The people of Chu Family Village were ecstatic, their spirits soaring.
Meanwhile, the people from Zhao Family Castle all wore grim expressions, remaining silent.
They had originally come to show off their power and remind Chu Family Village of Zhao Family Castle's might.
But they never expected a Chu Qingyun to appear out of nowhere. Not only had he defeated Zhao Feilong and Zhao Huang one after another, but he had even beaten Zhao Yishui.
It was a classic case of shooting themselves in the foot.
They had failed to make a show of force, and in the process, Zhao Yishui had lost his standing as the top talent of the younger generation.
Chu Qingyun, however, turned his gaze to the pale-faced Chu Xiaocui.
"Chu Xiaocui, now is the time to fulfill your promise! Kneel before my parents and admit you were wrong!"
Chu Qingyun shouted, his voice resonant and full of energy.
Everything he had now, he had earned himself through sweat and pain!
The countless times he'd sweat while practicing with his Martial Soul, the countless times he'd endured the piercing pain of drawing his sword—it was all for this very moment!
It was all to restore his parents' honor in front of everyone!
"Qingyun, why don't we... why don't we just let it go?"
"I apologize. It was all my fault. I never should have broken off the engagement."
"But as for kneeling... we don't have to go that far, do we...?"
Chu Xiaocui's expression was ghastly. She looked up at Chu Qingyun, her tone almost pleading.
"Absolutely not!"
"Get over there and kneel!"
Chu Qingyun commanded, his face cold as he pointed toward his parents.
"Chu Qingyun, don't you go too far! Yishui! Yishui..."
Chu Xiaocui looked toward Zhao Yishui.
But Zhao Yishui wanted nothing to do with her. He shot her a vicious glare before turning his head away.
"How did it come to this... Village Chief! Village Chief, please, say something for me!"
Chu Xiaocui then turned to the village chief.
But the village chief only sighed and shook his head.
The choice between Chu Qingyun and Chu Xiaocui was an obvious one.
As village chief, he couldn't possibly risk alienating a young expert like Chu Qingyun just to save face for a single Chu Xiaocui.
Suddenly, a profound sense of powerlessness and helplessness washed over Chu Xiaocui.
Chu Qingyun's dominant performance on the stage had shattered every bit of support she had.
Zhao Yishui, Chu Family Village, and even her own father—none of them dared to speak up for her now.
Deep down, Chu Xiaocui knew that this was all her own doing. She had brought this entirely upon herself.
She could have been down there with the crowd, happily sharing in the glory of Chu Qingyun's victory over Zhao Yishui.
But because of her snobbery, because of her desire to climb the social ladder...
Everything had changed.
Dejected and lost, Chu Xiaocui dragged her feet over to Chu Qingyun's parents and knelt.
"I-I'm sorry. Everything before... it was all my fault. I shouldn't have broken off the engagement, and I shouldn't have been so arrogant."
Under the gazes of the crowd, Chu Xuan and Liu Lanfang were also at a loss. Unsure of what to do, they looked to Chu Qingyun on the stage for guidance.
Chu Qingyun snorted coldly and said, "Scram!"
As if granted a pardon, Chu Xiaocui scrambled to her feet and fled without a backward glance, her eyes filled with humiliation and venomous hatred.
Chu Qingyun knew that by forcing Chu Xiaocui to kneel, he would make a bitter enemy of her, Chu Qian, and the rest of their family.
But he didn't care!
If Chu Xiaocui had only targeted him, Chu Qingyun might have swallowed his anger.
But she had humiliated his parents and family as well. How could he possibly tolerate that!
After the utter disaster at the bridal tournament, Zhao Zhimo, Zhao Yishui, and the others were too ashamed to stay. They made a quick excuse and left Chu Family Village.
The crowd gradually dispersed. What was meant to be a bride-welcoming procession had turned into a complete farce.
Chu Qian's family, who should have been the center of attention, was now completely ignored. Instead, everyone in Chu Family Village was excitedly talking about one name: Chu Qingyun.
It was clear that before long, Chu Qingyun's name would be known throughout all the surrounding villages.
"Chu Qian, this is all your fault! If you hadn't been so eager to break the engagement, would things have ended up like this?"
Chu Xiaocui's mother, Qian Chunlan, couldn't help but complain.
"Blame me? If you hadn't contacted the matchmaker from Zhao Family Castle, would I have even thought of breaking the engagement? If anyone's to blame, it's you!"
Not to be outdone, Chu Qian shot back, and the two of them began to argue.
Chu Xiaocui let out a weary sigh and shuffled into the house like a zombie.
'They brought it all on themselves.'
Meanwhile, after the contingent from Zhao Family Castle returned, Zhao Zhimo and Zhao Yishui went to find Fortress Lord Zhao Zhiyi.
"Father, we can't just swallow this humiliation!"
Zhao Yishui said through gritted teeth, his face contorted with rage.
He'd had a smooth and easy life, never suffering a setback like this. To think he was nearly cut down by a single strike from Chu Qingyun!
Zhao Zhiyi smiled. "Can't swallow it? Are you suggesting we go to war with Chu Family Village? That old geezer Chu Jinglei is not to be trifled with."
"Besides, Yishui, experiencing a little setback isn't a bad thing for you."
At his side, Zhao Zhimo mulled it over for a moment before speaking. "Big Brother, I'm with Yishui on this one. That Chu Qingyun cannot be allowed to live."
"Oh? A fifteen or sixteen-year-old brat is worth all this fuss?" Zhao Zhiyi asked curiously.
"Yes. He's fifteen. He awakened his Martial Soul less than a month ago and has already reached the level of a Level 3 Martial Artist."
"He's been practicing with a sword for less than a month, and he's already grasped Sword Momentum."
"And that Sword Drawing Technique of his... I'm afraid no one below a Level 6 Martial Artist could block it."
"Big Brother, I guarantee it. Give him three more years, and the entire Zhao Family Castle will have to bow its head to him."
Zhao Zhimo said grimly, his expression dark.
With every sentence Zhao Zhimo spoke, the smile on Zhao Zhiyi's face faded, replaced by a deepening gravity.
Zhao Zhiyi stood up, paced around the room once, and made his decision.
"In that case, don't blame us for being ruthless. If anyone's to blame, it's Chu Qingyun for being born in the wrong place."
"Zhimo, go to Qingshan City. Hire someone from the Assassin Alliance. Offer a bounty of five thousand Lower Grade Primordial Stones for his life."
"The position of the Zhao Family Castle must not be shaken!"
Zhao Zhimo and Zhao Yishui were both startled.
Five thousand Lower Grade Primordial Stones... that was usually the price to assassinate a Level 5 or even a Level 6 Martial Artist.
Zhao Zhiyi truly lived up to his title as Fortress Lord. He didn't make a move lightly, but when he did, it was to kill.
That very night, Zhao Zhimo took fifty Middle Grade Primordial Stones and rode for Qingshan City at top speed.
For a full day after his victory over Zhao Yishui, Chu Qingyun's home knew no peace. A constant stream of well-wishers came to offer congratulations, threatening to wear down the Chu Family's very doorstep.
Chu Xuan and Liu Lanfang were grinning from ear to ear.
They knew Chu Qingyun had a Martial Soul, but they had no idea their son had become so powerful.
Even the village chief held them in conversation for a long time, endlessly praising Chu Qingyun.
As night fell and the boisterous day came to an end, Chu Qingyun sat on his roof, pondering the path ahead.
Despite defeating Zhao Yishui, Chu Qingyun wasn't complacent.
Having witnessed Ye Qi's power, he was keenly aware that there were always new heights to reach and stronger people out there.
Never mind more distant and greater places; he might be considered an expert in Chu Family Village, but in Qingshan City, he would be a nobody.
'Cultivation, cultivation... I'm still short on resources. It looks like I'll have to make a trip to the Yuan Stone Ore Vein after all...'
'And that strange feeling from last time... what exactly was it...'