119: I agreed to this marriage on behalf of my disciple; Master, you betrayed me?

Qin Mengli, unaware of her father's hesitation, secretly thrilled at the thought of soon escaping her misery.

These past days, she had spent every moment trailing after Xu Jinhuan, serving tea, fetching water, massaging his shoulders, and kneading his legs, living no differently from a lowly, subservient maidservant.

She had long grown sick of this humiliating existence!

"Hmph, you lecherous thief, you never imagined, did you? My father is the Qin Family Head, a powerful Great Saint! Dealing with a mere Taiyi sequence like you is as easy as pie!"

"Once my father arrives, not only will I regain my freedom, but I'll also press your face to the ground and make you thoroughly clean the soles of my feet!"

Of course, she was well aware the latter part was pure wishful thinking.

Although the Qin Family was a Longevity Family and descendants of the Void Realm Great Emperor, due to the Family's unique circumstances and the inherent formidable strength of Taiyi Holy Land itself...

Being able to extricate herself would already be a stroke of luck. To think of threatening Xu Jinhuan? That was simply delusional.

But she still desperately wanted to punish that scoundrel.

Who told that bastard to spank her bottom whenever he felt like it?

From childhood till now, even her own father had never laid a hand there!

However, recalling the benefits she had gained from staying by Xu Jinhuan's side, Qin Mengli hesitated for a moment.

All this time, aside from his penchant for spanking her bottom, that lecherous thief hadn't really crossed any other lines, not even requiring her to help him undress.

"Hmph, you scoundrel. Considering you haven't treated this Young Miss too badly, I'll spare you the face-washing-my-feet part!"

Right up until the moment her dream shattered, Qin Mengli believed she was about to escape Xu Jinhuan's control.

...

On the other side, Xu Jinhuan had already returned to the foot of Eastern Emperor Mountain and immediately spotted Qin Cang standing before the mountain gate, his expression conflicted and hesitant.

"Esteemed Senior, have you encountered some difficulty? Might I be of assistance?"

Xu Jinhuan didn't recognize Qin Cang, but Qin Cang recognized Xu Jinhuan. This young man was far too dazzling; nowadays, the leaders of all major forces across the Three Thousand Dao Provinces had his face firmly imprinted in their minds.

"So it's Sequence Xu. This old man is Qin Cang, serving as the Qin Family Head. An honor to meet you today."

Qin Cang hastily cupped his hands in greeting, his tone carrying a hint of unnatural restraint.

"This old man has come today to discuss a matter with Sequence Xu."

Ever since hearing about Xu Jinhuan's terrifying feats—slaying a hundred Saints with a single blade in Primal Emperor City and ruthlessly suppressing a Seventh Level Saint King today—most of his confidence had dissipated.

Now, being treated so politely by Xu Jinhuan, he lost all semblance of a confrontational stance, feeling utterly at a loss.

Who would have thought that the great villain described by his daughter as bullying men and women, running rampant without restraint, would turn out to be such a handsome, gentle, and courteous young man?

"So it's Uncle Qin. Your visit must be concerning Qin Mengli, right?"

Upon learning the other's identity, Xu Jinhuan instantly guessed his purpose.

What else could compel a Great Saint to traverse over a dozen Dao Provinces for a personal visit, if not his daughter's freedom?

Speaking of Qin Mengli, this maidservant, Xu Jinhuan didn't have any particular feelings. Apart from her well-padded bottom which felt nice to the touch, other aspects were rather unremarkable.

Clumsy and awkward, it took a full half-month just to train her in basic skills like serving tea and water.

Even now, she could only be considered barely passable, hardly worth Xu Jinhuan forcing her to stay.

Moreover, he had already exhausted all the Sign-in opportunities on Qin Mengli. To him now, her value was minimal.

Since the Qin Family Head had come personally, doing him a favor by letting her go would be a gesture of goodwill, and it could even foster a positive connection with the Qin Family.

"Uncle..."

Xu Jinhuan was about to speak, to let Qin Cang take his little maidservant back.

But Qin Cang cut him off, speaking first.

"Hahaha, Sequence Xu is indeed clever. This old man did come because of my daughter Mengli, but not to forcibly separate a loving pair. Rather, it's to give Sequence Xu a formal status!"

After an intense internal struggle, this father who cherished his daughter above all else had made a decision that went against his daughter's wishes.

?

This request from the other party left Xu Jinhuan momentarily doubting his own ears.

Hold on, buddy.

Who, after their daughter is abducted, not only doesn't want to take her home but instead begs to give her to the kidnapper?

Qin Cang's words left Xu Jinhuan utterly speechless, at a loss for what to say.

However, his silence was misinterpreted by Qin Cang as dissatisfaction. Gritting his teeth, he downgraded his daughter's position.

"Virtuous Nephew Xu is talented and handsome, peerless in aptitude. You are destined to become a hero of your generation, suppressing an era. Mengli is indeed unworthy of being your principal wife, but she is the treasured pearl of my Qin Family. A position as a concubine shouldn't be a problem."

"..."

Xu Jinhuan still didn't know what to say.

Sweat poured down Qin Cang's forehead as he finally stated his bottom line.

"At the very least... at the very least, she must be a properly wedded Dao Companion!"

Even at this point, Xu Jinhuan remained silent.

He genuinely didn't know what to say. Outright refusal seemed somewhat unmanly, irresponsible.

But he truly didn't have many other thoughts about Qin Mengli. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept treating this little princess like a servant.

Without receiving a definite reply, Qin Cang grew as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing frantically.

Finally, a clear, cold voice from the peak of Eastern Emperor Mountain settled the matter.

"Qin Family Head, I agree to this marriage on behalf of my disciple."

?!

Xu Jinhuan was even more dumbfounded.

Revered Master, are you that eager for me to mess around with other women?

What happened to your supposed... 'addiction'?

Did I... 'cure' it?!

Seeing Xu Jinhuan's expression, Qin Cang also confirmed that the one who had the final say was indeed the renowned young man's Revered Master; otherwise, he wouldn't be so shocked.

"Thank you, Elder, for your consent! Virtuous Nephew Xu, from now on, we are Family!"

"Virtuous Nephew, please carry on. I'll go discuss the specifics with Mengli and won't disturb you further!"

Having received a satisfactory answer, Qin Cang dared not delay another moment. He turned and fled, rushing off urgently to persuade his daughter.

As a father, he knew Qin Mengli's temperament best. Spoiled and willful, she wasn't inherently bad, just too inexperienced and easily deceived by appearances.

With proper communication, Qin Cang believed his daughter would understand his well-intentioned efforts.

Watching Qin Cang leave and freely ascend the mountain, Xu Jinhuan knew this was Li Qingyue playing a trick on him.

Unable to swallow his irritation, he immediately transformed into a streak of light, heading straight for the mountain peak to confront the culprit who had saddled him with an extra Dao Companion.

"Hmph, Revered Master, you dare make decisions on your own? Have you grown too bold, or is your disciple's... rod not harsh enough?"

"N-no... don't!"

"Huaner, I... your Revered Master knows she was wrong..."

"Hmph, you don't know you were wrong; you just know you're about to be taught a lesson!"

Oh hohoho...

Li Qingyue's frightened, coquettish cries continuously echoed within the palace atop the peak, lingering in the air, lasting the entire day.

They just didn't travel beyond its walls...