The Eighth

The eighth day of the ninth month was the wedding day of Qū Dōng Liú, sect leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect, and Yuè Bì Yún, mistress of the Moon Worship Palace.

While the sky was still dim in the early morning, the disciples on the mountain had already crawled out of their warm beds, dressed themselves, and set about the tasks assigned to them earlier.

Some helped in the rear kitchen. There would be two banquets that day, one at noon and one in the evening, with thirty-five tables at each. Every table would have nineteen dishes, including soups, pastries, cold dishes, and hot dishes, for the sect members and disciples to enjoy. Time was tight and the workload heavy, so they had to start bustling about from dawn.

Other disciples took the red cloth and festive characters prepared in advance from the storerooms and hung them throughout every corner of the mountain gate. Though they could not broadly invite fellow martial artists, they still had to spread the festive cheer within their own home.

As for Duàn Yì, he had long developed the habit of sleeping late, rising early, and swallowing saliva to cultivate his qi, so he got up even earlier than most disciples.

Wearing casual clothes, he left the residence as usual. Among the mountain forests, he breathed in and out amid the natural fragrance, cultivating his internal energy. Strands of true qi arose, nourishing his meridians, flesh, and blood before converging within his dantian, growing ever deeper and stronger.

Afterward, he practiced swordsmanship, lightness skills, Minor Capturing Hand, and other martial arts. His mastery had grown increasingly profound, and only when the sky was fully bright did he return to the residence.

He cleansed his body and face with clear water, then changed into a crisp, comfortable set of luxurious blue robes. A red silk ribbon atop his head bound his long hair, which hung down on either side. He looked clean and neat, and paired with that flawless face, he could only be described with one word: perfect.

When he arrived at the inner hall, Duàn Yì saw Bái Xī Wén, who had likewise changed into new clothes, drinking millet porridge at the dining table. He looked quite refined, yet the vertical crease between his brows revealed a touch of melancholy.

"Brother Bái, don't worry. I already told you that Sister Yuè won't act rashly."

Duàn Yì thought Bái Xī Wén was worried that Yuè Jiāo Nú would come and cause trouble, so he wanted to set his mind at ease.

Yet Bái Xī Wén shook his head, set down the porcelain bowl in his hand, and said gravely,

"Qū Dōng Liú informed me last night that the mountain may not be very peaceful today. When you go out later, wear your sword at your waist in case something unexpected happens."

A sword was a weapon of violence. Carrying one could certainly serve for self-defense, but on a day filled with such joyous celebration, it was truly against propriety. Thus, Duàn Yì had left the Ten Refinements Sword in his room that morning.

Now that Bái Xī Wén permitted him to carry a sword, there was nothing to avoid. Duàn Yì was rather pleased, for most of his martial skill now lay in his swordsmanship. Without a sword in hand, he always felt as though he lacked a sense of security.

Duàn Yì then sat down to eat as well. Seeing a brocade box resting on the empty chair beside the table, he was somewhat puzzled.

"What is this?"

"No matter what, Qū Dōng Liú is my senior brother. Since he is getting married, I cannot fail to offer a wedding gift. Inside is a white jade statue of Guanyin Bestowing Sons."

Duàn Yì did not dare ask further. He had spent some time on the mountain and learned the essence of the Pure Yang Divine Skill: once one married and consummated the marriage, more than half of the skill would be ruined. Yet he did not understand the deeper meaning behind Bái Xī Wén's gift.

But this time, he was mistaken. When people married, wishing them many children and grandchildren was only natural. Why did it have to carry some further implication?

Once the two had finished preparing, they headed all the way up to the mountaintop. Bái Xī Wén walked in front, while Duàn Yì followed behind carrying the gift box.

The Golden Cauldron Sect disciples they encountered were all beaming with joy. Their yellow outer robes bore large red flowers along the edges, and upon seeing the two, they greeted them one after another as Martial Uncle Bái and Junior Brother Duàn.

Bái Xī Wén's expression remained as usual, clearly accustomed to it already. Duàn Yì, however, found it rather novel. He had no idea when he had gained such fame that every disciple he encountered could recognize him.

"Do not belittle yourself. Though you have trained in martial arts for only a short time, your skills are not weak. Not only on the mountain, but many people below it know the name Duàn Yì as well. All the reputation Lin Bohui accumulated before has gone to make you."

Though Bái Xī Wén walked ahead of him, he seemed to have seen through Duàn Yì's thoughts and explained.

After giving it some thought, Duàn Yì understood. It was likely not merely because he had defeated Lin Bohui, but also because Bái Xī Wén himself was renowned far and wide. Duàn Yì had ridden on his coattails and gained a bit of fame himself.

Upon reaching the mountaintop, they saw that a vast open space had been cleared outside the Golden Cauldron Hall. Banquet tables were set out in five rows, one after another, each separated by more than three meters.

Disciples of the sect stood in formation around them, imposing and majestic, their faces expressionless and solemn. They all wore bright red shirts with the character for great joy printed on their chests. To Duàn Yì, it was embarrassingly over the top, and he had no idea what those disciples themselves thought of it.

Looking again at the Golden Cauldron Hall, red silk stretched across the hall's flying eaves like soaring dragons winding around the beams, creating an extraordinary spectacle. It not only deepened the festive air, but added a measure of solemnity as well.

Without lingering, Duàn Yì followed Bái Xī Wén into the Golden Cauldron Hall.

By then, the hall was already filled with the Golden Cauldron Sect's senior members and disciples, seated separately. Only the bride and groom of the day had yet to appear.

The moment Bái Xī Wén arrived, the people who had been sitting and joking with one another all rose to greet him. As the Golden Cauldron Sect's foremost expert, he certainly had presence. Wherever there was a crowd, he was bound to be the one who drew the most attention; even Qū Dōng Liú could not compare.

The seven vice sect leaders and elders who were seated also broke into smiles and pulled Bái Xī Wén toward the seats of honor. They had all been taught by the same master and had spent many years together, so their relationship was close.

Duàn Yì was left on his own to hand the gift box to Zhào Yù, who oversaw all miscellaneous affairs. Zhào Yù recorded the gift and offered a word of congratulations.

Zhào Yù was also dressed in brilliant red that day, looking handsome and spirited. He showed less of that false friendliness toward Duàn Yì and gave him a lukewarm reply before arranging for him to sit in a corner of the hall.

This surprised Duàn Yì somewhat. Though this man did not get along with him, he was quite calculating, rather like a smiling tiger. By all rights, he should not have displayed such an attitude. Duàn Yì therefore became a little more vigilant.

Still, it was merely a change in attitude and nothing more. Duàn Yì only took slight note of it before several people nearby called him over to sit. They were all familiar faces.

Those in the hall could all be considered the closest people of the Golden Cauldron lineage, though there were exceptions.

For instance, Duàn Yì, as well as Granny An and Eunuch Qiu beside him. The two elders had remained here as outsiders because they were protecting Helan Yue'er.

Thus, seated in this corner were Helan Yue'er, Granny An, and Eunuch Qiu. There was also one other person: Leng Qingmei, Ruan Dong's senior sister.

This woman was gentle and gracious, delicate and charming, leaving quite a deep impression on Duàn Yì.

Today, she wore a pale pink gauze skirt. Her face was unadorned, and a jade-green hairpin was tucked into her dark hair. Though her features were not as exquisite as Helan Yue'er's beside her, she possessed a far more alluring charm.

"After not seeing you for several days, Junior Brother Duàn, it seems you have improved again. You truly deserve the sect leader's praise as a martial arts prodigy. When there is a chance, you must teach your senior sister a few tricks to cultivation."

The woman remained as poised and gracious as ever. She bore no grudge toward Duàn Yì over Ruan Dong's matter and spoke with a smile.

Duàn Yì felt much more at ease. After sitting down, he began exchanging pleasantries with her, while Helan Yue'er occasionally chimed in as well, afraid the two would leave her out.

For a time, the hall remained noisy and bustling, until a bright, drawn-out shout rang out and silenced them all.

"The Sect Leader has arrived! Palace Mistress Yuè has arrived!"