Madam, please ascend.

Chapter 400 A Marriage Contract

The Righteous Qi Sect, the Celestial Master's Mansion.

The mansion's gates were tightly shut, and the faint sounds of arguing could be heard. The disciples outside had already left on their own, making sure to clear away anyone who might have overheard the commotion.

However, it was less of an argument and more of a heated argument, with only one person being particularly agitated.

It was Zhong Wanxin, the current Celestial Master of the Fenglu Sect.

Her brows were furrowed, and her voice was much louder than usual, showing that she was truly angry at this moment.

"You mean, twenty years ago you found a girl at the foot of the mountain whose fate was very compatible with Feng Mo's, and you even arranged a marriage between them without my permission?!"

The old master remained calm and leisurely, saying, "I can't remember the exact year. I'm getting old, and my memory isn't what it used to be."

"The year is not the point!"

"Oh, okay, okay."

"Although you brought Feng Mo back to the Righteous Qi Sect, it's reasonable for you to arrange his important life event, but shouldn't you at least tell him in advance?"

"I told you so that you could pass on the message to him."

Zhong Wanxin's pretty face turned red with anger: "Do you think this is something nice to say? Let me say it!"

The old master used a provocation tactic: "You're not afraid of your disciple and don't dare to speak up, are you?"

Good heavens, those words really hit a nerve with Zhong Wanxin. She had just drunk several jars of immortal wine today and was in a semi-drunk state, so her words were rather harsh.

The old master simply let it go in one ear and out the other, thinking to himself that all they did was come to him, an old man, to complain and get angry, and they didn't know how to respect the elderly and care for the young at all.

Not long ago, Jiang Hongye came over and made a scene, saying that she had held a demon-slaying conference and that if the Celestial Master refused to step forward to uphold justice, the Shenxiao Sect would step in without hesitation.

The old Celestial Master naturally had no interest. With the Demon Lord dead, the Demon Sect wouldn't cause much trouble. Besides, having experienced several major battles between the righteous and demonic factions, he had long seen through their true nature and thought it best to avoid unnecessary complications.

However, Jiang Hongye seemed to have lost her mind and insisted on making things worse this time. The old master couldn't persuade her and was too lazy to do so, so he simply let her be.

As for whether Longhu Mountain and Fenglu Sect should participate in this matter, the Old Celestial Master did not express his opinion, only saying that he would let Jiang Hongye act as the persuader herself, and he would not stop her if it was successful.

The old Celestial Master felt somewhat guilty when he said this, because he knew that if the other two lineages had also agreed to participate in the Demon Extermination Conference, Jiang Hongye wouldn't have made such a fuss at the Celestial Master's Mansion.

If a person lives a long time, they easily become "cunning and shrewd," there's nothing that can be done about it.

Jiang Hongye made a scene for a long time but failed to achieve her goal, and left in a huff. The old master had recently received a letter from "Brother Jiang Jing" and suddenly remembered this matter, so he called Zhong Wanxin over to talk.

I didn't expect to get scolded again.

The old master understood Zhong Wanxin's various reactions, so he let her vent her frustrations.

Speaking of Feng Mo's arranged marriage, the old master actually did it casually back then and never expected it to have any follow-up.

But then again, it all started twenty years ago when a plague broke out in a town of the Great Xia Dynasty. The illness was strange, it worsened rapidly, and ordinary cultivators were helpless against it.

Jiang Jing was the general in charge of defending the city back then, and he always took good care of the people in the city.

Although according to military law, the city gates remained locked and no one could enter or leave, it was not like the similar situations encountered before—where they were simply burned down.

However, in doing so, Jiang Jing also got himself involved, and the entire town was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

Unexpectedly, one of the families living there turned out to be Tingni's parents, who were still alive.

Tingni had already entered the Divine Firmament Path and made some progress in her cultivation. She planned to go back to visit her family, but then she encountered this mess.

She was stopped by Jiang Jing outside the city and was naturally very anxious. She thought of solving the plague herself, but she didn't expect that she was not capable enough and almost got into trouble.

What happened next was simple. Tingni went back to the Righteous Qi Sect to ask for help. The Old Celestial Master was always protective of his own, and since he was feeling restless, he went there himself.

With him, a living, breathing Ascension Realm expert, taking action, the illness will surely be cured.

The people in the city all called him the old immortal and were very grateful. The old celestial master was quite eccentric. He was so happy that he refused to leave and even became a close friend of Jiang Jing, who was guarding the city.

That year, Jiang Jing had a son late in life, a beautiful and clever daughter who was pretty from a young age.

Most importantly, the old master had a keen eye and immediately saw that the baby girl was born with the destiny of a "jade maiden".

This person is of pure heart and inestimable nobility; they are a natural-born spiritual cultivator.

Even more coincidentally, the old Celestial Master recently brought a boy with the destiny of a "golden boy" back to the Righteous Qi Sect, where he is currently cultivating at the Wind Dew Sect.

He drank two jin of "horse urine" at the time, and although the wine didn't make him drunk, he was already intoxicated. He suddenly had the idea of ​​taking on a disciple and wanted to bring the Jiang family's baby girl back to the mountain.

Logically speaking, such an opportunity is something ordinary people would crave, but Jiang Jing once again showed a side that was different from ordinary people.

He held his daughter tightly and refused to let her go, saying that he would make a decision when his daughter grew up.

The old master thought about it again and realized that it was reasonable. After all, Feng Mo had no relatives in the world, while this Jiang family baby girl had living parents. Even if she really wanted to cultivate, there was no need to rush.

If you were to ask who is the most easy to talk to among the ascended beings in the Three Realms, it would undoubtedly be the Old Celestial Master of the Righteous Qi Sect.

He didn't put on airs or make any absolute statements, but instead left Jiang Jing a way out.

He stated frankly that he had a disciple whose fate was compatible with that of the Jiang family's baby girl, and that they were a match made in heaven. He added that it would be a wonderful thing if the two of them were to become Daoist partners in the future.

Upon hearing that a marriage between their children was to be arranged, Jiang Jing became even more displeased.

The old celestial master comforted her, saying, "This matter doesn't necessarily have to come to fruition. I'm just leaving a foreshadowing for this cause and effect. Besides, your daughter may not even want to go up the mountain to cultivate."

Jiang Jing, shameless as ever, asked, "What if she falls in love with someone in the future? Won't the old immortal interfere and break them up?"

The old master said, "You underestimate people. You can't force a melon to ripen. If I, at my age, still don't understand this principle, I might as well be buried in the ground right now."

"The old immortal is truly brilliant!"

"Hmph, I'll lay my words out here today. The Righteous Qi Sect will always keep its doors open for your young lady. Whenever she wants to cultivate, we'll accept her. As for the marriage, I'm just mentioning it. If the two of them don't get along, then just pretend I didn't say anything. If she falls for someone in the meantime, that has nothing to do with the Righteous Qi Sect."

"I feel relieved now that you say that... But, I'm just worried that she might be bullied again if she starts training too late."

"No matter when she joins the class, I will personally guide her. Let's see who dares to bully her!"

These two friends, despite their age difference, left many possibilities for the fate of the Jiang family's baby girl in the span of a single drink.

Jiang Jing never expected that after his daughter grew up, some of his predictions came true, while others went against his wishes, and she embarked on a path that was even more difficult to control.

Jiang Miaojin had a natural love for flowers and plants, and ordinary men were simply not worthy of her attention. At the time, Jiang Jing thought that perhaps it was fate, and only that "golden boy" was worthy of his daughter.

However, the old emperor later retired due to illness, and the court was in chaos. As the general protecting the country, Jiang Jing was forced to get involved in the factional struggles.

Left with no other choice, he had to "marry" his daughter to Prince Xian, Su Xin, in order to protect himself.

As it turned out, his approach was not wrong. For example, General Tie Hong had no daughter and refused to take sides. If he hadn't been lucky enough to meet Yun Yi, he probably would have died long ago.

Fortunately, Jiang Miaojin was incredibly clever. She used her family's "connection" with the Righteous Qi Sect—which, to put it bluntly, was a drinking session—and the keepsake that Tingni left for her father, to successfully make a deal with Prince Xian, Su Xin.

The two treated each other with respect, but there was no marital relationship between them. In this way, for Jiang Miaojin, it was just a change of scenery for planting flowers, which was acceptable.

Jiang Jing thought the agreement between the Jiang family and the Righteous Qi Sect was over, and he was too ashamed to bring it up again.

Who would have thought that after Prince Xian, Su Xin, died, Jiang Miaojin not only regained her freedom but also suddenly changed her personality and became willing to cultivate. Little did anyone know that this was because she had met Yun Yi and Zhu Que and witnessed them saving many innocent people in the fire, which sparked her longing for cultivation.

Jiang Jing always listened to his daughter the most because she never made things difficult for him, including when she proposed to marry the Prince of Xian.

So, twenty years later, the now-old Jiang Jing shamelessly wrote a letter to the Righteous Qi Sect, explaining that his daughter wanted to cultivate, and also included the statement, "We were already married, but we have since divorced. Perhaps we should cancel the marriage agreement."

To be honest, he didn't really think the Celestial Master would agree to this. The old immortal had lived for so many years, he might have long forgotten that there was a child in the mortal world with the destiny of a "jade maiden".

Unexpectedly, Jiang Jing received a reply not long after.

The Righteous Qi Sect keeps its promises; if they say they will accept disciples, they will.

As for marriage and taking on apprentices, those are two separate matters and should not be confused.

atmosphere!

As expected of the leader of the righteous path!
However, the old master now wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to talk so big and care about saving face? Now he was being scolded by a junior.

Zhong Wanxin said angrily, "You've already been married before, why are you arranging this kind of marriage for Feng Mo?"

The old master muttered, "Your words are biased. No matter that the girl has been married or had children, her fate is compatible with Feng Mo's."

"So you only look at fate?"

"It's mainly because Brother Jiang Jing is too good at coaxing people, and I couldn't back down."

Zhong Wanxin: "Let's make this clear beforehand. I have no objection to this woman, but Feng Mo must decide on the marriage arrangements himself."

The old master said, "You are his master, so of course you have to take charge of his marriage. Wouldn't it be ridiculous to just listen to everything he says?"

"How dare you say I'm being ridiculous? If this gets out, who knows what kind of trouble the Righteous Qi Sect will be in!"

"It's not that serious, is it?"

"Not to mention that most of the cultivators on Longhu Mountain are male, believe it or not, Tingni and Chu Qiaoqiao from Shenxiao Dao are about to cause trouble!"

"Wasn't Qiaoqiao paired up with Yuan Duoqing?"

Zhong Wanxin was furious: "Look at you, changing the subject again!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, the old master simply remained silent and let her vent her anger.

……

Zhong Wanxin, fueled by alcohol, flew into a rage. When she returned to Fenglu Gate, she had sobered up but started to have a terrible headache. She thought to herself, "I know Feng Mo's temper all too well."

He never disobeyed his teacher's orders and was a smart and sensible child from a young age.

The old master saved him from dire straits and kindly arranged a marriage for him. Even if the Jiang family girl had a face full of pockmarks and had been married three, four, five, or six times, Feng Mo would still marry her.

This is called sacrificing oneself to save face for the old master!

But Zhong Wanxin felt extremely uncomfortable.

Why should you arrange my marriage, the precious child I raised with such care? Besides, Feng Mo is still young; a Daoist partner is too early for him.

A voice whispered in my ear, “Master, I am not young anymore.”

Zhong Wanxin was startled. "Did I just blurt out what was on my mind?"

“You always mutter to yourself when you’re upset, but I only heard a few words.”

"So you also heard about the Celestial Master arranging a marriage for you when you were young?"

Feng Mo was taken aback: "No, that's not the case."

Zhong Wanxin immediately started talking, recounting everything she had seen and heard at the Celestial Master's Mansion, and even went so far as to portray the Jiang family girl as a tigress.

Feng Mo didn't interrupt, but listened attentively. Seeing that his master seemed to have a headache, he stood behind her chair and gently massaged the acupoints on her head.

He had always been respectful to his master since he was a child, so Zhong Wanxin did not feel that there was a difference between men and women, and continued to criticize the old master.

He ignored what his master said, listening but not taking it to heart.

For some reason, when his fingertips touched his master today, his heart fluttered. Especially when he ran through her hair and occasionally brushed against her skin, Feng Mo couldn't help but be more gentle.

To be honest, Feng Mo has also had a lot of worries lately.

Although he had won over his junior sister Chu Qiaoqiao, Jiang Hongye insisted on organizing a demon-slaying conference. Feng Mo had initially refused the invitation at the Celestial Master's Mansion, so he paid close attention to it.

The thought of the impending conflict between the Righteous Qi Sect and Yun Yi gave him a feeling of being torn between two equally important parties.

Furthermore, he manages everything at Fenglu Sect, while his master only plays the role of a mascot. Even the little beast that was brought back for her from the Demon Capital was quickly bored and is now being cared for by Feng Mo.

Zhong Wanxin only occasionally went over to tease him when she felt like it.

It's unclear how Feng Mo managed to cultivate to the Dao Integration Realm while juggling worldly affairs all these years.

He was so distracted that he didn't even notice when his master finished nagging.

Zhong Wanxin: "Feng Mo?"

Feng Mo immediately snapped out of his daze: "Are you thirsty? I'll pour you some tea."

"Wait a minute, what are you thinking about what I just told you?"

“Since the old Celestial Master made a promise, then it is perfectly legitimate for the Jiang family girl to go up the mountain to cultivate, and no one can interfere.”

"Then what about your marriage? Are you really planning to marry her?" Zhong Wanxin said this in an unfriendly tone, but she didn't have any authority at all. Instead, she had the expression of a jealous young woman.

Feng Mo was momentarily mesmerized, his eyes wide open, never having seen his master with such an expression before.

Zhong Wanxin was exasperated: "You're already dreaming about married life?!"

"No, I won't marry her."

"Let me tell you, fate is accurate, but it's not necessarily all good things... Wait, what did you just say?"

Feng Mo lowered his eyes, trying hard to suppress his expression: "I will not marry the Jiang family girl."

Zhong Wanxin immediately beamed: "What if she's extremely beautiful and has a great personality, and you fall in love with her at first sight?"

"No, I will personally speak with the Old Master."

“My dear apprentice has really grown up. She’s so opinionated now. Not bad at all.” Zhong Wanxin said, her mouth dry. “Don’t serve tea. Get some wine.”

Feng Mo, however, kept a straight face: "Drink less. I'm going to the Celestial Master's Mansion now to avoid any unforeseen complications."

As he left, for some reason, he reached out and gently pinched his master's cheek.

This action seemed unintentional, and wouldn't have seemed like anything when she was a child, but today Zhong Wanxin felt breathless and couldn't come to her senses for a long time.

(End of this chapter)