Night deepened, yet Jiangyuan Spirit Peak shone ever more brilliantly.
Lamps blazed throughout its halls and towers, like a river of stars hanging upside down. Inside the main hall, voices rose in a boisterous din amid the sweet music of strings and flutes, while the fragrance of delicacies and spirit wine filled the air. Jiang Cheng, head of the Jiang Household, was a clean-shaven, fair-faced middle-aged cultivator with a commanding presence. Dressed in festive brocade robes, he sat at the seat of honor, smiling as he accepted toasts from the guests.
Yet beneath the merriment filling the hall and the bustling exchange of cups, a trace of worry occasionally flickered in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
His thoughts drifted back, unbidden, to his private conversation with Cen Lingyi not long ago.
Though I turned down True Person Cen's proposal, would she really give up so easily?
The Heaven's Will Sect was hardly easy to deal with. Its reputation as an upright, orthodox sect only held when compared with the Tribulation Deliverance Sect.
Its disciples often acted according to a logic all their own. Sometimes they seemed to go with the flow, but in truth, they were stubborn beyond measure.
"Grandfather."
A spirited young man approached with his newlywed Dao companion, interrupting Jiang Cheng's thoughts.
Jiang Cheng came back to himself, suppressing that thread of unease and replacing it with a gaze full of affection.
He rose and personally steadied his grandson and new granddaughter-in-law as they began to bow, laughing heartily.
"Good, good! Hao'er, Ning'er, there's no need for formalities. This is your special day, and your grandfather couldn't be happier!"
"Grandfather," Jiang Hao said, raising his cup and drawing his Dao companion close. "Let me offer you a toast. Thank you for all your years of care and guidance." "Good children,