Chapter 2

Passing through the ancient and elegant Yuzhou City, Li Changsheng saw a massive mansion. He immediately felt a sense of familiarity, for this was his home.

Walking down a path of bluestone, he saw the winding nine-curved corridor ahead. Beneath the corridor was a small pond, where a few golden koi fish swayed their tails leisurely.

"Good day, Young Master!"

Two maidservants in green attire, who were playing nearby, greeted him. After greeting him, they turned their heads to tease a yellow oriole in a birdcage, no longer paying attention to Li Changsheng.

"Hmm," Li Changsheng nodded and continued walking towards the grand hall he remembered.

...

"Have you heard that today the clan leader is going to propose to the Lin family's young lady on his behalf?" Soon after Li Changsheng left, the two maidservants began to talk freely. One of them, with some freckles on her face, said.

"Pfft, him?" The maid with a ponytail said disdainfully, "A waste like him, worthy of the Lin family's young lady? It's like a toad dreaming of eating a swan!"

Waste? The original owner of Li Changsheng's body was indeed a waste. The sword spirit within him had no effect, and his cultivation of heaven and earth energy had only just reached the first level of the Qi Spirit Realm. At fifteen years old, such cultivation was extremely poor in the Book and Sword Continent.

"You're right. The Lin family's young lady is not only the first beauty of Yuzhou City but also a cultivation genius. If she marries this waste, it would be like a fresh flower being stuck on cow dung," the freckled maid said.

"In my opinion, only Young Master Li Lin is worthy of a girl as beautiful and talented as Miss Lin." When she mentioned Li Lin's name, the maid with the ponytail's eyes showed a look of admiration, revealing her deep admiration for Young Master Li Lin.

"Isn't it unfair that this waste will inherit the clan leader's position and even go to the Lin family to propose? In my opinion, the one who should inherit the clan leader's position is Young Master Li Lin, and Miss Lin and Young Master Li Lin are a perfect match," another maid said.

Li Lin is the son of the Li family's Grand Elder, with extremely high talent, and is a key genius being cultivated by the Li family. Not only is he a genius in the Li family, but he is also considered a top genius in the entire Yuzhou City. He is already a disciple of a major sect, while Li Changsheng is like a speck of dust in comparison.

"Is the Young Master a complete waste, and the Lin family's young lady is both beautiful and a genius? Do you think the Lin family will agree to the proposal?" the freckled maid asked doubtfully.

"According to common sense, no one would agree to this marriage. However, the clan leader once did a favor for the Lin family, and the Lin family, being a small family, dare not offend the Li family. With these two factors combined, the Lin family might agree," the other maid said.

"The clan leader is using this favor to demand a return, and it also has a coercive tone..." the freckled maid said.

"Lower your voice. Talking about the clan leader like this, be careful that he doesn't hear and break your legs," the maid with the ponytail whispered as a reminder.

"What's there to fear? In three months, it will be the time for the family disciples' martial arts competition. If he is still a waste at the first level of the Qi Spirit Realm, do you think the clan leader will still have the face to stay in his position? I also heard that the Grand Elder's strength has already surpassed the clan leader, and he is preparing to... on the day of the martial arts competition..."

The conflict between the Grand Elder and the clan leader is a well-known fact, no wonder even these maidservants are gossiping behind the scenes. During the family martial arts competition, important figures in the family will be present. If Li Changsheng's strength does not improve by then, they will certainly use this as an excuse to force the clan leader to step down and pass the position to a more capable person.

Fortunately, Li Changsheng did not hear the conversation between the two maidservants. If he had, he would have realized how difficult his current situation was.

...

Arriving in front of a grand hall, he saw a middle-aged man standing there from a distance. He was tall and robust, but his face showed a look of weariness. This weariness came from his concern for Li Changsheng's future.

"Father!"

Li Changsheng called out instinctively. Although he had been transported into this young man's body, many deep memories instantly flooded his mind. His soul had already merged with the young man's. In a sense, he was now Li Changsheng of this world, and Li Changsheng was him.

"It's good that you're back. Let's go," the middle-aged man said to him indifferently.

At that moment, Li Changsheng also recalled many details about his father. To improve his cultivation, Father Li Zhan had spent a great deal of effort. He even sacrificed his own cultivation, using his own heaven and earth energy to assist him, but to no avail. After realizing that he could not improve Li Changsheng's cultivation, Li Zhan still went to the Lin family to propose, despite the risk of being seen as using a favor to demand a return.

His thoughts were simple: having a genius girl as a fiancée could protect Li Changsheng in the future.

Although Li Zhan rarely smiled at Li Changsheng and was very strict with him in cultivation, everything he did was undoubtedly for Li Changsheng. The phrase "father's love is like a mountain" was embodied in him.

...

In the reception hall of the Lin family in Yuzhou City.

"Clan Leader Li, your visit today is a great honor for me," Lin Hai, the head of the Lin family, said respectfully after serving the best tea. He was originally just a steward in the Li family. Because Li Zhan saw his diligence and loyalty, and because he had served the Li family for many years without any mistakes, he allowed him to leave and establish his own family.

Such a favor was indeed significant.

"Clan Leader Lin, there's no need for such formalities. Now that we are both heads of our families, there's no need to be so polite," Li Zhan said with a smile.

"Although that's true, how can I forget Clan Leader Li's kindness?" Lin Hai said solemnly.

Seeing Lin Hai's respect, Li Zhan was very satisfied. He then said, "Let's skip the formalities. I have a request today."

"Whatever Clan Leader Li commands, I will comply," Lin Hai said respectfully.

"I've heard that your daughter, Lin Yue, is a talented and virtuous young lady. I am here today to propose a marriage between my son, Li Changsheng, and her," Li Zhan said straightforwardly.

Upon hearing Li Zhan's words, Lin Hai's face showed a very unnatural expression. Although the Li family had done him a favor, marriage was a matter of lifelong happiness for his daughter. Lin Yue was now the recognized first genius of Yuzhou City, while Li Changsheng... was a recognized waste. Such a marriage...

He slowly put down the teacup in his hand and said, "My daughter Yue is rather mischievous and may not be worthy of Young Master Li. Besides, she has just turned 16, and she is still young. I think we should wait a few years..."

Hearing Lin Hai's polite refusal, Li Zhan felt a surge of anger. Back then, you, Lin Hai, were just a servant in my Li family. If it weren't for my favor, could you have established your own family? Without your freedom, your daughter would have been one of the Li family's maids. The marriage of a maid is decided by the clan leader, and you have no say in it.

"Young and naive, it can be taken step by step..." Li Zhan said indifferently, "I remember that Clan Leader Lin was once a steward in our Li family, right?"

He had to remind Lin Hai that without him, Li Zhan, the Lin family would not be what it is today. If he, Li Zhan, had not allowed him to leave, Lin Hai would still be a servant.

The two clan leaders were talking, and Li Changsheng stood quietly behind his father, watching. In the Book and Sword Continent, respect for elders was very important, and he could not interrupt their conversation.

"Yes, yes, it was Clan Leader Li's kindness that allowed me to establish my family... but... but..." Lin Hai said hesitantly. After some thought, he felt a bit more relaxed. Although Li Changsheng was a waste, he was still the Li family's young master. Moreover, Li Changsheng had a good reputation in Yuzhou City, and there were no reports of him being promiscuous or bullying others. If his daughter married him, she would likely not be mistreated. Most importantly, the Li family was not someone he could afford to offend.

"But what? Do you think that because Li Changsheng lacks strength, he has no future?" Li Zhan said coldly. Li Changsheng was a sore spot for him, and he would not allow anyone to insult him.

"Clan Leader Li, I dare not. Since you look favorably upon my daughter, I will accept the proposal on her behalf," Lin Hai said. The Li family was a major clan in Yuzhou City, and the Lin family could not compete with them. Moreover, he had received a favor from the Li family, and this could be considered a way to repay it.

"Good, since you agree, let's choose a good day to finalize the matter," Li Zhan said, very pleased to see Lin Hai finally agree.

Lin Hai, however, remained silent, his expression somewhat melancholy. After all, his daughter was a genius and very beautiful, and marrying her to a waste like Li Changsheng still left him feeling unsatisfied.

"I disagree with this!" At that moment, a delicate female voice came from outside the door, with a determined tone.

Li Changsheng turned his head and saw a beautiful young lady who seemed to have stepped out of a painting.

She had a slender and well-proportioned figure, wearing a light blue dress. Her features were delicate, and her eyes were like a painting. However, her snow-white face was filled with anger.

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