Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 373 - Death Over Submission

Chapter 373 - Death Over Submission

Judging from Jian Botong’s expression, it wasn’t hard to tell that Teng Zijun had an extraordinary status. After all, Jian Botong had sought Teng Zijun’s opinion multiple times since they had appeared, and his flattery was blatant.

Although Liu Wuxie had an extraordinary relationship with Jian Xing’er, he had never inquired about her family background.

“That’s all your wishful thinking without my consent.” Jian Xing’er maintained her stance firmly. She wasn’t home when the betrothal gifts were sent, and this was all done without her knowledge.

Although marriage could be decided with parental orders, her opinion also had to be considered at the very least.

"A woman should marry when she comes of age. After raising you, is it too much to ask for you to marry? Besides, Young Master Teng comes from a prominent clan with excellent character. You won't find someone like him anywhere else. What more could you be unhappy about?" Jian Botong was furious and regretted letting Jian Xing’er join the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. This matter would have been resolved long ago if she hadn't joined the sect.

"Since Young Master Teng is so great, I’m afraid I’m unworthy of him. So please take back the betrothal gifts," Jian Xing’er replied, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her eyes. It was one thing for her father to praise Teng Zijun's background, but praising his character was like calling a latrine fragrant.

“The betrothal gifts have been received, so how can it be returned?!” Jian Botong slammed his palm on the table. He felt his dignity as a father was challenged when Jian Xing’er rebuked him.

"Uncle, please calm down. I believe Xing’er is just misled and will understand with a little guidance," Teng Zijun said, speaking for only the second time since his arrival. His words clearly implied that Liu Wuxie had misled Jian Xing’er.

“You’re the one misled. I’ve made myself clear that we can’t be together. Please stop harassing me in the future, and I’ll take my leave if there’s nothing else.” Jian Xing’er didn’t want to stay there for another second and stood up, ready to leave.

“Miss Jian, there’s no need to be angry because I meant well. Even if you don’t think for yourself, you should think about the Jian Clan.” Teng Zijun stood up with a hint of threat in his tone.

Was the Jian Clan in trouble? The Jian Clan wasn’t a big clan, with only a few hundred people, but it was self-sufficient.

The clan had even produced several talents over the years, and Jian Xing’er was one of them. As long as she gained a footing in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and became an elite disciple, the clan’s status would rise along with her.

“What do you want to say?” Jian Xing’er sat back down furiously. She had been away from the clan for years; could something have happened to the clan while she was away?

“Let uncle explain it to you!” Teng Zijun sat back down and didn’t continue. After all, it was more convenient for Jian Botong to explain, given their relationship.

Jian Xing’er’s gaze fell onto her father, waiting for an explanation.

Liu Wuxie kept silent throughout their conversation, quietly sipping tea and listening to them.

“What happened?” Jian Xing’er asked nervously, but Liu Wuxie gently grasped her hand beneath the table, signaling her not to fear as he was around.

Jian Xing’er trembled slightly as her hand was held, but she quickly composed herself. It was apparent that Jian Xing’er had been completely unaware of this marriage arrangement, with her father having decided on it and even accepting the betrothal gifts on her behalf.

This was a family affair, and Liu Wuxie had no right to intervene. As a friend, he could only comfort Jian Xing’er and assure her he would stand by her side. This was most likely the reason Jian Xing’er brought him with her.

Jian Botong suddenly sighed and looked helpless. No one spoke and waited for him to explain.

Teng Zijun also ordered a pot of tea and sipped it by himself. But unlike Liu Wuxie, who was looking out the window as he sipped the tea, Teng Zijun wore a playful expression with a hint of triumph on his face. He had coveted Jian Xing’er’s beauty for a long time, and he was finally going to achieve his wish.

Jian Xing’er's heart raced as she suspected something had befallen the clan. Her father bore the responsibility of overseeing the clan's affairs and the livelihoods of several hundred people. Meeting the monthly expenses required vast resources.

“Is it Little Yi again?” Jian Xing’er gritted her teeth, hoping it wasn’t as she feared.

“Yeah,” Jian Botong nodded.

"Please, go ahead. Tell me what trouble he caused this time and how you ended up accepting the Teng Clan’s betrothal gifts.” Jian Xing’er's bitter smile betrayed her understanding of the situation. She inferred that her clan had encountered trouble and sought assistance from the Teng Clan, who had agreed to help under the condition of the marriage.

The Teng and Jian Clans lived in the same city, and Jian Xing’er had known Teng Zijun since they were young. Her attitude was sufficient to explain everything about Teng Zijun’s character.

It was fine if Teng Zijun was a gentleman, but he had ruined the lives of countless women, using the Teng Clan’s influence to commit many heinous acts. Thus, Jian Xing’er would rather die than marry such a man.

“A year ago, after you left the clan, Little Yi became addicted to gambling, losing over a million spirit stones in less than a month. I had no choice but to sell some assets, but it was still impossible for me to come up with the sum he owed,” Jian Botong sighed helplessly.

“Who’s this Little Yi?” Liu Wuxie asked.

“He’s my half-brother.” When Jian Xing’er was three, her mother had died of an illness. Her father had remarried and had Little Yi, whom he pampered like a treasure.

Over the years, Little Yi had caused a lot of trouble, which her father had resolved. But as her brother grew older, he became even more reckless. At fifteen, he had even peeked at Jian Xing’er bathing and harassed the maids.

Such incidents occurred frequently, but her father did nothing to correct his behavior and let her brother do whatever he wanted. Whenever Jian Xing’er gave her brother a beating, her stepmother would cry to Jian Botong about it, resulting in Jian Xing’er being scolded for not showing care for her brother.

“So, you sold me to the Teng Clan?” Jian Xing’er questioned her father.

The Jian Clan was only a third-rate clan, and losing over a million spirit stones would severely affect their resources. The clan still had hundreds of people to feed, and the Teng Clan had come to their rescue.

They had proposed to help the Jian Clan overcome the crisis on the condition of the marriage.

This was because Teng Zijun had become obsessed with Jian Xing’er since he had met her once when he was sixteen. But despite pestering her constantly, he was repeatedly rejected.

Ultimately, Jian Xing’er had joined the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion after she couldn’t bear his harassment.

“How can you say that? Young Master Teng is the Divine Sun Palace’s disciple, and the Teng Clan is prominent. It’s your blessing to marry into the Teng clan,” Jian Botong disliked how Jian Xing’er phrased her question despite being the reality. After all, he would be humiliated if news spread out that he had to sell his daughter to save the clan.

“Have you cared for me since my mother passed away? Do you know how I felt? All you know is to protect your beloved son, and you remember me now that the clan is in trouble? What do you take me for? An object that could be sold however you liked?” Jian Xing’er began sobbing with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"How could you have grown up safely without me? Do you dare defy me and show ingratitude? Do you think I won't forcibly take you back now?" Jian Botong slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet, his demeanor far from fatherly in that moment.

“I grew up not on the Jian Clan’s rice. Ever since my mother passed away, do you know how my stepmother fed me? She fed me with leftovers from the previous day, spoiled food that even pigs and dogs would eat, and I survived doing odd jobs and feeding myself,” Jian Xing’er stood up and roared, venting all the pent-up emotions over the years.

Everyone in the inn looked over, not knowing what was happening and why there was an argument.

Liu Wuxie glanced at the two and finally understood why Jian Xing’er had asked him to accompany her. She likely couldn't face her father's threats alone and needed someone to support her through it.

Jian Botong was stumped because this was the first time he had heard about it. Ever since he had a son, he had neglected Jian Xing’er and didn’t realize her hardships.

“It’s my fault. But the clan is in trouble, and only you can help us. Consider this a plea from your father, and come home with me,” Jian Botong said guiltily.

He was unfit as a father, and it was no wonder Jian Xing’er told Liu Wuxie not to say a word. Liu Wuxie wanted to punch someone now to see such a disgraceful father.

“Haha...” Jian Xing’er smiled bitterly, her heart dead from sorrow. She never intended to return the moment she had left the clan.

“I don’t wish to know or care what happened, and I won’t return with you.” Jian Xing’er sat back down weakly after saying that.

Liu Wuxie hadn’t noticed it in the Abyssal Underground World. He didn't realize she had been harboring such grievances, keeping them pent up inside.

"That's not for you to decide. You have to come back with me today, no matter what!" Jian Botong's face turned grim, knowing the Jian Clan would soon be ruined without the Teng Clan's assistance.

“Are you planning to use force?” Jian Xing’er was enraged. The father in her heart had already died, and this person standing before her was a stranger.

“Miss Xing’er, why be like this? The marriage between us isn’t urgent, and you’ve been away from home for over a year. Don’t you want to go home and take a look?” Teng Zijun stood up and said earnestly.

“Shut up!” Jian Xing’er was fuming, and Teng Zijun’s words fueled the fire.

“Insolent!” Jian Botong yelled. The Teng Clan was his last lifeline, and he had to hold onto it no matter what. Thus, offending the Teng Clan meant disaster to him.

“I’ll be insolent today. Kill me if you dare!” Jian Xing’er looked as if she was ready to die. She would rather die than submit.