Han Zhu's true identity was an envoy from the Arctic Ocean's sea tribe, arriving with a hidden agenda.
Therefore, she possessed the right to be arrogant and had sufficient strength to casually discipline a noble young master in fine clothes.
A spoiled brat dared to harbor improper thoughts towards her, so naturally, he deserved a good thrashing.
Of course, it was also because she had been angered by Ji Mo earlier, otherwise, she wouldn't have lost her composure like this.
The young master in fine clothes had been pampered since childhood and had never suffered such hardship. He cried and wailed on the ground.
His once handsome and dashing face was now beaten into a pig's head, his eye sockets filled with bruises, turning them black and blue.
He was truly miserable.
He couldn't understand why Han Zhu had smiled and welcomed Ji Mo, who had been equally frivolous before.
Yet, when it came to him, all he received were punches and kicks.
Why was the treatment of people so different?
He cried and begged for mercy, confessing, "Miss Han Zhu, I don't want that shorty Chi Qingying. I truly like you. I, Ximen Yaoqing, swear to the heavens that I will not marry anyone else in this life. If you marry me, you will become the matriarch of the Ximen family in no time. I will cherish and love you forever, and obey your every word."
Ximen Yaoqing's words seemed heartfelt and sincere, but they were actually driven by selfish motives and personal gain.
As long as he could marry Han Zhu, he would gain the support of the Arctic Ocean's sea tribe. Then, his several brothers would have no chance to compete with him for the position of the Ximen family's patriarch.
Moreover, by aligning himself with the sea tribe, the benefits were unimaginably vast.
"The Ximen family is nothing. Dreaming if you think I'll marry you. If your Ximen family behaves obediently, you'll naturally receive benefits. Otherwise, I'll have to find someone else. There are plenty of forces in Lan Yu City who want to cooperate with us."
Han Zhu sneered, not taking the Ximen family seriously at all.
To her, the Ximen family was merely a pawn. If they were useful, she might keep them as a dog; if not, she would simply eliminate them.
The Arctic Ocean was no longer what it used to be. It now possessed an army of undead creatures, fueling their ambition to dominate Zijing Continent, making them arrogant and dismissive of others.
Ximen Yaoqing was stunned, unable to comprehend why Han Zhu was so conceited that she didn't even regard the Ximen family.
After all, the Ximen family ranked among the top five powers in Lan Yu City and was an important member of the West Coast Defense Alliance. There was no reason for them to be looked down upon.
However, he was not a reckless person. Although his heart was filled with rage, he did not show it. He lowered his stance and said, "Miss Han Zhu, please don't be angry. You know the sincerity of the Ximen family's desire for cooperation. Just watch, in a few days, I will capture Chi Qingying."
"Hmph, the Chi family has announced a call for suitors, and many prodigies and heroes from Zijing Continent have rushed to Lan Yu City. You'd better truly have the means to overpower everyone, stand out from the crowd, and win Chi Qingying's heart."
Han Zhu berated Ximen Yaoqing again. Leaving him with a warning to take care of himself, she departed alone.
She needed to spread the news that Boniu was alive, then devise a plan to eliminate all threats, and at the same time, figure out what her fifty thousand troops sent to the Void Sword Sect were doing.
"Pah, you damn woman."
Ximen Yaoqing spat a mouthful of blood towards the direction Han Zhu had disappeared, gritting his teeth and saying, "When I'm done with Chi Qingying and have made great contributions, I'll have the Merfolk tribe bestow you upon me. Then, we'll see how I play with you."
He bared his teeth, having never suffered such torment. In front of so many servants, he had been beaten so badly by a mere woman that his face was almost ruined.
Ximen Yaoqing cursed as he instructed his subordinates to apply medicine to his wounds. Then, he returned to the nearby Lan Yu City, intending to find a pleasure house to indulge himself and let loose.
On the western coast of the Arctic Ocean stood an immensely large city.
This place had vast mineral veins that produced a sky-blue immortal jade, hence its name, Lan Yu City.
Lan Yu City had a long history and a very unique geographical location. It had always deterred the Arctic Ocean, preventing ambitious sea tribes from venturing onto land and causing havoc.
Lan Yu City was the largest trading city in the entire Zijing Continent, incredibly prosperous. Recently, it had been bustling with activity, with people coming and going, and unmarried talents from all over flocking to the city, hoping to become the son-in-law of the Chi family.
A while ago, the Chi family announced that they were looking for a husband for their only daughter, Chi Qingying, which had caused a huge sensation.
Marrying Chi Qingying was equivalent to gaining the entire Chi family. Who wouldn't be tempted?
Moreover, Chi Qingying was devastatingly beautiful and a quasi-Immortal Emperor with the potential to achieve godhood. Who wouldn't want to possess her?
In a side room of the Chi family mansion.
Sounds of argument could be heard.
"Mother, I won't marry. No matter what, I won't get married."
"Ying'er, you are no longer a child. You are over ten thousand years old. Look at others your age; they already have many children and grandchildren. As a mother, I also want to see you propagate the Chi family and make it prosperous."
"Mother, I'm still young. I don't want to get married. Besides, don't I have a goddaughter? Look how well-behaved and filial Wan'er is."
...
In the side room, Chi Qingying was throwing a childish tantrum at Madam Chi, refusing to marry.
Madam Chi was very well-preserved and beautiful. If she were to claim to be Chi Qingying's older sister to outsiders, no one would doubt it.
But for some reason, Madam Chi appeared very haggard, sitting on a soft couch and speaking weakly, her condition very poor.
Xia Wan'er, standing by and watching the mother and daughter bicker, wanted to laugh, but due to her heavy heart, she couldn't feel happy.
"Ying'er, my time is running out."
Madam Chi placed a hand on her chest and sighed softly, "Your father died early. If I go below and your father asks me about your marriage, how will I answer?"
As she spoke, Madam Chi also coughed, and dark purple blood trickled from the corners of her mouth.
Xia Wan'er quickly handed over a clean handkerchief and then gave Madam Chi a golden immortal pill. Madam Chi's condition improved slightly.
Seeing her mother like this, Chi Qingying felt immense heartache and said, "Mother, I will find the best physician to detoxify you."
"The poison I've ingested is the 'Jiu Du' (Dove Poison). To cure this peculiar poison, one needs the blood from the heart of a mermaid as a medicinal guide. However, the mermaid tribe has been annihilated by the Merfolk, so this poison is incurable. Now, I can only rely on special immortal pills to sustain my life. I don't know how much longer I can hold on. Do you want me to die with regrets?"
Madam Chi looked at Chi Qingying with a face full of tenderness, patiently persuading her.
Over the years, she had never interfered with Chi Qingying's romantic affairs, allowing her to live a carefree life according to her own preferences.
It was precisely because of such a good mother that Chi Qingying still retained her girlish nature, appearing like someone who had not grown up.
If it weren't for the dire circumstances, Madam Chi would not have wanted to force her daughter, but her time was truly running out.
Moreover, she knew that a chaotic era was approaching, and it was imperative to find a reliable husband for her daughter, otherwise, she truly could not rest in peace even in death.
"If I find out which bastard poisoned you, I will dismember him and grind his bones to dust."
Chi Qingying clenched her fists, her face filled with murderous intent.
For tens of thousands of years, the Chi family had guarded Lan Yu City and taken the lead in establishing the West Coast Defense Alliance, preventing the ambitious sea tribes from the Arctic Ocean from ever invading the land.
Chi Qingying's father had also died in a battle against the sea tribes.
Yet, such a noble family had not been blessed. Their family had gradually declined, and the number of descendants dwindled year by year.
Now, treacherous individuals had extended their poisonous hands to this orphaned mother and daughter.
"The murderer can be investigated slowly, but the matter of marriage cannot be delayed. If you marry soon, and I think about holding my grandson, perhaps I can hold on for a little longer."
Madam Chi held Chi Qingying's hand and pleaded, "Ying'er, there are outstanding prodigies from all over the city now. There must be a boy you like. Promise me, pick and choose, alright?"
Chi Qingying's eyes reddened, and she finally nodded.
She looked towards the window, and the figure of Ji Mo couldn't help but appear in her mind, her heart in turmoil.
"You silly goose, I'm holding a suitor selection. Will you come?"