Chapter 657: Tomorrow we will bow to heaven and earth

"Really?" Huang Rong's heart leapt with joy, as sweet as eating honey. Ye Qin's words made her feel excited and anticipatory.

She had finally waited for this moment.

"Of course it's true." Ye Qin smiled, then suddenly rubbed Huang Rong's little head, "When have I ever lied to you?"

A shy blush rose on Huang Rong's face, like a blooming rose. She tightly buried her head in Ye Qin's embrace and whispered, "Having you say that is enough, Brother Qin, I believe you."

"By the way, Rong'er, there's something I want to tell you first." Ye Qin glanced at Huang Rong in his arms, then looked out the window to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and continued: "This matter is very serious and important. I hope you, Rong'er, will think carefully after hearing it."

He feared that after hearing it Huang Rong would be unhappy, even blame him for always hiding it; more so, he feared she would not be willing to follow him.

"Brother Qin, go ahead. I've already prepared myself mentally." Huang Rong nodded.

Although she didn't know what Ye Qin wanted to say, seeing how serious he was, she also braced herself for the worst.

Ye Qin nodded, pondered, and said: "Rong'er, actually I am not from this world. I come from a strange cultivation world among the myriad worlds. Because the sect's basic foundation-establishment cultivation method cannot establish a foundation for me, and I inadvertently arrived here through a treasure."

The reason I collect various sects' martial arts manuals is, on one hand, to replenish energy for that treasure; on the other hand, I also hope to establish a foundation by taking the martial path to the Dao.

Finally, I cannot remain in this world forever.

When the time comes, I will inevitably leave.

But I cannot let you go, so I want to ask you: are you willing to go with me?

Leaving this world to go to an unknown cultivation realm. Even I am not familiar with that place.

Moreover, even if we safely arrive there, there will still be great danger.

Because beings like us are merely ants in that cultivation realm.

At any time we could be killed, which I need to explain to you. Also, I am not certain whether the treasure that brought me through time and space can bring you away unharmed. It might only be able to take your soul, or a fragment of your true spirit. So…

He explained everything to Huang Rong, especially regarding the uncertainty of whether the Vajra Bracelet could perfectly bring a person along, and the various unknowns and dangers they might face on the Azure Profound Continent.

The cultivation realm is surely more brutal and terrifying than the martial world. That is where the main battlefield lies, with great horrors existing.

He hopes Huang Rong can go with him to that vast, boundless cultivation realm, but at the same time he hopes she will be safe and sound.

After all, going to the Azure Profound Continent is dangerous; he dare not fully guarantee safety at all times and places.

As they were about to leave, Ye Qin felt that some things should still be made clear.

Huang Rong listened blankly to Ye Qin's words, her whole person frozen in place.

After being dazed for a while, she then said, "Brother Qin, you mean you come from the cultivation realm and now you want to go back, right?"

She is not stupid; she naturally understood the meaning behind Ye Qin's words.

Should she go with Ye Qin to take a look at the cultivation realm?

For Huang Rong, this is likewise a difficult decision to make.

Whether she can return after this departure is unknown; she might never see her father, Lao Huang, again. She needs to be cautious, then cautious again.

Moreover, Ye Qin has no confidence he can truly take her with him. When studying the Vajra Bracelet, he merely discovered this possibility—perhaps it could perfectly bring her, or perhaps only her soul.

"Rong'er, think it over carefully. I will respect your choice."

Such a thing cannot possibly be forced, right?

Ye Qin also knows Huang Rong might not be able to make a decision right away.

"Good!"

Huang Rong nodded. She needed to organize her thoughts and digest what Ye Qin had said.

Because there was too much information, she couldn't figure it out right away.

Moreover, it would be best to let Lao Huang know about this as well.

After Ye Qin went out, Huang Rong sorted her thoughts and then went to find Lao Huang.

"Dad…"

She told Lao Huang everything about Ye Qin's matter in detail.

After listening, Lao Huang also fell into silence.

He never expected that Ye Qin actually came from the legendary cultivation realm.

Huang Yaoshi secretly thought: "Does a higher world really exist? Could it be that I've actually caught a golden turtle son-in-law?"

In the cultivation realm, what is pursued is the path to longevity!

Lao Huang couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "After decades of martial practice, I finally understand that the martial way is ultimately an inferior path; at least in this world, innate martial ability has already reached its peak, making it the lowest of the low."

One cannot preserve youth forever, nor achieve immortality; at most one can only prolong life somewhat.

Now that he learned Ye Qin comes from that legendary higher world, the slightest displeasure in Lao Huang's heart has long vanished; he muttered to himself: "I've really caught a golden turtle son-in-law; to have such fortune in this life is no small blessing."

Although he himself cannot follow Ye Qin to the cultivation realm, his daughter can; moreover, he can ask that young man for more profound cultivation methods to practice, perhaps one day he too could embark on the path to immortality.

Thinking of this, he pondered for a moment and asked: "Rong'er, what do you think?"

Huang Rong furrowed her brows, not knowing for a moment how to respond to her father's words, so she awkwardly said: "Dad, I want to hear your opinion; isn't that why I came to consult you?"

Lao Huang had long anticipated his daughter would come to consult him, so he nodded and said: "Rong'er, you should get married tomorrow; prepare today. When he leaves this world, you go with him back to the cultivation realm—this is an excellent opportunity to become an immortal, and you must not miss it!"

"Huh?" Huang Rong stared, then frowned worriedly: "Dad, what about you? I can't bear to leave you."

She clung to Huang Yaoshi's arm, acting coquettish; having grown up with Lao Huang since childhood, this deep father-daughter bond cannot be simply severed.

Who would have thought Lao Huang would put on a stern face and scold: "Nonsense! Rong'er, you've been clever and sensible since childhood; how can you be so muddled now, even stirring up emotions? The opportunity to seek longevity in the cultivation realm is right before you; if you don't want it, what do you want? As your father, I truly misjudged earlier—I never expected that young man's background to be so great."

Moreover, it's only a possible permanent separation; there's also a chance we could meet again later. As your father, I will diligently cultivate, waiting for the day you become strong enough to come fetch me—this is not impossible either.

After his explanation, Huang Rong was speechless, biting her lips silently, but her eyes were full of worry.

There might be a chance to return, but it's only a possibility; Ye Qin has never tried it, and the Vajra Bracelet cannot speak, so there is no certainty.

Seeing Huang Rong's state, Lao Huang again put on a stern face and decided: "Alright, this matter is settled as such. Someday I'll have that young man pass me some profound cultivation methods; perhaps it will let me live a few more years."

Even if he himself cannot attain immortality through the Dao, his daughter must seize this opportunity; otherwise, what is martial practice for?

Huang Rong hesitated a bit and said worriedly: "Dad, what if we can't come back—then…"

Who knows if such a thing can be said lightly. She still wanted to add something, but Lao Huang shook his head and comforted: "Rong'er, remember that the person who can accompany you the longest in this world is certainly not your parents or children, but your partner."

If we continue to stay in this world, we father and daughter have at most twenty or thirty years of affinity left, but then what? As your father, this old bone of mine will soon return to the earth, and I likewise cannot accompany you for much longer.

If we do as your father says, perhaps we will still have a day to meet again. A brief separation is only for a better reunion; once we both become immortals and Buddhas, our affinity will be eternal!

Someday we must part, why cling so desperately? Old Huang has already seen through it; if we let go and give it our all, perhaps there remains a sliver of hope.

If I don't marry my daughter to Ye Qin, what is Huang Yaoshi even worth? Who would care about his life or death?

In the end, Huang Rong was persuaded, and she could only nod and say: "Alright, then we'll do as you say, Dad."

This too is a gamble where we give it our all.

On the second day they performed the wedding rites and paid homage to heaven and earth; this was Old Huang's arrangement.

There was no betrothal gift, no demand for house or horse, all rites were kept simple. After briefing Ye Qin, he went off to make preparations on his own. Peach Blossom Island had mute servants, so the arrangements went quickly.

"What?" When Old Huang first brought this up, Ye Qin was dumbfounded and asked curiously, "Why so quickly?"

!

He seemingly hadn't even brought up the marriage, nor made any mental preparations, yet Old Huang immediately began making arrangements.

One day later.

Peach Blossom Island was decked with lanterns and banners, but there were no relatives or friends, no grand banquet, not even lively neighbors, and not even Old Huang's disciples were notified.

After paying homage to heaven and earth, a few people shared a meal, and that counted as the wedding.

The whole process was Old Huang actively arranging things, keeping it as simple as possible, then simpler still. He grew quite fond of this son-in-law; his earlier dissatisfaction and aloof attitude had long since vanished somewhere unknown.

In the evening, Ye Qin and Old Huang drank several jars of daughter red that had been buried for over ten years, after which he staggered drunkenly toward the bridal chamber.

He had no house on Peach Blossom Island.

Thus Huang Rong's boudoir became their bridal chamber, with no particular formalities or taboos.

Simple and swift—that was Old Huang's principle.

Watching Ye Qin wobble away with a dazed head, Old Huang alone poured another cup and muttered to himself: "If we don't settle our relationship soon, I won't say I have no chance to obtain profound cultivation techniques, and Rong'er might also lose that sliver of opportunity."

This can't be blamed on my worldly ways as the Eastern Heretic; seeking profit at the first opportunity is everyone's mindset. Moreover, this kid comes from the cultivation world—he might very well be my chance!

Pursuing martial arts is merely for possessing formidable strength, whereas cultivation seeks the Dao and longevity; the two are fundamentally on different levels.

Although he doesn't understand why Ye Qin would establish his foundation with martial arts cultivation techniques, taking the path of entering the Dao through martial arts—"but since he can enter the Dao via martial arts, perhaps I can too."

At worst, I'll just train a bit longer.

Old Huang never dreamed that, had he not gone early to Lin'an Prefecture and disrupted all of Ye Qin's plans, if Ye Qin had come step by step, he might not have gotten this possible cultivation opportunity even by the time he died.

If Ye Qin were here, he would surely tell Old Huang: "If it weren't for you old coot pushing me back then, I wouldn't have risked scouring the world for secret manuals, let alone breaking through the Innate Realm."

But now the deed is done; even if Ye Qin originally had little confidence in his heart, the Innate Realm has been attained, and this marriage has come to pass.

Ye Qin pushed open the door of the bridal chamber, waved at the mute servant, stepped inside, casually closed the door, and shouted into the room: "Rong'er, I'm here."

Thud!

He hadn't taken two steps before he collapsed to the ground. The alcohol's stimulation made him feel light and airy, as if he might ascend to immortality at any moment.

"Old Huang screwed me!" Ye Qin felt bitter inside, thinking: "That old coot clearly knows I can't hold my liquor, yet he still pressed me to drink—what malicious intent!"

"Qin Gege, how did you fall?" Huang Rong, who had been sitting on the wedding bed, suddenly frowned, hurriedly lifted her veil to come help him up. She exerted tremendous effort before managing to settle Ye Qin comfortably.

Ye Qin: "……"

It turned out he fell because his footing was unsteady!

But he would never say that, not even if he were drunk.

Just then, liquid courage struck, and he suddenly laughed: "Rong'er, let us retire to bed…"

Saying this, he lunged at Huang Rong, as the saying goes: "With the wine's fervor, passions surge, and the mandarin‑duck embroidered quilt rolls in red waves."

One night passed quietly.

At dawn, a sliver of sunlight pierced the clouds, streamed into the room, and woke Ye Qin and Huang Rong, who were still asleep.

"You go out first." Huang Rong said bashfully, recalling how Ye Qin, under last night's alcohol's effect, had charged like a savage beast; her cheeks involuntarily flushed.

Ye Qin blinked at her words, puzzled, and said: "Rong'er, we are already married, husband and wife; we've already seen and done what should be seen and done last night—no need to be so shy."

We're an old married couple; what's there to be shy about?

"I don't care, you get out first!" Huang Rong snatched the blanket, wrapped herself tightly, and then kicked Ye Qin off the bed with a foot.

Clothes lay scattered on the floor; Ye Qin had no choice but to put them on piece by piece, muttering: "I'm probably the most unfortunate groom ever."

Kicked out of bed on the second day of marriage—likely only he suffered that.

Nevertheless, seeing Huang Rong's shy look, he relented, saying: "Rong'er, sleep a little longer; besides, Father‑in‑law also said we don't need to pay our respects with tea."

By custom, newlyweds should rise the next day to offer tea to their parents, but Old Huang said yesterday that it wasn't necessary.

Huang Rong blushed, nodded, and said: "Then Qin Gege, you go out first."

She eyed Ye Qin warily; although they were already husband and wife and had consummated the marriage, Huang Rong remained shy, since she hadn't seen anything clearly that night.

Outside, Old Huang was training in the martial arts field; seeing Ye Qin approach slowly, he couldn't help but startle and say: "Didn't I say we don't need to offer tea?"

Ye Qin rising this early surprised him, and he asked curiously: "What's up? Do you have something to tell me?"

His heart stirred—could Ye Qin be here to impart cultivation techniques to him?

If that's really the case, that would be wonderful.

To have a chance to set foot on the path of cultivation, even if the road ahead is unknown, would be excellent.

Ye Qin walked over and asked Old Huang: "Father‑in‑law, do you know what realms lie above the Innate Realm?"

He didn't beat around the bush, but steered the conversation straight to that topic, knowing Old Huang looked forward to cultivation.

Old Huang first shook his head, then nodded, and said: "I didn't know before; I thought the Innate Realm was the end of training, and I hadn't studied martial arts deeply. But now I know—martial arts is merely a beginning, or rather another beginning." (End of chapter)