Painting of the Nine Immortals - Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Forced Marriage

The rustic, long forgotten village was just as peaceful as it had always been, only with someone missing.

At this moment, the villagers gathered in small groups, passing the time with chatter, chess, and wine. But the name Ling Xian would come up intermittently throughout their conversations. These villagers were greatly concerned about his well-being.

"He should be fine. He’s more skilled than anyone we know. He’s got a kind heart. The Heaven’s will look after him," Another elderly man said, his voice filled with concern, uncertain if he was trying to convince the others or himself.

Su Zi sat quietly on top of a large rock, her exhausted gaze aiming far deep into the vast, empty field. She had been sitting there, waiting, oblivious to night and day, storms and rain.

She has not uttered a single word since Ling Xian’s departure. She would come to sit by the village gate every morning without displaying any feelings or hope. She would only sit there, quiet and still like a rock, waiting for the figure in white.
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She knew clearly that Ling Xian does not love her. But she has regrets. She would give him, out of her own will, her everything, even in death.

"Da, da, da…"

The leader of the gang was a man at least 50 years of age. Right behind him followed a youth of 16 or 17. The young man’s eyes sparkled as he spotted the beautiful girl seated at the village gate. It was clear he felt an impulse to snatch her up and ride away.

"It’s you!"

Three days ago, while she was out gathering herbs, she crossed paths with this man who tried to violate her. Fortunately, he only had skills equivalent to a cultivator of the third realm, and she was able to defeat him and escape with ease.

"What’s happened?"

"Grandpa, this was the savage I spoke to you about three days ago." Su Zi grabbed the mayor’s sleeve as she eyed the nomadic youth with disgust.

"Correct, that would be me."
The elderly gang leader nodded, flashing an expressio

n of arrogance. He continued coldly, "This is your granddaughter? Well then, despite your limited skills, you are a major of a village. This marriage is a perfect fit. She is a good match for my grandson."

The mayor frowned. The visitor clearly did not come in goodwill. His tone was one of pride and conceit. His words sounded more like a command. But at the same time, the nomadic gang appeared too vicious to defend against, so the mayor wisely decided to stand down.

The elder returned the question with a question of his own before roaring with laughter. His dozen or so followers followed suit as if they too heard something funny in that response.

"No, don’t, ha ha, I can’t stop laughing!"

The nomads continued to laugh. Some were on the verge of tearing up. Anyone could sense the magnitude of their insult.

Su Zi was amongst them. Her face had now turned a dark shade of maroon. Watching their hideous faces and condescending behaviors made her throw up in her mouth.

The village mayor’s face was turning green. If his level-headedness hadn’t kicked in and reminded him that the visiting elder was much more powerful than he, the mayor would have led the attack himself. How could he stand by while his beloved granddaughter was being humiliated?

"Ehem, forced marriage, you are perhaps too conceited for your own good."

But just as the youth had warned, with a simple swing of his massive sleeve, the visitor elder dissipated the incoming storm without as much as a stir. The village mayor took a few large steps backward. Blood gushed out of his mouth.

The mayor eyed him in bewilderment. His face turned ghostly pale.

"Good heavens! Lost in the first round! All of our powers combined are no match for a cultivator of this caliber."

The words of the mayor echoed and set panic to the village crowd. Fear was now written on the face of every villager.

He could easily exterminate entire villages in the Vast Mountains. Perhaps only a handful could challenge his dominance!

"You’re dreaming!"

"What an old fool, don’t know better. Fine, I’ll give it to you. When you die, I’ll kill the rest. But rest assured I’ll take good care of your granddaughter. She’ll be quite comfortable in my grasp!" The youth sneered coldly. He extended one of his feet and directed his force directly at the chest of the mayor.

However, just as the youth’s foot was inches away from its target, a cold voice echoed through the wind.
"If your foot falls, your head will follow."