Chapter 428: Stepping Forward Once Again

Seeing that everyone was looking at him eagerly, Zhang Xiaohua touched his nose and smiled: “Miss Nie is only twelve years old this year. Although early marriage is common here, you can still delay it a bit. Wait until this storm passes, then find an opportunity to kick that eyesore from Spring Rebirth Valley back where he came from.”

“In this way, the focus shifts. It’s no longer targeting the entire martial world, but just a particular sect or faction. When people in the Jianghu talk about it, there’s nothing to fear from others nitpicking. With Spring Rebirth Valley’s strength, I’m sure you wouldn’t fear a single sect or faction.”

“Valley Master Nie, what do you think of my idea?”

However, the strange looks from everyone in the hall clearly told him: “That’s a rotten idea.”

Zhang Xiaohua could only laugh at himself: “If Valley Master Nie thinks it’s not right, just take it as me talking nonsense.”

Valley Master Nie glanced at Nie Qianyu and smiled bitterly: “Young Hero Ren, what you said is excellent, truly a wonderful idea, but…”

Nie Qianyu, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and saluted: “Big Brother Ren, I owe you an apology. That day, I lied to you. Both Little Orange and I are actually sixteen.”

“Ah?” Zhang Xiaohua was speechless. “What is this? That day I thought I was taking advantage of someone, but in the end, I was the one who got tricked. Well, saying Little Orange is sixteen is believable, but with Little Fish’s figure… Sigh, women are too clever for their own good.”

Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand: “Forget it, Little… Miss Nie, it’s not the first or second time you’ve tricked me along the way. I’m used to it by now.”

Nie Qianyu said aggrievedly: “Big Brother Ren, I really didn’t mean it. Little Orange and I are both weak girls; there are many things we have to guard against.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled: “I know, I know. Everyone has their own difficulties, their own reasons for having to deceive others. How could I not understand? Don’t worry, I’ve already forgiven you.”

These words, Zhang Xiaohua spoke very clearly, enunciating each syllable.

Valley Master Nie, standing to the side, explained: “Young Hero Ren, please don’t take offense. This was just a little trick of my daughter’s. Please, be magnanimous and don’t take it to heart.”

Then he added: “Little Yu has been frail since childhood and developed later than others. If I didn’t know her, and you told me she was twelve, I would have believed it too.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said nothing more.

But immediately, the atmosphere in the hall turned somber again. Seeing that it was getting late, and that the match on the main stage might soon be decided, in just a few more hours, there would be a winner. Nie Qianyu would have to marry this final victor. Even if there were twists and turns afterward, in name, Nie Qianyu would have to marry this person, and at the very least, the entire martial world would know!

At this moment, Nie Qianrong, who had been observing Nie Qianyu and Zhang Xiaohua for some time, suddenly smiled and said: “Father, Little Yu, your eldest sister actually has an idea. I wonder if you’d like to hear it?”

Nie Qianyu grew anxious and said: “Elder sister, at a time like this, just say it quickly.”

Nie Qianrong smiled and glanced at Nie Qianyu: “Little sister, you’re caught up in the situation and don’t realize it. Isn’t the one who can untie the bell right before your eyes? As long as this person agrees, this whole matter would be as easy as pie.”

As soon as Zhang Xiaohua heard this, he hurriedly picked up his teacup and lowered his head to sip his tea. “Mm, this tea is quite good, comparable to that from Guo Village. Mm, the tea leaves are fragrant, very drinkable; I’m just here to taste tea, everyone, don’t look at me, I won’t look at you, you all discuss among yourselves.”

Nie Qianyu glanced at Zhang Xiaohua’s behavior, her eyes full of disappointment, and she whispered: “Elder sister, matters like this can’t be forced. Maybe after all this, I should… should just become a nun, spend my days with the green lamp and ancient Buddha, wooden fish and scriptures—perhaps that’s my fate, sigh~”

A long sigh!

Zhang Xiaohua’s heart, tempered by immortal cultivation, could not help but tremble.

Valley Master Nie, upon hearing this, waved his hand and said: “No need, Little Yu, just listen to your father. Let Mo Mei go. If I can’t let you find happiness in this life, and you have to live with a stranger or suffer a lifetime of hardship, how could I still call myself your father? Good Little Yu, even if Spring Rebirth Valley must perish together with our enemies, your father will never let you suffer the slightest grievance!”

Valley Master Nie spoke with resolute determination, and Zhang Xiaohua’s heart trembled again.

At that moment, Nie Qianxiu immediately cried out: “Father, you mustn’t! This is our Nie family’s thousand-year foundation—we can’t just throw it away so easily.”

Then she turned to Nie Qianyu and said: “Little sister, you mustn’t be too willful. Don’t you know what the consequences would be if Spring Rebirth Valley were destroyed? The family would be ruined, countless would die or be injured! Besides, this martial arts contest for marriage isn’t as frightening as you imagine. Didn’t I also not know your second brother-in-law before we got married?”

Nie Qianxiu was about to say more when Nie Qianyu gave a desolate smile and said: “Second sister, when did I ever say I wouldn’t accept this martial arts contest for marriage? I know everything you’ve said. I just thought, after dealing with the matters at hand, I’d make a decision.”

“A decision?” For no reason, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly thought of Ou Peng, a true man who resolutely made his decision atop Piaomiao Peak. At the same time, he thought of the tragic fate of the exterminated Piaomiao Sect, and his second brother, who was still missing… “Sigh, is this what they call ‘One cannot help oneself in the martial world’?”

Zhang Xiaohua asked himself.

Nie Qianrong and the others fell silent for a moment before speaking up: “Little sister is being a bit stubborn. Actually, didn’t Young Hero Ren just now propose a very good solution? If we follow Young Hero Ren’s plan, it will surely work. But since little sister isn’t twelve, what if the person who wins today is the one we’ve chosen? After this is over, we can just find a reason to kick him out of Spring Rebirth Valley. Don’t you all think that’s a wonderful idea?”

Nie Qianyu’s eyes lit up. How could she not have thought of such a thing? It was just that, after last night’s probing and Zhang Xiaohua’s earlier attitude, he had shown no intention, so she had already closed off this path and hadn’t thought further. Now, hearing it again, perhaps this really was the best way to resolve the matter.

Looking at the four members of the Nie family, eight eyes staring at him intently, Zhang Xiaohua found he really couldn’t enjoy his tea any longer. He had no choice but to put down his teacup and smile: “I suppose the person Miss Nie is referring to is me?”

Nie Qianrong smiled and said: “Indeed, Young Hero Ren.”

Zhang Xiaohua sighed and said: “But, Miss Nie, do you know what my background is? Which sect do I belong to? And how can you be so sure that I will win today?”

Nie Qianrong said: “From the recent battles between Spring Rebirth Valley and our enemies, we’ve already learned the strength of the other side. Since Young Hero Ren was able to rescue my little sister from others in Danhe City, your martial arts and intelligence are beyond question. The contestants on the stage today are just putting on a show; how could they compare to someone who has been tested by blood and fire? Besides, Young Hero Ren is just a front. In a few days, you’ll be kicked out of Spring Rebirth Valley. Why would we care about your background?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said: “Miss Nie, you’ve misunderstood. When I encountered Miss Nie, she had already been rescued by someone else. I dare not take the credit.”

Nie Qianrong was stunned for a moment and immediately looked at Nie Qianyu, who gave a slight nod.

Zhang Xiaohua continued: “Moreover, if I were to change my mind in the future, not make any mistakes, and behave honestly, how would you be able to kick me out of the Valley?”

Nie Qianrong blinked mischievously and patted her chest in an exaggerated manner: “Ah?? Is that so, Young Hero Ren? You actually thought about burning the bridge after crossing it and clinging to our Spring Rebirth Valley, huh, this…”

Then she suddenly changed her tone and said, “We couldn’t wish for anything better!”

“Sigh,” Zhang Xiaohua said helplessly. Only now did he understand why Nie Qianyu’s words were always so sharp. With a sister like this, wouldn’t he always be the one getting ‘teased’?

When Nie Qianxiu heard Nie Qianrong’s idea, her expression became a bit odd, but upon hearing that Zhang Xiaohua was not the one who rescued Nie Qianyu, her face returned to normal. She then asked: “Then, Young Hero Ren, how confident are you about getting on the stage?”

Zhang Xiaohua shrugged: “Not even half a point. I usually spend my time reading and rarely practice martial arts. Miss Nie is just forcing a duck onto a perch. Please, don’t bet everything on me.”

Nie Qianxiu nodded.

Standing to the side, Nie Qianyu, hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s tone, knew he had already agreed. Others might not know Zhang Xiaohua’s martial arts, but how could she not? Just that simple move in the peach grove that day had already outshone all the others, not to mention his heroic bearing with a longsword in hand!

Nie Qianyu rose and saluted: “Then, many thanks to Brother Ren.”

A faint blush actually appeared on her face.

Indeed, as long as Zhang Xiaohua could outshine all the others and win the championship, even if he left the next day, and Spring Rebirth Valley later found an opportunity to call off the engagement, she would still have once held the title of his fiancée! Just thinking about it made her heart feel sweet and shy.

Moreover, as the saying goes, “it’s easy for a girl to pursue a boy”, what if Spring Rebirth Valley didn’t go back on this matter in the future?

Valley Master Nie, seeing this, was overjoyed. Although he didn’t know Zhang Xiaohua’s background, seeing his daughter’s expression, how could he not understand her feelings? Besides, he had just tested Zhang Xiaohua’s martial arts and already had a rough idea of his level. Such a person was surely a disciple of a major sect in the martial world, a perfect match for his precious daughter. Now, hearing that Zhang Xiaohua had agreed to step forward, he couldn’t stop smiling. If water can wear away stone, how much more so can a man’s heart be moved? He had been through it himself—how could he not know?

Even taking a step back, as long as Zhang Xiaohua won in the end, he would have helped clean up this mess and saved the entire Spring Rebirth Valley. Such a favor—he truly didn’t know how to repay it.

“Ahem, best to make him my son-in-law—let the good meat stay in the pot, no need for any repayment!”

That’s what Valley Master Nie thought, secretly delighted.

Just as he was thinking this, Nie Qianrong suddenly cried out: “Oh no, Father, you’ve been so focused on coming up with a solution, but it’s getting late! If we wait until the champion is decided on the stage, it’ll be too late!”

Valley Master Nie was instantly jolted out of his daydream, stood up, and said: “That’s right, Young Hero Ren, let’s hurry. Since you’ve decided to take action, it’s best to get on stage as soon as possible. If we’re even half a step late, it will be too late for regrets.”

But Zhang Xiaohua looked at the sky outside and asked: “It’s still early—will it really end so soon?”