Free Web NovelChapter 25: Chapter 25—Tradition of Power Showcase
Chapter 25—Tradition of Power Showcase
A little more than half an hour ago.
Just as Lei Cheng had leapt from the window and slipped out of the Lei compound on exhausted, dragging feet, Lin Mei had already set her own plan in motion on the other side.
Under her control, Mo Yong moved—dressed in Lei Cheng’s form, clad in a red robe embroidered with a dragon. His hair was neatly tied with a male hairpin carved in the shape of a dragon. Light makeup had been applied to his face, and a small dragon mark had been drawn on his forehead. His appearance was impeccable. But his eyes betrayed everything—blank, lusterless, stripped of any trace of intelligence or soul.
Mo Ming finally caught up, trailing a few steps behind as the group passed through the corridor into the garden. Servants and household guards followed in formation. Lei Feng was already standing at the front gates, clad in a crimson robe with dragon patterns embroidered across it, watching as Lin Mei guided Mo Yong forward.
Mo Ming’s gaze swept sharply around as he walked. ’Where is that idiot Mo Yong?’ He clenched his fist. ’Slacking off at a time like this.’ He exhaled through his teeth. ’Let’s see how I deal with you once you return.’
In the front courtyard of the Lei Clan, decorated carriages stood waiting, draped in flowers. A beautiful white horse had been prepared—dressed in a golden-red ceremonial cloth with a high-quality saddle, its coat gleaming. The entire scene was worthy of a grand wedding procession.
The moment Mo Yong stepped out through the gates, Lei Feng pulled him into a tight embrace. His smile was soft, but sadness lingered beneath it. He patted Mo Yong’s back and murmured, "If only your mother were still alive—she would have been so very proud. So very happy."
Still holding him, Lei Feng raised his head and looked up at the rising sun, his eyes glistening. "My dear," he whispered toward the heavens, "I hope you are watching our son’s wedding."
He released him, then grinned and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. "The weather is good today. Let us set out."
He gave a light pat to send him on his way, then climbed into one of the decorated carriages behind the horse. Lin Mei guided Mo Yong onto the beautiful white horse at the front. Servants and guards mounted their respective horses or settled into carriages behind.
"Let’s set off!" called a priest seated near the front.
At his command, Mo Yong spurred the horse forward under Lin Mei’s control, urging it onward without pause. He did not slow, not even for a moment. The white horse thundered ahead as if the rider could not wait another second to reach the altar.
The middle-aged priest, wrapped in white ceremonial robes, smiled at the sight. "Kids these days truly lack patience," he remarked warmly.
Lei Feng laughed alongside him. "It’s fine. Let him be eager."
Within half an hour, they arrived at the Xiao household.
The Xiao compound had been transformed. Flowers and red ribbons decorated every gate and pillar. At the main entrance hung a grand banner painted with portraits of Lei Cheng and Xiao Ming side by side, framed by two lines of blessing:
"Heaven and Earth—though two, they are one. Lei Cheng and Xiao Ming shall follow the principle of Heaven and Earth—seemingly separate, yet forever one."
Mo Yong dismounted and entered the courtyard. Lei Feng, along with Mo Ming and the rest, stepped out of their carriages and filed in after him. As they moved into the inner courtyard’s garden, they found a sparring platform had been erected—one hundred meters wide, solid and handsome. The Xiao Clan’s courtyard itself stretched more than a full kilometer across, comparable in scale to the Lei Clan’s own compound. Members of the Xiao Clan were already seated in newly built chairs lined along the sides, and the guests were quickly filling them.
Lei Cheng, Lei Feng, and Mo Ming’s seats were at the front, beside a middle-aged man and an elderly man dressed in red robes with phoenix patterns inscribed. The middle-aged man rose as he spotted Lei Feng approaching.
"You are right on time, brother-in-law," he greeted with a pleased smile.
Lei Feng clasped his hands together in a respectful salute. "Brother-in-law Xiao Yang, the auspicious hour is approaching. We cannot afford to waste time."
Xiao Yang nodded. "Indeed. We were waiting for you. Now—we must carry out the tradition."
Lei Feng gave a single nod and sat down. He noticed the old man beside Xiao Yang sitting with his eyes closed in quiet meditation and was careful not to disturb him.
Xiao Yang leaned over with a light grin. "Don’t mind Father. The old man is always like that."
Lei Feng exhaled softly. "Let us begin, brother-in-law."
Xiao Yang nodded and glanced toward Mo Ming.
Mo Ming, however, was scanning the surroundings with a darkening scowl. ’Where in the heavens is that worthless son of mine? How dare he be absent at a moment this important—’
He stopped as Lei Feng’s voice cut through. "Is something the matter, Mo Ming?"
Mo Ming stood abruptly and strode forward, his tone flat and commanding. "Master Lei—the auspicious time is nearly upon us. Let us not waste it. One final battle at Rank Three. We settle it in a single match."
Lei Feng’s brow furrowed.
Xiao Yang patted Lei Feng’s shoulder with a reassuring grin. "It’s fine, brother-in-law. One battle to decide it. Simple and clean."
Lei Feng nodded slowly, brows still raised in quiet concern.
Mo Ming stepped onto the platform.
Xiao Yang glanced sideways at Lei Feng and sighed. "Brother-in-law—this is tradition. The groom’s family must demonstrate the power—the ability to protect the bride who walks into their household."
Lei Feng smiled with a trace of bitterness. "Yes. We cannot skip it. It is a tradition passed down from our ancestors."
Xiao Yang patted his shoulder again. "Don’t worry. I’m sending a weak Rank Three member from our side. Mo Ming will win, and your family will not lose face."
The words sounded comforting, but everyone present understood the humiliation hidden beneath them.
The elderly man at the side finally opened his eyes. He hummed without warmth, "You should be grateful that your son is marrying my granddaughter."
Lei Feng tightened his fist in silence.
Yet he forced a smile onto his face.
The weight of the situation pressed down on him. This was no ordinary formality. In a world where face was everything—where a clan’s reputation could rise or collapse on a single public moment—this battle carried enormous consequence. If the groom’s family lost, it was a disgrace without precedent. No bride of standing would wish to marry into a weak clan. Such losses were rare, but when they happened, people never forgot them. And the Lei Clan was now standing on exactly that edge. They had to hold onto their face.
Even if they won today, whispers would still spread through the crowd—that the Xiao Clan had simply allowed it because the Lei Clan was weak.
A few minutes later, both parties stood upon the sparring platform.
Mo Ming locked eyes with the young man standing across the platform from him. The opponent was dressed in black hanfu robes, a long sword held loosely in his right hand.
The young man smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ll let you win."
Mo Ming scowled. "Don’t get cocky, young man."
The young man’s smile widened. "We’ll see about that." His eyes glowed with murderous intent. ’Young Miss has ordered me to kill you, so I’ll take your life.’ frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
His grip tightened around the sword hilt.
Mo Ming drew his sword.
Both of them erupted simultaneously, auras flaring outward. Mo Ming’s body was wrapped in blue light. The young man’s shone with gold.
In the same instant, the Xiao Clan’s patriarch vanished from beside Xiao Yang and reappeared in a flash before the platform. His voice rang out across the courtyard:
"Mo Ming of the Lei Clan—versus Xiao Wan of the Xiao Clan. The match begins."
Would Mo Ming even stay alive long enough for Lei Cheng to kill him?
