Chapter 1139: Dad and Father |
The White Tiger Demon Emperor stood outside the room, not doing anything. Naturally, the presence of the Undying Demon Emperor was a factor, but more importantly, he had vented his rage already, and whatever happened now was up to his daughter and granddaughter.
At this moment, hearing his daughter's gentle voice, Lin Ximo could no longer hold back his emotions. He broke down in tears.
"I… I won't go in, Little Mei. I've wronged you. I don't have the face to go in. I'm sorry… Congratulations… Congratulations…"
Forcing the words out, he turned and staggered away.
Mei Gongzi froze in place, then suddenly dashed after him.
In a few steps, she caught up and grabbed his arm.
Lin Ximo stopped. Despite his long years of cultivation, his emotions were on the verge of collapse. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Little Mei, I—"
"They say that raising a child is more difficult than giving birth to one, but without you, I wouldn't exist in this world. Whether Mother forgives you or not, your blood runs in my veins. Today is my wedding day, so… please stay. For my sake, Mother won't drive you away today. Without your blessing, my wedding would be incomplete."
Lin Ximo trembled, and his tears flowed even more fiercely. But he allowed himself to be led back into the room.
Watching him, Tang San sighed inwardly. The man was pitiful, but what could he do about it?
At any rate, ever since learning that Mei Gongzi was his daughter, the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor had played a crucial role—whether in her reporting to the Ancestral Court or inheriting the phoenix bloodline. Without him, there would have been no friendship with the Undying Demon Emperor. He had been repenting for his mistakes and silently protecting his daughter from the shadows. Whether or not Su Qin forgave him, Mei Gongzi could not be utterly cold to him.
"Today is a happy day, so no more tears," came a voice. At the same time, a hand landed on Lin Ximo's shoulder.
He looked up and froze.
This human face was not something he remembered seeing, but the look in the man's eyes was awfully familiar… and awfully irritating.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Xiao He smiled faintly and shrugged. "An old friend. What, did you also lose your memories when you lost the game?"
Lin Ximo's eyes widened in shock. He stared, dumbstruck. "You… you…"
Xiao He patted his shoulder. "Me indeed. Very much alive and fine. I mean, if I weren't, do you think Little Mei would've let you in?"
Lin Ximo jumped to his feet, but at that moment, he felt Su Qin's gaze on him. The power he'd been about to release instantly wilted.
He stared at Xiao He, disbelief in his eyes. "You… you didn't die? No, I saw your divine consciousness crumble with my own eyes, so how can you still be alive? And why are you a human!?"
Xiao He smiled. "Well, you did see that, but I managed to get back. As for how that happened and why I am a human, that's none of your business. Anyway, now that I see you like this today… all my resentment is gone. Today is Little Mei's wedding, and nothing is more important than that. I'm no longer who I was, I don't represent the Peacock Demon clan anymore. My name is Xiao He, not Wang Qing. And you're not the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor right now, just Little Mei's father. Let's end our grudge here."
Lin Ximo took a deep breath, trying to contain his sheer shock. Emperors could certainly preserve some measure of divine consciousness in their Celestial Pillars, and, in theory at least, they could potentially find a suitable body to occupy. But that was really just in theory, and in any event, it was something only reserved for the most powerful of them. The Peacock Great Demon King was not even an Emperor, let alone a powerful one. Yet he had not died, and now lived on as a human! Unbelievable!
"Ahem! Little Mei, are we ready to go? I came here to fetch my bride, you know?" Tang San's voice broke the tension.
Mei Gongzi lifted her veil slightly to steal a glance at him, and saw him smiling carefreely.
She nodded, then went first to her mother, embracing her.
Su Qin had already steadied herself and warmly returned the hug. Then Mei Gongzi went to Xiao He, giving him a gentle embrace as well. "Thank you, Dad."
He stroked her hair. "Little Mei, I wish you happiness."
And then… she stood before the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor.
Lin Ximo seemed at a loss.
"Father, thank you for coming today. I'm happy you're here," she said, hugging him lightly.
Lin Ximo stiffened, and Xiao He's earlier words echoed in his mind. This time, he forced himself not to cry.
"I… I… " He couldn't manage a full sentence.
But then, father and daughter locked eyes, and determination flickered in his gaze. "Little Mei, I have nothing fit to give you as a wedding gift, but Crystal Phoenix City is yours. Whatever you need from me, you can have it, even if it costs me every last demonshard coin I have. I've made many mistakes in my life, but I can promise you that there will be no mistakes from now on. I only live for you now."
She nodded softly. "Father, I will see you at the wedding."
Tang San also nodded to the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor. He knew that Lin Ximo's words were meant for Jin Miaolin as much as for his daughter.
Mei Gongzi extended her hand. Tang San took it and felt the coldness of her smooth skin, a sign of inner turmoil. As per tradition, he would bring her to the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain for the ceremony.
The White Tiger Demon Emperor and the Undying Demon Emperor, aware of what had transpired, greeted them with approving nods.
Su Qin wiped her tears and rose as well. Her gaze lingered briefly on Lin Ximo, and then she followed Tang San and Mei Gongzi out.
Xiao He did not follow; it was unfortunate, but his identity had to remain hidden. The Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor and the Undying Demon Emperor also stayed inside for the time being; they could not openly go out, so they would join later. The White Tiger Demon Emperor, Luo Qingzhu, and Su Qin accompanied Tang San and Mei Gongzi onto the cloud bridge.
Mei Gongzi's hand gradually warmed in Tang San's, and her expression softened. Thanks to his calming presence, her heart also grew calm.
Cheers from the Ancestral Court echoed through the air. The sky was clear, sunlight gilded the already spectacular bridge, and golden light played over drifting clouds as they moved forward.
The crowd below watched, erupting into joyous cries. The entire Ancestral Court was a sea of celebration.
Tang San glanced at Mei Gongzi; she was already looking back at him. They exchanged a smile.
Their love needed no words.
The Blue Gold Sacred Mountain drew near, and Mei Gongzi's grip on his hand tightened slightly. Beneath the veil, her face turned redder by the second. Gone was the domineering air of the last day of the Battle for the Throne.
Tang San patted her hand with his free one, silently telling her to relax as they stepped toward the Sacred Mountain.
With a wave of his hand, Tang San then drew the bridge back, reshaping it into a cloudy stairway that descended directly to the wedding grounds.