361: Chapter 360 Si Zhengxiong's 'Threat'

More than ten minutes later, Si Yao led Qin Yi through the courtyard and arrived in front of the main house.

Si Hongbin had already been waiting outside. Upon seeing the two, he immediately stepped forward to meet them, his tone respectful yet carrying a hint of concern. "Yaoyao, Elder Si wants you and Mr. Qin to go in together."

"Alright, Brother Bin, I understand." Si Yao gave Si Hongbin a slight nod, then turned to Qin Yi with a faint smile surfacing on her face. However, that smile didn't reach her eyes. "Let's go, Qin Yi. Let's go hear what kind of arrangements the old man actually has."

Qin Yi nodded and followed Si Yao, led by Si Hongbin toward the main house.

Upon reaching the door, Si Hongbin raised his hand and tapped lightly on the door frame, saying in a low voice, "Elder Si, Yaoyao and Mr. Qin have arrived."

"Mm, let them in." Si Zhengxiong's steady voice came from inside the room.

Si Hongbin pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped aside. Si Yao and Qin Yi stepped into the room side-by-side, and the door was gently closed behind them by Si Hongbin, sealing off the outside world and instantly tightening the atmosphere inside.

Inside, Si Zhengxiong sat in the main seat. His gaze first fell on Si Yao, filled with the specific affection of an elder. After sizing her up carefully and seeing that her complexion was alright, a flicker of imperceptible relief passed through his eyes. Only then did he shift his gaze to Qin Yi, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Did Yaoyao take you for a walk around, Qin Yi?"

"Yes," Si Yao answered softly. She walked to the table and skillfully picked up the purple clay teapot. First, she refilled Si Zhengxiong's empty cup with hot tea; then, she took another cup, poured one for Qin Yi, and handed it to him. Finally, she took a seat next to Qin Yi.

"Qin Yi, what do you think of this old residence of ours? Is it pleasing to your eye?" Si Zhengxiong asked again with a chuckle.

Qin Yi nodded sincerely. "It's very good—quiet, ancient, and filled with Spiritual Qi. If possible, I'd even like to find a similar place in Magic City to build a residence."

"Haha, if you like it, then stay here. You can stay as long as you want." Si Zhengxiong's laughter was hearty, his words clearly carrying the intent of making him stay, while his gaze swept over Si Yao with deep meaning.

"You're joking, Elder Si," Qin Yi politely declined. "There are still many things to handle back in Magic City. Although I founded the company myself, I can't be away for too long."

"Indeed, young people should have grand aspirations; it's a good thing to prioritize one's career." Si Zhengxiong expressed his understanding, but his tone immediately shifted, becoming meaningful. "However, if you were to become a son-in-law of my Si Family, this residence would naturally be your home. Wouldn't it be convenient to come back and stay whenever you like?"

"Grandpa!" Si Yao interrupted him with a hint of reproach. "Didn't I already explain it clearly to you in the car? Qin Yi and I aren't really dating."

"Heh heh," Si Zhengxiong laughed and raised a hand to signal Si Yao to stay calm. His gaze remained locked on Qin Yi, and his tone slowed down. "Now that there are no outsiders, there are some things I'd like to ask you openly."

"Yes, Elder Si, please ask." Qin Yi sat up straight.

"What exactly is your attitude toward our Yaoyao?" Si Zhengxiong went straight to the point, his question hitting the core.

"Uh... this..." Qin Yi hadn't expected the old man to be so direct. He was momentarily at a loss for words and subconsciously looked at Si Yao, casting her a pleading gaze for help.

Seeing this, Si Yao immediately took over the conversation, her tone defensive. "Grandpa! What are you doing? I've already made it very clear that I don't have romantic feelings for Qin Yi. All the previous actions were just to show Zhao Lintai! Stop making things difficult for Qin Yi!"

"Ahem," Qin Yi coughed twice, looking embarrassed. "Elder Si, to tell you the truth, I already have a girlfriend. That entertainment media company I have in Magic City was actually started for her." Since everything was being laid out, there was no need for Qin Yi to hide it anymore.

"So what if you have a girlfriend? As the saying goes, 'when the false is taken for the true, the true becomes false'!" Si Zhengxiong's brow furrowed slightly, his tone unconsciously carrying the majesty and protectiveness of a Clan Chief. "Is the pearl of my Southwest Si Family really inferior to that girlfriend of yours? Qin Yi, if you are with Yaoyao, the entire Si Family will be your strongest backing. Why would you need to struggle so hard in the business world? The Si Family can give you far more than you can imagine. If you have feelings for Yaoyao, I can make the decision to dissolve the marriage contract between the Si Family and the Zhao family right now, and you, Qin Yi, will be the future son-in-law of my Si Family! How about it?"

"Grandpa..." Si Yao wanted to argue further but was stopped by Si Zhengxiong's raised hand. His eyes were like torches as he stared at Qin Yi, continuing to apply pressure, his tone growing heavier. "Qin Yi, the news of you being 'together' with Yaoyao will soon hit the papers. All your information will be dug up by the media. Your friends, your family, and even your girlfriend will see it. When that time comes, how do you plan to explain? Or do you plan to reveal the whole truth?"

"Uh... Elder Si, to be honest, I already reported this matter to my girlfriend before I came to the Southwest. So..."

Before Qin Yi could finish his explanation, Si Zhengxiong interrupted him, his tone brooks no opposition. "Fine, I'll count you as being upright. But I must remind you that the matter of you pretending to be a couple with Yaoyao has an impact far beyond you personally. It concerns Yaoyao's reputation and, more importantly, the face of our Si Family! If the truth—that you faked being a couple to destroy the marriage contract between the Si and Zhao families—is exposed, Qin Yi, have you ever considered whether you can bear the consequences?"

Qin Yi keenly sensed the threat within. His expression turned stern as he asked in return, "Elder Si, I wonder what you mean by 'consequences'?"

"Regardless of what agreement you had with Yaoyao before," Si Zhengxiong leaned forward slightly, radiating an invisible sense of pressure, "since the play has started, it must have a perfect ending!"

"Elder Si, how do you want it to end perfectly?" Qin Yi pressed.

"Originally, I was thinking of playing matchmaker for you and Yaoyao to turn the fake into reality! But since you refuse, I can only demand that until the marriage contract between my Si Family and the Zhao family is completely dissolved, you and Yaoyao must continue to maintain your relationship as a couple! Even when you return to Magic City, I don't want to see any negative news about you 'betraying' Yaoyao. In other words, you and that girlfriend of yours must not reveal your relationship in public! This is the bottom line, for the sake of the Si Family's reputation and to protect Yaoyao from the harm of rumors."

"Elder Si, you are being a bit too demanding." Qin Yi's tone also turned cold. "I only agreed to cooperate with Yaoyao for one act; I didn't intend to involve myself and my girlfriend in unnecessary trouble."

"Heh, Qin Yi," Si Zhengxiong snorted coldly, his gaze sharp. "Do you think the threshold of my Si Family is that easy to cross? Since you chose to get involved, you must have the resolve to be responsible for that choice!"

"Elder Si, in my life, what I fear least is a threat." Qin Yi straightened his back, not backing down at all. "What if I say I don't intend to take on this extra responsibility?"

"Then you might as well try!" Before Si Zhengxiong's voice had even faded, the Aura around him suddenly changed. A powerful pressure, almost tangible, shrouded Qin Yi. It wasn't meant to harm him, but to make him retreat and recognize reality.

Qin Yi's eyes narrowed. Just as he was about to circulate the 'Supreme Soul Suppressing Art' to resist, he saw a figure flash in front of him. Si Yao had stepped in front of him without hesitation.

The 'Blazing Sun True Art' Cultivation Technique within her body instantly activated. A scorching and fierce Aura emanated from her, forcefully colliding with Si Zhengxiong's pressure. Though it seemed slightly immature, it was exceptionally firm.

Si Zhengxiong's original intention was only to test Qin Yi's depth and Heart-Nature. He never expected his granddaughter to protect the other party so decisively. He felt both helpless and a hint of bitterness in his heart.

He sighed, raised his hand, and completely withdrew the released pressure, shaking his head. "Yaoyao, you girl..."

"Grandpa! If you do this again, I'm going back to Magic City right now and I'm never coming back!" Si Yao's pretty face was full of anger, her tone resolute.

"Sigh, Yaoyao, Grandpa has lived through much and sees things clearly." Si Zhengxiong spoke with earnestness. He gave Qin Yi a complex look before looking back at his granddaughter with an irrepressible heartache. "Grandpa is doing all this for your own good." He so wished his granddaughter could have someone truly worthy of being entrusted with her life, rather than being in such an awkward situation as she was now.

"Grandpa, I will handle my own affairs properly. Please stop making things difficult for Qin Yi." Si Yao's tone carried a plea. "By doing this, how am I supposed to interact normally with Qin Yi in the future?"

Si Zhengxiong looked at his granddaughter's stubborn eyes and remained silent for a moment. Finally, it turned into a long sigh. He waved his hand, a look of exhaustion appearing on his face. "Fine, fine... you young people's affairs, you can deliberate and handle them yourselves." In the end, he couldn't bear to make things too difficult for his granddaughter. When his gaze turned back to Qin Yi, it had regained its calm. "Qin Yi, then let us skip this matter for now and talk about the main topic."

Qin Yi didn't respond immediately. Instead, with a thought, he quietly activated the 'Eye of Truth'.

That moment when Si Zhengxiong's pressure erupted just now, though it hadn't hit him directly, had already made him feel that the man was unfathomable.

He needed to more clearly understand the true strength and attitude of this Si Family helmsman toward him to make his next judgment.

Accompanied by the System notification sound, as he looked at Si Zhengxiong, Si Zhengxiong's attribute panel appeared on the light screen before his eyes.

[Name: Si Zhengxiong]

[Gender: Male]

[Identity: Clan Chief of the Southwest Si Family, one of the Founding Merit Officials of the Dragon Country]

[Age: 79]

[Realm: Half-step Huajin]

[Cultivation Techniques: Baguazhang (Grandmaster), Blazing Sun Fist Technique (Major Achievement), Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique—Blazing Sun True Art (Major Achievement), Movement Technique—Swimming Dragon Technique (Major Achievement)]

[Favorability: 50]

[opposite-sex intimacy value: 1]

Favorability 50?

From the looks of it, Elder Si's impression of him wasn't bad; it could even be considered quite good.

That seemingly aggressive speech just now was more of a test and out of protection for Si Yao.

Qin Yi's heart settled slightly. He spoke up, "Yes, Elder Si, please go ahead."

"I heard from Yaoyao that you want to know where the Meteoric Iron used to forge that Dagger specifically came from?" Si Zhengxiong stared into Qin Yi's eyes, his gaze piercing as if trying to see his true purpose.

Qin Yi glanced at Si Yao. Seeing that she was also looking at him, he admitted frankly, "That's right."

"Why?" Si Zhengxiong pressed.

"Elder Si, such good Meteoric Iron couldn't have only forged a single weapon. I want to explore the source and see if I can find other similar Meteoric Iron Materials." Qin Yi believed he had given a reasonably logical explanation.

"Heh heh," Si Zhengxiong laughed instead, his eyes deep. "Kid, you're not telling the truth." Having lived for most of a century and met countless people, he could sense that Qin Yi was hiding something.

Qin Yi pondered for a moment and decided to be partially honest. "I admit, besides looking for similar Meteoric Iron, I do indeed have another purpose. However, before that purpose is achieved, please forgive me for not being able to speak of it clearly."

"If you don't tell the truth, then I won't tell you the location of that Meteoric Iron either," Si Zhengxiong said, looking directly at Qin Yi.

"If you won't say, I naturally won't force you either." Qin Yi met his gaze and continued in a calm tone, "However, I had an agreement with Young Miss Si Yao beforehand. I would pretend to be her boyfriend, and she would tell me the source of that Meteoric Iron. If Young Miss Si Yao goes back on her word, I can only return to Magic City alone. But don't worry, Elder Si, if any media reporters ask, I'll just say that Young Miss Si Yao didn't take a liking to me, and the marriage contract between your Si Family and their Zhao family can still continue..."