I Have to Marry Him

The dry grass bent low, and gravel rolled outward in every direction. Reptiles that had been dozing in the shadows suddenly woke and scattered in panic, as though sensing danger.

The three men staring at Zeng Mu suddenly found his eyes too searing to look at. They instinctively closed their own, yet still could not shut out that eerie gaze, which seemed to pierce their eyelids and scrutinize their souls. Had they run into a ghost?

Gold shimmered in Zeng Mu's pupils, and the mark on his forehead gradually emerged. Just as he raised his hand and the knife held by the man on the right began moving strangely, a slender hand settled on his wrist. "Hold on. These fellows seem to have something important that we need," Ma Linya said, her eyes flickering.

"What is it?" He knew it could not be water. Even if they had some, the total would not be enough for the legion. But if it was not water, what else did they urgently need?

Ma Linya shook her head. She seemed too uncertain to make a definite claim, so she kept him guessing for now. "You'll find out in a moment."

Zeng Mu lowered his hand, reining in the murderous intent in his eyes. The oppressive aura around them vanished.

The three men opened their eyes, all looking a little bewildered. For that brief instant, they had felt as though their heads were about to part from their necks. They immediately felt their necks with both hands. Thankfully, their heads were still there.

Their leader looked over, his eyes holding a trace more wariness than before. "Who exactly are you?"

The three of them belonged to the most ordinary stratum of Mortal World. In all their years, they had never seen a wild boar climb a tree, but they had eaten plenty of boar meat. They had never encountered terrifying, invincible beings like Elementalists, but they had heard plenty of rumors. That brush with death forced their leader to suspect that these people could not possibly be mere merchants and guards.

Zeng Mu was about to answer when Cobert shouted first, "Idiots! We already told you we're merchants! Are you treating your Lord Cobert like thin air? Let me tell you, if I hadn't gone softhearted just now, your heads would already be rolling! How else would you still be standing here so politely, admiring your Lord Cobert's handsome face?"

Cobert's interruption scattered the man's already uncertain suspicions to the wind. He covered his face and shook his head, muttering that he must have seen a ghost.

"Third Brother, stop wasting words on them. Let me put ten thousand holes in that annoying little old runt," the knife-wielding man said angrily.

At those words, Cobert swallowed and clung to Kanni's arm. Kanni looked disgusted and tried to pry his hand off, but Cobert gripped him like a lifeline, his fingers locked tight. Nothing could make him let go.

Ma Linya stepped forward, hands on her hips, and sniffed lightly with her delicate nose. Now mostly certain, she said, "Hey, didn't you say you wanted me and our goods? Fine, I agree. But you're not allowed to hurt my friends. In fact, you have to invite all of us back with every courtesy. Otherwise, if I'm unhappy, I don't think your eldest brother will be happy either."

"Third Brother, this little girl's threatening you," the man with the club snickered.

"Third Brother, don't listen to her. There's something unusual about this girl. We might as well go all the way-kill these three and tie her up to take her back." The knife-wielding man sounded resolved, yet Zeng Mu could sense no murderous intent from him.

Their leader considered it, then finally looked at Ma Linya and said, "We'll do as you say. You're exactly my eldest brother's type, after all."

"Hey, are we really going with these three bandits?" Cobert whispered beside Kanni. Kanni did not answer, instead looking toward Zeng Mu.

He nodded and sighed. "Let's follow her lead for now."

Driving their two carriages, the four were "invited" to change course and slowly approached the Black Iron Town Rift Area below, to the right of the slope.

The farther down they went, the gentler the terrain became. The road was considerably wider than above, and the tall dry grass along either side suggested that someone regularly cleared it.

They all thought with a sigh, Looks like there really is a bandit stronghold here.

Half an hour later, the horses came to a halt, and the man's voice sounded from horseback. "We're here. Everyone get down."

Lifting the curtain and stepping out of the carriage, the four found the real Black Iron Town before them. But it differed from what they had seen looking down from above. The houses stood in neat rows, and the ground was level. Clucking chickens and quacking ducks sounded from the left, while the breeze from the right carried the fresh scent of vegetables.

"Interesting." Zeng Mu looked up. Iron beams extending from a towering iron structure interlocked with the neighboring rooftops like a spiderweb. Simply laying sheets of iron over this basic framework would prevent anyone looking down from above from discovering what truly lay beneath. It was as secluded as a hidden paradise.

"Good heavens." Even the worldly Cobert could not help marveling at the sight. "Who would have thought Black Iron Town, which has been in ruins for years, had a side nobody knew about?"

At that, Third Brother said with a touch of pride, "Of course. Do you know what kind of man my eldest brother is? Who within a hundred miles could outplan him? Besides, life here is far more pleasant than in that nearby Sand City. We raise poultry, grow vegetables, and occasionally hold up travelers. Free as the wind, without a care."

"Your eldest brother is that impressive? What's his name?" Cobert asked curiously.

"You'll find out when he comes out." He turned and instructed the other two, "Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, hurry and fetch Eldest Brother and Second Brother. Tell them good news has arrived."

Before either could respond, a deep voice rang out. "No need to call. Eldest Brother is already here."

Two sets of footsteps sounded. Turning their heads, they saw two sturdy men in their thirties emerge from a doorway. The one in front was presumably the "bandit chief," yet his appearance was entirely different from the fierce-looking man behind him. There was no viciousness in his eyes, nose, or lips. Instead, he had the warm, approachable air of a gentle young scholar.

Cobert stared blankly. Once he recovered, he pinched his cheek. It hurt-not a dream. Yet this approachable-looking fellow was actually a bandit chief? Despite having met countless people, Cobert could see no discrepancy between the man's appearance and his inner nature. This seemed to be his genuine self.

Even Zeng Mu could detect nothing amiss in his eyes. The man truly appeared to be the same inside and out.

Once the two stopped, Second Brother spoke again. "I was wondering where that sweet breeze came from. Turns out our little sister-in-law is here."

Eldest Brother patted his back and gently reminded him, "Mind your manners. What's little about your sister-in-law?"

After surveying the group, he settled his gaze on Ma Linya's face and extended a hand. "Hello. My name is Bright. May I know your name?"

"Ma Linya," she said.

"Ma Linya... what a lovely name. It seems to remind me of butterflies and streams from years ago..."

Looking at her, he asked again, "Then, Miss Ma Linya, are you ready to become my wife?" He came straight to the point, asking with the simple innocence of a little boy speaking to a little girl.

"Hey, hey, hey! Are you kidding me? Are you pretending this handsome martial arts master doesn't exist?" Cobert immediately shattered the mood.

Bright smiled faintly without taking his eyes off Ma Linya's face. Behind him, however, Second Brother and the others all turned their gazes on Cobert. A chill ran down Cobert's back, and even his breathing tightened.

Watching Bright's face, Ma Linya took two steps forward and sniffed lightly. A faint scent of blood seeped into her senses, making the depths of her pupils tremble.

"Of course I am, but I have one condition..."

"Oh? What condition?"

"The wedding has to be tonight..."

The brothers spent the entire afternoon bustling about, slaughtering chickens and geese, putting up wedding decorations, and hanging rice. The place was alive with activity.

Zeng Mu's face was darker than it had ever been, an expression so unfamiliar he hardly seemed himself. Like him, Kanni had not spoken another word all afternoon. They sat on the Black Stone Steps, watching the energetic men hurry back and forth with dull, almost numb expressions. Beside them, Cobert chewed peanuts and drank wheat beer, his flushed face occasionally parting to mutter, "Madness, madness..."

Night fell on schedule. The moon shone bright amid a multitude of stars, with not a cloud in the sky.

The bonfire crackled like firecrackers. Its light and warmth illuminated the round stone table, driving the cold from it.

Faced with the dazzling feast of more than a dozen dishes on the table, Zeng Mu and Kanni had little appetite. Both were wondering how things had turned out this way. What exactly was Ma Linya's plan? Had she truly grown tired of her former life and decided, after seeing how pleasant this place was, to stay here and cook meals and bear someone's children?

No. Absolutely not. Zeng Mu firmly rejected the idea, yet his doubts kept growing. Even he had never imagined that something like this could trouble him so much.

"Drink! Tonight, we don't stop until we're drunk!" Second Brother raised his cup with an excited shout.

"Second Brother, I'm sleeping in your room tonight!" Fifth Brother had barely finished when Fourth Brother twisted his ear, saying that although he usually acted like a fool, he always turned sly at the crucial moment. Wasn't he trying to sleep in Second Brother's room so he could eavesdrop on Eldest Brother and their sister-in-law's wedding night? The others roared with laughter.

"Hey, Nameless, Kanni, don't just drink. Eat! Not enjoying a feast this lavish is practically an insult to these chickens, ducks, and geese..." Cobert slurred, laughing so hard he could barely breathe, his head swaying.

Neither had any interest in the unreliable old fellow. Both focused on the closed doors adorned with red wedding decorations. Ma Linya and that bastard Bright were still inside getting dressed. Everyone was eager to see how she or he would look, though they were not all anticipating the same person.

After a while, the doors creaked open, and the dressed-up Ma Linya and Bright emerged.

Bright already had good looks and a fine bearing. Now that he had dressed up, he looked more handsome than ever, earning murmurs of praise from his brothers. That was only to be expected, since Ma Linya had styled him herself.

Although Zeng Mu and the others had imagined many ways Ma Linya might dress, seeing her breathtaking beauty in person still felt unreal.

She wore a red gown with a pleated train that perfectly traced the curves of her waist and hips, and a golden crown hung with silver ornaments. In the firelight, her pale golden curls resembled waves of wheat beneath a glowing sunset. Her fair feet rested in crystal slippers Bright had made and treasured for years, lending a touch of reality to her otherwise ethereal presence.

Every so often, Zeng Mu glanced sideways at her too quickly for anyone to notice, yet he saw no reluctance on Ma Linya's face. Instead, she looked happy and excited, deepening his inner struggle. His breathing gradually quickened, and a faint ache began in his chest.

After toasting everyone in turn except Zeng Mu and Kanni, who had not raised their cups, Bright finally held his cup before Ma Linya and asked tenderly, "Ma Linya, tell me honestly. What is your wish?"

Ma Linya raised her cup and looked back at him, her face lovely as she said in a soft, delicate voice, "My wish is to marry you..."

The warmth in one corner of the stone table retreated back to the bonfire...