Chapter 85

Tan Ye sensed something off in her words. “What’s wrong with you today? You seem different from usual.”

“Is it not good for me to be like this?” Su Heng mumbled in his arms.

Today she was even more charming than usual, but he always felt something was off. She was a stubborn person. Once she made up her mind about something, no one could change it even slightly unless she changed her mind herself.

Tan Ye’s hand stroked her back, her long black hair beneath his palm.

“You are good no matter what you’re like.”

“Then when this life of yours ends, will you still remember me?” Su Heng relentlessly demanded an answer.

For someone like her who was usually cold-hearted, being moved either meant remaining stone-hearted, or wanting to swallow the person whole. She was the latter.

She had thought about the possibility that he might not remember her at that time, and had made up her mind to walk the path she had originally set. But then she realized that she had truly developed some feelings for him. Following her own thoughts, since that was the case, it wouldn’t be bad to spend this life with him. Their life together would be long enough.

But it turned out like this.

She thought everything was not as she had imagined.

This question was a bit difficult to answer. After this life ended, where exactly would his soul return to? He didn’t know either.

“As long as my consciousness persists, I will definitely remember you.”

Su Heng blinked lightly. She said okay. “Then I’ll remember that.”

Tan Ye looked down at her. “What about you?”

Su Heng’s eyes were full of mischief. “Naturally, whatever you are, I will be too.”

She raised her head. “You can rest assured about this. I will always remember you.”

“There’s no need for that.” Tan Ye met Su Heng’s stunned eyes. He pretended to be serious. “We see each other every day. As long as you nod, I will immediately appear before your eyes. Is there any need for you to suffer the pain of longing?”

When this man spoke romantic words, he had a serious face, as if he was talking about some great matter. Su Heng raised her hand and slapped him. Tan Ye took the hit and laughed as he hugged her.

They heard some tsk-tsking sounds from the side and saw a few mortals craning their necks to look in their direction. Only then did they remember that they were outside now, but those people seemed to understand.

“The young couple is inseparable. What a good thing.”

“Thank you.” Hearing the words “young couple”, Tan Ye laughed so much that his eyes narrowed slightly.

The snacks Tan Ye had prepared all ended up in Su Heng’s stomach without exception. Tan Ye sighed. “What if our child is the same as you in the future?”

As he spoke, he looked at Su Heng. Su Heng said bluntly, “You’ll be the one raising them anyway.”

She raised her chin. “Isn’t that right?”

Tan Ye said yes.

When they had eaten most of the food, he took her into the city to purchase the items needed for their marriage. Although the King of Bohai was still recovering from his injuries, the wedding preparations should start.

When Tan Ye was in Liaodong, he had seen how the locals prepared for weddings. Marriage was a major life event, and it was best to have it only once in a lifetime. Therefore, it was also highly valued.

The most important thing was the clothing to be worn. This had to be prepared in advance. If there were any flaws in the clothing used by the newlyweds and their parents, it would indicate a bad omen.

It was not until evening that Tan Ye returned.

The King of Bohai sat in a bamboo chair. He was very kind to Su Heng. After saying a few words, he let Su Heng go rest.

Tan Ye spoke to him about the wedding preparations. When he mentioned this, there was a bit of shyness on his face. “Your son has no experience, so I asked Father first.”

“I have no experience either.”

The King of Bohai’s words made Tan Ye freeze.

“Your mother did not actually marry me back then. We just ended up together conveniently.” The King of Bohai smiled with a sigh. “At that time, I only felt that I had wronged her. But after so many years, I’ve come to my senses. What woman in the world doesn’t want to be openly welcomed by her husband? I think from the beginning, her heart was never with me.”

“I…” Tan Ye opened his mouth. “She loved me.”

The King of Bohai nodded. “Cherish her well.”

He looked at Tan Ye. “But do you have full confidence?”

Tan Ye nodded.

“So what if you don’t?” The King of Bohai sneered. “If she’s unwilling and you want to let go, then let go.”

“But I can’t let go.” Tan Ye interrupted the King of Bohai’s words. He stood there, his former gentleness vanishing in an instant. A chilling coldness emerged in his words. “I have no intention of letting go either.”

“Since she agreed to me, she has made a promise. Regardless of whether she wants to fulfill it or not, it has already been settled.”

The King of Bohai looked at him in astonishment, then laughed loudly. He pointed at Tan Ye. “You surpass me in every way compared to back then.”

“Good, very good.”

He placed his hand on Tan Ye’s shoulder. “If she’s yours, then she’s yours. If she’s unwilling, then forcefully make her stay.”

“However,” his hand pressed down heavily on Tan Ye’s shoulder, “if she’s truly unwilling, then make her willing. I said that earlier because I thought you grew up in a place like Chaoyun Sect, learning to be a righteous gentleman.”

The King of Bohai’s hand tightened, the suddenly increased force immense. Tan Ye’s voice remained steady.

“I didn’t tell the truth before because I was worried about arguing with you. Since we father and son are so alike, there’s no need to hide anymore. Being a righteous gentleman is something only sages can do, and it often benefits others at the expense of oneself. But living in this world, why should you let others take advantage of you? Fulfilling yourself is the most important thing.”

“If things can go smoothly, that’s the best. If something goes wrong, no matter what, don’t let yourself suffer the loss.”

After saying this, the King of Bohai patted Tan Ye’s shoulder. “These words may be a bit profound, but you are naturally intelligent, not one of those foolish people. You know what I mean.”

“Fulfilling yourself is much more gratifying than fulfilling others. What should be yours, you must obtain. I am the best example. If I had done things more ruthlessly back then, everything would be different now.”

Tan Ye listened quietly. “Fulfilling myself. I’ll remember that.”

He had done too many things to fulfill others. Now he also wanted to experience the taste of fulfilling himself.

He took out an icy pill emanating coldness and handed it to the King of Bohai. This was an ice crystal he had obtained from the sea floor during his free time. The sea floor was much colder than the sea surface, and the extracted ice crystals could suppress and alleviate the King of Bohai’s fire poison.

“I once made you rely on others and suffer hardships for so many years. I didn’t let you experience the joy of being a dragon, but instead you were suppressed by a group of people. I was afraid you would forget the nature of a dragon.”

But now it seemed he had been worrying too much. This was innate, even if temporarily suppressed, it was still hidden in the bones.

Tan Ye left the King of Bohai’s residence. He looked at the bright moon in the sky. He walked towards his and Su Heng’s courtyard.

He had arranged for Su Heng to live with him. They were already husband and wife in reality, so naturally they should live together.

As soon as Tan Ye entered the courtyard, he saw her lying on the stone table. The tuberose planted in the courtyard had already bloomed. She casually picked a few stalks and fiddled with them in her hands.

Tuberose and epiphyllum were the most delicate flowers. Being picked by her, she directly plucked them, scattering them everywhere.

When the courtyard was built, it was designed to maintain blooming flowers in all four seasons, day and night, ensuring that fresh flowers were always in bloom.

The tuberose that bloomed at night was taken by her and vigorously handled. The whole plant was pulled out, and then she pinched off the petals and threw them on the ground.

Tan Ye went over and glanced, noticing the footprints on the petals. “Angry?”

Su Heng glanced at him. She lifted her foot, moving it off the petals that had been trampled beyond recognition under her feet.

“What’s wrong?”

Su Heng didn’t intend to tell him the real reason for her irritation. Seeing that she didn’t answer, Tan Ye didn’t continue asking. He walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her from the side. “I mentioned our wedding to Father.”

Su Heng had little interest in these things. She closed her eyes and leaned against Tan Ye.

Regarding all this, Su Heng had no intention of getting involved. She left everything for Tan Ye to handle, feeling completely at ease.

“Very tired?” Tan Ye asked softly.

Su Heng nodded.

Tan Ye picked her up horizontally. “Where’s the mud?”

“It went to sleep, but when the Yin hour comes, it will run out on its own again.”

Tan Ye carried her to the bed, took off her shoes, and tidied up her face. He was meticulous when taking care of people. Everything could be entrusted to him with peace of mind.

Su Heng lay there, watching Tan Ye pull the blanket over her.

Tan Ye’s fingertip tapped her forehead, and a huge drowsiness immediately swept over her. She had expended quite a bit of energy today. Following this drowsiness, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Tan Ye sat beside her, tirelessly arranging her blanket and tucking in her fingertips that were exposed outside. “What are you worried about?”

Naturally, this question did not receive any response from her. Tan Ye stroked her face. “It’s okay. Even if you’re worried about something, it doesn’t matter.”

Their days together were still long, no matter what worries they had. They would naturally be resolved.

Su Heng spent a very leisurely period of time. By the time the King of Bohai had recovered somewhat, Tan Ye had already started preparing for the wedding.

Tan Ye did not plan to invite the King of Bohai’s old subordinates. The King of Bohai had not fully recovered, and no one knew what attitude those old subordinates would have towards their former lord.

Tan Ye did not value those old subordinates, so he simply did not invite them. In the end, it was only their family.

Even with only three people, it was still done properly. Early in the morning, Su Heng changed into her wedding attire, applied heavy makeup, and covered her head with a veil, just like when she saved people before, except now it was completely her own original appearance.

The courtyard was quiet, but red silk was hung high. Although Su Heng’s head was covered by a veil, even without anyone’s support, she could still clearly discern in which direction he was.

Tan Ye stood there, reaching out to her. Su Heng placed her hand in his.

There were no guests at all, no thunderous drums and gongs like at ordinary joyous occasions, but it was solemn enough. Even standing there, she could feel Tan Ye’s gaze.

Tan Ye glanced at the hand resting in his palm and smiled slightly. His fingers tightened, gripping her hand.

Su Heng felt the force of his grip on her fingers, not too tight or loose. But if there was a slight tendency to withdraw, Tan Ye would keenly sense it, and the force applied to her fingers would increase by another level, carrying a sense of inevitable victory.

Neither of them was as gentle and carefree as they appeared on the surface. Each harbored their own thoughts, which would only be revealed inadvertently.

The King of Bohai was waiting for them in the main hall. He had no words about this strange wedding. He changed his clothes and sat in the position of the elder, looking at the two with loving eyes.

The officiant was a magpie spirit that he had found locally. The magpie stood at the door, and upon seeing Tan Ye and Su Heng arrive, it started chirping and making a fuss. Magpies liked to call out early in the morning. Even a single bird could call out happily, creating the effect of a summer forest full of noisy birds.

That magpie spirit at the door started chirping as soon as it saw the newlyweds. “Oh, the bride is here!”

“Oh, the groom is holding the bride’s hand!”

“The newlyweds are so good-looking, so good-looking. The groom is so tall! So handsome! The bride is so beautiful!”

“The groom is holding onto the bride, not letting her go! Hee hee hee hee!!”

Chirping left and right, even though there was only one magpie there, it managed to create the impression of a large group of gossipers wagging their tongues.

The King of Bohai did not restrain the magpie. This kind of day was supposed to be lively, the livelier the better. Now they had chosen to have only family members, but he did not want it to be too cold and quiet either. Having more liveliness was good.

The magpie seemed to understand his intention. It suddenly imitated the thunderous drums and gongs of human weddings, its mouth going on and on nonstop. As a result, it used too much force at once and could not maintain its human form, revealing a magpie’s head. The bird head was still wearing a hat, its eyes darting around, looking extremely ridiculous, adding a touch of humor to this wedding.

“The groom is here, the bride is here. May the newlyweds have a hundred years of harmony, husband and wife accompanying each other!”

The magpie was indeed a magpie. Even though it had turned into a bird head, it could still spout endless auspicious words from that bird beak.

Su Heng glanced over and saw the magpie with a bird head and human body chirping and chattering with great effort. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

She didn’t try to conceal it, letting the sound come out from under the red veil.

“Laughing, laughing. The bride is laughing. May all go well, great fortune and prosperity~!”

The magpie spirit came up with all kinds of auspicious words with ease.

Su Heng couldn’t help but laugh again. Hearing her laughter, Tan Ye slightly tightened his grip on her hand, a smile from the bottom of his heart on his face.

Su Heng hooked her fingers through the veil covering her face and shook his hand. The King of Bohai, who was inside, watched from the side and nodded with a faint smile.

Tan Ye led her through the door.

“The bride is entering the door!” The magpie spirit’s mouth was really clever, knowing what words were most pleasing to hear. Coupled with that exaggerated and bizarre tone, it was difficult for anyone present not to laugh.

It was a pity that there were too few people here. Even if they all laughed, it was not enough to show off its skill.

Su Heng followed the guiding force on her hand and arrived in front of the King of Bohai. The King of Bohai had a refined appearance, his eyes conveying a sense of permanence. His gaze towards them was gentle.

“Bow to heaven and earth.” The magpie spirit drawled.

Su Heng gripped the red ribbon in her hand and bowed down with Tan Ye. She had bowed in a wedding before, but this time it was different from the last. It seemed that if they truly bowed down, they would form some kind of eternal contract.

Her waist had just bent down, before she could even rise from the first bow, she heard a huge commotion above her head.

“The barrier is broken. Someone is outside.”

The King of Bohai said calmly.

Tan Ye gestured for Su Heng to stay inside, while he ran out. Su Heng went to the door and looked up at the sky. Sure enough, cracks had appeared in the barrier.

“It seems they came prepared.”

The King of Bohai had walked up behind her at some point. He looked at the growing cracks in the barrier with a calm expression. “It’s her. Apart from her, no one else knows about this place.”

Su Heng looked at him with startled eyes. The King of Bohai showed no surprise or anger. “It’s not strange. She chose Zhu Lang back then. With Zhu Lang’s abilities, what could he do to me? The reason I was imprisoned by Zhu Lang for more than ten years was entirely because she told him my secret weaknesses at that time.”

He smiled, his face showing no anger at all. The more he was like this, the more uneasy Su Heng felt.

“This time, I’m afraid Zhu Lang plans to eliminate the problem at its root?”

Su Heng turned around. “Then you go first.”

She had already started thinking about how to kill a way out for the King of Bohai to leave first. This place was not far from the coast. She could send him into the sea.

“There’s no need for that.”

The King of Bohai laughed. “Hiding and sneaking around is too boring. Back then, I was burned by the earth fire for so long. It’s time to settle this score properly. Living a miserable life is not an enjoyable thing. I can’t do it, and I don’t want to do it either.”

Having said that, he gestured for Su Heng to stay inside and strode out.

Su Heng watched as the King of Bohai walked out the door. The barrier had been maintained for many years, and now cracks of varying sizes had opened up on it.

The barrier suddenly shattered completely, and a group of people landed in front of them, as well as on the roof.

The King of Bohai looked at Zhu Chi in front of him. “Your father didn’t come?”

Tan Ye had chopped off Zhu Lang’s feet. This time, there was no dragon blood to heal his injuries. The blow from the true dragon was not an ordinary flesh wound. The flesh all over his body would rot, then heal, then rot again, repeating endlessly, as if suffering endless torment.

Seeing the King of Bohai’s carefree demeanor, Zhu Chi gritted his teeth. “I came to take revenge.”

After hearing this, the King of Bohai only smiled. Seeing that he did not take him seriously at all, Zhu Chi was burning with anger.

Su Heng saw Xuan Jing on the roof over there. It seemed that the impact of Tan Ye’s true identity being exposed was greater than she had anticipated.

“Since you are a demon and were able to infiltrate the sect for many years, you must know many things about the sect. As for the rest, I’m afraid you also know quite a bit.”

“So the Venerable is planning to eliminate the problem at its root and prevent future trouble?”

Tan Ye looked at Xuan Jing above, his heart calm, without any emotion. “Since that’s the case, there’s no point in saying more. Let’s make a move then.”

In an instant, the battle erupted. Seeing this, Su Heng lifted the veil on her head and directly joined the fray.

A group of people fighting against two, one of whom had not yet recovered from his injuries. No matter how you looked at it, this was simply bullying. Since they were bullying, she didn’t need to be too particular about the rules either.

Red threads and vines flew together. Compared to Tan Ye and the King of Bohai who might still adhere to some rules, she had no scruples at all when making a move. Her techniques were treacherous and could be said to be impossible to guard against. In no time, a dozen or so disciples were either rolling on the ground wailing in pain or lying motionless with their lives hanging in the balance.

After exchanging a few moves with Tan Ye, Xuan Jing realized that he had no confidence in completely restraining Tan Ye, let alone killing him.

As for the other old dragon, his injuries had not healed. Compared to Tan Ye, his movements might be a bit sluggish, but he was not easy to deal with. Zhu Chi confronted him but didn’t seem to gain much advantage. But that enchantress over there…

Her methods were ruthless and strange. Many people were caught off guard by her.

Xuan Jing saw that on the necks of the fallen, the skin bulged with a thin line wriggling inside the flesh.

Xuan Jing swung his sword, and in the instant he forced Tan Ye back, a thunderbolt shot out from the blade towards Su Heng.

Tan Ye swung his sword back, severing that thunderbolt. The thunderbolt backfired along the path it came.

Xuan Jing barely dodged it, but his sleeve was still grazed by the thunderbolt, tearing open a hole.

Xuan Jing looked down at the hole in his Daoist robe, full of shock. He looked at Tan Ye. Tan Ye stood in front of Su Heng, completely protecting her.

“You’re crazy!”