Chapter 156: Sun Siyu

A few days ago, at the Sun family residence in Lingnan.

Sun Qing, the Sun family's top martial artist, was practicing a set of boxing techniques. Dressed in black training clothes, his modest height of 1.75 meters did not make him particularly imposing, but he had a dignified appearance. However, his thin lips and sharp eyes gave off a sinister vibe.

As he finished his routine, a young and beautiful girl handed him a towel, her face full of admiration. "Dad, your skills are getting better and better. Everyone says Xiang Cangtian is the best among your peers, but I think you are the best."

Sun Qing laughed heartily at his daughter's words, taking the towel to wipe his face. "Siyu, don't underestimate the heroes of the world. When it comes to martial arts, your father is indeed not a match for Xiang Cangtian. Besides, among my peers, there are many experts. If I am careless, I could be defeated."

The girl pouted. "I don't believe anyone among your peers can beat you, not even Xiang Cangtian."

Handing back the towel, Sun Qing said, "I wish I could defeat Xiang Cangtian. Unfortunately, the Xiang family's Overlord Technique is incredibly powerful. In history, Xiang Yu, the most formidable warrior, was unmatched even by the likes of Lü Bu or Qin Qiong. Xiang Yu's legendary prowess came from this technique. Three years ago, I couldn't last ten moves against Xiang Cangtian."

"That was three years ago," the girl said, still unconvinced. "You've been training diligently every day since then, while Xiang Cangtian has been distracted by other matters. If you fight again, I'm sure you'll win."

Sun Qing chuckled. "You're too optimistic, Siyu. Even if Xiang Cangtian has been distracted for the past three years, I can only hope to last a hundred or eighty moves against him now. Moreover, your aunt occasionally reports Xiang Cangtian's training progress. His skills are now unfathomable, second only to Xiang Qiong. For me to defeat him, I might have to wait until I'm seventy."

"Why wait until you're seventy?" the girl asked, puzzled.

Sun Qing smiled. "Everyone knows the Xiang family's Overlord Technique, while powerful, damages the meridians. Before seventy, one's body can still endure it, but after seventy, the meridians weaken, and one's skills deteriorate rapidly. Furthermore, Xiang family members rarely live past eighty. This is the price of practicing the Overlord Technique."

"Can't live past eighty?" The girl looked worried. "Does that mean Sister Youyou..."

"You're a silly girl," Sun Qing laughed. "I know you and Youyou are close, but the Xiang family members are willing to pay the price for superior martial arts. Achieving fame in youth and not caring about old age. Heroes and beauties alike don't want to see old age. If it were me, I'd also prefer to make a name for myself early, and if people forget about me when I'm old, dying a few years earlier wouldn't matter."

The girl tilted her head, thinking for a while, then nodded. "That seems right. It's like us women; when we're young and beautiful, men flock to us, but when we become old ladies, they don't even look at us."

"Ha ha..." Sun Qing laughed loudly at his daughter's analogy. "That's right. So, I should find you a good husband soon, before you become an old maid and no one wants you."

The girl pouted. "Dad, I'm only twenty, still young!"

"Twenty is not young," Sun Qing laughed. "Your mother married me at eighteen and had you at nineteen. By the time she was twenty, you were already calling her mom."

"Oh, that's old-fashioned. We're in a new era now," the girl shook her head repeatedly. "I don't want to get married so early. Besides, my husband must be at least as capable as you, or I'd rather stay single."

"That's easy," Sun Qing smiled. "I've heard that the new head of the Liu family is only twenty-four. He's strong and impressive, having forced an assassin to self-detonate a few months ago. He's definitely one of the top young martial artists. The Liu family is hosting this year's martial arts tournament. I'll take you to Tianfu to meet him and see if he's a good match for my daughter."

"Are you talking about Li Nianlong?" the girl asked.

"Oh?" Sun Qing was surprised by his daughter's knowledge, smiling knowingly. "You even know his name. It seems Siyu is not indifferent to him."

The girl's face turned red with either embarrassment or anger. "Dad, what are you thinking? I've just heard his name a lot from Sister Youyou lately. Did you know that Sister Youyou and Li Nianlong became sworn siblings more than twenty days ago?"

"That girl Youyou!?" Sun Qing was taken aback.

"Yes!" Sun Siyu nodded. "It's been over twenty days."

Sun Qing frowned in thought for a moment, then smiled. "If that girl Youyou thinks highly of him, he must be extraordinary. If he becomes my son-in-law, it would be a great match."

"Dad!" Sun Siyu's face was red. "I don't want to marry Li Nianlong! He's just a young guy, no match for you."

Although Sun Qing was pleased with his daughter's admiration, he couldn't let her words go unchecked. Li Nianlong was the head of the Liu family. If word got out that his daughter thought so little of him, it would offend the Liu family, jeopardizing their alliance with the Xiang family. He couldn't allow that.

"Siyu, don't speak recklessly," Sun Qing admonished. "It's one thing to say this at home, but you mustn't let it spread."

"Why not? He's not as good as you, Dad!" Sun Siyu pouted.

"You silly girl," Sun Qing smiled wryly. "There are many great men in the world besides me. Li Nianlong, so young and already head of the Liu family, must be extraordinary. Otherwise, would the shrewd Liu patriarch and keen-eyed Shao Meiyun choose him? And for Youyou to willingly become his sworn sister, he must have real skill. Do you think that's possible without merit?"

Sun Siyu, though still unconvinced outwardly, grew curious. What kind of man was Li Nianlong?

For days, Sun Siyu kept calling Xiang Youyou, asking about Li Nianlong. Though surprised, Xiang Youyou didn't hide anything, sharing all she knew. When she mentioned Li Nianlong's cooking, Sun Siyu was astonished, unable to believe her elegant cousin could be so 'undignified.'

As she learned more about Li Nianlong, her desire to meet him grew stronger. On January 3rd, she left a note at home and boarded a flight to Tianfu.

"Dad, I'm going to Tianfu to see what Li Nianlong is like. Don't worry. Siyu."

Seeing the note, Sun Qing shook his head and smiled wryly. "This girl is growing up, going off to find a man on her own."

Arriving in Tianfu in the evening, Sun Siyu contacted Xiang Youyou and stayed at her house for the night. That night, the cousins talked a lot, mostly about Li Nianlong. Sensing Xiang Youyou's joy when mentioning him, Sun Siyu felt a pang of discomfort. "It's just a man! Hmph! I'll expose his true nature and save Sister Youyou from his clutches!"

The next morning, after breakfast, Xiang Youyou gave some instructions and went to work. Sun Siyu, dressed in black and with her hair in a neat ponytail, headed straight to the Liu family castle by taxi.

At the castle gate, Sun Siyu was stopped by the guards. "Stop! What do you want?"

Sun Siyu, not wanting trouble, said directly, "I want to see Li Nianlong. Go and report."

"Which crazy girl is this?" The guard saw her young age and tight, neat clothes, dismissing her as a spoiled brat. "The head is busy. He has no time to see you. The castle is under renovation. No entry for idle people. Leave!"

Feeling disrespected, Sun Siyu's temper flared. "Do you know who I am? How dare you talk to me like that! You're tired of living!"

Seeing her arrogance, the guard hesitated. "Who are you?"

"None of your business!" Sun Siyu, determined not to reveal her identity, refused to say. "Go report, or I'll fight my way in and see him myself."

The guard, enraged by her words, ordered, "Get her out of here!"

As two guards approached, Sun Siyu grabbed their wrists, threw them over her shoulder, and sent them flying.

"Daring to resist! Such audacity!" More guards rushed in, grabbing at her. Whether to evict her or take advantage, it was unclear.

"Scoundrels!" Furious at their advances, Sun Siyu used her father's taught skills, quickly taking down several guards. Seeing the commotion on surveillance, someone called in the news.

Soon, with most guards down, a loud voice from the castle ordered, "Stop!"