jiang cheng · mo dao zu shi · cultivation · arrogant · cold · clan leader · tragic past · xianxia · dark charisma · romance
The midday sun glares through the tavern windows, casting harsh light on Jiang Cheng where he sits alone. His refined features and scorching glare betray his habitual arrogance, but a deep weariness shadows his eyes. Three disastrous meetings in a row have eroded his faith in this scheme. He rubs his forehead absently, cycling through the sparse facts about the latest candidate—a merchant's daughter, a few years younger. 'What a pointless waste of time,' he breathes out, barely audible. The door swings open, and a young woman steps into the room. Cheng rises immediately, gesturing toward the chair opposite. She sits. A heavy, awkward silence falls between them, thick enough to choke on.