Although Xiao Yufan had awakened, his body remained extremely stiff. It took a long time for the numbness to gradually fade away.
“That old bastard, his strike was brutal. If we meet again, even if I can’t kill him, I’ll make sure he pays with his blood!”
A cold, murderous intent spread within him. Xiao Yufan wasn’t usually someone who held grudges, but that old man had nearly killed him—how could he not feel hatred?
Currently, Xiao Yufan stood at the middle stage of Ning Jing. With the presence of Yu Long Zhen Jue (True Dragon’s Secret Art), even experts at the peak of Ning Jing might not necessarily be his match. Compared to that, the old man who was merely at the Ning Gong level wasn’t that terrifying anymore.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
At that moment, a voice interrupted his thoughts. Xiao Yufan turned around and saw a middle-aged man standing there, smiling at him. He hadn’t sensed the man’s approach at all.
A chill crept down his back. Xiao Yufan inwardly thanked his lucky stars that this man wasn’t his enemy; otherwise, with such stealthy prowess, he wouldn’t have had the slightest chance of resistance.
Never before had he felt such an intense longing for power. He knew that if he were at his peak now, everything would be different.
“If I’m not mistaken, you must be Xian’er’s father!”
Previously, while unconscious, Xiao Yufan had overheard many things happening outside. Naturally, from the voice alone, he could tell this man was indeed the father of Huangpu Xian’er, who had visited the bamboo hut more than once.
“You’re quite alert, kid. Don’t worry, I mean you no harm. If I did, do you think you’d still be standing here unharmed?”
Observing Xiao Yufan’s cautious expression, Huangpu Hanye’s face lit up with a smile. Truth be told, he was quite satisfied with this young man. A凝劲 expert in his twenties—what an incredible talent, although luck might have played a role.
But wasn’t luck itself a form of strength? In Huangpu Hanye’s eyes, this young man was already on par with the top hidden talents of the younger generation within the Huangpu clan.
“Uncle, you misunderstood. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m truly grateful for your care all this time!”
Xiao Yufan forced a smile onto his stiff face. Since this man was Huangpu Xian’er’s father, his status within the hidden Huangpu clan must be quite high. Naturally, he needed to show proper respect.
“Haha, no need for thanks. Who told you that you’re the man Xian’er has chosen? You might even end up being my future son-in-law. Helping you is only natural!”
Huangpu Hanye laughed heartily, as if this were the happiest news in the world. Hearing this, however, Xiao Yufan’s expression subtly changed.
Undeniably, Huangpu Xian’er was a stunning beauty, but he had no desire to become entangled with the hidden Huangpu clan. Moreover, from their earlier father-daughter conversation, he knew this matter had already dragged in another hidden clan.
He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he wouldn’t clean up someone else’s mess without reason. He had enough on his plate without getting involved in the affairs of the Huangpu family.
“Hmm, you don’t seem very happy.”
Seeing Xiao Yufan’s stiff expression, Huangpu Hanye narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze gleaming with an unusual light. No one could tell what he was thinking, but under this gaze, Xiao Yufan felt a chill slowly crawl up his spine.
“Cough, cough. It’s just that I just woke up and am still a bit disoriented.”
Coughing dryly, Xiao Yufan felt like he was hanging in midair, unsure of how to respond. He had to be careful with his words, or he might end up in real trouble.
“Don’t play dumb with me. Tell me, what exactly are your feelings for Xian’er?”
“Eh…?”
“What do you mean ‘eh’? Say it again, and I swear I’ll make you sit in that wooden tub again!” One moment he was smiling warmly, the next his face darkened. Xiao Yufan truly believed this man would carry out his threat.
“Damn, even forced marriages aren’t this obvious!”
If the middle-aged man had spoken more gently, Xiao Yufan might not have felt so resistant. But the man clearly had no intention of consulting him. This tone only meant one thing—if Xiao Yufan refused, he might find himself in trouble again, barely having just recovered.
“Xian’er is beautiful, and she possesses charms that many other women lack. If I said I wasn’t moved, I’d be lying. But—”
“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it? No buts! My daughter isn’t someone just anyone can catch a glimpse of. Among the hidden clans alone, there are dozens vying for her attention!”
In an instant, Huangpu Hanye’s expression shifted again, making Xiao Yufan want to scream in frustration. The man’s temperament was truly unpredictable.
“If so many people are after Xian’er, why don’t you just pick one of them…”
Xiao Yufan smirked, but his words abruptly stopped halfway. He had been carefully watching Huangpu Hanye’s expression, and upon hearing his remark, the older man already seemed displeased.
“Hmph, do you think our Huangpu women are that easy to obtain? Or do you think my daughter isn’t good enough for you?”
“I…”
Xiao Yufan was at a loss. The more he tried to explain, the more complicated things became. He didn’t even know how Huangpu Xian’er truly felt about him. How could he possibly accept a woman he had only met a few times?
Thinking back, he recalled the awkwardness in Huangpu Xian’er’s expression when she had left, and all her words and actions while he was unconscious.
“Perhaps… I owe her.”
Xiao Yufan could only sigh inwardly. If the Huangpu family hadn’t brought him back, he probably wouldn’t have survived. The only reason the Huangpu family had helped him was because of Huangpu Xian’er.
No matter what Huangpu Xian’er wanted from him—whether it was some task or merely a performance—he seemed to have no grounds for refusal. Owing such a huge favor to a woman would trouble Xiao Yufan just as much, especially if that woman was beautiful.
The two stood there silently, as if lost in thought, while Huangpu Hanye’s gaze never left Xiao Yufan’s face…
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