Long Tianba heard this, and in his rage, he laughed, then coldly said, "You'd better think it over carefully. This is your only chance. Once it's lost, you'll never be able to marry another woman in your life!"
Long Chenxi was taken aback.
"Or perhaps, you've fallen for Princess Yun Ling of Bei Qi?" Long Tianba looked at Long Chenxi coldly. "If you have, then I don't mind killing her!"
"Impossible! I would absolutely never fall for her!" Long Chenxi immediately denied.
Long Tianba said, "Since you don't like her, why are you refusing the emperor's arranged marriage for her sake?"
"I..." Long Chenxi was speechless.
Long Tianba said, "No matter what, you are now the head of my Long family, and you must abide by our family rules!"
"You can't do this to me!" Long Chenxi said with dissatisfaction.
"Hmph!" Long Tianba snorted heavily and said, "I'm merely warning you! I don't want you to regret it in the future!"
"I won't regret it!" Long Chenxi said decisively.
Long Tianba said, "Good! Since you say so, then I will grant your wish and sever your ties with her! From today onwards, you don't need to come back!"
"Father!" Long Chenxi cried out in alarm.
Long Tianba's face darkened. "No more! If you defy my orders, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"I don't care! I will absolutely not be separated from her!" Long Chenxi said.
Long Tianba glared with fury, "No matter who it is, no one will break you two apart. I will definitely marry her to you!"
"Father! Whether you agree or not, I will marry her!" Long Chenxi said stubbornly.
"You!" Long Tianba was furious. He raised his hand and fiercely slapped Long Chenxi, knocking him to the ground.
"Slap!"
A loud slap echoed in the empty room.
Half of Long Chenxi's face rapidly swelled up, and blood began to seep from the corner of his mouth.
Long Tianba's eyes were bloodshot, as if they were about to spew fire. Veins bulged on his forehead, and turbid tears slid from his eyes, dripping onto his clothes.
His body trembled violently, his face etched with profound grief and self-reproach.
"Father..." Long Chenxi covered his cheek, looking at him in disbelief.
He had never seen him like this before. His body was shaking intensely, and tears streamed down his face.
This man, who had once been a formidable figure on the battlefield, was actually weeping before him!
"I truly regret it!" Long Tianba murmured. "If I had known this would happen, I would never have allowed you to marry a woman of unknown origin into the Long family!"
"She... is not of unknown origin!" Long Chenxi endured the burning pain on his cheek, standing up with difficulty. "She is the princess of Bei Qi! Father, if you don't agree to my request, I will no longer be your son!"
"You dare!" Long Tianba roared, causing the surrounding tables and chairs to tremble.
His eyes were bloodshot, and tears continued to fall down his cheeks.
"Father! I mean what I say!" Long Chenxi said without hesitation. "I will marry her!"
Long Tianba's pupils suddenly contracted. He looked at Long Chenxi's incredibly determined expression and was suddenly assailed by a wave of immense fear.
He suddenly felt that he could never control this son.
He wanted to change him, to make him change, but he was always refused!
Furthermore, the more his son resisted, the more he disliked it, even going so far as to fall out with him.
Such defiance was not a good thing for his son!
Because he would only sink deeper, to the point of no return!
An overwhelming weariness surged within Long Tianba. He sat down dejectedly, closed his eyes, and sighed, saying, "Alright! I agree to not force you to marry Murong Zi. However, you must keep your word and never again get entangled with that woman!"
"Thank you, Father!" Long Chenxi said excitedly.
Long Tianba waved his hand, dismissing Long Chenxi, then turned and walked away.
As the door closed, Long Chenxi immediately knelt on the ground, covering his face, and began to sob quietly.
Father... Father had actually compromised!
This was simply unbelievable!
Not just him, but the entire Long clan could not have achieved what Father had.
Long Tianba walked into the courtyard and looked up at the sky.
The night sky was exceptionally brilliant, twinkling like dazzling diamonds.
He extended his hands, slowly raising them, feeling the cold night wind, the chilling sensation.
"Dad, why are you crying?" Suddenly, a graceful figure appeared in his sight.
He turned his head sharply and saw Murong Mo standing outside the courtyard, looking at him and asking.
Long Tianba quickly wiped away the tear stains from his eyes and put on a kind smile. "Momo, you're here!"
"Yes! I saw Father in the courtyard, so I came to see," Murong Mo said with a smile.
Long Tianba said, "You've come at the right time. Your brother just came to see me. He said he wants to marry a woman."
Murong Mo was stunned. "Father, he's not serious, is he?"
Long Tianba nodded.
Murong Mo's face was filled with anxiety. "How can that be? Chenxi is the future heir of the Long family. How can he marry a woman like that?"
"This cannot be blamed on your brother!" Long Tianba explained. "After all, your brother has liked her for a long time. He doesn't even know if she's a man or a woman! And their engagement has already been set!"
"Father, I don't believe this is true! How could Chenxi like that kind of woman? How could he abandon his own happiness for her?" Murong Mo said.
Long Tianba gave a bitter smile. "I don't know about this. Ask Chenxi himself when he wakes up."
Murong Mo looked at Long Tianba, hesitating to speak, but finally said, "Father, I don't want Chenxi to be with Yun Qingcheng. I'm worried Yun Qingcheng will ruin Chenxi!"
Long Tianba looked at Murong Mo and asked, "Why do you dislike Yun Qingcheng so much?"
"She's ugly!" Murong Mo said.
Long Tianba was startled, then smiled wryly. "You mean, you think she's not good enough for your brother?"
Murong Mo nodded slightly. "Yes! I just think she's not good enough for Chenxi!"
Long Tianba fell silent for a moment, then said, "Momo, you are the young master of the Long family. You must understand etiquette and upbringing. Also, remember, you are the sole heir of the Long family!"
"I understand!" Murong Mo said.
Long Tianba said, "Go to sleep. I have other matters to attend to."
"Yes, Father." Murong Mo nodded, then walked into the room.
After Murong Mo returned inside, she saw Long Chenxi leaning on the bed.
Long Tianba said, "Chenxi, how did your face get so badly injured?"
Murong Mo quickly said, "Chenxi, how did your face get injured?"
Long Chenxi looked up at Murong Mo. "Aren't you unwilling to marry me?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Murong Mo glared at Long Chenxi.
Long Chenxi looked at her and said, "You don't want to marry me, so why did you agree to let me marry Yun Qingcheng?"
"I..."