the rise of the useless son-in-law of a wealthy family

market

The market, usually bustling with laughter and the sounds of bargaining, now felt strange. Su Jian and Lengyi had just passed a stall selling rare spices when the atmosphere suddenly changed drastically. The lively crowd came to an abrupt halt. The merchants stopped offering their goods, the children who usually ran around joyfully were now silent, and people started to look around anxiously. Something was wrong.

Su Jian felt an unusual tension. A cold sensation crept down his spine, making him feel trapped in the midst of the bustling market. He looked at Lengyi, who seemed to be growing more tense. She scanned her surroundings cautiously, her eyes watching every movement of those around them. Then, without warning, a loud voice broke the silence.

“Su Jian!” The voice echoed through the air. All eyes turned toward them. From behind the crowd, a group of men dressed entirely in black stepped forward with determined strides. Their faces were hidden behind masks, with only their sharp eyes visible. They didn’t look like ordinary people—each carried an intimidating aura. Su Jian could feel the deep tension in the air.

Lengyi immediately sensed the danger. In an instant, she made a subtle gesture, and several of the Xia family’s hidden guards emerged from behind stalls and narrow alleys. They were ready to secure the situation and protect Lengyi and Su Jian.

However, the mysterious group didn’t seem intimidated. One man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward confidently, glaring at Su Jian with clear hatred and desire. Su Jian felt his heart race, not knowing what was happening.

“We know what you’re hiding, Su Jian,” the man said in a threatening tone. “We know about ‘Heaven’s Echo.’ Hand it over now, or you’ll regret it!”

Su Jian stood frozen, confused by the words he had just heard. “Heaven’s Echo? What is that?” Su Jian muttered softly. He looked at Lengyi, hoping she could explain. However, Lengyi’s expression showed no sign of calm. There was a very clear tension on her face.

Lengyi stared at the group with a calculating gaze, her eyes quickly shifting toward her guards. Everyone around them suddenly seemed to lose their courage. They knew what could happen if a fight broke out. But Lengyi remained calm. She had to protect Su Jian and ensure their safety.

Su Jian felt an increasing unease. "I don’t know anything about artifacts or ‘Heaven’s Echo,’" he said, trying to sound confident, though fear was gnawing at him.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, Su Jian,” the leader of the group sneered, his voice sounding cynical behind the mask. “We know everything. Hand over the artifact, or we’ll take it by force.”

Lengyi looked at the man sharply. “You have the wrong person. Su Jian is nothing but my husband. We don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied firmly.

However, the mysterious group seemed unaffected. Their leader raised his hand, signaling his men to advance. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. We are not the type to back down.”

Lengyi knew that if they didn’t act quickly, everything could end much worse. With swift movements, she signaled her guards to prepare. Several of them moved forward, forming a protective line around Lengyi and Su Jian.

“We have to leave now, Su Jian!” Lengyi whispered urgently, her face filled with concern. “You need to get help, I’ll hold them off.”

Su Jian wanted to refuse, but his eyes met Lengyi’s, filled with determination. He knew his wife wouldn’t back down, and they had to separate if they stood any chance of survival. However, a deep fear weighed on his heart. He couldn’t leave Lengyi in the middle of this danger.

Before he could make a decision, one of the men from the group stepped forward, blocking their path. “No one is going anywhere. You’re not leaving until the artifact is in our hands,” he said, his voice filled with rage.

Without hesitation, Lengyi acted. "Su Jian, go! Don’t think twice, now!" she said in a low but forceful voice. She pushed Su Jian slightly, signaling for him to run.

Su Jian felt his chest heavy, but Lengyi’s words stirred his heart. Reluctantly, he turned and began to run, though fear and a sense of injustice gnawed at him. However, his steps didn’t take him far. He stopped for a moment and looked back. Lengyi was facing the armed men, her guards ready to fight.

“I have to go back,” Su Jian whispered to himself. He knew it was a dangerous decision, but he couldn’t leave his wife in danger.

But before he could take another step, a loud voice called out. “You won’t get away that easily, Su Jian!” the leader’s voice grew louder. One of his subordinates rushed toward Su Jian, trying to cut him off.

Su Jian turned, his eyes glancing at Lengyi, who was fighting to hold her ground. He felt a strange surge of emotion burning in his chest—something powerful, something he couldn’t control. Suddenly, something very strange happened. The mark in the shape of a sword on Su Jian’s chest, which had appeared days ago, began to pulse again, this time stronger than ever. Mysterious energy flowed through him quickly, as if a great power was trying to break free.

“What is this?” Su Jian muttered softly, feeling his body grow stronger. All the tension and fear seemed to fade as the energy within him surged.

Su Jian’s hand instinctively rose. As he aimed it at the approaching man, he was stunned to see the man’s body suddenly thrown back, as if kicked by an immense force. Everyone stood silent, shocked by what had just happened.

Su Jian looked at his hand, confused and surprised. But the feeling was brief. He quickly turned and ran back toward Lengyi, ready to face whatever would come.

A wave of worry crept into Lengyi’s heart as she saw Su Jian hesitate, standing with a worried expression. His hand reached out as if to pull her back, but Lengyi knew what she had to do. There was no time for doubt. If they stayed trapped in this market any longer, the mysterious group would most likely destroy them.