Chapter 1: The Chu Family's Proposal

West Wind City, Water Family.

The sky was still faintly bright, and the sun was just rising. A crowd had already gathered in front of Shui's house, their eyes fixed ahead, with a mixture of laughter in their expressions.

There, parked was a very dilapidated carriage. Beside the carriage stood a man clad in plain cloth.

He was not yet of age, around sixteen years old. His face still held a hint of youthfulness, but his pair of eyes were jet-black and deep, gazing fixedly at the Shui's mansion from afar, with a sharp glint flashing through them.

“This man seems to be Chu Xingyun, the head of the Chu family. It is said that he was born weak and sickly, cowardly and timid. He was a complete waste. What business does he have coming to my Shui family?”

At Shui's gate, several young servants poked their heads out, curiously eyeing the cloth banner next to the carriage.

"I heard he came to propose marriage, waiting at the door since early morning. Judging by his posture, he's probably after the young lady's beauty again."

"Miss?" Several maids were stunned, their eyes filled with surprise.

The young lady of the Shui family is named Shui Qianyue. At the age of five, she began studying literature. At seven, she traveled to Xifeng City. At ten, she abandoned literature and took up martial arts. After only three months of cultivation, she achieved mastery over heaven and earth, condensing a fourth-rank martial spirit.

At sixteen years old, she is said to have reached the ninth heaven of refinement. Such talent is not only unparalleled in the Shui family, but also legendary throughout Xifeng City. There is no one who surpasses her.

More importantly, Shui Qian Yue not only has an astonishing talent but also possesses the beauty of a flower blooming under the moon, being the first in Xifeng City.

If the Shui family held a public matchmaking event, then Nian Junjie from Eastern City would be enough to line up all the way to Western City.

I heard that Chu Xingyun started cultivating at the age of six, and only condensed his martial spirit at the age of ten. Moreover, it was the most trashy first-grade martial spirit, not even as good as several of us.

"A wastrel from a fallen family, with no wealth and no power, dares to have eyes on the young mistress! It's like a toad trying to eat a swan, utterly ridiculous!"

Several servants spoke sarcastically, as if intentionally, their words reaching Chu Xingyun's ears with remarkable clarity. However, he remained unmoved, his back still straight, waiting silently.

At this time, a burly water family guard walked out, glanced at Chu Xingyun disdainfully, and said, "The master has ordered you to come in for a detailed discussion."

"Lead the way." Chu Xingyun uttered a bland remark, causing anger to flicker across the faces of the Shui family guards. However, they subconsciously stepped aside, allowing Chu Xingyun to enter the Shui family's main gate.

As Chu Xingyun journeyed forward, he soon arrived before the main hall of the Water Clan.

His eyes swept across the room, and he saw a line of figures standing in the main hall. Shui Chongxian, the head of the Shui family, sat at the head of the table. The atmosphere was solemn, freezing the entire space.

Such a sight, if it were an ordinary person, they probably would have been scared white before even stepping into the main hall.

But seeing Chu Xingyun, he held his head high, strode forward like a dragon and tiger. He didn't even bother with the main hall, walking straight to Shui Chongxian's side.

"I apologize for the wait." Chu Xingyun said calmly, his face betraying no hint of panic or unease.

"This Chu Xingyun, he used to be timid and cowardly. When he saw me, he didn't even dare to breathe. Why has he changed so much today? It's as if he's a different person." Shui Chongxian frowned slightly, clearly surprised by Chu Xingyun's performance.

But soon, this surprise disappeared, and Shui Chongxian regained his usual composure. He opened his mouth and said: "There are still several months before my birthday, Chu Xian's visit this time seems to be a bit early."

"Uncle Shui, you've misunderstood. This time I came to the Shui family not to celebrate your birthday, but to propose a marriage," Chu Xingyun said calmly.

"A proposal?" Shui Chongxian's eyes flashed with coldness.

Chu Xingyun nodded and said in a loud voice, "Sixteen years ago, the Shui family was attacked by assassins. It was my father who stepped in to help, saving the Shui family from danger. After this incident, the head of the Shui family proposed a marriage alliance. As long as both parties' children reached the age of sixteen, they would be married."

"Ah, so that's what it is!"

Shui Chongxian feigned surprise and replied in a low voice, "Nephew Xian, the agreement from back then was indeed made by the Shui family. But now your father is missing, his life and death unknown, not even a trace of him can be found. It's best to wait until he returns safely before discussing this matter further."

"So what Water Master is saying is that my father's return will determine if this betrothal can be finalized?" Chu Xingyun narrowed his eyes, replacing his earlier calmness with a hint of aggression.

"Nephew, you misunderstood me." Shui Chongxian chuckled dryly, but Chu Xingyun's expression grew colder, his eyes sinking as he continued, "Then I dare ask, what does Uncle Shui mean? Could it be that you know about my father's whereabouts?"

Chu Xingyun's voice was like a needle, filled with piercing power, causing Shui Chongxian to freeze in his tracks.

He raised his head and found that Chu Xingyun's eyes were so cold, cold to the bone, giving him a feeling of falling into an ice cellar. He couldn't utter a single word and felt short of breath.

"What a talkative fellow!" Just as Shui Chongxian was at a loss for words, a domineering voice cut through the air.

As soon as his voice fell, a beautiful figure appeared before everyone.

This is a beauty, in her late teens, with exquisite features. She will surely grow into a breathtaking woman, but the arrogance in her eyes ruins the whole picture.

This is precisely the jewel in the palm of Water's House – Shui Qian Yue.

Upon seeing Shui Qian Yue, Chu Xingyun's face remained unchanged. His voice was still as calm as ever: "Every word I said just now is true and follows my promise. There's no deception whatsoever. This," he pointed to the document, "is what your Shui family owes my Chu family."

Upon hearing this, Shui Qianyue emanated a cold aura, directly pressing down on Chu Xingyun. She sneered, "Chu Xingyun, I am Shui Qianyue, the once-in-a-century genius of Xifeng City. My talent is extraordinary, and I am destined to be an unparalleled powerhouse who shakes the world. The man who can capture my heart must also be peerless in every way. But you, you are weak, frail, and sickly, just a pathetic waste. You're not worthy of me at all. Give up hope!"

After his words, the entire hall fell silent. Almost everyone nodded in agreement.

With Shui Qianyue's such talent, in the future, it will surely be limitless!

One who can win hearts must be a dazzling genius. Chu Xingyun, obviously, is nowhere near that caliber and has no such qualifications.

Facing Shui Qianyue's cold and sarcastic remarks, unexpectedly, Chu Xingyun's face showed no embarrassment. His eyes were still as calm as ever, and even within that calmness, there was a hint of disdain.

Yes, it's contempt!

Just like a divine dragon overlooking insignificant ants, he looked down upon Shui Qianyue with disdain. He scorned her words and even more so, her ridiculous pretense of being all-powerful.

"You seem to be getting a little carried away, don't you?" Chu Xingyun turned his head, looking at Shui Qianyue with mockery in his eyes, and said with a smile, "When did I ever say that I came here today to propose to you?"

“I… did I overreact?” Shui Qianyue trembled, her entire face flushed crimson from the statement. Her two cherry-red lips quivered up and down, radiating anger and indignation.

However, besides these two threads, there were also doubts swirling in his mind.

You should know that the Shui family has only one young lady.

If Chu Xingyun doesn't marry, then who will he marry?

(Editor in charge：novel gulliver travels)