Chapter Seventeen: Coerced Marriage

Lei Cong's sudden appearance genuinely surprised Han Tianyue and the others. Compared to Lei Dong, Lei Cong had a luxurious estate, high social standing, and a promising future that everyone in the Fire Thunder Mountain City envied. When he declared his intention to leave with Han Tianyue and his companions, Han Tianyue stepped forward and said, "Lei Cong, this path is not as simple as you imagine. Losing your life carelessly along the way is entirely possible!"

Lei Cong stepped forward and replied, "A man hasn't truly lived his life if he doesn't venture out to see the world. I have already made up my choice. No matter what lies ahead, I will brave it together with you!"

"That's fantastic! I won't be lonely anymore!" Seeing Lei Cong, Feng Shang stepped forward excitedly and said, "Han Tianyue, just let Lei Cong come along. The journey has been far too dull for you guys; with him around, we'll at least have someone to talk to!"

"If you've made up your mind, then come with us!" Although Han Tianyue did not yet know what kind of person Lei Cong truly was, compared to Lei Dong, Lei Cong mastered three sets of mental cultivation formulas—The Nine Chapters of Divine Thunder, The Nine Chapters of Heavenly Thunder, and The Nine Chapters of Earthly Thunder—not to mention his Thunder Winged Dragon. His addition would make their group even more formidable than if Lei Dong had joined.

After Han Tianyue gave his consent, Feng Shang walked up to Lei Cong and welcomed him, "Lei Cong, welcome to the team!"

Lei Cong replied, "Then I will have to rely on Brother Feng Shang to look after me from now on!"

Hearing himself addressed as "Brother," Feng Shang instantly puffed up with pride and swaggered. "Don't you worry, little brother Lei Cong! With your Brother Feng Shang around, no one will dare lay a finger on you!"

Hearing Feng Shang's words, Fang Zhe, standing nearby, helplessly shook his head.

Before they had even left the territory of Fire Thunder Mountain City, four individuals appeared before them, blocking their path and saying, "Young Master Han Tianyue, please stay your steps!"

Lei Cong looked up, his expression changing slightly.

Han Tianyue recognized them immediately as Lei Qiaoer's servants. He stepped forward and demanded, "What is the meaning of this?"

The four replied, "We are acting on the City Lord's orders to invite you back. The others may leave!"

"We came together, so naturally we leave together!" Feng Shang stepped forward. Seeing that they were merely four servants, he said dismissively, "Hmph."

Lei Cong stepped forward and shook his head, warning, "Brother Feng Shang, these four are not to be trifled with!"

"Really?" Feng Shang asked doubtfully upon hearing Lei Cong's words.

Lei Cong nodded.

Feng Shang hurriedly retreated behind Fang Zhe and whispered, "You take them!"

These four men did not merely possess the power of thunder; they also carried a palpable aura of killing intent. The moment Han Tianyue drew near them, he could distinctly feel that peculiar murderous edge.

The four men repeated, "Please return with us, Young Master Han Tianyue!"

Han Tianyue looked at Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, Feng Shang, and Lei Cong, then said, "You all go on ahead, I will return with them!"

Fang Zhe insisted, "We are companions. How could we possibly abandon you?"

And so, having barely stepped out of Fire Thunder Mountain City, Han Tianyue and his companions were forced back inside. Led this time by the four men, they were brought directly to the City Lord's residence. The City Lord's manor looked much like any ordinary estate, featuring a modest gate flanked by two weathered stone lions that bore the marks of great age, suggesting it was a very old residence.

The four men escorted Han Tianyue through a side door.

Lei Cong, however, did not follow them into the manor. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, he turned and vanished into the crowd.

***

Upon entering the City Lord's mansion, the interior proved remarkably simple. Instead of the sprawling courtyards and luxurious halls one might imagine, there was only a main hall followed by a few closely packed residential and guest quarters. With no spare space for gardens or flowers, it appeared far more austere than the palace of the Daughter Kingdom's Queen, yet it was undeniably practical.

Upon seeing the four men return with Han Tianyue and the others, the City Lord, Lei Ce, instructed, "Go and arrange quarters for them. They shall be wed tonight!"

Lei Ce's declaration startled Han Tianyue, who thought, "This is happening far too quickly!"

Acknowledge the command, the four guards led Han Tianyue and his companions to the guest rooms to settle in, stationing themselves outside the door to keep watch over Han Tianyue.

"Haven't I already made it clear to Lei Qiaoer about my relationship with Crown Prince Mao? Why won't she let me go?" Han Tianyue muttered with deep frustration.

Feng Shang chuckled. "Haha! Once a wealthy young miss takes a fancy to you, naturally she won't let you slip away!"

Han Tianyue's expression darkened slightly.

Fang Zhe stepped forward to silence Feng Shang, leaving the latter to lower his head in quiet submission.

Meanwhile, Mao Xuanzi stood silently to one side, offering no comment.

The four guards outside were formidable opponents. Any rash attempt at escape would undoubtedly result in their immediate capture. Yet if they stayed, Han Tianyue would be forced to marry Lei Qiaoer tonight. The mere thought drove Han Tianyue nearly mad with anxiety.

At that moment, a stream of angry shouting echoed from the neighboring room. "You guys are so mean! You won't play with me!"

"We don't want to play with you!" came the voice of a young child. The child added, "Little sister, let's go!"

"Okay, little brother, let's go right now!" replied the voice of a little girl.

Then the first voice cried out again, "Please don't go! I want to play with you!"

Curious, Feng Shang peered out the window. It was the two children they had noticed when entering the city. To their surprise, they were living right here. Following closely behind them was a deranged-looking middle-aged man who wailed tearfully, "Play with me, won't you?!"

The little boy shouted angrily, "Hmph, we won't play with you!"

Enraged by this rejection, the deranged middle-aged man waved his hand, and a thunder lizard materialized before them.

The little boy and girl immediately burst into tears.

The four guards stationed outside Han Tianyue's door hurriedly rushed forward to scoop up the children, shouting, "Lei Tianmai, you're having another episode!"

Whatever technique the four guards employed, the madman immediately began convulsing violently. The thunder lizard vanished, and the deranged man collapsed onto the ground, pleading, "Please don't hit me! Don't hit me!"

Stopping his tears, the little boy said, "Hmph, whenever we play with you, you bully us. We're not playing with you anymore!"

"Uncle Tianmai!" It was Lei Qiaoer. She rushed in from outside and, upon seeing the fallen madman, hurried forward to help him up while sharply scolding the four guards. "How could you treat Uncle Tianmai like this? Can't you see he is unwell?!"

"Milady, he summoned a thunder lizard to frighten the young master and young miss, so we had no choice!" the four explained.

Without listening to their explanation, Lei Qiaoer turned her anger toward the two children. "You two little imps, tormenting Uncle Tianmai again! One of these days, I'll break your legs!"

***

The little boy and girl wailed at the top of their lungs, "Big sister is hateful! Big sister is hateful!"

Hearing this, an angry shout suddenly rang out from the distance, "My son and daughter! My son and daughter!" At that moment, a woman rushed in, scooped the children into her arms, and pointed tearfully at Lei Qiaoer. "You only know how to bully the three of us! I can't go on living like this!"

Lei Qiaoer's face turned green with frustration, but she ultimately swallowed her anger and warned, "Let me tell you, if you pull this stunt again, see if I don't deal with you properly!"

Hearing this threat, the woman instantly stopped crying and obediently stood aside in silence.

"From now on, teach my two good younger siblings some manners! They only know how to bully Uncle Tianmai now—what will they be like when they grow up?!" Lei Qiaoer's gaze could have killed a man, yet no one dared to defy her.

"All of you, get out!" Finally, Lei Qiaoer took a deep breath and issued the command.

The woman hurried away, clutching the little boy and girl.

The four guards, however, remained standing in place.

"Did you not hear what I said?" Lei Qiaoer's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"But—" the guards attempted to protest.

Lei Qiaoer barked, "Get lost!"

With no other choice, the four guards scrambled out through the guest room doors.

"Who would have thought Lei Qiaoer is such a fierce character?" Feng Shang chuckled teasingly.

They then watched as Lei Qiaoer supported the deranged Lei Tianmai back into his room. From within came her sorrowful murmuring: "Uncle Tianmai, why have you become like this? When will you ever get better?"

After a long, heavy sigh, Lei Qiaoer turned and walked away.

"So he is Lei Tianmai!" Han Tianyue and his companions had already learned from Lei Dong about the legendary Lei Tianmai, the first person ever to bond with his own spirit beast. None of them had expected him to end up in such a state. Fang Zhe let out a cold, sympathetic sigh.

"To think that Lei Qiaoer would treat this deranged Lei Tianmai with such tenderness," Han Tianyue observed, having witnessed the scene firsthand. Evidently, Lei Tianmai and Lei Qiaoer shared a very close familial bond.

Putting aside these thoughts, with the four guards having vacated their post outside the door, an ideal opportunity for escape presented itself. Missing no time, Han Tianyue exchanged a glance with Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang. The four of them stepped out of the guest room and bolted toward the outer perimeter of the City Lord's estate.