Martial Universe

Chapter 40 Outburst

As Lian Ji's voice fell, the hall instantly became eerily silent. Many frowned slightly, one by one realizing that the drama was officially unfolding.

"Have Lian Ji and Lian Zhen gone mad? Aren't they directly butting heads with the Du Family like this?"

Du Fei's expression subtly changed for a moment before he muttered something to himself. He somewhat grasped the insinuation in Lian Zhen's smile, but he was still uncertain for now.

So, this was the trouble they were looking for!

After a brief silence in the hall, Du Zhentian finally responded with a faint smile, "b****y Lian Ji, I'm quite sure I haven't become deaf or blind yet. If I heard you correctly, did you say... the Lian Family intends to form a matrimonial alliance with the Du Family?"

"Hehe, you heard right, Patriarch Du. That's exactly what I said!" Facing an angered Du Zhentian, Lian Ji slowly nodded in affirmation.

"Hehe, in that case, which member of the Lian Family wants to marry me? If she's too unattractive, I might not take her in," Du Zhentian said as he stood up, laughing heartily. Even though he was just standing there, the pressure he exuded was immense.

However, as if he was not intimidated at all, Lian Ji still wore a faint smile, "Old Master Du, it was clearly written in the invitation... My son, Lian Zhen, wishes to take the Du Family's maidservant, Little Ai, as his concubine... All formalities of the engagement are complete, and the Du Family agreed. Are you saying that the esteemed Du Family intends to back out now?"

With that, Lian Ji casually flicked out a big red invitation card from his sleeve, which landed against a wall in the hall.

The invitation was made of red paper with golden characters, every word clear...

With Du Zhentian's sharp vision, he could naturally read the contents of the invitation. However, after a brief glance, his face changed dramatically. After a moment, he gave a cold laugh, "Very well... Although my seal isn't on the invitation, it bears the signatures of the Du Family's three elders. This much, the Du Family cannot deny... Patriarch Lian, you truly are formidable. I am indeed no match for you!"

"Hehe, you need not be angry, Lord Patriarch. When the Lian Family's patriarch approached the Du Family about this matter, it just so happened that the patriarch was in seclusion. It's just a mere servant of the Du Family after all. Since the Lian Family wishes to form a matrimonial alliance, how could we refuse?... Please forgive us, Lord Patriarch... Hehe, it's just a servant after all!" On the side, Du Zhenfeng slightly smiled, but a hint of a sinister smirk flashed across his aged face, making it bloom like a chrysanthemum.

Hearing this, Du Zhentian's eyes twitched violently, and the knuckles of his clenched fists cracked menacingly.

The other members of the Du Family were equally taken aback at this moment!

The conflict between the patriarch and the three Senior Elders left everyone unsure of how to react.

Even the Gongsun Family on the side was slightly stunned. Clearly, this turn of events was beyond everyone's expectations.

In such circumstances, even if Du Zhentian acted on his fury and decided to kill the three Senior Elders on the spot, it wouldn't be impossible!

After all, this incident had greatly tarnished his reputation!

"Third-in-command, what dowry has the Lian Family given our Du Family?" Unexpectedly, after a brief moment, Du Zhentian seemed to have calmed down. He slowly sat down and then spoke lightly.

"Hehe, it's nothing extraordinary, just a Bone Renewal Elixir," Du Zhenfeng said with a light smile. He instinctively stepped back, forming a triangular stance with the other two elders, surrounding Du Zhentian, before continuing.

Casually picking up his drink and taking a sip, Du Zhentian calmly remarked, "This dowry is indeed quite good. It seems suitable for Du Qing... However, as the patriarch, since I haven't seen the dowry, I don't think this engagement can be considered valid."

Hearing this, Du Zhenfeng's face twitched slightly, but he seemed to have anticipated this. With a flick of his sleeve, an exquisite porcelain bottle landed in front of Du Zhentian.

"With this, I suppose the engagement is now official!"

Having said that, Du Zhenfeng's gaze subtly shifted, eventually settling on Du Fei, whose face was as somber as still water.

"Hehe, since we've seen the item, the engagement naturally stands! If the three Senior Elders have accepted it, I, Du Zhentian, have no reason not to... However, Little Ai is Fei'er's maid, after all. As for this dowry... only he should accept it." After saying that, Du Zhentian waved slightly, and the porcelain bottle flew in front of Du Fei.

Looking at the porcelain bottle before him, Du Fei frowned slightly. He didn't say much, but he kept his gaze on Du Zhentian, not believing that he would remain silent.

Seemingly quite satisfied with Du Fei's expression, Du Zhentian lightly smiled and said, "Fei'er, since you've accepted this dowry, you can't deny the engagement... Since Young Master Lian Zhen truly wants Little Ai as his concubine, let him have her..."

Hearing this, Lian Ji smiled faintly, wearing an expression as if he had anticipated all of this, while Lian Zhen smirked lewdly, his lustful gaze falling entirely upon Little Ai.

Such a gaze made Little Ai clench her teeth slightly. However, given her status, she knew she couldn't say much.

As for Du Zhenfeng and the other two, their expressions slightly improved. As long as Du Zhentian didn't lash out right then, there would be plenty of opportunities to smooth things over in the future. After all, it was just a small maid. Even if she were incredibly talented, a maid is still a maid. They didn't believe that Du Zhentian would go head to head with them over a single maid.

"However_" Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, Du Zhentian continued with a faint smile, "You've been away from the family for these three months, so your understanding of Little Ai's situation might not be clear... So, if you're willing, that's fine. But if you're not, just let Young Master Lian speak for himself!"

After speaking, Du Zhentian looked deeply at Du Fei, then turned to smile at Lian Ji, saying, "Hehe, Patriarch Lian, what comes after should stay between the young ones. When the young ones are jealous over a woman, it's not appropriate for us seniors to intervene, right?"

"Hehe, naturally. However, when it comes to these matters, things can get ruthless. If someone acts rashly and loses their life, the Lian Family is not to blame." A strange glint flashed in Lian Ji's eyes as he responded calmly.

"Hehe, you must be joking, Patriarch Lian. Naturally, matters like these are unrelated to us elders. If someone loses their life because of it, no one can be blamed!" After speaking, Du Zhentian slowly picked up the wine glass in front of him, offering a slight toast before downing it in one gulp.

"Young Master Du Fei, I assume you wouldn't object to this marriage proposal?" Lian Zhen stood at the head of the table, hands held lightly behind him, with a smiling face.

Du Fei reached out to hold Little Ai's slightly trembling hand behind him. Taking a deep breath, he clearly understood Du Zhentian's intentions.

Though Du Zhentian was furious, he would definitely not cause turmoil within the family for the sake of a single maid or even Du Fei. However, he had given Du Fei an opportunity!

If Du Fei wasn't willing, he could simply take Little Ai back himself!

Slowly taking another breath, Du Fei gradually stood up, patting Little Ai's head gently and nodding to reassure her. He then turned to Lian Zhen and said with a faint smile, "Young Master Lian, if you wanted to marry Little Ai, I wouldn't have objected... But, I've always treated Little Ai as my own sister. Naturally, I can't hand her over to an incompetent man... As long as you can pass my test, I'll even prepare the dowry for you!"

"Hahaha!" Lian Zhen laughed out loud, his indifferent gaze falling upon Du Fei, "As long as you can stand in front of me, you'll know that I, Lian Zhen, is definitely competent!"

"Hehe, that's hard to say! Many things aren't decided just by talking!"

Under Lian Zhen's watchful gaze, Du Fei nonchalantly snatched the porcelain bottle from the table into his embrace, laughing coldly.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the hall became peculiar!

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Du Fei. While Du Fei's name was well-known in Buyue City, how did he compare to Lian Zhen, who was already a Ninth-grade Martial Artist?

Everyone wanted to know the answer.

Slowly turning around, under Lian Zhen's furious gaze, Du Fei pinched Little Ai's cheek and said with a light smile, "Don't worry, as long as I don't allow it, no one can take you away from me."

After speaking, Du Fei stepped forward, heading towards the elevated platform without any hesitation.

Seeing Du Fei's movement, Lian Zhen just gave a cold smile and then lightly clapped his hands.

"You must have a death wish!"

With Lian Zhen's movements, one could see members of the Lian Family who originally stood on both sides began to surge. Soon after, four descendants of the Lian Family stepped out with cold smiles. What followed their words were four incredibly refined blade shadows!

The four of them took action simultaneously, wanting to kill Du Fei on the spot with their blades!

"Seventh Level of Body Forging_"

Du Fei's gaze briefly swept over the four, soon revealing a faint smile on his face. At that moment, he didn't bother to use any martial techniques. He just shifted his feet casually, and lightly slapped out with his right hand, as if plucking petals from the air. His hand landed squarely on the chest of the man leading the charge.

The moment this man was sent flying backward, spewing blood, Du Fei stamped his right foot and swung his left, landing it precisely on the second man's knee. A sound of cracking bones echoed as the second man collapsed to the ground, wailing in pain.

Without any hesitation, Du Fei swung his right hand again, grasping the long blade of the assailant on his right. With a slight twist of his hand, the blade broke.

"Ah_"

A scream echoed, making everyone in the hall shudder. They saw Du Fei casually flinging the broken blade, which pierced directly into the right eye of the attacker on the right. That man fell to the ground, screaming in agony.

By this point, the last man already had a look of fear on his face. But Du Fei's actions didn't slow for a moment. With a smile, he stepped to the left, and his right foot swept out, landing on the last man's lower abdomen. As the man doubled over, Du Fei reached out with his left hand, gripping the man's throat. With a slight squeeze, dark red blood began to bubble out from the corner of his mouth...