"I’m not a jerk. When I say I want to marry you, I don't mean in the conventional sense. I'm not interested in those mundane matters."

"What do you mean by 'conventional sense'? Marriage is marriage, with proper rites. Is there another way?" Tang Xin asked, puzzled.

"Honey Teacher, I won’t hide it from you. I won’t marry anyone in this lifetime."

"Because I don't know what path I’ll take, I don’t want that kind of formal burden."

"You're not wrong. Your abilities are quite unique, far from ordinary. But eventually, you’ll need to marry and have children, or your parents won’t agree."

"Heh, I don’t even know what my parents look like. They passed away long ago."

"Ah! You’re an orphan," Tang Xin exclaimed in surprise.

"More or less."

"Since you’re an orphan, you should all the more continue your lineage."

"Continuing the lineage... if it happens, it happens. If not, so be it. I don’t live for a family name. As long as I can take care of those I love and keep growing stronger, that’s enough."

"Your thinking is quite peculiar. Geniuses do think differently from ordinary people."

"Honey Teacher, the truth is, I don’t marry because I have two people worth protecting, and there will be more in the future."

"No way, you're so young, and you already have two?"

"Given your background, it seems unlikely. Which silly girl would follow you, let alone two?"

"Heh, they are my bedchamber maids!"

"What, bedchamber maids?"

"Exactly."

"Are you from a noble family?"

"Sort of."

"Come off it, are you telling stories? With your attire, you’re at most a servant of a noble family, maybe flirting with two maids."

"Honey Teacher, your words cut deep!"

"Cut deep, my foot. I hit the nail on the head. I haven’t heard of any Huang family in Silver Moon City."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Believe it or not, I’m not lying."

"Those two maids have been protecting me with their lives. I can’t let them down, so I won’t marry."

Huang Ye exaggerated this statement. Qing'er indeed met the standard, but Yue'er was a threat to his life. Fortunately, he had already subdued Yue'er.

"The story is touching. I almost believed it."

"Alright, enough of your nonsense. I have an idea and need your cooperation."

"What’s in it for me?"

"Poor guy, you won’t be shortchanged. A hundred taels of silver."

"Honey Teacher, are you trying to brush off a beggar? A hundred taels, you dare to say that?"

"A hundred taels is not a small amount. You’ve never seen that much in your life."

"Ha, when I came to the academy, my Qing'er insisted on giving me a hundred taels, and I didn’t take it."

Tang Xin was completely convinced by this boy who spoke as if he were spinning tales.

Your Qing'er, really? The heroine must be something you made up.

"Fine, five hundred taels. That’s all I can offer."

"A young lady from a hidden weapons family, and that’s all you have? You’re quite pitiful."

"What are you saying? That’s my private stash."

"So many people attend your classes, and that’s all your private money?"

"Many attend my classes because I teach well. I teach to avoid my family. I don’t charge for my classes, and I only charge the cost for materials, the rest goes to the academy."

"Uh! You really are a good person."

"Of course, I’m not like that Jiang Yun. I heard he marks up my books and sells them to newcomers."

"Why don’t you do something about it?"

"Other instructors sell their own materials. I’m too lazy to sell even the materials. Do you think I’d bother with such trivial matters?"

"Looks like I didn’t beat the wrong person. That guy needs a lesson."

"Me? Could it be you really are from a noble family? That’s a habitual self-reference, not something a poor kid would say."

"I told you, I have two bedchamber maids, you just don’t believe it."

"Alright, I believe you. So which family are you related to by marriage?"

"I’m not related by marriage, just an adopted son."

"Adopted son? Which family’s adopted son?"

"The Wu family."

"The Wu family? In Silver Moon City, only the City Lord is surnamed Wu, no other family has that surname."

"Exactly, I’m the City Lord’s adopted son."

"What! How is that possible? I’ve never heard of the City Lord having an adopted son. You’re lying."

"Why would I lie to you? I had a mental breakdown at ten and only recently recovered."

"Ah! You’re, you’re that fool!" Tang Xin gaped at Huang Ye.

"You’re the fool, your whole family is foolish! I’m perfectly healthy now!"

"I heard the City Lord had a foolish son, didn’t expect it was you, and an adopted one at that."

"Now do you believe I have bedchamber maids?"

"But how did you become so sharp after recovering?"

"I don’t know, maybe it’s because it wasn’t used for years, it got stronger."

"Giggle! You really know how to talk nonsense. Can a brain get stronger?" Tang Xin giggled.

"The world is vast, full of wonders," Huang Ye repeated this saying.

"Sigh! Seems I’m really unlucky. I wanted to ask for your help, but since you’re the City Lord’s adopted son, that plan’s ruined."

"Why do you say that?"

"As the City Lord’s adopted son, with bedchamber maids, how could you lack money?"

"Why wouldn’t I lack money? I already told you, the money for school was given by Qing'er."

"Doesn’t the City Lord give you money?"

"Don’t ask what you shouldn’t." Huang Ye said angrily.

Tang Xin seemed to understand a bit, it seemed this guy didn’t have it easy in the City Lord’s mansion.

After all, being just an adopted son, being ostracized was normal.

"With your status, come home with me someday. Using this status might really ruin the marriage."

"If I ruin it, what if you can’t get married in the future?"

"Ha, as if I couldn’t get married."

"Hard to say. If the City Lord’s adopted son ruins it, who would dare provoke the City Lord?"

"At worst, I’ll marry you."

"I already have two. Aren’t you afraid of being mistreated if you marry me?"

"It’s normal for men to have multiple wives. As long as you treat me well, it’s fine. Even if not, it’s simple. I’m good with poison, I’ll take care of it all at once."

Huang Ye broke out in a cold sweat. This girl, she’s ready to strike mercilessly!

"Alright, sister, I give up."

"Let’s just make it a one-time deal. I’ll help you with the engagement issue. Whether it works or not, you must pay a five hundred tael appearance fee."

"You don’t like teachers of this type?"

"Between love and life, I cherish the latter more."

"Alright, it’s a deal. Set the time, and I’ll find you."

"Okay, I’ll head back now."

With that, Huang Ye vanished in a flash, faster than a rabbit.

This kid, am I really that scary? I’m the second of the three flowers of Silver Moon, yet he looks down on me.

Looking at the two holes in the wall, this kid exudes mystery.

Just this strength, at least Martial Master level, and his mastery of the mother-daughter dart technique is flawless.

He says he just woke up, but how could a fool for seven years have such strength?

A guy who lies with every breath, if I discover your secret, I’ll make sure you know how formidable I am.