NOVEL NEXT Annulling Marriage Contract I
(Xiao Clan - Southern Courtyard)
The Clan Leader immediately organized a meeting to be held in the Southern courtyard where the elders usually reside.
Only a few selected clan members were permitted to attend the meeting including the Elders. Mostly, they were the ones who mistreated Xiao Che in the past or regarded him as trash. With Yun Che now returning back, they were scared and were lamenting about their past doings.
The clan members stood at one of the corners of the hall not to interrupt the meeting.
Xiao Yunhai, the Clan Leader, was seen sitting on the chair with a pale complexion, spacing out. It was because of his occasional breaths one could say he was still living, otherwise, it would not be far-stretched to say that he was no different from a dead person.
"Clan Leader, what should we do?" Xiao Li, the First Elder, asked not minding the Clan Leader's current state. As their clan's future was in peril, he was urging the clan leader to make some decisions.
But Xiao Yunhai didn't respond and continued to stare into a faraway distance.
"Elder! Xiao Che should be thoroughly punished! First, he got to marry our city's beautiful girl from Xia Clan, and now he even dared to bring another girl with him," shouted a hormonal teenager filled with jealousy.
"I still find trouble finding a mediocre girl, and he already had two of them at his age, beauty at that. Yes, he should be severely punished..." someone else voiced out with frustration evident in his tone.
The Elders had a forced smile when they heard that, but couldn't disagree either. Both Qingyue and Cang Yue were like tender flowers and their beauty surpasses even if compared with the combined might of other women.
"I'm telling the truth, though..." a muttering was heard and the meeting resumed as usual as if nothing happened before.
"What's even there to think of? Father, with all of the elders by our side, Xiao Che would have no chance to flee. I alone am enough to bring him to his knees." This time, Xiao Yulong, son of Xiao Yunhai said with a smug.
He was waiting for his father to praise his bravery as he was still in thoughts that Yun Che might be at Nascent Realm Peak Stage at most even if blessed with a heavenly treasure, so he can be easily taken care of.
Long since Xiao Yulong has been looking forward to a day when he can shame Xiao Che in front of everyone while maintaining his calm and collected facade.
"You unfilial son!.. Do you want the whole clan to become a burial ground?" yelled Xiao Yunhai on top lungs at his own son standing up and gave a tight slap across his face. As a father, he already knew the evil means his son might weave and decided to discipline him ahead.
"F-Father.." Xiao Yulong covered his cheek where a red handprint surfaced and was at a loss of words when his own father was siding with a nobody.
"Even I have to respect Fifth Elder and Xiao Che with the cultivation they are now at... What makes you think that you can go against someone like that on your own?"
"Father, I can at least break a leg..." gritting his teeth, Xiao Yulong was yet to say something but the sound of a fierce slap once again resounded in the entire hall with him falling on the ground. Even the Elders trembled from the rage the Clan Leader was presently exuding.
"You fool... " Xiao Yunhai was now flustered. "Did I not tell you? You're not someone who can meddle with him." Xiao Yunhai said.
"Not even I can save you or defend you from a Sky Profound Realm Expert!" he revealed and leaned back into the chair trying to dissipate his anger and calm himself.
Xiao Yulong who earlier clenched his fingers into a tender flesh let go of it and was dumbfounded. Not only him but even the rest of the members present in the hall were going through the same and gulping sounds were audible.
'Impossible!' a single thought ran through everyone's mind. How is it possible for a cripple to come back with cultivation as higher as that in just 2 months? It's very unlikely and yet hearing it from their Clan Leader, no one doubted it.
The Fourth Elder, Xiao Cheng came forward, "I have a solution for this dire situation," he said stroking his beard.
"Elder Cheng, what is it?" Xiao Yunhai was a little interested in listening to what Elder Cheng has to say to prevent the impending doom of the Clan.
Not only was he the Chief of law enforcement in the Clan, but he was also well known for his wisdom. Xiao Yunhai didn't want to leave a possibility behind and decided to hear the matter.
"Ahem... In one of the ancient records, I have read, a predicament similar to now, happened. It's better to follow the same method our ancestors did, to resolve this issue." he continued like a wise sage.
"W-What is it, Elder Cheng?" asked Xiao Yunhai curiously.
"That is..." started Elder Cheng.
Everyone perked up their ears to listen to what the Elder has to say.
"We'll seek forgiveness..." the Elder ended.
Xiao Yunhai's lips twitched.
"In our present condition, going against someone at Sky Profound Realm isn't a good idea. With our already weak position, we will cease to exist anymore in this city. Only by seeking forgiveness will we be able to resolve the differences between us." The Elder summarised.
"But Elder Cheng, will we be forgiven?" a clan member asked skeptically.
"It is extremely likely for him to forgive us. If at all Xiao Che returned back to seek vengeance we wouldn't be able to organize a meeting this way," he said.
All of them nodded their heads in understanding.
"Elder, when should we apologize?" asked Xiao Yunhai hopefully.
"Hmm..." Not even Elder Cheng has an answer to that. He kept on stroking his beard pondering of a way or other.
"Clan Master!.... The head of the Xia Clan is awaiting an entry into our Clan." A servant came in and informed.
"Our opportunity has come...." replied Elder Cheng with a smile.
Xiao Yunhai understood what it meant and started making all the preparations.
(Xiao Lei's Courtyard)
Xiao Lei was jubilantly passing his time with his grandson and daughter-in-law. It was rare for him to smile and this is one of the rarest days he smiled the most.
All these days he was worried as Qingyue left with her Master the next day of her marriage with his grandson. The reason he allowed the marriage to proceed in the first place is to provide some security to Xiao Che which didn't go as planned.
Now, with Yun Che returning back safe and sound with someone like Cang Yue to take care of him, he was at peace.
'It wouldn't be bad if I spent my remaining life this way' thought Xiao Lei.
"Grandpa, Brother Che, It's time for lunch," said Cang Yue.
With all the chattering they've lost track of time, so she reminded them to have lunch.
Everyone settled themselves in the chairs, and Yun Che took out the dishes Cang Yue cooked. He stored in his inventory as they remain fresh no matter how much time they are left in it.
"This is the best dish I've tasted to date!" said Xiao Lei savoring the food. "I didn't know that you were so good at cooking," he said. "Che'er, you should learn cooking from Yue'er"
"Yes, Grandpa" Yun Che agreed.
Cang Yue felt happy hearing Xiao Lei praise her but at the same time puzzled.
"Grandpa, Brother Che cooks...." Cang Yue stopped mid-way when there was a knock at the entrance.
*Knock* *Knock**
"Come in," said Xiao Lei thinking who might come at this time. The entrance opened revealing Xia Hongyi together with his servant.
"You may leave.." Xia Hongyi told to his servant.
The servant bowed and left.
"Sorry to intrude... As we're already a family, I don't think you'd take offense," said Xia Hongyi making himself at home.
His eyes darted, stopped for a while at Yun Che, and then followed onto Xiao Lei. As a well-experienced merchant, he appeared as if nothing was wrong but inside he was contemplating about the present Xiao Che as he could hardly relate to the one he knew.
Aside from his conspicuous features, his eyes emitted the confidence that the previous Xiao Che lacked.
'Is this the same person whom my daughter married to?' Xia Hongyi began to question himself.