Chapter Fifteen: Escaped?

"Is there anyone else who wishes to step up?" After Qin Feng's victory, the atmosphere both on and off the stage grew somewhat uncontrollable. Forced to restore order, Huo Zhengxiong summoned his inner energy and called out in a booming voice.

His words cracked through the air like thunder, scattering in all directions; those with weaker cultivation instinctively clapped their hands over their ears.

Everyone paused in surprise, but inwardly, they couldn't help cursing.

"Step up? What a joke!" Even Ye Wuyin, wielding a mystic weapon, was no match for Qin Feng—who in their right mind would go up there just to throw their life away?

"Is there anyone else who wishes to step up?" Huo Zhengxiong swept his gaze across the crowd below and repeated his question.

The whole arena fell silent. Many exchanged uneasy glances, but none had the courage to challenge Qin Feng.

It was clear that Ye Wuyin's defeat had left a deep impression.

"Very well, since no one else dares to step up, I hereby declare the winner of this martial contest for marriage to be—Qin Feng of the Qin family!"

At these words, most of the crowd erupted in sighs and murmurs. Soon after, people began to disperse.

Now that the beauty had found her champion, there was little reason to linger. The majority chose to leave.

In a short while, more than eighty percent of the crowd had departed, leaving only a few disciples of the Qin family behind.

At this moment, Huo Zhengxiong strode directly toward Qin Feng, with Huo Siyan following lightly behind her grandfather. Her steps were graceful and measured. She wore a simple white gown—not luxurious in material, yet on her it exuded a subtle air of transcendence. Her long, dark hair was tied loosely with a pale blue ribbon, flowing down her back in a gentle, elegant arc. Now and then, the breeze would lift a few strands, making her seem like an ethereal being, untouched by the mortal world, as if a banished immortal had wandered into this realm—a beauty too pure to be profaned.

A light veil hid her face, lending her an added air of mystery.

Yet before Qin Feng could truly take in her presence, a loud, rough voice crashed through his reverie.

"So, you’re Qin Feng? Good! From today on, you are the grandson-in-law of Huo Zhengxiong!"

Huo Zhengxiong's broad hand landed heavily on Qin Feng's shoulder, sending a surge of force down upon him. Fortunately, Qin Feng reacted in time, using his hardening technique to deflect most of the pressure; otherwise, he would have been knocked flat to the ground.

To Huo Zhengxiong's surprise, Qin Feng remained perfectly steady, not budging an inch.

"Greetings, Elder Huo!"

Although Qin Feng hadn't taken the martial contest for marriage too seriously, he had indeed won, and etiquette before his elders was still required.

"Good, good!" Huo Zhengxiong, clearly pleased with Qin Feng's manners, nodded with satisfaction and burst out laughing. The purpose of today’s contest had been to choose between the Qin and Ye families. Qin Feng's unexpected victory was to his liking—after all, the Qin family, whom Qin Feng represented, was stronger than the White Tiger Clan of the Ye family. Huo Zhengxiong cared little for the process; the result was all that mattered.

As for Qin Feng, his main purpose in coming today had been to teach Ye Wuyin a lesson. The marriage contest was just an unexpected bonus. He wasn’t particularly eager about it, nor did he resist the idea. After all, he’d heard much about Huo Siyan’s beauty, and though he’d never seen her for himself, her fame left little room for doubt.

So, regarding Huo Siyan, Qin Feng felt a stir of anticipation in his heart.

In his previous life, he had died before ever taking a wife. To realize that wish in another world, and with Huo Siyan—the renowned beauty of the entire town—felt more than satisfying.

He had never dared dream of such things before, due to the limitations of his body. Now, with the help of the Ninefold Devouring Heavenly Fire Pearl, not only could he cultivate, but he had soared to new heights. There was no longer any need for hesitation.

"Miss Huo greets Young Master Qin," Huo Siyan said, stepping forward and offering Qin Feng a graceful bow. Her voice was soft, sweet, and melodious—like an oriole singing at midnight, capable of captivating the soul. Everyone present felt a surge of curiosity, an urge to see the face behind that enchanting voice.

Only Qin Feng, upon hearing Huo Siyan speak, suddenly furrowed his brow.

His reaction was subtle; aside from Huo Siyan, no one seemed to notice.

"Is something wrong, Young Master Qin?" Huo Siyan’s voice sounded again, her gaze fixed intently on Qin Feng as if searching for an answer. Qin Feng, too, met her eyes.

Their eyes met.

At that instant, as Qin Feng beheld Huo Siyan’s beautiful eyes, his expression changed dramatically.

"Your eyes…"

Huo Siyan’s eyes were stunningly beautiful, yet it was precisely this extraordinary beauty that engraved itself into Qin Feng’s soul, impossible to forget.

In that moment, Qin Feng broke out in a cold sweat, his slender frame trembling slightly.

Even the most oblivious bystander could sense that something was amiss.

"Qin Feng, what’s wrong?" Qin Siming was there as well, and seeing Qin Feng’s strange state, hurried over to steady him.

"Her eyes… they look so similar, incredibly similar…"

To outsiders, Qin Feng’s words sounded like nonsense, but Huo Siyan seemed to grasp something. She asked, "Young Master Qin, have we perhaps… met before?"

With Qin Siming’s support, Qin Feng managed to regain his composure.

Taking a deep breath, he met Huo Siyan’s gaze once more and said, word by word, "Forgive my boldness, but could you remove your veil and let me see your face?"

At these words, Huo Siyan’s delicate brows knitted together.

For a man to ask a woman to remove her veil in public was quite improper. Yet Huo Siyan seemed just as eager to understand why Qin Feng had reacted so strongly upon seeing her, so, steeling herself, she pulled down the veil.

In that instant, every pair of eyes turned to Huo Siyan.

Beautiful! Her flawless, exquisite features glowed with a creamy, translucent fairness, tinged with a healthy, captivating blush. A gentle smile played on her lips, warming the hearts of all who saw her—soothing away all worry in an instant, as if her smile alone possessed a magical power. She seemed a fairy, the very embodiment of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy.

Yet, as everyone admired the face of one they deemed a celestial beauty, Qin Feng stared at Huo Siyan as though he had seen a ghost—his eyes wide with shock, fixated on her face, unable to utter a single word.

Then, in front of everyone, Qin Feng did something utterly incomprehensible—

He ran.

…