Today was the grand wedding of Xie Jingci and Pei Du.
After the banquet, by the time they returned to their room, it was already late at night.
Xie Jingci's heart was pounding wildly.
Just now, Pei Du had said so many things to her. The young man's voice was soft and gentle like jade, falling by her ear along with the hazy candlelight. The firelight was warm, and so his voice also carried a scorching breath, spreading from her ears all the way to her heart.
No one could remain indifferent to those words.
Now, Xie Jingci lay reclining on the bed. Pei Du's slender index finger rested on her neck; she only needed to lift her eyes to see his dark, calm pupils. Those eyes were impossibly beautiful, with a shallow firelight floating within them, like a lake reflecting a sky full of stars, mirroring only her silhouette.
It had not been easy for her to be with Pei Du like she was today.
There are always countless coincidences in the world, as well as endless mishaps. If Xie Jingci's lost memories had not returned, if her companions had not arrived in time during her duel with Bai Wan, if she had not followed her heart's desire to go to the Ghost Tomb to find Pei Du, everything would have been completely different.
Fortunately, everything was slowly moving toward a better place.
Besides Meng Xiaoting, Lin Yunrou, Yun Zhaoyan, and Long Xiao were all carefully searching for the medicine needed to treat her mother. The three major families had formidable strength. After several days of searching, they had gathered all the herbs—it was said that the last stalk was bought by Lin Yunrou at an auction house for a hefty sum.
Now that Meng Liangze had been expelled from the family and locked in the Immortal Alliance's prison, Lin Yunrou was fully aware of what happened back then. Knowing he was a profit-seeking scoundrel who abandoned his lover and child, she did not blame Jiang Qingyi at all, and even allowed her to stay at the Meng residence for treatment.
In her own words: "Kindness? Does that word suit me at all? I just want to keep her daughter to help me make money, and Jiang Qingyi is just an add-on—an add-on, understand? Meng Xiaoting, stop crying! Why are you all so troublesome!"
It was just a pity that Jiang Qingyi had only woken up yesterday. Having been bedridden for years, she was still unwell and could not attend the wedding in person.
Xie Jingci had specially visited the Meng residence to see her. Although the woman was haggard and tortured, her expression was extremely gentle, like a spring breeze brushing the face. Because she had been possessed by an exotic beast, Jiang Qingyi's appearance remained in her twenties; with just a fleeting glance, one could see traces of her former peerless beauty.
Mo Xiaoyang was striving enough; he fought his way through the Xuanwu Realm, climbing to fifth place in the entire Nascent Soul stage.
The cultivation world had always interacted little with the Ghost Realm, and held many grievances against demonic cultivators. He had stirred up a storm single-handedly. Now, when others looked at Mo Xiaoyang, he was no longer the insignificant, strange demon he once was, but a powerful cultivator worthy of fighting with all their might.
When Zhou Shen and the others in the Ghost Realm rebuilt their homeland and met him again, they would surely be extremely proud.
As for Meng Xiaoting and Long Xiao...
Thinking of the two of them, Xie Jingci's eyelid twitched.
How could the bickering between an engaged couple be called bickering? That was a romantic sentiment that ordinary people like them wouldn't understand.
Apart from these close friends, she also received a letter from Wandering Immortal Yunshui at today's wedding banquet.
Since their parting at the secret realm, the latter had resumed the name "Chu Zheng", traveling through the vast mountains and waters.
Regarding the history of the Chu You Kingdom, she always harbored an indescribable sentiment in her heart. Even after thousands of years, it had never faded.
In the letter, the female cultivator traveled to several places and, relying on incredibly ancient memories, finally found the homeland of the Chu You Kingdom.
The mountains and rivers remained the same, but the land was completely unrecognizable.
That story had passed too long ago; even she, the only witness, could hardly remember it clearly.
Chu Zheng said she bought the most expensive peach blossom pastries from a shop, as well as a pot of aged wine for a memorial offering.
Palaces and pavilions had turned to dust, the former city towers had vanished without a trace, replaced by bustling streets, with only an ancient tree standing at the end.
When the Chu You Kingdom still existed, it was nothing more than a tiny sapling planted by Crown Prince Jiang Hanxiao.
Before the memorial, she had practically turned the whole town upside down, yet never sensed any aura similar to the Crown Prince's.
Reincarnation was inherently untraceable. Not to mention the endless cycles of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, even if he were reborn as a human again, not only would he have no past memories, but his place of rebirth would be a world away from where he originally lived.
He surely wouldn't be found there.
The wine dripped down, and the fragrance of the peach blossom pastries spread. The letter neatly stated that at that moment, a gentle breeze suddenly swept by.
A breeze coming from behind Chu Zheng.
When she turned around, she saw the lush canopy of midsummer. Through the gaps of the intertwining branches and leaves, specks of light swirled and drifted, illuminating a pair of dark, incredibly familiar eyes.
The young man's figure was somewhat blurry, like translucent smoke. He curled his lips slightly at her: "This wine is too strong, can the person you are mourning handle it?"
Chu Zheng stared blankly at him.
She rarely showed such a dazed expression, and the young man also felt awkward, managing a forced smile: "Sorry, did I scare you? I am an ancient spirit residing in the tree, I mean you no harm. It's just that you... you look a lot like a girl I once liked—"
His Highness the Crown Prince had never spoken such words so openly to her face.
Chu Zheng turned around and looked straight at him: "Jiang Hanxiao."
Xie Jingci couldn't imagine the Crown Prince's mood at that time, only knowing that Chu Zheng wrote one sentence in the letter:
[How strange, it turns out that an ancient spirit resembling a soul can also blush.]
In short, Jiang Hanxiao died for his country back then. His blood soaked into the small tree by the city wall, and because his wish was unfulfilled, his soul was confined to that piece of land, unable to enter reincarnation.
Now, thousands of years had passed. Although he still couldn't leave, his soul had merged with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It was also fortunate that, as a mere mortal, Jiang Hanxiao hadn't slowly faded away over the long years, but gradually took shape instead. Later, upon seeing Chu Zheng, his shackles shattered, and he was able to leave his homeland.
It was precisely to help him solidify his spirit and take shape that Chu Zheng was delayed in attending the wedding.
As for the Crown Prince's unfulfilled wish from back then, it was self-evident.
Her chaotic thoughts gradually returned to the present. Xie Jingci's eyelashes fluttered as she looked at Pei Du, who was close at hand.
He sat on the edge of the bed, carefully bending his back. His slender shadow blocked the light, and his slender index finger showed a tendency to slide downwards.
Xie Jingci thought very inappropriately that previously it was always her seeing Pei Du with his upper garments removed. Now, the tables had turned, and this kind of thing had finally fallen upon herself.
For her, and for Pei Du, it was the first time.
"Miss Xie," the young man's fingertip twitched, seemingly trembling slightly, "I... am starting."
When Pei Du lowered his head, his scattered black hair draped down softly, swaying from side to side with his movements, brushing past her chin, neck, and a bit further down, bringing an unstoppable itch.
The extreme black and white blended together. Xie Jingci felt a bit shy. Looking sideways, she saw their intertwined hair.
She heard a soft rustling sound coming from the sheer silk garment she wore. The touch of the night breeze grew more distinct, spreading from her neck down to her front, silently brushing against her skin and stirring up an endless, tingling sensation.
The sheer silk was like a faint mist; as the mist receded, it revealed peaks covered in white snow. The lingering mist swirled around the mountainside. The young man's gaze, quiet and clear, drifted upwards, lingering on every contour. When his eyes reached the very top, a fierce flush surged to the tips of his ears.
He... saw it.
Pei Du didn't know where to look. In his panic, his eyes met hers, making him feel even more unbearably hot.
He had originally wanted to continue.
But suddenly, a slender shadow rose before him. The faint fragrance at the tip of his nose grew stronger, carrying a gentle warmth.
Miss Xie had suddenly sat up, pressing her palm against the front of his robes.
For a moment, their gazes collided.
Xie Jingci had decided to throw caution to the wind today.
In the storybooks Pei Du had read, kissing and hugging were the absolute limit. Having grown up with nothing but his sword, how could he possibly understand the specific details of such matters?
She, at the very least, had seen some movies and shows.
Her fingertips guided the snow-colored brocade. Before the night breeze could sweep across her front, another scorching heat suddenly covered her.
—!
Pei Du subconsciously opened his mouth, but only let out a silent gasp. Everything before him far exceeded his imagination. Miss Xie... was actually pressing directly against his body.
The heat from his face gradually surged into his eyes. He secretly gritted his teeth, his long eyelashes trembling shyly.
The young woman slowly explored his mouth.
After practicing with him quite a bit, Xie Jingci's skills had become rather proficient. Her soft, tender lips caressed him freely, capturing the young man's breath bit by bit, while her fingertips silently moved down, landing on Pei Du's heavily scarred back.
He had been raised as a sword, suffering countless injuries. As she gently stroked him, every corner her palm touched was covered in crisscrossing scars.
He didn't dare make a sound, silently gritting his teeth. In a hazy moment, he heard Miss Xie's voice: It's okay to make a sound. I want to hear Pei Du's voice.
Just one sentence was enough to make his back stiffen with nervousness.
Pei Du subconsciously responded to her, and in a daze, he noticed the shifting warmth on his back.
This touch was so gentle; he felt as if he were enveloped in a warm jar of sugar, blinking his eyes in bewilderment.
In the midst of their erratic breathing, Miss Xie moved further.
Peeling away layers of mist, the hidden deep forest was revealed to the night breeze, and she touched it lightly.
Soft, spreading sounds of water filled his ears.
The young man felt as if his very heart was melting. Unable to stop his eyes from turning a faint red, he suddenly exerted force and pressed Xie Jingci down.
Pure white snow spread out before his eyes, alongside thick, snake-like inky black hair spilling everywhere. Besides that, Pei Du saw a soul-bewitching red.
Xie Jingci looked into his eyes, slightly stunned: What's wrong? Do you not like it?
Pei Du didn't give any answer. The young sword cultivator leaned down once more, blocking her unspoken words with his lips.
He carefully moved downwards.
With the faint mist stripped away in the quiet, dim depths of the night, the peaks reflected the moonlight, emitting a bright, beautiful white. The snow rustled softly; due to a passing visitor, it swayed with the wind in subtle arcs. A clear mountain spring flowed leisurely, its waters rippling outward in layers, trembling endlessly.
Before him was the sun he had chased for half his life.
Miss Xie was so wonderful; how could he not love her?
His movements were clumsy, but the thin calluses on his fingertips were incredibly distinct. Even though Xie Jingci bit her lower lip, she still couldn't help but let out low pants from her throat.
Her heart pounded wildly, and her face was burning hot.
More of the gauze-like mist dissipated until it was almost entirely gone, leaving only a little clinging to the foot of the mountain.
The snow stretched continuously; even deep into the night, its whiteness was visible under the moonlight.
Xie Jingci watched Pei Du's Adam's apple bob up and down. The pervasive night subtly outlined his beautiful silhouette.
The touch that had lingered at her lips slowly moved down, and the snow-covered peak was softly pressed.
She almost used her arm to cover her face.
Although she had read similar scenes in storybooks, when it actually happened to her, it was truly...
I heard, Pei Du, who had been too nervous to speak, suddenly turned serious when mentioning this, that it will hurt.
Xie Jingci didn't know how to respond. Her mind hazy, she wrapped her arms around his back.
She watched helplessly as the young man's eyes abruptly darkened.
Pei Du truly was like a sword. Handsome, upright, and decisive in battle.
However, when a longsword enters its scabbard, it usually does so without the slightest hesitation, striking the sheath with a sharp clang. His temperament, though, was completely different, gentle and incredibly cautious, as if terrified of breaking something.
Xie Jingci let out a soft hiss, earning a string of clumsy kisses meant to comfort her.
Unfortunately, these fragmented touches lacked any rhythm, falling like dense raindrops, completely failing to calm her. Unable to speak, Xie Jingci held her breath for a long moment before murmuring: ...This feels so strange.
Her words carried a faint hint of rejection, but Pei Du's force only grew heavier, his breathing becoming longer and deeper.
The snow churned, and hidden currents surged like the tide.
His voice seemed to ring right by her ear, yet also sounded as if it came from somewhere lower. It was crisp as winter snow, yet carried a coaxing, almost petulant softness. Dizzy, Xie Jingci couldn't hear clearly: Those things Miss Xie taught me... I have been learning them earnestly.
Then, sharp teeth bit down ever so lightly. The young man's fingertips trembled as he gathered a handful of scorching snow.
Hot blood rushed straight to her consciousness, exploding with a bang before bubbling continuously.
Xie Jingci looked up in a daze and saw Pei Du's reddened eyes.
He fell silent, not speaking again. A lake-like watery glint shimmered in his eyes. His messy black hair outlined the curves of his shoulders and arms, as well as his flushed profile.
She stared at him steadily, and after a long moment, a smile curled on her lips.
I like you so much.
The young woman's arms wrapped around the back of his neck. Xie Jingci caressed the contours of the young man's face, her willow-leaf eyes curving into crescent moons: I'm so happy I get to marry Pei Du.
Seeing her happy, Pei Du also lifted the corners of his lips.
However, you once told me that you would become my sword.
She smiled with a bit of mischief and pinched his cheek: I don't quite understand. What did that mean?
This was naturally a joke, but Pei Du didn't understand it at first.
But he quickly figured it out.
What matches a sword... is obviously a scabbard.
He had never heard such blatant teasing. His face, which had finally calmed down a bit, turned bright red once again as he desperately tried to explain: N-no, I—
The night grew deeper.
Pei Du knew her little tricks like the back of his hand and soon realized Xie Jingci's teasing intent. Lowering his eyelashes slightly, he spoke in an unreadable tone: ...Miss Xie.
Xie Jingci chuckled uncontrollably, hugging him tighter.
Fortunately, Pei Du didn't harbor any thoughts of taking revenge on her, and from beginning to end, he never used too much force.
Yet, gentleness could also become a shackle. Sometimes, a ticklish itch was harder to endure than pain, like vines climbing upward, imprisoning all her senses one by one until even her breathing trembled.
Call my name, okay?
He felt as though he were in a dream. Lowering his head, he nuzzled against Xie Jingci's chin; only through such a deeply tangible touch could Pei Du regain a sliver of reality. "...I want to hear your voice."
This was clearly a trick she had taught him in the past.
Xie Jingci had originally bitten her lip, unwilling to let out any sounds that would make one blush, but hearing his words, she paused slightly and took a deep breath.
...Who told her to be so utterly fond of Pei Du? She would just treat it as coaxing a child begging for a sweet.
Thus, a breathy sound rolled from her throat, and the hazy sense of unreality instantly shattered. Pei Du lifted his gaze, catching sight of the bright red tips of her ears.
This was his wedding night.
The person before his eyes and the sweetheart in his soul were both the very same girl he had yearned for all these years.
"I love you."
Sword energy surged, driving in over and over again. The moment Xie Jingci gritted her teeth, the young man dropped a feather-light kiss by her ear, his soft laughter rippling like a gentle breeze. "Good girl."
