C12 Bully Others!

"Young Master! Trouble's afoot!"

After Yinn Jue's death, with the Frost Energy dissipated, Ann Ziqing emerged unscathed and burst in, exclaiming, "There's been a major incident!"

She was oblivious to the events of the previous night. By the time she thawed from her icy slumber, Yinn Jue had been reduced to ashes.

Yu Yuan had informed her of Yinn Jue's demise, and despite her doubts, she chose to trust her young master.

Yu Yuan rose calmly and inquired, "What's the matter?"

"Your fiancée's father has come to Darkmoon City demanding the engagement be annulled," Ann Ziqing seethed. "This is outrageous. Your betrothal to Lim Zhuyun was arranged by his mother and your grandfather. Before the matriarch of the Lim family passed, she made it clear to all the Lim clan that the engagement would stand!"

"I'm the principal party in this engagement. Take me to them."

...

"Master Yu, I regret to inform you that the Lim family wishes to dissolve the engagement as of today!"

As Ann Ziqing led Yu Yuan to the hall's entrance, they were greeted by a scornful voice.

"That's your prospective father-in-law—Lim Hanyu," whispered the maid.

Yu Yuan responded with a knowing grin and nod.

Lim Hanyu, the old lady's second son and Lim Zhuyun's father, was a formidable figure in the late stages of the Profound Break Stage!

Following the matriarch's death, leadership of the Lim family fell to her two sons.

The elder, Lim Fengyan, known for his composure, took up the mantle of family head. His younger brother, the proud and fierce Lim Hanyu, was deemed unsuitable for the role.

Despite this, the brothers maintained a strong bond, with no contention over leadership.

Lim Fengyan typically handled the Lim family's internal affairs and external communications. Lim Hanyu, on the other hand, was called upon for confrontations with the family's adversaries, a role that cemented his formidable reputation within the clan.

Outside, his reputation was one of infamy and malevolence!

Presently, it was not the eldest, Lim Fengyan, who had come to the Yu family to resolve the matter of the marriage contract, but rather his son, Lim Hanyu.

What could this signify?

The hearts of the Yu family members and their guests grew heavy as they watched him enter the hall and listened to his words.

Yinn Jue was dead, having perished in front of Yu Yuan's pavilion—a man Lim Hanyu himself had once recruited into the Lim family.

Rumor had it that Lim Hanyu had saved Yinn Jue's life, earning his unwavering loyalty.

Yet now, Yinn Jue was inexplicably dead. As his lord, Lim Hanyu, upon receiving a message from his daughter, had personally come to Darkmoon City not only to dissolve the marriage but also to uncover the truth behind Yinn Jue's death.

"Where's Yu Yuan? I've been told the young man has awakened. Bring him to me!" Lim Hanyu bellowed.

"Son-in-law pays his respects to his esteemed father-in-law!" Yu Yuan's voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall. Amidst many curious stares, he confidently strode into the hall.

Ann Ziqing, due to her status, lacked the privilege to enter and was left to wait outside.

The hall was crowded with the Yu family's esteemed elders, honored guests, and Yu Yuan's uncles and aunts.

Next to Yu Cann sat two men and a woman: Yu Wei, Yu Lian, and Yu Lili, the offspring of Yu Cann's younger brother, Yu Xi. Yu Yuan had briefly encountered them before but had not engaged in much conversation, leaving him with only a vague impression.

It was later, through Ann Ziqing, that he gained a deeper understanding of his three uncles and aunt.

Yu Cann, the patriarch of the Yu family, had a brother, Yu Xi, who years ago had ventured out with his wife in search of rare spirit plants for the family. Unfortunately, they had crossed the wrong people and met a tragic end.

At that time, Yu Xi's three children—Yu Wei, Yu Lian, and Yu Lili—were already adults, holding the fort at home and not venturing out.

Yu Cann and Yu Xi also had a younger sister, Yu Ying, who was taken away by a cultivator at a very young age.

Despite the passage of time, there was still no word on the whereabouts of Yu Ying. Her fate, whether alive or dead, remained a mystery.

Yu Wei and his siblings were raised under the care of their esteemed elder, Yu Cann. They held him in high regard, revering him as if he were their biological father.

The patriarch reciprocated their affection, entrusting them with many of the family's affairs. With his own son and daughter-in-law lost to the Nether Abyss, their status unknown, and his grandson lacking acumen, Yu Cann groomed his nephew Yu Wei as the future helmsman of the Yu family—a fact well-known to all.

Upon entering, Yu Yuan offered his respects. "Greetings, Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt," he said, bowing to Yu Cann and Yu Wei's trio before taking his place beside them. Then, turning to face the other side of the room, he met the gaze of his betrothed for what was, in a true sense, the first time.

"Good day, Father-in-law," he said, bowing respectfully to Lim Hanyu, the middle-aged scholar with the piercing eyes and austere demeanor.

Lastly, his gaze settled on Lim Zhuyun, and with a subtle smile, he offered a light-hearted introduction, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to learning more about you."

The young lady before him stood with grace, her eyes as serene and luminous as a secluded mountain pool, exuding an air of nobility beyond her years. It was no surprise that the Cold Yin Sect regarded her as a precious gem, eager to welcome her to the Heavenly Source Continent.

Through the lens of his past life, Yu Yuan couldn't help but acknowledge that his fiancée was an exceptional choice, both in beauty and in her potential for cultivation.

Such a gemstone would naturally be cherished, kept free from any blemish. It was understandable.

And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that his very existence was the greatest blemish and imperfection on this otherwise flawless jewel.

With this thought, he shook his head and allowed a wry smile to cross his lips.

As Yu Yuan appraised Lim Hanyu and Lim Zhuyun, the father-daughter pair scrutinized him in return.

Lim Zhuyun spared him only a brief glance before closing her eyes gently, her disinterest palpable.

For as long as she could remember, the name Yu Yuan had been synonymous with shame. Now, her sole desire was to dissolve their engagement swiftly, to dedicate herself to her cultivation, and to ascend into the ranks of the Cold Yin Sect at the earliest opportunity.

In her mind, even with Yu Yuan's awakening, their worlds were irreconcilably different, and any notion of them being together was out of the question.

She closed her eyes, refusing to even glance his way—her attitude exuded the utmost coldness and disdain.

"Hey! Since you've shown up, let's make this clear. You, Yu Yuan, are simply not fit to be my son-in-law!"

Lim Hanyu watched for a moment before his patience wore thin. It seemed to him that Yu Yuan wasn't even worthy of conversation. Addressing the elder, Yu Cann, with an icy and assertive tone, he said, "You're probably aware of the Cold Yin Sect's stance by now. My mother didn't annul the engagement she arranged with you before her passing, and as her son, I won't dishonor her wishes."

"However, if you were to initiate the dissolution of the marriage, it wouldn't be considered a breach of etiquette."

"I believe you're a sensible man. You should understand what action to take that would be in the best interest and offer the greatest protection for the Yu family."

Before his arrival, he had discussed the situation with his daughter. Lim Zhuyun had indicated that after Yu Yuan's brush with death, the elder must have become aware of the Cold Yin Sect's influence and likely softened his stance, presumably willing to voluntarily void the engagement.

The elder would consider such a move, knowing full well the presence and position of the Cold Yin Sect, out of fear for Yu Yuan's safety and under duress.

He trusted his daughter's insight and also trusted that his own status and presence in Darkmoon City would be enough for Yu Cann to act accordingly.

Yet, faced with his aggressive approach, Yu Cann merely furrowed his brow in silence, withholding an immediate response.

"Don't be ungrateful and disrespectful!" Lim Hanyu barked sharply.

His words left the Yu family members and their guest chamberlains feeling as though they were losing face.

"Patriarch!"

"Uncle!"

The Yu family members and guest chamberlains rose to their feet, urging Yu Cann to state his position.

Yu Yuan's eyes narrowed, a chill settling within them.

The anger in his heart kindled slowly, his gaze unwaveringly on Lim Zhuyun.

He wondered if his betrothed would speak up in this moment, perhaps one playing the heavy while the other offered conciliation, using a mix of pressure and persuasion to seamlessly resolve the matter of their engagement.

Lim Zhuyun appeared oblivious to her father's domineering presence, continuing to rest with her eyes closed, as serene as an old monk deep in meditation, unconcerned with the world around her.

Her demeanor suggested she had no interest in feigning embarrassment; she was resolute, showing no signs of yielding.

"Good! Very good!" Yu Yuan scoffed inwardly.

"Ah..."

At that moment, Yu Cann heaved a deep sigh, as if abruptly snapping back to reality.

Just days before, the hope that had rekindled in his heart was doused like a flame quenched by icy water when Yinn Jue appeared outside Yu Yuan's pavilion in the dead of night.

He knew the harsh truth.

Yinn Jue had clearly been a pawn of the Cold Yin Sect. Even though Yinn Jue had met his end at the hands of his grandson, poisoned by the Lizard Blood Pill, he was merely a servant of the Lim family.

The Cold Yin Sect had no intention of letting the marriage go through. Yinn Jue's death was inconsequential to them.

Now, with his grandson awake and under the tutelage of a mysterious master, imparting the arts of cultivation, there was potential for greatness. With careful guidance and caution, his grandson might one day set foot on the Quietus Continent and carve out a legacy in the realm of cultivation.

Should his grandson fall victim to the Cold Yin Sect due to a marriage contract and his own fixations, Yu Cann knew he would never forgive himself.

This realization seemed to age him considerably, his face etched with sorrow and resignation. Unable to meet the eyes of his family, he lowered his head and said, "I also believe..." He was ready to concede.

All for the sake of his grandson's safety from the Cold Yin Sect, all for his grandson's life.

"I have something to add!" Lim Hanyu interjected sharply, his voice cutting through the tension with deliberate rudeness, interrupting Yu Cann mid-sentence. Amidst the Yu family's glares of outrage, he declared imperiously, "The marriage contract must be annulled! Furthermore, I expect the Yu family to present the Ice Soul Crystal to my daughter as a token of gratitude."

"She came to your family, deterring your archenemies, the Huang family, from making a move, and she has managed your internal affairs. It's only right she receives her due compensation."

"The Ice Soul Crystal will greatly aid my daughter's training. I believe it's the perfect fit!"

He regarded Yu Cann with a frosty gaze, leveraging the Lim family's influence within the Silvermoon Empire and his own advanced cultivation level. With the backing of the Cold Yin Sect, it was evident he intended to seize it by force.

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