Chapter 3

Four lion-horse beasts pulled the carriage, which ran steadily along the wide streets of Nanfeng City, with the buildings lining the streets quickly receding in the distance.

The interior of the carriage was quite spacious, warm, and comfortable, and Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were seated on opposite sides of a small table.

The two of them did not exchange many words. Li Luo closed his eyes to rest as soon as he got in, while Jiang Qing'e opened a book and read it attentively. A ray of sunlight filtered through the gap in the carriage window, illuminating her delicate, jade-like face, making it even more luminous and translucent.

The silence lasted for a long time, then Jiang Qing'e's long, thick eyelashes suddenly blinked, and she lifted her pretty face, her golden eyes gazing at Li Luo in front of her. "It seems that what I said at Nanfeng Academy a few years ago has caused you some trouble."

"I'm very sorry."

Li Luo opened his eyes and looked at the beautiful, sharp, and strong face in front of him, smiling. "This apology doesn't seem very sincere."

"If you were sincere, you would allow me to dissolve the engagement."

Jiang Qing'e casually flipped through the pages of her book. "Is this what they call a breakup? But in the plays and stories, shouldn't I be the one to bring it up? Aren't you getting the order wrong?"

Li Luo was a bit at a loss for words at her sudden cold humor.

Jiang Qing'e lifted her head and glanced at Li Luo, saying lightly, "What? Afraid this engagement will cause you more trouble?"

Li Luo was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm afraid of holding you back. You're a girl, why should you bear an unnecessary engagement? You know how this engagement came about, and how many times my mother has beaten my father over the years because of it?"

"My father's actions were ridiculous, and I actually agree with the beatings, but the key is, why do I always get a beating whenever my mother beats my father?!"

At the end of his words, Li Luo's expression was somewhat resentful.

Thinking of the scene where the elegant woman, who was usually gentle to him, would raise her eyebrows and beat the two men in the family, even Jiang Qing'e couldn't help but smile slightly, though she quickly composed herself.

"I'm not afraid," she shook her head.

Li Luo, with a headache, said, "What will you do when you meet someone you like in the future? This is just a mess."

Jiang Qing'e smiled faintly. "I might not meet anyone. My standards are quite high, and since we already have an engagement, I can't have feelings for anyone else."

Li Luo stared at Jiang Qing'e, his voice suddenly filled with anger. "Jiang Qing'e, what are you thinking? I know my parents are good to you, and you are grateful to them, but you don't need to express your gratitude in this way. Do you think I'm a tool for you to express your gratitude?"

"Did you agree to this engagement? Did I ever agree?"

Li Luo's sudden outburst made Jiang Qing'e pause. She looked at him with her pure golden eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't consider your feelings."

Seeing this, Li Luo said, "If so, then this engagement..."

"But..."

Jiang Qing'e lifted her pretty face and looked at Li Luo seriously. "You should know the rules in our family. If there is a disagreement, we fight first, and the winner has the final say."

This rule was set by Li Luo's mother and had been in effect for many years, so every time she and Li Luo's father had a disagreement, she would roll up her sleeves and drag him into the training room.

"So if you have a strong objection to the engagement, we can go to the training room after we get home and follow the rules," Jiang Qing'e said.

Li Luo's expression immediately stiffened, his face changing. Finally, he gritted his teeth and pointed at Jiang Qing'e, saying angrily, "Jiang Qing'e, don't be too unreasonable. I'm just a beginner at the Ten Imprints stage, how can I fight a Disha General like you?!"

In the human cultivation system, after opening the Phase Palace, one enters the Ten Imprints stage. After the Ten Imprints stage, one becomes a Phase Master. Only after becoming a Phase Master does the cultivation truly begin to advance.

After the Phase Master stage, there are three major realms:

General, Duke, and King.

Duke and King are too far away, but the General stage is divided into two levels: the upper level is the Tian Gang General, and the lower level is the Disha General... and Jiang Qing'e is at the Disha General level.

To reach the General stage at her age, Jiang Qing'e's cultivation talent is absolutely astonishing, and some people have even speculated that she might break the record for the youngest Duke in the Daxia Kingdom.

But now, this Disha General Jiang Qing'e wants to fight a Ten Imprints stage Li Luo...

Li Luo was really worried that if she couldn't control her strength, she might accidentally kill him with one slap.

Jiang Qing'e put away her book, somewhat regretfully saying, "It seems you don't agree with this method, so there's nothing we can do."

Li Luo shivered with anger. Is this world going to be okay? Is it so hard to break an engagement?

He leaned against the carriage window, his gaze on Jiang Qing'e's smooth, delicate face, especially her pure golden eyes, which were so captivating.

He sighed, his voice much lower. "Qing'e, we've known each other for many years, but I understand that you don't have romantic feelings for me."

"Without a foundation of feelings, what's the point of this engagement?"

Jiang Qing'e was silent for a moment, then said, "Although I want to say that you're only seventeen, acting so mature..."

"But what you said does make some sense. I have no interest in anyone else, but I don't dislike you."

Li Luo smiled bitterly. "Qing'e, that engagement is more because of your gratitude to my parents. I believe your feelings for them are much stronger than for me, but I don't need this kind of gratitude."

After saying this, Li Luo lowered his head and said slowly, "I know it might not be realistic to ask you to revoke the engagement, but..."

He lifted his head and looked directly into Jiang Qing'e's eyes. "I hope you can give yourself and me a chance."

Li Luo paused, then continued, "We can make a deal. You help me control Luolan Manor until I have enough ability. If you can ensure that Luolan Manor doesn't suffer significant losses when I take over, I will return the engagement to you. How about that?"

Jiang Qing'e didn't speak, but her long, slender fingers tapped the table rhythmically. The silence lasted for a long time before she finally said softly, "Li Luo, do you really not like me?"

Li Luo was taken aback, then he took a deep breath. "Qing'e, you might underestimate your attractiveness and excellence. For someone my age, your charm is irresistible. If I said I don't like you, that would be too insincere and hypocritical."

"But I don't need this engagement."

Jiang Qing'e raised her eyebrows slightly, and her hand suddenly slapped the table.

Bang!

Li Luo was startled and quickly moved back, saying, "Let's talk it out, no need to resort to violence."

Jiang Qing'e gave him a cold look and said lightly, "Li Luo, you've improved in your eloquence. It seems you're no longer a child."

Li Luo was a bit angry. "Child? What makes you think I'm a child?"

Jiang Qing'e ignored his words and stared at him with a faint smile. "But Li Luo, I have to remind you one last time. Do you really want to make this deal? Once you return this engagement, you might never have a chance again in your life."

Li Luo's eyes narrowed. He pressed his hands on the table, straightened his body, and looked down at Jiang Qing'e, their faces only about half a foot apart.

"Jiang Qing'e, I don't value this engagement at all. In the future, I want you to give it to me again, not to my parents."

Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes reflected Li Luo's handsome face, and her faint smile grew. She understood Li Luo's meaning. The reason she was returning the engagement was that she didn't have romantic feelings for him now, but if she gave it back to him in the future, it would mean she had fallen for him.

"Sit down," she said softly.

A mysterious force appeared out of nowhere, pressing Li Luo back onto the carriage floor with a thud. The force made him wince.

The momentum he had built up was instantly lost.

Jiang Qing'e propped her chin on her hand, looking at Li Luo lazily. "You don't have much skill, but you have a big mouth. I've seen many talented people, but no one has dared to say such things to me."

"Li Luo, don't aim too high. Your goal is unrealistic, but if you really want to try, I'll give you a chance."

Her golden eyes shone with a mysterious and deep light.

"I'll wait for you at the Holy玄Star Academy... that's the first step. If you can't even achieve this, consider today's words as a youthful rebellion and forget them."

Li Luo didn't say anything more. He leaned against the carriage window, his eyes gradually closing, and said calmly, "Then I'll wait."

Jiang Qing'e's eyes followed the streets and buildings passing by outside the carriage window, the sunlight filtering through and shining in her eyes. She smiled faintly, her eyes softening.

The carriage continued to race, and after a long time, Li Luo suddenly opened his eyes, looking puzzled. "This isn't the way home?"

Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly and said softly, "We're going to the Golden Dragon Treasure Shop to pick up something."

Her golden eyes met Li Luo's.

"Your master and mother left this for you before they left, saying you should open it when you turn seventeen."

Li Luo's heart was suddenly shaken.

His parents left something for him?

(PS: Nalan Yanran: Heard you want to break the engagement? Young man, you're on the wrong path.

Ha, it's been a while since I asked for votes, but since it's a new book, I should call for some support. Everyone, please vote, any kind of vote will do.)