Chapter 29: Getting Married

According to the customs of Feiyun City, the bride and groom were not allowed to see each other for seven days before their wedding.

Mrs. Xu strictly required Xu Guang to observe this custom. She always felt that since their family was very poor, the only thing they could offer Ji Xiaolu was respect. Wang Ming occasionally picked the old lady up to visit Ji Xiaolu, but she forbade Xu Guang from going over.

Although Xu Guang missed Ji Xiaolu quite a bit, he was helpless against Mrs. Xu’s stubbornness. He had no choice but to vent his excess energy into his cultivation. A happy occasion lifts the spirit. To his surprise, he found that the speed of his Bone Forging seemed a fraction faster.

Finishing another day of cultivation, a hint of absentmindedness surfaced in Xu Guang’s eyes. Tomorrow was the day to go to the Immortal Institute again.

He opened his attributes panel.

It was worth mentioning that ever since he searched for his own attributes last time, his panel had become fixed. After the special changes brought about by the Blood Eye’s Introspection ability, his panel could now update automatically, providing real-time feedback on his attributes.

[Name: Xu Guang

Bloodline Talent: Blood Eye (Current abilities: Blood Refining, Divine Might, Peeping Truth. Assessment: ???), Stone Skin (Current abilities: Jade Hide, Stone Burst. Assessment: ???)

Physique: 5.5

Will: 3.1

Cultivation Technique: Golden Willow Skill (Bone Forging Chapter 18%)

Skill: Golden Willow Step Method (Entering the Hall 80%), Gale Fist Technique (Entering the Hall 10%)

Combat Power Assessment: Elite Level]

Looking at the increasingly detailed panel, a look of satisfaction appeared on Xu Guang’s face. The feeling of improving one’s strength was truly great. Once the progress of the Golden Willow Skill’s Bone Forging Chapter reached 50%, his combat power should rise to the Heroic Level of the Bone Forging Realm.

However, his cultivation over the past few days had nearly depleted the Essence Blood in his Blood Eye. Using Introspection to observe the three drops of Essence Blood swirling within, a trace of helplessness appeared on his face.

In the early morning, the Immortal Institute bustled with noise. Master Zhao’s conversation with everyone during their last meeting didn’t seem to have impacted their lives. The senior brothers and sisters were still practicing martial arts with fiery enthusiasm.

In a corner, Xu Guang, Xu Sanduo, and Zhao Yong gathered together.

"Junior Brother, what’s going on?" Xu Sanduo looked at Xu Guang curiously. "Calling us over so mysteriously early in the morning."

Zhao Yong also looked puzzled.

A peculiar expression graced Xu Guang’s face. "I’m getting married."

Xu Sanduo: ???

Zhao Yong: ???

"Really? Did Wang Ming take you on a blind date?" Xu Sanduo quickly asked. "Which family is she from? Given your current conditions and looks, she must be the eldest daughter of some prominent family, right?"

Zhao Yong was slightly envious as well. His wife was just a commoner. In his eyes, the status of Xu Guang’s wife wouldn’t be low. After all, even though Xu Guang was a commoner like him, he was handsome.

It had to be said that after awakening his two Bloodline Powers, especially the Stone Skin Bloodline, Xu Guang’s appearance had undergone an earth-shattering change. He used to look like an overgrown kid, but now he was tall and strapping, with smooth muscles and sharp, distinct facial features. He even exuded an aura of dashing elegance.

Xu Guang shook his head, not keeping them in suspense. "Xiaolu is a refugee."

The two of them exclaimed "Ah!" almost simultaneously.

Despite his surprise, Xu Sanduo still asked, "When do you plan to get married?"

"In three days. I don’t know many people to begin with, and I’m only close to you two senior brothers in the Immortal Institute. You must come," Xu Guang said sincerely.

Xu Sanduo patted him firmly on the shoulder. "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely prepare something good for you!"

Zhao Yong also nodded beside them, a thoughtful look in his eyes, seemingly considering a gift.

Moved, Xu Guang repeatedly said, "Just having you two senior brothers there is enough."

At noon, while all the disciples in the courtyard were eating, Xu Guang went to find Master Zhao.

"Master," Xu Guang greeted, his expression as respectful as ever.

Old Zhao had always been satisfied with Xu Guang’s attitude. Aside from Fourth Senior Brother Zhao Yong, Xu Guang was the disciple who showed him the most respect.

"Are you looking for me because you’ve made a decision?"

He seemed to see through Xu Guang’s intentions at a glance. A trace of regret flickered in his eyes. Though he could understand Xu Guang’s choice, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable. However, he hadn’t taught Xu Guang for long, so it was understandable for him to make such a choice.

Xu Guang nodded. "I plan to join the army."

Master Zhao was stunned. He thought Xu Guang had come to reject him. "You said... you plan to join the army?"

"In a few days, I plan to get married, adding another mouth to feed in my family. As you know, Master, my background is humble. The current situation is unstable, and to ensure my family’s stability, I can only gamble with my life."

At these words, Master Zhao looked at Xu Guang with a hint of surprise. He didn’t speak, pondering for a long time.

"You are the first to choose to enlist. I will ask the City Guard’s Mansion for a spot in the Mercenaries for you. Even though it’s still affiliated with the Feiyun Guard, it offers more freedom and is somewhat safer."

This was the most suitable condition he could secure for this disciple. Even though they hadn’t spent much time together, he could tell that Xu Guang valued his family deeply. In his view, with Xu Guang’s meager Skin Polishing cultivation, if he really went to the battlefield, a slight misstep would cost him his life. In a rare display of kindness, he decided to help him out.

Xu Guang was no novice. The Mercenaries were essentially hired soldiers nominally belonging to the Feiyun Guard. This status guaranteed a certain degree of freedom. While still subject to the military law of the Feiyun Guard, it was ultimately not as strict as the regular army. The only downside was that Mercenaries didn’t receive military pay; they had to accept missions from the City Guard’s Mansion to earn rewards.

This wasn’t a bad thing for Xu Guang. He only wanted to join the army to be a lurker on the front lines and secretly use Blood Refining. After all, human blood was the best source for the Blood Eye to generate Essence Blood. Once his Searcher found a method for rapid Bone Forging, he foresaw that his consumption of Essence Blood would skyrocket.

"Thank you, Master."

Master Zhao waved his hand nonchalantly. "Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll give you another gift. Consider it both a farewell gift for enlisting and a wedding present."

He tapped a nearby chest, gesturing for Xu Guang to open it. Xu Guang retrieved a yellowed piece of Contract Paper from within, not daring to peek at its contents casually.

Master Zhao grew even more satisfied with Xu Guang’s attitude. "Once you get your Mercenary Decree and save up some silver taels, take this Contract Paper to the Wang Family Blacksmith Shop in the Inner City to forge your armor and weapons."

Armor, as well as sabers, spears, and swords exceeding half a meter in length, were restricted items. It was strictly forbidden for civilians to manufacture or use them privately. As for weapons, large families could still rely on their sheer numbers of Noble People and Mortals to equip their descendants and guards. But armor—excluding the top three factions that possessed their own armies—was treated as treason if discovered in anyone else’s possession. This blacksmith shop in the Inner City was presumably legal.

Xu Guang was increasingly moved. "Thank you, Master. In the future, if you need anything, please feel free to order me around."

"What makes you think you’re worth ordering around? Are you stronger than me, or older than me?"

Xu Guang was left speechless, completely devoid of any retort.

His decision to join the army wasn’t impulsive; it was the result of careful consideration. He bore a blood feud, but he already had ties binding him to his family, and now Ji Xiaolu would be added to the mix. With more attachments, seeking revenge while keeping his family safe seemed like a distant dream given his current strength.

Although his cultivation speed was decent now, it wasn’t enough. The situation in the city was changing rapidly, and those large families were always well-informed. He worried that the Han Family might flee in advance. Whether to avenge his father or protect his family, he needed to become stronger.

In truth, he already had some plans for his future cultivation path. Because of the Blood Eye, if he wanted to progress quickly, his path would inevitably be paved with corpses. And the place with the most corpses was the army.

Mercenaries, without a doubt, were the best option. Setting aside major battles, there were regular bandit extermination jobs, all of which would serve as resources for his cultivation. Otherwise, he could only slaughter the lowly street thugs from the city’s gangs. Not only did these thugs have low cultivation and little Essence Blood, but killing them could easily attract unwanted attention. It was better to kill through official channels. This idea had taken root especially after seeing the Three Guards Elite Iron Cavalry at Cang Mang Tower last time.

Outside.

"Fourth Senior Brother, what did Xu Guang want with you?" Han Juan walked up to Zhao Yong, who was practicing his martial arts, and asked in a rather bossy tone.

Zhao Yong shook his head and didn’t answer.

Han Juan sneered dismissively. Before leaving, she shot Zhao Yong a dark, sinister glare. She thought, "Damn it, every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can walk all over me. I’m giving these two lowly commoners face by asking them a question, and they actually dare to hide things from me."

Wearing a slightly resentful expression, Han Juan walked towards Susu.

Zhao Yong remained entirely oblivious to this.

At the end of the day’s training, Xu Guang parted ways with Zhao Yong and Xu Sanduo, and each headed home.

Three days later.

There were no elaborate decorations or lanterns in the Xu’s courtyard; only two festive red cloths were hung on the spirit wall just inside the entrance. Times were tough nowadays, and neither Mrs. Xu nor Ji Xiaolu wanted to hold a grand ceremony, lest they attract the wrong kind of attention.

The family members had all gathered. This was the second time Xu Guang had seen Ji Xiaolu over the past few days. He was somewhat amazed by her transformation. He didn’t know what his older sister had fed her, but the young lady’s previously thin face had filled out a bit, making her look quite adorable.

When Xu Guang met her gaze, Ji Xiaolu seemed extremely shy, yet she stared back with a hint of stubbornness. Xu Guang also felt a strange sensation. Looking at the woman who was about to become his wife, a strong sense of machismo welled up within him. He thought, "Little girl, you dare to look at me like that? I’ll stare right back at you."

To everyone’s surprise, the two of them just stood there, staring at each other across the courtyard for a long time.

"Snap out of it!" Xu Chun glared at Xu Guang. "You’ll have plenty of time to look later. Go check on Mother."

Xu Guang came back to his senses. He rubbed his head shyly and walked into the house to speak with his mother.

He hadn’t prepared much today, but since the only guests were his two senior brothers, it didn’t seem too shabby.

"Erlang, your two senior brothers are here."

Wang Ming, who was greeting guests at the door, called out to Xu Guang.