"Does Uncle Jiang know them?" Lu Fan asked curiously.
"The one in front is Zhao Dalei. He's quite notorious in Qingshui Town!" Jiang Dahe replied. "In Qingshui Town, everyone fears him. He's practically a local tyrant!"
"So that's how it is!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "He seems like an ordinary person. Why is he the tyrant of Qingshui Town? Are there no capable people there?"
"It's not that. Qingshui Town has quite a few formidable individuals, but none of them dare to provoke him," Jiang Dahe explained. "The reason for this is that his younger brother is a disciple of the Qingshui Sect, and a cultivator at that. 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 this time," Jiang Dahe frowned. "A few months ago, Xiao Hua went to Qingshui Town and accidentally ran into him. He took a liking to her."
At the time, they didn't pay much attention. However, Zhao Dalei had said he would come to marry Xiao Hua and that Niutian Village should be prepared. Now, it seemed to be true.
"Is there such a thing?" Lu Fan's brow furrowed slightly. Xiao Hua was pure and kind. If she were to marry someone like him, her life would be ruined.
"Indeed!" Jiang Dahe sighed helplessly. "It's just that we are insignificant. We can't stop him."
"Since that's the case, I'll go back to Niutian Village!" Lu Fan declared. "After all, I'm not in a hurry. I can't just stand by and watch Xiao Hua jump into a fiery pit."
"Absolutely not!" Jiang Dahe's expression turned serious. "I know that esteemed Immortal Lu is loyal and righteous, but this matter is not something you can meddle in. Moreover, it would involve the Qingshui Sect, which has countless cultivators. If you offend Zhao Dalei, esteemed Immortal Lu might not be able to handle the consequences."
"It's alright," Lu Fan waved his hand. "I won't act rashly. I just want to try to resolve this. If I don't intervene, who else in Niutian Village can stop them?"
"Xiao Hua is an unfortunate child who has suffered since she was young. The people of Niutian Village are helpless, but Zhao Dalei has the Qingshui Sect behind him. Offending him is definitely not a good idea!" Jiang Dahe stated frankly. "Furthermore, esteemed Immortal Lu has a boundless future. Don't do anything foolish."
Jiang Dahe's expression was solemn, and he saw the situation clearly.
"Uncle, you don't need to say more!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "I will observe the situation. If Xiao Hua agrees, I will naturally offer my blessings. If she is unwilling, no one will be able to force her!"
Jiang Dahe stood frozen, unsure of what to do. He was grateful for Lu Fan's mindset, but he also knew that this matter was not trivial. A slight misstep could bring trouble to Lu Fan as well.
Seeing Lu Fan's determination, Jiang Dahe said no more, as he couldn't change Lu Fan's decision.
Not long after, Zhao Dalei and his group arrived at Niutian Village, appearing imposing and carrying weapons. Upon seeing Zhao Dalei, the villagers of Niutian Village panicked. He was the notorious bully of Qingshui Town, and the villagers feared him.
"Old Village Chief, I'm here to pick up the person!" Zhao Dalei announced. "Is Xiao Hua here?"
"Xiao Hua is already betrothed!" The old village chief said. "The Zhao family is a prominent family in Qingshui Town. Why would they set their sights on Xiao Hua?"
"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 insignificant old man wouldn't even know who you are! Hurry up and call Xiao Hua out!"
The old village chief's face turned ashen. Regardless, he was the village chief of Niutian Village, and being insulted like this by Zhao Dalei enraged him, but he was powerless. Zhao Dalei had influential figures behind him, while their Niutian Village was impoverished.
"Young Master Zhao, please be magnanimous and spare my Xiao Hua!" A middle-aged man stepped forward, pleading. "Xiao Hua has had a difficult life since childhood. She cannot be thrown into a fiery pit!"
"What kind of talk is that!" Zhao Dalei roared. "How is marrying me a fiery pit? I am the esteemed Young Master Zhao! Don't you know? My brother is a cultivator!"
"Exactly! For her to be favored by my young master is her fortune! 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 unconcerned?" Zhao Dalei's expression turned hostile. "I'm making it clear today: if she refuses to leave with me today, no one in Niutian Village will have an easy time!"
The villagers of Niutian Village were in great panic and didn't know what to do. They knew Zhao Dalei had the power and could easily deal with them whenever he wished.
"I'll go with you!" At this moment, Xiao Hua stepped forward, 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 was overjoyed and looked at Xiao Hua with great desire.
"If you truly want to marry me, then you must have a matchmaker, a formal proposal, and a grand sedan chair to escort me!" Xiao Hua said solemnly. "Otherwise, I would rather die than go with you!"
Zhao Dalei froze, then broke into a smile. "You really think highly of yourself, demanding a formal proposal and a grand sedan chair. When I, Zhao Dalei, want someone, I get them. If you don't come with me today, just try it!"
Xiao Hua held scissors in her hand and raised them to her neck. "If you force me, I will die right in front of you, and you will never get me."
The villagers of Niutian Village instantly panicked and rushed to persuade her. "Xiao Hua, don't do anything foolish! It's better to live a lowly life than to die a noble death. Please don't act rashly!"
Xiao Hua did not reply, but looked at Zhao Dalei. "I believe you don't want me to die like this in front of you, do you?"
"You think too highly of yourself!" Zhao Dalei said dismissively. "I'm only taking you back to play with. Since you are so determined to die, then so be it!"
"Beast! Utterly a beast!" The old village chief's face turned ashen, and he shouted repeatedly. Zhao Dalei's words clearly indicated his intent to force Xiao Hua to her death.
"Screw you!" Zhao Dalei kicked out. "Who do you think you are to insult me here! Are you tired of living!"
The villagers of Niutian Village quickly stepped forward and helped the old village chief up. They were filled with anger but didn't know what to do. They couldn't afford to offend Zhao Dalei and dared not provoke him easily.
"Xiao Hua, aren't you going to kill yourself?" Zhao Dalei sneered. "Then hurry up! I'm ready to watch the show! But don't worry, I won't show any mercy!"