Light Fortress
Chapter 584 - 141: One Punch (Vote for us!)_3

Chapter 584: Chapter 141: One Punch (Vote for us!)_3

If it hadn’t been for the arrival of Gu Shen... they probably would never have believed that such a significant engagement could be called off just like that, which was simply inconceivable.

"The reason why humans are human... is because they can feel happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy."

In the midst of these discussions, Gu Shen spoke again, asking, "If both parties are willing, the engagement is icing on the cake; but if they have never met, rashly deciding on an engagement... is that truly good?"

The Great Elder suddenly fell silent.

He was lost in deep thought.

Clearly, from beginning to end, in both sentiment and reason, the Mu Family had not acted according to custom, yet... when Han Dang came to the Ancestral Hall to meet the Elder Council yesterday, the words he said were indeed tempting.

Han Dang had only seen his originally pending "mission"...

Unexpectedly, in the final moments, someone had interfered.

Anger was already evident on his face.

However.

What he hadn’t expected was.

Someone softly expressed approval with a word.

Not only was it beyond Han Dang’s expectations... all the members of the Mu Family present in the yard did not anticipate.

That the one who said that word would be Xu Yan.

"Today... is really too exciting."

With a faint smile on his face, Xu Yan spoke gently, "I am clearly the person involved, yet since I entered the Mu Family Ancestral Hall, I haven’t spoken a word about the ’engagement’... and all the limelight has been taken by you."

The so-called ’you.’

Naturally referred to Gu Shen.

Xu Yan sighed softly, a semblance of annoyance in his smile as he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, has no one thought to ask for my opinion?"

The elders of the Mu Family were slightly taken aback.

What did he mean by that?

"Yesterday... I went to the Snow Forbidden City before tens of thousands and contemplated the Dream, which was truly exhausting; after returning, I rested."

Xu Yan spoke slowly, "Not until I woke up this morning did I realize that my senior brother had arranged a marriage for me."

As these words were spoken.

Everyone was stunned.

Including Han Dang.

Han Dang slightly turned his head, looking at Xu Yan’s serene smile, somewhat puzzled.

According to the plan... it wasn’t supposed to go like this.

What did this mean?

"A few days ago... I came to Changye, and saw a lady somewhere, who captivated me endlessly. I told my senior brother about it, and with his good intentions, he went to find her for me, but now it seems..."

"Senior brother, you seem... to have mistaken one person for another."

Xu Yan sighed, shook his head, and asked, "And even if she was the right girl, who would be so reckless to propose marriage after just one encounter? Creating such a grand scene, it is truly inappropriate..."

Han Dang’s head buzzed noiselessly.

The expression behind those gold-rimmed glasses completely vanished in the glare.

His hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

This was the first time in his life that he had encountered such a situation.

This sudden backstabbing by the young man was entirely unexpected, and so sincere that even Han Dang almost believed it... Had this been a pretext he’d thought of before arriving at the Mu Family?

Intentionally letting himself propose on the day of the contemplation.

Just to make himself... take the blame!

Had Xu Yan not been a man of the Divine Throne.

Han Dang might have already struck out.

At this moment, Han Dang wanted to kill this man more than anyone else present.

But in such a setting, he could not speak; he could only remain silent.

Standing there in silence.

Such silence was essentially an admission.

Admitting that all this was his fault!

Han Dang took a deep breath, his scalp tingling; he could only steadfastly endure the scrutinizing gazes of one Mu Family member after another, feeling the intense anger emanating from them.

Xu Yan’s eyes turned towards Mu Ya.

He began to speak apologetically, "Miss Mu, I am truly sorry, we should be meeting for the first time, this is a misunderstanding."

The smiles on the faces of the Mu Family elders gradually faded.

A misunderstanding?

Such a monumental misunderstanding...

This so-called, breezy "misunderstanding" had turned the entire Mu Family Elder Council into a laughingstock. If today’s events were to reach the Gong Family, how would Gong Qing view the Mu Family?

Though there was only one night to consider,

the Mu Family... had already deliberated, and it was clear that they intended to find another powerful ally. They had taken a person hostage, opened the doors, and the most ridiculous part was, after all the commotion, the person who hadn’t spoken up – the actual subject – claimed it was all a misunderstanding.

He had never taken a fancy to the Mu Family’s maiden.

No...

It would be inappropriate to use the word "fancy."

Because Xu Yan really hadn’t seen Mu Ya, and the two had not even met once, how could there be talk of "fancying" someone?

As for the "marriage engagement"...

When word of this spread, everyone would think... it was a joke.

Too hasty.

Too eager.

Too... absurd.

"So... I came to the Mu Family first thing this morning because I wanted to personally visit and apologize to clear up this misunderstanding,"

Xu Yan said sincerely as he bowed slightly, "The venerable members of the Mu Family have been through trouble today, I hope the elder brothers will overlook my fault, and the Elders won’t blame me. Xu Yan is deeply grateful and will remember this kindness."

Good words, bad words... he said them all himself.

The Mu Family had nothing to say.

Han Dang also had nothing to say.

But both parties knew... the grudge that had formed from this incident would not simply be resolved with a few light words.

"Han Dang, you must give an explanation to my Mu Family for this matter!"

The Great Elder felt somewhat dizzy.

His chest was tight, blood rushing to his head, as he steadied himself with the help of another elder.

Mu Zhong clenched his teeth, staring at Han Dang.

"..."

Han Dang, however, was silent and wordless.

He stood quietly in his place, not saying a word.

"Right... there’s one more thing."

Xu Yan took out a folded piece of white paper from his bosom.

He slowly unfolded it, revealing the content on the paper, which was the portrait of a woman.

Xu Yan asked seriously, "The woman I have been looking for actually looks like this. Elder brother... she is very different from Miss Mu; how exactly did you investigate?"

On the white paper,

were a few simple strokes depicting a stunningly beautiful young girl.

She was dressed in a white skirt and blouse, apparently standing beneath Ninghe Bridge, amidst the water of the river.

As the portrait was unfolded, all who saw it fell silent.

The girl in the portrait was indeed exceedingly beautiful,

beautiful enough to be shocking.

"My lords... I felt an immediate connection with this young lady... Her skin like creamy jade, her eyes like undulating waves, truly a beautiful sight in this world. It’s just a pity..."

Xu Yan exhibited the paper and slowly shook his head.

"That I have not yet seen her a second time, nor do I know where she is..."

His expression bore a hint of regret, as if reminiscing about a previous encounter.

Suddenly, the sound of slicing wind erupted within the courtyard.

A figure appeared in front of him.

And then,

a punch!

This punch, landing solidly on Xu Yan’s face...

"Boom!"

Xu Yan was sent flying like a sandbag, crashing heavily into the thick walls of the Mu Family Ancestral Hall, causing the entire wall to shatter and crumble with him.

Gu Shen stood calmly in the spot Xu Yan had been standing, reaching out to catch the slowly falling portrait.

He didn’t turn around as he said to the Mu Family Great Elder, "I will compensate for the damage."

...

...

(P.S.: Last more than one hour, still a few dozen votes short, everyone please cast a vote; I really don’t want to miss by just a little bit every month)