I've never felt happy to become an immortal.

Chapter 133 Meeting the Parents, a Shield

The next morning.

The group went to pay a visit to the Lin family.

On the way, Xi Qingqing asked Bai Xuan about the announcement he had posted. His casual answer amused the demoness from the Demonic Sect.

Then Bai Xuan asked, "If one day you were being hunted down and knew you were no match for them, would you choose to jump into a cesspool to save yourself?"

Xi Qingqing was taken aback. Her rationality refused to answer the question, so she decided to drag Ning Jianshuang next to her into it: "Why don't you ask Sister Ning?"

Ning Jianshuang stared intently at the financial statements in her hand, looking like she was thinking about a business worth several billion euros and not wanting to be disturbed.

Although Xi Qingqing is not a germaphobe, the thought of jumping into a cesspool to save herself would be more unbearable than death, even if she survived.

She hesitated for a long time before finally sighing, "I can't... what about you?"

She countered with a question: "If it were you, would you jump?"

Bai Xuan said arrogantly, "Even if a grandmaster is in front of me, I can take them down one by one. Do I need to jump?"

Xi Qingqing said angrily, "Your argument is simply cunning, it doesn't count, it doesn't count at all!"

Bai Xuan then changed his tune, saying, "If it really comes to that, do you think I can save myself by jumping in?"

Xi Qingqing snorted coldly: "In the end, it's because you're not strong enough. If you were strong enough, you wouldn't have been able to escape back then. Besides, this person is in such a miserable state, and you still want to offer a reward for his whereabouts? Is that necessary? You would probably have run away in fear long ago."

Bai Xuan slowly shook his head: "It is precisely because he dared to do this that I feel he must die."

"?"

“This person will stop at nothing to save his life and will abandon all dignity. If he has the ability in the future, he will definitely be ruthless and eliminate all threats when he seeks revenge.” Bai Xuan said earnestly, “To deal with this kind of person, you either don’t offend him or just kill him to prevent future troubles.”

“Erlang is absolutely right.” Ning Jianshuang nodded and said, “I completely agree.”

"You two... don't seem like good people." Xi Qingqing felt that her purity as a demonic witch was still a bit low.

“Nonsense, we are all good people.” Ning Jianshuang said calmly, “I have always been kind to others.”

"If you kill all your enemies, then naturally only the good people will be left, right...right?"

"Congratulations on learning how to answer first."

……

Upon arriving at the Lin family's residence, they presented a visiting card to identify themselves.

The journey was smooth and unobstructed.

The Lin family's estate is ridiculously large, making one wonder if it was built to the scale of the Epang Palace. If the buildings here were directly scaled up and put into the game, they could be used as a maze without any adjustments.

After entering a guest room, wait a short while.

"Duke Ningguo," a woman bowed and said, "Madam requests your presence."

Ning Jianshuang asked, "Am I all alone?"

"Yes," the maid explained, "the others will be taken care of."

Ning Jianshuang was a little worried, thinking, "Won't they just arrange for my Erlang to be in the bridal chamber?"
Xi Qingqing transmitted her voice secretly: "Don't worry, I'll be with you."

Ning Jianshuang finally calmed down a bit and followed the maid to meet Lu Shu, the matriarch of the Lin family.

One minute later.

Another maid came over: "Young Master Bai, the master invites you."

Bai Xuan stood up.

Xi Qingqing secretly tried to follow.

But she was quickly stopped by two maids: "Miss Xi, the young lady requests your presence."

"Wait, I..." The two maids carried Xi Qingqing away without giving her a chance to resist.

"Please, Young Master Bai." The maid had a sweet face and dignified manners; her upbringing was more than enough to make her a wealthy lady.

It is said that many families also habitually send their daughters to aristocratic families to "gild" their resumes.

If one can truly remain within a prominent family and gain their trust, it will be an invaluable connection.

Power never comes from status or identity, but from force and distance from the center of power.

……

We arrived at a courtyard, which was actually quite spacious. In the distance, there was a waterfall, about several kilometers away. The water from the waterfall flowed into the courtyard, forming a small river that was more than 20 meters wide and several hundred meters long.

A boat was moored in the middle of the river, chained together with several iron chains.

"You've arrived." Standing on the bow of the ship was Lin Buren.

He naturally recognized Bai Xuan, so he waved and greeted him.

Bai Xuan walked onto the iron chain and stepped onto the boat. At this moment, he could see clearly that Lin Buren was standing at the bow of the boat, while a sullen middle-aged man was sitting at the stern, scattering fish bait and feeding the fish.

"Ignore him." Lin Buren laughed and scolded, "Last night he saw my sister-in-law writing a poem, looking completely absorbed in it. When he asked, he found out it was you who wrote it. He couldn't help but say a few words to you, and last night he was demoted to sleep in the study. He's sulking here. Don't go over there and try to be nice to him. Let him calm down."

That's how Lin Chongxiao's true colors were exposed.

The sixth-ranked person on the list has sharp ears. He coughed and felt that his younger brother was talking too much.

But Lin Buren ignored him and continued, "Your poem is indeed excellent. I imagine that even if you were not skilled in martial arts, but instead studied for the imperial examinations, you would still be a literary master in the future."

Bai Xuan shook his head: "Reading and writing are too tiring. How can they compare to the carefree and comfortable life of roaming the martial world with a sword?" "Comfortable?" Lin Buren smiled noncommittally: "Your journey in the martial world is like walking on the edge of a knife. If you are not careful, you will lose your life... In all these years, this is the first time I have seen the Northern Zhou spare no effort in hunting down a rising star."

"I happen to be short of whetstones," Bai Xuan said. "I'm just afraid I haven't brought enough."

“You young man have plenty of courage.” Lin Buren nodded. “But if something happens to you, I’m worried that Xiao Lu’er will also be affected.”

Bai Xuan countered, "If I die, wouldn't many of the Lin family's troubles simply disappear?"

Lin Buren said frankly, "The Lin family is the Lin family, and I am me. The stance of a prominent family is different from that of an individual. For me, my own family is more important than that of a powerful family."

Bai Xuan glanced down at the red carp underwater: "I'm here today because of the Jiao Rong case."

"Let's talk about personal matters first, then business matters," Lin Buren set the tone directly. "If we can't even reach an agreement on personal matters, there's no point in discussing business matters."

"That's a bit domineering," Bai Xuan said.

"This is the Lin family. They never have to worry about what others think." Lin Buren chuckled, but his domineering words were cut short as he continued, "...How about it? If you're interested, take action now. Join us now, and you'll get a beautiful bride as a bonus in six months."

Bai Xuan said, "I don't think there's anything to talk about. You've already decided on those things, so why ask me?"

The engagement couldn't be kept secret at all.

Bai Xuan isn't deaf; how could he not hear the rumors?

"Are you holding a grudge?"

“It’s not that I’m resentful,” Bai Xuan said. “It’s just that everyone has a different perspective. I can’t refute the decision of the Duke of Ningguo’s mansion, and that has nothing to do with what I think.”

Lin Buren pondered for a moment: "In other words, your identity and your actual thoughts are different... Your identity does not allow you to express your own opinions."

"We have no choice in the matter," Bai Xuan said. "Who isn't?"

With roles and identities set in place, it's incredibly difficult to break free from those identities and live freely.

Lin Buren stroked his chin: "If you weren't the young master of the Jiang family, and had nothing to do with the Ningguo Duke's Mansion and Juyi Pavilion, what would your thoughts be?"

"I have no plans to get married," Bai Xuan said bluntly. "I just want to finish what I'm supposed to do in this life."

"What should be done?"

Bai Xuan thought for a moment: "Let's achieve the Heavenly Rank first and make up for the shopkeeper's regrets. As for the rest... let's take it one step at a time."

"So that means you have no plans?" Lin Buren frowned. "You don't intend to get married and have children? You don't even have the idea of ​​leaving any descendants?"

Bai Xuan shook his head: "Not at all."

“Young people are like that; their views may change as they get older,” Lin Buren said calmly. “Then let me ask you another question: Do you already have someone you love? Or have you been hurt by love before?”

Bai Xuan said strangely, "I don't believe the Lin family didn't investigate my background. A little questioning would have made it clear."

"Why would a normal, healthy man look down on my Lin family's eldest daughter?" Lin Buren asked, puzzled. "If you have any unspeakable difficulties, you might as well say them directly, and we'll think of a way to help you."

Bai Xuan: “…”

He felt it would be difficult to explain this to this group of people.

Yes, from the perspective of people in this world of true cultivation, there is absolutely no need to refuse such good conditions.

Besides, there has to be a reason for refusing, right?
The Lin family themselves did not mind the difference in social status.

After much thought, it could only be a problem related to relationships, but Bai Xuan's romantic history is also blank, making it even more perplexing.

It's normal for Lin Buren to think this way, but Bai Xuan is not considered a normal person.

"Alright then." After thinking it over, Bai Xuan simply backed down and found a plausible excuse. He said bluntly, "I have someone I like, and my heart belongs to someone else. Can you accept this explanation?"

Let's quickly make up a lie and change the subject.

I came here to kill people, not to find love.

The thing a sword should stay away from most is emotion; women will only slow down my sword-drawing speed.

"Who?" Lin Buren pressed on relentlessly, narrowing his eyes. "Are you just making up some excuse to fool us?"

Bai Xuan originally wanted to just give a random name, but felt it wasn't appropriate.

The other party even knew exactly what size underwear they wore.

Mentioning any name casually will easily reveal your true identity.

A lie is most effective the first time it is told; if it is repeated two or three times, everyone will be able to tell that it is false.

Jiang Lianxing?

No, the relationship between the imperial court and the powerful families is already complicated. Opening up like this will only cause more trouble... and it will also make it difficult for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle the case.

Ning Jianshuang is even less likely to be involved.

Even the "older woman/younger man" romance theory couldn't fool Lin Jiaolu.

Xi Qingqing?
Forget it, this female bandit is addicted to hunting in the wild and has no femininity at all.

Bai Xuan didn't want to think for too long, so he quickly came up with a name for someone.

"Qin..."

He said, "Her surname is Qin, and her given name is Xiaochan."

...I can only use you as a shield now. I'll treat you to a cheap meal at McDonald's next time I have the chance.

(End of this chapter)