Marriage alliance? Meng Qi slightly frowned. This was too hasty. But thinking about it, if they wanted to use Tang Mingyue for a marriage alliance, it had to be rushed. Old Master Tang could pass away at any moment, and as the eldest household’s granddaughter, according to etiquette, she must mourn for three years. At present, they could use the excuse of hastening the wedding to bring good fortune.
“What does Miss Tang herself think about this?” Meng Qi recalled Tang Mingyue’s kindness from yesterday and asked.
After returning last night, he had hidden in the backyard, known only to Qi Zhengyan, to prevent the four families—Tang, Ye, Ling, and Wan—from completely breaking relations and sending their elite warriors and experts to kill him. However, until dawn there was no movement, so he realized the families still lacked the courage to act so boldly.
This was not the Western Regions, but rather the more prosperous, stable, and orderly Jin Dynasty, where the Six Gates watched closely, and both families and sects were unwilling to send their disciples out into uncertain fates.
Therefore, even though the four families had plotted the Flower Moon Tower assassination, they dared not prolong it, or else the Six Gates’ constables would definitely come to intervene. If they killed the Six Gates’ constables, someone like Meng Qi, who roamed the martial world, would have no fear, but ordinary families with established roots would certainly not escape the consequences afterward, possibly even leading to their destruction.
The waiter looked at Meng Qi, who was said to have slaughtered widely last night before being driven back only by elite warriors, and swallowed hard: “Of course, Miss Tang does not want this marriage. What kind of person is Third Master Ye? Who in the city does not know his reputation? It is said she protested, but since Old Master Tang was unconscious and there were no other close elders in the eldest household, she was unable to resist successfully.”
Third Master Ye was even more dissolute and licentious than Second Master Tang, and his actions were treacherous and ruthless. He had even killed maids in his room more than once. Which normal family would want their daughter to marry him?
Meng Qi fell silent and said nothing further until the waiter left, then suddenly sighed.
“Do you want to impersonate Second Master Tang?” Qi Zhengyan slightly frowned.
Meng Qi nodded slightly: “Yes. Although Second Master Tang is in trouble, the assassin will certainly flee after succeeding. I only need to impersonate him for three days, stir up the situation, and ruin the marriage alliance. By the time they send someone else, I will have already removed the mask, returned to being Meng Qi. Would they even know it was me?”
“Miss Tang has done me a favor, while the heads of the four families—Tang, Ye, Ling, and Wan—bear a grudge against me. A true man in this world, if he cannot avenge grudges or repay kindness, how can he find peace in his heart?”
After yesterday, I escaped safely, so it would be strange if the four families—Tang, Ye, Ling, and Wan—did not heighten their vigilance and guard against my assassinating their important family members.
Although I could lie low and hide, relying on the unique aspects of the “Indestructible Seal Art” from my assassin background, spending time to assassinate them one by one secretly, doing so might not necessarily prevent the engagement.
Once the engagement is finalized, killing Third Master Ye (Ye Xiaojie) afterward, combined with Tang Mingyue’s warning at the Flower Moon Tower that day, would definitely lead to rumors of my secret collusion and mutual affection with Tang Mingyue, thus stopping the marriage alliance.
Such rumors wouldn’t bother me, but for Tang Mingyue, being the legitimate daughter of a noble family, her reputation is crucial. If the two of them truly had feelings and became lovers afterward, it might become a touching tale in the martial world. However, I have absolutely no feelings for Tang Mingyue and have never considered “offering my body to her.” Acting this way would ruin Tang Mingyue’s reputation, which for a noble lady like her, would be tantamount to a living death.
Moreover, this is the Jin Dynasty, not the Western Regions. I cannot act recklessly with assassinations. Once I succeed a few times and involve people beyond those who originally acted against me, the Six Gates’ experts and the experts from the Zhou Jun Wang family will definitely come to capture me. This matter is not as simple as it seems. Otherwise, families without a Half-Step Beyond expert to suppress threats would have already been wiped out and robbed by left-handed martial artists long ago.
Qi Zhengyan took a light breath and did not try to stop him, merely pointing out the difficulties: “Relying solely on a mask might not deceive family members? We don’t even know Second Master Tang’s mannerisms, preferences, and habits, and he is slightly taller than you.”
“Second Master Tang has been away for many years, enduring hardships and honing his martial skills. It’s only natural that his demeanor, preferences, and habits have changed. Besides, he suffered a throat injury back then, which I can use as an excuse to speak as little as possible to avoid revealing anything. As for height…” Meng Qi suddenly smiled, his body emitting a crisp sound as he stretched himself an inch taller. His facial muscles shifted slightly, and at a glance, he appeared to have transformed into a completely different person.
Qi Zhengyan’s mouth opened halfway: “This?”
“This is the wonder of the Eight-Nine Mystical Art, the detailed and powerful control over the body,” Meng Qi chuckled. “I can also adjust my appearance according to the mask to resemble Second Master Tang by about fifty to sixty percent.”
Once inside the Tang family, acting under the identity of Second Master Tang would be much more convenient, and sooner or later, I can compensate for my losses to Ice Gate!
Even if the Tang family suspects the authenticity, I would gladly engage in a dispute, anyway, as long as I stir up the waters for three days, I don’t need to impersonate him for long.
Qi Zhengyan suppressed his astonishment and solemnly said, “You come with me out of the city first. I will give you the information my sect has gathered on the Tang family. After that, be careful in everything you do.”
…
The main residence of the Tang family was located at the exit of Shangshui City, with deep courtyards and creeping moss, fully displaying the vicissitudes and heritage of a century-old noble family.
Due to the “assassination” of the fifth Tang master, who died while attacking the head of the Huanhua Sword Sect, the rest of the Tang family refused to hold a funeral for him, as doing so would be tantamount to declaring war on the Huanhua Sword Sect. Therefore, only their branch had cries of mourning, while the rest of the Tang Mansion remained unchanged. However, the entire estate seemed to be under a dark and gloomy cloud, with undercurrents surging.
Several guards at the gate occasionally stole glances inside, exchanging glances now and then, all sighing with regret.
“What was Master Er thinking? Why marry off Miss Nine to that scoundrel, Ye San, so well?” one guard gritted his teeth.
Ye San’s evil reputation was well known throughout the city. Even ordinary families would not willingly marry their daughters to him, let alone noble clans!
Another guard sighed: “Circumstances overpower people. Without a marriage alliance to bind the Ye family and relying solely on the Wang clan, it would be impossible to maintain our clan’s presence in the city.”
“Hmph! If it weren’t for Master Er, Master Wu, and Master Qi making foolish decisions and abandoning the strong support of the Huanhua Sword Sect, we wouldn’t have fallen into this predicament. Moreover, why must it be Miss Nine for the marriage alliance? As for the thirteenth Miss from Master Qi’s branch, she’s still young, while the sixth Miss from Master Er’s house is already of marriageable age!” the nearby guard muttered in a low voice, “I think Master Er wants to get rid of Miss Nine opportunistically. It’s not like there haven’t been female clan leaders before!”
For noble families, having a female clan leader was very rare, generally only possible in two scenarios. The first was when the clan leader’s branch had only a single daughter, who was exceptionally talented, surpassing the male members of other branches, and had the support of the clan leader and elders, thus becoming the clan leader and taking a husband into the family. The second was when the woman had strong external support capable of subduing the entire clan.
Tang Mingyue did not possess any of these conditions, unless Old Master Tang suddenly woke up and, relying on his long-standing authority and loyal elders and guests, forcefully made this decision. However, if he died, Tang Mingyue would not be able to maintain her position as clan leader. Yet Master Er and others were hastily arranging her engagement, choosing the worst option, which inevitably caused confusion.
The first guard to speak shook his head: “It’s said that the head of the Ye family personally requested Ye San to marry Miss Nine, saying she should control Ye San. Hmph, if she could control him, why didn’t he do it himself earlier?”
Ye San was so domineering undoubtedly because he was the head’s legitimate son.
Thinking about how delicate, kind-hearted, and never arrogant Miss Nine would have to marry the detestable Ye San, these guards also felt quite depressed. They exchanged glances and sighed again. They had no say in such matters.
Suddenly, a slightly gaunt man slowly approached. He was holding a long sword in his left hand, covered in a black sheath. His aura was cold and his eyes sharp.
“Guest, stop here,” one of the guards quickly stepped forward.
This man was indeed Meng Qi. He had already put on the mask. Looking at the guards and then at the “Tang Mansion” plaque hanging at the entrance, he rasped, “Since when have I become a guest?”
“You…” The guard looked at Meng Qi in astonishment and only then realized his resemblance to Old Master Tang.
An old guard who had been at the Tang Mansion for many years’ eyes widened in surprise and joy as he exclaimed, “Second Young Master?”
Meng Qi nodded slightly, pretending to be arrogantly noble as a clan heir and said, “It’s good you still remember me.”
Who the hell does he think he is?
“You, you’re not dead? It’s so good! You’ve returned just in time!” The guard carefully examined him, confirming from his height and appearance that this was indeed their second young master, and his face broke into ecstatic joy.
Meng Qi rasped, “What happened?”
The guards took turns briefly recounting the events, and Meng Qi patiently listened to the already known news. Finally, he solemnly said, “An elder brother is like a father. Who dares to target my younger sister must first contend with my blade!”
“Take me to see Uncle Er and the others.”
One of the guards split off to lead Meng Qi into the mansion, while the others curiously and expectantly examined the Second Young Master. Suddenly, they noticed that each step he took was exactly the same distance, as if meticulously measured!
“Second Young Master, Second Young Master’s strength…” They were stunned, although they were just ordinary guards, they still had some ability to discern!
…
Inside the Tang family hall, two armchairs at the upper end were left unoccupied to signify that the clan head was still alive. On either side were rows of square chairs extending to the door, with small tables between the chairs for tea.
The left side was for the host, and the right for guests. The leading figure on the left was an elderly man in his fifties, wearing a wide robe and large sleeves, with a headpiece. Below him was a refined man in his late thirties, holding a folding fan with a smiling mouth. Following them were several elders, guest leaders, and young experts from the generation of Second Master Tang. Tang Mingyue, being the only descendant of the eldest branch, also sat by the door.
At the highest position on the right sat a young nobleman with a square face, broad nose, and wide mouth. His bearing was solemn and his posture steady, resembling a towering mountain. Below him were the heads of the Ye, Ling, and Wan families, followed by several elders with nine orifices, and then Ye San along with the legitimate sons of the other two families—Ling Daizi and Wan Sanzi.
“Mingyue, the Ye family is so sincere. Marry Xiaojie tomorrow, it will also bring good fortune for Grandfather,” Tang Erzi said solemnly.
Tang Mingyue’s face turned pale. She shot Ye San a glance after seeing him wink at her, then forced herself to say, “Uncle, I am the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch. Matters of marriage must be approved by the clan head. Although you are temporarily acting as the clan head, you are not the true one yet.”
Ye San smiled and said, “Mingyue, you’re not right to say that. If Grandfather passes away, either Uncle Tang Er or Uncle Tang Qi will become the clan head. They both agree to your engagement to me. Isn’t that the same as a decision by the clan head?”
That made sense… the others nodded slightly.
Tang Mingyue took a deep breath and said, “My second brother is the legitimate son of the eldest branch, the clan head designated by protocol. If he is still alive, how can Uncle Tang Er and Uncle Tang Qi decide my marriage?”
Ye San opened his fan and waved it, “Don’t mention whether Tang Er is alive or not. The position of clan head cannot wait forever for him. Even if he returns safely, with his rusty sword techniques, how can he command respect and become the clan head?”
“Yes, indeed. When Tang Er was beaten to his knees and begged for mercy from his third brother, if he became the clan head, it would only bring shame to the Tang family!” Ling Daizi and Wan Sanzi laughed in agreement.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice rang out: “Ye San, then try a slice of my rusty sword!”
Xie Jie was drawn by Meng Qi, his movements as precise as measuring.
As the long sword was drawn, he seemed to shrink the distance, appearing inside the hall. The blade light surged, fierce and domineering, as if it could shatter anything!
Wang Zai, sitting at the upper right, lightly exclaimed in surprise and instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword with his right hand.
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