188: Marquis of Wu'an? The Imperial Son-in-Law? Xiao Chen was petrified on the spot!

"Something happened? Hahaha! Something did happen! It's something incredibly good!"

Seeing his expression, City Lord Zhuang Bai easily guessed what he was thinking. He quickly waved his hands and laughed out loud.

He bowed to the Gold-Armored Martial Artist behind him and shouted in a showy, dreamlike tone.

"Hall Master Xiao! This is an officer of the Royal Capital's Imperial Guards. He is the one who delivered the news."

"Do you know what earth-shaking thing that Big Brother Li of yours did in the Royal Capital?"

"He, he..." Xiao Chen's heart leapt into his throat.

"He, alone, suppressed all the prodigies of the entire Great Xia Dynasty!"

"He won the title of champion in this session's Great Xia Martial Selection!!!"

Boom—!!!

These words were like a bolt of Nine Heavens divine lightning, striking Xiao Chen squarely on the head!

He felt his vision go dark and the world began to spin!

He was completely stunned.

The... the champion?

Big Brother Li became the number one in the Great Xia Martial Selection?

How... how is this possible!

That was a grand gathering of all the geniuses from the entire Dynasty!

"It's more than just being the champion!"

Looking at his dazed expression, the smugness in Zhuang Bai's heart was practically overflowing!

He cleared his throat and continued to announce in that aria-like tone:

"His Majesty was greatly pleased! He conferred the title of Marquis Wuan upon Li Qing on the spot!"

"Furthermore, he has betrothed his most beloved Seventh Princess to Marquis Wuan!"

"The current Li Qing—no, it's Marquis Wuan! He is not only a Marquis, but also the Imperial Son-in-Law of our Great Xia Dynasty!"

Marquis Wuan?

Imperial Son-in-Law?

"..."

Xiao Chen's brain spun wildly.

He stood there blankly, mouth agape and eyes wide, like a puppet whose Soul had been snatched away.

In the courtyard, the children who were still practicing their martial arts stopped what they were doing and stared at the entrance in stunned silence.

Although they didn't quite understand what 'Marquis Wuan' or 'Imperial Son-in-Law' meant,

They could tell from the City Lord's distorted, excited expression.

Their Big Brother Li seemed to have become very, very, very incredible!

Just then,

The Gold-Armored Martial Artist, who had maintained a solemn expression from the start, stepped forward slowly.

He cupped his fists slightly toward Xiao Chen, a youth whose cultivation level was as insignificant as an ant in his eyes.

"Hall Master Xiao."

His voice was still cold, but it carried a hint of unquestionable respect.

"Marquis Wuan has a letter and ordered me to deliver it to you."

As he spoke, he took a letter from his robe and handed it over.

A letter?

A letter from Big Brother Li?

Xiao Chen's body trembled violently!

He subconsciously reached out with trembling hands and took the letter.

There was no name on the envelope.

Only four words.

"For Xiao Chen's Eyes Only."

The handwriting was bold and powerful, every stroke seemingly containing an unquestionable strength.

It was Big Brother Li's handwriting!

Xiao Chen's eyes instantly turned red.

He carefully opened the envelope.

There was only a short line of text on the paper.

"Bring the children and come to the Royal Capital together."

"Attend my wedding."

"..."

A simple, single line of text.

No flowery language, no redundant pleasantries.

Just like that man—calm, indifferent, yet as heavy as a thousand tons!

"Waaah—!"

Xiao Chen could no longer hold it back.

He squatted on the ground, clutching the letter, and wailed loudly like a child who had suffered a great grievance and finally saw a loved one!

Tears, like a flood breaking through a dam, instantly soaked the letter.

He remembered how he had struggled alone to support this dilapidated martial arts school over the past three years.

He remembered how he had struggled to survive amidst the contempt and bullying of others.

He remembered how that man had appeared in his life like a god descending from the heavens.

Holding up the sky for him.

Now,

That man was already standing above the clouds, a major figure watched by the entire Dynasty.

He had become a Marquis and an Imperial Son-in-Law.

But he still hadn't forgotten.

He hadn't forgotten this insignificant, minor Hall Master.

He hadn't forgotten these poorly clothed and hungry children in the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.

"Big Brother Li..."

"Wuu wuu... Big Brother Li!"

The youth's crying echoed in the small courtyard, filled with endless grievance and gratitude.

Seeing Xiao Chen squatting on the ground, crying his eyes out, Zhuang Bai didn't feel the slightest bit of impatience; instead, the smile on his face grew even more radiant.

Cry!

Go ahead and cry!

The more heartbroken you cry, the deeper your relationship with that Big Brother Li of yours!

This is all social capital!

In the future, when I go to the Royal Capital, I'll have to rely on this Marquis's little brother for a promotion!

"Oh, Hall Master Xiao, this is a joyous occasion of the highest order. Why are you crying?"

Zhuang Bai stepped forward and patted Xiao Chen's shoulder affectionately, comforting him with the kind tone of an elder.

"Get up, get up! Don't let the Imperial Guard officer see you like this!"

The Gold-Armored Martial Artist just stood to the side quietly, expressionless.

His mission was only to deliver the letter.

As for anything else, it had nothing to do with him.

However, he was also secretly amazed in his heart.

This Marquis Wuan was indeed a person who valued friendship and loyalty.

No wonder he was so highly regarded by the Crown Prince.

"I... I..."

Xiao Chen also realized he had lost his composure. He quickly wiped his tears and stood up, his small face flushed bright red.

"I... I'm just too happy."

"Being happy is good! Being happy is good!"

Zhuang Bai laughed heartily, took his hand, and led him into the courtyard.

"Come, come, come, let's go inside and talk! Let's talk inside!"

As he walked, he flashed a kind and amiable smile at the children in the courtyard who were still in a daze.

"Children, stop practicing! Today is a holiday!"

"Your Big Brother Li has made it big! From now on, you are all the Marquis's brothers and sisters! Everyone, be happy for this City Lord!"

"Oh—!!!"

Although the children didn't quite understand, they immediately erupted into a mountain-shaking cheer upon hearing the word 'holiday'!

"Big Brother Li is the best!"

"Long live Big Brother Li!"

The entire Iron Bone Martial Arts School was instantly enveloped in a massive, unprecedented joy.

For the next half day, Zhuang Bai, the City Lord of Jinling, treated the Iron Bone Martial Arts School almost like his own home.

He busied himself with various tasks, working tirelessly.

"Hall Master Xiao, look, this school of yours is too dilapidated. No, it must be repaired! It must be repaired immediately!"

"Someone! Pass my order: immediately assemble the best craftsmen in the city to renovate the Iron Bone Martial Arts School from top to bottom! Use the best Materials! The money will come from my City Lord Manor's private treasury!"

"And you children!"

Zhuang Bai looked at the simply dressed children and waved his hand grandly.

"This won't do! You are Marquis Wuan's brothers and sisters!"

"If word gets out that you're dressed like this, won't people laugh at the Marquis for being stingy?"

"Someone! Go to the best silk shop in the city immediately and have ten—no, twenty sets of new clothes custom-made for everyone in the school! Use the finest fabric! The most fashionable styles!"

"And the food! From today on, your three meals a day will be fully covered by the City Lord Manor! There must be meat in every meal! I must fatten every single one of you up!"