When Leon Huang called her 'older sister,' Claire Lin blinked, caught off guard by the compliment, but quickly recovered with a friendly, amused smile. "Come on in, Mr. Huang."
"Thanks, Sister!"
Leon Huang blurted out his thanks, feeling secretly proud—she hadn't corrected him, so his flattery must've landed perfectly. Seriously, flattery works wonders! No wonder it's a universal truth in every world.
Claire Lin was a bit embarrassed to be called 'Sister,' but honestly, she found it pretty flattering.
Led by Claire Lin, Leon Huang made his way into the main hall.
Inside the hall, Elder Shea sat at the head. Beside him was a burly man in his early forties—Conrad Gu, Harriet’s father—whose cultivation was just shy of Great Grandmaster.
As soon as Leon Huang entered the hall, he felt Conrad Gu’s gaze land on him—scrutinizing, faintly hostile, with a hint of rivalry.
"Hey Grandpa!"
Leon Huang bowed respectfully to Elder Shea.
Elder Shea smiled warmly and waved his hand. "We’re all family here—no need to be so formal."
"Hmph!"
At that moment, a discordant snort echoed through the room—it was Harriet’s future father-in-law, Conrad Gu.
Elder Shea slapped the table and glared at Conrad Gu. "What are you snorting at? I’m not dead yet!"
Scolded by his own father, Conrad Gu didn’t dare talk back and looked a bit embarrassed for a moment.
Leon Huang quickly turned and bowed. "Uncle, I’m Leon Huang—pleased to meet you!"
"Young Master Huang, your big courtesy is more than I deserve," Conrad Gu said sarcastically, turning slightly away.
"You brat, watch your mouth! If you can’t be polite, get out!"
Elder Shea slammed the table again, sounding even more annoyed.
"Father, please don’t be angry. My husband’s just a little hot-tempered, he means no harm," Claire Lin quickly interceded, trying to smooth things over.
Leon Huang pretended to be surprised and looked at Claire Lin, a bit flustered. "Oh, you’re Aunt! Sorry, sorry—I was rude just now."
"No worries, I’m not mad," Claire Lin chuckled. But inside, she wondered, Is this kid sweet-talking me, or did he really not realize who I am?
After some quick small talk, Leon Huang took his seat.
Elder Shea grinned. "Leon, since Harriet’s folks are here, why not settle your marriage with her today?"
"I object!"
No sooner had Elder Shea finished speaking than Conrad Gu loudly protested.
"Shut up! This isn’t your decision to make!" Elder Shea snapped, getting even more annoyed—he wished he could just throw his unfilial son out the door.
But this time, Conrad Gu refused to back down. He stiffened his neck and argued, "I already agreed with Brother Chang that when Nathan comes back from the Origin Return Sect, he and Harriet will get engaged. I just met Brother Chang before coming here—Nathan will be back in a month at most. I came to Pristine Way Sect to take Harriet home, so when Nathan returns, their engagement can be arranged right away!"
"I don’t agree to this!" Elder Shea said, face darkening.
Leon Huang listened as his future father-in-law hyped up his rival right to his face, pushing Harriet to marry Nathan. Even with all the patience in the world, he was starting to get annoyed—how could anyone not be?
"A verbal promise means nothing!" Elder Shea snapped coldly.
"Harriet is my daughter—her marriage is my decision!" Conrad Gu argued stubbornly.
"I’m still your father! Are you going to defy me now?" Elder Shea was practically fuming, his beard bristling with rage.
"No matter what, I have to take Harriet home—I can’t break my word!" Conrad Gu insisted, his face flushed.
Listening to the father and son argue, Leon Huang finally understood: Conrad Gu had promised Harriet to Nathan Chang, and came to Pristine Way Sect to take her back, while Elder Shea wanted to settle Harriet’s marriage with Leon.
No wonder his future father-in-law looked at him like he was an eyesore.
"Father-in-law, husband, please don’t argue. Why don’t we ask Harriet what she wants?" Claire Lin spoke up again, trying to mediate.
The two men thought it over and realized arguing was pointless, so both agreed to the suggestion.
"No need to ask! I’ll only ever marry Brother Liang!"
Just then, Harriet Gu walked out from the back hall—she’d been quietly listening ever since Leon Huang arrived.
Hearing his own daughter choose Leon Huang, Conrad Gu panicked. "Harriet, think carefully! You and Nathan grew up together, you know each other inside and out. Nathan’s martial talent is off the charts—he’s already a Great Grandmaster at twenty-four, and the Origin Return Sect is grooming him to be their future sect master. If you marry him, you’ll be the sect master’s wife, and he truly loves you…"
Leon Huang listened as his future father-in-law hyped up his rival right to his face, pushing Harriet to marry Nathan. Even with all the patience in the world, he was starting to get annoyed—how could anyone not be?
The more Conrad Gu bragged about Nathan, the more Leon Huang felt like he was getting roasted. Wasn't this just saying he couldn't even compare?
Harriet cut her father off, her voice firm. "Dad, that’s enough. No matter how amazing Nathan is, in my heart, we’re just siblings. There’s nothing more between us!"
Hearing Harriet speak so decisively, Conrad Gu became angry and scolded her, "Your marriage isn’t up to you! I’m telling you now—you have to marry Nathan!"
"You’re out of line! Since when do you get to decide my granddaughter’s future? I’ll tell you this—my granddaughter will only marry Leon!" Elder Shea snapped.
"Him?" Suddenly, Conrad Gu shot Leon Huang a look of pure disdain. "What does he have that compares to Nathan? He’s not even fit to carry Nathan’s shoes!"
Leon Huang almost blew his top—this was the first time anyone had ever looked down on him so hard. Seriously? Not even fit to carry Nathan's shoes? He was itching to slap someone right now.
"You’re blind! Leon leaves Nathan in the dust—ten streets ahead!" Elder Shea roared.
Conrad Gu rolled his eyes at Leon Huang again. "Leon leaves Nathan in the dust? More like the other way around! Sure, this kid’s reached mid-Grandmaster—he’s a martial arts genius, I’ll give him that. But Nathan’s already a Great Grandmaster, a whole major realm ahead. Leon won’t catch up in ten years!"
Elder Shea just snorted. In his eyes, Leon could wipe the floor with ten Nathans, easy. If he really let loose, even ten early Great Grandmasters wouldn't stand a chance.
But Conrad Gu just laughed it off. "Father, you’re really blowing smoke—aren’t you afraid you’ll burst from bragging?"
Suddenly, Elder Shea had an idea. "Since you think I’m bragging, let them fight it out—the winner marries Harriet!"
Conrad Gu paused, then grinned ear to ear. In his head, he was thinking, This is great—a Great Grandmaster vs. a mid-Grandmaster? Easy win!
"Grandpa, Uncle, may I say something?"
Leon Huang suddenly stood up and faced the two elders.
"Speak," Elder Shea nodded.
Leon Huang’s expression turned serious. He said solemnly, "I don’t agree with your proposal!"
"Even better! Then I’ll just marry Harriet to Nathan!" Conrad Gu sneered.