“?” “???” “……”

Zhuo Hongyi, Zhuo Cheng, and even Mu Feng were all stunned by Qin Lianyi’s audacious words.

Seriously? Poaching someone right in front of them?

But then again, no one could really blame Qin Lianyi for losing her composure. Advancing from the Qi Refining Stage to the Golden Core Stage in just two years—such cultivation speed wasn’t just fast; it was monstrous. It defied the logic of the heavens.

Forget the Great Qin Dynasty; even the ancient, titan sects of the Tianyuan Continent would trample over each other to recruit such a talent.

How far Han Lie’s future could go was unclear. But at the very least, the Nascent Soul Stage was a given. The Deity Transformation Stage was not a dream but a probability.

Just these two points were reason enough for Qin Lianyi—and the entire Great Qin Imperial Family—to go all in. If Han Lie could become the Royal Son-in-Law of the Great Qin Dynasty, securing such a powerhouse for their bloodline would be the coup of the century.

“Princess Lianyi, what are you doing? He says two years, so it’s two years?”

Mu Feng’s face darkened, his voice laced with stubborn disbelief. “This is merely his one-sided claim. I believe its credibility is close to zero!”

“Believing or not believing is a matter of personal conviction,” Qin Lianyi stated coolly, her gaze never leaving Han Lie. “Young Master Mu, if you don’t believe it, that is your affair. My belief is enough.”

“……”

Mu Feng’s expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions—shock, humiliation, anger. He opened his mouth as if to retort, but the words died in his throat.

“Uncle Chengjun, I have matters to attend to and must take my leave!”

Finally, unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, Mu Feng cupped his hands stiffly. He shot Han Lie a venomous glare before turning and striding away with large, angry steps.

“Nephew Mu, you…” Zhuo Cheng instinctively wanted to smooth things over, but Qin Lianyi cut him off.

“Uncle Chengjun, there is no need to keep him,” she said calmly. “His most prized possession—his cultivation talent—has been utterly overshadowed by Daoist Han.”

“With his pride shattered, naturally, he has no face to remain here any longer.”

“Ah… well… alright.” Zhuo Cheng sighed, deflating. He had no choice but to let it go.

Before this, he hadn’t been supportive of Zhuo Hongyi’s choice. A middle-aged nobody versus the Minister of War’s son? It was barely a choice.

But now, the chessboard had been overturned.

Achieving Golden Core in two years was outrageous—so outrageous it felt unreal. Yet, he knew his daughter. Zhuo Hongyi was headstrong, but she was not a liar, especially on matters concerning the family’s survival.

If Han Lie’s cultivation speed was true… then Zhuo Cheng had nothing to say.

Mu Feng had a powerful background, yes. But as Han Lie had pointed out, the ceiling of the Mu family was visible. The potential of a monster who reached Golden Core in two years, however, was limitless. It was the difference between a high mountain and the endless sky.

Hadn’t even Princess Qin Lianyi just thrown aside royal decorum to recruit him?

Given the choice between a Minister’s son and a future Deity Transformation cultivator, any sensible patriarch knew the answer.

“Daoist Han, what do you think of my proposal just now?” Qin Lianyi turned her gaze back to Han Lie, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Faced with such blatant poaching, Zhuo Cheng dared not voice his anger. Before the Great Qin Imperial Family, his Zhuo Family was an ant. If the Imperial chariot rolled over them, they would be crushed without the driver even noticing the bump.

“Han Lie!”

Zhuo Hongyi was getting anxious. She gripped her sleeves tightly. She feared Han Lie might be swayed by the allure of royalty. If he left with Qin Lianyi, she would have essentially delivered a dragon to someone else’s doorstep.

Han Lie pressed his palm down slightly, signaling Zhuo Hongyi to remain calm.

“This humble Daoist is not an ungrateful person devoid of sentiment,” he said, his voice steady. “When my cultivation was still weak, Fairy Hongyi provided me with much assistance.”

“It is no exaggeration to say that without her help, I would not be standing here today.”

He looked directly at Qin Lianyi.

“And taking ten thousand steps back, I am still a disciple of the Heavenly Void Sect. I’m afraid I cannot abandon my sect to become a son-in-law of the Great Qin Dynasty.”

“So, I hope Princess Lianyi will understand.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Hongyi breathed a long sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing.

Zhuo Cheng also smiled with genuine relief; it seemed his daughter’s judgment of character was sharper than his own.

Qin Lianyi didn’t seem surprised at all by Han Lie’s rejection. She chuckled lightly.

“Daoist Han’s reply is largely within my expectations.”

“However…”

Her eyes narrowed playfully.

“Daoist Han, may we speak privately for a moment?”

“Certainly.” Han Lie thought for a moment and nodded.

“Han Lie!” Zhuo Hongyi’s worry spiked again. Qin Lianyi was clearly not giving up.

“Do not worry.”

After giving Zhuo Hongyi a reassuring look, Han Lie followed Qin Lianyi out of the hall and into the quiet of the garden courtyard.

“Daoist Han, are you truly not considering it?” Qin Lianyi didn’t beat around the bush.

“I can consider it,” Han Lie replied, his tone shifting. “But I will not abandon Fairy Hongyi.”

Hearing this, Qin Lianyi smiled. She understood the implication immediately. He wasn’t saying no to power; he was saying no to exclusivity.

“How about this: we can first arrange the marriage engagement. When it comes time for the wedding ceremony in the future, we can hold it together. What do you think?”

After a brief ponderance, Qin Lianyi proposed her plan. In the cultivation world, powerful men having multiple partners was hardly rare.

“That indeed seems like a good approach. However…” Han Lie paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. “May I ask Princess Lianyi—with which princess of your Great Qin Imperial Family am I supposed to complete this marriage?”

“Which princess do you wish to marry?”

Qin Lianyi stepped closer, her eyes locked on his.

“In our Great Qin Dynasty, there are fifteen princesses in total. You may choose freely. Of course… you can also choose me.”

“I personally hope you choose me,” she added softly. She had done the legwork; she naturally didn’t want to prepare a wedding dress for one of her sisters.

“Hehe… In that case… then let it be Princess Lianyi.”

Han Lie replied without hesitation.

“I am not yet familiar with the other princesses. At least regarding you—Princess Lianyi—I have some understanding.”

Based solely on Qin Lianyi’s nightly activities as ‘Qin Yang,’ robbing the rich to aid the poor, Han Lie felt her character was solid. She was interesting.

“Is that your final decision?” The happiness on Qin Lianyi’s face was radiant. “If so… pick a time and accompany me into the palace to meet His Majesty.”

“Ahem…”

Han Lie cleared his throat tactically.

“Princess Lianyi… entering the palace for an audience with His Majesty… perhaps that won’t be necessary just yet.”

“Why?” Qin Lianyi blinked, confused.

Han Lie explained patiently, “Perhaps it is my inherent impression of emperors… Generally speaking, rulers possess extremely domineering personalities and tolerate no defiance. They view talent as a resource to be controlled.”

“I fear that once inside… I might not be able to walk out again.”

“But please rest assured, Princess Lianyi. By our next meeting, my cultivation will far surpass my current mid-Golden Core Stage. Then it won’t be too late for me to accompany you into the palace. Wouldn’t that suffice?”

“Hmm…”

Qin Lianyi frowned in thought. “Although saying so feels somewhat disrespectful towards Father Emperor… based on my understanding of him… your concerns are entirely reasonable.”

A look of realization dawned on her face.

Indeed. Her father had always been decisive, ruthless even. He never allowed anyone to defy his will. If he learned about a monster like Han Lie, who reached Golden Core in two years, he wouldn’t just offer a marriage. He might lock him in the Imperial Treasury and force him to cultivate for the state, or worse, use forbidden arts to bind him.

At that point, even her intervention would be meaningless.

Han Lie chuckled lightly. “It’s good that the Princess understands.”

“I actually have another question I’d like to ask the Princess.”

“Please go ahead, Daoist.” Qin Lianyi gestured invitingly.

“What exactly is the relationship between yourself… and Young Master Mu Feng?”