye Zhen in formal combat."
Lei Wei's brows furrowed.
"Baiye Zhen… the Spirit Seed Peak cultivator?"
Hengyuan Su nodded, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Yes. Defeat him, and the marriage contract is void. Fail…"
Her voice tightened.
"Then I will be forced into the Baiye household."
Lei Wei felt a sudden chill in his chest he couldn't explain.
The Patriarch spoke next, eyes fixed on Lei Wei.
"After today's clash, rumors spread across the city. That a boy of Spirit Seed early held off Baiye Zhen's full blow."
His gaze hardened.
"So I must ask: Lei Wei… can you improve fast enough to defeat him in three months?"
Lei Wei swallowed. His muscles still ached from Zhen's earlier strike. Three months… for a gap that massive…
He didn't answer immediately.
And then—
A faint ripple crossed the air.
Hengyuan Tian's expression snapped cold.
"Someone has broken through our defensive formations."
---
THE ASSASSIN ARRIVES
Before anyone could react, the hall lights flickered.
A shadow broke out of the corner—silent, fast, lethal.
A masked man clothed in black, aura sharp and icy.
Spirit Veinforge Early Stage.
More than enough to kill someone at Lei Wei's level.
His killing intent stabbed through the room like needles.
His eyes locked onto Lei Wei.
"You were warned not to interfere with Baiye matters," he hissed, voice distorted through a sound-sealing mask.
He raised two fingers.
A blade of condensed qi formed—thin, pure, deadly.
Lei Wei froze. His body knew the truth instantly:
—He couldn't block that.
—He couldn't dodge it.
—He couldn't survive it.
"Lei Wei!" Elder Yun shouted, reaching for him—
Too late.
The assassin flicked his fingers.
The qi blade shot forward with impossible speed—
Until a voice, old and thunderous, rumbled behind Lei Wei.
"INSOLENCE."
---
THE PATRIARCH MOVES
Hengyuan Tian stood.
He didn't release killing intent.
He didn't roar or charge.
He simply… raised his hand.
A wave rippled through the hall.
The assassin's blade froze mid-air, trembling violently as if the space around it had turned to stone.
The assassin's eyes widened behind his mask.
"Veinforge… Late?"
"No," the Patriarch corrected.
His aura flared.
It wasn't fiery.
Not explosive.
But crushing—like an ancient beast opening one eye after centuries.
"Late Veinforge Peak."
The assassin tried to move.
His muscles locked.
His qi surged—then buckled like a dying flame.
Hengyuan Tian extended one finger.
"Be gone."
Blue qi spiraled around his fingertip, bending into the shape of a sword—thin as moonlight, impossibly sharp.
The Hengyuan Clan's secret technique:
Moon-Edge Sword Art.
One move.
One breath.
A single crescent swipe cut across the hall—
SHRRK—
The assassin didn't scream.
He didn't even realize he was dead until his body split cleanly in half, dissolving into mist-like particles of qi that evaporated into the air.
A technique that left no corpse—no evidence—only silence.
Lei Wei stared, breath caught in his throat.
That… wasn't power.
That was authority.
Even Elder Yun shivered slightly.
Hengyuan Tian lowered his hand, as if nothing had happened.
"You see?" he said calmly. "The threats have already begun."
---
THE OFFER
The Patriarch stepped closer to Lei Wei.
"For three months, my clan will protect you," he declared. "No assassin, no clan, no force in Greenleaf will be allowed to touch you."
Lei Wei blinked. "Why… protect me?"
"Because," the Patriarch said softly, "you are our only chance."
He continued:
"If you can defeat Baiye Zhen in three months, my daughter's freedom is secured. Our clan's honor is restored."
He paused.
"And in return… I will give you something no one else in the outer city will ever receive."
He held up a jade vial.
Inside was a pill glowing faintly gold.
"A Meridian Tempering Pill."
Elder Yun inhaled sharply.
"That pill… can increase the chance of breaking through Veinforge by nearly fifty percent!"
The Patriarch nodded.
"But only if one survives the pain. And only if one is strong enough."
He extended the vial toward Lei Wei.
"This will be yours—if you agree, and if you train harder than you have ever imagined."
Lei Wei looked at the Patriarch, at Hengyuan Ren, at Hengyuan Su's tense, hopeful eyes.
Three months.
Fight Baiye Zhen.
Win… or watch a girl lose her future.
He clenched his fists slowly.
His voice was steady.
"I'll do it."
Hengyuan Su exhaled with relief.
The Patriarch's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Good. Then from this moment, Lei Wei… you are under the protection of the Hengyuan Clan."