Xu Wuzhou thought he would be beaten to death, but Qin Li just locked him in an empty room for a night.
The next day, he was taken out, not tied up this time, but the disgust in the old servant's eyes was unmistakable.
In the main hall, four people were seated at a dining table.
The four were: his father-in-law Qin Li, mother-in-law Lin Xiujing, brother-in-law Qin Yunjie, and his wife Qin Qingmo.
Qin Qingmo was beautiful, with a quiet scholarly air, long eyelashes, a straight nose, and alluring red lips. Even sitting there, her curves couldn't be hidden, and the gauzy dress outlined her devilish figure, graceful and enchanting, exuding an irresistible allure.
Was this woman his wife?
Her looks, her waist, her temperament, were exactly his type.
Qin Qingmo glanced at him, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, but she quickly returned to an expressionless state, her cold eyes no longer looking at him.
Sigh! This was the reaction of a heart dead with despair. Xu Wuzhou sighed inwardly, moving his gaze from Qin Qingmo's graceful figure to the others. Qin Li's face was gloomy, Lin Xiujing's eyes were filled with undisguised anger. Qin Yunjie's fists were clenched, clearly wanting to hit him again.
The attitude of these four... it was too difficult for him.
Xu Wuzhou stood there, waiting for them to explode. But after a while, none of the four spoke.
Looking at the sumptuous breakfast on the table, Xu Wuzhou walked over and sat down directly. He had been starving since last night, and after another night of hunger, he couldn't take it anymore.
Whatever, he thought, better fill his stomach first. Since they didn't kill him last night, Qin Li probably didn't intend to kill him.
Qin Yunjie watched Xu Wuzhou eating leisurely at the table, unable to comprehend: Did this kid not realize the situation? Did he forget what he did last night? How could he eat as if nothing had happened?
Qin Yunjie glanced secretly at his parents, and sure enough, their faces were turning blue with anger: This kid was still provoking his parents, courting death.
"Do you remember what you did yesterday?" Qin Li finally spoke.
Xu Wuzhou swallowed a mouthful of food, took a sip of water, and inwardly criticized the world's poor culinary skills, the taste wasn't great.
"I remember. Yesterday was the wedding, I climbed into Lin Qingci's bed, and went to a brothel."
"Bang!" Lin Xiujing couldn't hold back anymore, slamming the table and standing up to explode: What kind of tone was this bastard using, so calm and indifferent, as if it was someone else's business.
Qin Li glared at Lin Xiujing, pressing her down as he said, "Our families have been friends for generations, and your father and I were life-and-death brothers. Before he died, he entrusted you to me. So even though I knew you were unpromising, I still married my daughter to you, hoping you would improve after starting a family. But you tell me, what kind of disgraceful things have you done!"
"Things not even fit for animals," Xu Wuzhou gave an honest evaluation, after all, Xu Wuzhou wasn't him.
"Uh!"
Xu Wuzhou's response left the four of them stunned. They had imagined many reactions from Xu Wuzhou, but this self-deprecating, indifferent attitude was unexpected.
Most importantly, in the past, Xu Wuzhou would tremble at the sight of Qin Li. Now, even after making such a grave mistake, he dared to remain composed.
"Alright, alright, you know you've done things worse than animals, so tell me, how should I deal with you, this disgrace?" Qin Li asked.
"Last night, I thought long and hard about how you would punish me, but I couldn't figure it out. If... Uncle Qin hasn't decided, maybe we can discuss it?" Xu Wuzhou replied sincerely, believing that problems should be solved when they arise.
"Bang!" Qin Li couldn't hold back either, standing up and slamming the table: You brat, answering so seriously, did you really think I was asking for your opinion? Discuss? Do you believe I won't slap you to death?
Qin Li glared at Xu Wuzhou, thinking of his sworn brother, and resisted the urge to kill Xu Wuzhou.
"Qin Yunjie, take him to the family's Martial Hall. From now on, keep a tight rein on him, and without my orders, he is not allowed to leave the Martial Hall. Isn't he afraid of hardship? Doesn't he dislike cultivation? Push him to the brink, force him to become a martial artist!" Qin Li ordered angrily, determined to punish Xu Wuzhou harshly and not let him continue his reckless ways.
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"Alright, Uncle Qin, I will work hard."
Uncle Qin was a good man. Last night, Xu Wuzhou had been sorting through the knowledge of this world, realizing that to survive and thrive in this unfamiliar world, he must become a martial artist and possess great power. So, last night, he set his first small goal: to become a martial artist.
Unexpectedly, when he needed it most, Uncle Qin provided the opportunity. Such kindness!
"..." Qin Yunjie looked at the still grateful Xu Wuzhou, slightly stunned: Could it be that this kid was beaten stupid last night? Did he think his father was encouraging him?
***
Watching Xu Wuzhou being taken away by Qin Yunjie, Qin Li sat back in his seat with a bitter smile: "I originally thought that with a father like Brother Xu, his son couldn't be too bad, but I didn't expect such a thing."
Saying this, Qin Li felt a bit guilty towards Qin Qingmo, truly disappointed in Xu Wuzhou, "Father shouldn't have forced you. What do you think?"
"Last night, we completed the ceremony and the rites. No matter what I think, he is my husband now. Can I punish my own husband?" Qin Qingmo said expressionlessly, turning to leave.
"Look at the mess you've made." Lin Xiujing glared angrily at her husband, "Yes, I know you and Brother Xu were life-and-death brothers, but you didn't have to involve your daughter. Qingmo has the potential to enter the Dao through literature, and if she succeeds, it would be a meteoric rise. Even if she doesn't, her cultivation talent isn't bad. She should have a more exciting and broader life, but now... what kind of husband has she found? Boohoo..."
Seeing his wife cry in anger, Qin Li's face turned awkward, and his anger towards Xu Wuzhou grew.
"Sigh! What's done is done. You need to comfort Qingmo more. The family enterprise is also facing problems, leaving me exhausted and overwhelmed," Qin Li said to his wife.
"What happened?" Lin Xiujing asked, concerned for her husband.
"Our Qin Family mainly deals in weapons. Although other families also do, their quality and craftsmanship don't match ours. It's because of this enterprise that our Qin Family became one of the Six Great Clans in Lin'an."
Lin Xiujing nodded. Each of the Six Great Clans had its core enterprise, with the Qin Family excelling in weapons, while others excelled in different fields.
"But recently, the Mao and Li Families have somehow found experts with Sword Intent. The weapons they forge, nourished by Sword Intent, have seen a surge in quality. As a result, our Qin Family's business has plummeted, and if this continues, it could shake our foundation, and our core enterprise might be replaced," Qin Li said, full of worry.
Lin Xiujing was equally shocked, knowing too well the importance of the weapons enterprise to the Qin Family. If it were replaced, the Qin Family would directly decline.
What would happen to a declining Qin Family? A tiger without teeth, how could the wolves not pounce?
The Qin Family had made enemies over the years.
"Focus on the family matters," Qin Li continued after a pause, "As for Xu Wuzhou... forget about that disgrace."
Qin Li had given Xu Wuzhou too many chances, and now he was resigned. Xu Wuzhou was like a pile of mud that couldn't be shaped into a wall.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan