In the Lou Clan's Territory,
Side Courtyard.
Feng Hou and the rest of his entourage had finally met Xia Jieye, the Old Ancestor of the Lou Clan. His whole figure was captivating. His features and presence are completely different from ordinary people. He has that irrefutable aura around him, dangerous and majestic plus his vessel's nature to bewitch anything and anyone who had met his eyes would fall in a charm.
He sat on the stone chair holding a cup of tea, he ignored the arrival of the guest and enjoyed his time at his own pace.
Lou Ming approached him but kept his distance with his head lowered. Greetings this old monster like those in ancient times, his hands were cupped above his chest, and spoke.
"Greetings to my old ancestors. Lou Ming had brought over the guests from the Feng Clan."
Xia Jieye ignores them, in front of him the familiar face of Feng Houye can be seen alive. Even though he had eaten the man and was long dead it would be hard for him to create a clone and make a copy of that man's memories to be injected into this clone. This Feng Houye is nothing much but a mere puppet made by the God of Void.
Stunned and speechless, Feng Hou was staring in a daze at Xia Jieye. Though the latter is ignoring him being staring at kike this made Xia Jieye pissed. He controlled his puppet of Feng Houye to scold the brat.
Pupper Feng Houye scolded, "Rude descendant! Watch your eyes! Feng Hou, did your parents not tell you to stare for too long! You are being rude towards my companion!'' The angered voice of their Family's Clan's ancestor can be heard echoing in the whole courtyard.
THUD!
His powerful voice made everyone in the courtyard kneel. Lou Lan and the rest who were surprised hit their faces on the ground.
'So heavy!!!'
'I can't move at all!'
'Damn the Ancestor was angry!'
'Shit! It wasn't even our fault! That person is too bewitching and we couldn't help but stare.'
'Ugh~ This pressure is too much.'
Xia Jieye stared down at them with an apathetic gaze. He did not react to seeing them being treated like trash as they were in his eyes. Lou Lan and Young lord Feng forced themselves to look up and meet his cold and indifferent eyes. A chill climbs up on their spines. The disdain from the man's crimson eyes cannot be ignored. They could see that this man is treating them not much differently than an ant.
Lou Ming spoke and pleaded, "A-Ancestor... Spare... Please... Please spare me~"
The God of Void didn't react as soon as he heard Lou Ming's begging. They had to watch him finish his tea first before speaking out for them.
"That's enough," said Xia Jieye.
His puppet listened to his command and removed the pressure that held the rest to the floor. They were finally able to breathe as they were freed.
"Watch your attitude next time. No one is allowed to look at the Senior with those disgusting eyes of yours especially you two" said puppet Feng Houye as he glared at Young Lord Feng Hou and Lou Lan.
Puppet Feng Houye had helped his master pour another cup of tea for him. They ignored the younger descendants kneeling not far from them. Lou Ming with a wanting to pleasing expression on his face spoke out to their ancestor.
Lou Ming said, "Ancestor. The real bride of the Ghost King had been found. Now we should be able to exchange him for Hua'er."
"Um~ though he doesn't look presentable in my eyes he should be enough for that bastard," said Xia Jieye. Then he noticed the excited gaze coming from the young lad from the Phoenix Race lower branch family. "It was your earn that you found this thing. What do you wish for as a reward?"
Feng Hou instantly clasped his hands in front of his eyes to avoid seeing that dangerous man's eyes but he still answered the question asked to him.
"This... This little one... This humble one wishes to wed Xue Hua as my bride!" he said.
He could control his joy and excitement when he thought of that Gold soul person being with him. His obsession with the purity of one soul is beyond what others had thought. He even temporarily forgot his fear and looked at Xia Jieye's eyes but was stifled when he saw rage and hatred within those blood-red orbs.
Chokes!
An unknown power held his neck and lifted him up like a cat. He felt something invisible choking his neck but could touch anything even if he tried to pry it away. He could only scratch his own neck until it bleeds from his own scratching.
ARGH~
A cold and sharp voice was heard lingering in his ears. It was the voice of that dangerous yet handsome man from before, though now his tone is full of killing intent towards him. Young Lord Feng Hou was confused, he didn't know what flipped the mood of that man and suddenly lost it.
"Why would a mere ant like you covet this Deity's little one!?" said the God of Void.
The anger of this old ancestor is sudden and no one knew he would suddenly strike a young man because he spoke wrongly of Xue Hua. The dangerous aura had spread in the whole courtyard once again making everyone feel a chillness that struck even to their bones, unable to hold back shivering in the presence of absolute power.
---
Meanwhile at the Ancient Palace.
It took a while before Ye Xiajie calmed down his nerves and reluctantly loosen his hug around his wife. He looked at Xue Hua's face and felt a bit hesitant due to those events in his dreams. Seeing a gentle smile on his wife's face his fear slowly fades but not completely. Hei Anjing felt his reluctance and caressed Ye Xiajie's face with tenderness.
Hei Anjing spoke, "Do not be afraid. Those are just a dream. A nightmare, it isn't real."
"Um, Baby~ Even what happened in my dream because reality I will never let go of you. Even if you ended up hating me and even despite me in the end. I will never let go of you. You are mine. In the past, present and future including eternity." said Ye Xiajie.
Those scenes where his wife stares at him like a deadman. When his wife stabbed his heart with no hesitation or when he was shot in the head. Even if he was dismembered or beheaded, fed to the wolves by a monster, he would never let go of his wife.
Hei Anjing let his husband embrace him tightly within his arms. Though he had no idea what the content of his husband's nightmares was, he was still worried as he reacted too strongly about it. He knew that the contents of those dreams weren't something his younger cousin had created. Moreover, Mo Yaolan had confessed that it was Ye Xiajie's soul fragments who did such a thing.
Hei Anjing already knew about that man's existence. Though they haven't met each other yet at all, his affections towards that man are completely the same as what he has towards his husband, Ye Xiajie. He is still after a part of him. They are the same person.
"I know. You do not need to say those words. I will be with you to the end." said Hei Anjingthe couple stayed in the position for a few hours more until Xue Yan came knocking on their room's door.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
The peaceful atmosphere between the two had broken and Ye Xiajie couldn't help but frown in discontent.
The Ghost King asked from inside the room, "What is it?"
Beyond the door, Xue Yan answered, "Some guests for Lord Heir had arrived. They are Ou Ya and Lin Ye from the original plotline."
"Oh, tell them I'll be there soon. Let me prepare for a bit, big brother," said Xue Hua.
Hei Anjing slowly merges his soul with Xue Hua. With this, their memories and experiences had been merged into one. Because of this Hei Anjing treats Xue Yan as his elder brother even though he knew that this is merely a vessel for Yun Ming to use.
There's a short silence beyond the door before Xue Yan responded, "Then... I will inform them and let them wait in the living room for a bit." Following those words were footsteps moving away from their door until it cannot be heard. Xue Yan had already taken his leave.
After Xue Yan and Xie Mo took a bath together, they went down to meet the rest in the living room. Their fingers were clasped together as they met everyone who was waiting for them. The Fox God, Hu Yue, and Xue Yan were entertaining the guests before they arrived.
Ou Ya happily greeted the couple. "Yanyan, you're finally here. Your big brother is so boring he doesn't speak too much at all~"
"You are too talkative and chatterbox on your own. There is no need for me to reply to you at all," said Xue Yan.
Ou Ya didn't mind his friend's sharp tongue and laughed happily at his reply. Hu Yue greeted his boss discreetly with a small nod which the Ghost King didn't mind. Meanwhile, everyone can see Lin Ye observing the Ghost King and Xue Hua's interaction. The closeness of the two doesn't seem fake and the atmosphere between them is sweet and serene. Seeing this he felt relief inwardly as the person whom he admired the most finally got the happiness that is supposed to be his. A satisfied smile appeared in the corner of Lin Ye's lips and Ou Ya was happy for him.
Among all three of them, Lin Ye treated Xue Hua as his God and savior. It was because Xue Hua was their only salvation when they were children, Ou Yan understood Lin Ye's admiration towards Xue Hua. After all, it was Xue Hua who had to save the two of them on the brink of death. The Xue Hua who was sleeping deeply inside of that innocent husk was called Xue Hua.
Lin Ye stood up and pulled Ou Ya with him. He cupped his hands and formally greeted Xue Hue and the Ghost King. He knew that his savior had married a being that is akin to a God, it is only right he greets him properly as they are supposed to be.
"Greetings~ The King of all Ghost and the other half of our friend. This humble one is called Lin Ye from a human sect in this mortal realm. Beside me is Ou Ya from the human clan Ou. It is our pleasure to meet you formally." said Lin Ye.
Xue Hua didn't react much seeing the sudden weird greeting of Lin Ye and Ou Ya. Though his face looked innocent as before, the depths of his eyes were calm and unmoved. He just smiled at them gently and glanced at his husband asking him to accept the greeting of these two well-mannered humans.
Xie Mo, meeting his wife's eyes, understood what he wanted. He let go of his hand for a short moment and returned their greetings.
"There is no need to be too formal. This King's name is Xie Mo. As my wife's friend you may call this name." said the Ghost King.