The Upcoming Wedding

The Zhou and Song families were now like birds startled by a hunter’s bow.

Having previously relied on the Lin family’s influence to throw their weight around, they had severely oppressed the Yan family.

Though the Yan family had not immediately retaliated, it was because their most pressing concern was the upcoming marriage alliance between the two families.

Once the wedding concluded, the Yan family would undoubtedly seek vengeance against both of them.

Family Head Zhou and Family Head Song paced anxiously in the Zhou family’s main hall.

Meanwhile, the Lin family members wore grim expressions.

The situation was growing increasingly difficult.

“Young Master Lin, won’t you say something?”

“Our two families only acted against the Yan family according to your esteemed family’s arrangements.”

“Now, things have escalated to an irreconcilable point.”

“What are we to do next?” Family Head Song was far more anxious than Family Head Zhou.

Their harsh treatment of Yan Kun at the time was precisely to seize the opportunity to cripple the Yan family’s future successors.

But now, ironically, it had become an inextricable knot between the Song and Yan families.

“What’s there to panic about?”

“On the night Jiang Yao and Yan Yun are wed, I will personally lead you to present them with gifts and congratulations.”

“Remember to be sincere.”

“Our Lin family will naturally intercede on your behalf.” Lin Ze, glancing at Lin Mo, who was deep in thought with closed eyes, spoke on his behalf.

These Lin family members were truly arrogant.

Did they truly believe that the Yan family would simply let bygones be bygones if they took the initiative to back down?

However, Family Head Zhou immediately posed a counter-question.

“But what if the Yan family refuses to accept the gifts?”

That single question caused the atmosphere in the room to turn oppressive in an instant.

At that moment, Lin Mo also opened his eyes.

A glint of killing intent flashed within them.

“It comes down to the same point.”

“A genius who fails to mature is no genius at all.”

“The Yunhua Sect cannot directly interfere in the disputes between secular family powers.”

“At most, they can offer covert assistance.”

“With our Lin family present, they wouldn’t dare to directly attack you.”

This was indeed the truth.

The Yunhua Sect’s assistance was limited.

After all, there was no subordinate relationship between the Yan family and the Yunhua Sect.

If the Yunhua Sect were to directly aid the Yan family in dealing with the Lin family, the royal family would undoubtedly intervene to mediate.

At this point, the meaning was already quite clear.

Lin Mo’s intention was that if a reconciliation was possible, they should reconcile.

If not, then the struggle would continue.

Even if the Lin family couldn’t openly assist the Zhou and Song families, they could still provide covert support.

The Lin family also had connections within the cultivation world.

The Jiang Kingdom possessed more than just the Yunhua Sect as a major sect; there were also eight other cultivation sects of comparable strength.

Now that matters had reached this point, the Zhou and Song families could no longer hope to extricate themselves.

They could only continue to serve as the Lin family’s pawns, pressing forward with their offensive.

****

Upon receiving the news while seeking medical treatment abroad, Yan Hua immediately returned to the Yan family with Yan Kun.

This trip had been met with setbacks at almost every turn.

Their past connections had all refused their pleas.

Primarily, there were simply too few people capable of treating Yan Kun.

He had only taken Yan Kun out to try their luck.

Yet, unexpectedly, shortly after their departure, Jiang Yao returned to Qifeng City with the medicinal pills for his treatment.

Inside the Yan family mansion, Yan Long presented the Heavenly Origin Qi Gathering Pill to Yan Hua, who then administered it to the weakened Yan Kun.

He then helped to channel energy to aid Yan Kun in refining and absorbing the medicine.

As the medicinal power spread, Yan Kun’s body began to convulse uncontrollably.

An expression of agony also spread across his face.

Yan Kun’s mother, witnessing this scene, felt her heart clench with anguish.

However, this pain only lasted for a short while.

It gradually subsided only after Yan Kun’s pallid complexion regained a healthy flush.

Yan Hua also quickly stepped forward to examine Yan Kun’s condition.

Upon seeing it, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.

“Excellent! He has recovered.”

“However, he must not exert any power for at least three months.”

“This newly reconstituted Qi Sea is quite fragile and cannot yet withstand the strain of cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Long and the others also revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.

Although Su Muyu had awakened her innate talent, she was, after all, not of the Yan family bloodline.

The future of the family would still depend on Yan Kun, Yan Hui, and others to uphold it.

After resolving Yan Kun’s matter, the father and son quickly moved aside.

“Long’er, while there’s still time, you should visit Muyu more often.”

“Though it’s said that mending the fold after the sheep are lost is too late, if you don’t find a way to deepen your relationship, you’ll regret it in the future.” Yan Hua had learned of everything that transpired at home the moment he returned.

Yan Long offered a wry smile.

Then, his expression turning serious, he asked, “Father, this matter cannot be forced.”

“Let’s discuss more pressing matters first.”

“After our two families’ marriage alliance concludes, should we retaliate against the Zhou and Song families?”

Upon hearing this, Yan Hua clenched his fists.

“With the Yunhua Sect’s involvement, the Lin family will no longer openly assist the Zhou and Song families.”

“Our Yan family has been oppressed to this extent; if we don’t retaliate, how will we ever establish ourselves in the Jiang Kingdom in the future?”

Yan Long shared the same sentiment.

They had to retaliate.

Even knowing that the Lin family was their backing, they still had to fight back.

As for the days leading up to the wedding preparations, Yan Yun and Jiang Yao frequently visited each other.

Their dormant memories were gradually reawakening, bit by bit.

Despite Yan Yun’s cheerful demeanor with Jiang Yao during the day, the moment he returned to his residence at night, his entire being grew solemn.

Yan Yun gazed at the poison pills in his hand.

He popped them into his mouth, one after another.

From his expression, it was clear that Yan Yun was currently more anxious than before his reunion with Jiang Yao.

He desperately needed power.

Otherwise, if such a crisis were to occur again in the future, he would be relegated to the role of a mere bystander.

Moreover, from his conversations with Jiang Yao over the past few days, he knew that Lin Mo would not easily give up.

Their marriage, at most, would only deter Lin Mo from openly causing trouble.

But what he might do in secret was another matter entirely.

****

Qifeng City grew livelier by the day.

Guests invited by the Yan and Jiang families arrived in Qifeng City one after another.

Had it been under previous circumstances, probably few powers would have accepted the Yan family’s invitation.

However, after Fairy Yunshuang’s high-profile appearance to take on a disciple, those powers who had initially hesitated no longer did so.

Lanterns and festive decorations adorned every corner of the city.

Even the territories of the Zhou and Song families were similarly decorated.

This could be seen as their indirect admission of defeat.

Turning to Yan Yun, he had moved into Su Muyu’s residence starting yesterday.

His own dwelling was still too simple and unsuitable for decorating as a bridal chamber.

Yan Long had originally intended to arrange a new house for him, but Yan Yun had refused.

It was now around four or five in the morning.

Today was the day he would marry into the Jiang family.

Yan Yun was already dressed.

He wore a full set of red groom’s attire.

It was quite a sight.

He had even put on a light layer of makeup.

The makeup made him appear somewhat feminine.

This was a custom of this world.

When a man married into a family, many procedures were identical to a woman’s wedding, which was referred to as a dowry (TL Note: Here, ‘dowry’ refers to the customs and rituals a man follows when marrying into the bride’s family, akin to a bride’s procession, not a monetary gift.).

“Are you kidding me, Mother?”

“I’m a man, why do I have to wear women’s makeup?”

“Can’t I skip it?”

“This is too humiliating!” Yan Yun’s highly resistant voice echoed from within the room.

At that moment, Yan Yun was being held in front of a dressing table by Su Muyu.

She was personally applying makeup to her precious son.

“Don’t move.”

“These are the rules.”

“Besides, I think it looks rather good on you.”

“What a pity you’re not a girl; if you were, you’d probably be even more beautiful.” Su Muyu said with a chuckle.

This was only the most basic part.

Soon, Yan Yun would have to wear a red bridal veil, and like a bride, be ‘picked up’ from the Jiang family, along with Jiang Yao.

Although Yan Yun had read about the procedures for a man marrying into a family in books, actually going through with it was incredibly humiliating.

In the mirror, Yan Yun had eyeliner drawn and bright red lipstick applied.

This made his already somewhat effeminate face appear even more womanly.

He wore an expression of utter resignation.

Were it not for the fact that the person he was marrying was his wife from his previous life, Yan Yun would have felt an urge to flee the wedding.