Chapter 2194: This Life as a Vow (Part 2)
The breeze in the bamboo forest also quietly faded at this moment. The swaying bamboo leaves hung on the branches, no longer rustling, as if afraid to disturb the girl's determination... It was the most intense rush of her life, and also her most steadfast obsession.
The girl's fingertips were slightly cool, but her palm was exceptionally warm, carrying a certain heat that penetrated through the skin, through flesh and bone, gently searing all the way to the depths of his heart and soul, rippling into layers of ceaseless waves.
Yun Che stared at her in a daze... At this moment, facing the starlight in her eyes that seemed to want to completely imprint his entire life, even the most cold-blooded and iron-hearted person in the world would surely be unable to utter words of refusal.
"Hua Caili," he said with an extremely soft voice, as if afraid to shatter something, "I..."
"Nonsense!"
A heavy rebuke pierced through the air, startling the bamboo leaves to sway and the dust to stir, also awakening the two lost in their own thoughts.
As the voice fell, a figure arrived. A dark-clad figure descended gracefully from the air. Hua Fuchen frowned deeply, his gaze sweeping over Yun Che and Hua Caili, pausing briefly on the misty tears in Hua Caili's eyes, and finally lingering long on the tombstone. His face showed not anger, but a kind of indescribable irritation.
How vast was the divine perception of the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable! He had just drunk three cups with the Dreamless Divine Venerable when he was startled by his daughter's "reckless" act and rushed away from the feast, so hastily that a few drops of undried wine still stained his sleeve.
"Father God..." Hua Caili instinctively stood up. She was briefly flustered, but this trace of panic did not scatter the determination in her heart in the slightest: "This is a matter between Brother Yun and me. You... are not allowed to come and cause trouble."
Trou...ble...?
The corner of Hua Fuchen's eye clearly twitched. He furrowed his brows even tighter, his voice especially stern: "What nonsense are you saying! On trivial matters, you can do whatever you want, but marriage is no child's play!"
"And you, as the Heaven-Breaking Divine Maiden, when it comes to marriage matters... choosing a husband, betrothal, presenting betrothal gifts, drafting the contract, announcing to ancestors, offering sacrifices to heaven, the wedding ceremony... every step is observed by the world, and all concern the face and dignity of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom."
He shifted his gaze, fixing it on Yun Che: "You're joining her in this foolishness!"
Hua Caili slowly straightened her body, her expression showing not a trace of wavering or timidity: "What Father God speaks of are just things for outsiders to see. To me, they are not important in the slightest. I only want Yun—"
"You can be willful and do without!" Hua Fuchen directly interrupted her words, his voice also growing heavier: "But I absolutely will not allow my daughter to be looked down upon by the world in this major life event!"
"Hey, hey, hey!" Meng Kongchan's voice rang out. He landed beside Hua Fuchen and said in a comforting tone: "Brother Fuchen, those words were a bit harsh. Hua Caili's pure and flawless heart moved even me deeply. How can it be called belittling herself? On the contrary, it is so precious... that one cannot help but be touched."
Hua Caili slowly shook her head, her words earnest: "Father God, I am not being reckless. I know very well what I am doing. And this decision was not a whim, but something I have pondered for many days. Yet each day, it became more resolute, more urgent."
"..." Yun Che opened his mouth. He felt he should say something, but he, the most eloquent of speakers, was now speechless, his heart condensed into silence.
Hua Fuchen sighed, the coldness receding from his brow. He stepped forward, softening his tone: "Hua Caili, you are my daughter. No one understands your heart better than your father. But... even setting aside the identity of the Heaven-Breaking Divine Maiden, precisely because I care for you too much, I cannot allow your marriage to be so easily and hastily decided."
His gaze shifted to the tombstone he had caressed countless times: "The daughter of Wanxin and me deserves the best man in the world as her partner. She should wear a phoenix coronet and a brocade veil, with ten thousand swords soaring across the sky, married in grand style. She should be envied by the whole world, with all nations coming to congratulate, and all beings joining in celebration... That would surely be the scene your mother most wished to see."
"No," Hua Caili shook her head again: "If my temperament truly resembles Mother's so much, then what she most wished to see would surely be me finding my beloved early and being together forever, united in heart, rather than those deliberately displayed extravagances and spectacles for others' eyes!"
"I don't want to be like Mother, who clearly shared mutual love with her beloved, yet until her passing, was unable to fully establish the title of husband and wife with him."
The moment these words left her mouth, Hua Caili regretted them. Her overly eager words had unintentionally touched the deepest wound in her father's heart.
And Hua Fuchen's entire body stiffened, as if struck by thunder. He stood there woodenly for a long time, his pupils showing a dispersion that should never appear in a Divine Venerable's body, as if all his strength had been drained in an instant.
"Fa... Father God..."
Hua Caili's eyes were flustered, her trembling lashes like startled butterfly wings. Even her speech became halting and lost: "I... I didn't mean that... I..."
"Hua Caili, what you said is not wrong at all. There is no need to apologize to him."
A voice as cold and clear as a winter moon cleansing the heart fell from above. Hua Qingying had already landed beside Hua Caili, her clear eyes piercing straight at the dazed Hua Fuchen, showing not a trace of comfort, only frost and cold.
"Aunt..." Hua Caili called out softly, almost subconsciously.
"Uh..." Meng Kongchan's eyes widened greatly. He instinctively stepped forward to interject, but upon touching Hua Qingying's gaze fixed on Hua Fuchen, he wisely retreated half a step, falling silent.
"Well said: 'wear a phoenix coronet and a brocade veil, with ten thousand swords soaring across the sky, married in grand style.' Well said: 'envied by the whole world, with all nations coming to congratulate, and all beings joining in celebration.' Truly familiar words!"
She repeated Hua Fuchen's earlier words, but each word was cold as frost, each like a thorn: "So it was that Qu Wanxin listened to your beautiful promises, held onto the commitments you repeatedly gave, and then... until her death, was unable to fully obtain the title of husband and wife with you!"
"..." Hua Fuchen's figure swayed.
"Aunt..." Hua Caili gently shook Hua Qingying's arm: "Don't speak of Father God like that. Father God only feared I would be wronged..."
"Alas—" Hua Fuchen raised his head slightly, letting out a long sigh: "Yes. I always thought... this is the most important person in my life. I must give my all, at the best opportunity, to grant her the best of everything in the world, and absolutely allow no grievance."
"But I forgot to listen to what she most wanted..."
Hua Caili stepped forward softly, her hands covering her father's arm, tears shimmering in her eyes: "I'm sorry, Father God. It was I who spoke recklessly, causing you to recall the most painful memories. But... but regarding today's matter, I still hope Father God will grant your approval."
"Because... I always inexplicably fear that there will be more changes between Brother Yun and me. I hope that... no matter what happens in the future, I can stand side by side with Brother Yun under the title of husband and wife, facing everything together, no longer distinguishing between us, no longer fearing any obstacles or calamities."
"I don't need a phoenix coronet or brocade veil. I don't need a grand wedding ceremony. Even less do I fear being looked down upon or ridiculed because of this. Father God, just let me be willful one more time, okay?"
She gently shook Hua Fuchen's arm, her guilt, coaxing, and pleading all being things Hua Fuchen could least bear.
"No conflict, no conflict." Meng Kongchan interjected at the right moment: "If the two have already pledged themselves to each other for life, then becoming husband and wife early can only be a beautiful thing. As for betrothal gifts, wedding ceremonies, and such, they can be supplemented at an appropriate time."
Hua Caili said timidly: "Thank you, Uncle Meng. Being able to have Brother Yun is already the greatest fortune of my life. There is no need for any betrothal—"
Her subsequent words were directly erased by a streak of invisible sword intent. Hua Fuchen turned his gaze, staring at Meng Kongchan, and said: "The betrothal gift must be grand! The grandest under heaven!"
"Good!" Meng Kongchan responded boldly: "If it's not grand enough to make you, Heart-Painting Divine Venerable, drop your jaw in shock, I will stand on my head and toast you three cups at the wedding ceremony! Hahaha!"
Hua Caili looked at the two, and suddenly her beautiful eyes brightened, the tears in them reflecting endless surprise: "Father God, you... you don't oppose it anymore, right?"
"Hmph!" Hua Fuchen gave a light snort, half helpless and half doting: "Your aunt brought your mother into it. How could I still dare not agree?"
"Thank you, Father God!" Hua Caili's smiling face bloomed, her eyes curved like crescent moons, like dew-covered qiong flowers in early spring: "I knew all along, Father God loves me the most forever."
Hua Fuchen raised his hand and gently stroked his daughter's hair. In his eyes was a complexity she could never understand.
She was destined never to know that a daughter marrying into another family was a farewell of unbearable weight for a father.
That rather lengthy preparation, those numerous and tedious rituals, were never merely about face and glory on the surface. They were also a father walking with heavy steps, barely able to traverse the long road of his heart.
Even if he was the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable.
But, since this was his daughter's insistence, the obsession she poured her life into... no matter how sudden, how bitter, how reluctant, he could only grant it.
"Only," he sighed lightly, "at the very least, you should first establish a marriage contract."
Meng Kongchan said with a chuckle: "That's simple—"
"I'll write it!"
A clear voice rang out. Without waiting for anyone's response, Hua Qingying's slender hand flickered with light. A series of invisible sword rays flashed through the bamboo forest, instantly severing dozens of bamboo segments of perfectly equal length.
Under the power of the sword intent, the bamboo segments seamlessly spliced together. In an instant, they transformed into an unfolded bamboo scroll floating in the air, faintly glowing with clear light.
Hua Qingying soared into the air, her slender finger condensing into a sharp edge. Using her finger as a sword and the sword as a pen, her sword aura overflowed as she rapidly carved characters onto the bamboo scroll—graceful, delicate, and penetrating through the bamboo:
"Behold, with heaven and earth as the bond, the stars and moon as the seal. All things obtain order, and human relations are thus made manifest. Therefore, the goodness of marriage connects to the heavenly way above and harmonizes with human relations below. It is not merely the mutual joy of two hearts, but also the eternal alliance of two nations.
"Now, there is Yun Che of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. He is as majestic as a mountain peak, with dragon-like features and phoenix-like bearing. Bearing the bloodline of the Dreamless Divine Venerable and inheriting a flawless divine rank. His heart is like jade, unwavering through myriad tribulations. His will is like steel, undaunted by death nine times.
"And there is Hua Caili of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. She has a sword-soul and an ice-heart, like jade branches and jade trees. Bearing the bloodline of the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable and inheriting a flawless divine rank. She embraces gentleness and upholds righteousness, naturally possessing the integrity of frost and bamboo. Her pure heart is like snow, unstained by the dust of the abyssal world.
"In the past, on the perilous Mist Sea, the two supported each other through hardships, weathering the tribulations of the mortal world and deepening their affection. In secret, they pledged their hearts and vowed to become husband and wife. Though the road ahead was rugged and rivers and mountains separated them, their two hearts remained steadfast, never wavering. At last, the mist and dust scattered, the clouds parted to reveal the sun, and their long-cherished wish was fulfilled, their love growing even stronger.
"Now, with the vault of heaven as witness and the years as matchmaker, may the two join hands with one heart, sharing the weight of the Divine Kingdoms. May they grow old together, accompanying each other across the frost of the abyssal world. Together at dawn and dusk, never failing each other in the passage of time. Bound by life and death, never betraying the depth of their love.
"From this day forth, the Weaving Dream and Zhe Tian bloodlines shall merge, and their divine paths shall ride side by side!
"Respectfully recording this contract, witnessed by heaven and earth!
— Yun Che
— Hua Caili
Respectfully established!
On the sixteenth day of Qinghe Month, in the year 2937719 of the Abyss Calendar."
Hua Qingying had witnessed the meeting and acquaintance of Yun Che and Hua Caili. Hua Caili's wholehearted affection, confusion, loss of heart, and determination... she had accompanied her side, watching with her eyes, until the two crossed life and death together. Even their union could be said to have been actively facilitated by her.
She was indeed the most suitable person to write this marriage contract for them.
The sword energy dissipated. The marriage contract slowly descended from the air, floating quietly before Yun Che and Hua Caili. The bamboo body flowed with sword intent, and the characters glittered brilliantly.
Hua Qingying gazed at the two. Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to raise the softest smile. But she had been accustomed to aloofness for too long, and in the end, she could not manage it. Only the lightest, most ethereal immortal voice emerged: "Hua Caili, Yun Che, that you two have come to this day is both a gift of heaven's fate and the result of enduring many hardships. It has truly not been easy. I only wish that from now on, your dreams may be as one with heaven, and your love may never wither with the years."
Her gaze shifted lightly, falling upon Yun Che: "Hua Caili's life is thus entrusted to you. I... am very at peace."
Once, she had imagined the day when Hua Caili would finally be betrothed to someone for life. And the words she would give would be nothing more than a cold warning: "Never betray her, or else..."
But now, facing Yun Che—the man who had repeatedly risked his life for Hua Caili—she gave only a warm word filled with boundless relief and trust.
Yun Che slowly closed his eyes, as if taking a vow with his heart: "Aunt, Venerable, I will never betray Hua Caili in this life."
"Heh." Hua Fuchen laughed, his smile now carrying genuine warmth: "Of that, I have never doubted."
Hua Caili raised her hand, lightly touching the characters her aunt had personally carved for them on the bamboo scroll, until she touched the two closely pressed names...
The sword energy pierced through her snow-jade-like fingertip, condensing into a blood bead as flawless as vermilion jade. She lifted her eyes to meet Yun Che's gaze. In her eyes seemed to gather all the most brilliant and resplendent starlight in the world:
"In this life, this body, this soul—in life, I follow by your side; in death, I accompany you by your side... I will never betray you."
Her finger descended, imprinting the clearest, most flawless fingerprint on the marriage contract.
Yun Che looked back at her, his lips parting again and again... One breath, two breaths, three breaths... He could not utter a single word.
He had not anticipated this moment, nor could he have anticipated it.
For a few fleeting instants, the girl's too-deep affection almost threatened to outweigh the weight of the entire Abyss.
"Hahaha!" Meng Kongchan let out a teasing laugh: "This kid is usually the most glib-tongued. Turns out he can be so excited he loses his words! I fear only the girl Hua Caili can make him like this."
Yun Che still said nothing. His fingertip congealed with blood, falling gently. Silently, he watched his own fingerprint overlap with the name "Yun Che," and lightly touch Hua Caili's fingerprint, blending with each other, no longer separated.
——————
[The "three hints" given to Meng Kongchan were in the latter part of Chapter 2077 (specially framed in a large black box), originating from the final soul power of the Nirvana Wheel Demon Soul—very important.]