The two, who had just checked into the inn not long ago, went out to investigate again.
They found that Master Zhang’s eldest daughter was getting married today, taking her wet nurse’s daughter as her spouse. The entire town was happy for them, and the joyous occasion was extremely lively.
Servants were scattering copper coins on several main streets. There were also free tea stalls along the streets, and Master Zhang’s maids were distributing candy to children.
The atmosphere everywhere was joyous. The closer they got to South Street, where Master Zhang’s family resided, the livelier it became. Red silk hung high, lanterns and streamers decorated the area, making it extremely festive.
People coming and going were all saying how perfect this marriage was, a match made in heaven, and that they would surely be happy and harmonious in the future, as if everyone in the entire town was happy for them.
Li Jin’an pulled Xie Huaixue, stopping to observe. She stood there pondering profoundly for a while, then walked directly towards the tea stall, whispering to Xie Huaixue with a tone that could only be described as righteous.
“One person can get three pieces of malt candy. I know you don’t like sweets, so when the time comes, just give me your candy.”
“…Can’t I just not go get it?”
The dignified Sword Sovereign and Immortal Venerable of the cultivation world, who had seen at least eight thousand if not ten thousand supreme treasures, did they really have to covet this bit of candy?
And even queue up with a bunch of children to get it.
The Sword Sovereign always said her disciples each had their own troublesome points. Had she never considered that the one who caused others the most headaches was herself?
Li Jin’an asked in surprise, “Aren’t adults allowed to get malt candy?”
The maid at the tea stall looked up upon hearing the sound and said with a smile, “Of course, you are! It’s the eldest young lady’s wedding day today, and she wants everyone to share in the joy. Master and Second Master have also arranged banquets on South Street. When the meal begins at noon, everyone is welcome to come and partake.”
As she spoke, she distributed three pieces of malt candy to Li Jin’an and Xie Huaixue each.
Popping a malt candy into her mouth, Li Jin’an’s phoenix eyes curved. “Sure thing, sure thing. At that time, both of us will definitely attend the ceremony.”
The maid happily shouted, “I also wish you two eternal unity in heart, and happiness and harmony!”
Li Jin’an froze, letting out a questioning “Huh?” from the depths of her soul.
Huh???
Was she hallucinating?
What eternal unity? What happiness and harmony?
Wishing whom? Her and Xie Huaixue?
She was in complete stupor, even forgetting to get angry.
Xie Huaixue remained silent, immediately pulling Li Jin’an’s arm to leave. If they stayed any longer, she feared a certain Sword Sovereign would be provoked to anger and smash the tea stall.
It wouldn’t be good to be accused of smashing the stall in anger because she couldn’t get more candy.
Li Jin’an was angrily pulled far away. Only after swallowing the candy did she speak. “Why didn’t you let me refute her?”
Xie Huaixue handed her the malt candy in her hand and said faintly, “That maid is just a microcosm of Ziye Town. What’s the use of arguing with her?”
Ziye Town had such a trend; they practically wished they could mate tables and chairs. Being single here was practically a sin. Everyone thought this way, even the cats and dogs here were no exception. She couldn’t even bother to argue with them all.
Li Jin’an was still angry, but she didn’t forget to pop another piece of candy into her mouth, retorting indistinctly, “We sword cultivators aren’t as mundane as them!”
“Mm.”
Li Jin’an frowned fiercely. “This town is utterly vicious!”
Jijin Sword Sovereign and Immortal Venerable Qingxiao were the most renowned rival sworn enemies in the cultivation world. They had been at loggerheads since they began cultivating, fighting countless battles for the title of ‘first.’ Most people wouldn’t think of putting these two together.
Aside from Jingting Dao Lord, who inexplicably chuckled whenever he saw them together, the three nuisances whose minds were filled only with illicit fantasies and evil deeds, and a group of people who believed that hitting was a sign of affection and scolding was a sign of love—this group believed hate lasted longer than love, as normal Dao Companion relationships might not even last a thousand years. Of course, this notion only circulated privately in a small circle and was never brought up publicly. Immortal Venerable Qingxiao might not bother, but Jijin Sword Sovereign’s sword wasn’t incapable of being unsheathed.
For Li Jin’an, it was even more impossible for her to associate herself and Xie Huaixue with romantic love.
Even if the Heavenly Tome had opened the door to a new world for her, letting her know for the first time that Xie Huaixue also had the possibility of finding a Dao Companion, those three nuisances had treacherous intentions and provoked the wrath of both humans and gods; it was merely delusional fantasy!
As far as Li Jin’an was concerned, she thought Xie Huaixue just needed to be the same as before. What need was there to find romantic partners? Occasionally accompanying her for a fight was the proper business.
Li Jin’an didn’t know what she was thinking. She frowned, patted Xie Huaixue’s shoulder, and said earnestly, “You cultivators of the Emotionless Path are just like us sword cultivators; once you get tainted by these unclean things, your cultivation path will no longer be pure. By then, if Gleaming Radiance Sword doesn’t like you anymore, I can reluctantly take Gleaming Radiance Sword.”
She spoke these words very earnestly and painstakingly, truly unable to bear seeing Xie Huaixue go astray, almost leaning into Xie Huaixue’s ear to say that all these things were harmful.
Anyway, if she didn’t want it, Xie Huaixue wasn’t allowed to want it either.
As for why Xie Huaixue wasn’t even allowed to think about it… Li Jin’an couldn’t figure it out either. Anyway, it was just forbidden!
Being single together, cultivating together, fighting together… isn’t that good?
If Chixin Sword Lord were here, he would surely immediately expose her meaning: possessiveness.
Xie Huaixue glanced at her and asked, “Are you afraid I won’t accompany you in fights anymore?”
“So what if I am!” Li Jin’an retorted ill-temperedly, crossing her arms and eyeing her askance. “Don’t think about falling in love with others. Put more thought into the righteous path; cultivation is the proper business. If you lose to me later because of such matters, I’ll mock you to death!”
“I won’t.”
“What won’t?” Li Jin’an wanted her to make herself clear, looking at her doubtfully. “You think I won’t mock you? Don’t worry, I’m not that kind.”
She was extremely malicious. If her fighting partner was gone, she would definitely break up the loving couple!
“In any case, I won’t.” Xie Huaixue laughed it off.
The two walked towards South Street.
During this time, Li Jin’an was still relentlessly pressing, “What won’t? Are you saying you’ll never lose to me?!”
Xie Huaixue was noncommittal, neither confirming nor denying, which infuriated Li Jin’an. She ranted and raved, squawking strenuously in Xie Huaixue’s ear, making all sorts of annoying noises.
Fortunately, Li Jin’an still cared about her reputation and deliberately lowered her voice.
After entering South Street, they found it impossible to move an inch. It seemed the entire town had come to partake in the continuous banquet, with varied family combinations. Some even brought their spiritual pet or spiritual plant partners to take seats and eat at the banquet.
The entire street was filled with tables, and everyone at them who could speak was praising how well-matched the two newlyweds were today, as if this process had been repeated countless times.
Li Jin’an became serious, casually concealing her figure, and entered Master Zhang’s large compound with Xie Huaixue.
The two had no mind to appreciate the scenery and layout of the Master’s home. They probed everywhere, not discreetly, rummaging here and there.
The spirit monster here must have discovered their traces. Besides holding hostages, it was helpless against them and could only watch them rummage through everything.
To be precise, Li Jin’an was rummaging through everything, while Xie Huaixue was looking for clues.
Li Jin’an became impatient. For her own goals, she had to suppress her temper. She found a slender branch from who knew where and started knocking and hitting everywhere, causing damage.
The two of them didn’t look like they were here to rescue their respective disciples; instead, they seemed like they were on a spring outing.
Suddenly, Li Jin’an stopped. She picked up a belt from a box with her branch and brought it to Xie Huaixue, saying in shock, “Isn’t this your Dao Sect’s disciple uniform?”
They were currently in the room where the other newlywed had previously resided, located within Master Zhang’s eldest daughter’s compound. For today’s wedding, they naturally couldn’t let the two newlyweds remain in the same compound.
The room next door was extremely lively, with the ceremonial mistress constantly speaking auspicious words. Meanwhile, separated by a wall, Li Jin’an and Xie Huaixue were secretly conversing.
“It’s Zhong Fei’s.”
Without Xie Huaixue, her Master, needing to say it, Li Jin’an already knew the belt’s owner.
Because when they set out for Ziye Town, only Zhong Fei among the three nuisances was wearing the Dao Sect disciple uniform. Who knew what she was thinking? She was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet she so openly revealed her identity as a Dao Sect disciple while traveling. She probably thought ordinary people wouldn’t dare to do anything to Dao Sect disciples or the Immortal Venerable’s disciples.
Besides her, there was no one else. Li Jin’an felt that other Dao Sect disciples couldn’t be this foolish.
In contrast, Lan Ci and Ning Zhufeng were much smarter than Zhong Fei, who was seemingly clever but in fact just a big fool.
“Could it be that the spirit monster here recognized her identity as a Dao Sect disciple and wanted to deal with her first?” Li Jin’an guessed, but then she had another question, “These three disciples of yours were caught in one fell swoop as soon as they entered, and they didn’t come in much earlier than us, did they? They’ve already become spouses. For such a major life event, even if they don’t announce it to heaven and earth, why didn’t they even inform you, their Master?”
Don’t be fooled by how regrettable she sounded; if she hadn’t smiled so wildly, she would have been much more convincing.
She really loved seeing the three nuisances make a fool of themselves; it was simply delightful to the heart and mind.
Xie Huaixue’s expression turned cold, as if she was utterly exasperated and speechless. After pondering for a long time, she suddenly said, “If she married the spirit monster here, there’s no need to ask for my advice, nor to inform me.”
The person who was usually most clear, aloof, and pure as snow suddenly told a dry joke, which was truly surprising and amusing.
Because people were coming and going outside, Li Jin’an unconsciously lowered her laughter, but it was still very noisy. She laughed wildly without stopping, still looking curiously at Xie Huaixue.
She hadn’t known before that this person could tell a dry joke so seriously and meticulously.
Xie Huaixue let her scrutinize her.
“Hahahahaha.” Li Jin’an rubbed her face, tired from laughing. “Who knows? The entire Ziye Town is under the spirit monster’s control. No matter how lively these people are, they’re just the spirit monster’s puppets. Marrying the spirit monster, or marrying the spirit monster’s puppet, there’s no difference.”
“Perhaps.”
Li Jin’an said with emotion, “They say marriages are arranged by parents and sanctioned by matchmakers. Your Master’s command is also a matchmaker’s word. I’m very optimistic about this marriage. I hope your second disciple won’t disappoint her lawful spouse in the future.”
Xie Huaixue said helplessly, “At that time, I will admonish her and tell her that Jijin Sword Sovereign cannot bear to see anyone disappoint their lawful spouse.”
“Then you’re in cahoots with me!” Li Jin’an wouldn’t let herself be taken advantage of.
“Alright.” Xie Huaixue turned around and walked out of the room. “Let’s get to business.”
After leaving the room, the two didn’t bother with Zhong Fei, whose marriage had already been settled by her Master. Li Jin’an didn’t want to do proper business, wandering leisurely in someone else’s compound as if sightseeing.
At this time, in Master Zhang’s main hall, the two newlyweds had already begun their marriage ceremony. The guests attending the ceremony collectively shouted “To the bridal chamber!”, their voices carrying far into the backyard.
Xie Huaixue’s eyes moved, and she flew directly in one direction.
Li Jin’an leisurely followed behind, plucking off roadside flowers and weeds, then blowing them away in one breath, vividly demonstrating the phrase ‘work without effort.’
When she found her, she saw Xie Huaixue holding a trembling black butterfly with one damaged wing.
Li Jin’an felt bored; she hadn’t had enough fun yet.
“That spirit monster? A butterfly spirit?”
Nice chapter