Inescapable Matrimonial Bondage

The voices of the elders echoed in the hall, clashing and colliding with one another as a cacophony of sound filled the air. There were dozens of people standing together, all over half a century old. One demand was unanimous - Su Han must marry into the Xiao family. But at what cost?

The burly middle-aged man sitting on the main seat glanced down at Su Han with helplessness and sorrow. The young man had only just turned eighteen, yet he was being used to save his family. Perhaps this union was his only chance for salvation - to restore the Su family's greatness, to climb to the high branch of the Xiao family.

But, would marriage into the Xiao family be worth it? Miss Xiao was already an outer disciple of Cold Cloud Sect with eight dragon veins cultivated. Her talent promised even higher achievements in the future; she was barely eighteen yet her cultivation level surpassed many warriors of the same age. Was this union really his only way out?

But at this moment, Su Han is the ancient dragon emperor who has been alive for nearly a hundred million years and is seated in the grand palace with his divine power omnipotent throughout the world!

He had reached a level of unparalleled cultivation in his previous life, so much so that nothing could stand against him - even gods feared him. However, to break through the boundaries imposed by the heavens, he chose to defy them head on. This ultimately drove him mad, as he accepted death.

Yet unbeknownst to him, his spirit was reborn into the body of the Su family's Su Han!

With his powers gone, it seemed like all hope was lost until he remembered something: cultivating was more than just having immense energy - it was about willpower and determination too. With these still intact from his past life, he knew one day he would reach that level again and exceed it.

Right now Su Han is sitting there with his eyes closed, ignoring those elders' bickering. Behind him younglings look on jeeringly, almost laughing at his demise from what once was an almighty figure.

"Hmph, no way he'd dare speak up now," they snorted in unison. "When we were followers of his before, he acted like some kind of genius but now? He's just another nobody." They spat out viciously, relishing in their newfound dominion over him.

Su Han's ears reverberated with the low words, his heart aching as they penetrated everyone's souls.

"Master!"

The Second Patriarch Su Yunchen rose once more, and with clenched fists declared, "These words are for the betterment of the family, I beg you to agree!"

"I concur with what the Second Patriarch said!"

Su Yunpeng, leader of the three families, likewise advanced and stated: "The Xiao family will not take our request seriously but miraculously, the second lady of the Xiao family showed interest in marrying Su Han." He continued, "This is an opportunity that rarely presents itself to us; can we really let it pass by?"

A smug young man clothed in white sneered at Su Han before proclaiming, "Since you clearly love him so much, why not accept this chance? It could be very beneficial for our family. Besides, you may never find another wife given your current circumstances."

This person was none other than Su Mingxuan - son of the Second Patriarch Su Yunchen.

Patriarch Su Yunming has four brothers: Su Yunlie (previous head), Su Yunchen (Second Patriarch), Su Yunpeng (Third Patriarch), and finally Su Yunming himself - who holds ultimate power over the family. However larger matters require consensus between all members.

When Su Yunming inherited leadership from his older brother, discord arose amongst them due to feelings of resentment and opposition towards him.

However, for Su Han, it was as if he hadn't heard The Xiao family sought to seal the fate of the Su's with a forced marriage this time. The dire consequences were clear; life and death hung in balance. Not a word could be uttered in protest by Su Yunming, for the reasons were too reasonable.

"Su Han, take what you can get," snarled Su Yunpeng's son, Su Minghui. "Though it is widely known that Xiao Yuran is plain and ugly compared to her sister, your current status affords you no better." His sarcasm was evident in his words and shared by those around him.

The whole of Yuanshan County knew of the existence of Xiao Yuran but few had seen her. Rumors continually swirled that she was so unsightly that she dared not show herself to the world. When no explanation from the Xiao family was forthcoming, everyone assumed their silence meant agreement. All at once, laughter filled the air as each of the hundreds of younger generation members of the Su family reveled in schadenfreude; each taking delight in watching Su Han fall from grace and become powerless against them. They stoked the fires with every new thought, eagerly awaiting any chance to further prove their dominance over him.

What did it matter if Su Han's meridian was cut off and he lost his cultivation base? It was exactly what he had wished for!

The 'Monster Dragon Emperor Art' that the once majestic Su Family practiced was no more than a broken skill. Even if his meridians weren't severed and his cultivation base wasn't lost, he would have still cut them off himself and cast aside any ounce of potential he had. For an emperor of the sacred Monster Dragons to deign to practice something so insignificant--it was an absolute insult!

"Su Han!" shouted Second Patriarch Su Yunchen, pointing at him with eyes full of rage. Everyone present directed their gaze towards Su Han.

He lay there limply, not bothering to lift his head or acknowledge anyone; as if this second patriarch was nothing but air in front of him.

Su Yunchen's face blackened in anger, "Do you think you know how to be courteous? Have you forgotten what it means to show respect?"

What a joke! If Su Han were still the genius he used to be, Su Yunchen would never dare offend him; but now that he had regressed into a waste with no cultivation, how could he ignore him like this?

"Respect for teachers?" Su Han finally opened his eyes and spat these words out mockingly. "Who do you think I should be respecting here--my teacher or my path?"