151: Chapter 151: A Choice

"Is it a lot? Compared to the lives of your three families, thirty percent is nothing, right?"

"Since you're all being so tough, then let's see who's harder."

"I forgot to tell you, the City Protection Array of the White Emperor City is still active; not a single one of you can escape."

After Xiao Ran finished speaking, he stood up and headed outside.

At the same time.

Outside the Ximen residence, waves of majestic and powerful pressure were revealed.

Ancestor Nangong choked on his words at the sight.

His old face immediately trembled.

Ancestor Beiming and Ancestor Ximen reacted the same way.

Since the two of them had come, they naturally had no intention of starting a war.

Because once a war broke out, it would mean the three of them would have to face a frantic hunt from the Eternal Night Demon Sect.

Even if they were at the Void Refinement Stage, they wouldn't be able to withstand it!

The Eternal Night Demon Sect even had Dao Integration Stage experts; their foundations were terrifyingly deep.

Thus, Ancestor Ximen immediately stepped forward to stop Xiao Ran.

"Young Master Xiao, look at you getting impatient again."

"Everything can be negotiated. We can choose to submit, and handing over thirty percent of the profits is no problem."

"But... we need a guarantee."

Xiao Ran stopped upon hearing this and asked without turning his head.

"What guarantee?"

Ancestor Beiming looked at his back and said word by word,

"I need Young Master Xiao to make a Great Dao Oath to guarantee the continuation of our three families."

"As long as we do not betray you, you must not take action against us without cause."

Xiao Ran fell silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around.

"Senior Beiming, you are indeed a clever person."

He nodded.

"Fine, I promise you."

"As long as you do not betray me, I guarantee the safety of the three families."

"But if you have double intentions..."

He didn't finish the sentence.

But the three Old Ancestors all understood.

The Dongfang Family was the precedent.

Ancestor Ximen took a deep breath, was the first to stand up, and bowed deeply.

"The Ximen Family is willing to follow Young Master Xiao's orders."

Ancestor Nangong and Ancestor Beiming exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time.

"The Nangong Family is willing to follow Young Master Xiao's orders."

"The Beiming Family is willing to follow Young Master Xiao's orders."

Xiao Ran felt a secret sense of satisfaction seeing the three Void Refining Old Ancestors bowing their heads to him.

But on the surface, he remained indifferent.

"Seniors, please rise."

He raised his hand in a gesture of assistance.

"From now on, we are on the same side."

The three Old Ancestors rose, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

But things had come to this, and they could only accept it.

Xiao Ran looked at them and suddenly smiled.

"Seniors, to be honest, I'm actually quite disappointed."

Ancestor Ximen was taken aback.

"Disappointed?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

"I originally thought you would be a bit tougher, so I could have a legitimate reason to seize your three families as well."

He sighed.

"What a pity, what a pity."

The faces of the three Old Ancestors stiffened.

The corner of Ancestor Nangong's mouth twitched.

This kid... really dares to say anything.

Xiao Ran waved his hand.

"Just a joke, Seniors, don't mind it."

"Everyone, since we've settled the matter, I won't stay."

He turned and walked out.

At the door, he suddenly stopped.

"By the way, Bai Moxuan is now the new City Lord."

"In the future, if anything comes up, get closer to him."

With those words, he stepped away.

Elder Ying followed behind him without saying a word.

In the meeting hall, the three Old Ancestors looked at each other.

After a long while, Ancestor Ximen smiled bitterly.

"This kid... is much more difficult to deal with than the White Emperor."

Ancestor Nangong sighed.

"Forget it, this kid's deterrent power has been too strong lately; this is already the best outcome."

"Furthermore, this is just a temporary measure for us."

"Once Xiao Ran leaves, won't this White Emperor City be under our control again?"

The three Old Ancestors exchanged glances, each seeing their own calculations.

Ancestor Beiming smiled and leaned on her cane, looking out the door.

"Let's go, it's time to meet that new City Lord."

...

At night.

Yelaixiang Inn.

Xiao Ran had been busy all day and finally got some rest; he pushed open the door and entered the room.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.

Bai Linger sat by the bed, motionless.

She was wearing the same light green dress she wore when they first met, her hair was simply tied up, and her face was expressionless.

Only her eyes were red.

Clearly, she had been crying.

Xiao Ran looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

Then, he closed the door, walked to the table, and sat down.

"You know?"

Bai Linger looked up at him.

"My father is dead, the Dongfang Family is destroyed, and those brothers... are also dead."

Her voice was very soft, yet it carried a hint of trembling.

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Yes, they are all dead."

Bai Linger looked at him, tears in her eyes.

"Did you do it?"

Xiao Ran did not hide it.

"Yes."

Bai Linger's body trembled.

Xiao Ran continued.

"Your father wanted to possess me."

"From the start of the Martial Arts Marriage Recruitment, everything was a setup, including you."

"You were just a pawn he used to plant a Secret Technique."

Xiao Ran looked at Bai Linger from top to bottom.

"The White Emperor used your body to absorb my Essence, and then he wanted to possess me."

Bai Linger's face instantly turned pale upon hearing this.

"I... I didn't know."

Xiao Ran nodded.

"I naturally know you didn't know."

"Otherwise, you would have already been reunited with your father and brothers."

Xiao Ran's tone was not at all as polite as it was when they first met.

Bai Linger lowered her head.

Tears fell drop by drop.

Xiao Ran didn't speak.

He just watched her quietly.

After a long while, Bai Linger looked up.

"Why... are you telling me all this?"

Xiao Ran looked at her.

"Because you deserve to know the truth."

"Now you have two choices."

Bai Linger looked at him.

Xiao Ran said slowly,

"First, follow me back to the Eternal Night Demon Sect; from now on, you will be my woman."

Bai Linger bit her lip.

Xiao Ran continued,

"Second, I will give you a sum of resources, enough for you to Cultivate to the Soul Transformation Stage."

"You leave White Emperor City and go wherever you want."

"The choice is yours."

Bai Linger was silent.

In the room, only the candlelight flickered.

Time passed bit by bit.

Suddenly, Bai Linger stood up.

She walked in front of Xiao Ran and looked at him.

"Xiao Ran, tell me, have you ever... liked me?"

Xiao Ran looked at her.

Their eyes met.

He reached out and gently wiped away the tears on her face.

"I have liked your body."

Bai Linger was stunned for a moment.

Liking the body counted as liking too!

So Bai Linger immediately threw herself into Xiao Ran's arms and hugged him tightly.

After a long while.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Ran. You killed my father. Although he used me, he was truly good to me. I can't overcome that hurdle in my heart."

Bai Linger's tone was low.

Her father was dead, and her brothers had all been killed by the third brother.

So in this world, the person Bai Linger was closest to was Xiao Ran.

But she couldn't go with him.

"I understand."

Xiao Ran understood Bai Linger's meaning; he would not force her.

So he just gently put his arm around her waist.

"Then for our last night, are we doing it or not?"

"Yes!"