My Ares Son-in-Law

The Lü family in the provincial capital has strict family rules, one of which is: members of the Lü family have the right to kneel, except when worshipping ancestors or in front of the family's highest elders or the head of the family, they must never kneel before people of other surnames! Violators will be severely punished.

But at this moment, family rules and face seem insignificant in the face of death. Kneeling might only mean losing all dignity and ruining one's future within the family; but not kneeling means dying now, and dying a horribly gruesome death!
"M-Master..." His voice was dry and hoarse, trembling noticeably, and he didn't dare to look up at Xiao Chen's face. In his perception at that moment, the person standing in front of him was a terrifying figure exuding an aura of blood and death, a terrifying being that absolutely could not be provoked.

Xiao Chen looked down at the trembling figure below with indifference, like a god looking down at an ant.

"Where exactly is the Lü family located?"

The man spoke almost without thinking, his words coming out so quickly it was as if he feared that a second's delay would bring about his death: "Your Excellency! The main residence of the Lü family is not in the city center, but deep in Qixia Mountain on the western outskirts of the provincial capital. There is a vast estate called 'Lü Garden.' From the city center, drive along the Qixia Mountain special winding road on the western outer ring road for about twenty kilometers, and you will see a huge white marble archway. Go inside that."

He didn't know what this terrifying figure was trying to do by asking about the location of the Lü family. Could it be... that he really dared to storm the Lü family alone? The thought sent chills down his spine.

"Is that so-called 'young master' of your Lü family in Lü Garden right now?" Xiao Chen continued to press, his tone chilling.

The kneeling man shook his head repeatedly, like a rattle-drum: "No, sir, Young Master Lü is not here! Not only the young master, but also the master and several key uncles are not in the provincial capital recently!"

He seemed to be trying to use this news to buy himself a sliver of hope, and quickly added:
"About half a month ago, the family received a highly confidential message. It is said that in an ancient village deep in the 'Zhongnan Sacred Land' in the Northwest, there may be an extraordinary master living in seclusion. The master attaches great importance to this, believing that if we can persuade this master to come out of seclusion and take charge of the Lü family, the Lü family will not only be able to rise to a higher level in the provincial capital, but even... even be qualified to talk to the Lü family in the capital!"

"To show the Lu family's utmost sincerity, the master personally led the team, which included the young master, several core uncles, and several top experts from the family's entourage, a total of more than thirty people, all heading to the Zhongnan Holy Land. Those of us with slightly less strength were left in the provincial capital to handle daily affairs, and... and were ordered to keep an eye on Miss Zhou's movements."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.

The entire Lü family went out to search for a reclusive master deep in the Zhongnan sacred land.
The Zhongnan Mountains are vast and mysterious, and have been a legendary secluded cultivation ground for cultivators since ancient times. Although it is different from the true cultivation world he lived in in his previous life, the spiritual energy on Earth is depleted, so anyone who has been able to cultivate in such a place until now is probably no ordinary person. If the Lü family can be persuaded to join them, it would indeed be a significant help.

However, how could a true reclusive master be so easily persuaded? Most likely, the Lü family obtained some unsubstantiated rumors from somewhere, or that the "master" had other motives.

With the core strength of the Lü family absent, even if he immediately stormed Shen Garden on Qixia Mountain, he would mostly kill some insignificant collateral relatives or servants, which would be of little significance and might even alert the enemy.

"When are they expected to return?" Xiao Chen asked in a deep voice.

The person kneeling shook their head even more violently, their face filled with fear:
"My lord, please understand! I am merely an outer steward in the Lü family. How could we possibly know about such core decisions and itineraries! Last time, the entire family went to the southwest to search for another item, and it took more than a month to return. This time, the journey to the Zhongnan Sacred Land is even longer and the situation is more complicated. I'm afraid... it will take at least one or two months, right? It mainly depends on whether we can find that expert and his attitude..."

"Understood." Xiao Chen nodded, seemingly having received the answer he wanted. Then, his tone shifted abruptly, becoming icy and chilling again, "Now, will you take your own life, or will I do it?" The Lu family expert froze, abruptly looking up, his eyes filled with astonishment and despair!
He thought that by cooperating so fully, revealing all the information he knew, and even hinting at the current weakness of the Lü family, the other party might spare his life out of consideration for this intelligence.

That way, he might still have a chance to escape alive, and then find a way to report today's events and how terrifying this person is back to his family, so that his family can take precautions in advance, or even send experts back to besiege this fiend!

But to everyone's surprise, this young man was so cold-blooded and ruthless, he had no intention of leaving any survivors from the very beginning! He was so decisive and ruthless in eliminating any potential threats!

A powerful will to survive instantly overwhelmed reason! Since begging for mercy was useless, then it was time to fight to the death!
"Ah—! Die!"

A mad, fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly sprang up from his knees!

At the same time, his right hand reached for his waist with lightning speed. A flash of cold light, and a short blade with a dark blue luster, clearly coated with poison, was in his hand. With all his strength and unwillingness, he thrust it like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, viciously aiming straight for Xiao Chen's heart! This thrust was fast and cunning, almost the culmination of his life's skills, and it was completely unexpected!

Xiao Chen's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile that seemed to be both mockery and disdain.

Just as the tip of the poisoned dagger was about to touch the fabric of his chest, Xiao Chen's right hand moved. Without dodging or blocking, he simply extended his five fingers and grabbed directly at the dark blue blade!
"Keng!"

A soft yet distinct metallic scraping sound rang out.

Xiao Chen's five fingers gripped the sharpest part of the short blade steadily and precisely!

The expected scene of his palm being slashed and blood splattering did not occur. His palm skin was smooth and supple, with a faint golden light flowing around it. The sharp blade could not even leave a white mark on it, let alone draw blood.

The expert from the Lü family was completely stunned, his mind blank, as if he had witnessed the most unbelievable sight in the world—catching a blade barehanded? No, this was wielding a blade barehanded! To withstand a poisoned blade with his own flesh and blood and emerge unscathed?!

Before he could recover from the huge shock, Xiao Chen's five fingers gripping the blade tightened slightly, and an overwhelming and irresistible shock force surged through the blade!
"Crack!"

The wrist of the Lu family expert holding the knife snapped instantly! The short blade fell from his hand.

Xiao Chen flicked his toes downwards, and the falling short blade seemed to come alive, tracing a beautiful yet deadly arc, its eerie blue light flashing and disappearing in an instant. (End of Chapter)