Chapter 95: Sure Enough, He Isn’t Biological!
Chapter 95: Sure Enough, He Isn’t Biological!
“Ahem, ahem, ahem!”
Tang Hantian cleared his throat deliberately, raising his volume as he declared: “With Third Elder present today, and Elder Brother and Sister-in-law both here to witness… Though we cultivators don’t dwell on marriage customs, my Yilin has turned nineteen. It’s the season for young hearts to stir, a time for marriage. Constantly confined to clan cultivation, she’s missed chances to meet outstanding young talents outside our clan. But today, I’ve a fine idea! Brother, though Biao’er wasn’t born of Sister-in-law, I’ve watched him grow all these years. I hold his character in the highest regard. Why not seize this moment to set Yilin and Biao’er’s marriage?”
“What?”
Hearing Tang Hantian’s words, Tang Zhantian couldn’t help but freeze.
“What?”
Third Elder also froze, unable to respond.
“Hmm?”
Wang Wanyu’s brows instinctively furrowed.
“Damn it! So I really ain’t the biological son!” Tang Jinbiao cursed internally upon hearing this.
“What’s happening?”
Little Tang Song didn’t seem to understand either, his face blank as he scanned the bewildered expressions around him.
“Heh heh, Third Elder, Big Brother and Sister-in-law, I meant to propose Yilin and Jinbiao’s engagement today!”
Tang Hantian, seeing the confusion linger, gave an awkward laugh and clarified.
“No!”
“Absolutely not!”
But the moment he reiterated his proposal, two sharp refusals cut through the air. Strangely, the dissenters were none other than Tang Jinbiao and Tang Yilin themselves.
Hearing each other’s refusal, their eyes met briefly. A flicker of embarrassed anger crossed Tang Yilin’s face before she shrieked: “I refuse to marry this pig!”
“And I won’t marry this Tsundere Woman!” Tang Jinbiao instantly shot back without missing a beat, right after Tang Yilin spoke.
“Pig!”
Tang Yilin, though unsure what “Tsundere Woman” meant, felt furious and yelled back, abandoning all restraint.
“Tsundere to death!”
Tang Jinbiao retorted just as fiercely.
“Pig!”
“Tsundere to death!”
“Pig! Pig! Pig! Pig! Pig! Pig…”
“Tsundere to death! Tsundere to death! Tsundere to death! Tsundere to death…”
…
“That’s enough! With elders present, what kind of uncouth noise is this?”
Tang Zhantian, unable to endure their shouting match any longer, roared to halt them.
“Pig…”
“Die arrogant…”
After Tang Jinbiao and Tang Yilin saw that Tang Zhantian was angry, they involuntarily stopped, as if realizing something was wrong.
“Third Elder, what is your view on this matter?”
After Tang Zhantian saw the two become quiet, he turned his gaze to the Third Elder, seeming to hope that the Third Elder would make the decision.
“Hmm, allow me to think this over. Although Biao’er has no blood ties to our Tang Family, I have watched him grow up and always viewed him as a grandson. Since the second son intends to marry off his daughter, this is something worth discussing!”
The Third Elder looked at Tang Jinbiao and then glanced at Tang Yilin before lowering his head to ponder deeply.
“This?”
Tang Hantian seemed not to have expected his words to cause such strong opposition, but precisely because of this, his view of Tang Jinbiao shifted slightly, and he nodded repeatedly, expressing satisfaction as he said, “Hmm, good, good, truly a hero among youths, able to resist the lure of beauty. My Yilin has blossomed so beautifully, yet how many gallant men have fallen under her spell? Jinbiao is indeed Jinbiao, truly the top person of our Tang Family!”
“Father, why are you being foolish too?”
Tang Yilin stood beside Tang Hantian, and after hearing these words, she reproached in a low voice, both embarrassed and angry.
“Biao’er, as long as you speak, I will definitely support you!”
Wang Wanyu gazed at Tang Yilin with eyes filled with guilt, then turned to look at Tang Jinbiao and whispered softly.
For some reason, such a dramatic scene overwhelmed Tang Jinbiao, and he struggled inwardly, thinking to himself, “God, heavens, earth, Holy Mother Ozawa Maria, is this a joke to me? I admit Tang Yilin is truly stunning, top-tier in both figure and looks, but why must this happiness come so abruptly? At least grant me a moment to catch my breath. Fine, since it’s like this, let the storm rage on fiercer. Uncle—no, you are my father, my real father. I’ll accept Tang Yilin, no thanks, goodbye, no send-off!”
Tang Jinbiao had desired Tang Yilin for more than just a day or two, so upon hearing this proposal, the happiness felt excessively sudden, and his gaze toward Tang Hantian involuntarily turned more admiring.
“Brother, did something happen?”
Little Tang Song didn’t seem to understand what was going on; he tugged at Tang Jinbiao’s sleeve and asked quietly.
“Haha, nothing, nothing, just a small matter! Little kids shouldn’t interrupt!”
Tang Jinbiao gently patted Little Tang Song’s head and said with a smile.
“Good, good, good! You truly live up to being chosen by me, Tang Hantian. Your closeness with Tang Song shows great affection. When Yilin marries you in the future, she won’t suffer at all!”
Seeing Tang Jinbiao’s affection toward Tang Song, Tang Hantian felt even more certain of his idea.
“Hmm, like this—let’s ask for their own opinions first.”
After pondering for a moment, the Third Elder spoke up.
The Third Elder spoke this way while shifting his gaze to Tang Jinbiao; his lips moved slightly as he used telepathic communication to ask, “Hey, that young girl is good, do you want her or not?”
Tang Jinbiao couldn’t telepathically respond, so he could only nod silently and blink, clearly indicating his strong desire.
“Damn Tang Jinbiao!”
Tang Yilin seemed to sense something was amiss; she glared at Tang Jinbiao with gritted teeth, especially upon seeing that the Third Elder had telepathically communicated to him and was subtly signaling with his eyes, feeling an impulse to rush over and kill both of them.
Noticing Tang Jinbiao’s reaction, a faint smile flickered in the Third Elder’s eyes, and he nodded in satisfaction, though his face remained serious as he officially asked, “Tang Jinbiao, what do you think about your Second Uncle’s proposal?”
“I report to Third Elder, Biao’er believes it is unsuitable!”
Tang Jinbiao seemed to feel he couldn’t directly agree; after changing his mind, he answered with a stern expression.
“Oh? Why unsuitable?”
The Third Elder appeared somewhat puzzled, frowning slightly as he inquired curiously, though inwardly he cursed to himself, “Damn, this kid is cunning to the core, clearly wanting it but playing games with me.”
“This?”
Tang Hantian looked puzzled at Tang Jinbiao’s unexpectedly earnest reply.
“Huh?”
Tang Zhantian and Wang Wanyu both gazed at Tang Jinbiao with suspicion.
“Hmph! At least you know your place!”
Hearing Tang Jinbiao speak like that, Tang Yilin gave a disdainful light snort.
Tang Jinbiao glanced at everyone’s reactions, smiled, and then spoke unhurriedly, “Heh heh. This Jinbiao believes there are three reasons why marriage with Sister Yilin is unsuitable. First, Sister Yilin and I are of the same clan. Although cultivators are not particularly strict about formalities, marrying a senior sister of the clan would be seen as incest! Second, Jinbiao is young, inexperienced, and a half-ruined man. Unable to cultivate, I have achieved nothing and have not established myself. I fear in the future I couldn’t make Sister Yilin happy; I’d be unreliable! Finally, Sister Yilin holds some misunderstandings about me. I fear I wouldn’t win the fair lady’s affection; I’d be disliked! These three points—the incest, the unreliability, the dislike—lead Jinbiao to humbly believe he is unworthy of Sister Yilin!”
No one knew where Tang Jinbiao had learned this, but in the blink of an eye, he recited it flawlessly. Yet, inside, he was laughing gleefully: “Heh heh, Tang Yilin, you’re done for!”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Hearing Tang Jinbiao’s explanation, expressions of hesitation flitted across the faces of the Third Elder and the others.
Indeed, as Tang Jinbiao had stated, he and Tang Yilin were both Tang clan members. If they truly married, outsiders would surely gossip. Although customs were less rigid on the Divine Wind Continent—cultivators lived short lives of two or three hundred years or long lives spanning ten thousand years—finding a partner was essential. Moreover, the higher one’s Cultivation Level rose, the harder it became to conceive children. Thus, many Cultivators chose to have children young and nurture them gradually. An unwritten proverb on the Divine Wind Continent went: Build your foundation strong, but make your babies young!
Adding to that, Tang Jinbiao was currently a half-ruined man, unable to cultivate, merely a common Body Refiner.
Thinking this over, the group felt Tang Jinbiao genuinely seemed unsuitable for Tang Yilin.
“Hmph! At least you know your manners, brat. I’ll forgive you this time!” Tang Yilin’s face still held a haughty air, but internally, she softened slightly towards Tang Jinbiao, even though she felt his words lacked finesse.
“You damn brat!” Wang Wanyu seemed to sense something amiss and cursed silently in her heart.
“Hmm, well. If that’s the case, Second Brother, your proposal can be set aside. After all, Yilin is still young; there’s no worry about finding her a husband later,” the Third Elder seemed unable to fully read Tang Jinbiao. After a moment’s contemplation, he spoke.
“This?” Tang Hantian still seemed hesitant and turned towards Tang Jinbiao to ask, “Jinbiao, is our Yilin truly so unworthy of your regard?”
“Tang Jinbiao, if you dare say anything reckless, be careful or I’ll beat you to death!” Hearing this, Tang Yilin fixed Tang Jinbiao with a venomous glare, sending him this mental threat.
“Heh heh…” A faint, bitter smile touched Tang Jinbiao’s lips.
“Nonsense! Adults are talking; step aside!” Tang Hantian, seeing Tang Jinbiao’s expression, realized Tang Yilin was causing mischief and rebuked her sharply.
“Hmph, I know,” Tang Yilin lowered her head sulkily, but as she did so, murderous eyes glared at Tang Jinbiao, a clear warning for him to watch his step.
“Uncle, your kindness warms Jinbiao’s heart. Sister Yilin is indeed an excellent match. It’s just that Jinbiao feels I am incapable.” Tang Jinbiao shook his head, regretfully declining Tang Hantian’s proposal. Though his face seemed composed, he panicked inside, cursing wildly: “Fucking hell, these fools! I want Tang Yilin! Why can’t anyone refute my points? Quick, speak up! Ah! Mother!”
Remembering Wang Wanyu, Tang Jinbiao quickly turned his head towards her, an utterly pleading look on his face. As a woman, Wang Wanyu was naturally sharp-witted. Though her face remained pale, a glint of suppressed amusement lit her eyes.
“Ahem. Very well. Since it’s come to this, consider it something Uncle never said,” Tang Hantian sighed softly, a note of dejection in his voice after Tang Jinbiao’s refusal.
“Hmm. Since that’s settled, we can put this matter to rest.” The Third Elder studied Tang Jinbiao and, finding him unresponsive, declared the matter closed.
“Hmph, you dead pighead actually thought you could marry me? In your dreams!” Seeing that everything was settled to her liking, Tang Yilin felt a flicker of internal satisfaction.
“Third Elder, Second Brother… Hold on!”
But just as everyone assumed this matter was concluded, Wang Wanyu, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke up…