Chapter 4, this is a good thing

Liu Qiyue observed Meng Chuan closely and asked, "What’s the matter? Are you very sad about the annulment of the engagement? Are you so lost in thought even while drinking porridge?"

Meng Chuan looked at Liu Qiyue and said, "I guess it is either that the Yun family has found a powerful backer, or it is due to my Meng family's influence"

"Those who have been released from their engagement can still smile, so hurry and eat your cake," Liu Qiyue urged with a smile.

"Yes." Meng Chuan glanced at the elders and then obediently left

"Then I will go to the ancestral home now. Is there anything I need to do?" Meng Chuan asked again, as he, a younger generation, only visited the ancestral home three to five times a year.

"Yes," Meng Chuan nodded in response

Good

The Meng family ancestral residence, located in the western part of Dongning City, covers a vast area, housing over two thousand clan members. Walking along the central axis from south to north spans a distance of one li.

Thus, the divine and demonic beings are resplendent and noble, and their families can also achieve great prosperity. However, if the divine and demonic beings perish and are unable to assume important responsibilities, their families will naturally have to withdraw from significant positions.

"A Chuan, come sit down and eat together. I heard that you and Uncle Meng went to the ancestral home, and I thought you wouldn't be back for dinner today." Liu Qiyue was sitting there drinking porridge and eating flatbread, while Meng Chuan also sat down opposite her. A maid brought over a bowl of porridge, and Meng Chuan was drinking it but seemed a bit distracted.

Since childhood, Meng Chuan has had a passion for painting

Saying "Tear!" Yun Fu'an directly ripped apart the marriage certificate in his hand

No," Meng Chuan shook his head, "I see Yun Qingping only once every few months, and our personalities do not match. Annulment of the engagement is also a good thing for me.

That catastrophe resulted in the death of over 100,000 people, including my mother

"I have already torn up the marriage certificate, and everyone can see it clearly. Now, are you all at ease?" Yun Fu'an smiled as he glanced over the elders of the Meng family present, "Then I shall not stay any longer."

After receiving the cloud talisman, he unfolded it and examined it closely. Noticing the handwriting of the names on it, he nodded slightly, confirming that it was indeed the marriage certificate from back then. The handwriting of the two ancestors is impossible to imitate.

Many people had already taken their seats on both sides of the hall; on one side were the Meng family members, and on the other side were the Yun family members. However, the atmosphere was clearly not quite right. Meng Chuan could see at a glance that most of his family's elders had rather unsightly expressions.

Having painted for over a decade and having sought guidance from several artists, I have long surpassed my predecessors. My mother is right; his talent is indeed exceptional, at least higher than his aptitude for swordsmanship.

The pillar of the Meng family is on the verge of collapse, and the elders of the Meng family are all deeply concerned

Elder

"Brother Dajiang has arrived," Yun Fu'an said with a smile as he stood up. "You have brought the marriage certificate as well, haven't you?"

Knock, knock, knock. There was a somewhat urgent knocking at the door of the study.

As he spoke, he walked out, followed by the other members of the Yun family behind him

"Yun Fu'an, please tear up the marriage certificate right here." said an elderly bald and thin man from the Meng family

San Lai, Yun Fu An Ping usually behaves very submissively in front of my father and the others, always trying to please them. However, today he has been quite audacious; where does he find the confidence to act this way

Oh

Meng Dajiang watched Yun Fuan leave, his brows slightly furrowed, and calmly instructed: "Chuan'er, the engagement has been annulled, you should return home first. I still have matters to attend to here"

"Eat the pancake, eat the pancake." Meng Chuan immediately took the pancake and began to eat it heartily

... ...

And the gods and demons are indeed the backbone of humanity. Each god and demon spends their life in battle and protection, and even when they return to their hometowns to rest, they must still guard the cities of their homeland

"Well, just now, the marriage certificate was torn up on the spot." Meng Chuan nodded

"Annul the engagement?" Meng Chuan was taken aback, "Father, why is the engagement suddenly being annulled?"

"Chuan'er, hurry and follow me to the ancestral home," said Meng Dajiang

When Yun Fu stopped beside Meng Chuan, he smiled at him and said: "Meng Xianzi, you must remember clearly that from now on, you and my daughter Qing Ping will have no further ties."

Hmm?

Responsibilities and powers are commensurate

"Too much bullying, too much bullying!" The bald, thin old man struck his cane against the ground, the sound of the impact was somewhat jarring

Hmm?

Fifteen years old

"Are you reluctant?" Meng Dajiang looked at his son

"It's nothing." Meng Dajiang said no more.

Naturally, it immediately became one of the five highest-ranking demon families in Dongning Prefecture

No matter how skilled an artist is, can they slay monsters

rumble

The uniqueness of the Meng family lies in the existence of deities and demons

Meng Chuan is diligently drawing

After practicing with the sword for an entire day, although he felt mentally exhilarated, his vital energy was depleted and his body was fatigued, so he had to take a rest. Meng Chuan also went to the study to begin one of his daily routines—drawing

After all, without the divine and demonic beings, the Meng family cannot shoulder many important responsibilities. Without the ability to bear such responsibilities, they naturally cannot enjoy numerous powers

As long as a mortal reaches the marrow washing realm, regardless of gender, they must serve in the military for five years at the age of twenty. The chance of returning alive is barely half. Yet, people still aspire to reach the marrow washing realm, for if one is too weak, there is no value in military service. According to the court's regulations, many professions are not permitted for those who do not serve in the military. They can only linger at the lowest levels, living the most miserable lives.

In today's world, from the mundane to the divine, no one can escape responsibility

It is merely some wild guesses; since my father did not tell me, there must be his reasons for it. Meng Chuan smiled.

Meng Residence by Mirror Lake, Study Room

... ...

"Why did you come back without saying a word? What happened?" Liu Qiyue asked.

Brought it. Meng Dajiang nodded slightly

Meng Chuan came to his senses and casually said, "The Yun family and my Meng family have discussed and decided to annul the engagement between me and Yun Qingping"

The stout old man frowned and said, "In just a couple of days, Third Sister will return to Dongning. We will discuss it then"

Meng Dajiang listened from the side, his brow furrowed

"On the surface, they say they are discussing with us, but in reality, we have no choice at all. Are we supposed to shamelessly seek a marriage alliance?" An elderly man with dark skin scoffed and said, "If one dares to cause a ruckus at the Yun family, they would likely be slapped to death by the ancestor of the Yun family!"

It is possible that his mother was skilled at painting and taught her son how to draw. This was his favorite activity during his childhood; a child of three or four years old would draw for three or four consecutive hours, forgetting even to eat, not feeling tired at all, and covered in paint, yet still smiling happily. His mother once said, "My son has extraordinary talent and will surely become the best painter in the world, with each painting worth a fortune"

Meng Chuan followed his father into the reception hall

I find this situation rather strange. Meng Chuan frowned and said, "The marriage contract was personally established by our two ancestors. Even if they come to annul the engagement, the Yun family should at least send their 'Three Heroes of the Yun Family' together. This is the most basic respect for my Meng family. However, this time, only the fifth in line, the least useful Yun Fu'an, has come alone. This seems somewhat disrespectful to my Meng family, which is the first point of suspicion.

The Meng family also kept the news confidential, known only to the elders. After all, if it were to spread, the tens of thousands of family members would be filled with anxiety, leading to numerous complications.

He spoke as he took out a scroll of the marriage certificate from his bosom and handed it to Yun Fu'an with both hands

Yes, there are no further ties." Meng Chuan replied

What use is there?

Elder

He escaped back to Dongning Prefecture under the desperate protection of his parents. From then on, he devoted himself to cultivation, yet he still spent an hour each day painting. While painting, he would forget the fatigue of his training, and it felt as if he had returned to his childhood, with his mother guiding him in his art, bringing an unparalleled tranquility to his mind

The main hall remained bright under the light of candles as thick as a child's arm, even with the palace gates closed

To me, Yun Qingping feels like a somewhat familiar and somewhat willful little sister, and that is all there is to it

Meng Dajiang glanced at his son and said, "It is your engagement with Yun Qingping. The Yun family and the Meng family have discussed and decided to annul the engagement"

"You may think of it this way, regarding this matter, both the Yun family and my Meng family have agreed to annul the engagement," said Meng Dajiang. "Once we arrive at the ancestral home, you should just listen and speak less."

Born into the Meng family, cherished by my parents, I had a carefree life

"Annul the engagement?" Liu Qiyue's eyes brightened.

However, in the year I turned six...

Meng Chuan did not hesitate and immediately followed his father outside, "Father, why have you been going to the ancestral home so often in recent days?"

Liu Qiyue listened in some astonishment: "A Chuan, I didn't expect you to think of so much?"

The senior members of the other four great demon families are mostly aware of the news, but it has not been spread outside, as they are also afraid that some reckless juniors might provoke the Meng family. After all, 'Fairy Meng' is still alive! Even if Fairy Meng were truly dead, she still has some demon friends. However, as long as they do not go too far, those demon friends will not intervene.

Meng Dajiang ranks among the top three in terms of strength within the Meng family, and he is still relatively young, holding a glimmer of hope to become a deity or demon. He is the designated next patriarch of the family

Fifteen years old this year, Meng Chuan does not yet understand what love is

Certainly, the foundation of the Meng family lies in the countryside. Due to the threat posed by the demon clan, the people in the countryside have formed fortified villages for self-protection. Each fortified village typically houses thousands of individuals, and it is quite common for members of the same clan to gather in one fortified village. After a millennium of propagation, the Meng family has established three large fortified villages, which together accommodate over ten thousand clansmen. In Dongning Prefecture, there are also quite a number of such large families.

The ancestral home was orderly, and some patrolling clan members, upon seeing Meng Dajiang and his son, respectfully greeted Meng Dajiang, addressing him as 'Elder'.

Meng Chuan looked out suspiciously and said, "Usually, no one disturbs me when I am painting. What is going on?"

The paperweight presses down on the paper, while a beautifully crafted palette sits nearby, filled with various high-quality pigments.

Secondly, at that time in the main hall, the clan leader and the elders had very grim expressions. Yet, from beginning to end, they held back; when have the clan leader and the others ever been so good-tempered

Haha, are you worried that I will take it back and use it at a critical moment in the future to force Meng Chuan to marry my daughter?" Yun Fu'an laughed and said, "You can rest assured, I would never do such a shameless thing!

Yun Fu'an smiled and said, "The other elders have no objections to dissolving the engagement, Brother Jiang, you should have no objections either, right?"

Meng Chuan returned home, and it was almost dark.

Meng Dajiang stood there, smiling and said: "If both families are willing, it is a good thing to form a marriage alliance. Since there is no intention, it is better to dissolve the engagement early. This is the marriage certificate."

Dissolving the engagement is also a good thing. Is it really useful for us to use the engagement to pressure the Yun family into having the two younger generations marry? It will only lead to resentment from the Yun family. A marriage alliance is meant to be mutually beneficial; if it breeds enmity, then it is unnecessary. In fact, for my Meng family, this engagement is merely a trivial matter; the injury to my third sister is what truly threatens the foundation of my Meng family. An elegant elder looked towards the plump elder at the top and said, "Patriarch, is there really no way to heal my third sister's injury?" In fact, for my Meng family, this engagement is merely a trivial matter; the injury to my third sister is what truly threatens the foundation of my Meng family. An elegant elder looked towards the plump elder at the top and said, "Patriarch, is there really no way to heal my third sister's injury?"

No. Meng Chuan shook his head, "I do not get along with Yun Qingping; you know that. Annulment of the engagement makes her happy. It also makes me feel relieved. This is good for both her and me; it is a good thing, so how could I be sad?"

"Then how do you daydream?" Liu Qiyue pressed for an answer

Yun Fu'an then nodded and led the crowd away

The key is that the annulment of the engagement always has its reasons. What exactly is the reason that led to the dissolution of the engagement established by the two ancestors?

Putting down the paintbrush to open the door, my father, Meng Dajiang, was standing outside. Usually, he is all smiles, but today his expression was somewhat serious

Nowadays