Chapter 555: Kidnapping the Bride

Sword Ghost’s body gave a violent shudder. As black mist began to rise from her, the patterns on her body settled down, enhancing her attractiveness. Her form became even more breathtaking as she struggled and shook, dazzling like fireworks.

Ye Wenxin kept soothing Sword Ghost, instinctively adopting the role of a comforting elder. But as she watched Sword Ghost’s trembling form, her mouth dried.

Frankly, Ye Wenxin had behaved impeccably during her time in Liu City. However, Sword Ghost’s involuntary movements were stirring something in her.

“Master,” Sword Ghost suddenly called. Slightly surprised, Ye Wenxin looked down at Sword Ghost leaning against her.

“What is it, Sword Ghost?” Ye Wenxin asked, puzzled. Sword Ghost nuzzled against her chest before looking up, murmuring, “It’s fine.”

“What?”

Ye Wenxin blinked, not understanding what Sword Ghost meant.

“You can do whatever you wish now, Master. I just don’t have the strength to serve you.” Sword Ghost sounded as meek as a nestling.

Ye Wenxin watched her silently for a moment. Gently, she touched one of Sword Ghost’s horns. “Let’s wait until you’re all recovered. We have plenty of time.”

She placed a tender kiss on Sword Ghost’s forehead and returned her to the umbrella sword with a whispered “Goodnight”.

Perhaps Ye Wenxin had become so accustomed to Sword Ghost that she had taken her for granted. Since Sword Ghost had devoted her entire self, Ye Wenxin was determined to treat her with more care and consideration.

Yet, this thought made her realize a shift within herself. The old Ye Wenxin had been a solipsist¹, but her current self had learned how to make room for others.

However, just how many people could her small heart ultimately hold? Subconsciously, Ye Wenxin looked off into the distance, but Fairy Fengya was long gone.

With a sigh and the umbrella sword clutched in her hand, she returned to her room…

For the next three days, Ye Wenxin dutifully tended to Sword Ghost. She polished her blade and worked to dispel the accumulated malevolence. As for the Soul Evokers and the so-called Red Yama, they had not made an appearance.

However, today was the kitsune and bear demon’s engagement ceremony.

Once this ceremony was complete, the two would officially be engaged. The one difference compared to engagement between humans, though, was that the demon couple could start procreating.

In simpler terms, it was like getting a driver’s license but with an added promise and commitment.

Ye Wenxin arrived at the ceremony quite late. She had little interest in such matters, and her complicated relationship with the kitsune made her even less eager to attend. She had the nagging feeling the kitsune might lose control and create a runaway bride scene.

“Cultivator Ye, are you really not related to Ye Xiaowen?” Recently, the red kitsune had noticed something unusual about Ye Wenxin. She would frequently ask her questions about Ye Xiaowen.

The usually wanton red kitsune had dressed conservatively for a change. Maybe she had toned herself down out of respect for someone else’s engagement. Or the illusions had influenced her to change in some way.

“I don’t know her.” Ye Wenxin gave a definitive response. The red kitsune showed a disappointed expression again, muttering, “Where could she have gone?” She wandered off absentmindedly, tail drooping, her mood soured from being unable to find Ye Xiaowen.

“Don’t you think it would be better to change Liu Yanhong, too?” Wen Susu appeared again, prompting Ye Wenxin to retort, “I’m not that kind of person.”

“Oh, but you’ve been quite cheerful with your ghost these past few days,” Wen Susu remarked jealously, which only amused Ye Wenxin. “Why check with me if you’ve already seen everything?”

Wen Susu didn’t say anything after hearing that. Like the red kitsune, she only came to check in with her before leaving.

Ye Wenxin’s ears finally regained some peace, just in time as the engagement ceremony began.

The kitsune appeared wearing a festive red dress alongside the stocky bear demon. They looked well-matched. The crowd showered them with endless blessings and congratulations. Even the red kitsune uncharacteristically refrained from causing trouble.

She was still busy asking around about “Ye Xiaowen”. When no one could provide her an answer, the red kitsune would look slightly dazed. She seemed torn by the absence of her beloved.

Ye Wenxin felt the red kitsune’s feelings would fade as swiftly as they had come, so she ignored her. After a glance around, she saw the kitsune again.

The kitsune appeared to be in her element. She smiled at Ye Wenxin and pulled the bear demon over.

“Cultivator Ye, we came to offer you a toast.” The kitsune seemed so relaxed and easygoing that it was hard to tell if she had achieved it through extensive practice or overcoming her inner reservations. Ye Wenxin accepted the toast with a nod. “Very well.”

The kitsune’s expression showed subtle reluctance as she watched Ye Wenxin drink the wine.

Despite her struggle, the kitsune still found it hard to let go. But not all things in the world would provide multiple choices. Most paths only offered a single option, leading to an inevitable conclusion. Ye Wenxin couldn’t be bothered to think much about it. She casually partook in the feast, drinking enough to make her appear tipsy. Quickly excusing herself from the venue, she went back and slept comfortably.

But this time, she had a strange dream about a little kitsune girl. Ye Wenxin glimpsed her journey as she grew up and saw why she was so determined to pursue a relationship with a man. The dream wasn’t long, but Ye Wenxin had no patience to see it through and woke halfway.

The annoyance in her eyes became more pronounced when she noticed Wen Susu standing there uninvited.

“Don’t you think it’s pointless at this point? It is her choice. You may sway her briefly, but her belief will eventually lead her back to the same path.” Ye Wenxin felt that Wen Susu was being meddlesome. Yet Wen Susu tightly held onto Ye Wenxin’s sleeve with force, insisting, “But if you don’t intervene, she will…”

Her voice trembled like she couldn’t bear to say what might happen next. Ye Wenxin could tell Wen Susu was hiding too many things from her and disliked the feeling. She felt like a puppet on strings, forced to move by someone else’s will.

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Footnotes:

1. 1. Solipsism is a philosophical theory that the self is all that you know to exist. ↩︎