Changlong Nation, Tianyong City, Liu Family.

The Liu family is one of the three prominent families in Tianyong City. During the founding of the Long Kingdom, their ancestors served as a general in establishing the nation. Although the family has declined in recent times, they still hold significant influence in Tianyong City.

In the morning, as the first blush of dawn appeared in the east, a thin young man was stopped outside the imposing Liu family gate by two guards.

"Two lackeys, you dare to block me? I'll tell you, I am the son-in-law of the Liu family. If you don't move out of my way, be careful I break your legs."

"If you were the son-in-law of the Liu family, I'd still be the princess's husband! Let me tell you, today is the day the Liu family welcomes distinguished guests. We don't have time to waste words with you, scram!"

Undeterred by the guards' taunts, the man playing Chu Yan smiled mischievously: "As you said, today you are welcoming distinguished guests. The distinguished guests you speak of are me. I am engaged to your young mistress, making me a guest of honor in your household. If you delay auspicious day because of this, can you take responsibility for it?"

"Fart! Our young mistress is a heaven's chosen one, how could she possibly be betrothed to you, a beggar?"

Then I ask you, is your master Liu Tianfeng? Does he have a son named Liu Qingcheng?

"Nonsense, everyone in Tiansong City knows the Lord and Lady's names! What does this prove?"

"So you guys already know, then you must also know that there's a red mole on the sole of your young mistress's foot, right? Well, I have one on my foot too. This is proof of our engagement. How about I show you my shoe?"

Chu Yan said, and then took off the cloth shoes covering his toes. Underneath his foot, there was indeed a red mole.

The key is that the two guards were unaware that their young mistress had a red mole under her foot, so the two of them still believed that Chu Yan was lying.

"I see that you won't cry until you see the coffin. What a load of crap about red moles, I can tell right away that it's a lie you made up!"

Two guards, speaking as they did so, charged at Chu Yan and swung their fists, preparing to smash them down onto his head.

"This is bad, two idiots who don't know anything about the mole!"

Chu Yan was speechless for a moment. Faced with the two guards' fists, he didn't resist because he didn't have the ability to resist in the first place.

Just when Chu Yan thought he was definitely going to get beaten up, a very deep voice suddenly rang out.

"Stop!"

The sound worked very well, and the two guards stopped immediately.

Two guards turned around and saw a middle-aged man inside the Liu's mansion. They were startled and knelt down immediately.

"Greetings, Zhao Butler!"

This middle-aged man is Zhao Tu, the steward of the Liu family. His position in the Liu family isn't high or low, but coincidentally, he knows that there is a red mole under Liu Qingcheng's foot, and he also knows that this red mole signifies their betrothal.

Zhao Tu ignored the two guards and walked straight to Chu Yan's side: "Show me the red birthmark on your foot!"

"Huh, someone who knows the real deal?" Chu Yan's heart was filled with joy as he revealed another red mole.

"It's really the mark of the King!"

Staring at the red mole under Chu Yan's foot, Zhao Tu muttered to himself thoughtfully, then looked at Chu Yan: "What is your name?"

"Chu Yan!"

"You two, look at him! I'm going to report this to the master now!"

Joe hurried forward, his face full of anxiety, and rushed into the Liu family.

Upon seeing the appearance of Zhang, the two guards wilted instantly.

Could it be that this beggar boy is really a distinguished guest of the Liu family? Is he the son-in-law of the Liu family?

"How is it? Now do you believe me?" Chu Yan saw the two guards humiliated, and said with a smug smile.

"Boy, don't get cocky! We don't know what really happened yet. Perhaps Zhao the Butler will come out and expose your lies. Then we'll beat you to death!"

"You two are like dead ducks! If I were you, I'd be begging for mercy right now. Maybe then, with a sincere heart, you could become the son-in-law of the Liu family and still get their support in the future. Otherwise, just wait and see what happens when I'm done with you." Chu Yan sneered.

Although the two guards were unwilling, what if Chu Yan was telling the truth? Then Chu Yan would be the future son-in-law.

"Didn't you lie to me?"

"Don't be stupid, you didn't see how Manager Zhang Xixixi looked just now? But it's not too late for you to kneel now. After I become your brother-in-law, I'll say a few words for the both of you. If you don't kneel, I will definitely sweep you both out!" Chu Yan Youzhu smiled.

Two guards gritted their teeth, but still knelt on the ground.

"See, your uncle!"

"Sounds good!"

Chu Yan let out a hearty laugh, then he walked past the imposing gate of the Liu family and looked inside. A glint flashed in his eyes.

"Liu Qingcheng! It's been ten years, how have you been?"

In Chu Yan's mind, images of a scene ten years ago surfaced—a child surrounded by countless demons, yet emitting a gentle smile.

Here is the translation of the provided content:*** ——

Liu's Mansion, resplendent with gold and jade, had a large reception hall in the center. This was where the Liu family received distinguished guests.

In the conference hall, the head of the Liu family, Liu Tianfeng, had been seated there since early morning. Beside him sat his daughter, a slender and beautiful woman with a rather cold demeanor.

"Father, I won't marry!"

"Shut up! This is none of your concern, and you must obey no matter what! This marriage is an order!" Liu Tianfeng glared at Liu Qingcheng.

"Why? Who is Chu Yan? I've never even met him! Why should I marry him?"

"Qingcheng, listen to your father. Chu Yan is the son of our family's benefactor, and this marriage has been arranged for a long time. If you don't marry him, you will shame your father."

"Indeed, Qingcheng, this Chu Yan is a prodigy chosen by heaven. He is the son of that illustrious figure and will surely become a dragon among men! Marrying him is your honor and a source of pride for our Liu family." Several elders of the Liu family chimed in, offering their advice.

Liu Qingcheng's autumn eyes flashed with coldness, but she didn't give Zhao Tu a chance to speak. Zhao Tu hurriedly ran into the living room.

"Master, the guest has arrived!"

Liu Tianfeng immediately stood up excitedly: "Where is it? Why don't you invite us in?"

However, Zhao Tu felt a little awkward at this moment. He swallowed nervously and looked at Liu Tianfeng: "Master, before we proceed, I have something I want to confirm with you first."

"What's the matter?" Liu Tianfeng said impatiently.

"Master, are you sure... Miss's fiancé is Chu Yan?"

"Nonsense, the name of an esteemed person's son, could this old man possibly forget?"

But... but!

What's going on, speak up!

Zhao Tu sighed: "The one who came from outside is indeed Chu Yan, but... he's a beggar."

"A beggar?"

Everyone in the conference room was astonished. Chu Yan was a beggar?

How could this be? With that person's abilities, Chu Yan shouldn't be a prodigy, how could he be a beggar?

"A beggar, is that the so-called Dragon among men you speak of?" Liu Qingcheng sneered.

"Bold!" Liu Tianfeng glared at Liu Qingcheng. At this moment, his brows furrowed as well.

"Tianfeng, no matter what, let Zhao the Butler lead them in first. In case he really is the son of an old benefactor, we mustn't be disrespectful."

"Yes, Zhao Tu, quickly bring in Young Master Chu!" said Liu Tianfeng.

Not long after, Chu Yan was led into the Liu Mansion. Many elders of the Liu family present in the meeting hall all frowned upon seeing Chu Yan.

As Zhao Tu said, Chu Yan now looked like a beggar in every way. Most notably, he must have gone a month without bathing, as soon as he entered the conference room, a sickening stench filled the air.

Liu Tianfeng stared at Chu Yan for a long time.

"Boy, are you really Chu Yan? Think carefully, deceiving my Liu family is a death sentence!"

Faced with Liu Tianfeng's pressure, Chu Yan remained calm and smiled faintly: "You must be Uncle Liu Tianfeng, right? I am indeed Chu Yan. I know you might not believe it, but don't worry, I have my own way to prove it to you."

"Tell me about it!"

"The Liu family, one of the eight founding aristocratic families of Changlong Kingdom, used to be the lord of Tianyong City. Eighteen years ago, the Liu family offended a powerful force and almost faced annihilation. Since then, they have fallen into poverty, stripped of their position as city lord. If it weren't for my mother who stepped in to save you all, this Liu Residence would probably just be a wasteland now, Uncle Liu. Do you agree with what I said?"

Liu Qingcheng glanced at Liu Tianfeng. She didn't know about what happened eighteen years ago; she had just been born then. But seeing Liu Tianfeng's heavy expression and silence, she knew that Chu Yan's words were very likely true.

“Back then, my mother saved all of you. Your Liu family owes my mother a great debt. Back then, Old Master Liu should have still been alive, determined to repay the favor by making your Liu family become attached slaves to my Chu family for generations. However, my mother is kind-hearted, she only arranged a marriage between me and one of your Liu family members. It was this marriage that saved your Liu family for these eighteen years. Am I wrong?”

Liu Tianfeng's sword brows furrowed together. Chu Yan's words were harsh, but every word was true.

Eighteen years ago, one night, Liu Tianfeng still remembers it vividly. A super power almost wiped out the Liu family overnight, but thanks to Chu Yan's mother, the Liu family was saved.

For eighteen years, the Liu family had fallen on hard times. However, they still owned a vast territory and controlled many gold mines and markets in Tianyong City. Countless forces coveted the Liu family's wealth, but because of this marriage, they hesitated to make a move.

"Master, he truly is the son of an honorable person. Otherwise, he couldn't have known about the old master's affairs back then."

"Master, one shouldn't judge by appearances. Perhaps Young Master Chu just dresses poorly, but his natural talent might be very good."

"That's right, one shouldn't judge by appearances!" Liu Tianfeng nodded and looked at Chu Yan: "Chu Yan, nephew, I wonder... what is your current cultivation level?"

"Cultivation level, huh? Probably the first level of the Mortal Realm. "

Liu Tianfeng's face darkened. The mortal realm? The lowest level in the cultivation path? And just the first layer?

Liu Tianfeng, forcing himself to remain composed, said: "No, no, cultivation has a beginning and an end, but often it is the latecomers who excel. I wonder, nephew Chu Yan, how many stars are there in your fate?"

Life is divided into nine stars, from bottom to top, representing a person's innate talent. Life is generally inherent, but it can also be changed through later cultivation, although the price for this is high and requires a large amount of heaven and earth treasures to accumulate.

Therefore, most families only cultivate disciples with a life force of three stars or above. Those below three stars are called mortals and are mostly without much potential.

"Life? Just a star."

"One star?" Liu Tianfeng couldn't hold back his cough any longer at this point. "What about yours?"

"Well!"

In the mortal realm's first layer, life is but a star, even more so common and insignificant.

Liu Tianfeng only felt his eyes go dark. This was completely useless.

...and it's a once-in-a-century opportunity!

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