The Engagement Drama

The next day, the entire Mayor Mansion was decorated with ribbons and lights. Everyone was busy preparing for the engagement ceremony while Jiang Chen comfortably slept till noon.

------

Jiang Zhenhai understood that the Murong Family dug a pretty deep hole this time. They could not escape unscathed from it.

The trio discussed many options, from gifting pills, herbs, and equipment to sharing businesses. Still, none satisfied the interests of the Jiang Family.

To prepare a large number of pills or equipment, the family would face a shortage of funds in a short period that the Murong Family could capitalize on. The family funds have been running tight for a while, mainly due to Jiang Chen's prodigal behavior. Sharing businesses would be cutting your own limbs and signing off your own death warrant.

The night was chilly, but the Jiang family was still in a heated discussion. They could not come to a decision.

Their discussions did not matter to Jiang Chen's cheat, and he broke through to the Eighth Level of the Qi Realm.

====

Name - Jiang Chen

Cultivation - Qi Realm Lvl. 8 - [0.3/10000]

Health - [99/100]

[Infinite Status]

1. Qi Breathing Cultivation Skill - [Qi: +0.1(1) per sec]

2. Herbs - [Health: +0(20) per day][Qi: +0.2(1) per sec]

3. Cleansing Medicine - [Impurity: -0(10) per sec]

====

Both Jiang Rulong and Jiang Zhenhai felt the change in Jiang Chen. Though one could not gauge anyone else Qi realm cultivation by his senses, one could indeed feel the momentum brought forth by the breakthrough.

The tension in the room dissolved with Jiang Chen's display of strength. Strength is a fundamental part of this world, which influences all the decisions in people's life.

And so it did.

Jiang Zhenhai was elated, while Jiang Rulong was depressed. Jiang Chen's growth had been phenomenal.

The depressing mood brought forth by the marriage proposal vanished.

"Congratulations, Son. Looks like you will soon become a Qi Sea Realm warrior."

Jiang Zhenhai congratulated Jiang Chen.

"Looks like the medicines in your body have not been absorbed completely, brother."

"Yeah! I think I will break through to the Ninth level in about eight to nine hours."

Jiang Chen replied to Jiang Rulong, leaving him wide-eyed. Progressing from the first level to the ninth level in three days is not monstrous; it's disastrous.

Jiang Rulong kept a smile on his face while his heart bled. He had toiled for this family because he knew that everything here would soon become his.

Jiang Chen drained all his efforts in three days. Jiang Rulong was sure that Jiang Zhenhai would never let the command of the Jiang family fall into his hands now. His real son, Jiang Chen, had gained enough strength to take control.

Jiang Rulong's heart chilled. Jiang Zhenhai was unaware that his foster son had blackened. He was in a jolly mood. Not only that, he felt that the burden on his back lessened, which prompted him to bring his sons to the training grounds.

"Sons, today I will teach you a crucial lesson in your life."

Jiang Zhenhai stood straight in the middle of the training grounds while his sons watched from sides. Several training dummies were scattered around him.

"Rulong, Chen'er, watch me closely." Jiang Zhenhai instructed the two, who stood silly by the sides. They could not understand their father. They urgently needed a solution to the marriage problem, but their father brought them here. After his breakthrough, Jiang Chen did not feel comforted. His personal strength could not solve the problem but scrutinizing his father's mood, maybe his father had found a solution.

Else, Jiang Zhenhai had gone silly. Jiang Zhenhai could also see the worry and helplessness on his sons' faces. He smiled wryly. The kids are still young, he thought.

He took a deep breath and then jumped high. The vigorous jump attracted both teens, especially Jiang Chen. Jiang Zhenhai had jumped over 10 m high, subverting Jiang Chen's imagination.

{Meteor Fist}

Jiang Zhenhai came down with an unparalleled momentum, punching the floor beneath. His whole body glowed in colors like a marvel superhero. A dust wave spread from him as a center covering the entire field.

When the dust cleared, all the training dummies were swept out. The floor was cracked in a web-like pattern while Jiang Zhenhai stood in the middle of such destruction without a speck of dirt on his robes.

Jiang Chen's mind blanked while Jiang Rulong grew scared. Jiang Rulong had forgotten how powerful a late Qi Sea Realm practitioner is. His back bent a little, and his attitude humbled. The Jiang family was not his or Jiang Chen's. It belonged to the man who single-handedly defeated everyone and established the house of Mayor in the Fragrant Sky City.

Jiang Chen's worldview shifted. Three days ago, he was just an average human in an ordinary world. He could adjust to the barbaric killing as he grew in strength, but everything was still within cognition.

The world may not understand, but Jiang Chen saw his new father, land like Thor with his Stormbreaker against Thanos' army in Avenger's Infinity War.

One Superhero landing and the field cleared.

Feeling the power thrumming in his own veins, Jiang Chen grew excited. Jiang Zhenhai was also satisfied by the expressions on the two's faces.

His son was entangled in scheming, which he was not good at, while his foster son hid evil in his heart.

Jiang Zhenhai wanted to teach them the fundamental importance of strength. Lack of it had clouded their judgment and also hindered his own ideas. Jiang Chen's breakthrough served as an eye-opener for him.

Jiang Chen was enlightened. His strength would not stop growing unless he willed to do so with his infinite-status panel. He should do things forthrightly as this world was for him to take.

"Dad, I understand. We are strong, and only the weak can only be humiliated. Living as a weakling had clouded my understanding."

Jiang Chen bowed to his father.

"It's good that you understand, Chen'er."

Jiang Zhenhai was pleased with his son's understanding, while Jiang Rulong stood silently. Jiang Rulong's thinking diverged from Jiang Chen's. His view was tunneled towards the gap in strength between his foster father and him. He failed to understand the key reason behind Jiang Zhenhai's display of power.

Jiang Zhenhai saw through Jiang Rulong but did not care. His real son had practiced to this level, and with the change in his vision, Jiang Zhenhai was sure that Jiang Chen would grow just fine.

After a small discussion, they were ready to decline the marriage. Consequences did not matter for the powerful.

With a refreshed outlook, an idea struck Jiang Chen.

"Dad, we are strong, right?"

Jiang Chen asked to which Jiang Zhenhai affirmed.

"Then, why don't we play big! Dad, let's go to your study room."

The Mayor's study room was off-limits for everyone unless permitted by Jiang Zhenhai. It harbored both the books and the tomes of martial skills practiced by the Jiang Family.

Jiang Chen marveled at the collection of books in the room. The books were neatly arranged on shelves ranging from historical and mythological stories spread across the world to the knowledge required for the businesses run by the family. It was a complete collection.

In the martial skills section, about a hundred or so tomes were carefully arranged according to their levels. The Jiang family had no Earth-rank skills but some precious high-level Mortal-rank skills, which gave them an edge over the other families in the city.

Jiang Zhenhai could not comprehend why Jiang Chen had brought them to his study room.

"Chen'er, what are you thinking?"

"Dad, Can these martial skill tomes be classified as the most precious things in the Jiang Family?"

Jiang Chen's question threw both Jiang Rulong and Jiang Zhenhai into a loop.

"Brother, have you gone senile? We can not trade them. They are the foundation of our family." Jiang Rulong spoke up. He was giddy on the inside.

He could finally hope to see Jiang Zhenhai berating Jiang Chen today. Indeed his brother can not live a day without getting scolded by their father.

"Chen'er, where are you going with this idea?"

Contrary to Jiang Rulong's expectations, Jiang Zhenhai's response was not just mild but totally welcoming. Jiang Rulong wondered what his father ate today to be able to tolerate the idea of using the martial skill tomes as an apology.

"Dad, Martial Skills are the foundation to become strong. No one would be able to tolerate their thirst for them, especially if served before them. What I want is to capitalize on this fact."

Jiang Chen could see the confusion and repulsion on both their faces. They did not like the idea. Before Jiang Rulong could intervene, he spoke again.

"Don't reject me before I present the whole scheme, Brother~."

Jiang Chen emphasized the word brother, which sent shivers down his brother's spine. Jiang Rulong could sense something wrong with the statement, but he was confident that he was not exposed till now.

Jiang Zhenhai recognized it as a pleading gesture from a younger brother to an older brother. For him, their relationship was even more harmonious than between him and his sons. Only Jiang Chen knew that he had nearly let his cat out of the bag. The chasm between the brothers was now as deep as an abyss, and the hatred that burned in their hearts was as large as an ocean.

"Dad, tomorrow you can negotiate a deal with Murong Zhan to exchange the martial skill tomes between the two families to strengthen the ties between the two families instead of the marriage."

Jiang Chen's statement left the other two speechless.

"Son, why would they even take up an offer where both would lose a lot."

Jiang Zhenhai shook his head at his son's naive thoughts. No one would want to bleed their own foundation to compromise with the enemy in a fight where they have the upper hand.

"Isn't that what we want?"

'huh!~'

Jiang Zhenhai and Jiang Rulong were stunned. A moment later, they could not help but laugh.

"Brother, Murong Family Head could have never imagined that there is someone as crazy as you."

"Son, Murong Zhan can do nothing but accept the marriage annulment. His face would be worth looking at. Hahaha!"

This idea was crazy and the most impeccable. It had the highest chance of being successful.

"But, Chen'er, what if he agrees?"

"Dad, it is just an excuse. Whether he agrees or not, we have to spread this news about our willingness to share our martial skills with them. This would create a positive momentum for us."

Jiang Chen justified his thoughts.

"We still have to guard against their trump card. The end of the marriage will force them to use it immediately."

"It's alright, Chen'er. We will just have to duke it out. At most, we would have a few uncomfortable days."

Jiang Zhenhai was not worried as he had seen worse days.

"Rulong, you are already at the ninth level of the Qi realm. You should strive to attain Qi Sea Realm within the next six months."

Jiang Zhenhai guided his sons for the future.

"Chen'er, I presume that your realm shall stabilize in about a month. It will take longer to reach the Qi Sea Realm. You need to get used to your strength and practice some basic skills to lay the foundation for the Qi Sea realm."

Jiang Zhenhai also discussed a few points that Jiang Chen and Jiang Rulong must keep in mind to avoid being caught in the turmoil that is going to ensue.

He ended their discussion late at night. So, they had to take a quick rest to handle the Murong Family tomorrow.

In a world where strength reigns supreme, one can not expect a peaceful celebration without shedding blood and sweat.

Jiang Chen slept as soon he fell on the bed. He had quite an eventful day, beginning from early morning escape to forming a plan to decline an ill-intentioned marriage proposal while smiling happily in front of his so-called 'loving brother'.

Meanwhile, Jiang Rulong had a restless night. Jiang Chen's sudden growth and Murong Family's trap, both unexpected events together, crushed his plans. He was preparing a sword in secret. When the time came to draw the sword, he found that his competitor found a shield that his sword could not pierce while the people he wished to be friends with were already aiming for his neck.

Jiang Chen and the Murong Family had pinched the bud of his conspiracy, leaving Jiang Rulong empty-handed on the tip of a knife.

Jiang Zhenhai stood on the patio admiring the moon. His eyes were clear while his thoughts floated to the times when he and his wife struggled to make ends meet. They were weak. When he became strong, they prospered. Then, she died giving birth to Jiang Chen. She was not strong enough to survive giving birth to the proof of their love.

"Xue'er, our son has grown up. He has become strong and brave. We still need to watch over our son," Jiang Zhenhai sighed as clouds engulfed the night sky.

"A war is coming."