Chapter 47: To Go or Not to Go?

On the second day, the entire Liang Manor was enveloped in an atmosphere of immense celebration.

Countless prominent noble families and surrounding powers arrived today bearing precious gifts to offer their congratulations at the Liang Manor.

Even the Dragon and Phoenix Pavilion was already fully booked by influential and prestigious figures, while the grand avenues outside were adorned with festive lanterns and brimming with continuous joy.

One could easily imagine the lofty status the Liang Manor held within Central Province.

After a night of cultivation, Su Yang currently felt a lingering soreness throughout his limbs, yet his spirit was remarkably vibrant and alert. Sitting by the window and watching the bustling scene outside, he could not help but mutter softly, "Ah, as expected, a good destiny can shatter all obstacles. Just being the heir of the Liang Manor brings about such a grand spectacle; it is hard to imagine what manner of towering figure the Prince standing behind the Liang Manor truly is."

Though Su Yang had such thoughts in mind, he did not dwell on them too deeply.

In any case, it had nothing to do with him, so he might as well continue his cultivation in the stone world later.

Just as Su Yang had already settled on his plans for the day, a familiar figure drifted into his field of vision. Catching sight of that silhouette, Su Yang narrowed his eyes slightly and thought, *Could she possibly be coming to look for me?*

Before long, Su Yang's supposition was verified.

A knock sounded on his chamber door, and Elder Yu's voice drifted inside, "Little Friend Su Yang, I trust you rested well last night?"

Su Yang had no idea why Elder Yu had come to seek him out at this hour, but it would be impolite to pretend he wasn't in. He could only walk up to the door, pull it open, and say, "Thanks to your concern, Elder Yu, this junior rested exceptionally well last night."

"Mm, that is good."

"Well... there is a matter I wish to discuss with you." Elder Yu did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Oh? What sort of matter could Elder Yu possibly need to discuss with a junior like me?" Su Yang immediately grew vigilant.

"Might I come inside to speak?"

"Very well, please enter."

After closing the door, Su Yang invited Elder Yu to take a seat, poured her a cup of tea, and then sat down beside her, saying, "Whatever the matter is, Elder Yu, please speak freely."

"Little Friend Su Yang is indeed straightforward. Since that is the case, this elder will not mince words."

"Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for the Heir, and the Prince of the Liang Manor wishes for you to attend as well."

"The Prince? He is inviting me? How interesting. I am merely a fallen young master from a minor family in Yibei City, yet I have actually caught the eye of the Prince. Elder Yu, don't you find this somewhat abnormal?" Hearing this, Su Yang could not help but chuckle.

He had already guessed in his heart that something like this would happen.

"Indeed, it is abnormal. To be honest, even I am reluctant to believe that the Prince of the Liang Manor, who has always kept to himself and ignored worldly affairs, would take the initiative to invite you to attend the Heir's coming-of-age ceremony."

"It seems he places great value on your bloodline and wishes to extend an olive branch to you," Elder Yu said, revealing her own inner thoughts.

"I even rejected the Third Prince's invitation; does this Prince truly believe I would agree to his? Isn't that taking His Majesty the Xia Emperor a bit too lightly?" Su Yang said with a faint smile.

"That is because you do not know the full picture. Throughout the entire Central Province, if there are three people whom even the Xia Emperor dares not provoke, aside from the Sect Master of the gazing Moon Sect and our own Profound Heaven Sect Master, this third person is none other than the Prince of the Liang Manor," Elder Yu said with a smile.

"....Damn, is he really that formidable?" Su Yang was somewhat shocked. What on earth was this Prince's background? Even the current Xia Emperor didn't dare provoke him?

"Furthermore, I fear you will have to make this trip no matter what today," Elder Yu's tone grew solemn.

"Oh? It sounds like if I do not walk over there of my own accord, I will be carried there bound hand and foot?" Su Yang's tone turned frosty as well, though his expression remained unchanged.

In this life, what he detested most was being threatened. Ever since he had been backstabbed by Wang Yiyi three years ago, Su Yang had grown supremely cautious.

If this Prince were setting up a Feast at Hongmen for him and turning him into a blood slave, wouldn't he be walking right into the tiger's maw? How would that differ from being a brain-dead fool?

The same mistake was something Su Yang would never allow to happen a second time.

No matter who it was, absolutely not!

"Heh, it won't come to that, but if you do not go, I'm afraid Shanshan will end up becoming the Heir's fiancée," Elder Yu said with a wry smile.

"Huh? This is... How are things to be interpreted this way?" Su Yang was momentarily taken aback. How on earth did this become entangled with Li Shanshan?

"You saw it yesterday as well; the Heir holds a deep fondness for Li Shanshan. Coupled with the Prince's immense indulgence toward him, the Heir informed the Prince that very night that he would marry no one other than Li Shanshan. Although the Prince is rather helpless and well aware of Li Shanshan's background, he could only yield to his only son's demands."

"Does City Lord Li know of this? Did Shanshan herself agree to it?" Su Yang asked, gradually regaining his rationality.

For some reason, he caught a whiff of an inexplicable sense of bizarre intrigue.

"Whether City Lord Li knows is unimportant; whether Shanshan agrees or not is equally unimportant. What matters is that since the Prince has spoken, even if the heavens were to collapse, the outcome cannot be changed."

"Since Elder Yu puts it this way, what difference does it make whether I go or not? Am I supposed to go and witness their engagement ceremony? Or go bless them for a harmonious union lasting a hundred years? Although I escorted Li Shanshan all the way here, it was merely a convenient favor along the way. Elder Yu, I am not as easily swayed by emotions as you might think."

Spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness, Su Yang walked over to the bed and lay down.

Seeing Su Yang react in such a manner, Elder Yu could not help but feel a wave of helplessness herself. She had not expected this brat to be not only exceedingly cautious, but also somewhat... cold-blooded and unfeeling?

"Are you truly not going? If Shanshan finds out, I fear she will be deeply disappointed," Elder Yu directly played the emotional card.

Su Yang turned onto his side, pretending nonchalance, and offered no response to Elder Yu.

After waiting for a long moment, Elder Yu let out a long sigh and said, "Very well, since that is how it is, I will not disturb you any further."

"Once this matter is concluded, I will arrange for you to head to the Profound Heaven Sect first."

With those words, Elder Yu walked toward the door and gently pulled it shut behind her.

Su Yang kept his eyes wide open, seemingly pondering and hesitating over something...

Meanwhile, inside the Liang Manor.

Li Shanshan sat before the bronze mirror, watching the busy maidservants dressing her up, her eyes filled with an unspeakable haze of bewilderment...

She could not figure it out either. She had merely wanted to come here to find her aunt and enter the Profound Heaven Sect. How had she suddenly been forced into an engagement? And to the Heir of the Prince's Manor, no less...

Naturally, Li Shanshan was well aware of how immense the power behind the Liang Manor was. If she refused, she and her father likely wouldn't survive the night.

As for herself, she knew that the Extreme Yin Body within her was terrifying; once it flared up again, she would hardly survive anyway. However, she refused to drag her father down with her. Thinking of everything Li Beiye had done for her, a sharp pang of heartache gripped Li Shanshan, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Could this truly be her ultimate destiny and destination?

A wave of emotional turmoil swept through Li Shanshan's heart...

Just as her tears threatened to blur her vision, a familiar figure flashed into her mind. It was back at Black Wind Cliff, where that figure had taught her how to be ruthless and how to kill—either show mercy and be killed, or kill without mercy.

The very blood within her veins seemed to begin to heat up and surge.

A gradual smile formed on Li Shanshan's face, carrying a hint of lingering happiness, and she whispered softly in her heart: "I will not surrender easily. Even if you do not come, I will not blame you, for I believe in myself. After all, I too carry your blood flowing through my veins."