Chapter 207: Exchange and Departure

Winter passed, spring arrived.

On the night the old tree by the gate sprouted the first tender bud of spring, Zhong Kui returned quietly.

He did not enter the house, but stood in the moon‑dappled courtyard, cupping his fists toward Yu Lin.

Many thanks, Brother Yu, for looking after my little sister these days.

Yu Lin gently helped him up.

No need for thanks.

Brother Zhong, why have you returned today?

Zhong Kui's gaze passed through the lattice window and fell on the sleeping Zhong Xiao Mei; his voice was soft as the wind.

From now on I cannot often be by her side, and I do not know how many times we will be reunited in a year...

So I wish to find a good match for her, so that someone will look after her.

Yu Lin asked again, 'Brother Zhong, do you have someone in mind?'

Zhong Kui withdrew his gaze and rested it on Yu Lin: 'Speaking of suitability, Brother Yu is an excellent choice.'

But I imagine Brother Yu's carefree nature would also make him unwilling to be bound by worldly love.

He turned his head toward another room: 'As for Brother Du, his talent and character are both outstanding.'

Today I saw that he fancies my little sister, and she is not annoyed by him; it seems they have mutual affection... I will just ask him if he is willing.

Saying this, Zhong Kui walked to Du Ping's window and called softly:

'Brother Du, Brother Du.'

Du Ping startled awake from his dream, hastily threw on his clothes and rose.

Seeing it was Zhong Kui, he finally relaxed his breath and performed a respectful salute.

'Brother Zhong... you...'

Zhong Kui got straight to the point:

'Brother Du, would you be willing to take my little sister as your wife?'

Du Ping was first startled, then solemnly said:

'I am willing! To be able to marry my little sister would be the blessing I have cultivated over three lifetimes!'

His eyes shone with sincere light: 'My little sister is intelligent and kind, resolute and brave, rare in the world—I will surely cherish and love her, protecting her all her life.'

'If I break this vow, may I never enter reincarnation after death, may my soul and spirit scatter!'

Zhong Kui nodded with satisfaction: 'Good, excellent.'

'I will go prepare the dowry for you and pick an auspicious day to bring the bride home.'

'Then I will not disturb Brother Du's rest.'

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Just then, Zhong Xiao Mei, who should have been asleep, appeared at the doorway.

She had tears in her eyes, stared straight at Zhong Kui, then suddenly ran forward and flung her arms around him.

'Older brother... I have missed you so much...'

Behind her.

Yu Lin watched the warm scene of the two siblings, but his mind was calculating how to bring up the matter of giving them the first dowry.

He also did not know what the first dowry Zhong Kui had prepared was.

Never mind; when the time comes he will also prepare one, and afterward they can exchange them—should be fine.

But then another problem arose: what should he prepare?

When Yu Lin was caught in indecision, Zhong Kui and the two siblings had finished talking and parted reluctantly.

One stayed where he was, watching his elder brother leave; the other went to capture evil spirits, and incidentally to prepare the dowry.

Only late at night did Zhong Xiao Mei finally fall asleep.

Yu Lin, meanwhile, left Zhongjia Village to look for ideas.

The night before the daytime wedding.

Zhong Xiao Mei wore a grand red wedding dress, sat quietly indoors, covered her head with a red cloth, and awaited the groom's arrival.

Outside the village, a peculiar wedding procession slowly approached.

At the front was Du Ping, dressed in a groom's red robe, riding a tall horse to welcome the bride.

Behind him were several yin‑cha carrying several bridal sedans loaded with dowry.

Red paper was pasted on the dowry chests.

"Newlyweds bow to the hall——"

In the voice of Yu Lin, who was temporarily acting as master of ceremonies, Du Ping and Zhong Xiao Mei stood side by side.

On the high hall, Zhong Kui sat in the seat of honor; although his face remained fierce, his eyes were full of satisfaction.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

"Second bow to the parents!"

"Mutual bow as husband and wife!"

When the rites were completed, the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, and Yu Lin then came to Zhong Kui's side.

"Brother Zhong, I would like to ask a favor of you."

Zhong Kui laughed: 'Brother Yu, just say what you need.'

Yu Lin pointed to the wooden box on the first dowry wagon: 'I want to keep the first dowry as a memento.'

'As an exchange, I will give this to my little sister.'

He took out a pair of exquisite jade rings.

The men's style is grand and steady, the women's style delicate and lively; both exude a warm, flowing luster, clearly not ordinary at a glance.

Zhong Kui laughed heartily and said: "It's no problem."

However, this has already been given to Zhong Xiao Mei; Yu Lin, you should go ask for her opinion.

At this moment, Zhong Xiao Mei, having lifted her veil, walked out hand in hand with Du Ping.

Hearing Yu Lin's request, Zhong Xiao Mei smiled sweetly: "Yu Lin wants it; just take it."

These past days, thanks to Yu Lin's care, not to mention a single box—even if you wanted all my dowry, I would gladly give it.

Yu Lin waved his hand: "No need, no need; just that one will do."

Come on, this one is for you to wear.

Not speaking of eternal youth, but it can grant a long life of a hundred years, ward off all evils, and bring forth an endless flow of blessings.

He put on the two Jade Rings.

That's not wrong; it was bestowed by him through his enlightenment, though it didn't grant wisdom, it bestowed the three traits of "nourishing the body, warding off evil, and good fortune."

This was only achieved after he ruined many rings in the process of enlightenment.

What to do with the ruined rings?

Naturally, they were placed in..........

Buried deep underground, awaiting a fated person to unearth them.

After Yu Lin put the rings on them, the rings automatically conformed to the shape of their fingers, warm and moist, cool and refreshing, extremely comfortable.

There was not the slightest discomfort.

Zhong Xiao Mei and Du Ping also recognized the extraordinary nature, and in unison thanked: "Many thanks, Yu Lin (Yu Brother)!"

"No need, it's just an exchange of goods." After Yu Lin helped them up, he laughed and said:

"Next, I will wander the world under the clouds; I don't know when I'll be able to return."

"You two must live well; if you suffer any injustice, Zhong Kui won't be around."

"If you go there, there is a Five Elements Mountain; help will surely appear."

"In short, that's how it is."

Hearing this, both showed reluctance in their eyes, but they also knew Yu Lin wouldn't stay long in one place; they could only give him a few words of caution about safety, then watch him turn and walk toward the dowry.

He picked up that wooden box.

He opened it to look.

It was a small embroidered ball, looking lopsided and unsightly; likely it was Zhong Kui's own embroidery?

No wonder this guy didn't want to say, afraid they'd mock his poor needlework.

At the moment Yu Lin touched the embroidered ball, a countdown to return sounded in his ears.

He turned to look at Zhong Kui and the three, waved his hand, and said: "Farewell until we meet again by fate."

"Farewell!"

His words fell.

But at the very moment he was about to disappear, a mournful sigh came from the Five Elements Mountain:

"Ah, Young Brother Yu, if you have the chance, come see Old Grandson again!"

Afterward, he vanished from the sight of Zhong Kui and the three.

It was as if he had never come.

Zhong Xiao Mei and Du Ping carried the sorrow of a friend's departure in their hearts, fingering the Jade Rings in their hands, silently wishing him a safe journey.

Zhong Kui then bowed deeply in the direction where Yu Lin had disappeared:

"Many thanks, Yu Lin."

【Mission Completed】

【Reward: Yang Deity】

【Yang Deity: Innate, one point of indestructible spiritual light, transcending the bonds of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements; when gathered it forms a body, when dispersed it becomes qi, traversing myriad miles in an instant, embodying millions, sharing the lifespan of heaven and earth, shining with the sun and moon.】

【Next Wandering Myth countdown: three months】

【Myth is: Thor's Hammer】

【Mission: Help Thor retrieve his hammer, and successfully deceive Loki once.】

【Reward: Trait — Deception】

Inside the dormitory.

Yu Lin felt like he was about to burst.

He felt that if he didn't do something, he might be burst apart by the Yang Deity!