Chapter 29: My Wife Is Better Than Your Wife!

"I that day…"

Chen Guanxiang quickly recounted his ordeal.

In short, Chen Guanxiang had originally planned to apprehend Jiang Long and A-Liang to offer an apology to Qin Guan, but the two had feared Qin Guan's retaliation and swiftly fled back to Yunlan Sect.

Chen Guanxiang then reported the events of that day in the Secret Realm to the Sect Master, Zheng Wanshou, hoping that Yunlan Sect would hand over Jiang Long and A-Liang so as not to make an enemy of Qin Guan.

What he hadn't expected was that the Inner Sect Enforcement Elder, Zhao Zhijian, in order to protect his nephew Jiang Long, had coerced and bribed the dozen or so disciples who had entered the Secret Realm that day. They colluded with one another and turned the tables, framing Chen Guanxiang and Qin Guan for conspiring together, secretly pocketing the Secret Realm's treasures, and attempting to harm fellow sect disciples.

Their testimonies were unanimous, and in the end Chen Guanxiang couldn't defend himself no matter what he said — he nearly coughed up blood from sheer rage.

Sect Master Zheng Wanshou then had Inner Sect Elder Zhao Zhijian interrogate Chen Guanxiang and ordered him to hand over the Secret Realm's treasures.

Chen Guanxiang, utterly disheartened and knowing that falling into Zhao Zhijian's hands meant certain death, fought back with everything he had. In the end, Zheng Wanshou severed his left arm, and he barely managed to escape with his life.

After hearing Chen Guanxiang's story, everyone felt deep sympathy for him — especially Jiang Lianyue. Chen Guanxiang had always been utterly loyal to Yunlan Sect, yet this was the fate he had been dealt.

"I have nowhere left to go. Young Master Qin, would you allow me to stay by your side and serve you?" Chen Guanxiang suddenly asked.

Since Yunlan Sect had shown him no righteousness, he owed them none in return. He now understood that only by following Qin Guan did he have any chance of avenging this grievance.

Qin Guan studied Chen Guanxiang for a moment, then nodded. "You may."

"Thank you, Young Master Qin!" Chen Guanxiang bowed respectfully.

At this, Nan Yunqi quickly said with warm hospitality, "Elder Chen, from now on, treat the Nan Family as your own home!"

Chen Guanxiang nodded. "Family Head, if there is anything you need, feel free to command me."

"Elder Chen, you're too kind!"

As he spoke, Nan Yunqi stepped quickly to Chen Guanxiang's side and produced a pill. "Elder Chen, your injuries are severe. Take this medicine at once!"

Seeing the second-rank Returning Origin Pill in Nan Yunqi's hand, Chen Guanxiang's expression shifted and he hurriedly said, "This is far too precious. Though I have lost an arm, a few days of rest should suffice!"

Nan Yunqi shook his head and pressed the pill firmly into Chen Guanxiang's hand. "Elder Chen, the Nan Family is far from comparable to Yunlan Sect. This is the only healing pill we have. I only hope you won't think it beneath you."

Though Chen Guanxiang had lost an arm, he was a genuine Profound Mastery Realm expert. If he were to remain with the Nan Family going forward, their strength would increase enormously!

"Thank you, Family Head Nan!" Chen Guanxiang accepted without further protest and put the Returning Origin Pill away.

"Quickly arrange a quiet guest courtyard for Elder Chen to recover in — show no negligence!" Nan Yunqi immediately instructed the servants.

Chen Guanxiang was soon escorted away.

"I'll send people over this afternoon to construct the cultivation chamber. There are still some matters to attend to at Tianbao Pavilion, so I'll take my leave for now." Jiang Lianyue rose to her feet with a smile.

"Oh my, to have Miss Jiang personally see to this matter — I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude, truly overwhelmed!"

Nan Yunqi nodded and thanked her with a fawning expression — he was so eager to please that he practically stopped short of calling her "Your Ladyship"…

Of course, one couldn't blame him for being so deferential. The Formation Masters of Tianbao Pavilion were in a completely different league from ordinary Formation Masters. In the past, given the Nan Family's standing, even if they had sent an eight-man sedan chair to invite one, the person likely wouldn't have spared them a second glance.

"Little Sister Yue'er, let me see you out!" Nan Rou suddenly linked arms with Jiang Lianyue and walked toward the door.

Watching his daughter and Jiang Lianyue act so intimately, like old friends of many years, Nan Yunqi frowned. "When did those two get acquainted?"

"Just now," Qin Guan said casually.

Nan Yunqi fell silent. A moment later, he suddenly turned to Qin Guan with a pointed look. "Qin Guan, be honest — are you involved with Miss Jiang?"

After leaving the Secret Realm, Qin Guan and Jiang Lianyue had gone into the small grove together. The Nan Family had offended Spirit Sword Academy, yet Jiang Lianyue still dared to help them.

Jiang Lianyue's status was extraordinarily noble, and now she had even become sworn sisters with Nan Rou. All of this was clearly connected to Qin Guan. Earlier, Qin Guan had told him something about repaying a favor and not knowing anyone at Tianbao Pavilion — but looking at things now, it was clearly far more complicated than it appeared.

"Father-in-law, please don't talk nonsense. If Rou'er heard that, it would cause trouble!" Qin Guan said, exasperated.

"Any clear-eyed person can see that you and Miss Jiang have a deep connection. Besides, Rou'er is no fool — do you think she can't see it?" Nan Yunqi said.

"I entrusted her with a matter, and she probably sees me as a powerful ally worth befriending — that's why she helped out so generously. Understand?" Qin Guan replied, unamused.

"I'll admit I misjudged you at first — you really do have some serious clout. But this is Tianbao Pavilion we're talking about. Would Tianbao Pavilion really cling to your coattails?"

"Father-in-law, honestly, your vision is no match for Rou'er's, nor for Jiang Lianyue's. It's far too shortsighted."

At that, Nan Yunqi flared up instantly. "You're calling me shortsighted?! Don't think that just because you're a good fighter you can be so disrespectful! I'm telling you — no matter how capable you are, I am still your father-in-law, and Rou'er is still your wife!"

Qin Guan's mouth twitched. He found himself utterly speechless…

Seeing Qin Guan go quiet, Nan Yunqi's expression softened. "Of course, I still want to sincerely thank you. If not for your help, I doubt I could have kept my position as Family Head. You're not just a good live-in son-in-law — you're a true benefactor of our Nan Family."

"It was the least I could do!" Qin Guan nodded with a smile.

"In truth, it's perfectly normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. I only hope you won't let Rou'er down — just treat her well, that's all I ask." Nan Yunqi suddenly said.

"Father-in-law, I think your energy right now should be focused on the family's development. As for Rou'er, rest assured I will never let her down!"

"No!"

Before Qin Guan had even finished, Nan Yunqi suddenly shook his head. "You've misunderstood me."

Qin Guan frowned and looked at Nan Yunqi, who continued:

"I think that if you have the ability to make that Miss Jiang a secondary wife, it wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Think about it — if you married her, cultivation resources would never be a concern, the crisis with Spirit Sword Academy might even be easily resolved, and Miss Jiang is a stunning beauty to boot. For you, it would be killing multiple birds with one stone!"

Hearing Nan Yunqi's analysis, Qin Guan was rendered speechless. "I think your teeth must not be very good."

"What do you mean?" Nan Yunqi asked, puzzled.

"You've gotten too used to eating soft food," Qin Guan said with a grin.

That single remark sent Nan Yunqi into a rage. "You little brat, what do you mean by that?! Explain yourself! Who's gotten used to eating soft food?! You're the live-in son-in-law here — I'm better than you!"

"So what if I'm a live-in son-in-law? My wife is better than your wife!" Qin Guan shot back, raising an eyebrow without backing down.

"I… you…"

That single line left Nan Yunqi completely dumbstruck. On one side was his own wife; on the other was his own daughter. There was no good answer either way.

But if he was being honest, as a wife, Nan Rou was a hundred times more gentle and virtuous than Yang Hongmei.

"You're going to be the death of me!" Nan Yunqi fumed, rubbing his chest repeatedly. If he weren't outmatched by Qin Guan, he would have thrown hands long ago.

"What's going on — why are you two arguing again?!" Nan Rou had heard Qin Guan and her father bickering from far away after seeing Jiang Lianyue off, and she hurried inside.

Seeing Nan Rou, Qin Guan said in a deadpan tone, "Your father called me a live-in son-in-law."