The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 17: Hengwu Small World | Chapter 330: Uninvited Guest

Someone sang, “The auspicious time has come—”

Yun Tianyou then took one end of the red silk ribbon and led in a young woman dressed in a brilliant red robe. The robe’s dazzling beauty was so striking it could compete with pearls in radiance.

Xu Ziqing glanced casually and saw that the bride had a delicate figure, appearing quite young. Yet, her graceful steps and poised demeanor already exuded an air of elegance and charm. Her movements showed no trace of reluctance.

Listening to the guests’ chatter around him, Xu Ziqing learned that the bride came from a notable family, being the daughter of an official from Qushan Town. She had met Yun Tianyou during a lantern festival. The official held a modest rank and was not skilled in martial arts, yet he admired martial artists. Moreover, his wife was bedridden with illness, and her last wish before passing was to see her only daughter married. Thus, this pair of young lovers married earlier than planned. Yun Tianyou was only sixteen, and the bride was not yet fifteen.

Yun Tianyou’s face was filled with joy. Though still young, there was a sense of responsibility in his eyes.

The two made their way to the front of the hall, where Yun Zhenhai and Meng Qingxiao were already seated in positions of honor.

The wedding officiant sang, “First bow to the heavens and earth—”

The bride and groom knelt together, performing the ritual with sincerity.

Yun Zhenhai and his wife wore smiles of happiness, and the numerous guests shared in the joyous atmosphere.

This was Xu Ziqing’s first time witnessing a mortal wedding. Although as a cultivator his emotions were usually calm, seeing such a scene filled him with a rare sense of sentiment.

Mortals experience birth, aging, sickness, and death, and their lifespans are short, yet what they gain in their brief lives may not necessarily be less than what cultivators attain.

It all depends on what one seeks, and whether the heart is content.

As this thought crossed his mind, Xu Ziqing turned slightly and looked at Yun Tiangang.

If not for the disturbance caused by the Jile Peak Luozu, he wouldn’t have needed ten years to heal, and by now, he might have already married his senior brother.

Witnessing the happiness of others, he couldn’t help but reflect on his own misfortunes.

However, with his senior brother now by his side, that fleeting melancholy could easily be brushed away.

Looking back, perhaps those ordeals were also a kind of test.

He even had a faint premonition that when his senior brother returned from this journey, he would surely encounter even greater fortune. With this thought, he felt no more regrets.

Yun Tiangang sensed Xu Ziqing’s gaze and glanced at him. “What is it?”

Xu Ziqing smiled warmly. “Nothing, it’s fine.”

Yun Tiangang frowned slightly. “Why are you hiding something?”

Xu Ziqing was momentarily startled, then smiled and said, “I was just thinking of someone.”

Yun Tiangang did not press further, but his frown remained.

Understanding his senior brother’s concern, Xu Ziqing maintained his smile. “Even if I were to tell you now, you probably wouldn’t understand. But in a few days, without me having to explain, you’ll understand immediately.”

Hearing this, Yun Tiangang nodded. Though he couldn’t grasp the meaning of Xu Ziqing’s words, he inexplicably sensed their truth.

Soon after the wedding ceremony was completed, a ritual official began to chant the blessings.

Many martial arts schools and individual heroes from nearby Qushan Town had come to celebrate, which also served to showcase their wealth.

As the congratulatory gifts were announced, it expressed gratitude while also highlighting the competition among the guests.

As for the hosts, they simply kept their thoughts to themselves.

Gifts from mortals, no matter how precious, were merely ordinary in the eyes of cultivators.

Xu Ziqing didn’t pay much attention; he simply poured himself tea, occasionally chatting with Yun Tiangang, and felt quite satisfied.

Just as the list of gifts had been recited halfway, the bride and groom stood nearby, both appearing extremely joyful.

Suddenly, a group of people burst in, shouting, “Today, the young master of the Yun family is getting married! How could our Wu Ao Sect be absent? Are we to be resented for the previous gambling match that caused a rift between us?!”

In an instant, the room fell silent.

Several prominent members of the Yun clan, including Yun Zhenhai, stood up with grim expressions.

If they had genuinely come to congratulate, the words spoken were far too offensive. After all, the gambling match had already created some bad blood; why would they still invite them? Did they think it was too comfortable? Now, they marched in so boldly, speaking of “resentment” and “lost goodwill”—wasn’t that mocking the Yun family for being narrow-minded and lacking in grace?

Yun Zhenhai suppressed the anger in his chest and stepped forward to take charge of the situation. Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile and cupped his fists, saying, “Elder, how can you say such things? The Wu Ao Sect and the Yun family are naturally on good terms. However, since the Wu Ao Sect is so far away, we didn’t extend an invitation due to the inconvenience of travel. Now that you all have come, please…” He gritted his teeth, “Take your seats!”

The other guests exchanged glances, and the Yun clan members quickly cleared out positions at the top. A total of two long tables were arranged for the ten or so newcomers to sit.

Among them, the burly elder at the forefront let out a cold laugh. “This insincere gesture is unnecessary!” With a flick of his sleeve, he added, “I am merely here on the orders of our sect master to deliver a congratulatory gift, but we wouldn’t dare eat the food of your esteemed estate!” After saying this, he swiftly threw a letter that flew not toward Yun Zhenhai but to Yun Tiangang, who was seated at the head of the other side.

The burly elder was a master at the Houtian Level Ten. The force he infused into that letter was so strong that even though it was just a piece of correspondence, it created a sound akin to an explosion in the air. If it hit…

Yun Zhenhai instantly panicked. He, too, was at the Houtian Level Ten, but compared to the elder, if he were even a moment slow, he would be unable to catch up. And while others might not know, did he himself not understand?

His son was indeed skilled in swordsmanship, but he couldn’t channel qi through his meridians, so when fighting, he relied solely on his physical strength to wield the sword. His victory over many disciples was due to two factors: those disciples were only at Houtian Level Six or Seven, and his son’s technique was skillful, using his strength efficiently without waste, leading to his mythic-like series of victories. However, now faced with a move from a Houtian Level Ten master, how could those disciples possibly compare?

Many guests increasingly sensed that the newcomers had malicious intent, and some of the heroes looked at the Wu Ao Sect with disdain.

It was one thing for the forced marriage to fail that day, but now to come and stir trouble was truly inappropriate. Moreover, as a sect elder, to pressure a junior from the Yun family with such force was utterly shameless! Subsequently, the crowd couldn’t help but feel a sense of worry for Yun Tiangang.

No matter how formidable this junior was, they had never seen any sign of true power from him. Instead, they noticed his pale complexion, aware that he was physically weak… Remembering how this person had relied on his unique swordsmanship to fend off the disciples of Wu Ao Sect, they felt a mix of admiration and pity for him, understanding the years of hard training he must have endured.

As they saw the letter getting closer, everyone held their breath.

—In fact, just before the letter was thrown, Yun Tiangang had already sensed the murderous intent approaching. He instinctively placed his fingers on the sword sheath, ready to draw at any moment. He naturally possessed a fearless spirit; even when facing a much stronger opponent, he would not back down.

A swordsman is upright; if there’s even a sliver of hope, he will rise to the challenge.

Xu Ziqing’s pupils suddenly contracted. This scene undoubtedly reminded him of the ruthless actions taken by the Jile Peak Laozu back in the day against his senior brother. At that moment, he lost his sense of judgment and suddenly reached out!

Everyone then saw a white shadow coming from the side; before the letter got close, it was caught by a fair hand. It belonged to the person in green seated beside Yun Tiangang. He usually wore a faint smile, but as he made his move, that smile vanished. The letter was casually held between his fingers, as if it hadn’t cost him a shred of effort.

At that moment, people couldn’t help but speculate about the identities of others present.

The previously suppressed doubts and speculations were once again stirred up.

Yun Tiangang had intended to draw his sword. Although he felt the immense pressure from the letter, he thought that if he drew swiftly enough, he could probably cut it down. However, as he was about to strike, he suddenly saw Xu Ziqing make his move. At that moment, he relaxed his grip on the sword hilt.

After Xu Ziqing caught the letter, he sensed the power contained within it. To an ordinary person, it was indeed quite strong, but even now, his senior brother would mostly be able to handle it. Perhaps… it would only slightly injure his insides. He immediately realized that his concern had thrown him into disarray. Exhaling slowly, Xu Ziqing’s expression turned slightly dim.

Although his senior brother was destined to fully recover thanks to his reincarnation, the time when he had been severely injured and on the brink of death had left a psychological scar on him.

The heart demon that arose during the Golden Core stage was initially troublesome, but he managed to break through because he remembered that he had not yet seen his senior brother’s reincarnated form.

However, breaking through did not mean solving the issue. If he couldn’t truly resolve it, then when he reached the Nascent Soul stage, this heart demon would come back again.

By that time, the calamity would likely be even more real; if his resolve was not firm, he would surely fall.

Thinking of this, Xu Ziqing quickly regained his composure and handed the letter to the person beside him. “Tiangang, I apologize.”

Yun Tiangang nodded slightly. “No worries.” He understood Xu Ziqing’s unspoken meaning; how could he hold it against him when it was out of concern? Besides, he was genuinely pleased, so there was no need for an apology.

At the same time, Yun Zhenhai and his wife, along with many members of the Yun clan, felt relieved. They believed that Yun Tiangang could not withstand the force, and they were increasingly grateful to Xu Ziqing, who had saved Yun Tiangang’s life once again.

The burly elder, however, narrowed his eyes, and his expression darkened slightly.

Xu Ziqing glanced over, maintaining a calm demeanor. For someone with such character, it mattered little to him whether he was merely a master from the mortal realm or a cultivator. Truly, he was not worth paying attention to.

Yun Tiangang opened the letter, revealing a black invitation adorned with gold embossing.

In the wedding hall, many well-informed guests displayed expressions of shock upon seeing the invitation.

It turned out to be… the Xuanwu Invitation!

Yun Zhenhai’s expression became grave as he glanced at the members of Wu Ao Sect, their aura gradually rising. His gaze shifted and he saw the disciples from the other day who had attempted to force Yun family women and had caused a rift between Wu Ao Sect and Yun Family. Now they still cast lewd looks at the women of the estate, which made him even angrier. He immediately acted, shattering a wooden table with a loud crash: “—Get out!”

In the next moment, over ten members of the Yun clan stood up, gradually forming a encirclement.

The Wu Ao Sect members were unhappy but knew they were in a difficult position, so they began to retreat.

Only the burly elder laughed heartily. “Hahaha! This congratulatory gift, please accept it!” With that, he swaggered away, leading the many disciples who had retreated to the door.

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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