Chapter 59
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Chapter 59
Coincidentally, these two groups arrived on the same day, one after the other.
On August 10th, Master Ancestor suddenly returned to the valley with his entourage, arriving two months earlier than previously planned.
Gong Wu followed Ji Yang and several Palace Lords to greet them, clearly hearing Master Yan quietly ask the Master Ancestor why they had returned ahead of schedule.
“It’s you who doesn’t grasp the severity of the situation,” Hao Chengzi sighed. “Rainbow Ridge sent the invitation to me; how could I not respond?”
Yan Fangji was taken aback, turning to look at Gong Wu, still shielding her in front of him. “This marriage proposal is too reckless. I know the Satin Red Workshop of Rainbow Ridge is not to be trifled with, but I can’t let my daughter be pushed out like this to avoid trouble.”
Before he finished speaking, Ji Yang had sensed the situation and frowned as he whispered, “No wonder you’ve been distracted these past few days.”
Gong Wu had no intention of getting involved with Hu Fengyu; seeing his expression now, she retorted defiantly, “Getting married isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Ji Yang paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, “One should choose a partner who is satisfactory and agreeable.”
It shouldn’t be that fox who drags you into misfortune.
Gong Wu continued to look at him, her nose feeling a bit sour as she randomly muttered an “mm.”
The words exchanged among the younger generation went unheard by others. The adults remained focused on the recent disturbances caused by the Wuxuan Sect, and after a quick discussion, they headed to the inner hall to discuss the guest arrangements.
On August 12th, during the midnight hours, there were twinkling lights scattered across the path between the mountains.
Like stars strewn across the night sky, some golden, some red, illuminating the dark night.
The marriage proposal procession came from Rainbow Ridge, riding the clouds and wind at a steady pace, arriving at Moonfire Valley just as dawn broke.
First, the lookout saw the long line of carriages, and soon the villagers in the mountain passes peered out.
Children quietly opened doors to see the foreign travelers in golden robes and red clothing, only to be quickly covered by their parents’ hands and pulled back inside.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed? Didn’t you see their fox tails behind them?”
“Mom, are they all demons?”
Compared to the previous marriage proposal from Bao Pu Mansion, this one was even more magnificent.
One reason was that Rainbow Ridge had a long history and was a prestigious family, and another was that the Satin Red Workshop had put in significant effort to facilitate this proposal.
In front was a long lantern procession made of emerald silk and golden threads, followed by exquisite flower lanterns. Behind them came the ceremonial troops with fox tail banners fluttering, swaying freely even in the still night air.
Though the carriages were pulled by hundreds of horses, and there were thousands of attendants, the sound was led by a single pure gold bell hanging high in the center, guiding the procession.
Their steps were synchronized without chaos, and not a hint of excess noise could be heard.
News, of course, spread quickly throughout the valley; the masters gathered on the high mountain walls to observe and ponder, while the younger disciples, unwilling to sleep, crowded to see the commotion.
“When the Fu family from Bao Pu Mansion brought ninety-nine boxes of bridal gifts earlier, I was wondering why Sister Wu wouldn’t agree. If it were me, I would marry into such a noble family even if I had to turn into a woman!”
“Hmm, could it be that Sister Gong has secretly fallen for them? She disappeared for quite a while earlier, could it be she was meeting them in private?”
“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off! It’s one thing to sneak a peek, but are you afraid Master Cheng will punish you by making you copy scriptures later?!”
Some disciples, having confidence in their agility, leaped high to the rooftops, trying to see just how long this marriage procession was—
It was grand and magnificent, endless and profound, making those watching feel as though they had stepped into a dazzling dream.
“Do you think that ‘ten miles of bridal dress’ is referring to this?” Senior Sister Lin rubbed her eyes and said.
“The bridal dress must signify someone from Rainbow Ridge getting married,” a younger disciple stretched to look. “This is not just ten miles. Look over there and there; the lights are everywhere!”
“Even for an emperor’s wedding, they wouldn’t put on such a grand show!”
High up on the mountain wall, several masters felt a bit out of sorts, worried about disturbing Gong Wu’s important life event. They kept glancing at Master Ancestor, hoping to hear his decision.
There were also higher-ranking disciples attending, who couldn’t help but whisper, “If I were a girl, I might also feel tempted…”
“Our valley doesn’t have any rules against marriage. If you can have a partner like the ancestor of Rainbow Ridge, you might just ascend in a hundred years!”
Kan Jixuan leaned against the wall with a cup of hot tea, half-closing her eyes as she asked, “Girl, what do you think?”
Ji Yang stood beside her and gently intervened.
“Elder, she is already in a difficult position.”
Gong Wu had gone to bed early, but was awakened when her Junior Sister rushed into the room. Now, with her hair styled in a small bun, she lay beside them watching and finally spoke, “This kind of spectacle indeed seems like they are genuinely here to marry me.”
As soon as she spoke, everyone around fell silent, waiting to hear from the person in question.
“At your age, it is indeed appropriate,” Cheng Ji said, rubbing her slightly cool ear and glancing at the distant carriages. “But it also depends on whether you are willing.”
Setting aside whether that fox is the right match for the girl, at least the manner and sincerity were completely present, so there was no arrogance based on wealth.
If she truly married in, she would likely be a legitimate wife and not suffer from senseless grievances.
Gong Wu blinked and noticed many pairs of eyes on her, then turned to her senior brother.
“What does Subei think?”
Ji Yang smiled as he looked at her. “Naturally, he wouldn’t want it.”
He stated it so straightforwardly that it left others momentarily stunned, unsure whether this was longing or affection.
Gong Wu was also taken aback, not expecting Ji Yang to be so direct.
Hua Tingxiao came over with a laugh, “I know it’s your brother who cares for his sister, but let’s be honest—nowadays, not to mention proposals, even a marriage ceremony that carries this much sincerity is something hard to come by!”
Ji Yang took Gong Wu’s hand and lightly asked, “Is the betrothal gift substantial? Does that show sincerity?”
Hua Tingxiao was caught off guard by his question and shot a glance at Tu Xuixin, silently asking him to help diffuse the situation.
Gong Wu let Ji Yang hold her hand, feeling his warmth resting on her palm. After a long while, she smiled.
“I heard that when the Fu Family came to propose, my brother even turned down being called a brother-in-law, as if he didn’t want to.”
“Now with the Hu Clan at Rainbow Ridge, my brother still doesn’t want to.”
“What kind of person could Subei think is suitable?”
Her words were meant as a casual joke, but when she met his gaze, she suddenly felt a rush of warmth.
The young man’s eyes were intense, as if he were holding back some pain, yet there was also a hint of determination.
He had many words he wanted to say but couldn’t express, like silently enduring a wound that threatened to burst open, he looked at her.
Gong Wu had almost wavered in her heart before, but now, under that gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she became alert.
She let him hold her hand, and her thoughts began to realign.
“That person might truly want to marry me.”
Ji Yang lowered his gaze in silence, still unwilling to let go of her hand.
“But,” Gong Wu said slowly, “it absolutely isn’t because of affection.”
“It can’t be because of love,” Tu Xuixin also reacted, frowning as he added, “It’s either to forge a connection with our valley or to repay a favor to you.”
As the crowd was about to engage in discussion, a gatekeeper hurriedly approached with news.
“Masters! Guests from Rainbow Ridge, the Satin Red Workshop, and the Great Wuxiang Temple have arrived. Noticing the valley illuminated and everyone still awake, they respectfully request an audience.”
Further delay would be futile; it was better to meet them directly.
Representatives from each group entered the main hall of Liu Jia Palace, engaging in a candlelit discussion through the night.
Simultaneously, a continuous stream of carriages traversed mountains and valleys to arrive.
After several months, Gong Wu once again laid eyes on Hu Fengyu.
Qin Cuohua, the mistress of the Satin Red Workshop, retained her cheerful and lively demeanor, her visit partly motivated by matchmaking, as she spoke with warmth and courtesy.
The red-haired fox demon, having reclaimed his true heart, now exuded an immortal aura, appearing more profound and enduring than Hao Chengzi, with a depth that suggested a long-standing foundation.
He seemed to stand within a moonlit halo, his beauty radiant, every inch of his skin glowing softly.
Even the married Master of Miande Palace momentarily lost composure upon glimpsing the fox immortal, taking a while to regain their breath.
With the Master’s permission, Yan Fangji stepped forward to converse, his expression impassive.
“Though your family’s kindness is hard to refuse, I recall that this invitation was previously declined.”
“Indeed. However, Miss Gong is my savior,” Hu Fengyu said with a smile. “This visit is partly to repay her kindness and partly to propose marriage.”
“Even if the proposal is declined, I wish to become sworn siblings with my benefactor, and I hope you will accept this modest gift.”
Gong Wu, having ensured that all outsiders had been dismissed, chose not to engage in formalities and stepped out from behind the screen.
“What is your true purpose here?” she asked, her gaze steady and her tone composed. “Are you here to negotiate terms with me, or is it about Moonfire Valley?”
Seeing Gong Wu step forward, Hu Fengyu took his time to respond, leisurely observing her for a few moments.
“You’ve filled out a bit; you were too thin before,” he remarked.
Gong Wu: “…”
“There’s no need to be so guarded with me,” Hu Fengyu said, settling back into the pear blossom chair, his tone gentle. “I genuinely wish to marry you.”
He refrained from using any of his fox charms; his voice was calm and sincere.
“Or do you dislike me?”
“I don’t dislike you,” Gong Wu replied softly. “I simply have no feelings for you.”
Hu Fengyu sighed softly and called out, “Little Cuo.”
Qin Cuohua, despite her high status as an immortal master, brought forth a brocade box with a demeanor as respectful as that of a little disciple.
The onlookers watched silently, their hearts stirred.
“I deeply loved my late wife and have no desire to remarry,” Hu Fengyu said, using his fingertip to break the seal on the brocade box, speaking slowly. “But you saved my life multiple times—I remember that.”
As the box opened, it revealed two shell cups.
“Gong Wu, you are about to face a deadly tribulation that cannot be avoided,” he stated, his gaze fixed on her, his expression serious.
“I wish to take you back to Rainbow Ridge to seek refuge for ten years, until fate shifts and fortune changes.”
Hao Chengzi quickly approached the brocade box, examining it closely, his expression gradually changing.
Tu Xuixin followed behind his master and, upon seeing the shell cups, expressed his concern directly. “Entrusting Little Wu to outsiders makes me even more uneasy.”
Kan Jixuan, who had always been playful and quick to jest, fell silent after witnessing Hu Fengyu in person. She scrutinized the two shell cups, as if her abilities allowed her to glimpse the omens from their three previous throws.
“You should go with him,” she suddenly declared. “If you die this time, you might not come back.”
