Chapter 1917: Shan Xiaotian's Confusion

It was easy to imagine that if this announcement were actually sent out, his dignity would be completely lost, with no chance of recovery. He would face countless mockeries, and even the reputation the Shan family had built over hundreds of years would be wiped clean.

It was like stripping him naked and flogging him without mercy, leaving not a shred of face.

"Sign it!"

The girl looked over, her expression cold.

"Young master, you cannot sign. Once you do, our Shan family will never be able to hold our heads up again..." Having also read the words, Old Yi knelt nearby, weeping.

He could die himself, but he could not bear to see the family he had served loyally all his life be humiliated.

"I..."

Shan Xiaotian was filled with sorrow.

He knew full well what would happen if he signed, but if he didn't... she would still break off the engagement, and it might be even more miserable.

There was no way out.

Just as he was at a loss, even considering death to end the humiliation, a faint voice rang out.

"If you really don't want to sign, then don't..."

Everyone turned to see a young man, whose bundle and appearance somewhat resembled a mummy, leaning against the doorframe, looking over with a smile.

This young man seemed to have no cultivation, but his eyes held no fear, as if what was happening was merely a trivial matter.

"Who are you? Mind your own business, or you might bring trouble upon yourself!" Xue Chen frowned.

At this moment, he didn't want any complications; otherwise, he would have taught the interrupter a lesson.

Zhang Xuan smiled. "I'm just a nobody saved by Brother Shan. I didn't intend to speak, but I'm afraid Brother Shan might regret it if he signs, so I couldn't help but remind him."

"Brother Zhang..."

Shan Xiaotian's eyes showed gratitude.

He knew that speaking at this moment would surely offend Xue Chen, possibly inviting death.

Knowing this, Zhang Xuan still spoke, clearly trying to help him.

"Regret? What, do you think he can still end up with the young lady?" Xue Chen sneered. "Don't be delusional. Take a look at yourself in the mirror—what are you? A toad lusting after a swan's flesh!"

"Of course he won't end up with her!"

Unfazed by the mockery, Zhang Xuan said calmly, "This Second Miss is clearly... not worthy of Brother Shan! If they did end up together, it would be an insult to him!"

"What did you say?"

Hearing the first half, Xue Chen thought the fellow was sensible, but at the second half, his eyes narrowed with murderous intent.

"You don't believe me?"

Zhang Xuan looked at him. "If you don't, let's see the result in three days!"

"Stalling won't help!" Xue Chen sneered. "If you don't sign, within three days, you'll lose not just your dignity but your life!"

Zhang Xuan said, "If it's lost, it's lost... Brother Shan probably wouldn't care."

"Huh?"

Shan Xiaotian was startled.

This Brother Zhang he had saved seemed to have strong opinions... What did he mean by 'if it's lost, it's lost' and 'wouldn't care'? It was his life at stake...

"Is this your decision?"

Ignoring this unknown fellow, Xue Chen looked at Shan Xiaotian like a tiger eyeing a docile rabbit.

"Brother Zhang's decision is mine..."

Shan Xiaotian gritted his teeth.

Though he didn't know why Brother Zhang had said that, he had no way out now.

If he signed, he would be a family sinner, and even death couldn't wash away the shame... If he didn't, as Brother Zhang said, death was just death, nothing to fear.

After all, his current situation was hardly better than death.

"Very well, you have backbone!" Hearing this, Xue Chen flicked his sleeve, turned to the girl nearby, and bowed with cupped hands. "Miss, let's go!"

Seeing the young man's firm resolve, knowing it couldn't be changed, the girl Xue Qin said coldly, "Hmph, don't come crying to me later!"

With that, she turned and left without even glancing at Zhang Xuan, as if looking at him would demean her.

Soon they left the courtyard.

"Teacher..."

The girl looked at the middle-aged man beside her.

Looking around to ensure no one was following, Xue Chen snorted. "Don't worry, we won't need three days. A fallen family like theirs—let's see if they survive tonight first!"

Hearing this, Xue Qin breathed a sigh of relief. "I actually had a good impression of him before, but I didn't expect him to be so ungrateful. Death is death, nothing to it!"

Leaving the courtyard, the two boarded a carriage and vanished in an instant.

...

"Young master... we can't stay. Let's leave..."

After they left, the courtyard was silent for a while before Old Yi looked over.

He knew Xue Chen was serious; refusing them might indeed lead to someone being sent to wipe them out.

And they could ensure no traces were left.

The city lord's manor controlled the city. Though their reputation was decent, as an old servant of the Shan family, he knew many things clearly—even the Shan family's downfall might be connected to them.

Given that, it was better to flee as far as possible.

"Leave? Do you think we can still leave now?"

Shan Xiaotian smiled bitterly.

The Second Miss coming in person to break off the engagement showed they had revealed their true intentions; how could they let him leave easily?

If the engagement wasn't broken and they didn't get what they wanted, would they let the Second Miss remain unmarried for life?

"Brother Zhang..."

Shaking his head, at a loss, he turned to look at the young man he had saved.

Since he had dared to speak and mentioned 'three days,' perhaps he had a plan.

"I'm asking you: do you want to sign or not?"

Zhang Xuan didn't answer but looked at him calmly.

"Of course not..." Shan Xiaotian shook his head. "If I sign, even if I die, how can I face my ancestors..."

He would have disgraced the family, and even in death, he would have no peace.

"Then, are you afraid of hardship?"

Zhang Xuan continued.

"If I'm not afraid of death, what is a little hardship?" Though unsure why he was asked, Shan Xiaotian answered truthfully.

"Then do you want to avenge today's humiliation?"

"Of course. I want to avenge not only today's humiliation but all the humiliations since my parents died. But..."

Looking at his legs, Shan Xiaotian trembled uncontrollably.

Bearing a blood debt, how could he not want revenge?

But his legs... and his body, injured and unable to cultivate, made all talk useless.

If he were still as before, he wouldn't be reduced to such a miserable state...

"Since you want to, then..."

Zhang Xuan looked at him. "Take me as your master!"

"Take you as my master?"

Could this Brother Zhang's mind be damaged from his injuries?

He had no cultivation at all; if he became his disciple, what could he teach?

Was his confident talk about seeing results in three days referring to this?

His mouth twitching, Shan Xiaotian was confused.