Crossing the Threshold

028 Crossing the Threshold

Under Chong Li's guidance, Ming Shu quickly mastered the basic qi-gathering cultivation method for entering the Warlock path. He also took several pills to consolidate his first-order Warlock status.

For an ordinary person with no special aptitude, this was what they had to do upon first entering the Warlock path.

But Ming Shu was no ordinary person. He himself did not know the specifics of his aptitude, and Chong Li had no specialized artifact for testing it.

Moreover, Chong Li's own strength was also a limitation, preventing her from discovering anything abnormal about Ming Shu.

Ming Shu, meanwhile, began frantically increasing his strength.

A few days later, he had already reached second-order Warlock, the [Spirit Awakening Realm]. Ming Shu had no knowledge of the cultivation methods that followed.

In other words, the entire path of his future growth was now in the hands of the Sky-Toppling Observatory.

Over these past few days, he had also figured out the situation in the surrounding area.

Old Zhao had made a simple round of repairs inside and outside the estate.

He divided it into two different activity zones, inner and outer.

The inner courtyard was Ming Shu's activity area, as well as the area where his family would live in the future.

The outer courtyard was where Old Zhao and the others moved about. The tenant farmers were temporarily living there too, and any guests would also be housed in that area. There was quite a lot of space.

It was just too dilapidated, with far too many places needing repairs.

Because guests were about to arrive, they had no choice but to hurry and renovate several barely acceptable guest rooms for use.

This left Old Zhao with no time to arrange the farming.

Little Zhao also brought back an important piece of news. There was a valley between them and their northern neighbors, where a group of people had hidden themselves away.

They had relied on the terrain to block the pirates' harassment. Among them were two particularly formidable figures, one called Butcher and the other called Hunter.

Judging from the rumors he had heard, they seemed to be exceptionally skilled martial arts experts.

There was no time to deal with them for now. Besides, that valley and the surrounding hills actually all counted as Ming Shu's territory.

He would certainly have dealings with them in the future.

Just as Ming Shu and the others were rushing around making preparations, a convoy of carriages and horses had already entered the outskirts of Baishi Village.

Little Zhao and Ren Yuan, who had been patrolling the outskirts, immediately split up. Little Zhao went to receive them, while Ren Yuan ran back to report.

There were more than a dozen carts of assorted luggage and supplies, yet not many people. In an environment like this, they had actually swaggered all the way here.

It was already certain that quite a few experts were guarding them.

Ming Shu and the others did not know whether other forces had protected them before they entered this place. Now that they had reached his territory, he had to step forward and protect them himself.

After all, these were supplies being delivered to his estate.

In theory, they could more or less be considered his now.

After receiving Ren Yuan's report, Old Zhao and the others also set aside their work and assembled to leave. Only Chong Li and Ming Shu remained outside the estate gate to wait.

He had not expected that the lofty Supervisor would personally concern himself with his marriage, and actually arrange it so quickly.

How many days had it been? From far away, he could already see a grand convoy of carriages and horses drawing near.

There was no way so many supplies had been gathered in just these few days. That meant the planning and preparations had begun before he even arrived at Baishi Village.

It had taken Ming Shu's party of five quite a long time to travel here with light baggage. This convoy was escorting so many supplies, and there were even several young women among them. Their speed certainly could not have been much faster.

Could they have set out the moment they confirmed that he had safely left the Royal Capital?

Just as Ming Shu's thoughts ran wild, the convoy in the distance unexpectedly came to a halt.

They immediately took out large red flower knots, red cloth, and red lanterns and began decorating the place.

The carriage at the head did not look like any luxurious carriage either. It was utterly ordinary. Could she be merely the daughter of an ordinary household?

That made sense. Given his current identity and strength, in an era that valued matching family status, the gap could not be too large.

The Sky-Toppling Observatory would not want to see the chess piece they had brought in turn around and control them.

The guards each held a crude musical instrument. The gongs and drums soon began clanging, while the other instruments started blowing and plucking.

Everything really was terribly rushed. Ming Shu had been completely unprepared, and it seemed those people had only learned to play and sing at the last minute too.

He had never expected that the major event of his life in this incarnation would be decided just like this.

Even Chong Li at his side could not help laughing. Although she still had herself wrapped in a black robe, her disordered breathing and trembling shoulders betrayed the calm she was pretending to maintain.

"Don't worry. Butcher and Hunter used to be members of the Demon Hunters too. We'll think of a way to recruit them for you."

Chong Li forcefully shifted Ming Shu's attention. "Speaking of which, what do you expect the bride to be like?"

"I don't know. I have no idea what might appear ahead of me. I can't imagine it." Ming Shu spoke helplessly toward the people approaching them.

I'm starting a family just like that? Although I've lived through two lifetimes and my mental age is sufficient, physically I'm still very young.

The people of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty may consider this legal, but I still can't accept it.

Little Zhao galloped back ahead of the others and immediately took out a set of wedding robes, draping them over Ming Shu.

Old Zhao soon galloped over as well. He ran inside the main hall and pasted up a large red character for joy, then placed an Eight Immortals table in the courtyard.

The old table was completely bare.

Ming Shu was in a state of total shutdown. He truly had no experience with anything like this.

When he had heard the news a few days ago, he had mostly found it too bizarre and had not even dared to take it to heart.

There was actually someone in this world who would worry over these matters for him so thoroughly?

As this chess piece, shouldn't I be filled with gratitude?

When the convoy arrived, someone took the initiative to pay his respects to Ming Shu. From then on, Ming Shu would be the master of this place—in other words, the master of all of them.

They carefully explained to Ming Shu what he needed to do next.

On the other side, Old Zhao was also directing the other servants and guards to bring out and arrange all kinds of items.

Candles, incense, an offering table, fruit, and so on were all placed one by one. Ming Shu then went to the first carriage to receive the bride, whose head was covered by a red veil.

She looked to be about the same age as him. She had a slender figure, and Ming Shu held her delicate, jade-like hand as he carried her down and carried her through the gate of Baishi Village.

Did this count as crossing the threshold? It was far too crude.

Should I be feeling inferior?

There was no red carpet on the ground. They had not even pasted red paper on the two large gates, and there were no lanterns hanging from them.

They had actually gotten married under such circumstances.

Neither side's parents were there. Ming Shu no longer had elders like that, while on the girl's side, they were probably unable to appear.

So the two of them really were only worshiping Heaven and Earth!!!

Three bows! The ceremony was complete!

Afterward, Old Zhao and a burly guard from the convoy presided over the distribution of the supplies and immediately began preparing the banquet.

Giving everyone a good meal was the most basic reward.

As for Ming Shu and the bride, after they were sent into the inner courtyard, only a young girl who had always served her remained by their side.