Chapter 151: A Father’s Lament!

Of course, Damian understood perfectly well how ridiculous his actions appeared to everyone present.

He had just offered twenty extraordinarily valuable Demon Beast Cores as a bride price for two women, and by Shengyuan’s standards, the sheer extravagance of the gesture bordered upon insanity.

One could argue about whether such an exchange was reasonable, but there was a fundamental distinction between objective and subjective value.

And in Damian’s opinion, understanding that difference was essential to appreciating why he had made such an outrageous proposal.

Objectively speaking, neither Mu Qingyao nor Shen Xueyi was worth twenty Demon Beast Cores!

That wasn’t an insult toward either woman, nor did it mean Damian considered them inferior to the treasures before him.

Rather, it was simply an acknowledgment of how marriage alliances and cultivation resources were valued within this particular region of Shengyuan.

Both women were exceptional beauties with admirable talents and respectable backgrounds, making them highly desirable marriage candidates among the local cultivators.

However, physical beauty and individual talent became considerably less significant when compared against resources capable of transforming the foundations of entire cultivation organizations.

Even a Nascent Soul-level sect would find twenty such cores an extremely attractive gift, potentially enough to negotiate a marriage involving the direct bloodline of a Nascent Soul Ancestor!

And what were the Evergreen Sect and Azure Water Sect by comparison?

Mere Foundation Establishment organizations!

They might enjoy considerable influence within the Azure Water Sector, but the resources currently sitting upon that table were overwhelmingly disproportionate to their standing.

If Damian had offered even a fraction of those treasures, the two sects would already have possessed ample reason to regard his proposal as extraordinarily generous.

But that was merely the objective evaluation.

From Damian’s personal perspective, the situation was entirely different.

He had never been particularly interested in evaluating romantic relationships according to some imaginary market price, especially when his own circumstances rendered conventional economic comparisons increasingly absurd.

The Demon Beast Cores were tremendously valuable in Shengyuan, but obtaining their depleted Valorian equivalents was hardly an impossible undertaking for someone possessing the Dual Realm Exchange System.

More importantly, he valued the two women for reasons that couldn’t be expressed through Spirit Stones, cultivation resources or potential political advantages.

And recent events had made him appreciate that fact far more deeply than before.

When Damian first stepped through the Permanent Realm Passage to return to Shengyuan, he had been considerably more nervous than he cared to admit.

The ongoing war was certainly concerning, but there had been another uncertainty quietly lingering in the back of his mind throughout his absence.

Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi!

Both women had expressed romantic interest in him, with Qingyao possessing particularly strong chemistry with his personality and Xueyi approaching the possibility of marriage through her own rather peculiar combination of attraction and pragmatism.

Nevertheless, Damian had deliberately insisted that neither woman make any final commitment until their families were no longer dependent upon his assistance.

It had been the correct decision, but that didn’t mean he was immune to worrying about the outcome!

After all, Damian was originally from modern Earth.

He had grown up in a society where romantic relationships could be remarkably unpredictable, with two people behaving like inseparable lovers one moment before suddenly deciding that they wanted nothing to do with each other.

Sometimes the explanation was understandable, while other times one person simply developed the infamous ’ick’, stopped responding to messages and left their unfortunate partner wondering what the hell had happened.

Ghosting!

Damian had always considered that particular phenomenon one of the more irritating developments of modern romantic culture, although he understood the underlying psychology well enough.

When people repeatedly witnessed relationships collapse, experienced rejection or watched others suffer from betrayal, they naturally became reluctant to expose themselves completely.

Men and women alike developed emotional defenses, maintaining a certain distance even when they genuinely desired intimacy.

Not everyone behaved that way, of course, but the tendency was sufficiently common that Damian had absorbed some of that cynicism himself.

He could pursue affection enthusiastically, joke about marriage and even envision a future with someone, yet a small part of him remained prepared for the possibility that everything might suddenly change.

It was one of the reasons he had told the Four Valkyries about Qingyao and Xueyi before returning to Shengyuan.

Although he had genuine feelings for both women, he hadn’t wanted to present their potential relationships as established facts when there remained a possibility that they might simply decide against pursuing him.

The Four Valkyries deserved to know what was happening, but Damian had also been careful not to create expectations that reality might fail to satisfy.

Then... he arrived at the forward camp.

The moment Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi hurried toward him, he had noticed something in their expressions that immediately put those lingering doubts to rest.

Qingyao’s delight had been spontaneous and unmistakable, while even the usually composed Xueyi had displayed a degree of anticipation that no carefully negotiated political arrangement could easily explain.

Neither woman had been performing for an audience.

They had simply been happy to see him!

And when Damian smiled at them, witnessing the way their expressions changed in response, he experienced an unexpectedly powerful sense of certainty.

Ah, so I really was worrying over nothing!

That was why he had kissed both women without hesitation, regardless of how many cultivators happened to be watching.

For that brief moment, the complicated calculations surrounding marriage alliances and sect politics had disappeared, leaving only the simple recognition that he wanted those women in his life.

And from their reactions, they wanted him in theirs!

Of course, there were still practical arrangements to settle, particularly given the considerable differences between their backgrounds and his existing relationships in Valoria.

However, Damian no longer felt the same uncertainty about whether their affection would survive once their families were safe.

His original intention had been to make a generous marriage proposal once he returned, but not this generous!

Twenty Demon Beast Cores hadn’t been part of the original plan, and Damian certainly hadn’t intended to empty such a valuable collection onto a table merely to demonstrate how extravagantly wealthy he could be.

The decision had emerged from something considerably more interesting.

A premonition!

Well, perhaps that was a slightly dramatic description, but Damian possessed an increasingly impressive combination of physical and mental Attributes.

His Perception had reached 10 points, while his Wisdom stood at an extraordinary 78.6 points, granting him far greater awareness and judgment than he had possessed during his ordinary life on Earth.

Those improvements weren’t limited to enhancing his Divine Sense or refining his cultivation abilities.

His sharpened senses allowed him to notice subtle changes in expressions, posture and behavior, while his enhanced judgment helped him interpret those observations against everything he already knew.

It wasn’t mind reading, and Damian remained perfectly capable of reaching incorrect conclusions, but the combination had become remarkably useful when evaluating other people.

And upon entering the command center, he had noticed something peculiar about Mu Jianhong.

The Evergreen Sect Master had certainly welcomed him warmly, displaying genuine gratitude and behaving with all the courtesy expected toward the man who had saved his life.

However, as the conversation progressed, Damian noticed that the older cultivator rarely initiated discussions with him.

Most of the conversation had been carried by Du Wenyan!

Mu Jianhong occasionally offered his agreement or responded when addressed directly, but there was a curious restraint beneath his genial expression that Damian found increasingly difficult to ignore.

Had the man simply been naturally reserved, Damian might have dismissed the behavior without further consideration.

Unfortunately, the circumstances made that explanation rather unconvincing.

Damian had saved Mu Jianhong’s life, helped restore the Evergreen Sect’s fortunes, protected his daughter and previously gifted the organization an extraordinarily valuable Demon Beast Core.

Furthermore, the Sect Master was perfectly aware that his precious daughter had developed romantic feelings for the young man responsible for those accomplishments.

Under ordinary circumstances, Damian would have expected Mu Jianhong to be practically falling over himself to secure such an advantageous marriage!

Instead, there was hesitation.

And the more Damian considered that hesitation, the more convinced he became that Mu Jianhong possessed some private objection to the relationship.

’Oh, you sneaky old fellow. You’ve got something on your mind, haven’t you?’

That possibility was particularly concerning because Damian understood just how much Mu Qingyao loved her father.

She had spent years struggling to save the Evergreen Sect Master, enduring uncertainty and tremendous personal pressure while searching desperately for a solution to his condition.

Their relationship was extraordinarily close, making it difficult to imagine Qingyao casually dismissing her father’s opinion regarding something as important as marriage.

If Mu Jianhong opposed their relationship, Qingyao would inevitably find herself in a painful position.

Should she obey the father she adored or pursue the man she loved?

Damian had absolutely no interest in forcing her into that miserable dilemma.

And just as he had previously handled the troublesome situation involving Orpheus through an unconventional approach, he decided that the best solution was to attack the problem from an unexpected direction.

His advantages!

Whatever reservations Mu Jianhong possessed, the sight of ten Demon Beast Cores being offered for Qingyao’s hand would at least force the man to reconsider.

Such an extravagant commitment demonstrated that Damian wasn’t treating his daughter as some convenient romantic conquest, and it would be extraordinarily difficult for any responsible Sect Master to dismiss the implications for his organization.

Besides, Damian wasn’t attempting to purchase Qingyao’s obedience.

He was demonstrating how much he was prepared to give for a future with her!

And if the old man still possessed objections afterward, Damian would simply have to hear them out and address them properly.

’I’ve already made up my mind about these two,’ Damian thought firmly, watching Mu Jianhong across the table.

I’m not letting some avoidable misunderstanding ruin something this important!

......

Within the command center, the silence continued for several uncomfortable moments.

Mu Jianhong stared at the ten cores arranged before him, his expression gradually shifting through emotions that even his considerable cultivation couldn’t completely suppress.

His green eyes finally rose toward Damian, burning with an intensity that caused several nearby deacons to instinctively straighten.

Damian met his gaze without flinching.

There was no arrogance in his expression, nor any attempt to challenge the authority of a Foundation Establishment expert.

He simply offered the older man a calm, confident smile, one that made it abundantly clear that the extraordinary bride price was neither a joke nor an impulsive decision he intended to withdraw.

Mu Jianhong’s heart trembled.

For a long moment, the Evergreen Sect Master appeared to be struggling with something far more complicated than the value of the treasures before him.

Then he slowly lowered his head, releasing a breath that seemed to carry away a considerable burden.

"This old man... concedes," Mu Jianhong admitted quietly, his voice carrying an unmistakable mixture of resignation and admiration.

His words immediately drew everyone out of their astonishment.

Concedes?

What exactly had the Evergreen Sect Master conceded?

Du Wenyan’s fan stopped moving, while the surrounding deacons exchanged bewildered glances.

Even Damian’s four disciples looked thoroughly confused, having expected the conversation to concern a marriage proposal rather than some mysterious disagreement nobody else had witnessed.

Mu Qingyao was particularly puzzled.

"Father? What do you mean you concede?" Qingyao asked uncertainly, looking between Mu Jianhong and Damian with growing concern.

The Evergreen Sect Master raised his head and regarded his daughter with an expression of extraordinary tenderness.

For a moment, the formidable Foundation Establishment expert seemed to disappear, leaving only an aging father looking upon the person he treasured most in the world.

"Qingyao, ever since I lost your mother, you’ve been my entire world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and as your father, I have always considered it my responsibility to ensure that you remain safe and happy," Mu Jianhong explained gently, his green eyes shining with paternal affection.

Mu Qingyao’s expression softened immediately, her eyes becoming slightly moist as she listened.

She had always known that her father loved her deeply, but hearing him speak so openly about those feelings before the entire sect leadership was still profoundly moving.

Several nearby cultivators also appeared touched, particularly those who understood how much the Evergreen Sect Master had sacrificed to protect his family and organization.

However, Mu Jianhong’s expression soon changed.

His gentle gaze sharpened, and the warmth in his voice gave way to a startling firmness.

"But initially, I had absolutely no intention of agreeing to this marriage!" Mu Jianhong declared, his words falling upon the gathering with startling force.

Mu Qingyao went pale.

For a moment, she could scarcely believe what she had heard, especially considering how enthusiastically she had imagined her father’s reaction to Damian’s proposal.

Her lips trembled slightly as she looked toward him, desperately attempting to understand why he would oppose a relationship that had brought her so much happiness.

"Father...? Is there something wrong with Damian?" Mu Qingyao asked softly, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and an unmistakable plea for reassurance.

Mu Jianhong sighed deeply.

"That’s precisely the problem, my daughter. There is nothing wrong with him!" Mu Jianhong answered with a helpless smile, shaking his head as he regarded Damian.

"In fact, he’s practically the perfect candidate to become your husband, and in many respects, he surpasses anything I could reasonably have hoped for."

That explanation only left Mu Qingyao more bewildered.

If Damian possessed extraordinary talent, wealth, character and influence, why would her father oppose their marriage? Surely those were precisely the qualities any responsible parent would desire in a prospective son-in-law!

"Then why, Father?" Qingyao questioned, unable to conceal the hurt and confusion in her voice.

Mu Jianhong’s eyes became considerably colder as he considered the matter.

"Because he’s too good, Qingyao. Just as you desire him, countless other women will eventually desire him as well, and some of them will possess greater beauty, stronger bloodlines or backgrounds far more powerful than anything our Evergreen Sect can offer," Mu Jianhong explained solemnly, his words gradually revealing the true nature of his concerns.

The gathering fell silent once more.

Damian remained composed, although he was privately impressed by how accurately the older man had identified the difficulties associated with his circumstances.

Mu Jianhong wasn’t afraid that his daughter would marry an incompetent or unworthy man.

He was afraid that she would marry someone whose future might eventually become too extraordinary for her to share.

"A young man like Damian is destined to soar toward the heavens, regardless of where his cultivation journey takes him. Along the way, he’ll encounter temptations that ordinary men can scarcely imagine, including women whose influence and attractiveness could overwhelm entire kingdoms," Mu Jianhong continued, turning his attention toward Damian with a complicated expression.

The Evergreen Sect Master paused briefly, allowing the implications of his words to settle before continuing.

"I don’t know Fellow Daoist Damian well enough to declare with certainty how he’ll respond to those temptations, but I know men well enough to understand that resisting every single one is extraordinarily difficult. Even if he rejects ninety-nine out of a hundred, the one temptation he accepts could completely change the circumstances of his household," Mu Jianhong explained gravely, his expression revealing that these concerns had occupied his thoughts for quite some time.

Mu Qingyao slowly lowered her gaze.

She had certainly considered the possibility that Damian might eventually pursue other women, especially given how casually he had already discussed marrying Shen Xueyi alongside her.

However, she had been so focused upon their mutual affection and the relief of seeing her father recover that she hadn’t seriously contemplated the long-term consequences of sharing such an extraordinary man.

More importantly, she hadn’t realized how deeply her father feared those consequences.

"I’ve seen what happens in households where numerous women compete for the affection and favor of a single man," Mu Jianhong continued, his expression becoming unexpectedly sorrowful.

"My own mother grew up in such a household, and the suffering she experienced left an impression upon me that I’ve never forgotten. I swore that my own family would never endure the same circumstances, which is also why I never remarried after your mother passed away."

"Father..." Mu Qingyao whispered, her heart trembling as the significance of his words finally became clear.

She had always understood her father’s refusal to remarry as evidence of his enduring love for her mother.

Now, she realized that his decision had also been motivated by a determination to protect his daughter from the rivalries and emotional suffering that could develop within complicated households.

Even the surrounding Deacons seemed deeply affected by the revelation.

After all, many cultivators regarded multiple Dao Companions as an ordinary privilege associated with strength and status, rarely considering the emotional consequences for those involved.

Yet Mu Jianhong had personally witnessed the suffering such arrangements could cause and had spent years attempting to ensure that his daughter would never experience anything similar.

Damian listened quietly, his expression becoming increasingly respectful.

Although the older man’s concerns might have appeared overly cautious to some, they were hardly unreasonable.

Damian already possessed four romantic partners in Valoria, and his intention to marry both Qingyao and Xueyi meant that Mu Jianhong’s fears were addressing a very real possibility rather than some imaginary future temptation.

However, the Evergreen Sect Master wasn’t finished.

He slowly turned toward Damian, the complicated emotions in his green eyes gradually settling into something approaching acceptance.

"But this young man has made one thing abundantly clear to me today. Those precious resources and treasures that entire cultivation sects would sacrifice generations to obtain mean remarkably little to him compared to the prospect of marrying you and Shen Xueyi," Mu Jianhong acknowledged, his voice carrying an unmistakable measure of admiration.

His gaze returned to his daughter, softening as he considered the extraordinary bride price resting upon the table.

"Your value in his eyes... surpasses everything else!"