In the evening, a gentle breeze stirred. There was no moon, and the entire sky was a vast expanse of darkness. Yet, beneath this night sky, the Western Lin royal palace was ablaze with lights, a sea of fiery red.
Tonight, no one dared to drink too much, for tomorrow they would have to drink even more at the wedding.
I had originally been in the garden, lost in thought, but as I pondered, I ended up falling asleep on the stone table.
At this moment, the Myriad Ghost King flew out of my body. He circled around me a few times before finally transforming into human form and landing by the stone table.
Then, he waved his hand, broke off a branch, and poked it towards my head.
I was sleeping soundly when his poking annoyed me. I slowly woke up to see a large dark figure sitting before me. Startled, I cried out.
"A ghost!"
The Myriad Ghost King retorted impatiently, "What ghost are you talking about? Look properly at who I am."
I rubbed my eyes and leaned closer, finally sensing that he was indeed my Myriad Ghost King.
To my surprise, I exclaimed, "How did you turn into human form? Weren't you always just a mass of dark energy?"
He coughed lightly twice and explained, "Lately, I've been feeling exceptionally energetic and spirited, so I decided to take on a human form and stroll around."
Looking at his dark, shadowy figure, which resembled a silhouette against the night sky, I couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Why don't you try transforming into someone else for a change?"
"Good idea."
With that, he transformed into the likeness of Liu Shinian. I asked with some confusion, "Why transform into his appearance?"
The Myriad Ghost King, in Liu Shinian's guise, crossed his legs and explained leisurely, "I am most familiar with this appearance."
Just then, two pairs of people carrying wedding attire walked through the garden. The Myriad Ghost King asked curiously, "Where are they going?"
"They must be delivering wedding clothes to Helián and Wu Dao."
Hearing my words, he had a sudden inspiration. He transformed himself into a bright red robe and, turning around, asked me, "How do I look? Am I handsome?"
I turned to look. I saw him, in Liu Shinian's form, wearing a bright red wedding robe, his face full of curiosity as he asked if he looked good.
My heart stirred slightly. Although I knew it was the Myriad Ghost King, he was using Liu Shinian's appearance.
I thought that if Liu Shinian were to get married, he would likely look like this, adorned in bright red attire, his face beaming with joy.
"Hey, tell me if I look good or not," the Myriad Ghost King asked impatiently.
"You look good, like a big red flower."
He couldn't help but laugh and praised himself, "Right? I think so too."
At that moment, Liu Shinian happened to be walking over from Wu Dao's separate courtyard. Passing the garden, he heard the noise from this direction.
He turned his head and, in the lamplight, saw a bizarre scene.
He saw someone exactly like him, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, twirling around in front of Muyè with a beaming smile.
Liu Shinian wondered, "Why am I there?" Then, realizing something was amiss, he crept forward stealthily.
The Myriad Ghost King, laughing heartily, sat on the railing, looking smug.
"It's a pity I arrived too early, otherwise, I would have had the chance to wear this wedding robe too." He still felt a hint of regret.
I comforted him, "It's alright. If you didn't have the chance before, you have it now. Wear it as much as you like."
"That's true. I wonder if there will be another chance in the future."
Just then, the sound of a sword being unsheathed suddenly echoed through the wind.
Following that, a figure leaped out of the darkness and thrust a sword towards the Myriad Ghost King.
The Myriad Ghost King rose swiftly, dodged, and with both hands, caught Liu Shinian's sword. I was also greatly surprised and quickly called out to him, "Liu Shinian, what are you doing?"
Liu Shinian angrily retorted, "This monster! He's impersonating me to confuse you. Watch me kill him!"
The Myriad Ghost King laughed heartily, kicked his sword away, and said, "Kid, you're still not skilled enough to kill me."
Liu Shinian, disregarding everything, swung his sword again. The Myriad Ghost King sidestepped and, with one hand, spewed out black energy, controlling Liu Shinian's sword.
Only then did Liu Shinian realize, "You are the Myriad Ghost King?"
The Myriad Ghost King laughed heartily and replied, "Finally, you recognize me."
Liu Shinian then withdrew his sword and questioned him.
"Why were you talking to Muyè using my appearance? And what's with that red robe?"
The Myriad Ghost King said proudly.
"I thought your appearance was good, so I borrowed it. I've never been married in my life, so I wanted to try wearing it. What do you think of my attire?"
Saying this, he spun in a circle in front of Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian was speechless. Although it was his own face, seeing it on someone else felt incredibly awkward.
Moreover, this somewhat chuunibyou demeanor did not match his handsome and refined image.
Then, Liu Shinian asked suspiciously, "You haven't been transforming into my likeness to secretly meet with Muyè often, have you?"
The Myriad Ghost King pouted.
"Not that often, this is only the second time. And your talk of secret meetings is too much of a wild guess. When I do things, I do them openly."
What he said seemed to spark further imagination.
"What? You've done such things?" Liu Shinian's eyes widened in disbelief.
I quickly explained, "It's not the kind of relationship you're thinking of. The Myriad Ghost King means that whatever he does, he does it openly and not sneakily."
The Myriad Ghost King scoffed, "Haven't we, Muyè and I, hugged, embraced, held hands, and talked about romances? These are all very normal things."
Liu Shinian's face immediately turned grim. He suppressed his anger and asked, "Were you doing it using my appearance?"
"Yes, so what?" The Myriad Ghost King seemed indifferent.
A sudden surge of anger filled Liu Shinian's heart. He picked up his sword, ready to strike, and felt a pang of sorrow.
"Heavens, you've done things with my appearance that I haven't even done, and you even held hands! Held hands!
Using my appearance, I've never even properly held hands. Couldn't you have told me so I could do it myself? Why do all the good things pass me by?"
He then chased the Myriad Ghost King furiously, swinging his sword. Seeing his contorted face and rising temper, the Myriad Ghost King didn't fight back but simply kept running.
"Is it that serious?" the Myriad Ghost King asked helplessly.
"Extremely serious."
"You're just jealous, pure and simple jealousy."
"Hurry up and change back to your dark form. You've taken all the good things, and I haven't even properly held hands."
The Myriad Ghost King was utterly speechless, and I also found it quite strange. The Myriad Ghost King tore off the red robe and threw it over Liu Shinian's head, then reverted to his original form, saying aggrievedly.
"I'm not playing with you anymore, you human-shaped inhuman fellow, pfft!"
After his complaint, he flew back into my body. The red robe also vanished.
Liu Shinian turned around, sheathed his sword, and looked at me somewhat sheepishly. "Muyè, would you like me to escort you back?"
I smiled slightly, finding him quite endearing, and replied, "Alright, then you can escort me back."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. I didn't know how I would face Qiuyu once we returned. So, I changed my mind and said, "I'll sleep at your place tonight."
"My place?" He suddenly fantasized about me sharing his bed, and wondered what he should do.
"Don't get any wild ideas. I'm not sleeping with you; you'll sleep on the floor, and I'll sleep on the bed."
"That's unfair."
"This world is inherently unfair. Let's go."
Saying this, I strode ahead of him, leaving him to follow behind helplessly.
This night, some rejoiced, while others worried.
The next morning, Liu Shinian and I hurried to the main hall. Soon after, everyone else began to arrive.
Since the occasion could not be without Yan Niang, she was brought out from the ice cellar to attend the wedding.
Qiuyu, already dressed in her bright red wedding attire, sat in her room. The matchmaker, who had been invited to assist, looked at her with a troubled expression.
She didn't look like someone about to get married at all, but this was not an unusual situation for the matchmaker.
She took a piece of candy from a nearby plate and offered it to Helián, saying.
"Today is your auspicious day, young lady. No matter how reluctant you may have been in the past, let it go today.
After eating this candy, you will live a harmonious and joyful life."
Helián lowered her head slightly to look at the wedding candy. Then, following her words, she picked up the candy and placed it in her mouth.
At this moment, a young maid ran in from outside to deliver a message.
"The main hall is full, and everyone is waiting for you, Madam. When can we go?"
Helián, without waiting for a reply, immediately said, "Let's go now."
"Alright."
The matchmaker agreed, picked up the red veil, and placed it over Helián's head. Then, she supported her as they left the sleeping quarters.
As she stepped out the door, she looked back with reluctance, sighed helplessly, and headed towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, the Demon King naturally occupied the main seat. To the Demon King's lower left was Lin'er. To the immediate left were Hei Yun, Yan Niang, and Liu Mei.
To the right were the four elders, followed by the Twelve Star Generals, the Twenty-Four Mountain Masters, and various generals.
At this moment, a loud shout was heard, "The bride and groom have arrived!"
From the entrance of the main hall, a newlywed couple walked in: Wu Dao and Helián, each holding one end of the red silk flower.
Helián, supported by the matchmaker, followed the groom to the center of the main hall and approached the Demon King.
At this moment, everyone watched with smiles, eagerly anticipating the next step.
Then, the matchmaker called out, "First bow to heaven and earth."
Qiuyu and Bi Shouyuan slowly turned and bowed towards the outside of the hall.
"Second bow to the elders."
The couple turned around and bowed towards the elders.
The maid who had delivered the message earlier had also conveyed the Demon King's instructions to the matchmaker: when announcing the bows, they were also to bow to Master Hei and Madam Hei.
They were the true rulers of Black Mountain and could be considered Bi Shouyuan's quasi-mother-in-law and father-in-law. They also had to bow to the four elders and the venerable ones.
These four were the oldest members of the entire clan and deserved to be kowtowed to. The elders had also provided considerable assistance to Wu Dao, making it natural to bow to them.
Therefore, after announcing the second bow, the matchmaker declared, "Third bow to Master Hei and Madam Hei."
Hei Yun and Yan Niang were slightly surprised but considered it reasonable.
Thus, Wu Dao and Helián knelt and bowed towards Hei Yun and Yan Niang.
"Fourth bow to the four elders and venerable ones."
Helián and Wu Dao then knelt and bowed to the elders and venerable ones.
Finally, the matchmaker announced, "Couple's mutual bow."
The two finally turned to face each other and performed a mutual salute.
"The rites are complete."
"Excellent!" As the ceremony concluded, the entire hall erupted in joyful cheers.
I rose and walked towards them. Taking a safety charm, a gift from Helián, from my怀里, I handed it to Wu Dao.
"This was originally a gift from Helián, but I believe you need it more than I do. From now on, you will protect Helián on my behalf."
"Thank you, Demon King. I will treat Helián well."
Helián lowered her head to look. Unhappy, she reached out, took the safety charm from his hand, and returned it to me.
"There's no reason to take back something that has been given. He doesn't need this."
I was momentarily stunned, unsure whether to accept it or not. At this moment, Lin'er stepped forward, took the safety charm for me, and placed it back in my hand. kuAiδugg
Then, she called a maid to bring a pair of twin jade pendants and presented them to the couple.
"These are twin jade pendants, symbolizing abundant offspring and blessings. We hope you will live harmoniously and happily in the years to come."
"Thank you, Elder." The two thanked her simultaneously and then accepted the jade pendants together.
At this point, the matchmaker said, "My Lord, do you think it's time to escort them to the bridal chamber?"
"Yes, yes, escort them to the bridal chamber."
Thus, Helián and Wu Dao turned and walked towards the exit. At this moment, a group of children ran in from outside, offering their blessings.
"Wishing brother and sister a happy union and many children!"
"Wishing brother and sister happiness and harmony!"
"Wishing brother and sister a sweeter life and a better future!"
The matchmaker quickly handed the prepared red envelopes to the bride and groom for them to distribute to the children.
This is what is commonly known in folk tradition as "讨喜" (taoxi, seeking good fortune).
Seeing that the wedding was complete, I felt a great sense of relief.
At this moment, someone called out, "Demon King, hurry and let us go! We need to go and tease the newlyweds!"
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright, then hurry along."
"Thank you, Demon King."
With that, they swarmed towards Bi Shouyuan's residence, perhaps also to eavesdrop.
At this time, Yan Niang stood up and said, "Demon King, my weaving is not yet finished. I must go and attend to it first."
"Madam, you are working extremely hard. Shall I assign some people to help you?"
She waved her hand, saying, "No need. They wouldn't be able to help anyway."
"In that case, it will be arduous for you, Madam."
"It's no trouble, Demon King. I'll be going now."
"Very well."
With that, Yan Niang returned to the ice cellar to busy herself. Hei Yun then proactively approached and said, "Demon King, is there anything you need my help with?"
"Today is an auspicious day, there's nothing urgent to attend to, except that tonight we must drink a few more glasses."
"That's a must."
At this point, the Eternal Elder called out to him, "Black Mountain Lord, we have been in your Black Mountain for a long time and have not met. This is our first time today, isn't it?"
Hei Yun replied, "Yes, I have only heard of the elders but have never had the chance to meet them. Today, I am fortunate to meet all four elders at once."
Elder Hei Yi said, "I find the Black Mountain Lord to be dignified and talented. You must also be a learned sage."
"I have read a few books, but I wouldn't call myself a sage. If the elders do not mind, I would like to seek your advice on governance."
"That would be good. We were just looking for someone to talk to."
Thus, the few hit it off and left me and Lin'er to chat amongst ourselves. At this time, Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng also stepped forward and said.
"Muyè, for tonight's wedding banquet, Xue Ge and I still need to prepare."
"Alright, you may go."
After they left, Liu Shinian slowly stood up and asked us, "Shall we go and see Qiuyu and Xiao Yuan?"
Lin'er smiled, "There's no need, is there? There are so many people there."
"Then where shall we go?"
"Let's just wander around and wait for dinner."
"We're thinking the same thing."
Thus, the three of us wandered around the royal palace, simply waiting for dinner in the evening.