Chapter 1939: Single Xiaotian's Confusion

Chapter 1917: Shan Xiaotian's Confusion

He knew that if this announcement were truly issued, his dignity would be utterly lost, with no hope of recovery. He would face endless ridicule, and even the Shan family's reputation, built over hundreds of years, would be completely ruined.

It was akin to stripping him naked and flogging him relentlessly, leaving him no shred of dignity.

“Sign it!” the girl said, looking over with cold indifference.

“Young Master, you cannot sign! If you do, our Shan family will never be able to hold its head high again…” Elder Yi, having also seen the words on the document, cried as he knelt nearby. He could face death, but he could not bear to see the family he had served loyally his entire life brought to shame.

“I…” Shan Xiaotian was filled with sorrow. He knew all too well what would happen if he signed, but if he didn’t… the other party would still annul the engagement, and perhaps… things would become even more tragic. There was no way out.

Just as he was at a loss, even contemplating death to escape the present humiliation, a faint voice spoke up. “If you truly don’t want to sign, then don’t.”

Everyone turned, only then noticing a young man, wrapped somewhat like a mummy, leaning against the doorway and looking at them with a smile. The youth didn’t seem to possess any cultivation, yet his eyes held no trace of fear, as if the events unfolding before them were merely a trivial matter.

“Who are you? Mind your own business; it’s best to control your tongue, lest disaster strike from your mouth!” Xue Chen said, frowning. At this moment, he didn’t want any complications; otherwise, if anyone dared to interrupt, he would have directly taught them a lesson.

Zhang Xuan smiled, “I’m just a small individual whom Brother Shan saved. I originally didn’t intend to intervene, but I’m afraid Brother Shan might regret it later if he signs, so I couldn’t help but offer a reminder!”

“Brother Zhang…” Shan Xiaotian’s eyes showed gratitude. He knew that speaking up at this moment would surely offend Xue Chen and might even bring about a fatal disaster. Yet, knowing this, Zhang Xuan still spoke, clearly trying to help him.

“Regret? How so? Do you think he and Miss can still be together?” Xue Chen sneered, “Don’t be delusional. Go look in a puddle and see what kind of person you are. A toad wanting to eat swan meat!”

“Of course, they can’t be together!” Facing the sarcasm, Zhang Xuan’s expression remained unchanged. He said, “This second young lady, quite frankly… is not worthy of Brother Shan! If they were truly together, it would be an insult to him!”

“What did you say?” Hearing the first part of the sentence, Xue Chen had thought the fellow was sensible, but upon hearing the latter part, his eyes narrowed, revealing intense killing intent.

“You don’t believe me?” Zhang Xuan looked over. “If you don’t, then let’s see the outcome in three days!”

“Trying to stall is useless!” Xue Chen had expected him to say something else, but upon hearing this, he sneered, “If he doesn’t sign, within three days, forget dignity, he’ll lose his life!”

Zhang Xuan said, “If it’s lost, it’s lost… Brother Shan probably won’t mind!”

“Huh?” Shan Xiaotian was stunned. This Brother Zhang he had saved seemed to have quite a strong opinion… What did he mean, ‘If it’s lost, it’s lost, won’t mind’… It’s *my* life at stake…

“Is this your decision?” Ignoring the fellow who had appeared from nowhere, Xue Chen looked at Shan Xiaotian like a tiger eyeing a docile rabbit.

“Brother Zhang’s decision is mine…” Shan Xiaotian gritted his teeth. Although he didn’t know why Brother Zhang had said that, there was no turning back now. If he signed, he would become a family sinner, and even death wouldn't cleanse his name… If he didn’t sign, as Brother Zhang said, death was merely death, nothing major. Anyway, his current situation wasn't much better than being dead.

“Very good, you have backbone!” Seeing his declaration, Xue Chen flicked his sleeve, turned to the girl nearby, bowed, and clasped his hands. “Miss, let’s go!” Seeing the young man’s resolute attitude and knowing it couldn't be changed, the young lady Xue Qin’s pretty face was cold. “Hmph, don’t come crying and begging me then!” With that, she turned her delicate body and walked away, not even glancing at Zhang Xuan, as if a single look would humiliate her.

They quickly exited the courtyard.

“Teacher…” The girl looked at the middle-aged man again.

Scanning their surroundings and seeing no one following, Xue Chen snorted, “Don’t worry. You won’t need to wait three days. It’s just a decaying family; let’s see if they can survive tonight!”

Hearing his words, Xue Qin finally relaxed. “I originally had a decent impression of him, but I never expected him to be so unappreciative. If he dies, he dies; it’s no big deal!”

Exiting the courtyard, the two got into a carriage and vanished from the spot in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace.

“Young Master… no, we must leave…” After the two had departed, silence fell over the courtyard for a moment before Elder Yi couldn't help but look over. He knew Xue Chen was telling the truth; refusing them truly meant they might send people to wipe them out, ensuring no trace was left behind. The City Lord’s mansion controlled the entire city, and though its reputation had been good in recent years, as an elder of the Shan family, he was well aware of many things. It was even possible that the Shan family’s decline was somehow connected to them. Given this, it would be better to simply leave, the farther the better.

“Leave? Do you think we still can?” Shan Xiaotian gave a bitter smile. This second young lady had personally come to annul the engagement, which indicated that their true intentions were now revealed. How could they possibly allow him to leave so easily? If the engagement wasn’t annulled and they didn’t get the outcome they wanted, would they just let him go, expecting this second young lady to remain alone her entire life?

“Brother Zhang…” Shaking his head, with no other options, he could only turn to look at the young man he had recently saved. Since the other party dared to speak up and mentioned "three days," perhaps he already had a plan.

“I’ll just ask you, do you want to sign?” Zhang Xuan didn’t answer directly, but looked over indifferently.

“Of course not…” Shan Xiaotian shook his head. “If I truly sign it, even if I die, how can I face my ancestors…?” The family’s honor would be completely lost; even in death, he would find no peace.

“Then, are you afraid of hardship?” Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

“Death isn’t scary, so what’s a little hardship?” Although he didn’t know why the other party asked this, Shan Xiaotian still answered truthfully.

“Then, do you want to avenge today’s humiliation?”

“Of course. I not only want to avenge today’s humiliation but also all the humiliations I’ve suffered since my parents’ deaths, but…” Looking at his legs, Shan Xiaotian trembled uncontrollably. Bearing such deep-seated vengeance, how could he not want to retaliate? But his legs… and his body, injured, made cultivation impossible. There was no point in saying more. If he were still as he used to be, why would he need to cling to life like this…?

“Since you want to, then…” Zhang Xuan looked over. “Become my disciple!”

“Become your disciple?” This Brother Zhang… had his brain been damaged by his injury? He had no strength whatsoever, and I should become his disciple… What could he teach? He had just confidently said to wait three days and see… Was this what he meant? Shan Xiaotian’s mouth twitched, and he felt utterly bewildered.