“So what exactly does ‘standing tall between heaven and earth’ mean?”

Bald Golden Roc scratched his smooth head as he asked Murong Feng.

“It’s a phrase used to praise men, but I feel... Senior Qin meant something else by it.”

“Then what did Senior Qin mean?”

“Go play for now. Don’t overthink such complicated things. With your wisdom, you’ll naturally understand soon enough without me explaining.”

Murong Feng patted his bald head, his expression tinged with pity.

By then, Li Mo had finished preparing the last dish, and Ying Bing had nearly completed cleaning. She called everyone to wash their hands and eat.

With so many people, several tables had to be pushed together, and even with long benches, they barely managed to squeeze in.

The demonic beings clutched spoons, occupying two-thirds of the space.

The four members of the Li family sat together, while Shang Wu, Qin Yuzhi, and Shang Qinqing—originally residents of Autumn Water Pavilion—took their seats nearby.

“I...”

Elder Qian had just returned, ready to join the feast, only to find no space left.

“Well, I don’t really need dinner tonight...”

Though Old Li’s tone was casual, he remained polite.

“No need for that.”

Elder Qian smiled faintly. “There are no paths in this world—paths are made by walking. If you want to eat, you’ll always find a way.”

With that, he soared into the air. Before anyone could blink, he was holding a bowl with a pork knuckle already inside.

“Huh?”

Li Mo had just taken a sip of soup and reached into his robe for a handkerchief to wipe his mouth when he noticed something odd—the texture was too stiff.

Pulling it out, he saw it was yellow.

“Isn’t this the imperial decree from the Southern Suppressing King? How could you forget something so important? You still haven’t even read what’s written on it.”

Gu Xueqin shot her son an exasperated look.

“Shall we open it and see?”

Li Dalong dropped his theatrical demeanor.

“Sure, let’s see what rewards His Majesty has bestowed.”

Li Mo nodded with a smile, but then he felt the delicate hand resting on his thigh suddenly tense.

Why is the ice block nervous...?

And why do Clan Leader Shang and Qin Yuzhi look so uneasy too?

When the decree was unfurled and Li Mo saw the words, his entire body stiffened.

“What’s wrong, kid? I haven’t even read it yet.” Li Dalong nearly caught a cold from the draft caused by the fluttering decree.

“I saw a bit of it!”

“What does it say?”

“By the Mandate of Heaven...”

“Just go back to eating.”

The Whale Clan leader quietly resumed eating his braised pork, puzzled by the odd looks everyone was giving him.

“It’s a marriage decree.”

Qian Bufan, who had just taken a bite and was now standing to the side, sighed.

“The decree states: ‘Having learned of Li Mo’s virtue and talent, and Ying Bing’s outstanding grace, and considering both have reached marriageable age, We, in Our benevolence, grant them Our blessing to join in matrimony, wishing them a harmonious union and early heirs.’

Oh, and the decree only mentions an auspicious date, leaving the specifics blank—likely His Majesty’s courtesy, allowing the two of you to choose the day yourselves.”

Silence fell over the room.

If not for the rapid breathing of a certain Phoenix Clan leader and the Divine Summoning Sect’s leader, Autumn Water Pavilion would have been utterly still.

“Marriageable age...” Li Dalong muttered.

Gu Xueqin’s breath hitched. “Auspicious date...”

Ying Bing’s lashes trembled. After a long pause, she finally asked Li Mo:

“What does the decree say?”

“I’m not entirely sure.”

Li Mo blinked, offering his interpretation. “It seems to say we should continue working closely together, hand in hand, just like we did in the Phoenix Domain. That’s what it means, right?”

“You really think so?”

“Yes, sister.”

Ying Bing gazed at him, her eyes searching, but his expression was utterly sincere—not a trace of acting.

Her heart was in turmoil.

The moment the Southern Suppressing King unrolled the decree, she had glimpsed its contents. Now, hearing Elder Qian recite it aloud, her mind spun even more wildly.

It was an indescribable feeling—something in her chest threatened to burst forth, weighing heavily on her. Calm was impossible; she wasn’t even sure she could still think.

Fireworks of every color exploded in her mind, deafeningly loud.

I’m not ready for this.

Yet seeing Li Mo’s obliviousness stirred something complicated in her.

“A childish fool like him wouldn’t understand what ‘early heirs’ even means.”

Li Mo added with perfect seriousness.

“......”

Ying Bing nearly nodded, but then her toes lightly pressed down on his foot.

You understand nothing?

Then what were all those ‘new world’ fantasies in your head?

Lowering her gaze, she glanced at the stunned faces around her.

“Let’s eat first.”

“Ah, I forgot to bring in the laundry.”

“The food isn’t as good tonight, kid. I’ll take my leave.”

“I’m exhausted. Time for bed—goodnight.”

“This...”

“You can read it in your dreams. Let’s go.”

“Take care, everyone. Sorry for the poor hospitality. We’ll treat you to a proper feast next time—don’t forget the wedding gifts.”

One by one, humans and demons alike made excuses to leave.

Young Li cheerfully saw them off at the door, only to find the courtyard empty—even his parents had vanished into the kitchen.

He exhaled in relief.

This is... too sudden.

Not just for the ice block—he wasn’t prepared either. As a man raised under the red banner, he believed marriage should come after courtship.

Though they’d already done most of what courtship entailed...

Soul-searching, he admitted he wanted this.

But if both sets of parents suddenly set up a wedding feast and declared, “Get married now,” anyone would be caught off guard.

And he still didn’t know how Ying Bing truly felt...

Young Li spread out the decree again, staring blankly at the empty space for the “auspicious date.”

......

On the roof of Autumn Water Pavilion.

Moonlight silvered the tiles, casting a glow on the slender legs Ying Bing hugged to her chest, revealing only a glimpse of smooth, luminous skin.

She watched as Young Li stood lost in thought in the courtyard before finally gathering the dishes.

The strange fluttering in her chest grew stronger.

Yes, she had fled earlier.

Because some things spill from the eyes, even when the lips stay sealed.

“If we marry... does that mean doing all those things he imagines?”

Ying Bing tightened her arms around her knees.

[Next ranking comparison countdown: One day.]

Suddenly, the long-dormant voice of the system echoed in her ears.