Yaowang Valley.
Twelve magnificent spirit boats were docked in front of the courtyard. Servants were continuously transporting boxes of betrothal gifts from the boats. Lu Shaoyan, dressed in a deep red brocade robe, entered the main hall with Shen Wu, Hu Qi, and a group of attendants. The moment he saw Sun Tingxuan, Lu Shaoyan immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Young Master Lu Shaoyan had the good fortune to meet Miss Sun Xingchun in the valley last time, and has been smitten ever since, unable to forget her. Today, Lu Shaoyan has come uninvited with a matchmaker to propose marriage. I hope uncle will grant my wish!"
The address had changed from family head to uncle.
Sun Tingxuan smiled, "Young Master, this matter still needs careful consideration. After all, marriage requires the word of a matchmaker and the command of parents; neither can be absent."
"Naturally, they cannot be absent."
Shen Wu, dressed in a scholar's robe, chuckled, "You are the current head of Yaowang Valley and Sun Xingchun's uncle. It is widely known that Miss Sun Xingchun's parents have sacrificed themselves in battle and passed away. The old Valley Master, Elder Yaowang, has been in seclusion for many years and does not concern himself with worldly affairs. Therefore, as Miss Sun Xingchun's uncle, you can act on behalf of her parents and the matchmaker. We have already prepared everything, and all is in accordance with propriety. Please, Valley Master, acknowledge the sincere and earnest desire of our Lu clan of Yunzhou to marry the young lady!"
"Ah, Mr. Shen, you speak so eloquently."
Hu Qi cupped his fists and smiled, "Actually, I feel the same. The engagement and marriage of our young master and Miss Sun Xingchun would be a wonderful union. I, Old Hu, am truly envious!"
Beside them, Su Zhe also smiled, "The Lu clan of Yunzhou has shown great sincerity. Valley Master, perhaps... we should summon the young lady and see what her wishes are?"
"Mm."
Sun Tingxuan looked up and said, "Someone, go and summon the eldest young lady and the second young lady."
"Yes, Valley Master!"
Shortly thereafter, Sun Xingchun and Sun Yunnuan, dressed in blue long skirts, appeared under the eaves. As they walked towards the main hall, they looked at the noisy celebratory music and the grand procession outside, and couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion. Was someone getting married? Who was getting married in the valley?
However, the moment they stepped into the main hall and saw Lu Shaoyan's unwavering gaze, Sun Xingchun's heart skipped a beat. She seemed to realize something and walked directly in front of Sun Tingxuan, saying, "Second Uncle, is there something you need?"
"Yes, there is, and it concerns your lifelong happiness!"
Sun Tingxuan smiled, "This is Young Master Lu Shaoyan of the Lu clan of Yunzhou. You must have met him before. A few days ago, Young Master Lu was smitten with you at first sight and could not forget you. So today, he has come with a matchmaker, hoping you will agree to this marriage and set the engagement. Afterward, you can choose an auspicious day to wed. I, your uncle, am actually very pleased with this. Young Master Lu is a man of talent and possesses refined manners. Behind him stands the entire Lu clan. Marrying Young Master Lu will surely not result in any hardship for you."
"..."
Sun Yunnuan tightly gripped her sister's hand. She knew her sister's heart must be in turmoil at this moment.
"Second Uncle."
Sun Xingchun looked up into Sun Tingxuan's eyes and said, "Xingchun already has someone in her heart, so she will not marry Young Master Lu Shaoyan. I ask Young Master Lu Shaoyan to seek another bride. Xingchun is not fortunate enough."
"Xingchun!"
Sun Tingxuan frowned and said, "Your lifelong happiness is not something to be trifled with according to your whims!"
"Yes."
Sun Xingchun's face had already become extremely displeased. "Second Uncle, I said, I already have someone in my heart. I do not like Lu Shaoyan. Are you trying to force me to marry someone I do not love?"
"What kind of talk is that?"
Sun Tingxuan angrily retorted, "Don't forget, you are a daughter of the Sun family of Yaowang Valley. Does your marriage depend on your own desires?"
"It does not?"
Sun Xingchun, like a startled kitten, looked at Sun Tingxuan with fearless eyes, and angrily said, "Our Yaowang Valley has always been renowned throughout the world for its exceptional alchemy. Grandfather is the current Medicine King, the progenitor of alchemy. Father was even conferred the title of Medicine Sage. They were the ones who, with their own abilities, led our Yaowang Valley to rise among the sects of the Northern Territory. How is it that with you, Second Uncle, it has come to the point where you must rely on my marriage to maintain the family's prosperity?"
She felt an immense sense of injustice, and tears began to stream down her face. "Does it truly not depend on me? If Grandfather were here, would he force me to marry someone I dislike? If Father and Mother were here, would they allow me to suffer such grievances?"
"You are insolent!"
Sun Tingxuan abruptly raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap across the face of the young lady of Yaowang Valley. Instantly, Sun Xingchun's pretty face turned crimson. She clutched her face, her gaze still fierce, and said, "Second Uncle, you are disgracing the Sun family of Yaowang Valley! Rest assured, I will not marry. I will die before I marry. Second Uncle, for the sake of the family, why don't you marry Lu Shaoyan yourself? I will certainly not obstruct you!"
"You!"
Sun Tingxuan was furious and shouted, "Guards, throw Sun Xingchun into solitary confinement! No one is to release her without my command!"
"Yes, Valley Master!"
Two cultivators at the Star River realm stepped forward, their eyes filled with coldness. The old Valley Master, Sun Qinghe, had been in seclusion for two years. In fact, Sun Tingxuan, the new Valley Master, had already consolidated his control over Yaowang Valley. Most of the people were now loyal to Sun Tingxuan. Those who were unwilling had been relieved of their duties and were now idle within the valley.
Afterward, Sun Tingxuan repeatedly apologized, while Lu Shaoyan expressed that Sun Xingchun was still young and it was understandable for her to be temperamental due to her upbringing. He even liked such passionate women and stated that the betrothal gifts would be left behind. He would return to Yunzhou and wait patiently for Sun Xingchun to change her mind, as he truly loved her.
...
In the evening, at the Snow Territory Celestial Lake, twilight descended.
At the foot of the mountain, a middle-aged couple was ascending the mountain. The man wore a blue long gown and possessed an exceptionally elegant appearance. The woman was a beautiful lady who must have been breathtakingly beautiful in her youth. The couple was deeply affectionate and harmonious. The man held the woman's hand as they walked along the mountain path, smiling and saying, "Madam, how long has it been since we last climbed a mountain like this, hand in hand?"
The woman chuckled, "Ten years."
As they reached the mountainside, within the Shrine of the Mountain Lord, a golden radiance emerged from the statue of the Mountain Lord, transforming into the elegant Lord Su Shan, who bowed to the couple.
The couple also bowed to the Mountain Lord and then exchanged a smile without saying much.
At the mountain gate, the disheveled man, Tang Guangjun, was devouring a bowl of chicken noodle soup. The chicken broth was obtained from Dongcang, the noodles were stolen from Wang Widow's rooftop where she had dried them, the scallions and garlic were fetched from Aunt Li's backyard using a subtle sword intent, and the salt was dried by Tang Guangjun himself. Thus, this bowl of noodles could be described as a stroke of genius, tasting exceptionally fragrant.
"Hmm?"
He suddenly looked up and saw a couple with excellent appearances ascending the mountain.
Immediately, the eyes of this cultivator of the twelfth realm of the Military School filled with respect. Since arriving at the Snow Territory Celestial Lake, Tang Guangjun had always detested the arrogant demon races. Therefore, anyone who could kill demons earned his respect. Moreover, the couple before him had killed thirteen realm great demons who had intended to wreak havoc on the entire human world back then.
"Tang Guangjun greets the two esteemed individuals!"
"Mm."
The man smiled and nodded, "Sword Immortal Tang, you live quite leisurely. Is guarding this place truly not boring?"
"It is not boring."
Tang Guangjun smiled and shook his head.
The lady nodded with a smile and, holding her husband's arm, stepped into the small town.
As the sun set, the winter chill blew from the north, and the town appeared much colder. Fortunately, many shops were still open. At the Hefeng Academy, many children were leaving school. They rushed out of the entrance in a flood and then turned to bow and bid farewell to their teacher, their day's studies completed. The scriptures of the sages could be put aside for a while, and it was time for some spirited play.
Among them, a teenager sprinted out of the academy, lowered his fists, and struck a boxing stance, his eyes filled with a smile. "Wang Boxuan, look at my boxing technique! Are you convinced?"
Wang Boxuan was greatly surprised. "Excellent boxing! You, Zhang Luobai, have made remarkable progress in just a few days. Let's go! We'll go to the small creek to catch fish and shrimp, and have a good spar!"
Zhang Luobai laughed heartily, "I was thinking the same thing!"
But at this very moment, Zhang Luobai suddenly saw a figure dressed in white in the distance. It was his master. For a moment, the bear-like child stood perfectly straight and cupped his fists towards Wang Boxuan. "Hmph, my master is personally here to pick me up today, so I won't accompany you on this martial journey. If you, Wang Boxuan, find the martial world interesting, then go explore it yourself. I, Zhang Luobai, will not be joining you!"
"Hmph!"
Wang Boxuan gave a look of disdain. Just then, a voice suddenly came from the construction site behind the academy wall. "Wang Boxuan, hurry home for dinner! Don't go playing in the creek!"
"Ah!? Who is it..." Wang Boxuan looked around.
From behind the wall, someone climbed over, revealing the angry face of a young craftsman. "Wang Boxuan, I am your elder brother! Hurry home for dinner!"
"Oh, oh!"
The boy named Wang Boxuan scurried home.
"Master!"
Zhang Luobai sprinted towards Lin Zhao. Then, Zhuang Yirong, carrying her book bag, also sprinted towards Lin Zhao and said sweetly, "Mountain Lord, Mountain Lord, Zhang Luobai couldn't recite Su Zi's poems today and got his hand slapped by the teacher!"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle, "That's so embarrassing?"
"Mm!"
Zhuang Yirong nodded.
Zhang Luobai wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He, Zhang the Sword Immortal, was invincible in swordsmanship, but reciting entire texts was not his strong suit. However, he still stood up straight. "Master, it won't happen again next time. Your disciple will endure hardships and strive for excellence upon returning. Today, the teacher hit my hand, and tomorrow, the teacher will surely praise me as a scholar!"
"Oh, alright, alright!"
Lin Zhao rubbed his forehead and said with a smile, "Let's go home for dinner!"
"Yes, Master!"
And so, a white-robed sword cultivator, leading two children, walked along the Baiyu Stream.
...
Not far away, the couple's faces were filled with smiles. It was that young man! He seemed quite good. Lin Baiyi of the Snow Territory Celestial Lake would naturally not be bad.
At this moment, a young scholar in a scholar's robe, Gu Lingyu, emerged from the academy. He narrowed his eyes and saw the couple, invisible to ordinary mortals. He slowly stepped forward and performed a Confucian bow, saying, "Gu Lingyu of the Confucian School, greetings to you both! May I ask the reason for your visit to the Snow Territory Celestial Lake this time?"
"It's for a personal reason, I suppose."
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Before we dissipate, we wish to see the destined person of our daughter. It is our last wish."
"Ah?"
Gu Lingyu, stationed at the Snow Territory Celestial Lake, naturally knew the truth behind Sun Xingchun's Fire Spirit Jade Resonance Flying Sword, Xin Huo. However, he did not expose it, as... this was also a form of destiny, and revealing it might not be beneficial.
He smiled, nodded his farewell, and watched the couple follow Lin Zhao.