Chapter 1267: Yun Che and Cai Zhi
"Ahhh!?" Cai Zhi's lips instantly stretched to their maximum.
"Mo Li... what did you say?" Yun Che almost suspected his ears were malfunctioning.
"I said, the two of you shall become husband and wife here today!" Mo Li repeated in a higher pitch and even more resolute tone.
This time, Yun Che heard it clearly, too clearly, and was completely dumbfounded on the spot. He glanced at Cai Zhi beside him, who was staring wide-eyed, seemingly stunned into a daze, and stammered, "You... you're... joking, right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Mo Li said. Her face not only showed no trace of jest, but was more serious than at any other time.
"But, how can Cai Zhi and I..." Yun Che frowned and shook his head, utterly bewildered in his heart. "Her and me... no matter what, we shouldn't become husband and wife, right?"
He had first met Cai Zhi two years ago. They had barely shared hardships, and he owed her quite a bit of gratitude. Cai Zhi was the daughter of the Star God Emperor, the Celestial Wolf Star God, and most importantly, Mo Li's younger sister. Between him and Cai Zhi, no matter what, it shouldn't come to the word "husband and wife."
"Why not?" Mo Li stared intently and asked, "Is Cai Zhi not worthy of you?"
"No, no," Yun Che shook his head. "Cai Zhi is a princess of the Star God Realm and one of the Star Gods. I'm simply not worthy of Cai Zhi."
"Hmph," Mo Li's delicate brows slightly lowered. "You are known throughout the Divine Realm as the 'Son of Heaven's Way.' Even Qianye Ying'er is eager to marry you. How could you be unworthy of Cai Zhi?"
Yun Che couldn't tell if this was affirmation or sarcasm veiled in dissatisfaction, so he could only say, "But, these kinds of things at least require mutual affection. And Cai Zhi and I..."
"Then when you married Xia Qingyue back then, was it mutual affection?" Mo Li retorted coldly.
Yun Che was immediately at a loss for words.
"Yun Che, what kind of person you are—is there anyone in this world who knows better than I?" Mo Li frowned. "Lustful to the bone, unable to be happy without women, barely over twenty and already with three wives and many concubines, a harem full—you practically deserve to be struck by heavenly lightning!"
From Mo Li's words, both Yun Che and Cai Zhi could faintly hear a gnashing of teeth.
"In terms of appearance, Cai Zhi is already a peerless beauty at a young age and will surely have a captivating demeanor in the future. In terms of background, she is the little princess of the Star God Realm. In terms of cultivation, she is the feared Celestial Wolf Star God. Not a single aspect of hers is inferior to your wives and concubines in the lower realm. What more are you dissatisfied with!"
"But..."
"There's no 'but'!" Mo Li snorted coldly. "Don't think I don't know—you're definitely secretly pleased inside while pretending to be reluctant!"
After saying that, Mo Li added in an extremely low voice, "Super pervert!"
Although her voice was very low, Yun Che still heard it, and his face instantly fell... This label was never going to be removed from Mo Li's heart in this lifetime.
Mo Li's demeanor was extremely resolute. All his resistance would only be met with even fiercer rebuttals from her. Although this "marriage" was not only extremely sudden but also extraordinarily absurd, he knew that Mo Li was not someone who would act recklessly. Her decision must have some special deep meaning.
Calming himself a bit, Yun Che looked into Mo Li's eyes and asked seriously, "Then at least tell me... the reason you decided this with Cai Zhi."
Cai Zhi stared blankly at Mo Li, seemingly not yet recovered from the shock.
Mo Li did not avoid his gaze at all; she looked directly into his eyes and said, "Because, in this world, you are the only one who can marry my little sister."
"..." An extremely simple sentence, but it left Yun Che somewhat bewildered, unsure how to respond.
"Cai Zhi, this is also an answer for you." Her gaze shifting to Cai Zhi, Mo Li's voice softened. "Don't ask anymore. Let's begin. I will personally witness your union."
"No... no," Cai Zhi shook her head, her face full of bewilderment. "No, no, I don't want to!"
Cai Zhi turned around and started to run out.
"Cai Zhi! Are you going to disobey me again!"
Mo Li's sharp rebuke made Cai Zhi stop obediently. She turned her face and said in a fluster, "I... I will listen to Big Sister, but... but..."
Seeing Cai Zhi's panicked and at a loss expression, Mo Li's breath caught, and her voice and gaze both softened. "Cai Zhi, marriage is the most important event in a woman's life. And I decided it for you with a single word... I know this is a great harm and injustice to you. You can blame me, resent me as much as you want."
"No, I don't blame Big Sister." Cai Zhi shook her head vigorously. "I just... just think it's too strange."
Mo Li's chest heaved heavily, and she said softly, "You must find it hard to accept now, but trust me, it won't be too long before you gradually become attracted to him, until you're unable to extricate yourself. At that time, you will completely accept this outcome, and even... forever be grateful for this day."
"He is that kind of person."
Yun Che: "..."
"But, he is my brother-in-law." Cai Zhi was still bewildered and unable to understand. "It should have been Big Sister and him... obviously..."
"Cai Zhi," Mo Li took a light breath, "This is my most selfish and also most important wish. Can you help me fulfill it?"
"I..." Cai Zhi's lips parted slightly, not knowing how to answer.
"This must also be your mother's, and your brother's wish." Mo Li said gently.
"..." Cai Zhi's gaze grew more and more hazy, as if covered by an unbreakable mist.
Compared to Yun Che, who was an experienced veteran to the point of absurdity, the impact of Mo Li's decision on her was undoubtedly much stronger. Although she had inherited the memories of the Celestial Wolf Star God, it could not help her understand why such a strange thing was happening.
A wish? Why did she say it was a wish? Yun Che thought to himself.
"Yun Che, Cai Zhi, kneel." Mo Li lightly closed her eyes, hiding her extremely complicated gaze.
But Yun Che and Cai Zhi both stood motionless.
As if expecting this, after the words fell, Mo Li directly reached out her small hand and gently gathered.
A soft force suddenly pressed down. How could Yun Che possibly resist Mo Li's strength? He immediately knelt to the ground. Cai Zhi, still in a daze, also knelt simultaneously.
"Bow to Heaven and Earth!" Mo Li's voice intensified.
"Big Sister, I..."
Cai Zhi wanted to say something more, but Mo Li cut her off sharply: "No talking!"
Mo Li's hand gesture changed slightly. The force pressing on the two shifted forward, causing their upper bodies to bow down together.
Yun Che could not resist Mo Li's strength, but Cai Zhi could... but she dared not. In this world, the thing she least wanted and least dared to do was to make her big sister angry.
"The spirit tablets behind me belong to Cai Zhi's mother and aunt. I was once Yun Che's master, so naturally, I count as Yun Che's elder. Thus, both of you have elders present... Bow!"
After Mo Li finished speaking, her hand gesture changed again, witnessing the completion of their second bow.
Taking a slow breath, Mo Li gently gathered her fingers. An intangible breath turned the two, making Yun Che and Cai Zhi kneel facing each other, their four eyes meeting.
However, their eyes had just touched when their upper bodies were pressed down again.
"Third bow!"
This bow was very heavy. Yun Che's head and Cai Zhi's beautiful head heavily touched together.
Mo Li withdrew her strength. While letting out a sigh of relief, her emotions became even more complicated. "The three bows are complete. Yun Che, Cai Zhi, from this moment on, you two are husband and wife, bound by fate. In the future, you must support each other, sharing honor and disgrace!"
Yun Che: "..."
Cai Zhi: "..."
From kneeling to completing the three bows, it was all forcefully done by Mo Li, and it happened very, very quickly. Neither of them even had time to savor what had just occurred.
Although Yun Che was a man who had already undergone three marriage ceremonies, this time he was also at a loss. He only knew what the completion of this ceremony meant...
After Xia Qingyue, Cang Yue, and Xiao Yaohou, he now had another wife...
Cai Zhi...
With Xia Qingyue, it was an arranged marriage from childhood; with Cang Yue, it was mutual affection; with Xiao Yaohou, it was a celebration across the land; but with Cai Zhi...
He secretly glanced at Cai Zhi and found her still kneeling there in a daze, looking so lost and helpless that it was heartbreaking.
It seemed that even now, she could not understand what had just happened.
Mo Li walked over, silently watched the two, and looked for a long time. Her face was very calm, but in her heart, waves were churning without pause...
*Yun Che, after I leave, Cai Zhi will protect me in my place. She will surely become the strongest Star God in the future and shield you from all calamities...*
*Cai Zhi, remember, without me, there is still someone in this world you can rely on wholeheartedly. Never let yourself fall into the abyss of 'only hatred' again...*
The voice in her heart gradually faded. She could not say it out loud, but witnessing the union of their fates, a faint smile finally appeared at the corner of her lips: "Cai Zhi, give me the ring on your hand."
Cai Zhi looked up, stunned for a moment, then carefully removed the ring that had always been on her left hand and handed it to Mo Li.
It was a bright silver ring with a faint blue glow vaguely entwined around it. Clasping the ring in her hand, Mo Li said softly, "This ring was left behind by big brother before his death. He said he placed his final soul within the ring to protect me for my entire life."
"Twelve years ago, before I went to the Southern Divine Realm, I gave this ring to Cai Zhi. Now, I entrust it to you."
"Ahhh!?" Cai Zhi let out a startled cry. This ring had always been the most cherished thing on her person.
Mo Li stepped forward, picked up Yun Che's left hand, and personally put the ring on his middle finger. "Yun Che, I hope that every time you see this ring, you remember that Cai Zhi is your wife, the person you are to cherish for life. Every kindness you show to other women, even tiny means to please them, must not be lacking in the slightest when it comes to Cai Zhi!"
"..." Yun Che looked at Mo Li, then glanced at the ring forcibly slipped onto his finger, momentarily unsure how to respond.
"This ring can be considered Cai Zhi's dowry. You should also offer some betrothal gift, shouldn't you?" Mo Li put down Yun Che's hand.
Yun Che exhaled and grabbed an ordinary-looking longsword from the Heavenly Poison Pearl. The blade had a faint, verdant flow of light.
"This sword is called the Heavenly Poison Sword. It has accompanied me in saving people and also in slaughtering countless lives. It has witnessed two chapters of my life. It was also this sword that saved Ling'er's life at Jueyun Cliff."
Mo Li took the Heavenly Poison Sword and faintly sensed the aura of the Heavenly Poison Pearl on its blade.
Placing the Heavenly Poison Sword in Cai Zhi's hands, Mo Li said softly, "Cai Zhi, keep this sword well. It is the betrothal gift from your husband and a testament that he will protect you for life."
"My husband is so weak; I don't need his protection."
Cai Zhi murmured softly, but her hands still lightly touched the sword's blade. Her gaze was hazy, and no one knew what she was thinking.
"He is not your brother-in-law, but your husband. Do not make that mistake again!" Mo Li reminded.
"I don't want to!" Cai Zhi retorted. She glanced at Yun Che but then swiftly averted her gaze. Grabbing the Heavenly Poison Sword, she hurriedly ran off, seemingly lost and unsure how to face Yun Che and her big sister.