Chapter 837 - 102: Demon of the Abyss
Chapter 837: Chapter 102: Demon of the Abyss
"Please announce my arrival!"
"Young Master Sheng, please go back, my lady has made it very clear."
In front of the Li Mansion, even though Sheng Han’s demeanor was humble when facing the Li Family’s gatekeeper, the gatekeeper was unfazed.
The gatekeeper had been loyal to the Li Family for thirty years, having watched the young lady grow up, initially believing she had found her ideal suitor, only to realize he was just an ingrate.
When he first learned that the young lady intended to break off the engagement with Sheng Han, he was puzzled, but after hearing other people’s analysis, he understood that it was the Sheng Family’s pressure.
The Sheng Family had decided to break the engagement upon realizing that, following the master’s death, the Li Family was set to decline.
Seeing the gatekeeper adamant in not letting him in, Sheng Han’s expression turned grim, but he did not leave, standing firm in front of the Li Mansion.
He was waiting, waiting for Li Qi to come out.
As long as Li Qi appeared, the speech he’d prepared for an entire night would surely move her, making her reconsider.
As for dignity...
At this moment, he couldn’t care less about dignity.
Since yesterday, when he heard that Lin Chen from Linhu Village came to pay respects to Li Qi’s grandfather, he hurriedly ran home and informed his father and grandfather.
According to his grandfather’s analysis, even if Lord Lin wouldn’t proactively go against the Sheng Family, other families might take the opportunity to kick them while they’re down.
The engagement cancellation was initiated by Li Qi, but anyone with a modicum of wisdom could deduce why the grandfather didn’t attend the funeral, and surely Lord Lin wouldn’t fail to perceive the underlying intrigue?
If they couldn’t obtain Li Qi’s forgiveness, the Sheng Family might struggle to maintain a foothold in Quzhou, and all their businesses would face suppression.
For Sheng Han, if the family were to decline, losing its resources would mean stagnation on his Martial Path; in comparison to the survival of the family and his self-interests, dignity counts for nothing.
He had even considered, if words couldn’t persuade Li Qi, he would kneel directly before her.
He couldn’t believe that upon seeing him kneeling, Li Qi would still be so heartless!
...
Unfortunately, Sheng Han didn’t wait for Li Qi; instead, he awaited the officials from the Prefecture Government Office.
"The Li Mansion has reported a suspicious character lurking at their gate, come with us."
Seeing the officials and the Chief Constable appearing before him, Sheng Han was bewildered, what does a suspicious character mean?
"Uncle Wang, young nephew..."
"Take him away."
The Chief Constable didn’t give Sheng Han a chance to speak, directly signaling his staff to escort Sheng Han away.
Still clueless at this point, calling me uncle?
Do I not know you? You almost became the Li Family’s son-in-law.
But almost means nothing; the Li Family reported to vent their anger, and he received tacit instructions from Lord Prefect to give Sheng Han a hard time.
Disturbing the peace — this crime couldn’t be avoided by Sheng Han; according to Liang’s law, the disturber is to be detained for fifteen days.
...
...
Returning to Linhu Village, Lin Chen’s days turned peaceful once more.
Until two months later, Lin Chen received a letter from the Martial Arts Garden.
"Western Border Abyss?"
The letter contained only an address given by the Martial Garden Master.
On Canglan Island, the only place that could be called the Western Border was the western region of Liang.
The western part of Liang was a barren wasteland, devoid of vegetation, and at the Extreme West Land lay an abyss rumored to contain a unique terrifying entity known as the Demon.
"Perhaps this is one of Canglan Island’s secrets."
Lin Chen wore a contemplative expression; he hadn’t heard of the "Demon" even throughout the Flame Dynasty, appearing to be unique to Canglan Island.
In discussions with his second and third senior brothers, he mentioned this matter, but both believed that Canglan Island’s so-called "Demon" might merely be a type within the Demon Race.
The Demon Race is vast with diverse sorts, some of which don’t exist merely in beast form.
Considering his senior brothers’ judgment, Lin Chen sought the Jade Scroll in the sect’s Library Pavilion listing the Flame Dynasty’s Demon Race, yet failed to find any corresponding Demon Race akin to Canglan Island’s demon.
Still, Lin Chen didn’t dwell too much, as third senior brother suggested, the Demon Race evolves constantly, and some might change while this sect’s Jade Scroll introducing Demon Race remained unupdated for over a thousand years.
With the address given by the Martial Garden Master, potentially linked to the demon, his and his senior brothers’ hypothesis might be incorrect.
...
The next day!
Lin Chen bid farewell to his parents, departing Linhu Village accompanied by Yin Yue.
Before leaving the village, Lin Xi cried like a teary child, reluctant to let go of Yin Yue’s hand.
Yin Yue helplessly said, "I’m not gone; I will come back."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then let’s make a pledge. Mother said pledges cannot be broken."
Listening to Lin Xi’s childish words, Yin Yue felt helpless, yet couldn’t refuse Lin Xi, so she made the pledge.
Watching Yin Yue’s helpless expression, Lin Chen smiled slightly, as Yin Yue always appeared calm before him and facing other matters, except when with his cousin Lin Xi, it was hard for her to maintain calm emotions.
"Xiao Xi, stop crying."
Lin Chen ruffled his cousin’s little head, offering a few words of comfort, then began leading Yin Yue towards the Western Wilderness.
...
...
Liang’s Western Border.
An endless desolation stretches as far as the eye can see, barren sands prevailing alongside sparse shrubs struggling to grow.
Lin Chen, alongside Yin Yue, flew into the sandy region’s sky; only a few breaths passed before Lin Chen furrowed his brows.