My Ares Son-in-Law

Lu Zhuo's heart tightened. Only one month? But he dared not have any objection and quickly kowtowed again, his forehead bleeding profusely: "Thank you for your grace, Your Excellency!"

The gray-robed man's gaze swept over Lü Fengxian behind Lü Zhuo, pausing slightly: "His physical constitution is decent, but his temperament is flawed and his meridians are severely damaged. Very well, since I've taken this item, I'll form a bond with him."

He flicked his finger, and a pill the size of a longan, black in color but with a faint blood-red halo, rolled to Lü Fengxian's front, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

"Take this, and it will heal your injuries and stabilize your vital energy. You will stay by my side for the next month."

Lu Fengxian was taken aback at first, then overjoyed surged into his heart. Ignoring his weakness, he mustered all his strength and kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the stone surface with a crisp sound: "Lu Fengxian thanks Master! This disciple will follow you to the death and dare not disobey!"

The man in gray said nothing more, turned around and walked back into the darkness behind the black iron gate, leaving only a detached instruction that slowly echoed in the fog-shrouded stone platform: "See me in the Western Region in three days."

The black iron gate slowly closed again, the dull "creaking" sound gradually subsiding, completely isolating the endless chill and mystery behind the gate within the stone fortress.

Lu Zhuo's tense body suddenly relaxed, he let out a long breath, and slumped directly onto the cold stone slab, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

He watched as his son, Lü Fengxian, carefully held the dark, blood-red pill in his palm, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, and his eyes instantly blazed with an unprecedented fervent ambition.

One month! That's enough!

With this mysterious venerable one in charge, and if his son can inherit his true teachings, not only will the Lü family's position in the Northwest be secured, but the entire martial arts landscape of the Northwest will be rewritten because of the Lü family!
As for Xiao Chen... in front of such a transcendent being, he is nothing but a clown, easily destroyed with a flick of the wrist!

……

In the temporary treatment room set up in the new factory area of ​​Xunjiang Group on the outskirts of the provincial capital, the warm yellow light dispelled the chill of the night, making it appear exceptionally quiet.

Xiao Chen slowly withdrew his fingers from Yun Miao's wrist, and the faint golden aura at his fingertips disappeared like a tide, as if it had never existed.

“It’s alright now.” His tone was calm and gentle, a stark contrast to the cold and resolute demeanor he displayed when facing the Dragon Group in the banquet hall. “The shock to your internal organs has subsided, but your meridians are still somewhat blocked. Follow the breathing techniques I taught you and rest for three days, and you will fully recover.”

Yun Miao immediately moved her hands and feet, and the previous stiff pain disappeared without a trace. Her eyes lit up like stars as she looked at Xiao Chen with adoration.

"Brother Xiao! You're amazing! You just took my pulse, and I feel so much lighter! When will I be able to be as good as you?"

On the hospital bed next to him, Liu Jianming, whose arm was in a heavy cast, also looked at him with gratitude and amazement. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said a sincere thank you: "Mr. Xiao, thank you for saving my life."

Qin Xianglan, who had been quietly waiting at the door, finally couldn't help but take a few steps forward.

Her beautiful eyes churned with complex and indescribable emotions: awe, curiosity, and a hint of barely perceptible relief.

She had witnessed Xiao Chen's domineering presence in his solo battle against the Dragon Group and had heard about the life-or-death pact at Tianque Terrace. Now, seeing him effortlessly heal his companions, she felt that the mystery surrounding this young man was even deeper than she had imagined, so deep that she dared not underestimate him.

“Mr. Xiao,” Qin Xianglan’s voice was soft yet clear, tinged with a hint of cautious inquiry, “Regarding the Dragon Group… the appointment at Tianque Terrace, are you truly fully prepared?”

Xiao Chen picked up a clean, soft cloth from the tray next to him and slowly wiped his fingers, his movements unhurried, as if he were doing something very ordinary.

Upon hearing this, he looked up at the deep night sky outside the window. The lights of thousands of homes in the provincial capital stretched into a dazzling galaxy in the distance, reflecting a sense of calm in his eyes.

"Prepare?" He repeated the word softly, then shook his head, his tone carrying an almost indifferent disdain. "For a stone destined to be crushed, preparation is necessary..."

He slowly turned his gaze back, his eyes calmly sweeping over Qin Xianglan's slightly worried face, then over Liu Jianming's grateful eyes, and finally landing on Yun Miao's eager face.

A faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips, a curve that contained not a trace of hesitation, but only the resolute and domineering power to cut off all obstacles.

"It's never about how to deal with it, but rather... which foot to step on it with for the cleanest and most efficient result."

"call……"

Yunmiao exhaled a heavy breath, her fingertips turning slightly white from clenching her fists, and her knuckles turning bluish-white.

Scenes from the banquet hall earlier flashed through my mind like fragments:
Xiao Chen's towering figure, facing the Dragon Group's oppressive aura alone; the muffled thuds of those arrogant, uniformed martial artists falling to the ground; the chilling killing intent that permeated the air...

There's also the feeling of powerlessness when you're being protected behind someone, a feeling of having no right to participate.

Cultivation, for her, was once a vague and distant concept, a fantasy of flying and escaping in novels, and an interest to pass the time in her spare time.

After practicing with Xiao Chen for a few days, he only felt that his body was a little lighter and stronger, but he never truly understood the meaning of cultivation.

until today.

Until you see with your own eyes that the power that transcends common sense and breaks the rules can become a sharp blade to cut through injustice and oppression; until you personally experience the helplessness of being able to hide behind others and be protected when the storm comes.

That feeling of powerlessness was like a red-hot iron rod, scalding her pride and bringing her to her senses instantly.

She suddenly raised her head, the last trace of confusion in her eyes completely replaced by a burning light, a light full of determination and resolve.

Become stronger! Not for the elusive pursuit of immortality, not for the vanity of fame and fortune, but simply so that when the next storm comes, she can stand beside Xiao Chen, shoulder to shoulder with him, instead of hiding behind him!

She wants to personally grasp the power to protect those she cares about!

Xiao Chen noticed Yun Miao's change and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. He then gave her a few more instructions on how to rest and recuperate.

Not far away, Yun Jingtian and his wife were clearly still recovering from the shock of the day. Their faces were pale and their eyes still held a lingering sense of panic. Xiao Chen could not stay any longer and signaled the Western Martial Arts Army personnel accompanying them to escort them back to their residence in the ancient city.

Liu Jianming's arm bone required more professional fixation and recuperation, so he temporarily stayed in the provincial capital to receive treatment.

As people left one by one, the noise in the treatment room gradually faded away.

The crisp scent of disinfectant mingled with the faint fragrance of the green plants by the windowsill, mingling in the air. In the quiet space, only the soft hum of the air conditioner vents could be heard.

In the end, only Qin Xianglan remained indoors.

Unlike the others, she didn't leave. Instead, she stood quietly by the door, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the exceptionally fine, icy jadeite bracelet on her wrist. (End of Chapter)