Chapter 64: The Grand Wedding

Year 10009 of the Yunluo Li, autumn.

Baruke Cheng welcomed its liveliest day since its founding.

The entire city was decked with lanterns and colorful ribbons; red silk stretched from the city gates all the way to the palace, while the streets on both sides were packed with commoners eager to watch the festivities. Soldiers clad in brand-new armor stood in formation to maintain order, their faces bearing rare smiles.

Today was a grand day for the Baruch Kingdom.

Two weddings were held simultaneously.

Linlei Baluke wed Diliya.

Aikesi Yan wed Monika.

A high platform was erected in the square before the palace, the ground covered with red carpets and surrounded by clusters of fresh flowers. Seats filled both sides of the platform for guests from all quarters to witness the ceremony. Armed soldiers stood around the square, with Bake, Gaici, and others personally leading them to maintain order.

Before dawn, Aikesi woke up.

He lay in the bridal chamber of the Earl Mansion, eyes open, staring at the ceiling; the space beside him was empty—according to custom, the groom and bride could not meet on the night before the wedding. Monika had been taken to the palace, staying in Diliya's courtyard alongside Diliya.

"Nervous?" a voice came from outside the door.

Aikesi sat up and saw Yelu leaning against the doorframe, a wine jug in hand, smiling at him.

"Boss, so early?" Aikesi rubbed his eyes.

"Nonsense. My brother is getting married; can I sleep in?" Yelu walked in, set the wine jug on the table, and said, "Come, have a sip to steel your nerves."

Aikesi could only laugh helplessly: "I'm not heading to the battlefield."

"More terrifying than the battlefield," Yelu said solemnly. "From today on, you won't be alone. Whatever you do, you'll have someone at home waiting for you. That feeling—tsk tsk."

Aikesi glanced at him: "Boss, you're not married either; you speak as if you've been through it."

"I've seen plenty!" Yelu retorted with righteous indignation. "So many married merchants in the Dawson Chamber of Commerce have complained to me one after another.

But don't worry; that girl Monika looks like a good one. She won't let you suffer."

Aikesi shook his head helplessly, got up, and washed and changed clothes.

Today he wore a moon-white formal robe embroidered with silver threads, dignified and elegant. The fabric was personally selected by Monika, the design was helped on by Diliya, and the owner of the tailor shop had stayed up three nights straight to finish it.

Yelu sized him up from head to toe, nodded approvingly, and said, "Not bad, not bad. You've got a third of my handsomeness."

"Only a third?" Aikesi laughed.

"What, you think you can surpass me?" Yelu glared. "The boss is always the handsomest; that's the rule."

The two chatted and laughed as they left the Earl Mansion and rode toward the palace.

Inside the palace, things were already in a frenzy.

Qiaozhi and Leinuo had arrived early to help coordinate various matters. Qiaozhi was in charge of receiving guests, while Leinuo oversaw the preparations for the banquet. Each performed his duties with perfect coordination.

"Second brother, have the people from the Wushen Sect arrived?" Yelu asked as soon as he entered.

Qiaozhi adjusted his glasses: "They have. They're seated in the third row on the left. The disciples of the High Priest are in the fourth row; the Bingxue Nushendian is on the right; the martial saints' disciples from the Far Eastern Great Grasslands are in the back. Additionally, envoys have been sent by the Yulan Empire, the O'Brien Empire, the Luo'ao Empire, and the Rhine Empire, along with representatives from over a dozen minor duchies."

"So many people?" Aikesi was somewhat surprised.

"Linlei is no longer an unknown figure now," Qiaozhi smiled. "The Baruch Kingdom has unified the eight great duchies, with a population nearing one hundred million, occupying a quarter of Hunluan Zhi Ling. Plus, Linlei himself possesses Sanctuary Peak strength; naturally, all factions must show respect."

Yelu snorted: "Show respect? I think they're here to probe our true strength."

"Same difference," Qiaozhi dismissed it lightly. "Guests are guests; just treat them well."

Leinuo ran over from the kitchen direction, holding a plate with several pieces of pastry on it: "Third brother, try this. Newly made; the taste is excellent."

Aikesi took one piece, put it in his mouth, and his eyes lit up: "Delicious."

"Of course; I supervised it personally," Leinuo said proudly.

As the group was chatting and laughing, a man in white robes with long hair flowing over his shoulders strolled casually into the palace gate. His face was handsome, his demeanor languid, and he exuded an aura that was indescribable.

It was Xisai, the King of Assassins.

Xisai swept his gaze across the square and finally settled on a woman conversing with an envoy from the Bingxue Nushendian—Luoshali, the envoy of the High Priest's disciples, whose beauty was unparalleled and whose temperament was cold and aloof.

"Long time no see," Xisai said lightly as he approached Luoshali.

Luoshali turned around, saw Xisai, and frowned slightly: "Why have you come?"

"To watch the fun," Xisai smiled. "And to see you, by the way."

Luoshali gave him a cold glance, said nothing, turned, and walked away.

Xisai didn't mind; he smiled and followed her.

Yelu sighed in relief and whispered to Aikesi: "Why has that lord come? Does he have a connection with Linlei?"

"He greatly admires Linlei's sculptures," Aikesi said.

The auspicious hour was approaching.

Linlei stepped out of the main hall of the palace, wearing a golden formal robe, his figure tall and upright, radiating heroic vigor. Diliya wore a brilliant red wedding gown with a red base and golden patterns, embroidered with twin lotuses; she wore a phoenix crown and a red veil over her face, supported by two maids as she slowly emerged.

At the same time, Aikesi also exited from a side door, clad in a moon-white formal robe with flowing silver patterns, holding Monika's hand. Monika wore a moon-white wedding gown embroidered with silver flowers, a silver crown on her head, and a white veil over her face; her steps were light, like a fairy from the Moon Palace.

The two couples, one in red and one in white, walked side by side toward the high platform.

Guests in the square rose to their feet, applause thundering.

On the high platform, Desili and his wife sat on the left; they were Monika's parents, attending today in the capacity of the bride's family. On the right sat Xierman and several elders of the Baruch Clan.

Linlei and Diliya first reached the center of the platform and bowed to Desili and his wife, Xierman, and others.

Aikesi and Monika followed closely behind.

"Today, the Baruch Kingdom celebrates double joy," Saisile, serving as master of ceremonies, announced loudly. "Linlei Baluke and Miss Diliya, Aikesi Yan and Miss Monika, hereby become husband and wife. Heaven and Earth bear witness; all present bear witness."

The two couples faced each other and exchanged tokens.

Linlei took out an exquisite spatial ring and placed it on Diliya's hand.

Diliya then took out a dragon-shaped jade pendant and hung it at Linlei's waist. It was a family heirloom, representing her heartfelt intention.

Aikesi took a crimson-gold ring from his chest and placed it on Monika's hand.

Monika then took a wreath woven from white camellias and gently placed it around Aikesi's neck. She had woven it herself through the night; every flower had been picked from the flowerbeds of the Earl Mansion.

"This wreath—" Aikesi looked down, his heart warming.

"I said before, camellias are my lucky flowers," Monika whispered softly behind her veil, "now they're yours too."

Aikesi gripped her hand, squeezing tightly.

Saisile called out loudly: "The ceremony is complete!"

Cannons boomed across the square, petals fluttered through the air. The crowd cheered and leapt with joy; soldiers raised their arms and shouted.

Yelu rushed forward first, embracing Linlei in one arm and Aikesi in the other, laughing heartily: "Good! Good! Both my brothers are married! Tonight, we drink until we pass out!"

Qiaozhi and Leinuo also gathered around, offering their congratulations.

Beibei suddenly appeared from nowhere, clutching a dark, dull stone, and handed it to Linlei: "Boss, this is my wedding gift to you!"

Linlei took the stone and examined it closely. It was entirely black, its surface smooth, faintly glowing with a soft luster, but its material was unidentifiable.

"What is this?" Linlei asked.

Beibei puffed out his chest proudly: "I don't know either! Grandpa gave it to you specifically."

Diliya took the stone with a smile, bit her finger, and let a drop of blood fall onto it.

The instant the blood seeped into the stone, a gentle light radiated from within, enveloping Diliya's entire body.

"What's happening?" Linlei asked anxiously.

Moments later, the light faded. Diliya opened her eyes, filled with astonishment: "I—I feel my elemental sensitivity has increased dramatically! At least three times stronger than before!"

Linlei and Aikesi exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

An unremarkable stone could triple elemental sensitivity? It was simply unbelievable.

The wedding banquet began.

Nearly a hundred banquet tables were set up in the royal palace hall, laden with rare delicacies, fine wines, and sumptuous dishes. The chefs from the Dawson Chamber of Commerce displayed their finest skills—each dish was as exquisite as a work of art.

Envoys from the Wushen Sect, the Grand Priest's disciples, the Bingxue Nushendian, and the Eastern Steppe Wu Sheng Sect sat at the head table, exchanging pleasantries while secretly assessing the strength of the Baruke Kingdom. Xisai arrived uninvited, yet no one dared stop him; he sat himself beside Luoshali, occasionally uttering absurd remarks that made Luoshali frown repeatedly.

Yelu raised his cup, stood up, and declared loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, today is the great joyous day of my brothers Linlei and the third brother Aikesi. As their elder brother, I propose the first toast—to the two newlyweds! May they grow old together in harmony and have children soon!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their cups and drank deeply.

Qiaozhi also rose: "The second toast—to our brotherhood. Six years at the Ernst Institute, then we went our separate ways after graduation. Now, to reunite in Baruke Cheng and witness the weddings of two of our brothers—it is my honor, Qiaozhi."

"Cheers!"

Leinuo raised his cup: "The third toast—to the future. No matter what happens, the five of us will always be brothers!"

""

"Always be brothers!"

Linlei and Aikesi raised their cups, clinking them against those of Yelu, Qiaozhi, and Leinuo, producing a clear, ringing sound.

Linlei's eyes were slightly red, his voice choked: "Big brother, second brother, third brother, fifth brother—no, third brother's the groom now. Thank you. Having you all here… it's wonderful."

Aikesi nodded: "From Ernst Institute until now, over ten years. Meeting you all has been my fortune."

Yelu waved his hand: "Enough with this sentimental nonsense! Drink!"

Everyone laughed heartily and raised their cups again.

Night fell, and the wedding banquet gradually dispersed.

Linlei took Diliya's hand and walked toward the bridal chamber. Beibei followed behind, his eyes darting around.

"Beibei, go to your own room," Linlei said without turning.

"I'll just watch, I won't cause trouble," Beibei grinned.

"No."

"Boss, you're too stingy!"

Linlei turned, grabbed Beibei by the neck, and tossed him out: "Come back tomorrow."

Beibei flipped midair and landed steadily, muttering discontentedly: "Hmph. Got a bride and forgot Beibei."

Linlei ignored him, led Diliya into the bridal chamber, and closed the door.

Inside, red candles flickered, and red characters for "double happiness" adorned the windows. Diliya sat on the edge of the bed, her face veiled in red gauze, hands folded on her knees, head slightly bowed.

Linlei stepped before her and gently lifted the red veil.

Diliya's face glowed radiant in the candlelight, her brows and eyes smiling, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Diliya," Linlei whispered.

"Mm."

""

"From today on, you are my wife."

Diliya's tears finally fell; she threw herself into Linlei's arms: "Linlei, I've waited too long for this day."

1

Linlei held her tightly, stroking her long hair: "I'll never make you wait again."

Red candles flickered; the night was tender and sweet.

Meanwhile, in the Earl Mansion's bridal chamber, Aikesi and Monika had just sat down.

No red candles, no double happiness characters—only camellias bloomed silently under the moonlight throughout the courtyard.

Monika leaned against Aikesi's chest, listening to his heartbeat, and whispered: "Aikesi, I'm very happy today."

Aikesi wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head: "So am I."

"Diliya-sister said marrying you was her blessing," Monika looked up into Aikesi's eyes, "but I think marrying you is my fortune."

Aikesi smiled: "Then our fortunes are both excellent."

Monika smiled too, her hand brushing his cheek: "From now on, no matter what happens, we'll always be together."

"Mm, we're together."

Aikesi held her hand, feeling the warmth of her fingertips. From their meeting in the mountain village, to her convalescence in the hills, to now becoming husband and wife, only a few months had passed, yet it felt as if they had known each other for a very, very long time.

"Monika." Aikesi whispered.

"Mm?"

"Thank you for appearing in my life."

Monika's eyes turned slightly red; she buried her face against his chest: "You fool————"

Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the camellias in the courtyard, white petals swaying gently in the night breeze.

In the distance, toward the royal palace, Beibei's frustrated cries occasionally rang out: "Boss, just let me in and take a look!"

Aikesi and Monika exchanged a smile and closed the window.

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