My Ares Son-in-Law

This move will be the most fatal mistake the Qingyang Sword Sect has made in a hundred years!
Lin Zhenghao slowly raised his head, his gaze meeting that of the family head, Zhao Ruixiang. His Adam's apple bobbed, finally settling into a heavy sigh. His knuckles were clenched so tightly they turned white, his nails almost digging into his flesh. His voice was hoarse, yet each word was clear, carrying a resolute determination:
"Since the Qingyang Sword Sect has expelled me, there are some things I must say today!"

The Qingyang Sword Sect's century-old foundation is gradually crumbling, and the root cause lies entirely in the short-sightedness of its leaders. Countless opportunities that could have propelled the sect to new heights have been squandered by your own hands!
"That's right, I, Lin Zhenghao, am now willing to be Mr. Xiao's pawn, the 'lackey' you all call me! But remember this: one day, the entire Qingyang Sword Sect will kneel before this 'dog' and beg me to turn back!"

Every word is piercing, every sentence is heartbreaking!

His chest heaved violently, the humiliation of being expelled from his home burning like poison in his internal organs. He would become the first elder in the century-long history of the Qingyang Sword Sect to be ousted, and would surely become the laughingstock of the provincial martial arts community!

But he has no regrets!

I will never regret choosing to stand behind Xiao Chen, and I will never regret stepping out of the gates of the Qingyang Sword Sect!
He was willing to gamble his remaining life on the unfathomable future of this young man!

He'll wait and see how time will brutally rip apart the faces of these frogs in a well!
He's destined to win this high-stakes gamble!
"Hahaha!" The laughter that filled the hall almost lifted the roof. Zhao Bei laughed so hard she was doubled over, pointing at Lin Zhenghao and mocking, "Lin Zhenghao, you've really gone mad! Even if rivers flow backward and the sun and moon turn upside down, the Qingyang Sword Sect will never ask you for anything!"

"Get out!" Zhao Ruixiang roared, his face contorted with rage.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over Lin Zhenghao's tense profile, a barely perceptible emotion flashing in his eyes, and he sighed almost inaudibly.

"Let's go." He turned around, his robes fluttering, without a trace of lingering affection. Today, he had intended to leave the Qingyang Sword Sect some room to maneuver, but they pressed on relentlessly, courting their own demise.

Now that all ties have been severed, why should Xiao Chen rely on the Qingyang Sword Sect even slightly?

"I will obey Mr. Xiao's orders." Lin Zhenghao bowed and replied, straightening his back and following Xiao Chen's steps with firm strides, without glancing at the Qingyang Sword Sect members again.

Just then, a loud, clear laugh came from outside the door, carrying the arrogance of a superior: "Brother Zhao, I was tied up with trivial matters and arrived late, please forgive me!"

The gloom on Zhao Ruixiang's face vanished instantly, replaced by a fawning smile. He disregarded his status and hurried to greet him, saying, "Vice President He, you've finally arrived! With you here, today's matter will surely be resolved satisfactorily!"

His long-awaited savior has finally arrived!

Although Lin Zhenghao has been expelled, the Lü family still needs a powerful figure to mediate. Looking across the Northwest, only the New Martial Arts Association and the mysterious War God Alliance can keep things in check, but the War God Alliance is unfathomable and he simply cannot persuade them to join.

The person he specially invited today was none other than He Yongnian, the vice president of the New Martial Arts Association! Although his cultivation was slightly inferior to Ao Tianchen's, he held real power in the association and was enough to maneuver between the Lü family and the Qingyang Sword Sect!

A figure strode in, dressed in a gray robe, with white hair and beard yet vigorous, exuding a calm and composed aura of a grandmaster. It was none other than He Yongnian, the powerful vice president of the New Martial Arts Association in the Northwest! "Elder He! We've been waiting for you!" Zhao Ruixiang's face instantly lit up with a warm smile. He quickly stepped forward and extended his hand, intending to greet the other man with a friendly chat and discuss important matters.

Normally, given their status and position, the two should have exchanged pleasantries at this moment. However, as soon as He Yongnian stepped into the courtyard, his gaze was locked onto the young figure who was about to step out of the threshold like a magnet, and his steps suddenly stopped at the threshold!
His lips trembled uncontrollably, and fine beads of cold sweat instantly seeped from his forehead, sliding down his wrinkles. His face turned somewhat pale. He would never forget that figure, that oppressive aura that penetrated to his very bones, until the day he died!

Zhao Ruixiang was just about to ask, feeling surprised, when he saw He Yongnian almost stagger, taking three steps at a time, heading straight for the young man. Under the astonished gazes of everyone in the Qingyang Sword Sect, this powerful figure who held sway in the Northwest martial arts world bowed deeply to a mere youth, his posture extremely humble.
"Mr. Xiao! I was unaware of your presence. I have been very rude and hope you will forgive me!"

These words, like a thunderclap from the heavens, resounded throughout the Qingyang Sword Sect's main hall!
Mr. Xiao?!

Vice President He, who wields immense power in the Northwest and commands respect even from top figures in the provincial capital, is so obsequious to this young man, addressing him as "subordinate."
What's even more unbelievable is that everyone knows that Xiao Chen recently killed Situ Xiong, the vice president of the New Martial Arts Association, at the Ancient City Martial Arts Arena. The two should be sworn enemies, fighting to the death!
The entire hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop; you could clearly hear a single needle fall to the ground.

Zhao Ruixiang's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his warm smile instantly solidified as if frozen by an icicle, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints as if in an earthquake; Zhao Bei frantically rubbed her eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, her mouth agape enough to fit a fist; the other elders exchanged bewildered glances, all seeing extreme shock and confusion in each other's eyes, as if they had been frozen in place, unable to move!

Even Lin Zhenghao, who had long been determined to follow Xiao Chen, was stunned on the spot, his heart filled with shock. Although he knew that Xiao Chen was incredibly powerful, he never imagined that he could command such respect from a giant like He Yongnian!

Xiao Chen, however, didn't even lift his eyelids, merely glancing casually at He Yongnian. He was indeed somewhat surprised, not expecting to encounter this hidden agent whom he controlled with his essence blood here.

However, since the soul-controlling mark had already been planted, he wouldn't dare to act recklessly in the slightest.

Xiao Chen brushed past He Yongnian without even glancing at him, as if the vice president of the New Martial Arts Association in front of him was just an insignificant passerby.

Such extreme contempt sent chills down the spines of everyone in the Qingyang Sword Sect, leaving them utterly shocked. Countless powerful families would beg Elder He to grant them an audience, yet this brat dared to treat them as if they were nothing.

Even more terrifying was that He Yongnian maintained his bowed posture the entire time, his spine bent almost parallel to the ground, not daring to even breathe loudly, until Xiao Chen's figure completely disappeared outside the door. Only then did he slowly straighten up, his voice still tight, with lingering awe: "Mr. Xiao, what important matter brings you to the Qingyang Sword Sect today?"

Another respectful "Mr. Xiao"!
Zhao Ruixiang's face was ashen. He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace: "N-nothing, it's just a little misunderstanding... Mr. He, please come in, please have a seat!"

He Yongnian glanced deeply at the various expressions on the faces of the Qingyang Sword Sect members, a hint of barely perceptible mockery flashing in his eyes, before flicking his sleeves and stepping into the hall.

Zhao Ruixiang stared at his retreating figure, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. In the martial arts world, the title "Master" carries immense weight; it is reserved for grandmasters, highly respected figures, and those of exceptional virtue and prestige. (End of Chapter)