Chapter 12 : Flying Together Like Paired Wings

Chapter 12: Flying Together Like Paired Wings

“Men having three wives and four concubines has always been the norm—fickle and ever-changing.”

“We’ve only met a few times—why is he so resolute?”

Li Yunqing could not understand, yet she also understood men all too well.

To revel among a hundred flowers, to pluck freely amidst boundless spring scenery—that was the nature of romantic and passionate young men.

Even those who once longed for deep bonds of love in the martial world would ultimately change in countless ways.

It was not uncommon for sixty-year-old men to take young concubines—a pear blossom pressing down upon a begonia tree.

But at this moment, did she still have a choice?

If she did not accept the wild geese, she would offend the Jiang Family. Even if the Jiang Family ignored it out of dignity, there would still be opportunists who, like a pack of wolves, would tear apart and devour the Li Family.

The Li Family would vanish from Qingzhou City, losing everything.

She had been born and raised in the Li Family, living fifteen carefree years in peace. Even if she did not seek to repay them, she could not let the Li Family fall because of her.

But if she accepted the wild geese, with her temperament and her Longevity (Immortality) body, this marriage was destined to fail in the end.

For the handsome young man before her, how unfair would that be?

If she were to cancel the marriage later, even if she relied on her strength to make amends, it would still become a joke for both the Jiang and Li Families.

Especially when facing those pure and resolute eyes, she instinctively felt timid and flustered.

At that moment, countless gazes shot toward her from all directions.

She slightly raised her head, only to see that all eyes were now focused on her.

Especially her father, Li Yansong—his face stern, yet his eyes filled with panic and unease.

Her elder brother, Li Shuo, appeared calm, but worry flickered in his pupils.

If she did not accept, today would become a tremendous farce, and the consequences were unimaginable.

“Let it be for now… I’ll take it step by step.”

Li Yunqing calmed her emotions. With a smile blooming like a flower, she gently raised her hands and accepted the wild geese from Jiang Yu.

She did not make the vow, “If you do not betray me, I will not betray you,” but instead bent her knees in a solemn bow.

Holding the wild geese in her arms, her fingers gently stroked their soft feathers.

The wild geese used in the betrothal ceremony were all living creatures. At this moment, the one in her arms tilted its head slightly, its bead-like eyes staring directly at her.

It was as if that goose could see straight into her heart.

The matchmaker, who had also been somewhat nervous, quickly spoke upon seeing Li Yunqing accept the geese, “Declare the vow!”

At these words, everyone stepped behind Li Yunqing and Jiang Yu.

Each held a wild goose, standing side by side at the front.

Jiang Yu wore a smile as he gave a slight nod to the smiling Li Yunqing, then untied the red strings from the geese’s legs.

“Flap, flap…”

The two wild geese beat their wings and soared into the sky, their loud and coarse cries echoing.

Everyone looked up as the two geese intertwined their necks midair, then circled above the crowd before flying into the vast heavens.

“The wild geese entwine their necks, flying together wing to wing. The sky is vast, the seas boundless, the mountains high and rivers long!”

The matchmaker spoke loudly, face full of joy.

This was both a blessing and a vision.

As the betrothal list was handed to Li Yansong and Li Yunqing’s birth details were received, the betrothal gift ceremony officially concluded.

The crowd exchanged pleasantries as they saw the guests off, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Only after the Jiang Family had departed and disappeared from sight did the smile on Li Yunqing’s face fade, returning to calmness—though a trace of worry lingered in her eyes.

From the moment she accepted the wild geese, she had agreed to the Jiang Family’s proposal.

What would happen a year later, she did not know.

“Little sister… it is your brother who is useless.”

Li Shuo spoke, gently patting Li Yunqing’s head.

Others might not see it, but how could a brother who grew up with her not understand?

His sister was unwilling, yet for the sake of the family, she had accepted the wild geese with a blooming smile.

If he had the strength of the Jiang Family—so that the family could prosper without needing marriage alliances—how could he allow his sister to be wronged?

“This has nothing to do with you, Brother.”

Li Yunqing replied. What she resisted was within her heart—she was destined to be unable to accept such things. “I’ll go back first.”

At this moment, she only felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavier. If she failed to break through to the Qi Realm within a year, what would happen then?

She even wondered if it would have been better had she never awakened her memories of a previous life.

In this era, women did not have freedom in marriage. But with backgrounds like the Li and Jiang Families, life could still be extremely comfortable.

Watching Li Yunqing’s departing figure, Li Yansong sighed. He could neither understand nor guess the thoughts of his once obedient daughter.

“Since Yunqing is willing to practice martial arts, we should compensate her more.”

Placing the entire family’s burden upon his daughter filled Li Yansong with guilt.

Li Shuo nodded heavily.

His mind had already begun thinking about what kind of items he could exchange for with his merits in the Demon Suppression Division to make his sister happy.

Outer City, a secluded courtyard.

“Divine Envoy, it has been confirmed—the one born with innate spiritual wisdom is Miss Li Yunqing of the Li Family.”

“And through the Blood Stone, it can be seen that Li Yunqing possesses top-grade spiritual wisdom.”

A middle-aged man knelt on the ground, his tone filled with respect.

After several days of finding no opportunity to act against Li Yunqing, he had remained patient.

For the sake of offering a sacrifice to the divine, for the sake of gaining the position of Divine Envoy in the future, for a better life and greater power—he could wait.

But now, who would have expected the Li Family to form a marriage alliance with the Jiang Family?

With the Jiang Family’s influence, even if he found an opportunity to act, he would likely die without a burial place.

Now, he could only report everything and rely on the Divine Envoy’s power.

Even if he could not claim the full credit, that was still top-grade spiritual wisdom—he would at least receive a share of the merit.

“Top-grade spiritual wisdom!”

The Divine Envoy’s voice was filled with shock, his hands trembling slightly behind his back.

“I understand. Arrangements will be made.”

The Divine Envoy waved his hand, then added, “You will be credited. Go.”

The middle-aged man let out a breath of relief before leaving the courtyard, though a trace of unwillingness still lingered on his face.

“To think such top-grade spiritual wisdom truly exists in this world!”

The Divine Envoy paced back and forth in excitement within the courtyard.

The deity worshipped by the God-Worship Sect was an evil god—he knew this clearly.

But by sacrificing living beings to gain power, for many, this was a shortcut to ascension.

Especially when sacrificing those with spiritual wisdom—the power gained was even greater.

“Perhaps I can break through to the Qi Realm in one move. My Zhou Family could also compete for the position of city lord.”

“Moreover, the old master of the Qin Family is nearing the end of his lifespan.”

The Divine Envoy tore off his black robe and strode out of the courtyard, heading toward the Zhou Family in the Inner City.

The Zhou Family controlled the city guards, public security, and punishments. Without their approval, those sects worshipping evil gods could never exist in Qingzhou City.

Not to mention the suppression of the Demon Suppression Division.

If the Zhou Family were to obtain the position of city lord, combined with their existing power, they would become the most dominant family in Qingzhou City.

This risk was worth taking.

Moreover, dealing with a mere girl from the Li Family carried little danger.

In a vast city like Qingzhou, the disappearance of one or two people was entirely normal.

Even if it alarmed the Jiang Family, without evidence—or even without finding Li Yunqing—the matter would ultimately fade away.

In fact, with proper planning, it might even be possible to shift the blame onto the Qin Family.

After all, the Qin Family’s direct daughter also wished to marry Jiang Yu.

A Qin Family daughter blinded by love, harboring hostility toward Li Yunqing—how natural would that seem?

At that time, if Li Yunqing disappeared, everyone would believe it was the Qin Family’s doing.

“If I can provoke a conflict between the Jiang Family and the Qin Family…”

“Perhaps even the Jiang Family’s military could fall into the hands of my Zhou Family.”

“At that time, the Zhou Family would become the strongest family in Qingzhou City.”

Thinking of this, the Divine Envoy grew increasingly excited, and an even more terrifying thought surfaced in his mind.

“With such a foundation… perhaps we could even step into the imperial capital!”