Chapter Seventy-One: The Betrothal

During these three days, Qian Santong had also learned through his own channels about Lu Han’s performance in that battle. He had intended to probe Lu Han for details, but to his surprise, Lu Han simply presented a basic high-level yellow-class cultivation technique. Such things might be tempting to other small and medium families in Maple Leaf City, but to his Treasure Pavilion, they were nothing special.

On this continent, however, it was taboo to inquire about another’s cultivation methods or martial skills, so Qian Santong did not press further.

At that moment, Lie Xiong spoke up, “Brother Lu, I see your talented nephew is nearly of age for his coming-of-age ceremony. Shouldn’t we revisit the matter we discussed before...?”

Lie Ruge, who had been quietly sitting there, started at her father’s words. Realizing what was being discussed, her face flushed crimson, and she bowed her head, too embarrassed to look up.

Lu Tianhong caught on immediately. In fact, he had planned to speak to Lu Han about this on his coming-of-age day, but now that both young people were here, it was as good a time as any to settle the matter.

"Han’er, your coming-of-age ceremony is near. I’ve arranged a marriage for you—a promise made years ago between your Uncle Lie and me. Now, with both families present, we can formalize the engagement…”

Lu Han was momentarily stunned; he had never considered such matters before. Girls generally matured earlier and were more sensitive to these things, but Lu Han merely hesitated, unsure.

“Father, there’s no need to rush the engagement. I want to focus on curing your poison first…”

Lu Han’s mind was elsewhere; Lu Tianhong’s poison was only suppressed for now, and he needed to find the Soul-Stealing Marten as soon as possible.

“Let’s not pressure Brother Han,” Lie Ruge said, standing up with a hint of grievance in her voice.

It was already awkward for the girl’s family to bring up the engagement, and now, with Lu Han seemingly reluctant, the situation was even more uncomfortable.

Tears welled up in Lie Ruge’s eyes, and she ran out of the City Lord’s residence.

Lu Han was left bewildered—he hadn’t thought he’d said anything wrong.

He was simply focused on what he saw as the immediate priority: healing his father’s poison. Girls are sensitive, especially when such matters are discussed in front of elders.

“You rascal, it’s only an engagement, not a wedding. Hurry and bring back my daughter-in-law, or don’t bother coming home!” At this, Meng Wan’er could sit still no longer and tugged Lu Han by the ear, scolding him.

“Hey, Mother, you’ll tear it off! My ear!” Lu Han yelped in pain.

“Then get moving!”

Watching Lu Han’s retreating figure, Meng Wan’er resumed her gentle demeanor, sitting down at the table. “It’s settled,” she said.

Those present burst into laughter as they watched Lu Han dash off.

...

“Boy Han, let me tell you, Lie Ruge is no ordinary girl. After your engagement, you’re certain to have your hands full. But you, you’re acting coy after getting the advantage. What are you hesitating for?” Old Man Ling’s voice suddenly rang out.

Lu Han was speechless.

“If you ask me, you—”

Lu Han simply stayed silent as Old Man Ling continued to ‘educate’ him along the way.

Mistheart Lake.

Young people from Maple Leaf City often gathered here.

Lu Han and Lie Ruge used to come here often.

Inside a pavilion by the lake, Lie Ruge sat on a stone bench, growing more aggrieved the more she thought.

“Hey now, who could have angered such a beautiful and intelligent young lady? Fear not, for I shall defend you!” Lu Han approached, making a funny face.

“Hmph!” Lie Ruge turned her head away.

“Still mad, are you? Should I apologize?”

“I know you’ve always seen me as a little sister, Brother Han, but my feelings for you are much deeper…” Her voice grew softer and softer, until even Lu Han beside her couldn’t make out the words.

“What?” Lu Han asked.

“My father’s poison is only temporarily suppressed. As long as his condition remains, I cannot rest easy—how can I think about marriage?” Lu Han sighed as he sat down beside her.

“Brother Han, I’m sorry. I was being willful.” Lie Ruge was not an unreasonable girl; she had only felt wronged for a moment.

Suddenly, Lu Han stood and gazed out at Mistheart Lake.

“It’s been a long time since we came here,” he murmured.

“Brother Han, are you leaving again?” Sensing his mood, Lie Ruge seemed to guess his intentions.

“Yes.”

With Lu Tianbei now managing the family business and the old master having lost his left arm, the burden of finding the Soul-Stealing Marten fell to Lu Han.

Out of the blue, Lie Ruge hugged his waist. “Take me with you, please?”

She was truly afraid. During the three months Lu Han was missing, she had barely managed to endure.

“I won’t be a burden, you know. Even though you’re strong now, Brother Han, you might not be able to beat me!” Lie Ruge teased, raising her fist.

Her playful nature seemed to return.

Lu Han patted her head without a word, his thoughts his own.

...

The sun set in the west.

As the people of Maple Leaf City returned home from their busy day, laughter and conversation filled the bustling streets.

A young couple walked hand in hand, sharing smiles.

“Brother Han, I’ll go back from here.” At the gates of the Lie residence, Lu Han folded his hands behind his head and headed toward the City Lord’s mansion, whistling as he went.

“Boy Han, I’d say you’re riding high right now, but I have some bad news. I have no idea where to find the Soul-Stealing Marten. I know nothing about the Northern Yue lands—I only ended up here by chance,” Old Man Ling’s voice sounded in his mind.

Lu Han’s expression grew grim. With that, his only option was the Treasure Pavilion.

The night passed without event.

In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the window into Lu Han’s room.

He sat cross-legged on his bed, a white chill emanating from him.

“Han’er, Han’er,” came Meng Wan’er’s voice from outside.

Lu Han quickly ended his meditation and opened the door.

“Mother, what is it?”

“What is it? Everything’s ready. Come with your father and me to the Lie house, you blockhead,” she scolded with a smile.

On the Sky Vault Continent, engagements required three rituals: proposal, betrothal gifts, and setting the date. The proposal was for the groom’s family to formally ask for the bride’s hand; the betrothal gifts were self-explanatory; and setting the date showed respect for the bride’s family.

Lu Han had no choice but to be dragged off to the Lie family by his parents at dawn.

The Lie family seemed prepared, already waiting at the entrance.

Once in the main hall, Lu Han quietly pulled Lie Ruge aside.

“Let the elders handle these matters. How about coming with me to the Treasure Pavilion?”

Lie Ruge, finding the proceedings dull, agreed at once.

“Hey, you rascal, where are you two off to?” Lu Tianhong called after them as they hurried out.

“Father, Mother, you and Uncle Lie can discuss the wedding. We’re heading out first!”

The two slipped away, leaving the hall’s occupants staring at one another in disbelief—the engaged couple had both left, and together at that!

“Let them go,” someone said.

Lu Han and Lie Ruge made their way through the bustling streets.

“Brother Han, you’re not just going to sell cultivation techniques, are you?” Lie Ruge asked, tilting her head.

Lu Han tapped her nose. “I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. You’ll see soon enough.”

Lie Ruge blushed—Lu Han had only ever patted her head before; this was the first time he’d made such an affectionate gesture.

“What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?” Lu Han asked, noticing her expression.

Lie Ruge rolled her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Guess.”

“I can’t guess,” Lu Han replied.

Lie Ruge was speechless.

[Announcement: Only three weeks left in the preliminary round of the Web Novel League this season! If you haven’t joined, hurry up! Huge prizes and a chance to become a top author await. Click here to participate.]