809: Chapter 807 Conditions for Annulling the Engagement

"Yes, it was precisely by relying on this object that I was able to conceal my true situation." Yu Qing handed the copper piece to Lin Yang for him to examine closely.

Lin Yang took the copper piece, turning it over in his hands several times, feeling very surprised.

The fact that Yu Qing had used this object to conceal her true situation, and even he hadn't been able to detect it, was enough to show how extraordinary this copper piece was.

To be precise, it was a Bronze Fragment.

That's right.

This copper piece was also a fragment of bronze.

"A Bronze Fragment. I wonder if it has any connection to the Bronze Fragments I salvaged." Lin Yang thought to himself, but it wasn't appropriate to take out the Bronze Fragments from his spatial ring right then for comparison.

His gaze lingered on this Bronze Fragment, and he fell into thought for a moment.

Seeing this, Yu Qing spoke directly, "It seems Brother Lin is quite interested in this copper piece. In that case, I'll give it to you."

Lin Yang snapped out of his reverie and said slowly, "This... to be honest, I am indeed somewhat interested in this item. However, since it's a precious treasure you use to conceal yourself, it wouldn't be right for me to take something you value. Let's just forget it."

He handed the Bronze Fragment back.

But Yu Qing didn't take it back. She merely said, "Please accept it. Consider it my token of gratitude."

"That's not appropriate. You've already paid the agreed-upon remuneration in advance. I'm just fulfilling my promise; how can I accept additional thanks?" Lin Yang shook his head, insisting on handing it back.

Yu Qing still didn't accept it, saying, "Actually, this thing isn't that important to me. By helping me resolve the engagement with Lei Su this time, I won't have to flee far from home in the future. I won't need it anymore."

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Yang earnestly and said, "To be honest, the cost of hiring a Heng Realm expert is something I simply cannot afford. I got a huge bargain with our previous agreement. I never expected you to become a Heng Realm cultivator. So, please accept this item. Otherwise, I'll find it difficult to accept your help with a clear conscience."

Hearing this and seeing Yu Qing's resolute attitude, Lin Yang thought for a moment and didn't refuse further, saying:

"Since that's the case, I'll accept it. Consider it as me owing you another favor."

"No need for a favor!" Yu Qing quickly interjected.

Yu Shan, standing to the side, inwardly sighed upon hearing these words.

A favor from a Heng Realm powerhouse was something countless people begged for but couldn't obtain, yet Yu Qing had refused it without hesitation.

He felt a pang of heartache.

Having one more favor like that would be a tremendous boon for the Yu Family!

However, he naturally couldn't say anything about it and could only try his best to stop thinking about it.

Still, in his heart, Yu Shan began to ponder.

Although Yu Qing had rejected the favor promised by Lin Yang, given her relationship with him, she might still be able to enlist Lin Yang's help in the future.

Furthermore, even though Yu Qing had openly refused, a Heng Realm powerhouse would likely still remember this debt of gratitude.

He began to consider whether to settle accounts with those who had forced Yu Qing to flee years ago.

A significant reason Yu Qing was forced to leave home back then was because, after her parents passed away, her paternal uncle's branch of the family wanted to seize power and thus vigorously promoted her marriage to Lei Su.

Although the Lei Clan was a major clan, and Yu Qing's status would be high after marrying into it, she would no longer be able to interfere in Yu Family affairs.

As the eldest daughter of the former clan leader, if Yu Qing didn't marry out, her presence in the Yu Family would always be a thorn in their side.

Therefore, Yu Qing fled far from home.

Yu Shan was aware of all this, but he hadn't intervened back then.

Because Yu Qing's parents were dead, and the clan truly needed someone to take charge.

But today was different from the past.

Yu Qing had actually befriended a Heng Realm expert.

This caused the scales in Yu Shan's heart to tip once more.

Lin Yang was the only newly ascended Heng Realm expert of this era.

He was not only the only new Heng Realm among humans but also the only newly ascended Heng Realm on the entire Primal Ancient Continent.

Moreover, the brevity of his cultivation years was truly astonishing.

This meant Lin Yang's future potential was limitless; he might even have the possibility of ascending to the Wei Realm or even the Ancient Realm.

He began to consider whether to deal with a portion of the people to clear a path for Yu Qing.

Hearing Yu Qing's words, Lin Yang didn't say anything more. Although Yu Qing had refused, he would indeed remember it.

Then, he put away the Bronze Fragment and looked at Yu Shan. "Fellow Daoist Yu Shan, you know my purpose for coming. So, regarding Yu Qing's engagement to Lei Su, is there room for further discussion?"

Having taken payment for the task, and now having accepted this Bronze Fragment, he felt even more compelled to do his utmost.

Hearing this, Yu Shan temporarily set aside his thoughts and revealed a somewhat inscrutable smile, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Lin, how much do you know about our Gu Ling Clan? Are you aware of the Lei Clan's situation?"

"I know a little." Lin Yang glanced at Yu Qing, who had told him some things on their way to the Ancient Realm's forbidden domain.

Yu Shan took in Lin Yang's glance and immediately understood a few things. He said slowly:

"Since Fellow Daoist Lin is also aware, you should know that the Lei Clan's strength and heritage are formidable, even slightly surpassing our Yu Family."

"Lei Su is the eldest son of the current Lei Clan leader, Lei Zhen. He fell in love with Yu Qing at first sight and declared he would marry no one but her."

"So, this matter is quite difficult to handle! Even if we could avoid forcing Yu Qing to marry over there, the Lei Clan wouldn't just let it go."

"Especially since the Lei Clan places great importance on face. If we truly break off the engagement, I'm afraid the Lei Clan won't let the matter rest."

...

As Yu Shan spoke, he even showed a somewhat troubled expression, as if it were indeed very difficult.

Lin Yang listened quietly to Yu Shan's explanation. Only after Yu Shan finished did he say with a faint smile:

"Fellow Daoist Yu Shan, just speak plainly. What price must be paid for the Yu Family to formally break off the engagement with the Lei Clan?"

Yu Shan's lengthy speech and show of difficulty were all deliberately for his ears.

The purpose was naturally to extract an attitude or commitment from him.

To put it bluntly, it was about benefits.

He couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush with Yu Shan.

He had come to help Yu Qing break the engagement because of his unfulfilled promise. Moreover, having just accepted Yu Qing's Bronze Fragment, as long as Yu Shan's demands weren't too excessive, he would do his best to meet them.

Seeing this, Yu Shan chuckled and said, "Fellow Daoist Lin is direct. Then I'll speak plainly. Breaking off the engagement between Yu Qing and Lei Su indeed has significant implications, mainly because there isn't a very suitable reason. So, if we are to truly break it off, I need Fellow Daoist Lin to help me share the pressure from the Lei Clan."

A glint flashed in Lin Yang's eyes. "Agreed. If the Lei Clan causes trouble, I naturally won't stand by idly. I will stay here until this matter is completely resolved."

"Haha, with those words from Fellow Daoist Lin, I am reassured. In that case, I will notify the Lei Clan. Since we're breaking it off, let's do it early." Yu Shan laughed heartily.

"I trouble Fellow Daoist Yu Shan." Lin Yang cupped his hands in salute.

Yu Shan waved his hand. "No need for courtesy. Fellow Daoist Lin, please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

"As you wish, Fellow Daoist Yu Shan." Lin Yang said.

After Yu Shan left, Yu Qing let out a long sigh of relief and said gratefully to Lin Yang, "Thank you!"

"No need for thanks. This is what I should do. Breaking the engagement shouldn't be a problem now. What are your plans next?" Lin Yang asked casually.

Yu Qing thought for a moment and said, "This time, I'm still benefiting from your influence. With your firm stance supporting me, I won't face any trouble within the clan in the future. So, I plan to stay within the clan."

"That's good." Lin Yang smiled.

Afterwards, neither of them spoke.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Suddenly, Lin Yang's eyebrows raised as he looked towards the hall's entrance. He sensed someone peering in this direction.

However, he didn't expose it.

This was the Yu Family. Anyone who could get this close to the main hall at this time was likely a high-ranking member.

He paid no further attention and quietly savored his tea.

Yu Shan was quite generous. The tea he served was so refreshing that even Lin Yang felt invigorated after drinking it.

Meanwhile,

Outside the main hall, a middle-aged man hurried away, soon arriving at another Villa.

If Yu Qing saw this person, she would immediately recognize him as her paternal uncle, also the current head of the Yu Family, Yu Yuan'an.

Inside the Villa, a middle-aged woman, Yu Yuan'an's Dao Companion Wu Bilan, saw the middle-aged man hurrying over and quickly went to meet him, asking with a probing tone:

"Well? Did you see? Did that wretched girl Yu Qing really bring back a Heng Realm expert?"

Yu Yuan'an frowned deeply and nodded. "Yes. I only caught a brief glimpse from outside the hall before that Heng Realm expert noticed me. However, he didn't seem inclined to pursue the matter. It wasn't appropriate for me to stay longer, so I came back first."

The beautiful middle-aged woman Wu Bilan also furrowed her delicate brows. "I told you back then we should have found an opportunity to kill that wretched girl. Keeping her alive was always a disaster. You said to spare her life for the sake of family ties. Now look, that wretched girl has actually hooked up with a Heng Realm powerhouse. Returning this time, she's likely to cause trouble for us."

Yu Yuan'an's tone turned cold and stern. "Although she's returned with such strong backing from a Heng Realm expert to break off the engagement, using who knows what means, besides this matter, we haven't done anything else to wrong her. At most, we'll just keep our distance from her in the future."

"Hah, what means? What else could it be? With that face and body of hers, what else?"

Wu Bilan sneered, then continued:

"Back when that wretched girl's parents perished in the ancient lands, we used tactics to force her to flee. Now she's hooked up with a Heng Realm expert; she probably won't just agree to keep our distance."

Yu Yuan'an fell silent for a moment upon hearing this and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. We'll wait and see. After all, she's just a woman. The clan leadership can't possibly be given back to her. Even if she wants to vent her anger, as long as it's not too excessive, we can tolerate it. At most, we just won't provoke her in the future."

"Hmph, I'm afraid she won't see it that way!" Wu Bilan snorted coldly, then added, "But what you say makes sense. We'll endure for now. A Heng Realm existence is probably just toying with her. Once he gets bored, she'll be at our mercy again!"

"Exactly." Yu Yuan'an nodded.

...

Yu Family Main Hall.

Yu Shan had returned and said to Lin Yang:

"Fellow Daoist Lin, I have notified the Lei Clan. However, they said they cannot simply break off the engagement just because you say so. Otherwise, where would the Lei Clan's face be? So..."

He looked at Lin Yang, not finishing his sentence.

But Lin Yang already understood. He continued, "So, the Lei Clan's meaning is that they want me to have a match with them? If my strength is sufficient, the engagement can be broken?"

Yu Shan gave an awkward smile. "That's roughly the idea. After all, the Lei Clan is a major clan. They have Heng Realm experts and even Wei Realm experts. If you weren't the only newly ascended Heng Realm expert of this era, at the peak of your condition, they probably wouldn't even give this opportunity."

"To put it bluntly, they also don't want to provoke a Heng Realm expert at the peak of the current era. If it were another Heng Realm expert, the Lei Clan likely wouldn't even offer the chance for a match."

Lin Yang nodded, indicating he understood. "Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Yu Shan to tell the Lei Clan once more: if they want a match, let them set the time and place. I am ready at any time."

"Good, I'll go tell them now." Yu Shan agreed and turned to leave again.

This time, Yu Qing felt somewhat embarrassed and said to Lin Yang, "Sorry for causing you so much trouble."

Lin Yang waved his hand. "It's nothing. Since I came, I was prepared to take action here."

He was telling the truth.

Because he had always thought the trouble Yu Qing needed his help with might involve enemies. He had long been prepared to fight. Now it had just turned into a sparring match.

Soon, Yu Shan reappeared and said, "The time has been set. In three days, at the border area between the Lei Clan and our clan's territory. I will take you there then."

"Agreed. In three days, I'll spar with the Lei Clan's Heng Realm expert." Lin Yang said.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, the Lei Clan's Heng Realm expert is named Lei Zhanfeng. Let me tell you about his situation to help you prepare." Yu Shan said with a grin.

"Then I thank Fellow Daoist Yu Shan." Lin Yang cupped his hands in salute.

"It's a small matter. No need for courtesy, Fellow Daoist Lin. If we can successfully break off the engagement this time, it will be a good thing for Yu Qing. That Lei Su's character isn't great." Yu Shan said.

Hearing this, Lin Yang didn't show any reaction outwardly but sighed inwardly.

Clearly, Yu Shan was well aware of Lei Su's character but hadn't intervened before.

He couldn't help but glance at Yu Qing.

Yu Shan knew about the grievances she had suffered. The reason he hadn't stopped it was because Yu Qing's value wasn't sufficient.

This was reality.

Yu Qing also had a complex look in her eyes but quickly returned to normal.

In a large clan, everything is considered from the perspective of the clan's interests.

She had no value before, so the grievances she suffered were essentially nothing in the eyes of Yu Shan and others. It was only now, because she had enlisted Lin Yang's help, that her grievances were finally acknowledged.

Having been born into a large clan, she was accustomed to these things.

Yu Shan then began to introduce Lei Zhanfeng's personal situation to Lin Yang.

Lei Zhanfeng was a Heng Realm expert who had survived two Samsara Tribulations. In terms of condition, he could still be considered at his peak.

However, compared to Lin Yang, a Heng Realm expert of the current era, he naturally fell short.

As for future prospects, he was even less comparable to Lin Yang.

This was also one of the reasons the Lei Clan agreed to decide the engagement's fate through a sparring match.

They similarly didn't want to easily offend a current-era Heng Realm expert with limitless prospects.

The three days passed in a flash. On that day, Lin Yang followed Yu Shan, accompanied by Yu Qing and some other Yu Family members, heading to the sparring location.

Simultaneously, the news of his upcoming match with Lei Zhanfeng had spread throughout the surrounding regions over the past three days.

It attracted a massive influx of people eager to witness the event.

This was a battle between Heng Realm experts. Countless people were willing to give everything they had just to watch. (End of Chapter)