Chapter 5

Liu Yun City is the smallest city in the Cang Feng Empire, so small that it hardly qualifies as a city, and would be more appropriately called a small town. Not only is Liu Yun City the smallest in area, but its location is also the most remote. The population, economy, and overall mystic power level are the lowest in the entire Cang Feng Empire. The residents of Liu Yun City often joke that it is a corner forgotten by the Tian Xuan Continent. The Xiao Clan, which is a negligible existence in the Cang Feng Empire, is a genuine giant in Liu Yun City.

Today, Liu Yun City is particularly lively, naturally due to the grand wedding of Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue. It wouldn't matter much if Xiao Che were to get married, as no one would care, but Xia Qingyue's marriage is a major event that could stir the entire Liu Yun City.

The Xia Clan is not a purely mystic cultivation family but has been engaged in commerce for generations. Although their wealth is not significant in the entire Cang Feng Empire, they are undoubtedly the wealthiest in Liu Yun City. However, this does not mean that the Xia Clan is weak. With substantial wealth, they can hire a large number of experts to protect their assets. The current head of the Xia Clan, Xia Hongyi, has a son and a daughter, Xia Yuanba and Xia Qingyue. Both of them have no interest in business but are dedicated to mystic cultivation. Xia Hongyi has always allowed them to pursue their interests and has never opposed them. After Xia Qingyue displayed her astonishing talent, which stunned Liu Yun City, he would never stop her. Instead, due to Xia Qingyue's remarkable talent, the major families of Liu Yun City often show gestures of goodwill... After all, Xia Qingyue is widely recognized as someone who might reach the Earth Mystic Realm, or even the Heaven Mystic Realm in the future. When that happens, the Xia Clan will not only be wealthy but also the most powerful in Liu Yun City.

However, such a prestigious family as the Xia Clan is to have its most brilliant daughter marry Xiao Che, who has no future and is considered a waste. This has left many people feeling regretful... Of course, more people are envious and jealous.

Since it is the Xia Clan's daughter getting married, the scene is naturally not shabby. As soon as Xiao Che stepped out, he saw a red carpet laid out at the door, extending from the Xiao Clan's gate to the direction of the Xia Clan. The distance between the Xia Clan and the Xiao Clan is not too far, but it is not close either, spanning about ten miles. This means the red carpet is at least ten miles long... No other family in Liu Yun City has such a grand gesture.

As soon as the Xiao Clan's wedding procession appeared, the streets of Liu Yun City became lively. The sidewalks were filled with people watching the spectacle. As the procession moved forward, various whispers reached Xiao Che's ears.

"Look! That's Xiao Che, the grandson of the Xiao Clan's Fifth Elder, Xiao Lie. It's said he has a congenital mystic vein defect and will never break through to the First Mystic Level."

"Oh, it's my first time seeing him."

"It's normal that you haven't seen him. With such a powerful grandfather, he himself is a waste. Would you still have the face to go out often? Sigh, Xia Qingyue actually married such a person, truly a blind eye from heaven!"

"It's said that his father, Xiao Ying, and Xia Hongyi were sworn brothers. When Xia Qingyue was born, she almost didn't survive. Fortunately, Xiao Ying used a large amount of mystic power to save her. At that time, Xia Hongyi promised to marry Xia Qingyue to Xiao Ying's son when she turned sixteen. Not long after, Xiao Ying was assassinated. Due to the large consumption of mystic power, he couldn't resist and died. Xia Hongyi felt very guilty... Now that Xia Qingyue is sixteen, although Xiao Ying's son is a waste, Xia Hongyi values loyalty and friendship and would never break his promise. Otherwise, how could this guy marry Xia Qingyue?"

"Sigh! Xia Qingyue is the pearl of Liu Yun City. If Xiao Che didn't have the identity of the Fifth Elder's grandson, he wouldn't even be considered a piece of mud. I'm a hundred times better than him! This world is too unfair!"

"My dream goddess is marrying such a waste, I want to die in frustration!"

On the horse, Xiao Che's eyes were like deep pools, bright and profound, with a refined and elegant demeanor. He wore a large red wedding robe, his long hair flowing behind him, exuding a transcendent and ethereal aura. Despite the various voices of jealousy, frustration, ridicule, resentment, envy, and disdain focused on him, he seemed oblivious, always wearing a calm and composed smile, which made many girls lose their hearts.

Although Xiao Che's mystic power is extremely weak, his appearance is definitely not bad, even surpassing Xiao Yulong. Plus, he rarely goes out and has a weak mystic power, making him look very frail and delicate... a typical pretty boy!

Therefore, even though countless young talents resent and envy Xiao Che, they can't help but admit that, in terms of appearance, this Xiao Che seems to match Xia Qingyue.

"I thought Xiao Che would be in a sedan today, but he's actually on a horse, and his demeanor... seems different from what I've heard."

"Ha! He's a waste that everyone looks down on, but today he's marrying our Liu Yun City's pearl, Xia Qingyue. Of course, he's as proud as can be! Why would he be afraid to show his face?" a voice said resentfully.

"I heard that the young masters of the Yuwen family and the city lord's son have been pursuing Xia Qingyue. Do you think they might come to snatch her?"

"Forget it! Xiao Che may be nothing, but his grandfather is Xiao Lie, the first expert in Liu Yun City. Even the city lord shows him respect. His son is dead, and he has only this grandson, who he dotes on. If someone causes trouble, Xiao Lie will be furious! Who dares to provoke him? Besides, this isn't a forced marriage. If someone causes trouble, they'll have to deal with the entire Xia Clan. I bet those young masters are locked up at home now."

The wedding procession moved at a steady pace, taking nearly an hour and a half to cover the ten miles.

"Brother-in-law!!"

Just as they approached the Xia Clan's gate, a rough voice called out, and a tall, muscular figure ran quickly towards Xiao Che. This person looked young but was at least over two meters tall, with a body as strong as a bull, causing the ground to tremble as he ran. Xiao Che watched him approach, swallowed hard, and said with wide eyes, "Yuanba! We haven't seen each other for less than a month, how did you grow so much?!"

This man... more accurately, this boy, is Xia Qingyue's younger brother, Xia Yuanba, who is fifteen years old... Yes, really only fifteen! But just by looking at his physique, no one would think he is only fifteen! Over two meters tall... Xiao Che, on horseback, was just about eye level with him, and he weighed over 350 pounds. However, Xia Yuanba's weight is not flabby; his muscles are highly developed, with a dark metallic sheen, indicating immense strength. His mystic power is only at the Fourth Mystic Level, which is slightly above average, but he is incredibly strong, and even when facing someone at the Sixth Mystic Level, he is not at a disadvantage.

Xia Yuanba is Xiao Che's only close friend. He has always called Xiao Che "brother-in-law" since childhood, and they have grown up together. Before the age of eight, Xia Yuanba was thin and often bullied. After eight, his height and weight increased dramatically, and his appetite and strength became increasingly astonishing. Now at fifteen... his face still shows some youthful features, but his physique is monstrous!

Hearing Xiao Che's words, Xia Yuanba scratched his head, looking embarrassed, "I can't help it... Dad always tells me to lose weight, but going hungry is worse than dying for me."

"..." Xiao Che was speechless. At fifteen, he's already in this state, and as an adult... it's unimaginable!

Xia Yuanba's appetite, which Xiao Che has seen many times, is also a reason why he is glad Xia Yuanba was born into the Xia Clan. If he were born into an ordinary family, they would have been bankrupt long ago.

"Hehe, brother-in-law, today you officially become my brother-in-law." Xia Yuanba smiled warmly. He is very happy that his sister is marrying Xiao Che and has been looking forward to this day. In his view, having such a capable sister as a wife means no one will dare to look down on Xiao Che.

"Come in, the preparations are ready on the sister's side." As he said this, Xia Yuanba slapped his forehead, "Oh, right, I'll open the gate."

Saying this, Xia Yuanba ran towards the Xia Clan's gate, moving like a living mountain of flesh.

As the wedding procession entered the Xia Clan, Xiao Che immediately saw Xia Hongyi smiling at him. He quickly dismounted, walked to Xia Hongyi, and respectfully bowed, "Uncle Xia."

"Hehe, are you still calling me uncle at this moment?" Xia Hongyi smiled warmly. He is not tall, and in his middle age, he has gained some weight, giving him a somewhat gentle appearance, but no one in Liu Yun City dares to underestimate him.

Xiao Che's eyes narrowed, and he bowed again, "Father-in-law."

He has always respected Xia Hongyi. He is his father's sworn brother. Throughout his life, he has received countless cold looks, but Xia Hongyi has always treated him well. Even with his congenital mystic vein defect, he did not break the promise made with his father and married Xia Qingyue to Xiao Che when she turned sixteen.

"Hehe, good!" Xia Hongyi nodded and patted Xiao Che's shoulder, "Che, from today, I entrust Qingyue to you. Although you are not a great hero or a noble, just because you are Xiao Ying's son, I can rest assured in marrying my daughter to you. Your father, Xiao Ying, was a genius with great talent and loyalty. Being his brother is the most regret-free thing in my life. You are Xiao Ying's son, and even with a damaged mystic vein, I do not believe you will be an ordinary person in the future."

"Treat my daughter well, and as for the rumors, let them be."

Xiao Che's eyes flickered, and he nodded slowly and firmly, "Father-in-law, rest assured. Although I am currently looked down upon, a dragon in the depths will eventually awaken. When that time comes, I will make all those who look down on me and mock the Xia Clan for marrying a waste shut their mouths."

Xia Hongyi was momentarily stunned... The Xiao Che he knew was always gentle and often showed signs of inferiority. But now, he is speaking such bold words, with a sharp gaze, a calm demeanor, and deep eyes that he can't see through... completely different from his usual frail appearance.

"Good!" Xia Hongyi nodded and patted Xiao Che's shoulder again, "I believe Xiao Ying's son will not remain ordinary. I will wait for the day you rise like a dragon. Now, Qingyue is ready, go ahead."