Unbeatable Martial Emperor

C11 – Wedding Proposal

“Sir, this is the Sun Devouring Demonic Fire and five thousand Mysterious Stones for your inspection,” Elder Di said, gesturing toward the plate the servant girl was holding.

“Indeed, this is the Sun Devouring Demonic Fire,” Min Zhenkang confirmed as he stepped forward to examine the jade stone closely. He paid no mind to the Bag of Heaven and Earth, simply slipping it into his own without a second glance.

“Elder Di, I must be on my way,” Min Zhenkang said, securing the Sun Devouring Demonic Fire and the Bag of Heaven and Earth before turning to bid farewell to Elder Di.

“Very well, safe travels,” Elder Di replied, knowing it was time to part ways.

Once Min Zhenkang had departed, Elder Di gazed thoughtfully at his retreating figure. He had a hunch about Min Zhenkang’s identity, suspecting him to be affiliated with Guo’s mansion. After all, it wasn’t every day someone could nonchalantly produce two of the mansion’s secret cultivation techniques. However, Elder Di had yet to pinpoint exactly who he was. Shaking off his musings, Elder Di made his way to the restricted inner sections of the auction house, accessible only to staff of a certain rank.

Stepping out of the auction house, Min Zhenkang felt a surge of satisfaction. With Guo Tao out of the picture and the Sun Devouring Demonic Fire in his possession, his next challenge was the fusion process—a risky endeavor. To prepare for any eventuality, he decided to visit the apothecary once more.

“Rejuvenation Medicinal Hall, a venerable establishment of Whalespell, boasting a vast selection of medicinal herbs. We invite you to come in and browse,” the shop assistant’s call reached Min Zhenkang from a distance.

“Welcome, please step inside,” greeted another assistant as Min Zhenkang approached the entrance, ushering him into the store.

“Could you fetch me some paper and a pen?” Min Zhenkang requested of the nearby attendant.

“Of course, sir. Just a moment, please.”

Settling into a seat in the main hall, Min Zhenkang watched the bustling activity of the medicinal hall. Patrons selected herbs for purchase, while others, like himself, had the attendants prepare their medicinal needs.

“Here’s the pen and paper you requested, sir,” the shop assistant said, bringing the items to Min Zhenkang.

Min Zhenkang accepted the pen and paper, swiftly jotting down a list of items he needed: Cool Fruit, Twin-headed Python Gall, Three Lives Flower… He listed nearly twenty different herbs before passing the list back to the assistant. “Prepare one of each item on this list for me, please.”

“Right away, sir. Just a moment,” the assistant replied before scurrying off to gather the herbs.

Min Zhenkang settled onto a bench, closing his eyes to meditate.

“Excuse me, friend, are you here for herbs?” a voice inquired as Min Zhenkang rested. A man had approached him.

“Is there an issue?” Min Zhenkang asked without opening his eyes.

“Not at all. I’m also waiting for my herbs and thought to introduce myself since you were sitting here alone,” the man said, exuding an air of nobility.

“I apologize, but I’m accustomed to solitude and not keen on making acquaintances,” Min Zhenkang responded, still with eyes closed.

“No offense taken. Should you ever wish to befriend me, I’d be delighted,” the man said, undeterred. “Oh, where are my manners? I’m Jee Gong, the second son of the Jee family from Steelgrave. And you are?”

Min Zhenkang, unsure of the man’s intentions, chose not to engage further.

Jee Gong, unfazed by Min Zhenkang’s demeanor, simply took a seat next to him.

“Sir, your herbs are ready,” the shop assistant announced, returning with the prepared items.

Min Zhenkang inspected the herbs, finding everything in order.

“How much do I owe you?” he asked.

“That will be 2,200 Mysterious Stones, sir.”

Without hesitation, Min Zhenkang retrieved the exact amount from his Bag of Heaven and Earth and handed it to the assistant. Then, without a backward glance, he departed.

Jee Gong stood to the side, his previously warm smile solidifying as he watched Min Zhenkang walk away. “Since when have I, Jee Gong, been subjected to such scorn? He really doesn’t know what’s good for him. If I find out who he is, he’ll deeply regret crossing me,” he brooded.

“Master Jee, your medicine is ready.” A shop assistant approached, presenting him with a stalk of medicine.

The sight of the medicine slightly lifted Jee Gong’s spirits. His original mission had been to oversee the family’s enterprises in Whalespell, and his visit to the apothecary had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. To his surprise, he had discovered a fourth-tier medicinal herb, the Sky Dragon Flower, on the second floor and had immediately purchased it. Descending to the main hall, he had encountered Min Zhenkang sitting alone and had attempted to strike up a conversation, only to be met with unexpected arrogance.

Stowing the herb in his Storage Ring, Jee Gong inquired, “Assistant, what did that man take from here just now?”

“Just a moment, Master Jee. I’ll check for you right away,” the assistant replied, hurrying to retrieve Min Zhenkang’s purchase list.

“Master Jee, the gentleman earlier acquired Cool Fruit, Twin-headed Python Gall, and Three Lives Flower…”

With the list of ingredients, Jee Gong deduced the Pill that Min Zhenkang intended to concoct—a supplementary aid for cultivators to use when absorbing flames.

Jee Gong left the apothecary and made his way back to the Jee family’s residence in Whalespell. “Summon the butler,” he instructed a servant.

“At once, Second Young Master.”

Heading to the living room, Jee Gong was soon met by an elderly man. “You called for me, Young Master?”

“I need you to look into something. Check for any recent appearances of flames in Whalespell or the surrounding towns, and find out if anyone has claimed them. Report back to me immediately with any information,” Jee Gong ordered, still irked by Min Zhenkang’s earlier demeanor.

“Yes, Young Master,” he said before exiting the room.

Min Zhenkang was blissfully unaware of Jee Gong’s growing resentment towards him. After leaving the pharmacy, he set out to find Chu Keke. Approaching the mansion, he was surprised to find several of Min’s servants at the entrance, which left him with a puzzled expression as he approached them.

“Young Master,” one of the servants called out upon noticing him.

“What’s going on here?” Min Zhenkang inquired.

“Young Master, the Master and Madam are here to formally request Master Chu Le’s blessing for a marriage proposal,” the servant reported.

“Marriage proposal?” Barely digesting the news, Min Zhenkang hurried inside.

“Zhenkang, you’ve arrived!” exclaimed Chu Keke, dashing towards him.

“Keke, where are my parents?”

“They’re in the main hall, discussing our marriage with Grandfather,” she replied, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue.

Without hesitation, Min Zhenkang made his way to the main hall, with Chu Keke trailing behind him, endearing and demure.

“Greetings, Grandfather Shangguan, Mother, Father,” he greeted as he entered.

“Zhenkang, you’re just in time. Your mother and I were just talking to Grandfather Shangguan about your marriage to Keke. Speaking of which, I have something to discuss with you. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to Steelgrave, but for today, spend some quality time with Keke,” Min Qi told his son.

“Yes, Father.” Min Zhenkang had initially intended to prevent the marriage, not due to any shortcomings on Chu Keke’s part—in fact, quite the opposite. His ultimate goal was to find a way back to Suanikos, and if he couldn’t take Chu Keke with him, he would be doing her a great disservice.

Realizing he was too late to change the current course of events, Min Zhenkang reluctantly set his plans aside, resolving to find another solution when the time came.

“Xiao Feng, I wholeheartedly support Zhenkang and Keke’s union. However, I must reiterate my condition: until Keke reaches the age of twenty, they must not become intimate,” Min Qi, respectful as ever in the presence of his elder, Chu Le.

“Rest assured, Uncle Shangguan. I trust Zhenkang understands this,” he said, casting a glance at his son.

“Zhenkang will take Grandfather Shangguan’s words to heart and won’t overstep any boundaries,” Min Zhenkang affirmed.

Beside him, Chu Keke couldn’t keep her composure. Blushing to her neck, she listened to the conversation that revolved around her.

“Alright, I have nothing more to add. As for these betrothal gifts, take them back with you. It’s not that I’m rejecting them, but our relationship transcends these worldly formalities,” Chu Le said, gesturing towards the gifts arranged in the center of the hall.

Min Qi looked uncomfortable. “This…”

“Let’s leave it at that. How is your father’s retreat going?” Chu Le deftly shifted the conversation to spare Min Qi any further discomfort.

“Father is still in seclusion with no word yet,” Min Qi replied.

“It sounds like his breakthrough might be challenging. You all head back now. I’ll pay him a visit myself in a few days.”

“Then we shall take our leave.” With that, they gathered their things and departed.

The bustling living room quickly emptied, leaving only Chu Le, Chu Keke, and Min Zhenkang.

“What are you two still doing here? Don’t tell me you’d rather keep this old man company than go out and have fun?” Chu Le teased them.

“We’re off to play then. You enjoy counting your whiskers at home,” Chu Keke quipped, tugging Min Zhenkang along with her.

“Goodbye, Grandpa Shangguan.” Her voice trailed off as she whisked Zhenkang away.

Watching Chu Keke and Min Zhenkang disappear into the distance, Chu Le felt a sense of accomplishment, having completed half of the clan leader’s entrusted task—a secret he kept to himself.

“Zhenkang, where shall we go?” Keke asked eagerly.

“Where would you like to go, Keke?” Min Zhenkang genuinely didn’t know; Whalespell was only so large, and nothing seemed novel anymore.

“I haven’t had a good meal in ages. Let’s go eat and maybe catch up on any fun or interesting news around town.”

“Alright, I’ll treat you to a lavish meal,” Min Zhenkang offered. He was also keen to catch up on any recent happenings. A tavern was, without a doubt, the perfect place to gather information.

Upon reaching the tavern, they chose a table by the window and settled in.

“What can I get for you, sir?” the server inquired, pouring tea beside them.

“Serve us your finest dishes and a bottle of your best wine,” Min Zhenkang requested.

“Right away, sir. Just a moment, please.”

“Hey, did you hear? Guo Tao, the young master of the Guo family, was found dead at Antigough Rise this morning,” someone at a nearby table mentioned.

“That’s old news. I heard Guo Tao’s death was under bizarre circumstances,” another person chimed in.

“What was so bizarre about it?” The question sparked the interest of many around, including Chu Keke, who listened intently.

“Rumor has it, when they found Guo Tao, his arms were severed, discovered quite a distance away. And the weirdest part was that he…” the man went on, gesturing vividly.

“Shh—keep it down. The Guo family is scouring the globe for the murderer. If they catch wind of you spreading rumors, you might find yourself accused,” his companion interjected, cutting him off.

The storyteller quickly lost his nerve, aware that the patriarch of the Guo family in Whalespell was notoriously protective of his son. With his only son murdered, his wrath would be untold.

“Zhenkang, Guo Tao is dead. Did you have anything to do with it?” Chu Keke whispered to Min Zhenkang.

“Of course not. I’ve only just begun to cultivate, and I’m merely at the second tier of the Martial Cultivator Stage. Guo Tao was at the Martial Spirit Stage!” Min Zhenkang whispered back.

“Then who could it be? The whole town of Whalespell knows Guo Tao was a Fang Sect disciple. Considering the Guo family’s clout here, it must’ve been an outsider who dared to kill him,” Chu Keke mused to herself. “He got what he deserved. To think he dared to target Zhenkang. It’s just a shame Zhenkang can’t exact revenge himself.”

The Sun Devouring Demonic Fire, a fearsome element known to few, was rumored to be sealed within the Mysterious Stone. The Bag of Heaven and Earth, an artifact of immense capacity, lay in the hands of Min Zhenkang, the master of Guo’s mansion. Guo Tao, known also as Liu Fei, had ventured far and wide, from the bustling streets of Whalespell to the esteemed Jee family’s abode, where Jee Gong held sway.