In the night, Mu Han personally went to Liu Shinian's residence to invite him. Upon entering, he saw Yue Yao and a group of maids present.
Liu Shinian was like a shining star, constantly attracting the attention of those around him.
"You are here too."
Mu Han stood at the door, speaking with a hint of awkwardness. He hadn't expected Liu Shinian to be so popular with the girls.
Seeing his slight embarrassment, Yue Yao rose to ease his discomfort.
"It's not proper for us young ladies to participate in your men's gathering. Brother Liu will be returning tomorrow, so let him have a good drink with you all."
Upon seeing Mu Han arrive, Liu Shinian emerged from the crowd of girls with a smile and said,
"Since the Protector has come to invite me, how can I refuse?"
He then turned back to the young ladies and said,
"You all stay with Yue Yao. I will be going ahead."
The girls did not reply, only watching him with reluctant eyes.
Seeing the reluctance in their eyes, Liu Shinian was momentarily transported back to the sisters of Qingfang Tower.
Snapping back to reality, he sighed softly and said to them,
"I haven't left yet, just going for a drink. There's no need for such reluctance."
The girls then sheepishly lowered their heads.
Liu Shinian turned his head to Yue Yao and said,
"Princess, I am leaving."
Hearing him call her Princess, she felt a sudden displeasure.
"Why do you still call me Princess? Call me Yue Yao."
Liu Shinian burst into carefree laughter, scratching his head and saying,
"Alright, alright, Yue Yao."
Mu Han, standing by, could no longer bear to watch. He suddenly felt like an eyesore and broke the beautiful moment.
"It's not like we're parting in life and death. Why all this sadness? Alright, let's go, my three brothers are getting impatient."
Liu Shinian smiled back and said,
"Let's go."
He then followed Mu Han out the door.
Yue Yao followed them to the door, watching his receding figure disappear around the dimly lit corner of the entrance.
It felt as if tomorrow was already here, and he would be leaving soon.
A hint of loneliness gradually appeared on her face, melancholic and dim. She felt a slight pain in her chest and reached up to cover it.
The maids, who had been quietly following behind, noticed her unusual behavior and stepped forward, surrounding her with concern.
"Princess, what is wrong?"
"Are you not feeling well?"
Yue Yao shook her head slightly, her face turning a pale white. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, only saying,
"For some reason, my chest hurts inexplicably."
Shui Xiao, who was usually quite perceptive in such matters, saw Yue Yao's worried expression and knew she had fallen for Liu Shinian.
Fearing she didn't realize it herself and might harm her health, she spoke directly.
"Princess, I suspect you are reluctant for Young Master Liu to leave.
He is a rare good man, and so charming. Anyone who sees him would unconsciously want him to stay."
Yue Yao was completely clueless. Although she liked him, she didn't understand what this heartache was. She asked blankly,
"Is there an antidote?"
The other young ladies let out a few giggles. Miao Yun, seeing that she was already deeply infatuated but unaware, explained,
"Princess, this is not an illness. You have fallen for Young Master Liu and are reluctant for him to leave."
"Fallen for him!"
Her face instantly turned crimson. From some unknown time, her mind had been filled with Liu Shinian.
Whenever she thought of him, her heart would fill with joy.
Now, she wished to see him every moment, to be by his side, even if it meant not speaking a word.
Yue Yao suddenly felt shy and quickly covered her face, asking in confusion,
"This... is this what it feels like to like someone?"
Shui Xiao replied,
"Yes, this is the feeling of liking someone."
Yue Yao was so shy that she didn't know what to do with herself. She ran back into her room, pacing lightly within, overjoyed.
Only now did she realize that this was what it meant to like someone.
After a while, she gradually calmed down and sat carefully on a stool.
Thinking that he would be leaving tomorrow, her eyes became sorrowful again.
The joy in her heart from the previous moment now ached intensely, and this time, the pain was even more unbearable.
Thinking further that after this parting, they would never meet again in this lifetime, she was overcome with pain and covered her face, shedding tears.
The young ladies crowded at the door, witnessing Yue Yao's surprised joy and then her sad tears, their hearts ached.
They all stepped forward, comforting her in a flurry of words.
"Princess, his departure is also unavoidable."
"Princess, seeing you cry makes me want to cry too."
"Princess, please stop thinking about him."
However, no matter how much they tried to console her, she could not stop her sadness.
Cai Yun, among the maids, understood Yue Yao's feelings and, in a moment of inspiration, came up with a good idea.
"Princess, Princess, I have a way for you and Young Master Liu to never be separated."
Upon hearing this, Yue Yao stopped crying and looked up at her slightly.
Cai Yun continued,
"Princess, you can ask the Chieftain to allow you to leave with Young Master Liu. The Chieftain dotes on you so much, she will surely agree."
Hope gradually appeared in Bi Yao's eyes. She clenched her fists slightly, wiped away her tears, and said with determination,
"Alright, I will go talk to Father. I can definitely leave with Brother Liu."
The other young ladies also cheered her on.
"Princess, you can do it."
"Princess, go for it."
"Princess is the best."
With everyone's support, Yue Yao became full of confidence and said again with determination,
"Alright, no matter what, I will try. You all wait here for me."
"Okay."
With that, she rose and left the room, heading towards the main hall.
...
Liu Shinian followed Mu Han to the seaside. Beside the peach grove, there was a patch of grassland connected to the sandy soil.
On that grassland sat three men with an abundance of fine wine and delicacies.
Here, one could feel the refreshing sea breeze and smell the fragrance of peach blossoms. It was truly a blessed spot.
Upon seeing Liu Shinian arrive, the three men rose in unison to greet him.
"Young Master Liu, you are here."
Liu Shinian smiled at them and said,
"This place is truly wonderful. Only Penglai Island has such beautiful scenery."
Qing Yu, one of the Four Protectors, chimed in,
"If you like it, you can return and stay for a long time in the future."
Liu Shinian, however, waved his hand, politely declining.
"Hahaha, my Ghost King would not easily let me return."
"Catch!"
Tian Long threw a wine bottle. Liu Shinian caught it with ease, tilted his head back, and drank, his eyes immediately lighting up. He praised,
"Good wine, good wine."
"My wine is meant to be savored slowly to appreciate its flavor. However, paired with sword dancing, it offers a unique charm."
As he spoke, he drew his sword, holding wine in one hand and dancing with the sword in the other. His posture was half-drunk, half-awake, yet fluid and casual.
Dancing with the sword, he performed the "Spring Evening Drunk," embodying the spirit of a drinker.
Liu Shinian had witnessed countless sword dances, but Tian Long's possessed a deeper artistic conception. He couldn't help but clap and exclaim,
"Excellent!"
Then, Wang Yuan also drew his sword, merging it with Tian Long's. He then lifted the wine and let it land on his sword.
Stepping forward and bending, he guided his sword to Tian Long's, who caught the wine, spun, and offered it to Liu Shinian.
Liu Shinian's eyes brightened. He drew his sword, flicked the wine cup with it, and then beneath the wine, he executed a move called "Sword Shadow."
The sword changed rapidly, his movements so swift that the techniques were indiscernible. He then plunged his sword into the ground, bending over to rest on its hilt.
He waited for the wine cup to fall, intercepting it with one hand and drinking it down.
The four men, witnessing this technique, found it absolutely brilliant and applauded together, exclaiming,
"Excellent swordsmanship, excellent swordsmanship."
Liu Shinian stood up and sheathed his sword, humbly saying,
"A mere trifle, still lacking a bit of the wine's spirit."
Wang Yuan smiled and asked him,
"Few people can learn your swordsmanship. But I wonder, can this wine be savored to the point of never getting drunk?"
Liu Shinian replied,
"We'll only know if we drink it."
With that, he raised the wine bottle and drank it all. Those beside him, not to be outdone, followed suit and drank heartily.
...
Yue Yao searched several places but couldn't find the Chieftain. She was determined not to give up until she saw him.
She hurried to search again and suddenly remembered that the Chieftain often went to the side room behind the Penglai Main Hall. She wondered if he might be there.
So, she rushed to the back courtyard and, upon reaching the side room, saw that it was brightly lit, with a figure pacing inside.
She recognized the figure instantly – it was her father.
She ran quickly, burst through the door, and pounced into the Chieftain's arms, acting spoiled.
"Father, I have something I want to tell you."
Seeing her act so spoiled, the Chieftain knew she had something to ask of him and said with mock annoyance,
"Whenever you act spoiled, it's never good news. Speak up, what trouble have you gotten into now?"
Yue Yao pouted and then said,
"I haven't gotten into any trouble! Father, I want to go back to Black Mountain with Brother Liu."
"What!"
The Chieftain's eyes widened in disbelief, thinking she was joking. He waved his hand and said,
"I will not allow you to go."
Yue Yao knew that arguing this way wouldn't work, so she dropped her spoiled demeanor and began to analyze the situation seriously for the Chieftain.
"Father, our Merfolk tribe has rarely ventured onto land for thousands of years, and we know very little about the outside world.
Now that we have allied with the Myriad Ghost King, we cannot rely solely on written correspondence. We should send someone to observe and then make further plans."
The Chieftain had already considered these matters.
"You don't need to worry. I have already made arrangements. Tian Long will accompany you."
Yue Yao grew a little anxious and elaborated further.
"I've heard that the Myriad Ghost King is a woman. Tian Long is a burly man; how can he understand a woman's thoughts?
As a woman, it would be more convenient for me to interact with the Myriad Ghost King and better understand her movements."
The Chieftain knew her intentions but still resolutely shook his head and refused.
"Yue Yao, you have never left home and do not know the dangers of this world.
Currently, the Ghost Clan and the Four Cities are irreconcilable, with constant warfare. If you go, it will be very unsafe."
Yue Yao, however, had made up her mind.
"Father, as the Princess of the Merfolk tribe, if I have no worldly experience and no social skills, how can I support such a large group of Merfolk in the future?
How can I bring happiness to our people? If I cannot endure even a little hardship, how will I face the threats from the Four Cities in the future?
Father, please let me go and gain some experience. I cannot be an ordinary person."
The Chieftain pondered carefully and felt that Yue Yao's words were not unreasonable.
While the Ghost Clan and the Four Cities were enemies, the same could be said for the Merfolk tribe.
If the Merfolk tribe were to face the Four Cities in the future, and no one knew how to resolve the crisis or take the lead, what would happen?
Although the position of Chieftain might not necessarily fall to Yue Yao, if Bi Yao lacked experience, what would become of her after the Chieftain was gone?
Thinking this way, he gradually came to understand and said to Yue Yao,
"Since you wish to go, I will not stop you. Let Tian Long accompany you."
Upon hearing her father relent, Yue Yao became immensely excited, her joy almost bursting forth. She exclaimed excitedly,
"Thank you, Father!"
She then skipped back happily. The Chieftain watched the jubilant Yue Yao run away, shaking his head slightly and sighing,
"A daughter grows up and leaves the nest."
...
Early the next morning, the Chieftain sent someone to summon Liu Shinian to his residence.
Liu Shinian, with a joyful expression, followed the messenger towards the main courtyard. Although he had drunk some wine last night, it did not affect him.
After all, he had a little-known nickname: "Never Drunk."
Upon arriving at the main courtyard and entering the reception hall, he found no one there. The person who led him there bowed slightly and departed.
Liu Shinian felt a bit puzzled but didn't dwell on it, simply waiting quietly.
Soon, the Chieftain walked in alone. Liu Shinian hurried forward to greet him respectfully, saying,
"Chieftain, you are here."
The Chieftain coughed twice upon seeing him and took a letter from his sleeve, placing it on the table.
Liu Shinian's eyes lit up, and just as he was about to take it, the Chieftain placed a hand on it.
He looked up at the Chieftain in confusion.
The Chieftain picked up the letter again and then began to speak of his concerns.
"Perhaps you do not know, but this old man has only one daughter, Yue Yao."
Liu Shinian listened, somewhat bewildered. The Chieftain continued,
"My daughter is proud and looks down on everyone. I have always been worried about her marriage.
However, fortunately, Young Master Liu, you have upright character, courage, and insight. It would be best if my daughter were to marry you."
Liu Shinian finally understood that he intended to betroth Yue Yao to him. However, his heart belonged to another, and he immediately refused.
"Chieftain, this cannot be. The Princess is of noble birth, and I am but a lowly commoner. How can I be worthy of the Princess?"
The Chieftain had anticipated his response and said,
"You need not worry. Since ancient times, a wife follows her husband.
Once Yue Yao marries you, she will be yours. There is no need to be concerned about the Princess's noble status; it is all talk.
I can see that you are a good man, and you will surely treat Yue Yao well."
Liu Shinian frowned. This marriage, no matter what, he absolutely could not accept.
"This junior is truly unworthy of the Princess. Furthermore, I am here merely as an envoy, for the better cooperation between our two tribes.
My mission is complete, and I must return quickly to report."
Seeing Liu Shinian repeatedly refuse, the Chieftain knew he was unwilling to accept the marriage and decided to use his trump card.
"You are one of the Myriad Ghost King's people. As long as you and Yue Yao marry, it will signify a union between the Ghost Clan and the Merfolk tribe.
From now on, the Merfolk tribe and the Ghost Clan will be one family, and we can better unite against the Four Cities."
He hadn't expected the Chieftain to use Yue Yao's marriage to bring up the Four Cities as a reason. This was an implication of his purpose for this trip.
Liu Shinian also hadn't expected the Chieftain to use the alliance as leverage to force him.
However, he couldn't understand why the Chieftain was so set on him, an ordinary and unremarkable individual.
He wanted to refuse but remembered Black Mountain, his brothers who were waiting for his return, and the words Mu Ye had spoken to him that night.
"I want you to go to the vast ocean and find the Merfolk tribe, and persuade them to form an alliance with us, by any means necessary."
By any means necessary, forming an alliance with the Merfolk tribe through marriage was the best way.
For the sake of the Ghost Clan, and for Mu Ye, he had no choice but to compromise, finally bowing to reality and kneeling, saying,