CHAPTER 505: CHAPTER 504: RESOLUTION_1

"This matter is indeed regrettable, but it’s their choice, and as outsiders, we don’t have the right to say anything." Nie Wu Xiang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then continued, "Speaking of Junior Brother Ling Chen, I wonder how he’s doing now. He’s a sentimental person. Knowing that a marriage banquet is taking place today, he would most likely not remain a bystander."

"My brother definitely wouldn’t." Ling Yin waved her small hand, speaking with absolute certainty. "Maybe he’s hiding in some corner right now, secretly watching everything. He’s just waiting for the right opportunity to jump out, disrupt the wedding, give that superficial Gentleman of the Wind a thorough beating, and take Sister Xu Ruoyan away." After saying that, she began to look around, as if Ling Chen really were hiding somewhere in the venue.

"Enough. I just hope he doesn’t come." A worried look appeared in Xiao Muyu’s clear eyes. She scanned the venue. Aside from the experts of Sky Void Palace, among the invited guests were several giants of the martial world. Two of the Four Outstanding Talents of the young generation, Yun Qinghong, known as the "White Xuanjun," and Su Ziling, known as the "Unrestrained Young Master," were also present.

"Sky Void Palace is heavily guarded today, and so many martial arts masters are present. If he tries to intervene in the wedding, he might not only fail to take Xu Ruoyan away but also needlessly throw away his own life."

The others nodded in agreement. Even though they longed to see Ling Chen, deep down, they hoped he wouldn’t risk coming. After all, things and people had changed. Ling Chen was no longer the Ling Chen of old, and Xu Ruoyan was no longer the Xu Ruoyan of old; their statuses truly no longer matched. Forcing them together would only lead to mutual harm.

Is this man the groom she has chosen?

In another corner of the venue, a gaze swept over the Gentleman of the Wind. Its owner was a seemingly ordinary middle-aged man. The middle-aged man wore an eyepatch and had two fierce scars on his face. He carried a large broadsword on his back and resembled an armed escort.

This man, known as the "Life-snatching Dart Expert," was none other than Ling Chen in disguise. The real "Life-snatching Dart Expert" in Jianghu had been killed by Xia Yunxin two years ago. Hence, there was virtually no chance Ling Chen would be recognized in this disguise.

At that moment, Ling Chen’s expression was complex, his heart filled with mixed feelings. When a man learns that the woman he loves has chosen to marry another, he probably feels the same way.

"The Gentleman of the Wind is ranked seventh on the Young Master List. He’s not yet thirty but already at the Great Master Ninth Level of cultivation. He’s undeniably talented and handsome. If I were Miss Xu Ruoyan, I might have made the same choice."

Next to Ling Chen was a hunchbacked old woman with a withered complexion. Without a doubt, she was Xia Yunxin in disguise.

Ling Chen looked at the figure of the Gentleman of the Wind and took a deep breath. If this is her true choice, I have nothing to say. I won’t interfere; I’ll even wish her well. However, this is definitely not her true choice. I can’t let her make the wrong decision without knowing everything.

"How do you know this isn’t her true choice?" Xia Yunxin furrowed her brows. "Wake up. What exactly are you trying to do? Are you planning to announce loudly here that your mother isn’t Xu Feihong’s murderer, and the real killer is Shentu Yan? That you didn’t defect to the Demon Cult but were forced to?"

"Please, your words are pointless. If she trusted you, she would have done so in the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace; why wait until now? Stop wasting your effort." Deep down, she still hoped Ling Chen wouldn’t do anything reckless here. Once their identities were exposed, with their current strength, they would likely die without a burial site in an instant.

"How can we know the outcome without trying?" Ling Chen remained unswayed, his eyes filled with even more determination. "If you were in my shoes, you wouldn’t stand by and watch the person you love marry someone else. Even if it costs my life, it would be worth it."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yunxin fell silent. Ling Chen’s insistence moved her. Suddenly, she felt a bit envious of Xu Ruoyan, for having such a man willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, for her.

"The bride has arrived!"

Just as the blazing sun reached its zenith, a crisp voice finally rang out across the bustling square. Immediately, countless voices quieted, and all eyes turned towards the source of the sound. They saw a woman in a full red wedding gown, her face completely concealed by a red, hanging veil. Surrounded by dozens of beautiful maids like stars escorting the moon, she slowly walked towards the wedding platform at the center of the square.

With the appearance of today’s protagonist, the laughter on the square grew louder. Many people congratulated the Gentleman of the Wind. Even for a top young talent like him, marrying such an outstanding woman was something many envied.

The Gentleman of the Wind felt a surge of pride. After all, this favored daughter of heaven was now his. This not only greatly enhanced his prestige but also significantly boosted his status, providing him with more capital and confidence in competing for the position of the next Sect Leader of the Myriad Dao Sect.

Smiling, he returned the greetings of the congratulating guests one by one. Then, the Gentleman of the Wind strode quickly towards the bride. His gaze swept towards her face, but due to the red veil, he could only see a stunningly beautiful, yet cold, countenance.

He took the red silk knot handed to him by a nearby maid. Then, under the watchful eyes of countless people in the square, the new couple slowly walked to the foot of the wedding platform.

"Hehe, Yan’er is getting married today. Everyone has traveled thousands of miles to be here. On behalf of Yun Lan Zong, I, Dong Shenglong, thank you all!" Atop the wedding platform, Dong Shenglong, his face wreathed in smiles, looked down at the perfect couple below. He then raised his head and boomed to the countless people in the square with a laugh.

Upon hearing his words, waves of congratulatory voices instantly rose from the square, like a surging tide.

"Xu Ruoyan is the daughter of our Palace Master Xu Feihong and the next Palace Master of our Sky Void Palace. And Martial Nephew Gentleman of the Wind is also a strong contender for the next Sect Leader of the Myriad Dao Sect. Therefore, this marriage is truly a perfect match, a union made in heaven," Dong Shenglong said with a broad smile.

Below the wedding platform, the Gentleman of the Wind smiled as he responded to the surrounding congratulations. He occasionally glanced at the bride beside him, who had not uttered a single word since her appearance. When he did, the smile on his face would unconsciously fade slightly, and a hint of gloom would flash through his eyes.

It seems things are just as I expected. This Xu Ruoyan doesn’t look like she’s getting married at all. It seems she doesn’t like me one bit; she probably won’t even let me touch her. But that doesn’t matter. Once we’re married, I have hundreds of ways to make her submit. Isn’t it just about getting a woman into bed? That’s too simple for me.

"The auspicious time has arrived! The wedding ceremony begins!"

At this moment, the festive atmosphere of the entire venue undoubtedly reached its peak.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the torrent of celebration was about to erupt to the heavens, a rather hoarse and heavy voice suddenly rang out across the venue.