"Impossible!" the head of the Cheng Xinyi Family, Bai Shiyi, looked at Shen Qiang with surprise in his eyes and said gravely, "Although the Cultivation World has Elixir Pills that can extend one's life, even the best of these pills can prolong life by only ten years at most."

Shen Qiang slightly raised his eyebrows, "The world is vast. Before scientists discovered the principles of thunder, ancient people thought it was the gods showing their anger. But now, you watch TV and use smartphones, electricity is everywhere. So, don't be too quick to use your fixed mindset to deny everything."

Bai Shiyi fell silent, looking seriously at Shen Qiang for a long time before saying, "You are trying to tell me that you have the ability to help Heshenghe defeat Cheng Xinyi, so I should try to curry favor with you."

Shen Qiang calmly sipped his tea and said, "I'm just warning you not to impose your will on me. I respect Bai Jiao's father and Bai Jiao's family members, but I will not respect anyone who dares to threaten me."

"Heshenghe will never bow to any force," Shen Qiang said seriously, his eyebrow raised, "This is not just empty talk."

Bai Shiyi raised an eyebrow, "The thought is good, but your Heshenghe does not have that strength now."

Shen Qiang looked at Bai Shiyi with unusual calmness and said, "Half a year ago, I had not yet started cultivating. At that time, as an intern in a private hospital, even the director of an ordinary department was an insurmountable mountain for me."

"But half a year later, I exterminated Long Yan. With just a hum from me, that hospital would close down. Thus, in life, fortunes can turn three times over until old age, and until one is placed in an urn and buried underground, anything is possible."

Bai Shiyi laughed and looked seriously at Shen Qiang, "You are more formidable than the Shen Qiang I had imagined, but this doesn't mean I can allow, I can allow my daughter to be with a playboy, to share a man with other women."

Shen Qiang calmly raised an eyebrow and said, "Everyone has two sets of moral standards in their heart, one set is for judging oneself, the other is for judging others. When looking at themselves, they can overlook all their flaws, but when regarding others, they become critical of every issue."

Bai Shiyi raised an eyebrow, "You're quite conceited."

Shen Qiang calmly raised an eyebrow and said, "Perhaps so, but it might also just be because I know that if you want to criticize someone, you can find countless faults in them. What you think are bad habits, what you consider lacking taste, their way of speaking, their dresses, their manners, their capabilities, and even a statement with little to no fault might be a harmless lie, can all become reasons to negate others."

Leaning slightly forward and staring into Bai Shiyi's eyes, Shen Qiang said, "I'm not your puppet, so don't boss me around. Just like I won't fuss over whether you can become a Saint, you're proud, merciless, authoritative, strong-willed, saintly, you are pure, you are loving, you are ethically flawless, but what does that have to do with me?"

"How dare you!" Bai Shiyi slammed the stone table and shouted angrily, "Don't you even understand the basic etiquette of respecting one's elders?"

Shen Qiang laughed, his face turning cold as he unapologetically raised his eyebrow, "Respect is mutual. You, Mr. Bai, might be very formidable and impressive, but you must understand, I Shen Qiang did not come all this way just to watch you play the saint, or act like some supreme elder or unparalleled powerhouse."

"I came here just to help Bai Jiao treat an old lady, because Bai Jiao cares about that old lady, not because she is the Bai family's old madam!"

With a nonchalant raise of his eyebrows, Shen Qiang's lips curved into a mocking smile and said, "If you think you, Bai Shiyi, are so powerful and extraordinary that you can boss me around, can lecture me on your turf then let me tell you."

Leaning close to Bai Shiyi and staring into his eyes, Shen Qiang said very seriously, "People die every day in this world. No matter how many old ladies die, I honestly couldn't care less, and that includes the Bai family's old madam."

With an unpleasant look, Bai Shiyi said coldly, "People who talk to me like that usually end up chopped into pieces and stuffed down the drain to feed the lobsters."

Shen Qiang chuckled lightly, "I prefer Corpse Dissolving Powder, a touch of light smoke, disappearing into thin air."

Bai Shiyi remained silent, watching Shen Qiang for a long time before suddenly smiling, "You really are a bold young man. Give them some money, let those women following you leave, and then marry into our Bai Family. We need a son-in-law like you."

Shen Qiang laughed, "Are you joking with me? In your eyes, I, Shen Qiang, might seem like a bottom-rung grassroots who will stop at nothing to climb higher. You think that marrying into the Bai Family is climbing the social ladder for me."

"Nonsense!" Shen Qiang coldly raised his eyebrows, "I work hard, I strive, I founded Heshenghe with a simple purpose—to never let myself or my women be bullied by anyone else. I did it because I love them, and even more, I love myself. I've had enough of being scorned, laughed at, and judged by others. So, put away your unrealistic fantasies. I will be with Bai Jiao, but I will never marry into the Bai Family."

Bai Shiyi said coldly, "You dare! If you so much as touch her, I swear I'll castrate you!"

Hearing this, Shen Qiang started laughing, laughing for a good ten seconds or more before he finally spoke calmly to Bai Shiyi, "I have settled Bai Jiao, because I like her—her sweetness, her charm, and her guilelessness."

"Shameless!" Bai Shiyi roared in anger.

Shen Qiang smiled and said, "Mr. Bai, you better keep some grace because your shouting really looks ugly. Besides, I've never been one to desperately try to play the good guy. I like Bai Jiao, I want her, so I will have her. This won't change because of your will."

"I will kill you," Bai Shiyi said.

Shen Qiang spoke solemnly, "Don't threaten me; I don't buy that. I like Bai Jiao for her innocence, her sweetness, her charm, and her shy looks. That's why I want her with me. If it can't happen, you don't need to kill me; I would already be living a fate worse than death."

"You're too greedy, Shen Qiang," Bai Shiyi challenged. "How many women do you need to feel satisfied?"

Shen Qiang said, "If I just wanted women, with my current strength, I could be marrying someone new every day. I like Bai Jiao, so I can't bear missing out on her. I'm no unworldly saint, so I'd rather be ridiculed by everyone as a libertine than watch her cuddle up to some other man."

"Then we're at an impasse," Bai Shiyi rose coldly, saying, "You can choose to leave on your own."

With that, Bai Shiyi picked up his big black umbrella and stormed out of the pavilion angrily.

Leaving Shen Qiang alone in the pavilion, quietly sipping tea.

Autumn rain, slanting winds.

It was unclear how long had passed.

With reddened eyes, Bai Jiao gracefully walked into the pavilion with her paper umbrella, then she gently put down her umbrella and quietly wrapped her arms around Shen Qiang's neck from behind. Together, they quietly watched the river's surface for a long time before she tenderly said, "Shen Qiang, I actually heard everything you said to my dad earlier."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.