NOVEL NEXT Chapter 126: Dark Strength Seven
Chapter 126: Dark Strength Seven
Unsure of what to say, Xu Lian stared at Jiang Xianyu, who was seated before him with a red veil covering her face.
He could see how much Zhou Xin desired the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge and how much he wanted to become Jiang Xianyu’s destined Dao companion. He could also tell that Jiang Xianyu didn’t have a good impression of him. After all, he had been flirting with Xiao Xixi the entire journey, so it was natural that Jiang Xianyu wouldn’t have any feelings for him.
However, no one could have predicted that the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge would fall upon him and Jiang Xianyu, designating him as her destined Dao Companion.
Jiang Xianyu lifted her red veil and looked at him with an unusual gaze. “Husband, rest assured. Since the marriage fortune of Ghost Child Ridge has recognized you as my destiny, I will gradually learn to appreciate you. Please give me some time.”
Husband? Xu Lian was stunned for a moment. He quickly explained, “I’m not worried that you’ll regret this. What I mean is, if your Jiang family of Taizhou Prefecture has a way to break the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge, I’m willing to give it up. We can pretend that nothing has happened.”
Hearing this, Zhou Xin, who had been despondent, suddenly perked up and looked at Jiang Xianyu with hope. “Does the Jiang family have a way?”
Jiang Xianyu ignored Zhou Xin. Instead, she gazed intently at Xu Lian and asked seriously, “Husband, are you unwilling to be my Dao companion?”
She’s calling me ‘husband’ so naturally… Xu Lian honestly replied, “Miss Jiang, your appearance and figure are extraordinary, and your cultivation talent and family background are beyond reproach. Of course, I’m willing. However, a forced melon is never sweet. I don’t like to impose on others, and I don’t want to force you to marry me for the sake of the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge.”
Jiang Xianyu raised her eyebrows. “Who said I’m being forced?”
Huh? Xu Lian was once again taken aback.
Is she actually willing?
Xu Lian asked, “Aren’t you and Zhou Xin deeply in love?”
Jiang Xianyu replied, “When have I ever said that I am deeply in love with Zhou Xin? These are just baseless assumptions you’ve made along the way.”
She looked at Zhou Xin and said indifferently, “Over three years ago, the Jiang family arranged several blind dates for me. I always felt like something was missing, so I rejected all of them.
I took the initiative to join this merchant caravan as its captain, traveling the route between Pingyang County and Yanfu County, hoping that the marriage fortune of Ghost Child Ridge would designate my destined Dao companion.
From that moment on, I made up my mind that no matter who Ghost Child Ridge chose as my Dao partner, I would stay with that person because I believe in fate.
“During those three years, young masters from various families in Pingyang County, as well as from surrounding counties and even some from Taizhou Prefecture, joined this caravan, hoping to be chosen as my Dao mate by Ghost Child Ridge’s marriage fortune.
Without exception, however, none of them drew the fateful lot. All I could do was wait patiently for destiny to arrive.”
“Zhou Xin is just one of those suitors. I can’t say that I dislike him, but I don’t have any special affection for him either. I just believe in fate.”
“Since you drew the marriage fortune, husband, you must be my fate. How could I care for anyone else?”
Zhou Xin’s hopeful expression faded once again. He smiled bitterly and said, “Miss Jiang is right. From beginning to end, it was just my wishful thinking”.
Xu Lian understood now. He looked at Jiang Xianyu and said, “Since Miss Jiang is willing to become my Dao companion… of course, I’m willing as well.”
Jiang Xianyu nodded quietly. As if remembering something, her cheeks flushed slightly as she added, “After we pass Ghost Child Ridge, there’s still the Red Sedan Bridge ahead, and there are dangers along the way.
I need to focus on leading the caravan, so it’s not convenient for us to consummate our marriage just yet. Once we reach Yanfu County, I will fulfill my duties as a wife. Please forgive me, husband.”
Xu Lian replied, “All right. According to the rules of the fateful marriage of Ghost Child Ridge, we have one hundred days before the marriage must be consumated. There’s no rush.”
Jiang Xianyu said no more. She removed her red veil, folded it carefully, and tucked it into her robe. Then, with a large sword strapped to her back, she mounted a tall horse and rode to the front of the caravan, giving the order, “Let’s move out.”
The entire caravan was listless and silent as they set out.
Most of the caravan members were men, and their goddess-like captain had already been chosen to marry Xu Lian by Ghost Child Ridge’s marriage fortune. The ceremony had already taken place, and it was now an unchangeable fact. Their hearts were filled with gloom.
If it had been Zhou Xin, they might not have felt so bad, but it was Xu Lian-this kid-who had gotten lucky.
It’s worth noting that Xiao Xixi had given up her old ways for Xu Lian, becoming exclusively his, which had already left the caravan members feeling somewhat disgruntled. Now that their goddess-like captain had also fallen to him, their frustration had doubled.
If it weren’t for the fact that this kid was too strong, they would have loved to give him a good beating. He had taken all the benefits for himself, completely disregarding the unspoken rules!
“Congratulations, Xu Lian, on becoming the esteemed son-in-law of the Jiang family,” Xiao Xixi said, walking with Xu Lian at the rear of the caravan, her laughter light as she offered her felicitations.
Xu Lian was confused. Not only was she not angry, but she even seemed to be in a good mood, which was strange. “Why do I feel like you’re even happier than me?”
Xiao Xixi calculated, “With Xu Lian now connected to the Jiang family of Taizhou Prefecture, your influence and power will grow in the future. Of course, I will rise with you, and I won’t have to worry about cultivation resources anymore. Of course, I’m happy.”
Alright… Xu Lian thought that her reasoning was quite sound. In fact, it wasn’t just her-most people in this world thought the same way. What was jealousy? Could it be eaten? Could it be used as a cultivation resource?
After leaving Ghost Child Ridge, Jiang Xianyu ordered the caravan to set up camp and rest for the night before continuing their journey the next morning.
The games of hide-and-seek and peach-pit throwing in Ghost Child Ridge had exhausted everyone. Staying tense for so long was naturally draining.
Jiang Xianyu rode back and forth on her horse, inspecting the caravan. When she reached the rear, she only glanced at Xu Lian and didn’t come over to speak with him. After all, Xu Lian was still technically expelled from the caravan, and as the captain, it wasn’t appropriate for her to interact with him.
Of course, Xu Lian didn’t approach her either.
Xu Lian and Xiao Xixi set up a tent together, preparing a place to rest for the night.
After going through the life-and-death ordeal of hide-and-seek and being protected by Xu Lian during the peach pit game, Xiao Xixi’s affection for him had skyrocketed.
When Xu Lian checked the affection level the next day, he was genuinely shocked.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Stage: Bright Strength Stage 9]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volumes 1-3), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete), Short Fist – Shadow Pursuit]
[Item: Longsword (3-star, durable, sharp, increases energy by 30%. Thrusts carry thunder, slashes carry burning, and downward strikes carry freezing effects)]
[Note 1: Xiao Xixi’s affection for you has increased from 90/100 to 92/100. You have gained two progression points, which can be allocated to stage, skills, or items.]
[Note 2: You have already allocated points to your stage. Add one Nightbloom Flower to advance to Dark Strength Level 1.]
[Note 3: You have six unused progression points.]
Gaining two progression points in a row was an extremely rare occurrence! How could Xu Lian not be excited?
“If I had enough Nightbloom Flowers, I could directly reach Dark Strength Stage 7 right now,” he thought.
After washing up and eating some rations with Xiao Xixi, they followed at the rear of the caravan as it continued its journey.
A few days later, the entire caravan of men became visibly tense, and Xu Lian knew that the Red Sedan Bridge was approaching.