Chapter 5

If anyone outside the clan were there, they would've balked when they heard Eldin, the second Crawford elder, calling the clan chief 'kid'!

However, Xar took no notice and even laughed. "That fella beyond the stars has just sent word that this is Caleb's death… but also his blessing! We would've all lost our minds if we weren't told to wait for a year ahead of time—patience was never our strong suit."

Everyone nodded in satisfaction.

Soon, time and space seemed to blur for a moment, as if someone was meddling with something.

The Crawford elders' gaze seemed to blank out for a moment.

Then, as if their memories were sealed, the menacing auras in the room suddenly calmed as they were ordinary people again…

Looking around at everyone, Xar laughed coolly. "It seems that we've been too humble for a while that they are really making light of us. Starting now, whoever dares to play dirty or tries to bully the weak, provoking our junior chief, I say death to them, no matter who they are!"

"Yes!"

The nine Crawford elders nodded, their auras unfurling at that moment and distorting the air around them.

They really weren't Ether Lord-ranked as everyone thought they were, but instead…

Suddenly, Jax was chuckling in amusement as he said, "That reminds me—chief, our junior chief intends to visit the Goslings in three days to annul his engagement, but we've been informed that Wilbur Jormont is there too. So how should we deal with that prick?"

"How else?" Xar growled coolly. "Just do as the junior chief commands. If there's defiance, punch them until they submit!"

"Yes, chief!"

As everyone nodded, Jax stood up. "Brax and I will take this one. Let's meet the two Jormont elders and see what they've got!"

"Heh. Works for me!" Brax, the eighth elder, nodded and followed him.

He was mild-mannered, calm, and composed.

However, there was a sword covered in a cloth slung over his back, and there was a bladelike sharpness in his gaze.

Sighing contentedly, he said, "Chief, I must say that I'm surprised at how mature our junior chief has become after just a year. He understands that we had it hard, so he immediately went to Delilah and demanded that she return everything he gave her. I wouldn't have expected something like that from him in the past."

"That's true. Not bad, if I do say so myself."

Xar nodded in agreement. "That said, we must look busy. Make him understand that it's in hardship when we must strive hard, so that he won't stay a playboy who keeps goofing off."

As he finished, all the elders all traded understanding smiles right then.

-

Meanwhile, at the Goslings' residence, the entire clan was going all out as they fawned over a certain youth named Wilbur Jormont.

He was seated at the main seat in the middle of the hall, watching haughtily at everything around him.

Hearing Delilah's tearful complaint, he snorted in disdain. "Don't worry, Delilah. If Caleb Crawford dares show up here in three days, I will make him prostrate himself and apologize to you!"

Hearing that, everyone in the hall breathed huge sighs in relief, with Quinton grinning fawningly. "Go on, Delilah! Thank Young Master Wilbur already. We'd be bullied by the Crawfords if not for him!"

"Yes, Dad." Delilah beamed as she curtseyed at Wilbur. "Thank you, Young Master Wilbur. I will never forget this debt."

"Hehe! Come on, Delilah. Don't be a stranger," Wilbur said mildly, his eyes narrowing as he strode up to Delilah, taking her hands in his. "Your problems are my problems! Anyone who bullies you would be bullying me!"

Beside Delilah, Susie smiled meaningfully as she nodded. "That's right, Delilah. Do you really not understand what Young Master Wilbur wants? Don't let him down now."

As Delilah lowered her gaze shyly in response, Wilbur was left antsy even as he watched, but he couldn't exactly reach for a kiss when there were so many others around them.

"Ahem… Haha! Susie's exactly right!" Quinton exclaimed in delight, seeing how flirty the pair were getting. "Young Master Wilbur, if you like, we can arrange for Delilah to be engaged to you once her engagement with Caleb is annulled!"

As everyone around her beamed happily in response, Delilah pouted as she lowered her gaze further. "Please, Dad! Why would you say something like that out of the blue?!"

With that, she took Susie's hand and ran off in embarrassment.

Even as they left, Susie's eyes were glued to Wilbur's, clearly communicating something from a distance.

Nonetheless, the rest of the Goslings laughed heartily as they watched Delilah run off shyly.

Wilbur was smiling too, but it was a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he was scoffing inwardly.

Marry him? Dream on!

That said, he didn't mind fooling around a little, as it looked to him that Delilah's hymen was still intact.

'Oh, Caleb Crawford. Can't even do that much after all the things you did for her?

'What a joke!'

Despite what he thought, he instead said, "It'd be my honor if I can marry Lady Delilah. However, I insist on spending time with her, so that we can bond and grow a connection, and not make it an abrupt matrimony."

"Haha! Of course, of course!" Quinton laughed out loud, clearly in a great mood. "Young 'uns always like a little flirting, I understand."

Back then, the Goldings had gained so much assistance from the Crawfords that they rapidly established themselves in the capital.

Now that Delilah had secured an even better prospect, Quinton could only sigh emotionally.

He really had a wonderful daughter!

Wilbur smiled. "Very well. I shall go to Delilah now."

"Go ahead, Mr. Jormont!" Quinton smiled fawningly.

With that, Wilbur led the two gray-haired geezers out of the hall toward the rear of the residence.

Along the way, the elder beside him asked softly, "Sir, are you sure you want to marry Delilah? I don't think your father would agree. Moreover, she kept dropping hints for you to give her treasures… She really is quite the schemer."

Wilbur snorted in disdain while looking sideways at the elder.

"Hah! Marriage? That can wait until the sex!"

Even as Wilbur scoffed, he continued walking ahead. "As for giving her gifts… Hell no! Wealth is for flaunting, not to be spent on women. Do you understand?"

The elder was taken aback but soon nodded. "You really are wise, sir."

"That said… Delilah's quite amusing."

Wilbur smirked in disdain. "Playing hard-to-get like she isn't sure if she wants me. Haha! Trying to get me hooked and to pay through my nose even before I tap that? Dream on! She isn't getting shit from me until I have a taste!"

He had plenty of women in Sanctuary, and he could tell what position Delilah wanted with just a little tap on the bottom!

-

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and news of Caleb's return rocked Calebton as it spread through every corner of the city.

After all, he had been the most dazzling prodigy of his time, but he now returned with cultivation.

It was inevitable for countless prying eyes to turn toward the Crawfords, as many of them inevitably started scheming…