Chapter 1141: The Three Wedlock Questions |
Even Tang San couldn’t help but secretly admire the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor at this moment. The man was truly worthy of having presided over the Ancestral Court for so many years; with just a few short sentences, he had managed to draw the Empyrean Dominion and the Solstice Empire closer together.
In recent days, relations between the two countries had been shifting constantly. With the successive deaths of two Demon Emperors, the Solstice Empire showed signs of rising in power, despite also losing one Emperor. In order to keep Black Dragon City under its control, the Empyrean Dominion had paid no small price. Maintaining a stable balance was of great importance to the Ancestral Court.
The only advantage the Empyrean Dominion had left was that, among the three Crown Princes, two were demons. Mei Gongzi or Xu An’yu were both more than adequate; as long as one of them ascended to Emperorhood, the balance could be preserved. As for Jin Miaolin, he was officially neutral, not to mention he would be married to Mei Gongzi. Even if he became Emperor, he could not openly show bias toward the nymphs.
"Your Majesty Sunborne, please officiate for the two Crown Princes," the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor said with a smile, stepping back and gesturing for the Sunborne Nymph Emperor to proceed.
With the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor playing the host and the Sunborne Nymph Emperor presiding, this was without doubt the highest level of ceremony the Ancestral Court could offer.
Tang San led Mei Gongzi to the center.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor walked up to them. To Tang San and Mei Gongzi’s surprise, the Emperor’s face, which was always shrouded in illusory light, gradually became clear, revealing her true appearance.
At the sight of it, even Tang San’s eyes widened a little in shock.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor smirked, evidently pleased with the reaction. "What? Surprised? Normally, I prefer not to show my true face. It’s just a habit, though; all the Emperors who are on good terms with me know what I really look like. Today, since you’re getting married, consider this my gift to you. That I allow you to see my true face means you have truly gained my friendship."
She had a pair of very bright, light-red eyes, and long golden hair flowed down her back. Her face carried a trace of majestic heroism; she was strikingly beautiful, and at the same time emanated an indescribable pressure.
Yes, Sunborne was a woman.
Tang San had already seen Sunborne’s face… or so he’d thought. Apparently, the avatar he’d been dealing with had been a disguise all along. He had always assumed she and the Earthshade Nymph Emperor were a couple, but now, it seemed that was not the case. Since the Earthshade Nymph Emperor was indeed known to be female, the two of them probably weren’t lovers after all.
A wry smile crossed Tang San’s face. This was far too unexpected.
"Your Majesty, you’ve really kept us in the dark," he said helplessly.
Meanwhile, a hint of wariness flickered in Mei Gongzi’s eyes.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor smiled faintly at her. "Little girl, what are you thinking? I’m already over two thousand years old. Today is your big day. Now, let me officiate for you."
Her face returned to its usual illusory state, and the ripples of energy blocking them from view dissipated.
"Jin Miaolin, answer three questions for us," the Sunborne Nymph Emperor said solemnly.
"Yes," Tang San replied.
"Do you swear to stand by Mei Gongzi, to be with her no matter when, where, or in what station, to grow old together, and to never betray her?"
Tang San answered clearly, "I swear to be bound to her in body and spirit, joined in heart forever."
On the Daemon Continent, this was called the Three Wedlock Questions. There were many ways to answer, but the strongest vow was a blood oath. Tang San and Mei Gongzi needed no such thing; with the Lifebond Necklace, their vow was already deeper than blood. It meant not just never betraying one another, but quite literally sharing life and death.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor nodded. "Do you swear to give her children, and strive to pass down your clan’s heritage?"
"I do!" Tang San said without hesitation.
For the races of the Daemon Continent, producing offspring to continue the bloodline was a matter of utmost importance. Those unwilling to bear children would not marry, at least not officially.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor continued, "Do you swear to give her everything, even your blood and your life?"
"I do!"
In fact, the first and third of these vows were already guaranteed by the Lifebond Necklace. As for the second one… well. That was a given.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor turned to Mei Gongzi. "Do you swear to stand by him, to be with him no matter when, where, or in what station, to grow old together, and to never betray him?"
Mei Gongzi answered softly, "I swear to be bound to him in body and spirit, joined in heart forever."
"Do you swear to bear him children and strive to continue your clan’s heritage?" the Sunborne Nymph Emperor asked.
Beneath her veil, Mei Gongzi’s face flushed slightly, but she nodded firmly. "I do."
"Do you swear to give him everything, even your blood and your life?"
"I do!"
Hearing her final answer, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor smiled. "Very well. May the great vow of the Three Questions guard your promise, and may your love last as long as heaven and earth. The ceremony is complete, and henceforth, you are husband and wife."
A clear dragon’s roar and phoenix’s cry rang out again. Dragon-Phoenix Harmony, love everlasting.
In that moment, Tang San and Mei Gongzi felt as though another bond had formed between them—not the life-blood connection of the Lifebond Necklace, but a strange link of consciousness and soul, eternally entwined.
The Sunborne Nymph Emperor laughed. "What are you waiting for? You may kiss your bride."
Tang San’s body trembled slightly before he turned toward Mei Gongzi, who had already turned to face him.
He slowly stepped forward, lifted her veil, and looked at her delicate beauty, her red lips glistening, her flawless face so close.
"I love you."
"I love you too," Mei Gongzi replied softly, her eyes shimmering.
The next moment, their lips met.
From here onward, they were no longer two.
The sound of the ceremonial great drum thundered again, shaking the air, and the atmosphere in the Ancestral Court reached its peak.
Blue-golden light burst from Tang San’s body. Nearby, the Blue Gold Sacred Mountain flared with dazzling brilliance, sending a pillar of blue-golden light into the sky, which then turned into a rain of glowing motes drifting over the Ancestral Court.
It was pure life energy, ten times stronger than the life rain they’d experienced before. Under its glow, the entire Ancestral Court seemed to be uplifted.
Everything was perfect.
And then, somewhere unnoticed, a circular array plate glowed unseen. A soft halo seeped into its surroundings, and all aura seemed to fall into a quiet stillness.
***
Five hundred kilometers southeast of Skytree City.
Here lay a large human settlement, over thirty villages in all, home to over a hundred thousand humans. They were mostly enslaved by Adamant City and other nearby nymph towns.
Today, the people here had a rare day off. The noble masters of the nymph clans had all gone to Adamant City or Skytree City to watch the wedding of the two Crown Princes on the crystal screens.
On the Daemon Continent, this was a grand affair, much like the Battle for the Throne had been before. Thanks to that, in recent months, life here had clearly become a bit easier.
In the middle of the central village, more than a dozen people gathered. Leading them was a tall, handsome man with a natural air of cool elegance.
He glanced at the sky, narrowed his eyes for a moment, then said quietly, "It’s about time. Begin."
"Yes, Lord Wu." The others bowed respectfully to him.