Return of the Dragon God

Chapter 3: I Disagree

In the Li family's meeting hall, a middle-aged man with a small beard sat at the head of the table, wearing a faint smile on his lips. He was the current head of the Li family, Li Changkong. Several elders from the Li family were seated below him, responsible for making important decisions.

In one corner of the hall, there sat a slightly plump woman in her thirties, with delicate facial features and a graceful figure. Despite her beauty, her expression was filled with bitterness. She was Li Changkong's wife and Lin Mo's foster mother, Li Nuo.

"Lord Li, my son has admired Miss Li for a long time, and I've proposed this marriage several times. Today, I hope you can agree to it," said a middle-aged man with a mustache and eight-character beard. He was Wang Muyang, the city lord of Tianlan City. Next to him was his son, Wang Li.

At this point, Wang Li's gaze shifted towards Li Nuo, and his eyes revealed a hint of lecherousness. Despite being in her thirties, Li Nuo's beauty was still captivating.

"Lord Li, considering the significant age difference between the two, is this really appropriate?" Li Changkong spoke up, intending to negotiate a substantial bride price from Wang Muyang.

Wang Muyang understood Li Changkong's intentions and immediately replied with a smile, "Lord Li, if you agree to this marriage, I promise to assist the Li family secretly, making you the top family in Tianlan City. Additionally, I offer a dowry of two hundred thousand gold coins."

Hearing this, the elders in the hall gasped in astonishment. Wang Muyang's offer was equivalent to the Li family's annual income. Li Changkong was tempted but decided to play it cool.

"Since Wang Li is fond of Miss Li, I will agree to this proposal," Li Changkong said with a smile, not bothering to consult Li Nuo's opinion.

"Very well, let's set the wedding date for the fifteenth of next month," Wang Muyang suggested.

"I disagree!" A voice filled with anger suddenly rang out, breaking the silence in the meeting hall.

Everyone turned to see Lin Mo entering the hall with determination in his eyes. His gaze was fixed on Li Changkong as he boldly stated, "Uncle Li, have you sought Miss Nuo's consent for this marriage?"

"In matters that benefit the family, we can make the decisions ourselves," replied Li Changkong.

Lin Mo's face grew cold as he questioned further, "If it were your daughter, Qing Lan, would you still make such a decision?"

Li Changkong hesitated, realizing that he would seek his daughter's opinion in such a situation.

"Enough, Lin Mo, this is our family's decision, and you have no say in it," one of the elders scolded him.

Lin Mo sneered, remembering a time when he was treated with respect by these elders. Now, they regarded him as worthless.

"I may not have a say, but if it were your daughter or even your mother being forced into marriage, would you remain silent?" Lin Mo asked.

"Lin Mo, you've gone too far. This is the family's business, and it doesn't concern you," another elder rebuked him.

Lin Mo's determination remained unshaken as he declared, "I cannot stand by and allow my aunt to be forced into marriage."

Li Nuo watched Lin Mo with a mixture of hope and resignation. Although she had not married anyone else all these years out of love for Lin Mo's father, Lin Mo's actions now gave her a glimmer of hope.

"Lin Mo, this is unacceptable. You should know the current situation," Wang Li chimed in with a mocking tone.

"An incompetent like you," he continued, "didn't you awaken your martial spirit at the age of twelve? But now, you don't even have one. Can you even compare to Wang Li?"

Lin Mo retorted, "Yes, I awakened my martial spirit at twelve, and now, at least I don't have a martial spirit. But what about you? You were barely at the third level of body refinement when you were twelve, weren't you?"

Wang Li had nothing to say to that, as it was true.

"Li Changkong, I'll ask you one more time, have you obtained Miss Nuo's consent for this marriage?"

"Lin Mo, stop meddling in this. This is the family's decision," Li Changkong replied.

Li Nuo, despite her beauty, felt a sense of despair. The Li family was as she expected—ready to sacrifice her happiness for their gain. However, she had hope in Lin Mo, even though he might not be able to change their minds completely.

"I won't let this happen," Lin Mo declared.

Wang Muyang laughed and taunted, "Lin Mo, have you lost your mind? You said you'd need to inject your blood and energy into this. But do you even have energy?"

Lin Mo smirked and said, "I reached the ninth level of body refinement at the age of twelve. What about you, Wang Li? I doubt you even reached the fourth level."

Wang Li had nothing to say, as he was far behind Lin Mo in terms of martial progress.

"Even though I awakened my martial spirit at twelve, I don't have one now. But can you, without a martial spirit, compete with Wang Li?"

The city lord, Wang Muyang, interjected, "Li Changkong, I'll ask you once more, do you agree to this marriage?"

Lin Mo didn't respond to Wang Muyang's question but kept his gaze fixed on Li Changkong, his tone cold as he said, "Aunt Nuo is my foster mother. I won't allow her to be forced into a marriage. If you insist