All of us are one

Chapter 94 Family Selection

Jiang Yanming believed he was destined to possess the "Ten Directions Annihilation" sword. The reason was simple: if he had no connection with this famous and mysterious sword of the Divine Martial Kingdom, how could it have ended up in his hands?

"Young friend Jiang, do you know that I, Liang, will not live much longer?" the old man suddenly said with a smile.

Jiang Yanming was taken aback by these words and didn't know how to answer for a moment. Could such a thing be said so casually?

It should be noted that if Senior Liang were placed in the world of cultivation, he would definitely be an ancestor of a sect or family. The lifespan of an ancestor of a sect or family is a secret, and it will not be revealed even if the ancestor dies.

Because hostile forces cannot confirm the ancestor's fate, they will be wary and dare not invade rashly.

But Senior Liang was different; he spoke it out directly and casually, seemingly unconcerned about the news of his impending death spreading.

"Young friend Jiang is unwilling to answer? Or did your uncle not tell you?" the old man asked with a smile. "He must know about this, otherwise he wouldn't be thinking of associating with the three major families."

"I understand," Jiang Yanming replied, bowing slightly.

"Now that you know, what do you think of the arranged marriage?" the old man asked with a smile.

"As I have already answered, it still depends on fate," Jiang Yanming said, cupping his hands in greeting. "If I meet a woman who moves my heart, I will definitely ask for her hand in marriage."

"Very good." The old man smiled and nodded, his smile widening.

"Aren't you curious why I'm asking you this question?"

The old man then asked and answered himself: "After reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, one becomes extremely sensitive to one's own qi and blood. By calculating according to the normal rate of decline of qi and blood, one can know one's remaining lifespan."

"Your father, Alliance Leader Jiang, is at the same level as Liang. He knows how long he can live, and therefore he also knows how long Liang can live."

"Liang wants to arrange a marriage between you and the three major families, which is also for the sake of the younger generation. After all, their lives will not be easy after Liang dies."

"For the sake of those younger generations, Liang stepped in to protect Jiang Xiaoyou and establish a good relationship. He also had a detailed conversation with his old friend in Beiliu City and obtained his promise to protect the younger generation for thirty years."

The old man sighed softly at the end, "Liang has done his best to pave the way for them; the rest depends on whether they can overcome the difficulties themselves."

Jiang Yanming remained silent. Senior Liang had indeed done a lot for the younger generation.

The top expert in Beiliu City promised to protect them for thirty years, ensuring the safety of the three major families in Jiangnan for those thirty years. At least, many forces would not dare to act recklessly on the surface, but in the shadows, there would still be no shortage of fighting and killing.

After a moment, Jiang Yanming asked, "Why are you telling me this, senior?"

"He's just looking for someone to talk to," the old man said with a smile. "Young friend Jiang is about to return to the Four Kingdoms Alliance. By the time he returns home next time, I, Liang, may already be buried."

"I am a little curious. I wonder what conditions you gave that peerless expert in Beiliu City to make him agree to protect the three major families of Jiangnan for thirty years?" Jiang Yanming asked. "If I remember correctly, that peerless expert is over one hundred and twenty years old."

"Young friend Jiang seems to know a great deal, even noting down such trivial matters," the old man said with a smile. "What else could it be but my cultivation notes?"

"As expected!" Jiang Yanming nodded to himself, then promised, "I will not tell anyone else about our conversation today."

"I trust young Jiang," the old man said with a smile, pointing to the vast river. "How about another fishing contest? This time, we won't have any prizes."

"Okay." Jiang Yanming nodded in agreement.

Fishing doesn't take much time; he just treats it as a pastime to keep Senior Liang company.

……

Bihai City, a port city located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, is not only the core of the three major families in Jiangnan, but also the most prosperous city in Shenwu Kingdom, with countless merchant ships coming and going every day.

In the center of the city stands the Moon Gazing Tower, a notorious den of iniquity in Bihai City. Guests who can enter the Moon Gazing Tower are all extraordinary, either leaders of various forces or first- or second-rate masters of the martial arts world.

Wangyue Tower, private room on the third floor.

The room was elegantly decorated, with three young men and women sitting at separate tables, each served tea by two maids, filling the room with the aroma of tea.

Before long, the six maids finished serving the tea and respectfully stepped aside.

The white-robed youth sitting at the middle table narrowed his eyes slightly, smelled the aroma of tea, and said, "Half a month ago, our ancestor sent a letter, ordering each of our three major families to select two outstanding daughters to meet with the young leader of the Great River Alliance."

"Is this a marriage alliance? Or is it for the young leader of the alliance to choose his own consort?" The young man in purple sitting at the left table spoke calmly, his words concealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

"I've been chosen," the woman in white sitting at the right table answered calmly.

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, both the young man in white and the young man in purple turned to look at the woman in white, their faces showing surprise and dissatisfaction.

Among the direct descendants of the three major families in Jiangnan, these three are the most outstanding. They reached the second level of the Condensing Qi Realm in their early twenties and were even able to represent the three families when traveling outside.

The three traveled together representing their respective families: the young man in white was the eldest son of the Liang family, the young man in purple was the eldest son of the Wang family, and the woman in white was the eldest daughter of the Zhen family.

The young men in white and purple are both in the prime of their lives and are quite fond of the equally outstanding eldest daughter of the Zhen family. They even secretly compete with each other, wanting to win the beauty's heart.

The three families intermarried, and as long as they could outmaneuver each other, they might win the heart of the beauty, since no one of their generation was more outstanding than them.

But now their biggest rival has arrived. The young leader of the Great River Alliance has appeared with overwhelming force, making their beloved one of the candidates for marriage.

It is no exaggeration to say that as long as the young leader of the alliance chooses the beauty they are fond of, she will inevitably become the candidate for marriage!

"Mingmei, what are you thinking?" the young man in white couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, what do you think?" the purple-clad youth asked in return.

Two months ago, when that young leader returned to the country, they watched the Great River Alliance fleet arrive at the port on Twin Islands and marveled that it could attract top experts to come and greet them. Little did they know that the other party would become their love rival.

The woman in white, fair-skinned and beautiful, sighed softly as she spoke of the matter: "Does it matter what I think? The family has already made a decision, making me one of the two candidates."

"You are the most outstanding person in the Zhen family in this generation. How could you be chosen as a marriage partner?" The young man in purple was very puzzled, but he was also panicked. He was afraid to see the beautiful woman put on her wedding dress, and not only would he not be the groom, but he would also have to come out and offer his congratulations!

"So what if I'm the number one person in the Zhen family in this generation?" The woman in white sighed again. "I'm just a woman, unable to become the family's heir. It's perfectly normal for me to be chosen as a marriage candidate. I can't refuse the family's decision."

"This..." The young man in purple was speechless.

He was taught from a young age that since his family raised him, he should give everything for his family, even his own life.

If he were the one chosen for the marriage, he would also be unable to refuse, because it was a family decision!

"I've heard that the young alliance leader has just entered the Condensation Realm. I'd like to see the power of the Xuan Shui Temple's methods. I wonder if there's any chance?" The white-robed youth spoke calmly.