Netherworld, beside the Bridge of Helplessness.
Even today's gloomy wind had shed some of its usual ferocity, carrying a rare trace of warmth.
Meng Po Pavilion had been swept spotless. Several bright red lanterns hung from the eaves, their crimson glow illuminating the entire pavilion and making it look especially festive.
Vermilion "Double Happiness" characters were pasted onto the pavilion pillars. Though they lacked the refinement of the mortal realm, they added no small amount of bustle.
Meng Po had long since shed that plain cloth dress, washed so many times it had faded white, and changed into a simple yet clean red wedding gown. Though her beauty had long faded, the tenderness at the corners of her eyes now surpassed that of a maiden threefold.
Since the wedding procession had already arrived, there naturally had to be some lively teasing.
Only after the merrymaking did the formal ceremony begin.
Boil Uncle, too, was unusually properly dressed today. Brimming with enthusiasm, he acted as the wedding officiant, his voice ringing loud:
"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The elderly pair faced the vast, desolate underworld beyond the pavilion and bowed.
"Second bow to the elders!"
The elderly pair turned toward the void and solemnly bowed once more.
This bow was both to Heaven, Earth, and all living beings—and to the devotion they had waited a thousand years for.
Boil Uncle grinned even wider and shouted the most crucial line at the top of his lungs: "Husband and wife, bow to each other!"
The Matchmaker God and Meng Po stood facing one another, separated by three feet of red silk.
They bent at the waist together and gave each other a deep bow.
In an instant, horns and suonas blared throughout Meng Po Pavilion.
Though the Yin soldiers and ghost attendants