Marriage Departure

"Brother, are you outside? Come help me put in this hairpin."

Just then, Wu Yu's voice came from inside the house.

"Coming."

Wu Ming stretched his limbs and walked into the house.

Inside, Wu Yu was wearing a red wedding dress and sitting in front of a washbasin, arranging her hair in a bun while looking at her reflection in the water. However, the reflection in the basin wasn't very clear.

Today was the day Wu Yu was to be married.

Marriages and betrothals among common villagers were often swift, with engagements and weddings being arranged as quickly as possible. Wu Yu's wedding, after more than half a month, was considered relatively long. After all, this world was fraught with danger due to malevolent spirits, and the longer one waited, the more unpredictable things became.

Wu Ming came up behind Wu Yu and, cooperating with her, inserted a polished copper hairpin.

"You look beautiful."

Wu Ming circled Wu Yu, looked at her appearance, and praised her with a smile.

Having been born into a common family and suffering from chronic malnutrition, Wu Yu's skin was similar to that of other poor village girls, not very fair. However, her features were regular, and her foundation was good. After careful grooming and dressing up, she could be considered lovely.

Regarding Wu Yu's marriage, Wu Ming had understood the situation thoroughly and did not interfere. His family were all decent people, and they were not yet at their absolute last resort. Wu Qi and Liu Shi would naturally not sell their daughter lightly. Moreover, the groom's family was a good one; it was said they had some close ties with Wu Ming's grandfather's generation.

Furthermore, The eldest son in that family was four years older than Wu Ming. He had condensed Qi and Blood and was a martial artist, rumored to potentially advance further. Matchmakers had already worn down their doorsteps, but he was arrogant and looked down on everyone.

Wu Yu was not marrying him, of course. Wu Yu was to marry the second son of that family, who was two years older than her. He had no talent for martial arts and had not become a martial artist. However, his disposition was honest and reliable, and coupled with his family's good financial standing, he was considered a good choice.

The match for Wu Yu had been made possible, partly due to the old connections from their grandfathers' generation, and partly because Wu Qi's family was also honest and reliable. Coupled with Wu Yu's own considerable loveliness, the arrangement was finally settled.

After awakening the Mystery of the Womb, Wu Ming, despite living two lives, cherished his family's affection deeply. Naturally, he hoped his sister Wu Yu would have a good home and marry an honest and reliable person. It wasn't a bad outcome; after all, with his future support, she would undoubtedly live a good life regardless.

"You're just saying that."

Hearing Wu Ming's compliment, Wu Yu smiled, pursed her lips, and looked at her reflection in the water, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

After a moment, she turned her head to look at Wu Ming and said in a low voice, "Brother, after I leave, you'll be the one taking care of Mom and Dad. Mom's legs aren't good; make sure she doesn't walk too much..."

"And Dad... don't let him work too hard. Taxes are due again in the spring..."

Wu Yu began to nag, her tone growing a little somber. In this era, once a woman was married, she rarely returned to her maiden home. Even during festivals, she would seldom come back, as traveling was very unsafe for women. From now on, she would have very few opportunities to speak with her family.

As Wu Yu spoke, she hesitated, wanting to say more but holding back. She knew that after Wu Ming's health had recovered somewhat, he had resumed practicing martial arts. She also understood that her brother harbored ambitions beyond the ordinary, but their family's circumstances were not prosperous. As Clan Head Wu Qu had said, if he couldn't succeed in martial arts, giving up would only lead to more suffering.

However, looking at Wu Ming, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to dissuade him.

There were only about six months left. She knew Wu Ming's temperament and that he wouldn't act recklessly. If things didn't work out after six months, he would likely settle down and focus on the family's livelihood. With the betrothal gifts from her wedding, the family could still manage for another six months.

As Wu Yu was chatting with Wu Ming, they suddenly heard a commotion from outside.

"Here they come, here they come! Where's my veil?"

Hearing the noise outside, Wu Yu knew the wedding procession had arrived and immediately stopped her chatter.

Wu Ming casually picked up the red veil from the table and handed it to Wu Yu. Then, he walked out and into the courtyard. In the distance, he saw a large crowd surging towards them, carrying an atmosphere of celebration.

Most of them were onlookers, but there were also excited children running back and forth, waiting to receive copper coins. Many of Wu Qi's relatives were also accompanying them.

At the forefront was a man dressed in the groom's attire – Wu Yu's fiancé, Xu Tong.

"It must be Brother Wu Ming, right? I'm Xu Tong. Please take care of me in the future."

Xu Tong didn't look particularly strong, but his physique wasn't frail either. He appeared honest and sturdy. Upon seeing Wu Ming outside the courtyard, he immediately smiled and stepped forward, greeting Wu Ming proactively.

Wu Ming had heard quite a bit about Xu Tong. Seeing him in person now, he scrutinized him carefully. Seeing that he was indeed honest and reliable, Wu Ming moved aside and nodded in greeting.

Everyone entered the courtyard, exchanging greetings and laughter.

Many relatives had come from the Xu family, but Xu Tong's elder brother, Xu Hao, who was a martial artist, was not present.

While everyone was greeting each other, the relatives from the Xu family also took in the situation of Wu Ming's family and observed Wu Yu, who was covered by the red veil and being carried out of the house by Xu Tong.

"I recall the Wu family had a martial artist, didn't they? They've fallen on hard times now."

"Alas, yes. Old Uncle Wu passed away too early. To support Brother Wu Qi's martial arts training back then, he didn't manage to save much. Now, there's hardly anything left. What a shame."

Some people from the Xu family stood in corners in twos and threes, discussing in hushed tones. Looking at the simple, old houses of Wu Ming's family, they reminisced about the past with regret.

In the villages and townships within a ten-mile radius of the city, there was a significant difference between families that had produced martial artists and those that hadn't. Generally, families with a martial artist, even if they had declined, often had more substantial foundations, as the status of a martial artist was vastly different.

The people from the Xu family had all heard that Wu Yu's family had a martial artist from their grandfather's generation.

Unexpectedly, Upon arriving, they saw that Wu Yu's family's circumstances were no different from any ordinary commoner's home.

"Practicing martial arts is truly too difficult. If one succeeds, they can soar to the heavens, but if they fail, the price is too great. If Brother Wu Qi hadn't practiced martial arts back then, their family's foundation would likely be much more prosperous."

Someone shook their head and said.

In impoverished families, if one person practiced martial arts, the entire family would starve. Moreover, it often took a long time to know the results, so the cost was always high. Although the only hope for the poor to rise above their station was through martial arts, many families didn't even have the qualifications to try.

"I heard Brother Wu Qi has always had his son practicing martial arts. I wonder if there's been any progress."

"Hush, don't go ask. I heard not long ago, his son encountered a malevolent spirit. His life was saved, but his body was depleted of Qi and Blood. It's unlikely he can practice martial arts now."

"Is that so?"

The Xu family's second uncle was surprised by the words, then shook his head and sighed, "That's truly a shame. I heard Brother Wu Qi started having his child train in martial arts over a year ago. This is completely wasted effort now."

"Never mind that. In my opinion, surviving an encounter with a Malevolent Spirit is already a blessing from the ancestors. As long as the person is still alive, their body can slowly recover. Even if they can't practice martial arts, they can learn carpentry from Old Wu and still make a living."

Someone nearby coughed.

"That's true."

The Xu family's second uncle nodded, still feeling a bit regretful.

Meanwhile.

Xu Tong carried Wu Yu on his back. The Xu family members nearby took out a small string of coins, about a hundred or so, and suddenly tossed them into the air. The village children who had been following them cheered and eagerly pounced to snatch them up.

Some of the older, more destitute-looking individuals also rushed to the ground to grab the copper coins.

"Let's go, let's go."

"We'll have peaceful days from now on."

Liu Shi and Wu Qi stood behind, watching the Xu family gradually move away. Liu Shi murmured a few words, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. Wu Qi, standing beside her, remained silent and composed. After a moment, he said, "The Xu family is capable. Xu Tong's elder brother, that Xu Hao, is the young talent of their village and will likely be the new Clan Head of Xu Village in the future. With such in-laws, when we're gone, Ming'er will have some security."

Wu Qi and Liu Shi watched the Xu family depart. Wu Ming, along with several distant relatives from Wu Village, followed to escort the bride. Xu Village wasn't far from Wu Village, only about ten li. Before long, the group had grandly arrived at Xu Village.