But in the end, she couldn't avoid returning to the Divine Fire Mountain Manor. Dongfang Huaizhu rushed back in a hurry.
"Father, did you call me back for something?" Dongfang Huaizhu stood on the ground and asked the head of the Dongfang family who was sitting on a chair, her face full of questions.
"You're not young anymore. Have you ever considered marriage?" The head of the Dongfang family stood up, with his hands behind his back. In middle age, white hair had quietly sprouted on his head, but his body was still straight.
Dongfang Huaizhu shook her head, her voice clear: "Father, I don't want to think about such things. I just want to follow my heart."
"You're old enough now. It's the right time for you to get married. For the sake of the Dongfang family's bloodline, you should shoulder this responsibility."
Dongfang Huaizhu stuck out her tongue. Rarely did she show the cuteness of a young girl: "Father, I haven't found the one I like yet. How can you expect me to get married?"
Hearing this, the head of the Dongfang family smiled and stroked Dongfang Huaizhu's head: "You don't have to worry about this. I've already had a suitable candidate in mind. He will surely keep you safe and bring you happiness."
Dongfang Huaizhu suddenly had a bad premonition. Please, please don't let it be him.
"I think Jin Renfeng, my eldest disciple, is very suitable. He's not only my disciple but also the eldest one. He's very capable. He will surely be able to take on the responsibility of the whole Divine Fire Mountain Manor." The head of the Dongfang family said to himself, not noticing Dongfang Huaizhu's disgusted expression.
Dongfang Huaizhu: …
This Jin Renfeng is the very person who will plot against you in the future. He's not only extremely vain but also a cruel and heartless scoundrel! Remembering the plot, Dongfang Huaizhu felt like crying but had no tears.
"I only regard him as my senior brother. I don't have any romantic feelings for him." Dongfang Huaizhu spoke up, trying to make the head of the Dongfang family give up this idea.
However, the head of the Dongfang family was persistent. It was obvious that he had made up his mind and wouldn't be swayed.
Seeing this, Dongfang Huaizhu had to say again: "Daughter just wants to accompany you and Qin Lan well now. I don't want to get married and leave home so early."
Dongfang Huaizhu blinked her eyes and looked at the head of the Dongfang family firmly. It was clear that she didn't want to marry Jin Renfeng.
The head of the Dongfang family looked into her clear and pure pupils. After a while, he sighed: "Alas, fine. You can go now." His tone was full of helplessness.
"Okay, father. I'll go practice swordsmanship." Dongfang Huaizhu replied. She didn't know if her father would change his mind, so she had to retreat for the time being.
Even after Dongfang Huaizhu left and the door closed, the head of the Dongfang family still didn't move. He seemed to be deep in thought, just standing there with his hands behind his back. His expression was constantly changing in the sunlight and shadow.
After Dongfang Huaizhu left the room, she walked all the way to look for the sword that resembled the Wangquan Sword. Although it wasn't very smooth to use, it could still be of some use. In order to push the plot forward, she had to give it a try. It was like treating a dying horse as if it were alive.
Before Dongfang Huaizhu could enter her yard, she saw Dongfang Qinlan bouncing out, her eyes shining: "Sister, you're back!"
Dongfang Huaizhu walked closer, stopped and stroked Dongfang Qinlan's head. The child was always fair and tender, with big watery eyes. She was really cute and lovable.
"Yeah. What's up?" Dongfang Huaizhu squatted down to look at Dongfang Qinlan at eye level, her voice gentle.
"Nothing. I'm going out to play. Sister, you don't accompany Qinlan. I'm so bored. Humph!" Dongfang Qinlan said coquettishly.
Just as Dongfang Huaizhu was about to speak, a male voice suddenly interrupted: "What's wrong, Qinlan? Senior brother will tell you where there's fun, okay?"
Dongfang Huaizhu turned her head and looked in the direction of the voice. A strong figure came into view. Sure enough, it was the annoying Jin Renfeng again. Dongfang Huaizhu didn't want to pay attention to him, but Dongfang Qinlan seemed very interested in what he said about having fun and stood there without moving.
"Senior brother, where is this fun thing you're talking about?" There was a glint of excitement in Dongfang Qinlan's eyes.
"Go find Little Seventeen. Let him take you to play." Jin Renfeng spoke in a tone of coaxing a child.
But who was Dongfang Qinlan? She never liked such tricks of coaxing children. Immediately, her expression changed a lot. Seeing this, Dongfang Huaizhu comfortingly stroked Dongfang Qinlan's head: "Be good, Qinlan. Go ahead."
Only then did Dongfang Qinlan nod and run away. Dongfang Huaizhu watched her go, took a deep breath, then turned to look at Jin Renfeng, waiting for what he had to say next.
"I've heard recently that junior sister has been practicing swordsmanship. Do you have any questions?"
"Thank you for your concern, senior brother. Everything is going smoothly." Dongfang Huaizhu endured the nausea in her heart.
"Junior sister, you're welcome. Over the years, I've also been taken care of by the master. It's only right for me to solve problems for junior sister. If you have anything, just come to me." Jin Renfeng continued.
"Junior sister, how about I teach you swordsmanship?" Jin Renfeng asked, seemingly not noticing Dongfang Huaizhu's increasingly bad expression.
"Senior brother, there's no need. I'm sure the junior brothers need your help more." Dongfang Huaizhu endured the nausea and trembling in her heart. Just thinking about the things he would do in the future that would arouse public outrage, it seemed as if cold air was emanating from her bones.
"Is junior sister really going to be so heartless to me?" Jin Renfeng looked sad.
"Senior brother, there's no need to be like this. As the master's capable assistant and the eldest disciple, senior brother has his extraordinary qualities." Dongfang Huaizhu said calmly.
"Moreover, senior brother is good-looking. I see that many junior sisters admire you very much." Dongfang Huaizhu flattered him against her will, but it was also a fact. Jin Renfeng was good-looking, his magic was not bad, and as the eldest disciple, he was highly valued by the head of the Dongfang family. All the disciples in the manor admired him. He was undoubtedly the most outstanding one among the many disciples in the Divine Fire Mountain Manor.
Dongfang Huaizhu saw Jin Renfeng's lips move slightly as if he wanted to say something. She quickly spoke up politely and continued: "Senior brother is the master's capable disciple. You should assist the master in handling the affairs of the manor and solve problems for the master. You shouldn't waste your time on me."
Dongfang Huaizhu used the head of the Dongfang family to suppress him. Obviously, this move was very effective. Jin Renfeng sighed helplessly: "Fine. Since junior sister doesn't welcome me, I'll come another day. If junior sister has any problems, you can come to me."
Dongfang Huaizhu couldn't wait for him to leave quickly. She couldn't bear the trembling in her bones for even a second more. She forced a smile and then waved goodbye. "Take care, senior brother."
"In that case, I won't disturb junior sister's sword practice." Jin Renfeng was about to reach out his hand but was dodged by Dongfang Huaizhu. He smiled faintly and left with his back view.
Dongfang Huaizhu's tense body finally relaxed. She let out a soft sigh and walked into the house to find the sword she had bought from the market. That day, time was urgent. Now, looking closely, this sword only resembled the Wangquan Sword by about 30%. The hilt was square and inlaid with gold, looking very solid. It was only for practice, Dongfang Huaizhu thought silently.
Then she walked into the yard and found a spacious place. Seeing that there was no one around, she started to practice swordsmanship.