CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 0076: THE THREAT OF THE DIAO CLAN_1

Bathed in the bright sunshine, Zhang Bin and Liu Ruolan walked hand in hand through the Liu Family’s gates.

Today, Zhang Bin was not feeling particularly well. Last night, Liu Ruomei had tormented him. While she hadn’t allowed him to work his "breast-enhancing" magic on her, she had tempted him like an enchantress. He was so worked up that he couldn’t sleep, forcing him to cultivate in his room all night. He took a Gathering Qi Pill, drank Spiritual Water, and continuously produced Longevity Qi to gather in his Dantian.

He looked forward to the day his Dantian filled with True Qi. Then, he could break through to the 14th meridian and become much stronger.

After all, it was only a matter of time before the Iron Sword Sect would send an extremely powerful expert to deal with him.

This time, the Liu Family was incredibly courteous and enthusiastic toward Zhang Bin.

Elder Master Liu greeted Zhang Bin in the living room.

He had changed dramatically. No longer emaciated, most of the wrinkles on his face were gone, his complexion was ruddy, and some of his white hair was even turning black again.

"Grandpa, you look thirty years younger! This is wonderful," Liu Ruolan said excitedly.

"Hahaha... It’s all thanks to Xiao Bin’s Divine Medicine. I feel better with each passing day; it’s like I’m getting younger. I even wonder if I might revert to my youth at this rate," Elder Master Liu said, looking at Zhang Bin gratefully.

"Grandpa, it’s not exactly a Divine Medicine, but it can indeed help you live another sixty years," Zhang Bin said with a smile.

He knew full well that by drinking Spiritual Water daily, anyone could live to be over 150 years old.

"Xiao Bin, is this life-extending medicine available for sale?" Elder Master Liu asked with anticipation.

"This medicine is too precious. Selling it is absolutely out of the question," Zhang Bin shook his head gravely.

Naturally, he understood Elder Master Liu’s subtext. The old man wanted to use it to extend the lives of some friends. But if this item ever got out, it would cause a massive uproar. He, Zhang Bin, would undoubtedly be torn to shreds by countless high-ranking officials and wealthy tycoons. He had to refuse.

A faint look of disappointment flashed across Elder Master Liu’s face but disappeared just as quickly.

He did not broach the subject again. Instead, he looked at Liu Ruolan with a kindly gaze and asked sternly, "Ruolan, is Xiao Bin really your boyfriend? You’re not trying to deceive your grandpa, are you?"

Oh no, does Grandpa know I asked Xiao Bin to pretend to be my boyfriend? Liu Ruolan wondered. However, she wasn’t at all panicked as she retorted petulantly, "Grandpa, how could I possibly deceive you? It’s true! Xiao Bin really is my boyfriend. I love him very much."

Zhang Bin was secretly delighted. He knew her words were about eighty percent true. After last night’s beauty treatment, her heart had already begun to open up to him.

"But I’ve heard that Xiao Bin has another girlfriend named Cheng Fang?" Elder Master Liu suddenly dropped a bombshell.

Clearly, he had someone investigate Zhang Bin thoroughly.

Liu Ruolan was stunned.

Zhang Bin, however, wasn’t panicked in the slightest. He was merely a bit embarrassed as he said, "Grandpa, it’s true that I have a childhood sweetheart, Xiao Fang. But ever since I met Ruolan, I’ve gradually fallen for her, and I can’t get her out of my head. Ruolan feels the same way about me, so we started dating. I really am her boyfriend. I’m not lying to you."

After speaking, Zhang Bin pulled Liu Ruolan into his embrace with a very practiced gesture.

A radiant blush blossomed on Liu Ruolan’s pretty face, and her beautiful eyes brimmed with tender affection. None of it looked like an act.

Elder Master Liu fell silent for a long while before finally speaking, "Then, do you plan to break up with Cheng Fang?"

"Grandpa, I promise I won’t let Ruolan down. I’ll love her for the rest of my life," Zhang Bin said sincerely.

"You young people... your love lives are an absolute mess..." Elder Master Liu lamented, shaking his head in distress.

"Grandpa, don’t be upset. For a man as capable as Zhang Bin to only have two girlfriends, me and Xiao Fang, is actually quite commendable. He’s countless times better than that bastard Diao Qiwei," Liu Ruolan said shamelessly.

"Two girlfriends?" Elder Master Liu’s eyes widened as he glared at Zhang Bin, as if he wanted to drag him out and have him shot.

"Grandpa, I’m truly in love with both of them. My feelings are sincere, unlike other men," Zhang Bin professed earnestly.

Elder Master Liu shook his head helplessly, a look of reminiscence crossing his face as if recalling his own youthful escapades.

Gradually, his attitude softened, and he sighed, "Matters of the heart are hard to explain, but as long as it’s true love, it’s not a grave mistake."

"In that case, Grandpa, please help Sister Lan annul her engagement," Zhang Bin said hopefully.

"Fine, I’ll go over to the Diao Clan right now," Elder Master Liu said through gritted teeth. "However, the Diao Clan is tough to deal with. They might not agree, so don’t celebrate too soon."

The Diao Clan, though extremely powerful, was based in Qing Shan City and not far from the Liu Family.

About an hour later, Elder Master Liu arrived at the Diao residence.

The Diao residence was much more imposing than the Liu’s—larger in scale, with better landscaping, and suffused with a richer aura of wealth.

Elder Diao received Elder Master Liu in the living room.

Over a decade younger than Elder Master Liu and just in his early seventies, Elder Diao still looked rather spry. Having held high office in the past, he possessed a powerful bearing and a considerable oppressive aura. He began by congratulating Elder Master Liu on his recovery, and they engaged in warm and polite casual conversation.

However, as soon as he heard that Elder Master Liu intended to dissolve the engagement between Liu Ruolan and Diao Qiwei, his expression darkened. "Brother, give me a reason," he said coldly.

"Ruolan and Qi Wei are not suited for each other," Elder Master Liu responded firmly. "They won’t be happy together."

"Brother, you haven’t been swayed by some unfounded rumors, have you?" Elder Diao said. "It’s normal for young people to be a bit flirtatious. That will stop after marriage."

"However, my granddaughter cannot tolerate it, which is why I say they are not suited for each other," Elder Master Liu said tactfully.

"If you break off the engagement, where does that leave our Diao Clan’s reputation? What will people think?" Elder Diao said, his tone icy. "Furthermore, the Liu Family is in decline. Without the protection of our Diao Clan, you will soon collapse. Do you really want to stand by and watch your descendants fall into poverty or end up in prison?"

This was nothing short of a threat.

Elder Master Liu trembled with anger, his face turning pale. He said slowly, "Brother Diao, I came to break off this engagement because your grandson is utterly disgraceful. The fault isn’t mine. And yet, you threaten me? Do you really think the Liu Family is made of paper?"

"I’m not threatening you; I’m simply stating the truth," Elder Diao said arrogantly. "You claim Qi Wei is disgraceful? Then present your evidence. Without proof, be careful, or I’ll sue you for defamation! As for your Liu Family, it might as well be made of paper."