Chapter 120: The Matter of the Betrothal

Maple Leaf City, the Lord’s Mansion.

The Lord’s Mansion of Maple Leaf City had been completely taken over by the Lu family. Truth be told, throughout the entire city, only the Lu family and the Lie family possessed the strength to hold such a position. Following the destruction of the Li family—one of the original three great families—and the death of Wen Hao, their followers had either perished or dispersed.

With the Lu family now in charge of the Lord’s Mansion, their position was legitimate, bolstered by the recommendation of the Imperial Princess. Furthermore, the Lie family had no interest in the lordship themselves. In reality, the Lu family was the ideal choice; they had always enjoyed a sterling reputation in Maple Leaf City. The Lie family, as the other major power, gave their full support, and even the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, which typically abstained from the power struggles of the city's clans, had voiced their endorsement.

As a result, the Lu family’s influence had reached its zenith, with small and medium-sized families from across the city paying visits almost daily. The guards at the gate had just seen off the head of the Zhang family from the east side of the city.

"Phew, Wang Dong, I say... Elder Lie!" One guard, about to speak to his companion, suddenly spotted a group of people from the Lie family approaching. The three individuals at the forefront appeared to be treated with great deference even by Elder Lie himself.

Having served at the Lord’s Mansion, the guards were sharp-eyed and immediately stepped forward to greet them. "Elder Lie, may I ask what brings you here?" the guard asked cautiously. He knew that the entire Lie family rarely mobilized like this; it had to be a matter of great importance.

"Go and inform Nephew Tianhong that I have a serious matter to discuss with him," Lie Zhong said, stroking his beard.

"Elder Lie and guests, please wait a moment. I shall return shortly." With that, the guard hurried toward Lu Tianhong’s study.

"Patriarch, to make you wait like this, I..." one of the men behind the head of the Lie family’s main branch began, clearly on the verge of storming in. Lie Yi thought to himself that the head of the central ancient domain’s Lie family was a pinnacle existence on the Sky Dome Continent. Not to mention Maple Leaf City, even the royal family of the Great Xia Empire would not dare to show such neglect. Yet, here they were, waiting.

"It is of no consequence," the head of the main branch replied, glancing at Lie Ruge behind him. Besides, while Lie Batian was known for his domineering nature, he was not petty enough to take offense at a minor family.

Lie Ruge made a face at him. On the way there, her grandfather, Lie Zhong, had told her that the man before them was actually the elder brother of their clan’s ancestor. Although she didn’t know why her grandfather was so certain, she figured he wouldn't joke about such a thing.

"Clomp, clomp, clomp!" A moment later, the guard hurried back. "Elder Lie, the City Lord invites you all to the main hall."

"Big... Please!" Elder Lie had nearly called him "Grand-uncle," but upon second thought, he realized it was best not to reveal their true identities at the entrance of the Lord’s Mansion. Led by the guard, the group entered the hall.

"Elder Lie, I apologize for not welcoming you from afar, as I have been indisposed," Lu Tianhong said with a hearty laugh as he entered. The "Tiger Toad Poison" in Lu Tianhong’s system was only temporarily suppressed; he retained his Xiantian-level cultivation, but could not utilize his Xiantian energy. If he were to force it, the poison would strike his heart, and then...

Elder Lie expressed his understanding, as he had been present when the incident occurred. "Oh? And who might these three be?" Lu Tianhong asked. Among the group, three figures stood out, with even Elder Lie trailing behind them. Having navigated the cutthroat politics of Maple Leaf City for decades, Lu Tianhong understood that these three held status far beyond that of Elder Lie.

"Ahem, these three are..." Elder Lie coughed.

"I shall introduce myself," the head of the Lie family’s main branch said.

...

In the backyard of the Lord’s Mansion, Meng Wan’er was watering flowers when she saw her maid, Xing’er, running over in a fluster. "Mistress, Uncle Fu came by to say that the Master requests your presence in the council hall immediately for an urgent matter," Xing’er reported. Even though Lu Tianhong was now the City Lord, the staff still addressed him as "Master" out of habit.

Meng Wan’er set down her watering can. "What is it? So urgent? Tell Uncle Fu I am coming," she replied.

In the council hall, one of the men behind the Lie family head whispered, "Master, this Lu family truly doesn’t know what’s good for them. If this were the central ancient domain, even the Lord of Heaven-Reaching City would not dare to defy your wishes. They are lucky they met you; if it were someone else..." He was clearly dissatisfied with Lu Tianhong’s hesitation.

The head of the Lie family had just stated his purpose: Lie Ruge was of vital importance to the clan and had to be brought back. Regarding the marriage between Lu Han and Lie Ruge, he had tactfully suggested dissolving the engagement, offering compensation in return. While Lu Tianhong was tempted by the offer, the matter concerned his son’s future. With Lu Han away, he was reluctant to agree. He had not expected the Lie family to have such a formidable background—it seemed they didn't even fear the Murong royal family of the Great Xia Empire.

"This matter must be resolved perfectly," the head of the Lie family said, using a technique so that only those behind him could hear. "If we force the girl away, she will harbor resentment. By resolving the engagement in her presence, we cut off her attachments. You have heard of my fourth younger brother’s affair, haven't you? Do you want to repeat that mistake? My fourth brother was a talent of his era, yet he was perhaps not even as gifted as this girl. I do not wish to see a repeat of that tragedy."

"The Master is wise," the man replied, looking ashamed. The events of the past were known to nearly everyone in the clan.

Just then, Meng Wan’er arrived in a hurry. "Tianhong, what is the matter?" she asked from the doorway. "Elder Lie is here as well? And who are these three..."

What the people in the hall did not notice was that as Meng Wan’er entered, Lie Ruge’s eyes darted around, and she slipped out of the hall unnoticed.

"Wan’er, let me explain." Lu Tianhong proceeded to recount the situation. Lie Zhong wanted to step forward to speak, but hesitated and withdrew his foot; since his grand-uncle, the head of the main branch, hadn't spoken, he could not intervene.

Meng Wan’er’s brows furrowed. Lu Han and Lie Ruge had been childhood sweethearts. If the engagement were dissolved...

"Honored guests from the Lie family, their marriage is a matter for them to decide," Meng Wan’er said. "Han’er is currently away. How about this: if Ruge herself agrees to this, we will not stand in the way. After all, she is returning to her own clan, and I believe Han’er will understand when he returns."

Lu Tianhong had already explained the importance of the situation; the Lie family was clearly a major power on the continent, and the local Lie family was merely returning to their roots. Meng Wan’er, being a wise woman, decided to leave the decision to Lie Ruge. She had confidence in her future daughter-in-law.

"I think that is acceptable," Lie Ruge’s father, Lie Xiong, said.

"Xiong'er!" Lie Zhong interrupted him. "Wait—where is Ruge?"

In the midst of discussing the marriage, no one had realized that Lie Ruge had secretly slipped away.