Chapter 44 0046: I will reclaim everything that was taken from me.

Marriage Registration Office.

Chu Yun and Ye Linglong sat side by side before a staff member.

“Since Miss Ye has not yet turned eighteen, you cannot register for marriage. However, if both parties agree, I can witness an engagement here. Once you both come of age, your status can be directly changed to that of a legally married couple. Do you wish to proceed with the registration?”

Behind them stood the entire Ye family, all watching Chu Yun’s reaction with excitement.

After the official finished speaking, Chu Yun picked up the pen and signed the agreement without hesitation.

“What are you daydreaming about? Hurry up and sign!” Ye Linglong’s mother, seeing her daughter lost in thought while Chu Yun had already signed, anxiously nudged her forward.

Startled back to herself, Ye Linglong took the pen, lowering her head to look at the engagement certificate. Now that the moment had truly arrived, she felt an unexplainable nervousness, perhaps because she’d never experienced anything like this before. Even though they’d agreed to live separate lives, this was still a genuine, legal union.

She couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Chu Yun, who was signing his name so seriously. Then, gathering herself, she signed and handed the document to the official.

“All right, I’ll register the two of you,” the official said, beginning with Chu Yun.

“Mr. Chu Yun, for your affiliation, shall I list you under the Ye family of Watchtower City?” the staff member inquired. “If you have written permission from another family, you can provide it later to update your registration.”

Affiliation registration was a way to declare one’s background. When someone looked you up, they could immediately see which family and faction you belonged to, offering a measure of safety as you ventured across the continent and elevating your social status.

“Aren’t you close with the Hou family?” Ye Linglong asked Chu Yun. “You could register under their faction—it wouldn’t diminish you.”

“No need,” Chu Yun replied indifferently to the official. “Just the Ye family.”

“Very well,” the official responded.

Behind them, the Ye family could barely contain their excitement.

A genius like Chu Yun affiliating with the Ye family meant their clan’s roster would now include his name. As Chu Yun’s fame grew, any family thinking of crossing the Ye family would have to reconsider. This was a solid step up for the Ye family—how could they not be thrilled?

He was loyal, and Ye Linglong was generous in return. She said to the staff, “Please don’t forget to affiliate Madam Liu Yu with our Ye family as well. From now on, we’re family.”

“Yes, yes,” Ye Linglong’s parents hurried to add. “From now on, she’s part of our family too.”

Chu Yun glanced at Ye Linglong’s profile, then quietly gathered his things and returned to the academy.

No sooner had he arrived at his dormitory than his roommate, Chen Fei, looked at him with undisguised admiration. “Brother Yun, is it true you defeated Duanmu Ci?”

“Is that really something to boast about?” Chu Yun replied, taking off his coat and lying on his bed. “He was never my goal. It was just an accident.”

“But you’re my goal!” Chen Fei came over to massage his feet. “Oddly enough, though, the Duanmu family refuses to admit that Duanmu Ci lost.”

“Really?” Chu Yun hadn’t paid attention to the aftermath.

Indeed, the Duanmu family was denying it. After the video evidence was completely destroyed, only those who’d witnessed the duel firsthand knew the truth. The Duanmu family publicly denied Duanmu Ci’s defeat.

In the hospital, Duanmu Han sat by his son’s bedside and said, “The rumors about your defeat are everywhere. I’ve used our family’s resources to clarify things. But in two months, the Martial Gathering will be held. You’ll likely face Chu Yun of the Ye family in the city’s internal academy matches. That means you have only two months to wash away this stain. When the time comes, at the grand tournament in Watchtower City with tens of millions watching, defeat him and prove that you are truly the city’s number one talent!”

Duanmu Ci suddenly raised his head, grinding his teeth as he looked at his father. “Don’t worry, Father. I’ll enter seclusion for the next two months. The humiliation he gave me—I’ll pay back with interest! There can only be one genius in Watchtower City, and that’s me!”

Duanmu Han patted his son’s shoulder with satisfaction. “Good. I knew you weren’t one to give up easily. Your grandfather will invite the best tutors from Hope Continent to help you during your seclusion. To pave your way, the family will spend heavily on intermediate body-forging elixirs to strengthen you. Whether these rumors are true or not will be decided when you emerge from seclusion in two months!”

Duanmu Ci nodded fiercely, eyes reddened. “Don’t worry, Father! I won’t let the family down. On the day of the Martial Gathering, I’ll put an end to these baseless rumors!”

Duanmu Han nodded, hesitating for a moment before adding, “Don’t provoke Ye Linglong. Chu Yun is now affiliated with the Ye family, and from now on, Ye Linglong is his. I know this whole affair involved her. If not for her jealousy, none of this would have happened. I know you resent her, but for now, leave the Ye family alone. Pretend none of this happened, or you’ll only make Murong Ling unhappy.”

Duanmu Ci nodded, understanding that targeting the Ye family now would only confirm the rumors that he’d fought for Ye Linglong out of jealousy—and the Murong family, especially Murong Ling, would be furious.

Thinking of Ye Linglong, his eyes burned even redder. Not only had he lost the woman, but he’d nearly ruined his reputation. Hatred gnawed at him. “That wretched woman! When I defeat Chu Yun and cripple him, I’ll settle things with the Ye family!”

The Murong family had investigated the incident as well. No matter how the Duanmu family tried to cover it up, the Murongs knew the truth: Duanmu Ci was no longer the number one talent of Watchtower City’s younger generation.

Murong Ling, upon hearing that Duanmu Ci had fought out of jealousy over a woman from a third-rate family, was furious and sought out Ye Linglong to warn her.

On her way back from registering with Chu Yun, Ye Linglong’s car was blocked by Murong Ling and her guards.

Murong Ling circled Ye Linglong, sizing her up with disdain. “You have some looks, I’ll admit, but where does your confidence come from, seducing our Ci? In terms of background, the Ye family is nothing but third-rate. Don’t you know Ci and I are destined to marry? Are you deliberately provoking me?”

Ye Linglong retorted, “Murong Ling, please show some respect. I never had any intention of seducing your Ci.”

She displayed the engagement ring she’d just put on. “I’m already spoken for.”

Ye Wuzhao, seeing this woman slander his sister, got out of the car and shouted, “Watch your mouth! My sister has a husband now—why would she go after your man?”

Murong Ling scoffed, “And what man could compare to my Duanmu Ci?”

Ye Wuzhao shot back, “Do you even know who my brother-in-law is? He’s the one who put your man in the hospital—Chu Yun, the city’s top genius. With him, why would my sister bother with a loser?”

“Wuzhao!” Ye Linglong glared at her brother, unwilling to waste words on the enraged Murong Ling. She turned and left, pulling her brother with her.

Murong Ling was left fuming, her composure shattered.