My Ares Son-in-Law

Zhou Fenfang's voice revealed a sense of helplessness and desolation: "How many girls born into families like ours can truly control their own marriages? Marriage alliances are the most direct, and often the only, way to maintain family prosperity and seek stronger protection. Back then... I was the same way. If the family I married into hadn't been destroyed, I wouldn't have been able to go home."

Xiao Chen remained silent, like a silent mountain. His mind was clear; Zhou Fenfang had laid so much groundwork, yet her true intentions remained unrevealed.

Zhou Fenfang had been carefully observing his reaction. Apart from the initial fleeting, chilling murderous intent that almost stopped her heart, the young man's subsequent behavior was frighteningly calm. It was a composure beyond his years, a calmness as if he understood everything and controlled the situation, making all her prepared words seem pale and powerless.

She pursed her dry lips tightly, as if making a decision. Her voice was low but clear, carrying an almost earnest seriousness: "Xiao Chen, I hope you... can voluntarily withdraw from Keying's life."

Before Xiao Chen could respond, she quickened her pace, trying to strike him with harsh reality: "You have completely offended the Lü family tonight. Given the Lü family's vengeful nature, they will definitely launch the most insane and reckless revenge against you! Yes, you have Lin Zhenghao by your side, and he listens to you without question, which surprises me."

"But you and I both know that Lin Zhenghao's current actions absolutely do not represent the will of the entire Qingyang Sword Sect! Once the Lü family exerts pressure, what will the Qingyang Sword Sect choose? It will most likely abandon him without hesitation! As for the Zhou family, it is even less likely that they would confront the towering Lü family for your sake!"

Her tone grew increasingly urgent, tinged with obvious anxiety: "You may seem successful now, but you're actually isolated and helpless! How can you, all alone, possibly fight against the behemoth, the Lü family, who have been deeply entrenched in the western region for hundreds of years? It's like throwing an egg against a rock!"

Zhou Fenfang took a deep breath, her voice almost heartfelt, even tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness:

“What I’m saying may be hard to hear, but it’s truly for your own good! While there’s still room for maneuver, and before the news reaches the core of the Lü family, you must leave the ancient city immediately! Go as far away as possible, to a place where no one can find you! This is your only chance to survive right now!”

As she finished speaking, she became visibly agitated, and her voice rose involuntarily, sounding somewhat jarring in the quiet room.

The house fell into deathly silence.

Only Zhou Fenfang's slightly heavy breathing, caused by her emotional agitation, echoed faintly in the air.

After a long silence, Xiao Chen finally moved his lips, his voice so calm it was devoid of any emotion, as if he were merely asking about something trivial: "The Lü family of the Western Region... are they very powerful?"

Seeing that he had finally spoken, Zhou Fenfang nodded quickly, her tone full of certainty: "Yes! It is one of the top martial arts families in the western region, with unfathomable foundation. In terms of current strength, the Qingyang Sword Sect... is no match for the Lü family."

"Oh?" Xiao Chen's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, as if he had thought of something, and he continued to ask in that calm tone, "Then, compared to the Western Region New Martial Arts Tournament, which is stronger?"

Zhou Fenfang was taken aback upon hearing this, a look of surprise flashing across her face. She hadn't expected Xiao Chen to suddenly steer the conversation towards the New Martial Arts Tournament. Because the incident at the Martial Arts Arena was still recent, and she had been busy preparing for her birthday banquet, she was completely unaware of it.

She frowned and pondered for a moment before answering, “The Western Region New Martial Arts Association… is quite complicated. It’s a very special organization with a complex web of internal power, involving the interests of too many martial arts families within the province. The Lü family and the Qingyang Sword Sect both wield considerable influence within it. These two… are actually not directly comparable. But if we only consider influence, voice, and resources that can be mobilized in the Western Region… the New Martial Arts Association is undoubtedly far superior…”

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Chen had already stood up, leaving only three words:
"I understand." After saying that, he walked straight towards the door without looking back.

Zhou Fenfang was completely dumbfounded, utterly confused about the meaning behind Xiao Chen's reaction. They hadn't even reached a conclusion, so why was he leaving?
She instinctively assumed that Xiao Chen was frightened by her description of the terrifying Lu family, and, being young and impetuous, had lost face, hence his angry departure. Anxious, she quickly called after his retreating figure, "Xiao Chen! What are you planning to do? When are you leaving? If needed, I can arrange a private jet for you immediately, guaranteed to be discreet!"

Xiao Chen stopped in front of the door.

He didn't look back.

But in the instant he paused, an indescribable, overwhelming aura, like a sleeping dragon awakening, burst forth from him! It was not a killing intent directed at anyone, but it carried an indifference and majesty that transcended all things and looked down upon all living beings, instantly filling the entire room!
Zhou Fenfang felt her breath catch in her throat, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on her chest, making her body stiff and unable to move even her fingers.

Then, she heard Xiao Chen's cold yet absolutely confident voice, each word striking her soul like a hammer blow:

"Though the world is vast, no power has yet been created that can make me, Xiao Chen, give way! If the Lü family is so ignorant of their own mortality, and insists on provoking me..."

Xiao Chen's voice paused slightly, and then an even more chilling aura spread out:
"I don't mind putting in some effort to completely wipe the Lü family off the map of the Western Region!"

"Bang!"

The door was gently closed with a soft click.

Inside the room, only Zhou Fenfang remained, standing stiffly in place, her body trembling slightly uncontrollably. Her eyes were blank as she stared at the closed door, as if she could still feel the terrifying aura that had sent chills down her spine. Her mind was blank, with only Xiao Chen's earth-shattering words echoing incessantly.

……

Ancient city, Xiao Chen's villa.

Xiao Chen and Yun Yuyan have returned home. Zhou Keying originally planned to come over tonight, but her grandmother is leaving the ancient city early tomorrow morning. After much consideration, she decided to stay with her grandmother one more night.

After all, the elderly are quite old, and the time they can spend together like this is becoming increasingly precious. From this perspective, Zhou Keying is a very filial girl at heart.

In the living room, Xiao Chen had just picked up the remote and turned on the TV, but before he could find a program he wanted to watch, Yun Yuyan, like a lazy cat, sat down close to him. She was wearing a fitted, off-white undershirt, which swayed slightly with her movements, exuding a silent allure. (End of Chapter)