Dragon-Marked War God

Not many people were taking part in the martial contest for a marriage. There were only three: Tianyin the Enlightened, a lay practitioner of Tianluo Temple who kept his hair; Bi Jiagang, the son of the Lord of Tianlai Boundary; and Kouxiang Gangmen, the son of the Lord of Penglai Boundary!

These three great forces were all strong enough to contend with Tongyou Boundary. Otherwise, Tao Qianjun would not have wanted to pick one of them to ally with so that he could resist outside enemies and keep his territory stable. Over the years, others had been eyeing Tongyou Boundary covetously. Both Tianlai Boundary and Penglai Boundary had such intentions. Only by keeping these forces in check could he avoid being swept along by the tide and destroyed.

Even the lord of a boundary was not all-powerful. As soon as he fell, countless people would rise up to take his place. The Divine World never lacked strong people, and there were always plenty of people watching covetously from the shadows. Once the City Lord’s Mansion fell, it would be like a tree falling and the monkeys scattering. Naturally, someone would replace them. As for the people living in Tongyou Boundary, they would not rise up to fight back. All they wanted was a peaceful territory. As for who the ruler was, it didn’t matter to them.

Tao Qianjun’s ploy of feigning hardship had been a very successful scheme against Xue Qianying, and she was completely unaware of it. Even if she had known, she would still have done the same so as not to owe Tao Qianjun anything. That was simply her nature.

Now the martial contest for a marriage was about to begin. Countless experts had gathered. There were more than ten Hierarch Realm experts alone, and hundreds or even a thousand Divine King Realm experts. The City Lord’s martial contest for a marriage had drawn more than several hundred thousand spectators, but most of them had only come to join in the fun. They just wanted to witness a battle between true experts.

In the main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion, the captain of the guards rushed in, flustered. He knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice,

“Bad news, City Lord, something terrible has happened.”

“What is all this panic? It’s unbecoming. What exactly happened?”

Tao Qianjun said coldly and glared at the captain of the guards.

“Bi Jiagang, the son of the Lord of Tianlai Boundary… is dead. And he died in our Tianguang City. It’s said that the killer was a powerful Hierarch Realm expert who had two peerless beauties with him.”

The captain of the guards said timidly, afraid that the City Lord would vent his anger on him.

“What?”

Tao Qianjun shot up from his seat, his face extremely gloomy. Bi Jiagang was dead. The son of the Lord of Tianlai Boundary was dead, and he had died in his Tianguang City. This was no small matter. How was he supposed to give Tianguang City an explanation? How was he supposed to give Bi Chao an explanation?

This instantly put him, the City Lord, in a crisis. His son had died in Tianguang City; how could Bi Chao turn a blind eye? He would definitely look for a chance to start a war with Tianguang City. Especially since, before this, he had already received secret information that Tianlai Boundary might ally with Penglai Boundary and launch an attack on them. That was why he had been forced to reach out to several great forces and hold the martial contest for a marriage to recruit allies, in the hope of getting through this crisis.

But now, before the war had even started, Bi Jiagang had died in their Tianguang City. This really left Tao Qianjun at his wits’ end. What kind of mess was this? Could someone be stirring up trouble behind the scenes? Could it be the work of Tianluo Temple or Penglai Boundary?

“Investigate this matter thoroughly for me. Otherwise, Tianlai Boundary will definitely not let it go.”

Tao Qianjun’s breath caught and his expression became grim. Seen like this, the martial contest for a marriage had become the calm before the storm. Bi Chao probably didn’t know yet that his son had died here. Otherwise, he would definitely rush to Tianguang City without stopping.

“The martial contest for a marriage will be held as scheduled! Open the arena outside the City Lord’s Mansion.”

Tao Qianjun shouted in a deep voice, and countless people of the City Lord’s Mansion began to get busy.

But Tao Qianjun didn’t have much time left. The martial contest for a marriage had to be held as soon as possible. Even if only Tianyin the Enlightened of Tianluo Temple and Kouxiang Gangmen of Penglai Boundary were left, it absolutely could not stop. As long as he could get the support of either of these two forces, Tao Qianjun would have no need to fear Tianlai Boundary. By then, Bi Jiagang’s death could be investigated slowly. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about Bi Chao of Tianlai Boundary being driven to desperate measures.

Tao Qianjun still wasn’t at ease, so before the contest began, he went to Xue Qianying’s boudoir.

“Qianying, sigh, I’ve really wronged you. As your father, I feel deeply ashamed. If you’re unwilling now, I will never force you. The survival of my Tongyou Boundary is important, but my daughter’s lifelong happiness is just as important.”

Tao Qianjun said righteously.

Xue Qianying shook her head and said in a low voice,

“I’ve already decided, adoptive father. Don’t worry. As long as I can marry into any of these forces, I’ll make sure that they never invade an inch of Tongyou Boundary.”

Xue Qianying’s determination completely put Tao Qianjun’s mind at ease. Now he didn’t have to worry that his plan would come to nothing. In the end, Xue Qianying had not let him down. Tao Qianjun had to admit that saving Xue Qianying back then had been completely the right decision. At the critical moment, she was shielding him from this scheming war. How could he not be pleased? And his own daughter had been spared this political marriage. Tao Qianjun felt very gratified. But that was life.

To Tao Qianjun, this was perfectly normal. Xue Qianying was all alone. If she could enter a great force and become its mistress, it would be a stroke of good fortune for her. At least Tao Qianjun didn’t feel that he had pushed Xue Qianying into a bottomless abyss. Everything had its pros and cons. For Xue Qianying, this might not be a bad change.

“I’ve really wronged you. Qianying, your father truly feels guilty.”

Tao Qianjun looked pained and sighed deeply.

Xue Qianying’s heart was already as still as water. After all, this martial contest for a marriage was something that had to happen. What she owed others had to be repaid in the end.

The next day, Tao Qianjun stood proudly on the high platform of the City Lord’s Mansion. Facing the several hundred thousand people of Tongyou Boundary who had come to watch, Tao Qianjun was extremely calm and composed, though a faint smile hung on his face the whole time.

“Today is my adopted daughter’s day of celebration, and the martial contest for a marriage is about to begin. This old man was blessed with a daughter in his old age, and I am very gratified. My adopted daughter’s beauty is unrivaled under heaven. Her charm is graceful, and she outshines all other beauties. No one can compare with her.”

“Since ancient times, beauties have been matched with heroes. My adopted daughter’s strength has reached the Early Hierarch Realm. She is extraordinary, so naturally, she must choose a powerful young genius to be worthy of her. Therefore, today I have set up this arena. Whoever wins may marry my daughter and become bound in heart with my Tongyou Boundary forever, in peace and prosperity. In addition, I, Tao, will also present a Peak Immortal Grade pill that I have treasured for many years, the Soul-Rising Spirit-Gathering Pill, as her dowry.”

A faint smile hung at the corners of Tao Qianjun’s mouth. Most of the people around were from Tongyou Boundary and naturally supported their boundary lord wholeheartedly. Thunderous, deafening applause rang out, and the festive scene greatly pleased Tao Qianjun.