"So, you agree to be with me?" Xu Ran pulled Han Xue into his arms, tightly embracing her delicate body.
Compared to Xu Ran's broad physique, Han Xue was as soft as a little kitten.
"What about Sister then?" Han Xue gave Xu Ran a sidelong glance. She didn't refuse, which was an obvious tacit consent.
In the past, the Hong Family also wanted her to marry Hong Chen together with Han Yue. But now, Xu Ran had reaped such a great benefit.
"Of course we'll be together as well. Do you really think I'd abandon your sister?"
"If you dare to abandon Sister, I'll never acknowledge you again," Han Xue was reassured. If Xu Ran really did that, she would never recognize him again. If Xu Ran could abandon someone else, then one day he might abandon her as well.
Still, Han Xue felt somewhat indignant. To be with Xu Ran meant she had to live with those 'sisters.' Imagining herself calling everyone 'Sister' made her skin crawl.
"You big bad guy, I'm going to bite you."
Her teeth sank deeply into Xu Ran's skin, and Han Xue did not hold back.
"Go ahead and bite. Even if you bite me to death, I won't let go," Xu Ran said, unfazed like a pig that isn't scared of being scalded by boiling water.
"You bad guy, did you ever truly like me? I always doubted whether you ever really liked me," Han Xue gazed deeply into Xu Ran's eyes, feeling somewhat anxious.
She hadn't known Xu Ran for long, and with so much happening in that time, even though she had agreed to be with him, her heart was in turmoil.
"Of course I've liked you. My precious Xue'er."
Xu Ran kissed Han Xue's tender face, seemingly unable to get enough of her.
"So you love so many people at the same time?" Han Xue puffed up, upset.
"I just don't like to face regrets one day. I'm afraid of feeling empty when those regrets come," he said.
His strength was unrivaled in this world; nothing could threaten his existence anymore. Not even a Dou Di would suffice.
The only thing that could possibly make Xu Ran afraid was something psychological.
Therefore, once he met someone he liked, he would not give up.
Otherwise, what would he do if, years later, certain memories suddenly flashed through his mind, provoking feelings and leading to regret? If he didn't have them all, he would always be regretful.
So he would rather be selfish than to experience that feeling of regret.
"Alright, then. I forgive you," Han Xue said, feeling a tug at her heartstrings.
She still didn't fully understand what Xu Ran meant, only sensing a loneliness emanating from him. Although Xu Ran was holding her right there, he felt so far away.
It was as if she was about to lose Xu Ran at any moment.
Han Xue didn't want to continue on this topic and quickly ended it.
What to do when a man makes a mistake? Naturally, choose to forgive him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The pressure of a Dou Zong washed over them like a tide.
Clearly, that pressure was directed toward the Han Family.
In Tianbei City, the only one with a Dou Zong Expert was the Hong Family. And the news of Hong Chen and his people's misfortune must already be known to the Hong Family. After all, as a major force, they were usually well-informed.
...
The entire Tianbei City was trembling at that moment.
Almost everyone in Tianbei City knew about the discord between the Hong Family and the Han Family. Moreover, the Hong Family had a slightly stronger influence than the Han Family, and Hong Chen's coveting of the Han sisters was an open secret.
Yet, as powerful as the Hong Family was, it was no easy task to crush the Han Family.
Unless one wielded overwhelming power, it was virtually impossible for two closely matched forces to engage in a large-scale conflict. Otherwise, it would be a pyrrhic victory, killing a thousand enemies only to lose eight hundred of one's own.
Strong as it was, the Hong Family had also refrained from pushing the Han Family to desperation over the years.
But now...
The strong ones of the Han Family had almost entirely emerged from their nest. The presence of high-level experts above the Douwang rank had appeared instantaneously across Tianbei City. And there were at least seventy to eighty such presences.
Douwang level experts were like the mainstays of any clan.
More so, they felt the presence of Douhuang (Battle Emperor) and Dou Zong Experts.
The immense oppression was such that the city's residents didn't even dare to take a deep breath.
Everyone realized that the two great clans of Tianbei City were probably going to clash. Otherwise, such a situation would never have suddenly occurred.
And the Han Family had long since, under the call of experts like Han Chi, summoned back all their strong ones.
"Hong Li, what do you mean by this?"
Han Chi looked at the multitude of experts outside and couldn't help but twitch his eyelids. They all knew that the Hong Family had been stronger than them over the years. But they hadn't expected the Hong Family to have accumulated so many experts.
If the Han Family's power hadn't been comparable, the Hong Family would have likely wanted to obliterate them long ago.
If that Hong brat Hong Chen really became a Core Disciple of Feng Lei Pavilion, then clearly, the Hong Family would join forces with Feng Lei Pavilion to strike at the Han Family. If Xu Ran hadn't made a move, they, the Han Family, could only watch helplessly as the Hong Family grew stronger.
But now...
The Hong Family had lost two Douhuang (Battle Emperor) Strong Ones, and it cost them dearly.
And most importantly, the Hong Family's peerless genius, Hong Chen, was dead. That was as good as cutting off the lifeblood of the Hong Family.
A peerless genius, for any clan, carried the hope of their rise to power. For these mid-sized clans, the future development of a genius didn't come cheaply.
"What do I mean? I should be the one asking you that question."
"Han Chi, oh Han Chi, I never expected to underestimate you."
Hong Li's face was an ugly shade of pale, his eyes bloodshot, emitting a terrifyingly fierce aura.
"So you've gotten the news, I see?" Han Chi was not surprised. Given the information network of the Hong Family, they could not have been ignorant of such a vital occurence.
"Heh heh."
"My son and two Elders died at your hands, how shall we settle this account?" Hong Li clenched his fist tightly. He needed to know who was the culprit; he would tear them apart and make sure they never rested in peace.
"If it weren't for your attempt on Xue'er, how would it have come to this? You brought this upon yourself, there is no living with your wrongdoings." Han Yue stepped next to her father and spoke coldly. As despicable a person as Hong Chen was, she felt a bit regretful that he hadn't died by her hand.
However, today, she could take part in the battle against the Hong Family, which was consolation enough.
This battle was destined to be a distinguished one, for they had Xu Ran on their side.
"Han Yue? I never thought you would actually come back. It seems Chen'er's death cannot be separated from you. Since Chen'er has gone down, why don't you follow and keep him company in death?" Seeing Han Yue, Hong Li revealed a cruel smile, his voice cold and filled with murderous intent.