In this chaotic world of vying for power, I can become stronger by marrying a wife.

Two men followed behind her: Li Yueru's uncle, Li Dafu, and the Li family patriarch, Li Laosan.

All three wore fawning smiles, but their eyes concealed calculations.

Su Ming narrowed his eyes and remained silent.

Seeing that he ignored her, Zhang was not embarrassed and continued to smile, "Master Su, you are now a captain, and our Li family is also benefiting from this!"

Li Dafu quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Yue Ru marrying you is the best thing that's ever happened to her!"

Su Ming sneered: "Is that so? I remember when Yue Ru was seriously ill, you didn't say that."

Zhang's face stiffened, and she forced a dry laugh, "Master Su, what are you saying... We didn't know you were so capable back then..."

"So?" Su Ming interrupted her, "Didn't you know I had the ability to bully Yue Ru to death?"

Li Dafu's face turned pale, and he said awkwardly, "Master Su, you've misunderstood. How could we dare to bully Yue Ru..."

"Really?" Su Ming took out a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it in front of them.

That was the letter of severance written by Li Dafu when Li Yueru was kicked out of the Li family.

"It says here, 'Li Yueru is unfilial and unvirtuous, disgracing the family. She is expelled from the Li family effective immediately, regardless of whether she lives or dies.'" Su Ming finished reading, then looked up at Li Dafu. "Am I remembering correctly?"

Cold sweat beaded on Li Dafu's forehead: "Master Su... this... this is all a misunderstanding..."

"A misunderstanding?" Su Ming sneered. "What about this then?"

He then pulled out another IOU.

"Li Yueru owes the Li family thirty taels of silver, which has been outstanding for three years. Her dowry was used to settle the debt." After reading this, Su Ming looked at Zhang Shi and asked, "Where is Yueru's dowry now?"

Zhang's face flushed red, and she stammered, unable to speak.

Scarface and the others stood behind Su Ming, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Damn, so this is the Li family?" the tall, thin man muttered under his breath.

"Shh." Scarface slapped him. "Watch how the boss deals with them."

Su Ming put away the IOU and the letter of severance, and said calmly, "I came back today to settle this score with you."

He paused, his voice growing even colder.

"Return Yue Ru's dowry within three days. And tear up that IOU for thirty taels of silver."

Li Dafu's face turned ashen: "Master Su, this...this is against the rules..."

"Rules?" Su Ming laughed. "I am the rule."

As soon as he raised his hand, Scarface stepped forward and kicked Li Dafu in the chest.

"Bang--!"

Li Dafu screamed and collapsed to the ground.

Zhang screamed in terror, "Murder! Su Ming has murdered someone!"

Su Ming looked at her coldly: "Shut up."

With just one word, Zhang fell silent instantly.

Seeing that things were going badly, Li Laosan quickly knelt down: "Master Su, please don't be angry... We'll return the dowry, and we'll tear up the IOU..."

"Now you know to pay it back?" Su Ming sneered. "Too late."

He turned to the scarred man and said, "Go to the Li family and bring back Yue Ru's dowry. If one item is missing, smash up a room."

"Alright!" Scarface grinned and led a few men toward the Li family's house.

Li Laosan's face changed drastically: "Master Su, you...you're trying to wipe out our Li family..."

"Destroy you?" Su Ming scoffed. "You think you're worthy?"

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"I'm just taking back Yue Ru's things today. But if I find out you ever dare to bully her again..."

He didn't finish speaking, but the murderous intent in his eyes made Li Laosan tremble all over.

"No, no... We'll never do it again..."

Su Ming ignored him and turned back to the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard gate, Li Dafu clutched his chest, his eyes filled with resentment and malice.

"This kid... really thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he's a captain..."

Zhang gritted her teeth and said, "Just wait, he'll get what's coming to him sooner or later..."

The voice just fell.

"collapse--!"

An arrow grazed past Zhang's ear and embedded itself in a tree behind her.

Zhang screamed and collapsed to the ground.

Su Ming stood in the courtyard, the large bow in his hand still trembling.

"My ears are perfectly sharp," he said coldly. "Next time I hear you gossiping, this arrow won't miss its mark."

Li Dafu and Zhang were so frightened that they scrambled away.

---

Half an hour later.

Scarface and his men returned carrying large and small bags.

"Boss, everything's been brought back," Scarface grinned. "Those Li family guys didn't dare utter a single word."

Su Ming glanced at it and nodded in satisfaction.

"Thanks for your hard work."

He took out a few silver ingots from his spatial storage and threw them to Scarface.

"Here, take this. Let's find a tavern tonight and have a good drink, brothers."

Scarface's eyes lit up: "Thanks, boss!"

Su Ming waved his hand: "Alright, everyone disperse. We'll head back to the main camp first thing tomorrow morning."

The ten people left in high spirits.

Su Ming stood in the courtyard, looking at the dowry, a gentle look flashing in his eyes.

Yue Ru must have treasured these things back then.

He crouched down and opened one of the boxes.

Inside were some women's jewelry, which, although not valuable, were all exquisite.

Su Ming picked up a wooden hairpin with a butterfly carved on it.

He remembered that Li Yueru had worn this hairpin back then.

"When I get back, I'll return all of this to you."

Su Ming put the hairpin away and was about to get up.

Sudden.

A dark figure leaped down from the wall and landed in the courtyard.

It was a man dressed in black, his face covered, only his cold eyes were visible.

Su Ming's pupils contracted, and he instantly drew his bow.

"Who is it?"

The man in black didn't speak, but just stared at him, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

next second.

The man in black moved.

The speed was astonishing; it appeared in front of Su Ming almost instantly and struck him in the chest with a palm.

Su Ming didn't have time to draw his bow, so he could only raise his hand to block.

"Bang--!"

The two palms collided, and Su Ming was forced back three steps.

He looked down at his palm; the web between his thumb and forefinger was split open, and blood was gushing out.

"Seventh rank?" Su Ming narrowed his eyes. "No... you're at the peak of the eighth rank."

The man in black sneered, "Boy, hand over the dragon vein, and I'll spare your life."

Su Ming smiled.

"You?"

He raised his bow and shot an arrow.

"collapse--!"

The man in black dodged the attack with a swift movement.

But Su Ming's second arrow had already arrived.

"Boom boom boom—!"

Three arrows in quick succession blocked all escape routes for the man in black.

The man in black's expression changed, and a burst of black qi erupted from his body, forcefully blocking the three arrows.

But he staggered back five steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"How is that possible... You're only a seventh-rank..."

Su Ming sneered: "I'm a seventh-rank, is there a problem with killing an eighth-rank like you?"

He drew his bow again, this time the arrow was wreathed in golden internal energy.

"Get out, or die."

The man in black stared at him for a long time, then finally snorted coldly and turned to disappear into the night.

Before leaving, he left behind a sentence.

"Boy, you can't protect the dragon vein. See you at the Northern Barbarian King's Court in three months."

Su Ming stood there, his brows furrowed.

Who sent this man in black?

The imperial court? The martial world? Or...?

Just then, the jade pendant in his arms became hot again.

Su Ming took it out and saw a line of small, blood-red characters appear on it.

"Warning: An unknown force has located the host."

"Recommendation: Leave Qinghe Village within three days and return to the Jing'an Army camp."

Su Ming narrowed his eyes.

It seems this dragon vein is a real hot potato.

He put away the jade pendant and turned to walk into the house.

Whoever it is, wants to snatch the dragon vein from me?

Let's give it a try.