Chapter 148 - 116: Marriage Alliance with the Hua Family, a Primary Wife and a Secondary Wife

Chapter 148: Chapter 116: Marriage Alliance with the Hua Family, a Primary Wife and a Secondary Wife

"This is truly letting the wolf into the house!" Hua Yuelou stared at Lu Changfeng, his face tinged with anger. But with a Rebirth Realm expert by Lu Changfeng’s side, he didn’t dare let his fury show.

Lu Changfeng also stood up. "Uncle Hua, you misunderstand. I was simply caught up in the moment. Since you hold me in such high regard, I decided to reveal some intelligence about the Holy Sect."

"If you believe I was threatening you, Uncle Hua, then you’ve deeply wounded my heart."

"I shall take my leave now."

Lu Changfeng made a move as if to leave.

"Wait!" Hua Yuelou spoke up, stopping Lu Changfeng.

"It was I who was rash, Nephew Lu. Please, sit for a while longer."

Hua Yuelou gestured for Hua Mingyue to pour Lu Changfeng some wine.

Hua Mingyue had been so stunned by the conversation between Lu Changfeng and Hua Yuelou that he was lost in a daze. It was only when Hua Yuelou reached out and patted him that he snapped back to his senses and poured the wine for Lu Changfeng.

"Nephew Lu, you now hold a position over a Demon Sect within the Saint Demon Sect. Could you tell me if the Saint Demon Sect plans to make a move against Qin City, against my Hua Family?"

Hua Yuelou had finally sorted out his thoughts. The immediate priority was the safety of Qin City, so he voiced his question.

Lu Changfeng shook his head slightly. "Uncle Hua, you already know the answer in your heart."

"Given Qin City’s current location, do you think the Saint Master would allow it to remain independent within the Saint Demon Sect’s heartland?"

Hua Yuelou let out a long sigh.

He stood up and paced back and forth a few times.

Finally, he looked at Lu Changfeng and said, "Nephew Lu, if you marry Yiran, I will have the Hua Family, and all of Qin City, join the Saint Demon Sect!"

Hua Yuelou had thought it over and over, and he agreed that Lu Changfeng was right.

’Whether we remain independent or join a faction, it’s all a gamble.’

As things stood, the Hua Family either had to abandon their hundred-year foundation in Qin City and flee to distant lands...

...or eventually face a direct confrontation with the Saint Demon Sect.

It was better to just join the Saint Demon Sect, which currently seemed to be the dominant power. Besides, with Lu Changfeng acting as their connection, the Hua Family’s future status within the Saint Demon Sect likely wouldn’t be too low.

’Marry Hua Yiran and gain the Hua Family and Qin City?’

Lu Changfeng was tempted.

Of course, Lu Changfeng could use other methods to force Qin City to submit to the Saint Demon Sect.

But compared to a marriage alliance, the level of loyalty he could secure was incomparable.

If Lu Changfeng and Hua Yiran were to marry, the Hua Family would become one of his most solid supporters.

Lu Changfeng’s current forces were as follows:

Yong City:

Originally the territory of the Moon Concealing Sect. After the Heavenly Corpse Demon Sect pledged allegiance to Lu Changfeng, he put them in command of Yong City. Because it was situated only two hundred li from Phoenix City, it was the most dangerous of his territories, and for that very reason, its inhabitants were the most loyal to him.

They knew that without the banner of the Saint Demon Sect Master to protect them, the great army of Yunyang Prefecture in Phoenix City would instantly march south.

Goose City:

Formerly the territory of the Huang Martial Arts Family, it was now temporarily controlled by the Moon Concealing Demon Sect. They had forcefully driven out the former Sect Master, Xu Fan, and propped up Zhou Shang and Lin Jin to establish a new Demon Sect.

They were currently integrated with the second-tier Martial Arts Family powers of Goose City, making the situation there the most complex. Their loyalty to Lu Changfeng was undoubtedly the lowest.

Fengg City:

Xuansha and Fanyun had conquered this city after leading a mixed force of disciples from the Heavenly Corpse Demon Sect and the Moon Concealing Demon Sect to a decisive victory over the Uncertainty Sect. In the process, they not only killed the Uncertainty Sect’s Sect Leader but also a Supreme Elder at the Rebirth Realm.

Before Xuansha departed, he executed a "Bird Cage Exchange," leaving most of the Heavenly Corpse and Moon Concealing Demon Sect disciples behind to be integrated into Fengg City’s forces.

In their place, he took most of the original Uncertainty Sect disciples, formed a new army, and marched for Rong City.

Because of the thorough purge and the "Bird Cage Exchange," loyalty in Fengg City was acceptable.

Rong City: Conquered by Lu Changfeng and Bai Touweng. Thanks to the miraculous appearance of the Fire Qilin, Lin Erfeng’s subsequent propaganda for Lu Changfeng and the Saint Demon Sect, and Xuansha’s arrival with the army, loyalty here remained extremely high.

The other two cities in Yunyang Prefecture: The Martial Arts powers within them had fled completely before the Saint Demon Sect’s army arrived, leaving behind mostly common people who lacked the means to leave.

Their loyalty was average at best.

Jia City in Jiangnan Prefecture: Home to the Dark Buddha Demon Sect, led by Xuansha, who was the first to pledge allegiance to Lu Changfeng.

Due to their doctrines, the Dark Buddha Demon Sect possessed a unique loyalty to the Saint Master, making them one of the forces most devoted to Lu Changfeng.

Truthfully, the Dark Buddha Demon Sect was the only force Lu Changfeng could trust completely, from top to bottom.

’Adding the Hua Family to my side now... When I think about it, it’s absolutely necessary.’

"In that case, Father-in-law, please accept this bow from your son-in-law!" Lu Changfeng said, bowing deeply.

"Excellent! Excellent! Today, my Hua Family is making a huge gamble! Worthy son-in-law, quickly, take your seat!" Having made such a momentous decision, Hua Yuelou was so excited his face was flushed red.

"Father, isn’t this decision... a bit hasty?" Hua Mingyue tried to dissuade him from the side.

Hua Yuelou shook his head. "In the face of great matters, one must make swift decisions!"

"I am the Patriarch. I can decide the future of the Hua Family."

’If we were to leave Qin City, then the Hua Family would no longer truly be the Hua Family,’ Hua Yuelou thought to himself.

Beneath Qin City lay a secret the Hua Family had maintained for hundreds of years, a secret known only to each successive Patriarch.

"Changfeng, and you, White Demon General, I will have someone arrange accommodations for you."

"Tomorrow, I’ll have someone select an auspicious date, and then we will arrange the wedding," Hua Yuelou said.

Lu Changfeng nodded slightly. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Father-in-law."

"I’ll go see where Yiran is."

’That little lass ran off in a huff. I wonder if Hua Youran has found her yet.’

"That’s good. Yiran may seem gentle, but she’s strong-willed. You’ll have to be patient with her in the future," Hua Yuelou replied with a nod.

"Of course."

After replying, Lu Changfeng turned and left.

With Bai Touweng’s help, Lu Changfeng soon found the Hua siblings by the bank of a creek in the center of Qin City.

Lu Changfeng strode forward. Hua Youran saw him first and, after giving him a meaningful look, quietly stepped away.

He left that little world to Lu Changfeng and Hua Yiran.

"That jerk! How dare he refuse to marry me! Am I, this young lady, not good enough for him?"

Hua Yiran thought Hua Youran was still behind her, so she kept muttering to herself.

As a mere Blood Forging Realm Fourth Level cultivator lost in her own girlish emotions, she naturally couldn’t detect that two Tendon Transformation Realm experts with High-Grade Light Body Talent had quietly switched places.

"So what if he’s one of the Nine Heroes of Jiangnan!"

"So what if he has Visualization Sword Intent!"

"So what if he’s handsome!!"

"Sigh... But Seventh Brother, Brother Changfeng really is outstanding. He’s handsome, his Martial Arts are incredible, and he’s a famous hero throughout Jiangnan Prefecture. Maybe... maybe I’m really not good enough for him."

A young girl’s heart is always fickle.

One moment she was complaining about Lu Changfeng.

The next, she was putting herself down.

"This creek in Qin City, what’s it called? The trickling water has a certain charm."

Hua Yiran spun around abruptly, only to see Lu Changfeng standing tall to the side. In the moonlight, his profile was breathtaking, like a mountain range.

"Brother Changfeng... When did you get here? Did you... hear everything I just said?"

Lu Changfeng spread his hands, a look of pure innocence on his face. "I didn’t hear a thing!"

At his theatrical reply, Hua Yiran’s face flushed crimson. She didn’t know what to say, her heart just hammered in her chest, and she was on the verge of tears.

Lu Changfeng’s expression turned serious. "Yiran, I have decided to accept your father’s proposal. We will marry on an auspicious day."

Hua Yiran’s head snapped up in surprise. The joy in her eyes vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by worry. "Did my father force you? If that’s the case, then we don’t have to go through with this marriage!"

Lu Changfeng reached out and gently patted Hua Yiran’s head. "What are you thinking? I’m doing this of my own free will."

"Really? Then... then does that mean you like me too, Brother Changfeng?" Hua Yiran’s face lit up with joy.

Lu Changfeng nodded lightly. "However, being married to me won’t be easy. In the future, you will face many, many troubles. I’m afraid you won’t be able to endure it."

Hua Yiran shook her head resolutely. "As long as I can be with you, Brother Changfeng, I can endure anything."

"Oh, right, Brother Changfeng, don’t you have an older sister who has stayed by your side all this time? You should give her an official status as well!"

In Song Country, a man could take two wives: a primary wife and an equal wife. The primary wife had a higher status, but the equal wife’s position was not low either.

Beyond that, there was no limit on the number of concubines one could take, depending on one’s own capabilities.

What Hua Yiran meant was to give Chunzhu the status of an equal wife.

This was exactly what Lu Changfeng had intended. He had planned to give Chunzhu official status this time, and the fact that Hua Yiran had brought it up herself was simply perfect.