The Cui Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, the crackling of firecrackers and laughter unceasing.
Wang Sandong quietly watched the bustling scene before him, feeling somewhat dazed. In a trance, he recalled the wedding of “himself.”
Back then, the Great Demon Slaying War had not yet begun, the Human Sovereign and Demon Sovereign were not yet irreconcilable, and the Moon Sovereign had not yet gone into seclusion.
Back then, the Demon Capital was still a thriving sight.
Back then, as a “Disciple of the Demon Emperor,” he could swagger through the Demon Capital unopposed.
He still remembered the bride’s unruly gaze, her graceful figure, and the bloody spectacle of the human sacrifice.
Human sacrifice was a custom of the Demon Capital.
Human sacrifice for happy occasions; human burial sacrifice for funerals.
This ancient tradition had endured countless ages.
Compared to human sacrifice and burial, the Spiritual Cultivators’ tradition of setting off firecrackers at weddings and funerals was like children playing house, completely lacking in ceremony.
As a “Disciple of the Demon Emperor,” “Wang Sandong” had once presided over human sacrifices and burial sacrifices, and he was very familiar with the complicated rules.
For example, the chosen victims for a human sacrifice had to be one male and one female, healthy and no older than nine years old…
Just like the boy and girl currently vying for wedding candies not far away—they would be perfect for a human sacrifice.
“Do you like children?”
Zheng Xiao’s voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Wang Sandong was startled and abruptly snapped back to reality.
“Not really,” he replied perfunctorily, secretly alarmed in his heart.
Just now, he had actually felt a strong urge to kill those two children, and even an eerie sense of excitement had surged from the depths of his heart.
Ah!
He had underestimated the strength of that Disciple of the Demon Emperor.
The impact of his memories was too great.
That contempt for life sent a chill down Wang Sandong’s spine.
“It’s strange,” Zheng Xiao said with a smile.
“You’re only sixteen years old, still a child yourself. But… the feeling you give me… it’s as if you’ve weathered many vicissitudes.”
As she spoke, Zheng Xiao studied Wang Sandong with a scrutinizing gaze.
Still shaken, Wang Sandong exhaled, moving his gaze away from the two children and turning to Zheng Xiao with a smile.
“What? Captivated by my aura?”
Zheng Xiao suppressed a laugh.
“Would a three-year-old be captivated by you?”
“Is that the same thing?”
“How is it different?”
“Fine.”
Wang Sandong couldn’t be bothered to argue.
He was still worried about the influence of the “Disciple of the Demon Emperor” A-Gui’s memories on him, thinking he would need to sort through the memories again when he got home, lest he lose his “self.”
“Are you very tired?”
Zheng Xiao noticed Wang Sandong’s distraction and fatigue.
Wang Sandong didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he glanced again at the children who had run off laughing, feeling the barely restrained murderous intent within him.
Then he looked at the newlyweds surrounded by a crowd of admirers, and the image of the human sacrifice from that wedding years ago surfaced in his mind again…
“Hah…”
Wang Sandong sighed.
“I can’t take it anymore. I’m going home.”
Without waiting for Zheng Xiao’s reaction, he stood up and headed out.
Then he spotted the groom, Cui Jinnian, and thought he should at least say goodbye before leaving early.
So Wang Sandong walked toward the crowd.
As he approached, some young people were horsing around.
One man turned and started running, directly colliding with Wang Sandong.
The man was robust, also a Spiritual Cultivator, and this unintentional collision sent the frail Wang Sandong flying backward.
Wang Tong, standing nearby, was quick-eyed and quick-handed, trying to grab Wang Sandong, but he was a step too slow.
“Young Master!” Wang Tong exclaimed.
Suddenly, a figure darted past Wang Tong.
Not only did it catch up to the airborne Wang Sandong, but it also moved behind him, wrapping an arm around his waist and taking two steps back to absorb the momentum.
Wang Sandong landed steadily, reclining in the crook of the arm.
He tilted his head slightly and saw the arm’s owner.
It was Zheng Xiao.
“Uh…”
Wang Sandong was very embarrassed.
Under the gaze of so many people, lying in a woman’s embrace was inexplicably shameful, and he instantly blushed.
Zheng Xiao held back her laughter, helped Wang Sandong steady himself, and then withdrew her arm.
By now, the man who had collided with Wang Sandong rushed over, flustered, to apologize.
Strangely, both Zheng Xiao and Wang Sandong ignored him.
Zheng Xiao said, “Come on, I’ll take you back.”
“No need.”
Just as she spoke, Cui Jinnian hurried over.
After inquiring about the situation, he glared at the robust man and said with some agitation, “Watch where you’re going! What are you messing around for!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, I…”
The big man kept apologizing, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Clearly, he was terrified, afraid that he had injured Wang Sandong.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Seeing this, Wang Sandong quickly tried to calm him down, then said to Cui Jinnian, “I’m a bit tired. I’m going home to rest.”
Cui Jinnian frowned slightly but didn’t hesitate. Nodding, he replied, “Alright.”
Zheng Xiao took Wang Sandong’s arm and helped him leave.
They hadn’t gone far when someone called out to them.
“Senior Sister.”
Zheng Xiao stopped and looked at the approaching figure.
The man was gaunt, with white hair and a decrepit appearance—clearly over a hundred years old.
Beside him stood the Lifetaking Swordsman and Wang Fa.
“Junior Brother, long time no see,” Zheng Xiao responded calmly.
When the man drew near, he cupped his hands and said, “Chen Qian pays respects to Senior Sister.”
Chen Qian, the head of the Chen family, one of the Nine Surnamed Kings.
His gaze then fell on Wang Sandong.
Chen Qian paused, then cupped his hands again.
“Greetings, Brother-in-law.”
Wang Sandong’s expression was extremely awkward.
He looked at Chen Qian, then at Wang Fa standing about three yards behind Chen Qian, unsure how to respond.
“Seeing is truly believing,” Chen Qian said, appraising Wang Sandong.
“I’ve long heard of Brother-in-law’s reputation as ‘the most beautiful under heaven.’ Meeting you today, I see the name is well-deserved.”
Wang Sandong’s mouth twitched.
There had been jokes about “outshining all the flowers.”
But “the most beautiful under heaven”?
Where did you hear that?
Could it be you thought “outshining all the flowers” was too mocking, so you made up your own?
“You flatter me,” Wang Sandong replied perfunctorily.
Chen Qian then spoke to Zheng Xiao, “Senior Sister, I’ve heard about the Zheng Clan’s situation. Sigh, we once fought side by side, so why are we now at swords’ points? Could there be some misunderstanding? If the opportunity arises, sit down and talk things over—there’s no need for violence…”
“Your brother-in-law is feeling unwell. Let’s talk another day.”
Zheng Xiao responded in a flat tone.
Without waiting for Chen Qian’s reply, and without even acknowledging the Lifetaking Swordsman or Wang Fa, she helped Wang Sandong away.
Wang Fa caught up, asking about Wang Sandong’s condition.
When he found out it was just fatigue, he was relieved.
The carriage left the Cui Mansion and moved slowly through the empty streets.
Wang Sandong leaned back in the carriage, one hand on his chest, slowly regulating his breathing.
That seemingly casual bump had left his whole body feeling as if it had fallen apart.
A dull ache throbbed in his chest, and his qi and blood were unsettled.
Opening his eyes, he saw Zheng Xiao watching him.
He gave a self-deprecating smile and said, “I’ve heard people call me ‘the Glass Prince.’”
Zheng Xiao nodded.
“I’ve heard of it.”
“Embarrassing.”
“Not at all,” Zheng Xiao said.
“Fortunately, that man’s cultivation wasn’t high, and he managed to pull some of his strength. Otherwise… you’d probably be dead.”
“Haha.”
Wang Sandong let out a weak, bitter laugh, unable to hide the pain on his face.
Here he was at the Third Grade of cultivation, yet his body was still as fragile as a glass vessel.
‘Huitian could keep a flicker of life within me, but if I were to die in an accident, even mastering Huitian probably wouldn’t matter, would it?’
On the driver’s seat, separated by only a curtain, Wang Tong heard Zheng Xiao’s words.
He gripped the reins and whip tightly, his teeth clenched.
In his heart, he silently vowed: he would train like mad to protect the young master in the future!
His life was given by the young master, so he would repay that life with his own!
Accidents like today’s must never happen again!
Wang Tong recalled the face he had seen when he was on the verge of death—that “most beautiful under heaven” face.
That old gentleman was right: the young master’s features were indeed unmatched in the world.
If it weren’t for the young master, there would be no Wang Tong.
The young master had not only given Wang Tong life but had also taught him cultivation.
Wang Tong would become the number one master in the world, and then protect the young master for life!
The young master was everything to him!
“Why did you have to marry me?”
Wang Sandong spoke with a smile still on his face.
“Not only will you have to endure a loveless marriage, but you’ll likely become a widow sooner or later.”
Zheng Xiao looked at Wang Sandong’s forced smile and could clearly feel the anguish within him.
A man facing a beautiful wife he cannot touch—that is truly one of life’s great regrets.
Those were the words of the Demon Sovereign.
That most powerful Demonic Cultivator was evil incarnate, yet his words always contained some twisted logic.
“Since I don’t mind, what do you have to worry about?”
Zheng Xiao asked.
“Ah, I suppose what you want is far more important than your reputation.”
Zheng Xiao smiled in response.
“If you’re smart enough, you’ll understand tomorrow. Just bear with it a little longer and stop trying to pry.”
Wang Sandong gave Zheng Xiao a sidelong glance.
“Fine, I’ll bear with it and see what tricks you have up your sleeve.”
After sitting in silence for a while, Wang Sandong asked, “Why does that Chen Qian call you Senior Sister?”
“Chen Qian once received pointers in cultivation from my father. It’s only right that he calls me Senior Sister.”
Wang Sandong said “Oh,” hesitated, then continued, “I feel that this Chen Qian… hmm… seems a bit… ah…”
“Hypocritical?”
“Ahem, I wouldn’t say that.”
Wang Sandong pretended to deny it.
“Haha.”
Zheng Xiao nodded with a laugh.
“Indeed, he is hypocritical. Everyone close to him knows it.”
She paused, then added, “However, no one is perfect. Though he is hypocritical, he is a righteous man. After he achieved a certain level of cultivation, he traveled everywhere doing good deeds and helped many. During the Great Demon Slaying War, he fought fiercely, slaying countless demons, and never held back out of selfish motives.”
Wang Sandong chuckled but did not immediately reply.
After a long while, he said softly, “So he’s a righteous man who watches the strong bully the weak—even old friends—and dares not lend a hand, only dares to wag his tongue after the fact?”
Zheng Xiao was momentarily speechless.
After thinking it over, she replied, “How can you force others to come to my aid? If someone helps, it’s out of kindness. If they don’t, we cannot regard them as evil.”
She paused and sighed.
“Do not force others to be brave. Being willing to speak up is already a form of action.”
Wang Sandong closed his eyes to rest and said nothing more.
When the carriage arrived at the Wang Mansion, Zheng Xiao took her leave, saying she needed to go home and prepare—she would move in the next morning.
Wang Tong helped Wang Sandong back to the Anzhi Courtyard.
In the bedroom.
Wang Sandong reorganized the memories he had stolen from A-Gui.
Just that alone left him utterly exhausted.
His physical weakness was even greater than before.
He took his own pulse, feeling the almost imperceptible heartbeat, and his emotions were complicated.
‘I know that without Huitian, I would already be dead.’
‘Even if I hadn’t been bumped today.’
‘Huitian is miraculous.’
‘Within this body of mine that lacks a Spiritual Root, though it sometimes falls into disorder and chaos, it always manages to keep that last breath of life in me, preventing my death.’
‘The surging Demonic Qi clings to my internal organs, stopping them from completely shutting down.’
‘I really should thank Yuan Di for teaching me Huitian.’
‘But… I still have to kill her!’
‘Because I don’t want to be offered as a sacrifice to the Demon Abyss!’
The night was deep, the wind cool.
Wang Sandong feared the cold, but not the heat.
Even on a summer night like this, he still wore heavy clothing.
Cui Jinnian arrived, carrying a food box.
“On your wedding night, instead of keeping your bride company, what are you doing here?”
Wang Sandong was very displeased, and his tone was harsh.
He believed that after tonight, there would surely be more disgusting rumors spreading around.
—Those unpleasant words wouldn’t normally reach Wang Sandong’s ears, so he hadn’t worried about them before.
But ever since sorting through those stolen memories, it was as if all those nasty rumors were being whispered directly into his ear.
He couldn’t help but care.
Especially now that Cui Jinnian was married.
He had to be careful about appearances.
“Just came to see you. Are you alright?”
Seeing that Wang Sandong’s complexion wasn’t too bad, Cui Jinnian breathed a sigh of relief.
He set down the food box and said, “Honestly, on my happy occasion, you could have been a bit more careful. How unlucky would it be if you were killed right at the wedding?”
“Tch.”
Wang Sandong waved his hand in disgust.
“Alright, I’m not dying anytime soon. Hurry up and go.”
Having known each other for years, Cui Jinnian could read Wang Sandong’s expression and guess his thoughts.
He smiled and said, “Heard some nasty talk? How does it matter? A straight man isn’t afraid of a crooked shadow. There’s nothing between us, so why do you care? I don’t…”
“Get lost, get lost!”
Wang Sandong was saying, when he saw that Cui Jinnian had actually sat down.
“Oh, come on. Aren’t you afraid your wife will get jealous?”
“Not likely.”
Cui Jinnian laughed.
“You’re the young master of the Wang family, and the husband of Zheng the Butcher. Plus, you were knocked down in my house. It’s perfectly reasonable for me to come check on you and solidify our friendship.”
As he spoke, he opened the food box.
“Haven’t eaten, have you? Try some. White Jade Tofu, Dragon’s Ear Threads, Golden Soup Fish Maw…”
He laid out the dishes from the box, then called out to Wang Tong, “Tea, please!”
Then he complained to Wang Sandong, “This little servant of yours is a bit slow—needs to be told to serve tea.”
Wang Sandong didn’t bother responding.
The tea was brought.
Cui Jinnian picked up a cup of tea and looked at Wang Sandong seriously.
Helpless, Wang Sandong also picked up his cup to reciprocate.
“Woman Wang, thank you,” Cui Jinnian said, then downed the tea in one gulp.
“Thank me for what?”
Wang Sandong was puzzled.
“Nothing. I’m off.”
Cui Jinnian stood up with a smile.
“Gossip is a fearsome thing. I’m actually afraid of those rumors too.”
He smiled again, cupped his hands, and said, “I’m heading to the capital tomorrow. We’ll meet again, brother!”
The next day.
Morning.
Cui Jinnian, along with his new wife, Chen Qian, and the Lifetaking Swordsman, departed for the capital.
Meanwhile, Zheng Xiao moved into the Anzhi Courtyard with three full carts of dowry.
Looking at those three carts of dowry, sensing the surging spiritual energy fluctuations radiating from them, and then glancing at the many experts from the Zheng family who had come to “see her off,” and finally at Wang Fa’s shocked, ashen face, Wang Sandong suddenly understood.
Within those three carts of dowry lay what the Zither Emperor wanted.
What Zheng Xiao did was really…
More than just redirecting the source of trouble.
She had also taken Wang Sandong hostage.
Wang Sandong was too weak.
If the Emperor and the Kings went to war, he would surely be caught in the crossfire and die.
Therefore, the Wang family had to do their utmost to help.
Thus, even if the Zither Emperor knew that what she wanted was right here, he wouldn’t dare act rashly.
For the Zither Emperor, going to war with two of the Nine Surnamed Kings simultaneously was not just a question of whether his strength could handle it.
Compared to a simple “marriage alliance” based on face and emotional ties, Zheng Xiao’s method was utterly flawless.
Zheng Xiao!
Zheng Xiao!
This little girl with the righteous face…
Old crone!
So scheming after all.
Truly, the most venomous is a woman’s heart!
With cold disdain, Wang Sandong raised his middle finger at Zheng Xiao.
Zheng Xiao didn’t understand the gesture, but she could clearly see the contempt in Wang Sandong’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Zheng Xiao apologized softly.
She felt both remorse and a touch of gratitude.
Because Wang Sandong only showed contempt, not a hint of malice.
She felt that for her actions, even being cursed or physically attacked would have been deserved.
“You’ve gone a bit too far,” Wang Sandong muttered in a flat tone, then turned and left.
Zheng Xiao watched Wang Sandong’s frail receding figure, her brow slightly furrowed.
She caught a hint of coldness in his tone.