Chapter 17 - Match

The room seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath. Xie Ren's presence was terrifying.

No one dared to speak, but in the back of their minds, they feared what might come next. If Chen Yinyin pointed at them, what would happen?

But then, to their shock, Chen Yinyin's voice rang out, carefree and light. "Master, normally, I'm the one who bullies them!"

There was a collective sigh of relief. The air seemed to loosen, tension dissipating like smoke. No one was going to die today, at least not because of this.

"Oh?" The disappointment in his voice was palpable. Still, he didn't press the matter any further.

His gaze shifted once again, this time toward the Chen family's patriarch, Chen Yan, and his wife, who stood nervously to the side.

"I heard you were planning to have my disciple join Profound Purity Sect?" Xie Ren's casually asked.

Chen Yan's face paled as the beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. His eyes shot daggers at Chen Yinyin, frustration evident.

That unfilial girl! How could she be so careless, revealing such things to this mysterious and powerful figure? Hadn't she just sealed their fate?

He quickly dropped to his knees, desperation in his voice as he spoke, "Master, the reason I mentioned having Yinyin join Profound Purity Sect earlier was because I didn't know she had such a powerful master. If I had known, I wouldn't have had the courage to suggest it, not even with a hundred lives!"

Xie Ren's lips curled into a small, approving smile. The response pleased him.

Chen Yinyin, however, was less than impressed. Her arms crossed in front of her chest, a slight frown tugging at her lips.

"Scoundrel… Master, don't scare my father. If you do, I'll cut you down!" Her voice had a hint of annoyance, clearly irritated by the tension.

The Chen family gasped in shock. What did she just say? Was she threatening Xie Ren? The same Xie Ren who had effortlessly obliterated Lin Huan, the mid-stage Golden Core cultivator? A figure whose power was beyond comprehension? Was she truly that reckless?

Chen Yan's face flushed with embarrassment. His hands trembled, but not from fear of Xie Ren. Instead, it was his shame that made his fingers twitch. He couldn't believe his daughter had the gall to speak so carelessly to someone so fearsome.

"Master, Yinyin has been spoiled by me. She has a mischievous personality, but she's not a bad person at heart. Many of the things she says are just jokes, please don't take them seriously!" Chen Yan's voice cracked with frustration as he quickly scrambled to defend his daughter.

He wished he could slap some sense into her, hoping Xie Ren would overlook her impudence.

"No problem, it's not the first time Yinyin has tried to hit me," Xie Ren's words rang out, leaving the room in stunned silence.

His casual tone made it clear: this wasn't just a joke, Chen Yinyin had indeed tried to strike him before.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. They stared at Chen Yinyin in disbelief, had she really done such a thing.

Chen Yan, however, was less shocked and more enraged. His face turned ashen as he pointed an accusing finger at his daughter.

"Unfilial daughter! What happened to the respect I taught you? How dare you strike your own master?" His voice rose with fury, and he grabbed a bamboo stick from the corner of the room, raising it with every intention to strike her. "I'll skin you alive!"

"Old Chen, be careful with the strength! Don't go too easy on her, or she won't learn her lesson!" Xie Ren Said.

Chen Yan tightened his grip on the bamboo stick and raised it higher, preparing to strike harder.

But before the blow could land, Chen Yinyin's voice rang out.

"Scoundrel Master!" She spun toward Xie Ren, her voice full of indignation. "Since you have no regard for righteousness, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Xie Ren leaned back slightly, his expression still calm.

"What other tricks do you have? Go ahead, I'll take them all." His voice had a trace of amusement, as though he were enjoying the moment.

Now, perhaps for the first time, Chen Yinyin might understand that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

But the words that escaped Chen Yinyin's lips next were so shocking that they silenced everyone.

"Father, He is lying! He's not my master, he's actually my husband, and we've already consummated our marriage!"

A collective gasp echoed through the hall. No one could believe their ears.

What did she just say? She had married this strong expert.

The revelation hit like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned.

To everyone, now it made sense why Xie Ren had so fiercely opposed Lin Feng taking her as a concubine earlier. Their connection wasn't just that of a master and disciple, it was far deeper, far more personal.

Chen Yan's expression twisted in disbelief, his mouth agape as his world turned upside down.

"What are you all staring at me for?" said Xie Ren. "You actually believe Yinyin nonsense?"

Chen family exchanged wary glances. Despite her antics, Chen Yinyin had never been one to speak lies.

Faced with the uncomfortable truth, the Chen family fell silent, their gazes shifting uneasily.

To avoid any further embarrassment for Xie Ren, Chen Yan immediately signaled the family to leave.

He said with a forced smile, "I believe this is a matter between the two. I will not intervene further. As long as the family stays harmonious, you both should talk it over and not hold grudges."

As he left, Chen Yan threw a glance over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of relief and admiration.

"She really found herself a good match," he muttered under his breath, his earlier tension melting away.