"Does Uncle Jiang know them?" Lu Fan asked curiously.
"The one at the front is Zhao Dalei. He's quite notorious in Qingshui Town!" Jiang Dahe replied. "No one in Qingshui Town dares to cross him. He's practically a tyrant!"
"I see!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "He seems like an ordinary person. How did he become the tyrant of Qingshui Town? Are there no capable people there?"
"That's not entirely true. Qingshui Town has its share of powerful individuals, but they all avoid him," Jiang Dahe explained. "The reason for this is that his younger brother is a disciple of the Qingshui Sect, a cultivator of immortal arts. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so arrogant."
"So, he has connections!" Lu Fan understood immediately. "But it seems they are heading towards Niutian Village!"
"It looks like he's serious about this," Jiang Dahe said with a frown. "A few months ago, Xiaohua visited Qingshui Town and accidentally encountered him. He took a liking to her." At that time, we didn't pay much attention. Zhao Dalei said he would come to marry Xiaohua later and that Niutian Village should be prepared. Now it seems he's making good on his word."
"Is that so?" Lu Fan's brow furrowed slightly. Xiaohua was pure and kind. If she married someone like him, her life would be ruined.
"Indeed!" Jiang Dahe said helplessly. "It's just that we are insignificant and can't do anything to stop it."
"In that case, I'll go back to Niutian Village!" Lu Fan declared. "I'm not in a hurry, and I can't just stand by and watch Xiaohua jump into a fire pit."
"Absolutely not!" Jiang Dahe's expression turned serious. "I know you, Lu Xianren, value loyalty and righteousness, but this is not something you can handle. Moreover, it involves the Qingshui Sect, which has countless cultivators. If you offend Zhao Dalei, you might not be able to bear the consequences."
"It's fine!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "I won't make a move against them easily. I just want to mediate. If I don't step in, who else in Niutian Village can stop him?"
"Xiaohua has had a difficult life since childhood, and the people of Niutian Village are helpless. But with Zhao Dalei backed by the Qingshui Sect, offending him is never a good thing!" Jiang Dahe stated frankly. "Furthermore, Lu Xianren has a boundless future. Don't do anything foolish." Jiang Dahe's expression was solemn, his understanding of the situation clear.
"Uncle, you don't need to say more!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "I will observe the situation. If Xiaohua agrees, I will offer my blessings. If she doesn't want to, no one can force her!"
Jiang Dahe stood frozen, unsure of what to do. He was grateful for Lu Fan's attitude, but he also knew that this matter was not trivial. A single misstep could bring trouble even to Lu Fan. Seeing Lu Fan's determination, Jiang Dahe said no more, as he couldn't change Lu Fan's decisions.
Not long after, Zhao Dalei and his group arrived at Niutian Village, looking imposing and carrying weapons. The villagers of Niutian Village panicked upon seeing Zhao Dalei, the notorious bully of Qingshui Town. How could they not be afraid?
"Old Village Chief, I've come to pick up the bride!" Zhao Dalei announced. "Is Xiaohua here?"
"Xiaohua is already betrothed!" the old village chief declared. "The Zhao family is prominent in Qingshui Town. Why would they look down on Xiaohua?"
"What are you saying? If I didn't fancy her, why would I come to Niutian Village?" Zhao Dalei smiled faintly. "I respect you, calling you Old Village Chief. Otherwise, you old geezer, who knows what you are! Hurry up and call Xiaohua out!"
The old village chief's face turned ashen. Regardless, he was the village chief of Niutian Village. Being insulted like this by Zhao Dalei infuriated him, yet he was powerless. Zhao Dalei had powerful backing, while their Niutian Village was impoverished.
"Young Master Zhao, please be magnanimous and let my Xiaohua go!" a middle-aged man stepped forward, pleading. "Xiaohua has had a hard life since childhood. She can't be thrown into a fire pit!"
"What kind of talk is that!" Zhao Dalei roared. "Is marrying me a fire pit? I am the dignified Young Master Zhao! Don't you know? My brother is an immortal!"
"That's right! It's her fortune to be favored by my young master. How dare you speak like that!" a man interjected. "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Otherwise, there will be corpses everywhere!"
"What, you're all unmoved?" Zhao Dalei's expression turned hostile. "I'm making myself clear today. If she doesn't agree to come with me today, no one in Niutian Village will have an easy time!"
The villagers of Niutian Village were in a panic, not knowing what to do. They knew Zhao Dalei had the power to make their lives difficult at any moment.
"I'll go with you!" At that moment, Xiaohua stepped out, looking at Zhao Dalei. "But you have to promise me one condition!"
"Don't worry, as long as you come with me, let alone one condition, I can agree to a hundred!" Zhao Dalei said joyfully, his gaze lingering on Xiaohua with great interest.
"If you truly want to marry me, then you must go through the proper channels with three matchmakers and a grand sedan chair to escort me!" Xiaohua said solemnly. "Otherwise, I will die before I go with you!"
Zhao Dalei froze, then broke into a smile. "You really think highly of yourself, demanding a grand sedan chair and three matchmakers. When I, Zhao Dalei, want someone, I get them. If you don't come with me today, just try me!"
Xiaohua held a pair of scissors and raised them to her neck. "If you force me, I will die right in front of you. I will never let you have me."
The villagers of Niutian Village panicked and rushed to persuade her. "Xiaohua, don't do anything foolish! It's better to live a humble life than to die a noble death. Don't be impulsive!"
Xiaohua did not reply, her gaze fixed on Zhao Dalei. "You surely don't want me to die in front of you, do you?"
"You think too highly of yourself!" Zhao Dalei sneered. "I'm only taking you back to play with. Since you're so determined to die, then have it your way!"
"Beast! You're a complete beast!" The old village chief's face turned ashen, and he shouted repeatedly. Zhao Dalei's words clearly indicated he wanted to force Xiaohua to her death.
"Go to hell!" Zhao Dalei kicked him. "Who do you think you are, daring to insult me here! Are you tired of living!"
The villagers of Niutian Village quickly stepped forward to help the old village chief up, their hearts filled with anger but no way to act. They couldn't afford to provoke Zhao Dalei, nor did they dare to.
"Xiaohua, aren't you going to commit suicide?" Zhao Dalei sneered. "Then hurry up and do it! I'm ready to watch the show! But don't worry, I won't show any mercy!"