C2 Marry Your Sister as a Concubine

Ma Tianming burst into the house as if his life depended on it, just as his sister, Mingxin, was attentively caring for several pots of flowers.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!"

Before him stood a striking young woman, brimming with the captivating essence of youth—his sister, Mingxin.

Noticing Ma Tianming's disheveled appearance and the scent of alcohol clinging to him, Mingxin expressed her displeasure, "You've been drinking again! We don't even have the money to buy alcohol anymore."

The siblings shared a close bond, yet Mingxin disapproved of Ma Tianming's unrestrained drinking habits.

"Have Mei Zhengyao and the others come by?"

"Do they even know we've moved here?"

It was then that Ma Tianming recalled the recent hardships his family had faced. Following his father's misfortune, their home had been ransacked, necessitating a move. It dawned on him that Mei Zhengyao and the rest were likely unaware that the Ma family had relocated to this modest dwelling.

Relieved, Ma Tianming could finally sober up. He washed his face and invigorated his spirits.

It wasn't that Mei Zhengyao hadn't come; he just hadn't arrived yet!

If it came down to it, Ma Tianming was confident he could best Mei Zhengyao in a fair fight.

However, Mei Zhengyao was no honorable opponent; he was notorious for not facing challenges alone, lacking the courage and preferring to outnumber the vulnerable.

"I need to make rapid progress. I cannot afford to fail the Martial Type exam.

Only by becoming formidable will Mei Zhengyao think twice before harassing Xin and me."

Moreover, excelling in martial arts was Ma Tianming's sole path forward.

This realization wasn't a sudden epiphany; Ma Tianming had long understood that in this world, not only in Yue Country, where the Yan Clan reigned, but also in the neighboring Silver Moon and Celestial Wolf Countries, martial prowess was held in high esteem.

Martial artists were the champions on the battlefield, the trailblazers in territorial expansion, the nation's first line of defense, and the embodiment of national pride.

To be a martial artist was to dedicate oneself to the martial path, yet not everyone who trained could claim the title.

Those ordinary individuals who engaged in martial training, despite their dedication, were not entitled to be called martial artists. Out of respect for their commitment and acknowledgment of the journey all warriors must undertake, they were recognized as practitioners of martial arts.

The distinction between a martial artist and someone who practices martial arts may seem straightforward to the average person: it's a matter of strength—martial artists are clearly stronger. Additionally, martial artists are more cerebral. However, Ma Tianming from the Golden Ocean Academy, who is the most promising candidate to become a martial artist among his peers, understands that the primary difference is indeed strength.

We live in a world where the strong dominate the weak. When the Golden Ocean Academy, as well as the more prestigious Xunzhou Academy and Guangnan Academy, recruit martial arts practitioners, they favor individuals with influential backgrounds or substantial family wealth. Talent is crucial for becoming a martial artist, but money is even more critical. It takes money to purchase the necessary pills for training and to hire a skilled master.

For those who have invested heavily to achieve the status of martial artist, their greatest fear is being surpassed by someone stronger. While it's not openly discussed, there's an unspoken rule that martial artists are reluctant to see anyone outside their circle of friends and family attain the same status. Consequently, if a family has a successful martial artist, they are likely one of the prestigious and wealthy families in Yue Country, with members holding significant positions within the nation.

The Ma family, to which Ma Tianming belongs, may not be one of Yue Country's most prominent families, but they do have a martial artist who is reasonably well-regarded in Golden Ocean and Xunzhou—his father, Ma Jun. Currently, Ma Jun has fallen on hard times. Ma Tianming doesn't fully grasp the reason, but he suspects that his father has been sabotaged by other martial artists.

Without Ma Jun, Ma Tianming and Marmin Xin are vulnerable to becoming targets, as others have always viewed them as nuisances to Ma Jun. But Ma Tianming is aware that neither he nor his father are the aggressors; Ma Jun never intended to disrupt the martial artists' rule, nor did he oppress the common folk or fellow practitioners as others have done.

Nevertheless, in the absence of Ma Jun's protection and support, Ma Tianming's aspiration to become a martial artist seems an increasingly challenging endeavor.

As Ma Tianming pondered the arduous path ahead to becoming a martial artist, a woman's voice suddenly pierced the silence from outside: "Is Young Master Ma and Miss Ma at home?"

"Who could that be?"

Since Ma Jun's mishap, the Ma family's former friends had shunned them, avoiding even the sight of Ma Tianming, let alone visiting. Some, like Mei Zhengyao today, would rather step on him than offer help.

Who could possibly be visiting now? The siblings were on high alert.

Stepping outside, Ma Tianming was greeted by a grinning woman entering their home. Despite her smile, it was clear she looked upon them with disdain.

"Oh! It is indeed Young Master Ma! Look at you! Once a wealthy noble, and now you reside in such a remote and dilapidated dwelling. How tragic!"

"What do you want?" Ma Tianming recognized the woman but couldn't quite place her.

Unperturbed, she continued her feigned sympathy, lamenting the siblings' misfortune. Impatient, Ma Tianming pressed, "What is it that you want? Speak plainly, no need for empty words."

Still smiling, she replied, "Isn't it said that fortune favors the kind? Young Master Ma, Miss Ma, you are both destined for greatness and will never know poverty. Indeed, someone has taken an interest in Miss Ma, and I've been sent to propose on his behalf."

In that moment, Ma Tianming realized who she was: He Sanru, a well-known matchmaker from Golden Ocean County.

Having never sought a wife, Ma Tianming had no need for a matchmaker's services. It was clear now why her words carried a mocking tone, yet her face was plastered with a smile—contempt hidden behind professional habit.

"My sister is not looking to marry at this time."

Marmin Xin was merely fifteen, far too young for marriage, and without a second thought, Ma Tianming declined the offer.

"Oh, Young Master Ma, if Master Ma were still here, Miss Ma would certainly be well cared for at home. But times have changed. Look at this house—it's practically falling apart! Miss Ma might soon struggle to find enough to eat. If she remains here for another two years—well, let's be frank—while now she may be a delicate and treasured branch, soon enough, she'll be nothing more than rough-hewn, worthless timber."

"What are you saying?" Ma Tianming was seething with anger. "What kind of absurdity is this matchmaker spouting?"

Despite the tension, He Sanru kept her composure with the smile of a professional matchmaker. "Young Master Ma, you must face reality. Things have changed since the old Master Ma's time. Now that someone holds Miss Ma in high regard, you should marry her off quickly. It will ensure a good life for you too. Moreover, Master Mei is one of the wealthiest men in Golden Ocean County. A marriage proposal from him is coveted by many and not easily obtained. If you refuse, it's akin to slapping Master Mei in the face, and he won't let you live peacefully."

"Master Mei? Are you referring to Mei Zhengyao?"

Noticing a shift in Ma Tianming's demeanor, He Sanru assumed he was interested and continued, "Exactly! It's the household of Mei Zhengyao. You know him, Young Master Ma, so there's no need for further introduction."

Ma Tianming's anger surged. He had hurried back, not finding Mei Zhengyao, and assumed that Zhengyao's earlier words were merely to provoke him or that he couldn't locate the place. But now, it seemed Zhengyao had intentionally sought out a matchmaker.

Mei Zhengyao was deliberately trying to shame Ma Tianming and Marmin Xin. He knew the Ma siblings would never consent. Mei Zhengyao, ever the dreamer, might have thought Ma Tianming would agree. But once Ma Tianming expressed his refusal, Zhengyao would take it as a personal affront and declare Ma Tianming his enemy, vowing to use every means to retaliate. Zhengyao had a history of such behavior, and the notion of remaining friends after a failed marriage proposal was laughable to him.

"Leave at once. My sister would never marry someone like Mei Zhengyao, who is so full of himself," Ma Tianming retorted sharply.

He Sanru chuckled, "You've misunderstood, Young Master Ma. This isn't about Miss Ma marrying Young Master Mei."

Not Mei Zhengyao?

Ma Tianming, puzzled, pressed, "What are you implying?"

"It's Young Master Mei's father, Old Master Mei Jiangshan, who has taken an interest in Miss Ma. He wishes for her to become his concubine."

"What did you say?"

"Get out! Leave right now!"

Ma Tianming had been waiting in the room, anticipating his elder brother's return. Upon hearing the commotion, he burst out and hurled a stool at He San.

The stool struck with a resounding smack, causing her to leap back in terror.

"Goodness! Miss Ma, such behavior is unbecoming of a lady!"

Ma Tianming also charged out, pointing at He Sanxia, and warned, "Leave now, or I'll break your legs."

He Sanxia, already cowering, cried out, "Ah, Young Master Ma, I'm here on behalf of Master Mei. This is like slapping Master Mei in the face! He won't stand for this."

"He's shaming us, and I won't stand for it either!" Ma Tianming advanced on her.

"Young Master Ma, do you think things are as they were before? I will report everything to Master Mei."

"Say what you will." Ma Tianming raised his hand and, with a swift motion, slapped He Sanxia across the face.

He Sanxia, now silenced by fear, ran off, wailing.

Once she was gone, Marmin Xin collapsed into Ma Tianming's arms, sobbing.

Ma Tianming, seething with rage, said, "Mei Jiangshan, Mei Zhengyao, you've gone too far. A 60-year-old man and a conceited rake, both vying for Xin's affection, are nothing but beasts."

"Brother! What are we going to do?" Marmin Xin asked through her tears. "They've bullied me... Why are they doing this? Have I ever wronged them?

"I've never crossed Mei Zhengyao or Old Master Mei. I've never mistreated the poor... Now that father has just had an accident, why are they bullying me?"

"Mei Jiangshan, Mei Zhengyao... a pair of monsters!" Ma Tianming was consumed with fury.

He had resolved to become a martial artist, regardless of the hardships, but he wasn't naive. He knew that this so-called marriage proposal was nothing more than a declaration of war from Mei Jiangshan and his son.

Their message was clear: "We're coming after you. They won't easily allow Ma Tianming to become a martial artist or to amass enough wealth to protect himself."

Perhaps after Auntie He reported back, they would swiftly move to retaliate.

"Let's lay low at Uncle's place for a few days," Ma Tianming suggested, patting his sister on the shoulder, though he lacked his usual vigor.

"Okay," Marmin Xin managed to say, her voice strained. She was deferring to her brother's judgment, but she was well aware of the hesitation he had gone through before arriving at this decision.