The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2362 - 2351: I Am Willing Too

The reprimanding voice of Cheng Yuanmu pierced the silence.

A hush fell over the assembled Cheng family members, and eventually, Cheng Yuanmu's intense gaze settled upon Cheng Tonghan.

This Cheng Tonghan was, in fact, Cheng Yiyao's own father.

Possessing power at the Initial Stage of the Heavenly God Realm, Cheng Tonghan exhibited a flicker of evasion as Cheng Yuanmu's eyes bore into him. It was clear that Cheng Yuanmu had no intention of letting him off the hook, demanding, "Tonghan, Yiyao is your daughter. Are you not going to utter a word? Do you also believe we should offer Yiyao as a sacrifice?"

Upon hearing Cheng Yuanmu's pointed question, Cheng Tonghan's face betrayed no hesitation; it was evident he had reached a decision long ago. Taking a deep breath, his eyes met Cheng Yuanmu's: "Ancestor, how can this be termed a sacrifice? Yiyao merely needs to publicly declare her affections for Zhou Hongjing. There is nothing truly improper about that for her."

"In time, Yiyao could even wed Zhou Hongjing. Zhou Hongjing's direct ancestor has already breached the Half-step Divine Venerable realm. This presents a tremendous opportunity for the Chengs. We should not have rejected Zhou Hongjing in the first instance."

"Therefore, I maintain that there is nothing amiss with Yiyao marrying Zhou Hongjing. Conversely, should we refuse Zhou Hongjing's proposition, the Chengs will undoubtedly face a tempestuous backlash. At such a juncture, the Chengs might face annihilation. For the sake of the Cheng family, Yiyao is only making a minor contribution; we are not demanding her life."

Cheng Tonghan's words were as devoid of warmth as could be. That Cheng Yiyao's biological father could speak with such detachment begs the question: was his heart any different from a cold, unfeeling stone?

Cheng Tonghan was not without other heirs; he also had two sons. While Cheng Yiyao's talents were indeed exceptional within the Cheng family, the clan's future undoubtedly held greater importance.

After all, Cheng Tonghan had two sons! He harbored no desire for the Cheng family to be eradicated because of Cheng Yiyao. Thus, in his estimation, sacrificing Cheng Yiyao was an entirely logical course of action.

As Cheng Yiyao absorbed her father Cheng Tonghan's pronouncements, she was utterly stunned, as if struck by lightning. Her mind reeled, and her beautiful eyes glazed over as she stood frozen. Ordinarily, her father showered her with affection. She too harbored no desire to bring misfortune upon the Chengs and had already steeled herself for a potential sacrifice.

Yet, the chilling words from one relative after another, particularly the cold, matter-of-fact tone of her father, inflicted a profound and desolate sorrow upon her.

Cheng Yuanmu's expression grew even more severe. He had never conceived that Cheng Tonghan would advocate for sacrificing Cheng Yiyao. The fury within him intensified, as Cheng Yiyao was his most cherished descendant within the Cheng clan, possessing a disposition uncannily similar to his own. Under no circumstances would he permit Cheng Yiyao to be offered as a sacrifice.

Were the individuals present not members of the Cheng family, Cheng Yuanmu might have resorted to immediate physical force. The collective attitude displayed by the other Cheng family members was enough to chill him to the bone.

An elder, situated at the Later Stage of the Seventh Layer Heavenly God Realm, advanced from the assembled group. This was Cheng Yiyao's maternal grandfather, Cheng Nianjiang, who addressed the ancestor respectfully: "Ancestor, it is not that we wish to sacrifice Yiyao, but the circumstances currently dictate such a course. We cannot imperil the future of the entire Cheng lineage for the sake of one individual, can we?"

Cheng Nianjiang then directed his gaze toward Cheng Yiyao: "Yiyao, you are a sensible child. I trust you understand the appropriate choice to make. Do not bring ruin upon our entire Cheng family!"

Still standing immobile, Cheng Yiyao heard her grandfather's words, and her body began to tremble almost imperceptibly. She felt utterly forsaken by everyone, a powerful urge to weep overwhelming her, yet she fought it back, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Cheng Yuanmu could contain himself no longer: "With me, Cheng Yuanmu, present, none shall dare to sacrifice Yiyao. You incessantly claim you do not wish to sacrifice Yiyao for the Cheng family's future, yet we are not at the precipice of annihilation, and you already propose her sacrifice? Have you truly endured? Have you genuinely endeavored for Yiyao?"

"I shall escort Yiyao to attend the Zhou family's banquet. That Zhou scion's demand for Yiyao to forsake her dignity and publicly avow her affections is utterly unacceptable. Can affection truly be bartered or coerced? Is there no one within the Zhou family who possesses reason and can discern right from wrong?"

"Amongst you all, who is willing to accompany us to this banquet?"

Cheng Yuanmu understood the futility of attempting to spirit Cheng Yiyao away from Lingfeng City at this juncture. The moment they entered the city, the Zhou clan would undoubtedly be alerted. His only recourse was to remain by Cheng Yiyao's side, confronting whatever challenges lay ahead together.

Cheng Nianjiang was the first to respond: "Ancestor, do not fault us for our lack of sentimentality. You are allowing emotion to cloud your judgment. I, Cheng Nianjiang, formally secede from the Cheng clan, effective immediately. The affairs of the Cheng family are no longer my concern."

"I, Cheng Tongliang, am also withdrawing from the Cheng family."

"I, Cheng Tongming, have decided to leave the Cheng family as well."

"I, Cheng Tonghan, declare my departure from the Chengs!"

...

Echoing the sentiments of Cheng Nianjiang, Cheng Yiyao’s grandfather, the uncles and father of Cheng Yiyao sequentially announced their unanimous withdrawal from the Cheng clan.

Cheng Yuanmu’s chest expanded and contracted rapidly, his face turning a deep shade of red.

Then, with a profound sigh, as though burdened by immense age, he murmured, "Emotions? Without them, what truly defines a person?"

He gestured dismissively, proclaiming, "Begone! Depart! The future of the Cheng family is no longer your concern."

"Ancestor, I wish to remain by your side." The loyal old steward stood firm next to Cheng Yuanmu.

Cheng Yuanmu acknowledged the old steward's unwavering loyalty with a reassuring nod.

Ye Chenfeng, who had been observing the Cheng family's dramatic exodus with detachment, interjected, "I'm staying too, count me in! I am from the Central Continent and have never attended an Ancient Realm banquet. This is the perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons and sample the renowned delicacies of the Ancient Realm."

Upon hearing Ye Chenfeng's declaration, Cheng Nianjiang and the others appraised him, noting his lack of Spiritual Energy and dismissing him. When he revealed his origin from the Central Continent, they found it utterly preposterous.

Cheng Nianjiang and the rest gathered their necessities and departed the Cheng estate without a second thought.

Ultimately, within the Cheng residence, only Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Yiyao, Ye Chenfeng, and the old steward remained. Even the middle-aged man from the Heavenly God Realm, who had accompanied them, left with the other departing Cheng members. After all, no one desired a futile death, and Cheng Yuanmu’s resolute stance was perceived as a death wish.

...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to recommend it and vote monthly on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)