The breeze in the bamboo forest also quietly subsided at this moment. The swaying bamboo leaves hung on their branches, no longer rustling, as if fearing to disturb the young woman's resolute determination… It was the fiercest pursuit of her life, and her firmest obsession.
The young woman's fingertips were somewhat cold, but her palm was exceptionally warm, carrying a slight heat that permeated through his skin, through his flesh and bones, gently scorching deep into his soul, spreading layers of ceaseless ripples.
Yun Che¹ stared blankly at her… In this moment, facing the starlight in her eyes that seemed to want to completely reflect his entire life, even the most cold-blooded, stone-hearted person in the world would surely be unable to utter words of refusal.
"Cai Li²," he said in a very soft voice, as if fearing to shatter something, "I…"
"Nonsense!"
A sharp rebuke pierced through the air, startling the bamboo leaves into swaying and the dust into stirring, also waking the two who were immersed in their own emotions.
As the voice fell, a figure in black descended gracefully from the sky. Hua Fuchen³ frowned deeply, his gaze sweeping over Yun Che and Hua Cai Li. It paused briefly on the misty tears in Hua Cai Li's eyes, then lingered for a long time on the tombstone. The expression on his face was not anger, but an indescribable vexation.
How vast was the divine sense of the Hua Xin Divine Venerable⁴? He and the Wu Meng Divine Venerable⁵ had only just shared three cups of wine when he was startled by his daughter's "nonsense" and rushed away, so hastily that a few drops of undried wine stains still clung to his sleeves.
"Father God…" Hua Cai Li instinctively stood up. She was briefly flustered, but this hint of panic did not scatter the resolve in her heart in the slightest. "This is between Yun Gege⁶ and me. You… are not allowed to interfere."
Inter… fere…?
Hua Fuchen's eye twitched visibly. His brows furrowed even tighter, and his voice was exceptionally stern, "What… utter nonsense is this! Minor matters are of no consequence, you can do as you wish, but how can a major matter like marriage be treated as a game!"
"And you, as the Heaven Sundering Divine Maiden⁷, regarding a major matter like marriage… choosing a husband, setting the marriage, presenting betrothal gifts, drafting a contract, announcing to ancestors, offering sacrifices to heaven, the wedding ceremony… every step is watched by the world, and concerns the face and dignity of the Heaven Sundering Divine Kingdom⁸."
His gaze shifted, fixing on Yun Che, "You're also joining her in this nonsense!"
Hua Cai Li slowly straightened her body, her expression showing no wavering or timidity. "What Father God says are merely things for outsiders to see. To me, they are not important in the slightest. I only want Yun…"
"You can be willful and not want them!" Hua Fuchen directly interrupted her, his voice growing a few shades heavier. "But I will never allow my daughter to be looked down upon by the world in this major life event!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Meng Kongchan's⁹ voice came, and he landed beside Hua Fuchen, persuading, "Brother Fuchen, those words are too harsh. Cai Li's pure heart is flawless, even I am moved by it. How can there be any talk of being looked down upon? On the contrary, it is so precious that… it makes one unable to not feel touched."
Hua Cai Li slowly shook her head, her words earnest, "Father God, I am not being foolish. I know very clearly what I am doing. And this decision is not a whim; I have thought about it for many days, and each day it has grown firmer and more urgent."
"…" Yun Che opened his mouth. He felt he should say something, but he, who was usually the most eloquent, was now speechless.
Hua Fuchen sighed, the coldness fading from his brows. He took a step forward, softening his tone, "Cai Li, you are my daughter. No one knows your heart better than your father. It's just… even setting aside your identity as the Heaven Sundering Divine Maiden, precisely because your father cares for you so much, I cannot allow your marriage to be so easily and hastily decided."
His gaze turned, looking at the tombstone he had caressed countless times, "My daughter, and Wan Xin's¹⁰ daughter, deserves the best man in the world as her companion, to wear a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes¹¹, with ten thousand swords flying across the sky, a grand and glorious wedding, to be envied by the world, with nations coming to congratulate, and all spirits offering blessings… That must also be the scene your mother most wished to see."
"No," Hua Cai Li still shook her head, "If Mother and I are truly so similar in temperament, then what she most wished to see was surely for me to be with my beloved as soon as possible, to be together forever, rather than those extravagant displays and glories presented for others to see!"
"I don't want to be like Mother, who, despite being deeply in love with her beloved, never formally became his wife until her passing."
As these words left her mouth, Hua Cai Li immediately regretted them. Her overly eager words had unintentionally touched the deepest wound in her father's heart.
Hua Fuchen stiffened all over, as if struck by lightning, remaining motionless for a long time. His pupils showed a vacantness that should never appear in a Divine Venerable, as if all his strength had been instantly drained.
"Father… Father God…"
Hua Cai Li's eyes were flustered, her trembling long eyelashes like startled butterfly wings, even her speech became hesitant and helpless. "I… I didn't mean that… I…"
"Cai Li, you said nothing wrong, there's no need to apologize to him."
A voice as clear and cold as the moon cleansing the heart descended from the sky. Hua Qingying¹¹ had already landed beside Hua Cai Li, her clear eyes piercing the distraught Hua Fuchen, offering no comfort, only icy coldness.
"Aunt…" Hua Cai Li subconsciously called out softly.
"Uh…" Meng Kongchan's eyes widened, and he instinctively moved forward to speak, but upon encountering Hua Qingying's gaze fixed on Hua Fuchen, he wisely retreated half a step, lowering his voice and closing his mouth.
"What a 'phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, ten thousand swords flying across the sky, a grand and glorious wedding,' what a 'envied by the world, nations coming to congratulate, all spirits offering blessings'… How truly familiar it sounds!"
She repeated Hua Fuchen's earlier words, but each word was tinged with coldness, each word like a thorn, "So, Qu Wanxin¹² listened to your beautiful expectations, held onto the promises you gave her again and again, and then until her death… she never formally became your wife!"
"…" Hua Fuchen swayed slightly.
"Aunt…" Hua Cai Li gently shook Hua Qingying's arm, "Don't say that about Father God. Father God is just afraid I'll be wronged…"
"Alas—" Hua Fuchen looked up slightly, letting out a long sigh, "Yes. I always thought… she was the most important person in my life, I had to do everything I could, at the best time, to give her the best of everything in the world, never allowing even a hint of injustice."
"But I forgot to listen to what she truly wanted…"
Hua Cai Li stepped forward lightly, placing her hands on her father's arms, tears welling in her eyes, "I'm sorry, Father God, I spoke carelessly and made you recall the saddest thing. But… but for today's matter, I still hope Father God will grant us your blessing."
"Because… I'm always inexplicably afraid of any more unforeseen changes between Yun Gege and me. I hope that… no matter what happens in the future, Yun Gege and I can stand side by side as husband and wife, face it together, no longer separate, no longer fearing any obstacles or calamities."
"I don't need any phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, I don't need any grand wedding ceremony, and I'm not afraid of being looked down upon or ridiculed because of it… Father God, please just let me be willful one more time, okay??"
She gently shook Hua Fuchen's arm, with guilt, coquetry, and pleading… all things Hua Fuchen found most unbearable.
"No conflict, no conflict." Meng Kongchan interjected at the opportune moment, "If two people have already pledged their lives to each other, then marrying early would naturally only be a good thing. As for betrothal gifts, wedding ceremonies, and the like, they can be made up at a suitable time."
Hua Cai Li said timidly, "Thank you, Uncle Meng¹³. To have Yun Gege is already the greatest fortune of my life, I don't need any betrothal…"
Her subsequent words were directly erased by an invisible sword intent. Hua Fuchen turned his gaze, staring at Meng Kongchan, "The betrothal gift must be grand!! The grandest in the world!"
"Good!" Meng Kongchan responded heartily, "If it's not grand enough to make your Hua Xin Divine Venerable drop his jaw, this Venerable will stand on his head and toast you three cups at the wedding!! Hahahaha!"
Hua Cai Li looked at the two, her beautiful eyes suddenly brightening, the tears in her eyes reflecting endless surprise. "Father God, you… you're not opposing it anymore, are you?"
"Hmph!" Hua Fuchen snorted through his nose, half helpless, half doting, "Your aunt even brought up your mother, how could I dare not agree?"
"Thank you, Father God!" Hua Cai Li's face bloomed with a smile, her eyes curved like the Qiong Hua¹⁴ flowers touched by dew in early spring. "I knew Father God always dotes on me the most."
Hua Fuchen raised his hand and gently stroked his daughter's head. In his eyes was a complexity she could never understand.
She was destined never to know what an unbearable farewell it was for a father to see his daughter marry.
The rather long preparations, the numerous intricate rituals, were never just about superficial appearances and glory. They were also the emotional journey a father took with heavy steps, needing a long time to barely get through.
Even if he was the Hua Xin Divine Venerable.
But, since this was his daughter's insistence, her lifelong obsession… despite all the suddenness, all the bitterness, all the reluctance, he could only grant her wish.
"It's just," he sighed softly, "at least a marriage contract should be drawn up first."
Meng Kongchan chuckled, "That's simple…"
"I'll draw it up!"
A clear voice rang out. Without waiting for anyone to respond, Hua Qingying's delicate hand glowed faintly, and streaks of invisible sword light swept through the bamboo forest, instantly cutting dozens of perfectly even bamboo sections of precise length.
The bamboo sections seamlessly joined under the sword intent, instantly transforming into an open bamboo scroll floating in the air, emitting a faint, clear light.
Hua Qingying flew into the air, her delicate fingers condensing into a sharp point. Using her finger as a sword, and the sword as a brush, sword energy overflowed as she rapidly carved exquisite characters, penetrating through the bamboo, onto the scroll:
By heaven and earth as our covenant, the stars and moon as our chapters, all things in order, human relations manifest. Thus, the beauty of marriage, upholding the heavenly dao above, and conforming to human relations below, is not merely the mutual affection of two hearts, but also an eternal alliance between two nations.
Today, Yun Che of the Dream Weaving Divine Kingdom¹⁵, profound and majestic, with the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. Bearing the bloodline of the Wu Meng Divine Venerable, inheriting a flawless divine personality. His heart is like jade, without regret through myriad tribulations; his will is like steel, unyielding even through nine deaths.
And Hua Cai Li of the Heaven Sundering Divine Kingdom, with a sword soul and an icy heart, a jade tree with Qiong Hua branches. Bearing the bloodline of the Hua Xin Divine Venerable, inheriting a flawless divine personality. Gentle and upright, possessing the integrity of frost-covered bamboo; her pure heart like snow, untouched by the dust of the Abyss World.
In times past, amidst the perilous mist sea, the two endured hardships and supported each other, their affection deepening through earthly trials. They secretly pledged their hearts, vowing to become husband and wife. Though the path was rugged and rivers separated them, their hearts remained steadfast, never daring to waver. Finally, the mist dispersed, the clouds parted to reveal the sun, their long-cherished wish fulfilled, their love growing ever stronger.
Now, with the vast sky as witness, and the years as matchmaker, may the two hold hands with one heart, sharing the heavy responsibilities of their divine kingdoms; growing old together, weathering the frost of the Abyss World. Accompanying each other from dawn to dusk, never failing the mornings and evenings; bound by life and death, never failing their deep love.
From this day forth, the Dream Weaving and Heaven Sundering bloodlines shall merge, their divine paths aligned!
This contract is hereby inscribed, witnessed by heaven and earth!
—Yun Che —Hua Cai Li
Respectfully established! Abyssal Calendar 2937719, Qinghe Moon, Full Moon¹⁶
Hua Qingying had witnessed Yun Che and Hua Cai Li's meeting and acquaintance, Hua Cai Li's affection, confusion, entanglement, and resolve… She had been by their side through it all, watching, until the two had faced life and death together. Even their union could be considered to have been actively facilitated by her.
She was indeed the most suitable person to draw up this marriage contract for them.
The sword energy dissipated, and the marriage contract slowly descended from the air, floating quietly before Yun Che and Hua Cai Li. Sword intent flowed through the bamboo, and the characters glowed brilliantly.
Hua Qingying gazed at the two. Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to offer the softest smile, but she was accustomed to her aloofness and ultimately could not achieve it. Only the faintest, ethereal voice emerged, "Cai Li, Yun Che, for you two to reach this day is both a gift from heaven and the result of enduring many hardships; it is truly not easy. May you two, from this day forth, have your dreams and heaven bound together, and your love and years be without desolation."
Her gaze shifted lightly, falling upon Yun Che, "Cai Li's life is now entrusted to you. I… am very much at ease."
Once, she had imagined the scene of Hua Cai Li eventually marrying, and the only thing she would have offered would have been a cold warning: "You must never betray her, otherwise…"
But now, facing Yun Che, this man who had repeatedly risked his life for Hua Cai Li, she offered only warm words filled with endless relief and trust.
Yun Che slowly closed his eyes, as if making a vow with his heart, "Aunt, Senior Divine Venerable, in this life, I will never betray Cai Li."
"Heh heh." Hua Fuchen laughed, his smile now genuinely warm. "That, I have never doubted."
Hua Cai Li raised her hand, gently touching the characters her aunt had personally engraved for them on the bamboo scroll, until her fingers reached the two closely placed names…
Sword energy pierced her snow-jade-like fingertip, drawing a blood pearl like flawless vermillion jade. She looked up at Yun Che, her eyes seeming to gather all the most brilliant and beautiful starlight in the world:
"In this life and this world, with this body and this soul, I shall live by your side, and die by your side… I will never betray you."
Her slender finger descended, pressing the clearest, most flawless fingerprint onto the marriage contract.
Yun Che gazed back at her, his lips parting and closing repeatedly… one breath, two breaths, three breaths… yet he couldn't utter a single word.
He hadn't anticipated this moment, nor could he have.
For a few fleeting moments, the young woman's profound affection almost outweighed the entire weight of the Abyss.
"Hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan let out a teasing laugh, "This boy is usually so eloquent, yet he can also be so emotional and speechless! It seems only little Cai Li can make him like this in this world."
Yun Che still said nothing. He condensed blood on his fingertip, gently pressing it down, silently watching his fingerprint overlap with the characters "Yun Che," and then lightly touch Hua Cai Li's fingerprint, blending together, no longer separated.
—————— [The "three hints" given to Meng Kongchan were in the latter part of Chapter 2077 (specifically highlighted with a large black box), originating from the final soul power of the Nirvana Demon Soul—very important.]