Chapter 66: Deliberation
The night passed without incident.
The next day arrived.
Lu Changfeng and Chunzhu both rose early to wash up and change into formal attire.
Chunzhu set out first thing in the morning to the Round Saber Martial Arts Hall to invite Zhou Feng and Sunx Yu.
Lu Changfeng sat upright in the main hall, waiting.
Behind him stood several True Disciples.
Zhao Xingtian, the dignified Young Sect Leader of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, was being guarded by two Six-colored Disciples of the Taihong Association, forced to sit to one side, having lost his freedom.
However, his expression was calm.
Zhao Xingtian had come to accept his situation.
’It’s just a marriage, after all.’
He had also learned about the Taihong Association’s rules.
After the wedding, after sowing his seed and giving her the status of his wife, he would be free to leave.
Zhao Xingtian had already made up his mind to leave at the first possible opportunity.
Without the Taihong Association’s help, Hong Xiangxiang wouldn’t be able to hold him. Once he returned to the Xuanyuan Sword Sect, he would be free.
He would never set foot in Jiangnan Prefecture again for the rest of his life...
A commotion was heard from outside the Martial Arts Hall.
A Martial Arts Hall disciple, Cui Tianyu, came running in to deliver a message to Lu Changfeng.
Chunzhu hadn’t returned yet, but the people from the Taihong Association had arrived.
Lu Changfeng rose and led his True Disciples out to the training grounds to greet them.
On the training grounds, a large group from the Taihong Association was striding forward.
The Taihong Association placed great importance on the Saintess’s wedding. The one leading them was the current High Priest of the Taihong Association, a man in a Gray Robe who appeared to be around sixty years old.
The High Priest’s status was similar to that of a Sect’s Sect Leader.
He was a figure on the same level as Luo Tianhao of the Broken Moon Sect.
Behind him were two Seven-colored Disciples completely shrouded in Seven-Colored Robes, their auras immensely powerful.
Following them were six Six-colored Disciples, with Hong Liang among them.
Surrounded by the disciples in the very center was a young woman with sweet features, a voluptuous figure, and dressed in a white gown. This must be the Taihong Association’s Saintess, Hong Xiangxiang.
"You must be Master Lu. A young talent, indeed."
The Taihong Association’s High Priest spoke politely, his gaze subtly drifting toward the spot between Lu Changfeng’s eyebrows.
Even with the Taihong Association’s profound resources, they hadn’t been able to figure out the origin of the technique that could hide a move between one’s brows to protect a disciple.
Lu Changfeng’s fame had truly resounded throughout Jiangnan Prefecture these past two days.
Lu Changfeng stepped forward and gestured in welcome. "This way, High Priest. Let’s go inside to talk."
"Very well!" The High Priest nodded and led his retinue forward.
Facing these Bone Refining Powerhouses, Lu Changfeng’s few True Disciples looked slightly nervous, but at the same time, they were even more proud, each holding their heads high and puffing out their chests.
"Greetings, brother-in-law!" Saintess Hong Xiangxiang said in a sweet, delicate voice as she passed by Lu Changfeng.
With her sweet features and voice, she really didn’t seem like the type of person who would have someone ambushed.
’Brother-in-law? It seems the Taihong Association has figured out my relationship with Zhao Xingtian.’
That one "brother-in-law" also expressed the Taihong Association’s determination to see this marriage through, no matter what.
"No need for formalities. Please, go on in and have a seat, Saintess Xiangxiang. Zhao Xingtian is sitting inside," Lu Changfeng said.
The Saintess’s gaze lingered on Lu Changfeng for a few moments before she nodded and stepped inside.
Lu Changfeng felt that something was off.
But he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.
Shaking his head, he followed a few steps behind the High Priest, leading the guests to their seats.
In that short time, Lu Changfeng had already inspected everyone’s Talent Root Bone.
The High Priest and the two Seven-colored Disciples all had Upper A Root Bones.
The two Seven-colored Disciples had two Low-Grade Martial Talents.
The High Priest, however, had one Middle Grade Martial Talent, [Illusion Technique], which seemed to be a rare Spiritual Class Martial Talent.
The Saintess’s Root Bone and Talent were about the same as the several Six-colored Disciples—she could be considered an ordinary genius, but not outstanding.
’The Taihong Association’s Saintess is probably chosen more for her looks and background.’
Among the group, Lu Changfeng didn’t find any Bloodline Talents that excited him.
If it was just an Upper A Root Bone and ordinary Martial Talents, with the reputation Lu Changfeng had now made for himself in Jiangzhou, it would actually be very easy to find someone to copy them from.
Therefore, after scanning everyone’s Talents, Lu Changfeng stopped paying attention to them and focused instead on Zhao Xingtian’s wedding.
If he could settle Zhao Xingtian’s wedding, it would be a fine accomplishment.
The guests took their seats.
Lu Changfeng gave a dry cough and began, "AHEM, I am Zhao Xingtian’s close friend. He doesn’t have many friends here, and it’s likely too late to rush back and notify the elders of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect. Therefore, I will be the witness for the groom’s side in this wedding."
The High Priest clapped his hands. "Excellent! Master Lu, you are a young talent, a Hidden Dragon of the current Martial Arts Realm. Having you as the witness gives our Taihong Association a great deal of face."
The High Priest added, "Let’s set the wedding date for tomorrow. What do you say, Master Lu?"
Lu Changfeng was slightly taken aback. ’This High Priest is even more impatient than Hong Liang was yesterday.’
Lu Changfeng glanced at Zhao Xingtian and saw his indifferent expression. Saintess Hong Xiangxiang was sitting primly across from him, her beautiful eyes gazing at Zhao Xingtian with deep affection.
Lu Changfeng once again felt that something was off. ’With such an infatuated look, would this woman really send people to attack Zhao Xingtian?’
Seeing that Zhao Xingtian didn’t object, Lu Changfeng nodded. "Alright. We’ll do as the High Priest says."
Just then, Chunzhu entered with Senior Brother Zhou Feng and his wife, Sunx Yu.
Lu Changfeng introduced them to the High Priest.
Because of Lu Changfeng, the Taihong Association’s High Priest was also extremely polite to Zhou Feng and his wife.
Zhou Feng was quite flattered and amazed. He was just the master of an ordinary Martial Arts Hall, a common Low-Grade Martial Artist.
The High Priest wasn’t just any Bone Refining Realm powerhouse; he was the leader of the Taihong Association.
If not for Junior Brother Lu, he would never have received such courteous treatment.
Overcome with emotion, Zhou Feng also felt a great sense of pride for Lu Changfeng.
’Junior Brother Lu has not only built a successful enterprise, but he’s also made a great name for himself in the Martial Arts Realm and is on the Hidden Dragon List. If Master could see his disciple being so outstanding from the heavens, he could probably rest in peace.’
With Zhou Feng and Sunx Yu’s arrival, they could begin discussing the wedding details.
This included the decorations for the Martial Arts Hall, the ceremonial robes, the invited guests, and so on.
"As for the guests, our Taihong Association will select a restaurant in Jiangzhou Prefecture for a grand celebration. Here at the Martial Arts Hall, you need only set up a few tables to entertain your own guests," the High Priest said.
Sunx Yu nodded slightly. "Then, what time tomorrow should we go to pick up the bride?"
"Pick up the bride? Tomorrow morning, our Taihong Association will come to the Martial Arts Hall to pick up the groom. You just need to be ready," the High Priest said.
Sunx Yu was stunned, but Zhou Feng, quick-witted, swiftly stopped her from asking any further questions.
After he whispered a few words in her ear, Sunx Yu was astonished. So for this wedding, the bride’s side was coming to pick up the groom.
’A wedding for the Taihong Association’s Saintess is truly extraordinary.’
’Doesn’t that mean the Young Sect Leader of the Xuanyuan Sword Sect is marrying into her family?’
Sunx Yu glanced at Zhao Xingtian without a trace of her thoughts showing, thinking to herself, ’The Young Sect Leader is quite the romantic, but the Saintess truly has the beauty of a celestial fairy.’
Once the nature of the union was clarified, the rest of the discussion became much simpler.
After about half an hour, the entire wedding process had been planned out.
Besides making an appearance at the Martial Arts Hall, Lu Changfeng would also have to go to the restaurant tomorrow evening to welcome the Taihong Association’s guests alongside their High Priest.
Of course, Lu Changfeng would not have to pay for the restaurant.
The Taihong Association would also be giving a grand gift to Lu Changfeng as a new in-law.
Once the discussions were complete, the Taihong Association departed with the Saintess.
Lu Changfeng then had his disciples begin decorating the Martial Arts Hall in preparation for the next day’s wedding.
Zhao Xingtian was also dragged away by Zhou Feng and the others to have a wedding outfit tailored for him.
...
「Jiangzhou.」
「An inn somewhere.」
Two young men were drinking morning wine in a corner of the main hall.
One of the youths, his face slightly flushed from the alcohol, said, "The Taihong Association’s Saintess is getting married? Then the Taihong Association’s Holy Stone should make an appearance. If I steal the Holy Stone, my name as the Thief Saint will surpass..."