Martin Wu wanted to say more, but Old Master Wu waved him off and stopped him. Then he looked at Evan Lin, curious: "Why do you think he’s dead?"
At this moment, Wendy Guan's eyes held a trace of inexplicable resentment as she looked at Evan Lin.
After all, she was still a member of the Guan family. Even if she was only a distant branch with little connection to the main line, she still had Guan blood flowing in her veins. Naturally, she hoped Selina Wu would marry into the Guan family in the end. Whether it was to Guan Zehao or Guan Hongxuan, it would be a tremendous blessing.
Martin Wu looked at Evan Lin with a serious expression.
Evan spoke slowly, and Old Master Wu, Martin Wu, and the others all darkened their expressions.
For years, the Wu family had kept a low profile, biding their time. Even back when Martin Wu himself wanted to join the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Old Master Wu didn’t pull strings for him but insisted he climb step by step on his own.
The old man had spent his whole life building goodwill and connections—a truly terrifying network. Just this one promise alone, even if Evan Lin were a pig, would give him a chance to fight for a general’s rank by forty if he dared to try.
Old Master Wu’s face remained calm, but his eyes showed a hint of displeasure. Martin Wu frowned slightly, his tone turning cold: "Not enough?"
A general in his thirties!
Martin Wu looked displeased: "Or do you think you can actually survive against the Guan family's first-grade Vajra, Butcher Tu?"
Not to mention, Selina Wu was also part of the deal!
Martin Wu’s face darkened: "Do you know about the Oceanport Young Tigers List? Everyone on it is a top young talent. In terms of martial strength, maybe you’re outstanding among your peers, but when it comes to family background, what can you possibly bring to the table?"
Old Master Wu smiled faintly and looked at nag Evan Lin.
Martin Wu raised his eyebrows at Evan’s words: "I just got word from the Guan family that Butcher Tu is about to break through, already in seclusion, ready to shatter the Vajra realm! Once he emerges, he’ll come for you first to settle the score."
Martin Wu clenched his fists, glaring at Evan with anger in his eyes.
Everything was on the table!
And all Evan had to do was show the right amount of strength at the right time, and he’d rise step by step, serving the nation with loyalty.
Suddenly, the air grew quiet.
Steam curled up from the teacups in the hall.
Everyone’s eyes were on Evan Lin, sitting there. In Wu Tian’s gaze, there was only envy—she never expected Old Master Wu to be so enthusiastic about Evan.
"That's it?"
Evan Lin raised his head, leaned back in his chair, and looked calmly at Old Master Wu.
"That's it, and it's still not enough?"
Old Master Wu’s expression didn’t change as he spoke slowly: "If you think marrying into our family is beneath you, that’s fine. In the future, your child can take your surname."
"To outsiders, you’ll be known as my son-in-law. I guarantee no one will ever hold the 'marrying in' thing against you. Besides, in all of Jinnan, there are very few people bold enough to gossip about the Wu family behind our backs."
Old Master Wu smiled faintly, clearly determined to win.
Wu Zhihan turned to Evan Lin and said in a deep voice, "If I was prejudiced against you before, I apologize."
"There are things I probably shouldn’t say, but as an elder, I still want to give you some advice right now."
"You should understand how important this decision is for you. If you agree, you’ll get things you could never dream of—enough to completely change your life."
"You’re extremely gifted, proud, and confident—that’s normal. But if you really think you can stand above it all, that’s a bit naive."
"The Guan family's Butcher Leopard is a first-grade Vajra, and Guan Hongxuan is a rising star on the Young Tigers List of Oceanport. Our Wu family's plan was to wait until Guan Hongxuan and Selina Wu married, then unite our families and push him to the top."
"Now, that opportunity is in front of you. Don’t you like Selina? It’s a win-win—Wu family will pave the way, Selina will support you, and all you have to do is rise to the top and bring honor to the Wu family and serve the country."
"Besides, we chose you partly because you have talent worth nurturing, but also because Selina likes you. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone against Old Master Wu’s wishes, rejected so many Guan family invitations, and even traveled all the way to Oceanport for you. That says enough about her feelings."
Wu Zhihan looked at Evan Lin with a serious expression.
After finishing, he stared at Evan Lin: "Now, give me your answer."
"Not enough."
Evan Lin shook his head.
Old Master Wu’s face remained calm, but his eyes showed a hint of displeasure. Wu Zhihan frowned slightly, his tone turning cold: "Not enough?"
"You’re asking for too much. This is basically everything our Wu family can offer. Bringing you in means we’ll completely break ties with the Guan family of Oceanport. Young man, being too greedy isn’t good, and aiming too high depends on the situation."
Wu Zhihan looked displeased: "Or do you think you can actually survive against the Guan family's first-grade Vajra, Butcher Tu?"
"Butcher Tu is already dead."
Evan Lin’s tone was indifferent.
"Dead?"
Wu Zhihan raised his eyebrows at Evan’s words: "I just got word from the Guan family that Butcher Tu is about to break through, already in seclusion, ready to shatter the Vajra realm! Once he emerges, he’ll come for you first to settle the score."
"How could he possibly be dead!"
Wu Zhihan wanted to say more, but Old Master Wu waved him off and stopped him. Then he looked at Evan Lin, curious: "Why do you think he’s dead?"
"I killed him."
Evan tapped his finger on the table, glanced around, and said coolly, "I’ve never liked being threatened. But since you want to talk facts and reason, let me show you what real reason looks like."
"Forget inviting me in—even if you offered me the entire Wu family on a silver platter, I’d have to decide whether I even have the spare time to bother taking it."
Evan spoke slowly, and Old Master Wu, Wu Zhihan, and the others all darkened their expressions.
"You only know I trained five Blades for the Su family and helped Eldest Brother Su join the ranks of generals."
"You only know I defeated Grant Yuan in a single move."
"You only know I went to Oceanport, but you don’t know why I went."
"You only know me as Evan Lin, a kid from some small rural place?"
Evan let out a mocking laugh and shook his head: "If that’s all, then you still don’t know enough. What you’ve offered isn’t enough either."
"Oh really?"
Wu Zhihan’s face darkened: "Do you know about the Oceanport Young Tigers List? Everyone on it is a top young talent. In terms of martial strength, maybe you’re outstanding among your peers, but when it comes to family background, what can you possibly bring to the table?"
"This world isn’t just about martial strength. No matter how strong someone is, can they really stand against bullets, tanks, and fighter jets?"
"And you claim you killed Butcher Tu, a first-grade Vajra! I thought you were humble and mature beyond your years, but some of the things you say are just ridiculously arrogant!"
Wu Zhihan clenched his fists, glaring at Evan with anger in his eyes.
"Then tell me, what is it we don’t know?"
"If you can give a convincing reason, as long as you can bring glory to the Wu family and happiness to Selina, protect her completely—then even if the Wu family is handed over to you, so what?"
Old Master Wu’s voice was steady and his gaze sharp, staring at Evan like a tiger watching its prey. In that instant, his whole aura changed—like a sword finally drawn after years in its sheath, revealing its icy edge.