Chu Qingyun's heart pounded wildly in his chest.
He glanced around nervously, breathing a secret sigh of relief when he saw that no one had noticed anything.
After that, he spent the rest of the time in a daze.
It wasn't until his mother led him home that he slowly came back to his senses.
Seeing Chu Qingyun's state, Liu Lanfang sighed helplessly.
She thought he still hadn't recovered from yesterday's blow.
"Qingyun, don't overthink it. You'll be fine in a few days."
"Go get some rest. I'll go make some food."
Back in his room, Chu Qingyun kicked off his shoes, jumped onto his bed, and took a few deep breaths, finally feeling completely clear-headed.
Releasing his Martial Soul, Chu Qingyun received another piece of information: "Martial Soul devouring in progress. 2% complete."
It was 1% more than before. This time, Chu Qingyun was finally certain.
'My Martial Soul... it's really devouring another Martial Soul!'
'My Martial Soul gives me the power to see the Martial Souls of the dead, and no one else can even see it!'
'What a strange Martial Soul. I'll call you... the Devouring Martial Soul.'
'I wonder what will happen when the devouring is complete...'
Chu Qingyun's heart gradually calmed down.
This Martial Soul was too bizarre, so he decided not to tell anyone about it for the time being.
'Devouring another person's Martial Soul... just the thought of it is terrifying.'
He didn't want to be seen as a freak, a monster.
After confirming he had a Martial Soul, Chu Qingyun's mood improved significantly. He even went out into the courtyard to practice his boxing for a while.
Seeing him like this, Chu Xuan and Liu Lanfang felt much better as well.
Two days passed in a flash. The Devouring Martial Soul's progress had reached 64%. It looked like it would be completely devoured in another day or two!
One day, Chu Qingyun's family of three was eating lunch in their courtyard.
Suddenly, a group of more than a dozen people burst into the Chu Family's home, followed by many others from Chu Family Village.
"Tan... Tan, what brings you here?"
Seeing the man in the lead, Chu Xuan quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up.
Chu Qingyun and Liu Lanfang stood up as well.
The middle-aged man known as Tan had a burly frame and a sharp gaze. Just standing there, he radiated an imposing presence.
Chu Qingyun recognized him. It was Chu Qian of Chu Family Village.
His daughter, Chu Xiaocui, was three years older than Chu Qingyun and had been betrothed to him since they were children.
Instantly, Chu Qingyun's family of three was filled with a sense of foreboding.
Chu Qian had clearly not come with good intentions.
"Xuan, I have indeed come today on an important matter."
"My daughter will be marrying Zhao Yishui of the Zhao Family Castle in one month. I'm here to inform you of this."
Chu Qian said, his face stern.
Chu Xuan's expression changed drastically. He said frantically, "You... how could you do this! Xiaocui is clearly engaged to my son!"
"Hmph, an engagement? My Xiaocui just awakened her Martial Soul last year. She's a genius."
"And your son? He doesn't even have a Martial Soul. He's a good-for-nothing. What right does he have to marry my Xiaocui!"
"Zhao Yishui awakened his Martial Soul at nineteen, and it's a Tier Two Martial Soul! Now he's even a fourth-level Martial Artist. He is the only one worthy of my Xiaocui!"
Chu Qian snorted coldly, and an overwhelming pressure erupted from him, forcing Chu Qingyun's family to stumble back, unable to even keep their footing.
"Hmph, a bunch of useless trash, just as I thought!"
Seeing this, the disdain in Chu Qian's eyes grew even stronger.
"Chu Qian, if you have something to say, say it properly! What kind of skill is it to bully ordinary people!"
A cold shout came from the doorway, and Chu Qian's aura was instantly scattered.
A man with a resolute gaze walked into the Chu family's small courtyard.
"Chu Hua!"
A trace of fear flashed in Chu Qian's eyes, and he reined in much of his imposing presence.
Chu Hua was Chu Qingyun's paternal uncle, and more importantly, the deputy captain of the Chu Family Village guard. As a seventh-level Martial Artist, he was much more powerful than Chu Qian.
Just then, Chu Qingyun stepped forward and said with a calm and composed air, "Uncle Chu Qian, I'd like to ask one thing. Is this marriage to Zhao Yishui something you are forcing, or is Chu Xiaocui doing it willingly?"
Both Chu Qian and Chu Hua were somewhat surprised.
They hadn't expected Chu Qingyun to maintain such composure at a time like this.
"Hmph, forcing her?"
A mocking look appeared in Chu Qian's eyes. "Xiaocui, why don't you tell him yourself."
From the group of people behind him, a young woman stepped out.
The woman wore an aqua-green long dress that complemented her graceful figure. With her beautiful face, she could certainly be considered a beauty.
However, the contempt and resentment in her eyes completely ruined her elegant demeanor.
"Chu Qingyun, you useless trash with no Martial Soul! You've made me a laughingstock for days. Why would I ever be willing to marry you!"
"Yishui is a million times better than you. Of course I'm marrying him willingly!"
Chu Xiaocui's words were utterly merciless.
At this, not only did Chu Xuan and Liu Lanfang's faces turn ugly, but even the surrounding onlookers couldn't help but shake their heads.
Her words were too cruel, too excessive.
To say such a thing was to ensure Chu Qingyun would never be able to hold his head high again.
Chu Xuan stepped in front of Chu Qingyun and roared, almost bellowing, "Chu Qian! Back then, it was you who saw Qingyun's exceptional talent and came rushing to arrange this engagement with my family."
"And now you come to break it off? You are shameless!"
"We will absolutely not agree to this annulment!"
Hearing this, Chu Qian's face darkened. "Chu Xuan, you'd better think this through. Zhao Yishui is the son of the Zhao Family Castle's Fortress Lord. If you don't agree... hmph, hmph..."
"So what if we don't agree?"
"Are you trying to threaten us with the Zhao Family Castle?"
Chu Hua stepped up beside Chu Xuan and said in a cold voice.
"Forget it, Father, Hua. If they want to break it off, let them. Marrying a woman like her would only bring disaster to our family anyway."
Chu Qingyun sighed and said.
"Qingyun, you..."
Both Chu Xuan and Chu Hua stared at Chu Qingyun in disbelief.
Having someone show up at your home to annul an engagement... for a man, this was the ultimate humiliation!
'And Chu Qingyun was just going to take it!?'
"Hmph, you little piece of trash. At least you know what's good for you. Here are the annulment papers. Sign them."
Chu Qian said, tossing over paper and a pen.
With a calm expression, Chu Qingyun signed the annulment papers. "Chu Qian, Chu Xiaocui, I have signed the annulment. From now on, our two families have nothing to do with each other. I hope you won't regret this."
"Regret? HAHA! A piece of trash with no Martial Soul dares to talk so big! If I, Chu Qian, ever regret this, I'll eat shit!"
Chu Qian roared with laughter, his eyes filled with even more contempt.
Chu Xiaocui also shook her head and said, "Chu Qingyun, at least you know your place. You and I... we are not the same kind of people anymore."
"Chu Xiaocui, I dare you to make a bet. One month from now, I will make sure you can't get married. If I win, you will apologize to my parents in public!"
A cold glint flashed in Chu Qingyun's eyes as he spoke.
Chu Qingyun didn't care about Chu Qian and Chu Xiaocui breaking the engagement, but insulting his parents? That was unacceptable!
Chu Xiaocui was stunned for a moment, then she realized something.
According to the customs of the villages near Qingshan City, when a man marries a woman from another village, he must bring young Martial Artists from his own village to compete against the young Martial Artists from the bride's village. Only by winning can he take the bride away.
Usually, however, this was just a formality, a friendly competition.
'But from the sound of it, Chu Qingyun plans to defeat all the young Martial Artists from the Zhao Family Castle when Zhao Yishui comes to escort the bride in a month!?'
Suddenly, Chu Xiaocui laughed. It was a laugh of both pity and mockery.