As the heart of the Tianming Continent, Canglan City held a position of undeniable importance. Merely the three enormous characters suspended high upon the city walls were enough to emanate a terrifying, oppressive aura.
Luo Xingyao had done nothing more than glance at those characters once when his mind felt as though it had been struck by a heavy hammer. In that instant, his thoughts went completely blank. Only after quite some time did the sensation slowly fade away.
Outside the city gates, there were not a few people who had suffered the same fate as he had.
The pedestrians coming and going at the gate were clearly long accustomed to such scenes. Faintly, one could even hear fragmented bits of conversation drifting through the air:
“Look over there. Another bunch of greenhorns visiting Canglan City for the first time.”
“Aren’t there a few of those every single day? After all these years, haven’t you gotten tired of watching?”
“Isn’t it because this is the only bit of entertainment at the city gates? You know how it is, no matter how often you watch it, it always feels new.”
From these vague exchanges, Luo Xingyao gradually came to understand the special nature of the three characters above the city gate.
They had been written ten thousand years ago by one of Canglan City’s primordial ancestors, using that ancestor’s own natal artifact. Within the strokes of the characters was sealed the strongest strike of that ancestor. Not only did this serve as Canglan City’s greatest trump card but the aura of a Nascent Soul–level ancestor embedded within it was also enough to deter those with ill intentions.
Unless one’s cultivation surpassed that of the Nascent Soul ancestor, every person who laid eyes upon Canglan City for the first time and saw those three characters would experience exactly what Luo Xingyao had just endured.
This was not merely Canglan City’s declaration of its status as the number one city on the Tianming Continent. It was also a warning to every person who entered: once you passed through this gate, you were to abide by Canglan City’s rules.
A brief sweep of his gaze around the gate was enough to show that this display was highly effective. Several individuals who had initially worn arrogant expressions had visibly restrained themselves, their faces sobering considerably.
Speaking of Canglan City’s rules, the most distinctive among them was undoubtedly the no flying decree.
Under this decree, even Foundation Establishment cultivators were not permitted to fly on swords within the city, let alone ride large flying demonic beasts. As a result, upon drawing closer to Canglan City, the Wind-Chasing Xuan Eagle descended directly onto an open stretch of land not far from the city gates.
Several days earlier, Madam He had already sent word back to the He family by way of a flying crane message.
Thus, the moment the Wind-Chasing Xuan Eagle touched down, the He residence’s steward, who had been waiting for quite some time, hurried forward to greet them. “Greetings, Madam. You must have had a hard journey.”
“How is everything in the residence?” Madam He did not spare the steward a single glance, instead walking straight toward the carriage marked with the He family’s emblem.
“Everything is proceeding smoothly. The matters Madam instructed before her departure have all been handled…” The steward, clearly long accustomed to Madam He’s manner, remained perfectly calm and focused solely on his report.
As the steward finished speaking, Madam He gave a slight nod, seemingly quite satisfied. Even the expression on her face softened by a small degree.
While they spoke, the group had already arrived before the carriages.
As the matriarch of the He family, Madam He naturally traveled with a certain degree of pomp. The steward had arranged no fewer than five carriages, which conveniently avoided the awkwardness of having Luo Xingyao ride together with Madam He.
Luo Xingyao, as always, remained silent, treating himself as though he were invisible within the group. Following the steward’s arrangements, he boarded the last carriage in the line.
Perhaps because of the starlight like power within his body, Luo Xingyao had already sensed notable changes in himself over the past few days. Not only had his strength increased but even his hearing had grown far sharper.
For instance, at this very moment, despite sitting inside the carriage, Luo Xingyao could still faintly catch the fragmented conversations of distant pedestrians,
“That carriage that just passed by… wasn’t that from the He family?”
“That’s right. Such a grand display, who could it be? Don’t tell me it’s the He family’s eldest young lady?”
“How is that possible? The wedding between the He family and the Zhou family is just one day away. That eldest young lady should be at home preparing for marriage.”
“One day away? Wouldn’t that be the day after tomorrow? So the He family really plans to marry their eldest daughter off?”
“What else can they do? The marriage contract is written clearly in black and white. Breaking it would require paying ten times the betrothal gifts. You didn’t see how grand the engagement ceremony was back then. Ten times that amount, who could afford it?”
“That’s true. It’s just a pity for the He family’s eldest young lady.”
Perhaps because the distance was too great, Luo Xingyao could no longer hear the rest of their conversation clearly yet even these few scattered words were enough to provide him with information of considerable value:
The wedding date set by the He and Zhou families was actually the day after tomorrow!
Although Luo Xingyao had already known before setting out that time was tight, he had never imagined that the deadline would be pressed to such an extreme.
No wonder that during their journey, whenever the Wind-Chasing Xuan Eagle’s speed slowed even slightly, Madam He would rather feed it medicinal pills than allow them to stop and rest, even for a moment.
Just as Luo Xingyao focused his mind and once more turned his attention beyond the carriage, hoping to gather more information, he felt the carriage beneath him gradually slow. After only a short while, it came to a complete stop.
Immediately afterward, He Butler’s voice sounded beside the carriage. “Young Master Luo, we have arrived. Please step down from the carriage.”
The moment he leapt down and lifted his gaze, Luo Xingyao saw the He family’s grand gates standing right before him. Much like the gates of Canglan City, the He residence’s entrance also bore a plaque hung high above, its calligraphy bold and forceful, like iron hooks and silver strokes.
From the aura it exuded alone, it was clear that this inscription must have originated from the Golden Core True Person who stood behind the He family.
Perhaps because he had only recently faced the inscription left behind by a Nascent Soul ancestor, Luo Xingyao now found himself far more composed in dealing with such pressure. In just a short while, he managed to pull himself free from the surging momentum contained within the two characters “He Residence.”
The moment he came back to his senses, a gentle and melodious voice reached his ears,
“Mother!”
Following the sound, he saw a young girl of around fifteen or sixteen slowly and gracefully walk out from within the He family gates.
She possessed delicate features and an unhurried gait, her entire being radiating the unique air of a favored daughter of heaven.
She wore a pale blue, flowing dress that shimmered faintly with light. As she moved, the hem of her skirt rippled like water, scattering tiny glimmers that made her already fair skin appear even more translucent and luminous.
From the face that bore an eight tenths resemblance to Madam He, Luo Xingyao instantly guessed her identity. She must be the He family’s eldest young lady, Madam He’s treasured jewel, He Wanqing.
“Qing’er? Why did you come out?” At this moment, Madam He bore none of her usual aloof and imposing demeanor. The corners of her eyes and brows were immediately filled with warmth and the look she gave He Wanqing was brimming with unconcealed affection.
“Of course, I knew Mother would be returning today, so I came specially to welcome you.” He Wanqing smiled faintly. The slightly cool expression she had worn just moments before blossomed like peach flowers in full bloom, dazzling enough that it was difficult to look away.
As the first female lead in Dao and Heaven Aligned and an existence akin to the main consort within the male lead’s harem, it could be said that the author had lavished every possible favor upon He Wanqing.
Beauty, family background, talent, she possessed them all. Even her temperament had been crafted to perfection, endowed with gentleness, kindness, nobility and a lively elegance.
Luo Xingyao could not judge He Wanqing’s true personality based on appearances alone. However, from her looks, he could already tell that the original text’s description of her, “a peerless beauty, rare even in the cultivation world filled with handsome men and beautiful women”, was no exaggeration.
With a cold expression that kept others at a distance yet a smile that bloomed like radiant peach blossoms, who wouldn’t be left flustered by such a sight?
Just as Luo Xingyao was inwardly murmuring to himself, He Wanqing had already noticed his presence. She immediately offered him a gentle smile. “I presume this must be the Luo family’s Fifth Young Master? Wanqing greets you, Young Master.”
“I am Luo Xingyao. Greetings, Miss He.” As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. He Wanqing’s courteous demeanor softened Luo Xingyao’s tone as well.
He Wanqing had originally intended to say more but before she could speak again, Madam He interrupted from the side. “Young Master Luo has yet to draw qi into his body. After such a long and tiring journey, he must be exhausted. It would be better to let him rest first.”
Only then did He Wanqing notice that Luo Xingyao was merely a mortal. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by a hint of guilt as she looked at him. “That was my oversight. I hope Young Master Luo will forgive me.”
“Young Master Luo, this way, please.” At the same time, He Butler stepped forward at just the right moment, gesturing for Luo Xingyao to follow him.
Madam He’s words were abrupt and with just a single glance, Luo Xingyao could tell that she did not wish for He Wanqing to have too much contact with him.
This was not difficult to understand. After all, his arrival in Canglan City was meant to take He Wanqing’s place and fulfill a marriage she was unwilling to enter. The nature of their relationship was, by all accounts, rather awkward.
On this point, Luo Xingyao shared the same view as Madam He. Moreover, after the long journey, he was indeed thoroughly exhausted. Thus, he followed Madam He’s intention, giving He Wanqing a slight nod in farewell before turning and walking after He Butler.
Before long, Luo Xingyao was led to a secluded and tranquil courtyard.
“There are many guests coming and going within the residence these days. All the other guest rooms are already occupied, so we can only ask Young Master Luo to make do here in the Fallen Bamboo Garden for the next two days. We hope Young Master Luo will understand.”
“…to forgive us.” As He Butler spoke, he led Luo Xingyao up to the main room of the courtyard.
Although this small courtyard was tucked away in a rather secluded location and did not occupy much space, it more than made up for it with its refined elegance.
The entire courtyard was enveloped by a bamboo grove and before the main house lay a modest pond. Clear water flowed gently within it, producing a soft, murmuring sound. With just a glance downward, one could see the bottom of the pond with perfect clarity, where several clusters of koi swam leisurely together.
This environment was worlds apart from the dilapidated little room back at the Luo family residence. Even by modern standards, it would not lose out to a high end resort. Naturally, Luo Xingyao had nothing to complain about. “You’re too kind, Steward. This place is very nice.”
“As long as Young Master Luo does not find it objectionable, that is good.” As He Butler spoke, he gestured toward the two young maidservants standing in the courtyard, both dressed in pale pink skirts. “These two are named Qiuxi and Qiuran. Should the Young Master have any needs, you may instruct them at will.”
“Much obliged.” Luo Xingyao glanced at the two maidservants, then nodded to show that he understood.
After that, He Butler briefly explained the layout and purpose of the various rooms within Fallen Bamboo Garden. Using the excuse that there were still other matters within the residence requiring his attention and that it would not be appropriate to linger, he soon took his leave.
Based on the information he had obtained earlier, Luo Xingyao would be staying in Fallen Bamboo Garden for at most two days. Thus, once He Butler left, he could not be bothered to deal with the two maidservants in the courtyard. He merely left behind a single sentence, “Do not disturb me if there is nothing important”, before entering the room and shutting the door behind him.
The prolonged flight had brought him not only physical exhaustion but mental fatigue as well. Now that he had stepped into an enclosed space, the weariness that had been pressed deep within his body surged forth like an overwhelming tide.
After a simple wash, Luo Xingyao collapsed directly onto the soft bed, sinking into a deep, dreamless sleep.
This sleep could truly be described as immensely satisfying. Feeling the fullness and clarity returning to his mind, Luo Xingyao found himself unusually reluctant to get out of bed. He sprawled there, indulging in a moment of relaxation he had not experienced once since arriving on the Tianming Continent.
However, this tranquility was soon shattered by voices conversing outside the door,
“The Young Master Luo inside has already slept for a whole day and night. Is he really all right?”
“He should be fine. I heard that the sisters who returned with Madam are still sleeping too. Besides, he already told us not to disturb him. Don’t go looking for trouble.”
“…All right.”
Luo Xingyao had always possessed a good memory. Even though he had only met the two maidservants once before entering the room, he immediately recognized their voices now.
The one who spoke first should be Qiuran. Compared to Qiuxi’s crisp and lively tone, her voice was gentler and more mellow.
But he had slept for an entire day and night?
Luo Xingyao looked at the brightly lit sky outside the window and felt a jolt in his heart. Wouldn’t that mean it was already the day of the wedding agreed upon by the Zhou and He families?
Realizing this, he instantly lost all interest in lazing about. He flipped over and sat up at once.
At that moment, the two maidservants’ voices drifted in from outside once again. This time, it was Qiuxi who took the initiative to speak:
“Alright, don’t worry so much. Someone will come help us wake him up soon.”
“How do you know that?”
“I heard it from one of the sisters who works ahead of us. The one inside was brought by Madam as a substitute to fulfill the marriage contract in place of our eldest young lady!”
“What? Madam actually managed to find someone?” Qiuran’s voice rose sharply in disbelief but as if she suddenly remembered something, she quickly lowered her tone again. “But I clearly remember that the one who came in the other day was a young master!”
“So what if he’s a man? In Canglan City, aren’t there plenty of cases where two men become bonded partners? As long as it meets the terms of the contract, isn’t that enough?”
“But to replace our eldest young lady, wouldn’t he have to be dual spirit rooted? How could he possibly be willing?”
“The one inside doesn’t look like those dual spirit root geniuses from our family at all. I heard he’s a useless waste who can’t cultivate. That’s how Madam managed to snap him up so easily!”
Qiuxi paused here, then added another sentence:
“Actually, it’s not really snapping him up. I heard from the sisters who went with Madam that his family demanded quite a lot of things, almost on par with the betrothal gifts the Zhou family sent back then!”
“Hiss… that much? Weren’t they supposed to be people from some small, backwater place?”
“The smaller the place, the more likely they are to demand outrageously. Isn’t there a saying, poor mountains and harsh waters breed unruly people? It’s only because Madam is kind hearted and didn’t bother to tangle with them. Aren’t they afraid that they’ll have the money but no life left to spend it?”
“Isn’t that exactly the case? Young Master Zhou’s temper these days is anything but good. I heard that just a few days ago, he caused another huge scene in the Zhou residence. If he finds out later that the one forming a contract with him isn’t our young lady, he definitely won’t let it go so easily.”
“That Young Master Zhou has made a mess of things so many times over the years already. If you ask me, it would be best if he could just slap the one inside to death. Serves him right for extorting our Madam, he doesn’t even bother to take a good look at himself…”
From the maidservants’ conversation alone, it was easy to tell that Zhou Hanshan, the Zhou family’s eldest young master, did not have a pleasant disposition.
No wonder that before setting out, Luo Shaohui had, both openly and subtly, spoken words about severing all ties and karma with him, and had not even been willing to provide a single shred of dowry. From beginning to end, Luo Shaohui had never believed that Luo Xingyao would survive to see the day after the wedding concluded.
And judging from the tone of the two maidservants outside, that possibility was far from low.
Before Luo Xingyao could think any further on the matter, a furious shout rang out from the distance.
“Who told you to gossip inside the residence?!”
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · Lu XioaWuChapter 3 · UncleChapter 4 · Substitute MarriageChapter 5 · Travelling Through BookChapter 6 · SpaceChapter 7 · InheritanceChapter 8 · ExplanationChapter 9 · He familyChapter 10 · CompensateChapter 11 · WeddingChapter 12 · LeavingChapter 13 · SuspicionChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 15 · SummaryChapter 16 · Family BusinessChapter 17 · ResettlementChapter 18 · DeterminationChapter 19 · TreatChapter 20 · Enter the TaoChapter 21 · Private TrainingChapter 22 · BreakthroughChapter 23 · ExperienceChapter 24 Part 1 · Questions and AnswersChapter 24 Part 2 · Questions and answersChapter 25 · GiftChapter 25 Part 1 · GiftChapter 26 Part 1 · Sword IntentChapter 26 Part 2 · Sword IntentChapter 27 Part 1 · SelectChapter 27 Part 2 · SelectChapter 28 Part 1 · PastChapter 28 Part 2 · PastChapter 29 Part 1 · ConfessionChapter 29 Part 2 · ConfessionChapter 30 Part 1 · TradeChapter 30 Part 2 · TradeChapter 31 Part 1 · Male LeadChapter 31 Part 2 · Male LeadChapter 32 Part 1 · LuckChapter 32 Part 2 · LuckChapter 33 Part 1 · GuessingChapter 33 Part 2 · GuessingChapter 34 Part 1 · SystemChapter 34 Part 2 · SystemChapter 35 · OpportunityChapter 36 Part 1 · LingquanChapter 36 Part 2 · LingquanChapter 37 Part 1 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 37 Part 2 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 38 · Worth itChapter 39 · SaintessChapter 40 · ExperimentChapter 41 · Vampire SystemChapter 42 · NotesChapter 43 · WarningChapter 44 · PlanChapter 45 · Fellow VillagersChapter 46 · AssimilationChapter 47 · IlliterateChapter 48 · Pak WahChapter 49 · Sudden EnlightenmentChapter 50 · Wen ZhiChapter 51 · CarrierChapter 52 · LeavingChapter 53 · Follow UpChapter 54 · OutrageousChapter 55 · OnceChapter 56 · TeasingChapter 57 · Playing aroundChapter 58 · Beast fireChapter 59 · Watching a PlayChapter 60 · Extermination of the entire clanChapter 61 · ChoiceChapter 62 · PossessionChapter 63 · CalculationChapter 64 · GuaranteedChapter 65 · Grand OpeningChapter 66 · Grand OpeningChapter 67 · Protecting one’s ownChapter 68 · Secret RealmChapter 69 · BetrayalChapter 70 · DetailsChapter 71 · FramedChapter 72 · MeetingChapter 73 · KillChapter 74 · MapChapter 75 · FoundationChapter 76 · Strange Phenomenon!Chapter 77 · ExchangeChapter 78 · LetterChapter 79 · ShortcutChapter 80 · God of Slaughter!Chapter 81 · Poison PillChapter 82 · Lou ShuChapter 83 · ProgressChapter 84 · An attemptChapter 85 · Movement and StillnessChapter 86 · Good intentionsChapter 87 · ChangeChapter 88 · Childhood friendChapter 89 · ThoughtsChapter 90 · Old storiesChapter 91 · HeritageChapter 92 · TestChapter 93 · LoverChapter 94 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 95 · MasterChapter 96 · TeachingChapter 97 · IllusionChapter 98 · Mutual RestraintChapter 99 · ObstructionChapter 100 · PalaceChapter 101 · Core TechniqueChapter 102 · OathChapter 103 · Dual cultivationChapter 104 · AccessChapter 105 · VulnerabilityChapter 106 · DensityChapter 107 · WantedChapter 108 · EntrustChapter 109 · RevisitChapter 110 · MonitoringChapter 111 · Secret RealmChapter 112 · NourishChapter 113 · InventoryChapter 114 · Get Rich QuicklyChapter 115 · ElderChapter 116 · Grand FormationChapter 117 · Heaven’s WillChapter 118 · BountyChapter 119 · GainChapter 120 · BlameChapter 121 · ChattingChapter 122 · GuessChapter 123 · Zheng TianChapter 124 · SparringChapter 125 · Sword intentChapter 126 · KenshinChapter 127 · Auditing a classChapter 128 · CoincidenceChapter 129 · ContradictionChapter 130 · RouteChapter 131 · CostChapter 132 · ConfiscatedChapter 133 · Holding a grudgeChapter 134 · SupportChapter 135 · DeteriorationChapter 136 · Unable toChapter 137 · PriceChapter 138 · VariantChapter 139 · Start AnewChapter 140 · ShamelessChapter 141 · Black PotChapter 142 · Benefiting fromChapter 143 · PieChapter 144 · DifferencesChapter 145 · DetoxificationChapter 146 · Current situationChapter 147 · TeasingChapter 148 · IntelligenceChapter 149 · Returned GiftChapter 150 · Old debtChapter 151 · FleshChapter 152 · OpeningChapter 153 · GrudgesChapter 154 · RegretChapter 155 · Gang fightChapter 156 · GentleChapter 157 · ComplaintChapter 158 · ScreamsChapter 159 · GeniusChapter 160 · ConcernChapter 161 · Hidden StoryChapter 162 · StingyChapter 163 · Guilty conscienceChapter 164 Part 1 · StruggleChapter 164 Part 2 · StruggleChapter 165 · Win or LoseChapter 166 · TasteChapter 167 · Shifting The BlameChapter 168 · MoonlightChapter 169 · Past EventChapter 170 · RegretChapter 171 · RetributionChapter 172 · Cause and EffectChapter 173 · BackgroundChapter 174 · FlatteryChapter 175 · HonestChapter 176 · BookkeepingChapter 177 · FarewellChapter 178 · GuidelineChapter 179 · BottleneckChapter 180 · HabitChapter 181 · Casual ChatChapter 182 · Flowing WaterChapter 183 · RumoursChapter 184 · Seeking AdviceChapter 185 · PityChapter 186 · FormationChapter 187 · BasicChapter 188 · Fake TombChapter 189 · BewareChapter 190 · TraceChapter 191 · DiscussChapter 192 · Ancestral preceptsChapter 193 · Loose CultivatorChapter 194 · AllocationChapter 195 · Thank you for your kindnessChapter 196 · ExplanationChapter 197 · ErrorChapter 198 · Culinary skillsChapter 199 · Starry SeaChapter 200 · ComparisonChapter 201 · FrustratedChapter 202 · Don’t watchChapter 203 · LonelinessChapter 204 · NoChapter 205 · Exposing ShortcutsChapter 206 · CraftsmanshipChapter 207 · Bottom LineChapter 208 · StrikeChapter 209 · Ten GoldChapter 210 · Pretentious