CH 175

Chapter 175: Traditional marriage ceremony

Staring at the red ‘喆’ made out of paper and stuck on the wall of the room, Huo Zaiyuan heaves a resigned sigh and massages his aching temple.

How exactly did the situation evolve to this stage? Even he doesn’t know.

“Why are you sighing?” Long Zhanye hugs Huo Zaiyuan from behind, kissing the top of his head. Snow white is the colour best suited for this person in his arms. It is the colour he years for the most, as well as the colour he is infatuated with. “I understand. You don’t wish to marry me, which is why you are sighing. Then forget it, I’ll tell them to stop, so don’t – ”

As he says this, he lets go of Huo Zaiyuan, turning around and preparing to walk out.

“Eh? Ah…hold on…” Seeing him turn away, genuine anxiety surfaces in Huo Zaiyuan’s heart. Swiftly, he reaches out to grab Long Zhanye’s wrist, a pretty red blush spreading across his cheeks. “I…I didn’t say I am unwilling. You…don’t you tell them to…”

A self-satisfied grin breaks out on Long Zhanye’s face. Spinning around, he wraps Huo Zaiyuan in a tight hug. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? Even if you are unwilling to marry me today, I would have forced you to do so…”

“How can a groom be like that…” Huo Zaiyuan blushes, smacking his chest before returning the hug. “I…I love you.”

“I love you too.”

No further words are exchanged as the couple displays their deep affection through a slow, scorching kiss.

After Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan gathered their group of friends and informed them of their plan to use the demon’s power and return to the Immortal Realm, Li Qing instantly raised the issue of performing a wedding ceremony for the couple. Before either of them can react, everyone else present nodded in agreement, then rushed off in various directions to busy themselves with the preparation.

While their group of friends are naturally happy that the two will be marrying, none will feel happier then Long Haotian. Because he is able to personally witness his treasured grandson finally forming a family of his own. The child he saw born, personally raised and will forever dote on.

The matter of Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan’s marriage was not announced to the public or even to the entire military district. They personally invited their group of close friends and a handful of subordinates, but the number of people who turn up is still not small. Presently, the building’s topmost level is already bustling with activity.

Although it is the apocalypse, this is still the wedding of A City’s senior officer Long Zhanye. Even if the ceremony is plain and simple, they still need to ensure the entire process goes smoothly, and nothing has been overlooked. For example, Long Zhanye’s ceremonial attire. Originally, the groom himself was going to wear his own ceremonial military uniform, but somehow, the soldiers are able to find a grand-looking, white and silver military uniform to act as the ceremonial attire. As for Huo Zaiyuan, even though in the soldiers’ eyes, he is the wife in this relationship, they still cannot make him wear a female bridal gown. Thus, the soldiers once again miraculously produce a Tang Dynasty style’s ceremonial robe that is a cheerful red[1]. The golden embroidery lining the hem and the surface of the fabric appears lavish and sumptuous. Tailored to fit him, the bottom portion of the robe is rather wide, resembling a dress. Coupled with an equally red and embroidered pair of cloth shoes, Huo Zaiyuan makes an extremely beautiful groom (bride). It is clear to see that in regards to their Boss’ wedding, the subordinates put in a lot of thought and effort.

As today is his wedding day, after his subordinates have observed and ensured their Boss will absolutely not become angry, they enact the traditional practice of separating the bride and groom during their respective preparation, not allowing them to meet face to face until the ceremony commences. Bringing Huo Zaiyuan to Li Qing and Qin Jun’s unit, the white-haired man has not gone out the door for the entire day, causing Long Zhanye to feel restless and itchy in his heart.

“I will go with you two…” Lian Xiang murmurs as he combs Huo Zaiyuan’s long, white hair.

“You may not.” Huo Zaiyuan rejects without the slightest hesitation. “Fan Yin paid the price of a long coma in order to send you down to the mortal realm. Besides helping me, he also helped you. Aren’t you afraid he will die from laughter should you return like this to the Immortal world?”

“Little Yuan, I am being serious.” Lian Xiang frowns, upset.

“I am also being serious. The last time you helped to transfer my soul into my spiritual vessel, your cultivation suffered a blow. If you insist on following us on this journey, with your current condition, your body will turn to dust and your soul scatter should you enter the rift between realms. I do not wish to needlessly lose a close friend.” Huo Zaiyuan smiles at Lian Xiang before his gaze deliberately turns to Mo Junfan, who is currently chatting with a few friends. “Furthermore, are you willing to part with him just like that?”

Following the direction of Huo Zaiyuan’s gaze, Lian Xiang stiffens and blushes, then glares at his friend. “Right now, I am talking about you. Don’t turn the topic around.”

“Well, how about this? Zhanye and I will return to the world of Immortals and wait for you.” Drawing Lian Xiang towards him, Huo Zaiyuan wraps his arms around the other’s waist and leans a cheek on his collarbone. “You are my first and closest friend. We know each other’s characters very well, do we not? I will absolutely not take risks if the outcome is not favourable.”

“Is that so…why do I feel like you…”

“Ai…trust me. With Zhanye by my side, I will definitely not act recklessly.”

“Un. That Heretical Dragon may not be too trustworthy, but as long as it concerns you, he is extremely reliable. With him around, I can feel relieved. Fine, I will let you off this once.” Rare is it that the headstrong Lian Xiang relents after setting his mind on something.

Huo Zaiyuan pulls back a little to scowl at his friend. “You don’t trust me?!”

“You have a bad record. Falling from the Righteous Winter Sky Gorge down to the mortal world, leading to reincarnation.”

Not being able to refute Lian Xiang’s words, Huo Zaiyuan can only sputter in indignation. “You…you have been tainted! You were never this eloquent before!!”

“Hmph.” Lian Xiang turns up his nose haughtily, ignoring his friend.

Before Huo Zaiyuan can open his mouth to speak again, Li Qing peeks into the room, a bright grin on his face. “Little Yuan, take a look at what I found!”

Holding the item in both hands like a treasure, Li Qing happily places it down in front of Huo Zaiyuan.

As soon as he sees the item, Huo Zaiyuan glares at Li Qing. “You want me to use this?”

“Of course! Today is your marriage ceremony between you and older brother Long. You must dress yourself up as beautifully as possible.” Li Qing nods, extremely serious.

Although a trace of reluctance can be seen on his face, Huo Zaiyuan eventually consents. “All right.”

For cultivators who possess a long lifespan, one can only marry once in their lifetime. Thus, a marriage ceremony is an unforgettable event for both parties involved. Also, on this day, he wants to show Zhanye his most beautiful image…

Under the soldiers’ instigation, Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan’s wedding ceremony will be a traditional one that involves a kneeling and bowing ritual. Once the Elder Taoist priest announces that the auspicious time has come, Huo Zaiyuan walks into Grandfather Long’s unit, accompanied by Li Qing and Lian Xiang.

A wide, joyful smile on his face, Long Haotian sits on a mahogany chair at the end of the hall as Long Zhanye stands in the middle. As soon as he spots Huo Zaiyuan, his eyes brighten, a dazzling smile with a trace of giddiness breaking out, both hands extending towards his beloved. Stunned exclamations and gasps of awe rise as everyone present finally catch sight of Huo Zaiyuan.

“Wah, eldest sister-in-law is indeed a super beauty ah!!”

“That’s right ah, that’s right ah! Boss really struck it big this time!”

“What do you mean?! Our Boss is an extremely handsome and confident man too ah!”

It’s not surprising a fervent of lively discussion breaks out amongst the soldiers as soon as Huo Zaiyuan walks in. Long, free-flowing, white hair half-tied and knotted at the back of his head[2], clad in a deep red traditional ceremonial wedding robe, matching cloth shoes on his feet, a rosy, flawless complexion bearing the slightest trace of make-up, his utterly captivating and beautiful mien will leave many a beauty in the dust.

Clasping Long Zhanye’s hand, the couple walks forward side by side a few paces, then kneels before Long Haotian. The entire house that was filled with chatter and noise a second before instantly quietens.

Following the silence, the Elder Taoist priest’s voice rings out. “First bow to the Heavens and Earth!”

“Second bow to the main hall!”

“Husband and husband mutual bow!”

“Send the newly-weds to the bridal chamber!”

The boisterous crowd cheerfully delivers Huo Zaiyuan to Long Zhanye’s unit while they surround the other man in a tight formation. Trying to get away from this sticky crowd will not be a simple task.

As the wedding reception’s feast is held in Long Haotian’s unit and Long Zhanye’s house is treated as the bridal chamber, this kind of scene surfaced…

“Heehee…Boss, today is your joyful occasion! As the main lead, you have to accompany us brothers for a small celebration, right?” A cup of wine in hand, a soldier grins.

“Correct ah, correct ah!”

“Boss, we will not return home if we are not drunk!” As he says this, another subordinate hands a large cup of wine to Long Zhanye.

Clearly, these soldiers who have experienced a lot of bullying under their Boss are taking this rare opportunity when he wouldn’t be angered to climb on his head and fool around.

Eyeing the group of soldiers harbouring evil intent behind their grins, Long Zhanye smirks and retreats a step. Only, he is suddenly flanked by Long Hongjian and You Nuandong, one from the left and one from the right.

Within the quiet room of Long Zhanye’s house, Huo Zaiyuan stares at the red ‘喆’ stuck on the wall, heart racing. Li Qing ran off to join the fun immediately after escorting Huo Zaiyuan into the room. Although there is no one else here, he doesn’t feel lonely.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he has lost count of the number of times he peeked at the tightly closed door. Each time he looks up, he feels a ball of nervousness in his gut, as though Long Zhanye will push the door open and walk in at any moment.

“Huu…” Is this how new brides feel whenever they await their husbands in the bridal chamber?

Who knows how long he waited before the nervous Huo Zaiyuan eventually decides to meditate. Else, if he continues to be so tensed, he will pass out from anxiety even before Long Zhanye returns.

Just as he prepared to settle down in meditation, the room’s door is pushed open to reveal Long Zhanye with an enormous smile on his face. “I’ve made you wait.”

“Eh…not really.” Huo Zaiyuan rises and stops directly in front of the other man. This close, he is able to smell the strong scent of alcohol emitting from him. Evidently, they managed to drag Long Zhanye into drinking quite a bit. “You came rather quickly. I thought…”

Before he can finish, a pair of lips blocks the rest of his words. “With such a beautiful new bride waiting for me at home, where do I have the mind to make merry with that bunch of monkeys?”

“Who — who’s your bride…” Huo Zaiyuan glares halfheartedly up at Long Zhanye.

“You, of course. Come, we haven’t exchanged nuptial wine yet.” Long Zhanye extends the arm he concealed behind him when he entered the room. A tray with a pot of wine and two red cups is presented to Huo Zaiyuan. “This was given to me by the Elder Taoist priest, to wish us an eternal, harmonious union. Here.”

Holding hands, the newlyweds sit at the table. Placing the tray down, Long Zhanye pours wine into the two cups. Before handing one over, he flicks a finger, injecting golden rays of light into the wine.

“Zhanye, you…”

“Little Yuan, drink it. From this day onwards, our souls are tied together. If you live, so will I. If you die, so will I. Let’s live and die together.”

A soft smile curving his lips, Huo Zaiyuan breaks the skin of his right index finger and presses his bloodied finger between Long Zhanye’s eyebrows. “Okay, let’s live and die together.”

Linking their arms with cups in hand, the two men drain the wine in one swallow. Putting his cup down, Long Zhanye tugs Huo Zaiyuan’s hand towards his mouth, kissing the finger with the broken skin. The drop of blood between his eyebrows disappears in a flash of silver, warming his heart.

“Each moment of a romantic night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Tonight belongs solely to you and me…”

The magnificent red ceremonial robe pools on the floor, followed by a white and silver military uniform. Within the warm and peaceful house, light pants and gasps fill the room, not ceasing for a very long time.