Chapter 64 Getting Married Is Simply Out of the Question

Amidst the moonlight and the ripples of the water, a faint layer of white mist rose, within which seemed to linger a hazy human figure.

Shen Bijun suddenly caught sight of that figure, and the heart that had been suspended in her chest finally settled back down.

Xiao Shiyilang also saw the figure, though he could not quite describe the feeling that welled up inside him upon seeing it. As the hazy figure dissipated, revealing a man with an air of carefree grace, Xiao Shiyilang finally understood that feeling.

This man possessed a strange and captivating charm. His footsteps were slow and seemingly effortless, appearing devoid of strength yet radiating boundless power. The corners of his lips curled upward in a mocking smile, while his heart harbored a formidable and terrifying self-confidence. He exuded both a devil-may-care natural disposition and the proud arrogance of one who looked down upon all living beings in the world, holding everything in utter contempt.

He was a man who cast a majestic glance over the entire realm. Yet, who could ever see through the deep-seated pride and loftiness hidden within his heart at first glance?

"Are you not injured?"

"If I said I were on the verge of death, would you believe me?"

"You are not allowed to say such things..."

Ren Yi chuckled softly, his gaze shifting to fall upon the Young Master...

The Young Master instantly shivered. Though the long sword was no longer in his hand, the moment he saw the blade that had suddenly appeared in Ren Yi's grasp, the Young Master immediately understood what the outcome would be.

Ren Yi said, "You may leave."

The Young Master asked in disbelief, "You... you are letting me leave?"

Ren Yi smiled and asked, "Do you wish to die?"

The Young Master shook his head, turned around, and fled as fast as if flying.

The battle against the Marquis of Xiaoyao was neither a sensational event in the martial arts world nor witnessed by a single living soul. Even among those who knew of the Marquis's death, there were no more than four people in total.

The Deer-Slicing Saber returned to its scabbard. Holding the blade, Ren Yi walked alongside Shen Bijun toward the Shen Family Manor. Xiao Shiyilang watched the receding figure of the man, lingering for a long, long time without moving away.

Xiao Shiyilang simply could not understand. What was his motivation? Every person's actions always had a purpose—could it be that he truly acted merely on whim?

After an unknown passage of time, long after the figure had completely vanished and he snapped out of his trance, he too departed from the shores of the Daming Lake.

...

The first light of dawn was faint and pale.

The morning light slowly drew back its curtain, piercing through layers of mist and melting the autumn frost upon the eaves and tiles. Another colorful morning descended upon the mortal world, carrying a sense of pristine freshness.

The man had no desire to get up, while the woman wanted to get up but found herself unable to.

The so-called bridal chamber on the wedding night... Though they had not formally married, and there were no wedding candles, the room had nonetheless served as a bridal chamber.

Originally, Bijun was a thousand times unwilling and ten thousand times reluctant, but after the battle of the previous night, she had ultimately consented when the night fell.

It was a wondrous night, a night of intoxicating delight, yet the time to rise had finally arrived.

"Hurry... get up quickly, we must pay our respects to the matriarch."

Ren Yi pulled back the blanket, eliciting a soft cry of protest, and then leisurely and refreshingly dressed himself... Before he was finished, he even helped his beloved change and dress.

She stood before the dressing table, where a bronze mirror reflected a beauty peerless throughout the ages...

Holding a jade hairpin, Ren Yi thrust it haphazardly into her hair until she finally drove him out of the room.

There were originally two maidservants to wait upon her, but today the young mistress's bedchamber was closed to them. When Ren Yi emerged from the room, they understood precisely why.

Outside the door, his stride was even more arrogant and overbearing, his chin tilted high. It was with this very chin held high that he went to pay his respects to the Old Dowager.

A servant brought tea. Ren Yi cradled the teacup, flicked the lid, took a sip of the clear tea, and even smacked his lips twice in appreciation!

The Old Dowager watched his demeanor, the corners of her eyes twitching... It was impossible to know whether she regretted betrothing her most precious granddaughter to him. Yet regret was useless; this match had been forcibly seized by him anyway.

Dowager Shen forced a smile and asked, "Why did Jun'er not come along with you?"

Ren Yi smiled and replied, "Bijun is likely too shy to face you, Elder."

Dowager Shen did not probe further and merely asked, "When do you and Jun'er plan to be married?"

Ren Yi replied indifferently, "The Old Dowager may choose whatever you wish. Whenever you deem it appropriate, let it be then."

Dowager Shen finally managed a knowing smile, but before it could fully blossom, he added, "Actually, from Hengzhi's perspective, it is best not to hold this wedding at all."

Dowager Shen frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Ren Yi sighed lightly and slowly explained, "To not keep anything from you, Elder, Jun'er will sooner or later return home with me. At present, aside from the people of the Shen family, no one knows the Shen family's true attitude toward me. The people of the world still believe that you and the Shen family acted under duress... To the Shen Family Manor and the people of the martial arts world, we remain the victims coerced by a fiend like me. In this pugilistic world, there is probably not a single person who wishes to see me live. If we were to hold a formal wedding, the martial folk would surely discern the Shen family's stance. Once I leave, the Shen family will not have an easy time of it."

Dowager Shen was startled, instantly grasping the profound implications behind his words. If he truly departed with Jun'er, what would become of the Shen Family Manor? Even though she still possessed some prestige in the martial arts world, the person this man had offended was the entire martial fraternity...

"Where is your home? Are there any family members there?"

Ren Yi shook his head and said, "There is only me left in the Ren family."

Dowager Shen asked, "Then why can you not simply stay properly here in the Shen family?"

Ren Yi smiled and said, "That will not do. As for the details, the Old Dowager need not inquire too deeply; Bijun and I will certainly leave."

Dowager Shen nodded, stood up, and sighed deeply, "I hope you will treat Jun'er well..."

Ren Yi smiled faintly, "Rest assured, Elder."

The pugilistic world was tranquil, extraordinarily peaceful!

The martial artists of the world today had become exceedingly well-behaved. Every sect, every school, every faction, and figures of all sorts were so docile that they dared not roam freely across the rivers and lakes.

All because of one person!

This person kept the people of the world awake with anxiety, making every martial artist tremble in constant fear, for this man could take their lives at any given moment...

Fifty years ago, the Demonic Cult invaded the south, colluding with the water overlords of Jiangnan to form a seventy-two-faction unrighteous alliance. Later, the master of the Unblemished Manor organized the righteous alliance to resist them. After dozens of large and small battles between the black and white paths, the Demonic Cult was finally defeated and forced to retreat.

Yet what of this man fifty years later?

Outside Qufu City, the Seven Great Sects, the Thirteen Factions, and the Eight Great Families could do nothing against him. That single battle not only slaughtered all five hundred and sixty-seven members of the righteous path down to the last man, but it also shattered the confidence of every single person in the rivers and lakes.

No one desired such a figure to exist in the martial world, and such a figure should never have existed in this world to begin with.

Such a calm and peaceful pugilistic world had not been seen for hundreds of years.

...

The Young Master was already dead, having perished within the Marquis of Xiaoyao's Doll Manor.

Following the death of the Marquis, she could have chosen never to return to this place, yet she returned nonetheless, only to die upon her arrival. When she died, her body was no longer in human shape.

The incense in the censer curled gracefully, burning the finest dragon saliva incense.

This hall was not large, yet its floor was paved with jade, and its walls were inlaid with precious jewels. Inside stood carved rosewood chairs draped with brocade cushions, and even the roof tiles were made of glazed ceramic. This hall was more luxurious and dazzling than an imperial palace.

Lianchen Bi stood right there. Reeking of alcohol and originally dejected in spirit, the moment he stepped into this room, a radiance appeared upon his face—a radiance of confidence and self-satisfaction, as if he had once again found something he had lost.