"Not just painting—I think other skills should count too," Xu Mu said with a smile. "Our goal is for Huihui to have a good life. Can a man who wins her purely by fighting really be trusted with her future?"
Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "You make sense. What do you suggest?"
"If the total score is 100, let combat take 70–80. The rest should come from other abilities," Xu Mu said after thinking. "That way, the winner will likely be someone strong and skilled in other areas—better than a guy who only knows how to fight, right?"
Jiang Sheng rubbed his chin, pondering. It was indeed a workable plan—one the sect families would likely accept, too.
Jiang Xingjun and Zhou Shui exchanged a glance and both nodded to themselves. Typically, those spoiled second-gens might have decent cultivation—propped up by powerful elders and rare treasures—but they're too lazy to learn anything else. This plan, while imperfect, would filter out most of the unreliable types.
"Xu Mu! What do you mean by this? Are you actually agreeing to that 'martial tournament for marriage'?" Jiang Huihui snapped, pointing at Xu Mu. "How could you do this to me?"
Feeling the Jiang family's eyes on him, Xu Mu hurriedly said, "I haven't done anything against you."
"All right, Huihui, that's how we'll do it," Jiang Sheng said, walking over to her and taking her by the shoulders. "I'll take you back to your room."
"Senior, since things are settled, I suggest you let Huihui have her freedom," Xu Mu added with a smile.
"This is our family's business. Don't interfere. You may leave," Jiang Sheng waved him off.
Xu Mu nodded—since they were being dismissed, he had no reason to stay. Chen Xuan couldn't wait to leave, either. He hefted his woven sack with one hand and patted Xu Mu's shoulder with the other. "Let's go."
"Farewell," Xu Mu said, turning to descend the mountain with Chen Xuan.
On the way down, Chen Xuan glanced at him and grinned. "If it were me, I'd have left already. You're very courteous, Brother Mu."
"Huihui is my friend, after all," Xu Mu replied, shaking his head. "Come on, I'll treat you to fried chicken."
"Then I won't be polite," Chen Xuan said, showing his teeth in a smile. Back in the mountains, he'd only had his master—and occasionally his senior sister—visit. Everyone else were widows or old folks from nearby villages. He'd never really had friends, and Xu Mu felt like a good one.
…
"Old man, let me go!" Huihui was still struggling.
"Girl, do you like that kid?" Jiang Sheng loosened his grip and asked with a smile.
"Which kid?"
"Don't play dumb. I mean Xu Mu—unless you mean Chen Xuan?" Jiang Sheng took a couple more puffs from his pipe.
"No one likes him! We're just ordinary friends!" Huihui shot back viciously. Xu Mu had come to wreck the engagement—and somehow it had turned into this.
"I think that kid likes you. It's a pity—you two are destined to be impossible," Jiang Sheng said helplessly.
"Why impossible?" Huihui asked—and then clapped a hand over her mouth, cheeks flushing.
"Because he's an ordinary man, not an ancient martial artist. Even if I tailor the non-combat tests just for him, he still won't win."
At that, both Jiang Xingjun and Zhou Shui looked a bit crestfallen. In the end, this world still bows to strength.
"Who says he isn't an ancient martial artist?" Huihui retorted coldly.
Jiang Sheng blew out a sharp burst of ash. "You think I wouldn't know? Of course I can tell."
Hands in her pockets, Huihui stared at him. "Do you know how I entered the Mystic Art Realm?"
Jiang Sheng frowned. "How?"
"Qi Sea Pill. Xu Mu gave me one." Huihui's tone was calm. "That pill can help an ordinary person step into the ancient martial path in one leap. If he could give me one, you think he wouldn't take one himself?"
"Truly?" Jiang Sheng's eyes widened. A Grade-7 Qi Sea Pill isn't something ordinary people can produce. Even geniuses would save it for a breakthrough—not give it away. And to someone with no formal ties to them?
"If I'm lying, may my whole family die out!" Huihui swore.
"Damn it—wouldn't that mean we're the ones dying?" Jiang Sheng thumped her backside with his pipe. Still, he knew his granddaughter—she wouldn't lie about this sort of thing.
"Seems the kid's hiding his depth… could he be cultivating a technique that conceals his realm?" Jiang Sheng muttered. While he was still thinking, Huihui suddenly bolted down the mountain.
"Should I chase her?" Jiang Xingjun asked flatly.
"Forget it. Since when have you ever caught her?" Jiang Sheng gave him a sidelong look. "But that Xu Mu… I'm getting more and more interested."
…
Xu Mu and Chen Xuan were eating at the restaurant at the foot of the mountain. The free-range chicken was indeed springy and far tastier than your average market bird.
Just then, Xu Mu's phone buzzed—it was Huihui.
"Huihui, what's up?" he asked with a smile.
"Where are you? I ran down the mountain," she said, slightly out of breath.
"I'm at your family's restaurant," Xu Mu replied, still eating.
Soon, Huihui arrived. She grabbed Xu Mu's arm. "You still have the mood to eat? Get me out of here!"
"No rush. It's a big portion—it'd be a waste," Xu Mu said, taking out his car keys. "Hide in my car for now?"
Huihui nodded, took the keys, and left. By the time Xu Mu and Chen Xuan finished and got in, she was lying across the back seat. Xu Mu shook his head slightly—clearly, her family hadn't intended to stop her; otherwise she wouldn't have gotten off the mountain at all.
He started the car and turned it around. Only then did Huihui sit up.
"Xu Mu! I thought you'd wreck the engagement cleanly, but now you've saddled me with a 'martial tournament for marriage,'" she grumbled. She didn't really blame him; ever since she reached the Mystic Art Realm and talked to Jiang Sheng, she'd known. When she first made that bet, Jiang Sheng had only agreed because he thought she couldn't possibly succeed.
"Huihui, I've got a way to solve your problem," Chen Xuan said from the passenger seat, turning around with a grin.
"What? Don't tell me you want me to marry you. Keep dreaming," Huihui said coolly, arms folded.
"You keep dreaming," Chen Xuan snorted. "My eyes only have my senior sister. All other women are dirt." He paused, then added, "My method is: you and Brother Mu cook the rice until it's done. Show up with a big belly—who would dare try to marry you then?"