Chapter 554: The Chaos of Human Hearts

Jiang Yaozhang was still standing there like a wooden chicken when Xiao Yu walked over. She took the ceremonial robes and phoenix crown out of the hamper, carried them before Lv Qingzhu, and said, "Sister, the auspicious hour is almost here. Go inside and change into the ceremonial robes first."

Lv Qingzhu looked at Xiao Yu with gratitude, performed a curtsy, and said, "Many thanks, Sister!"

After performing the salute, Lv Qingzhu stood up, took the ceremonial robes and phoenix crown, and went into the inner room.

Not until Lv Qingzhu's figure disappeared behind the door curtain did the people in the Main Hall react.

Ximen Kankan looked at Duan Rong with a spectacular expression and shouted, "Good fellow! No wonder you kept making me pay attention to news about Li Ruozhou? So you're going to marry Lv Qingzhu! My goodness!"

Duan Rong ignored Ximen Kankan; he kept staring at Jiang Yaozhang, noticing that Jiang Yaozhang's expression was constantly shifting between cloudy and clear.

As if he had finally made up his mind, Jiang Yaozhang cupped his hands to Duan Rong and said, "Lord Duan, your concubine is actually Miss Lv!? My lord, tomorrow is the Engagement Ceremony for the marriage between the two sects, this..."

Jiang Yaozhang's heart was greatly shaken; he had not expected that a trip on an external errand would lead to him picking up such a hot potato.

Duan Rong said, "Mr. Jiang, you must have heard some recent news about the Tianyan Sect Young Sect Master Li Ruozhou, right?"

Jiang Yaozhang's eyes flickered; he naturally knew what Duan Rong was talking about. That affair involving Li Ruozhou was both a piece of gossip and mixed with many melodramatic plot points; that news had long since spread throughout the Sect as if it had grown legs.

Jiang Yaozhang said with a hesitant expression, "But..."

Duan Rong stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze like a blade, and said, "Qingzhu and I are truly devoted to each other; I hope Mr. Jiang will grant us your support!"

Duan Rong's words were ordinary, but killing intent was already surging on his body.

With his current cultivation realm, this killing intent was like a physical substance, shrouding the Main Hall.

Jiang Yaozhang was instantly covered in cold sweat, his heart panicked, and he hurriedly said, "Yes..."

Seeing that Jiang Yaozhang had agreed, Duan Rong smiled slightly and said, "Then I will trouble you, Mr. Jiang."

At this moment, the killing intent shrouding the hall quietly faded away. Jiang Yaozhang felt a weight lift from his heart, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and looked at Duan Rong with fearful eyes.

Just a moment ago, being shrouded by that killing intent, he had actually felt a sense of impending death; his heart had been panicked to the extreme.

At this time, the door curtain was lifted, and Lv Qingzhu had already walked out.

Wearing the ceremonial robes and phoenix crown, Lv Qingzhu was instantly bright and stunning, like a shimmering spring tide...

Not only did the eyes of Duan Rong and Ximen Kankan light up, but even Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi were stunned.

The lethality of a true beauty does not distinguish between men and women.

Before going to Fengyi Yuan, Duan Rong had already put on his ceremonial robes. He walked over, led Lv Qingzhu to the middle of the Main Hall, looked at Jiang Yaozhang, and said, "Mr. Jiang, the auspicious hour is almost here, let us prepare to begin."

Jiang Yaozhang said, "Yes, my lord."

At this time, Jiang Yaozhang had no more misgivings in his heart; since the wood was already carved into a boat, he had no choice but to go with the flow.

Under Jiang Yaozhang's presiding, the ceremony proceeded in a meticulous manner. Lv Qingzhu's glossy face was flushed, and from time to time, she looked at Duan Rong with a smiling gaze.

She was not a person who knew how to hide things; her coldness and aloofness in the past were her true state of mind, and her devotion to someone at this moment was also her true state of mind.

Jiang Yaozhang presided for a while and could not help but be greatly shocked; the movements of Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu in performing the rites were both very dignified.

Not only had Lv Qingzhu studied the Ancient Rites manual, but Duan Rong had also found an Ancient Rites manual and studied it thoroughly. At this moment, the two of them cooperated with Jiang Yaozhang quite tacitly.

Gradually, this ceremony began to show a certain style.

This was because Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu were truly devoted to each other, and both performed the rites with proper measure, which was why they were able to present the demeanor of these Ancient Rites.

The Ancient Rites have been passed down for ten thousand years; they may seem like cumbersome formalities, but every movement has profound meaning.

It is just that most people who perform the rites are merely copying the form! It is only superficial respect, without the true state of mind within.

As the ceremony continued, Jiang Yaozhang's eye sockets could not help but turn red. He had studied the rites for years; not only did his teachers praise him, but he himself secretly prided himself on having attained the essence of the rites.

But today, at this wedding of Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, he saw the true manifestation of the Ancient Rites for the first time!

Jiang Yaozhang was touched in his heart. At this moment, he finally understood that the true meaning of what is called "rites" lies in sincerity. Only with sincerity as the soul can the Ancient Rites be revived. And the current extinction of the Ancient Rites lies in the chaos of people's hearts in the world!

Etiquette is a medium; behind it is the sincerity of showing respect to heaven and earth, respect to the gods, and respect to the mountains, rivers, sun, and moon.

With this sincerity, human relationships can be solidified. Without this sincerity, the world will fall into chaos!

"With heaven and earth as witness, and the sun and moon as matchmakers! Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu are joined as husband and wife!"

"Bow!"

"Bow again!"

"Bow a third time!"

The Ancient Rites were complex, and it took a full hour to finally finish!

Throughout the entire process, Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu did not make a single wrong movement, and the further they went, the clearer their minds became!

The sages of old established the rites, and it was absolutely not done haphazardly; every movement had profound meaning.

Jiang Yaozhang watched, greatly moved. After the ceremony ended, he could not help but bow deeply to the couple, Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, and said, "The two of you have true sincerity, which heaven, earth, the sun, and the moon can witness! Only today does Yaozhang know what the rites truly are!?"

After the wedding ended, Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu entered the bridal chamber. This bridal chamber had been decorated by Xiao Yu leading Zhu Xiaoqi, and quite a bit of thought had been put into it.

After Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu left, Ximen Kankan immediately pulled Jiang Yaozhang, along with the two Attendants and the Guard, to start drinking.

Duan Rong had already instructed him that he must watch these people well tonight, and not let a single one leave!

Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi were also keeping an eye on these people. Xiao Yu knew deeply how much trouble it would cause if news of this matter leaked out, so she naturally dared not slack off.

Inside the bridal chamber, Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu were already lying on the bed!

Both of them were wearing their ceremonial robes.

Lv Qingzhu's phoenix crown was placed on the side table, the red candles were burning high, and a smile hung on her face.

Lv Qingzhu suddenly moved her shoulders.

Duan Rong said, "What is it?"

Lv Qingzhu said, "There seems to be something underneath."

As she spoke, she had already fished out a few dates from under the quilt.

She looked at the dates and asked in confusion, "What are these for?"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "These were placed by Xiao Yu. Dates imply the early birth of a noble son."

Lv Qingzhu's face turned red, and she put those few dates back.

Duan Rong gently pulled Lv Qingzhu into his embrace and asked, "Qingzhu, when we met in the Dark Forest that time, did you really intend to kill me?"

"Yes!" Lv Qingzhu said. "I already said, the day we met again would be the day I killed you. Why did you still run right in front of me?"

Duan Rong said, "I didn't know you were in the Dark Forest at that time. If I had known, I definitely would have stayed far away."

"Is that so?" Lv Qingzhu rested her head on Duan Rong's shoulder, her voice very soft and beautiful.

Duan Rong asked, "Then when was it that you stopped planning to kill me?"

Lv Qingzhu thought about it seriously and said, "Actually, it was right after that time in the Dark Forest; I already wouldn't have killed you anymore."

Duan Rong's heart stirred; this answer was quite different from what he had imagined.

"You wouldn't have killed me after that time?" Duan Rong sat up slightly, looked at Lv Qingzhu, and asked, "Why?"

Lv Qingzhu said, "Do you remember when you suddenly unleashed your Intent Blade Glow?"

Duan Rong nodded; that was the first time he had displayed his Intent Blade Glow in front of others.

Lv Qingzhu said, "If you hadn't unleashed your Intent Blade Glow at that moment, my sword would have already killed you! At that instant, my heart felt as if it had been pierced through! I truly thought you would die! Fortunately, you used the Blade Radiance to block my sword! After that strike, I couldn't bring myself to kill you anymore!"

The two of them lay on the bed chatting like this, only stopping when the sky began to grow light.

Duan Rong glanced at the sky brightening outside the window and said, "Qingzhu, we should go!"

"Mm!" Lv Qingzhu sat up, walked to the dressing table, and began to comb her hair.

Afterward, the two of them walked out of the bridal chamber together and arrived at the Main Hall.

Ximen Kankan, those two Attendants, and two Guards had all already fallen asleep from drink.

Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi were both sitting there with weary expressions, and the red candles on the table were already dripping wax...

Jiang Yaozhang was supporting his head with his hand, dozing there.

Duan Rong walked over and said, "Mr. Jiang!"

Jiang Yaozhang turned his head, saw Duan Rong, immediately stood up to offer a salute, and said, "Lord Duan!"

Duan Rong said, "I must trouble you, Lord Jiang, to accompany my wife and me to the Longyu Hall to act as a witness for us!"

"Yes, my Lord! Jiang is willing to go!" Jiang Yaozhang said with a bow.

If it were before, he might have hesitated, but last night at the wedding of Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, he had witnessed the reality of the Ancient Rites.

Jiang Yaozhang was obsessed with the Ancient Rites, revering them like gods!

To see the reality of the Ancient Rites was like beholding the true face of a deity! To uphold the rituals of Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu was to uphold the faith in his heart!

Xiao Yu walked over, looked at Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, and said, "Husband, sister, return early from this trip so our family can be reunited!"

As Xiao Yu spoke, she took Lv Qingzhu's hand, and Lv Qingzhu also gently gripped Xiao Yu's hand.

Seeing the two of them in harmony, Duan Rong felt quite happy for a moment, but thinking of the storm they were about to face, his expression could not help but turn grave again.

Shen Mizhi was still on Cuiwei Peak; he could not afford not to go!

Xiao Yu personally saw the three of them out of the courtyard, watching their figures with worried eyes until they disappeared into the misty clouds.

She knew what Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu would have to face upon going to the Longyu Hall!

At this moment, she very much wanted to stand by Duan Rong's side, but she could not!

She knew that if she went, not only would she be unable to help Duan Rong, but she would instead cause him to be distracted.

Cuiwei Peak, inside the Separate Courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

As the sky just began to brighten, a rather grand honor guard entered the Separate Courtyard, blowing horns, beating drums, and setting off firecrackers that shook the heavens!

The honor guard played music and sang all the way to the front of Fengyi Yuan!

Xiao Dezao had long been waiting in the courtyard of Fengyi Yuan!

The honor guard set off several strings of firecrackers at the entrance of Fengyi Yuan, yet Xiao Dezao remained standing in the courtyard, unmoving!

Not until the stick of incense in the censer before the door burned out did he wave his hand.

An old Nanny then led the bride, dressed in ceremonial robes and covered by a Red Bridal Veil, out of Fengyi Yuan and into the eight-bearer sedan chair of the honor guard!

The honor guard immediately turned around and left, beating drums and gongs!

Shen Mizhi sat in the sedan chair, took off the veil, and peered outside through the gap in the sedan curtain!

For some reason, Shen Mizhi was not in the least bit panicked at this time; perhaps her natural character had a bold and reckless side.

"What a great job they've assigned me?! I haven't even married yet, but I've ended up playing the bride first!?"

Shen Mizhi muttered to herself, covered herself back up with the Red Bridal Veil, and sat upright. She had to act the part well before Duan Rong arrived!

Unless it truly reached the moment to perform the grand ceremony with Li Ruozhou, she would not voluntarily lift the Red Bridal Veil!

The honor guard ascended the steps from the foot of the mountain, heading toward the Longyu Hall.

Along the way, the sound of firecrackers was constant!

In the faint mist, the entire Cuiwei Peak was permeated with the smell of sulfur and gunpowder.

Sixteen sturdy men dressed in fine attire carried the large sedan chair, swaying as they stepped up the stone stairs...

About half an hour later, the honor guard had stopped on the bluestone platform at the entrance of the Longyu Hall!

The sixteen sturdy men carrying the sedan were all cultivators of the Qi Refining Realm; having come all the way up, their steps were steady, and they didn't even pant.

"The bride and groom exit the sedan!"

After the ceremonial official shouted, a Nanny with exquisite makeup hurried over, lifted the sedan curtain, led Shen Mizhi out of the sedan, and headed toward the Longyu Hall.

Only when she crossed the threshold of the Longyu Hall did Shen Mizhi begin to feel a little panicked.

It was already this late, why hadn't Duan Rong arrived yet?!

Once inside the Longyu Hall, when the time came, the grand ceremony would have to begin!

Inside the Longyu Hall, the many guests observing the ceremony had all taken their seats!

Li Ruozhou, wearing ceremonial robes and sporting a bruised and swollen pig-head, stood there, looking bewildered!

He watched as the person wearing the Red Bridal Veil crossed the threshold, and he couldn't help but shudder! He looked around, and only after discovering that A Mo was not there did he feel slightly at ease.

Zhu He and the Elders of the Taiyi Sect sat in quite prominent positions. Zhu He cast a glance at Lv Zhongtang, who was sitting in the high hall alongside Tianyan Sect Sect Leader Li Yunjing, and saw the two of them sitting there talking about something, both wearing faint smiles on their faces.

Zhu He naturally knew that this marriage alliance between the two sects was quite unfavorable for his bid to become the next Sect Master. Originally, there had been some twists and turns; Li Ruozhou had fled, and at that time, seeing that the marriage alliance was about to fall through, he had even felt quite secretly pleased.

But he had not expected that things would suddenly take a sharp turn again; Li Ku had actually captured the fleeing Li Ruozhou in just a few hours. Zhu He only learned later that the reason Li Ku was able to capture Li Ruozhou so quickly was because of that Longevity Lock on Li Ruozhou's neck!

"Heaven's will is hard to predict!" Zhu He could not help but sigh in his heart.

Inside the hall, below the Elders, were the seats for the Sect's personal disciples.

Fan Hongjiao, Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue were all sitting there; only Duan Rong's seat was empty.

Fan Hongjiao glanced at Duan Rong's seat and said, "It's already this late, is this junior Disciple not coming?"

Zhu He sat there and also glanced at Duan Rong's empty seat. He knew about some of the entanglements between Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu, and in his view, it was quite normal for Duan Rong not to come.

Duan Rong grabbed Jiang Yaozhang, while Lv Qingzhu followed closely behind the two. The figures of the three flashed, flew out of the clouds and mist, and landed on the bluestone platform at the summit of Cuiwei Peak.

Once Duan Rong landed, he realized that this bluestone platform was covered in firecracker debris, and the air was thick with the pungent smell of gunpowder.

The three walked forward, and when they were still several zhang away from Longyu Hall, they were stopped by several Guards.

The leader of the Guards looked at them with a strange expression.

These people were all Guards on Cuiwei Peak, and they all recognized Jiang Yaozhang. However, they had never seen Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu before; the main reason was that the two were actually wearing brand-new formal attire, which made the Guards find it very strange.

Duan Rong took out his name card, handed it to the Guard leader, pointed to Lv Qingzhu beside him, and said, "This is my wife, she is here with me to observe the ceremony."

The Guard leader's heart stirred after looking at the name card. The status of a Sect personal disciple was still very noble within the Taiyi Sect, second only to the Sect Elders and Sect Elder.

However, the Guard leader still looked hesitant and said, "Offense to you, my lord! May I see your Sect Cloud Token?"

This Guard leader was truly somewhat suspicious of Duan Rong's identity; who comes to attend a wedding dressed like the bride and groom? Was this to attend a wedding, or to crash the party?

Duan Rong handed over the Sect Cloud Token. Upon looking at it, the Guard leader found no issues, but he still did not dare to let Duan Rong in. "This..."

Just at this moment, the sound of music had already begun to play in Longyu Hall, and Duan Rong knew that the betrothal ceremony was about to begin.

Duan Rong suddenly reached out, snatched the Sect Cloud Token back, glanced at Jiang Yaozhang behind him, and shouted, "Follow me!"

As Duan Rong spoke, he had already grabbed Jiang Yaozhang, his figure flashing past like a ghost. Lv Qingzhu also flashed her figure, keeping up with Duan Rong!

"Sigh~" Just as the Guard leader turned around, a speck of firefly-like light flashed before his eyes and sank into the center of his brow. The next moment, his eyes went blank, and he stood there stunned, the words he had originally wanted to say stuck in his throat.

(End of this chapter)