As a dignified max-level Celestial Master, who am I supposed to explain this to?

Longhu Mountain, Celestial Master's Mansion.

three days later.

When Han Xuan returned to Longhu Mountain, it was already evening.

He was covered in dirt, his Taoist robe was torn in several places, and his right arm was wrapped in bandages. He looked disheveled.

But in reality, most of his injuries had healed; he only wore bandages to avoid worrying his master.

As he entered the mountain gate, the young Taoist priests he encountered along the way all looked at him strangely.

It's not the same kind of worshipful look as before, like "Senior Brother is so amazing."

Instead, it was a gossipy look, like "Senior Brother, you're getting married," with eyes sparkling with excitement.

Han Xuan felt extremely uncomfortable under those gazes.

"What happened?"

He grabbed a passing young Taoist priest and asked, "Is there something on my face?"

The young Taoist priest shook his head frantically, covered his mouth, and ran away.

Han Xuan frowned and then grabbed another one.

"What happened?"

The bolder one, suppressing a laugh, said, "Senior Brother, congratulations!"

"What are you congratulating me on?"

"Congratulations on getting a fiancée!"

Han Xuan was stunned.

"What fiancée?"

"It's Xia Zhiwei from the Xia family! The old master said that you and she have been betrothed since childhood, arranged by Old Master Xia himself! Now Old Master Xia is urging you to hold the wedding!"

Han Xuan's mind went blank for a full three seconds.

Xia Zhiwei.

He recognized the name. Not because of the engagement, but because…

Ten years ago, an eight-year-old girl chased him all over the mountain, scaring him so much that he climbed up a tree.

That little girl is Xia Zhiwei.

He still remembers that scene.

A little girl with pigtails stood under a tree, looking up, and called out in a clear voice, "Brother Han Xuan, come down! I promise I won't hit you!"

He stayed in the tree for two hours.

"Impossible." Han Xuan's first reaction was denial. "There must be a mistake. How could I possibly have a fiancée?"

The young Taoist priest looked at him with pity:

"Senior Brother, why don't you go to the main hall? The Celestial Master is waiting for you."

Han Xuan released the young Taoist priest and strode towards the main hall.

He walked quickly, but his mind was a mess.

His fiancée? Xia Zhiwei? The little girl who chased him all over the mountain?

Impossible, impossible, impossible.

In his previous life, he lived to be over fifty years old, and he didn't even have a fiancée, let alone a romantic interest.

How come after being reborn, I suddenly have a fiancée?

He pushed open the main hall door.

Zhang Qingyuan was sitting on a futon drinking tea when he saw Han Xuan enter. He put down his teacup and gave him a kind smile.

"You're back? How did things go in Xiangxi?"

"Resolved."

Han Xuan's answer was brief, and he went straight to the point, "Master, I heard from someone that..."

"Oh, right."

Zhang Qingyuan pulled the yellowed marriage certificate from his sleeve, unfolded it, and placed it on the table. "Take a look at this."

Han Xuan looked down.

The words were written in black ink on red paper, clearly and distinctly.

"Zhang Qingyuan of the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain and Xia Yuanshan, the head of the Xia family, have become husband and wife. Han Xuan and Xia Zhiwei are a match made in heaven, and their hearts will be forever united."

Below the marriage certificate are the official seals of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain and the Xia family's seal.

The seal is real.

Jia Yin is also real.

Han Xuan raised his head and looked at Zhang Qingyuan.

Zhang Qingyuan looked at Han Xuan.

The two stared at each other for three seconds.

"Master," Han Xuan's voice was calm, unnaturally so, "Are you serious?"

"Seriously."

When was this marriage arranged?

"Before you were born."

"You arranged a marriage for me before I was even born?"

"It was arranged by Old Master Xia. I saved his life, and he was so grateful that he insisted on marrying his granddaughter to my personal disciple."

"Back then, I hadn't yet taken you as my apprentice, but I casually agreed. Later, after I did take you in, this marriage naturally fell to you."

Han Xuan took a deep breath.

"Master, have you ever considered that perhaps I don't want this marriage?"

Zhang Qingyuan's expression remained unchanged, but a mischievous smile flashed in his eyes.

Have you ever met the Xia family girl?

"...I saw it when I was a child."

What do you think of her?

Han Xuan remained silent for a second.

The image of the little girl with pigtails who chased him all over the mountain flashed into his mind.

To be honest, aside from being "terrifying," he had no impression of Xia Zhiwei whatsoever.

"I don't remember."

Zhang Qingyuan smiled, a very happy smile.

"Then go and see him. Old Master Xia is in the city, and so is the Xia family girl. It would be a proper courtesy for you to pay her a visit."

He stood up and patted Han Xuan on the shoulder.

"As for the marriage... there's no rush. Let's meet first and get to know each other. If we get along, we'll get married; if not, we'll see."

Han Xuan looked at his master's smiling face and felt that something was off.

But he had no reason to refute it.

Grandpa Xia is an old friend of my master. He is in poor health and wants to meet his granddaughter's fiancé.

Both morally and logically, he should pay him a visit.

"Okay," Han Xuan nodded. "I'll go."

Zhang Qingyuan's smile deepened.

"Good boy. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning. Remember to change into a clean robe, don't go wearing these tattered clothes. And..."

He paused, and the smile on his face became meaningful.

"Be polite when you see the Xia family girl. She's not an eight-year-old girl anymore."

Han Xuan felt that his master's words had a hidden meaning, but he didn't think much of it.

He bowed, turned and walked out of the main hall.

Behind him, Zhang Qingyuan picked up the marriage certificate on the table, looked at it again and again, and couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

"Han Xuan, oh Han Xuan."

He muttered to himself, "You were quite impressive when you were fighting the Zombie King, but I wonder if you'll climb a tree again when you see your fiancée?"

He couldn't help but laugh when he recalled how Han Xuan had been scared into climbing a tree by an eight-year-old girl ten years ago.

Laughter echoed in the main hall, startling the flame of the eternal lamp on the offering table.

The next morning, Han Xuan changed into a clean Taoist robe, slung his peach wood sword over his shoulder, and set off for the city.

Zhao Xiaofan chased after him, calling out, "Senior brother! Remember to bring me some local specialties! And! Get my sister-in-law's autograph when you see her!"

"What sister-in-law?" Han Xuan said without turning his head. "Don't call me that."

"Master said so! Xia Zhiwei is my sister-in-law!"

Han Xuan did not answer, but quickened his pace and disappeared outside the mountain gate.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Qingyuan was standing in front of the mountain gate behind him.

Watching his departing figure, the smile on her face slowly faded, turning into a deep, complex expression.

"Uphold righteousness," he said softly.

"Here." Lin Shouzhen walked out from behind.

"How is Grandpa Xia's health?"

Lin Shouzhen remained silent for a while, then shook his head.

"It's not very optimistic. His injury from last time hasn't fully healed, and he's developed new ailments over the years. His insistence on getting married is probably..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Zhang Qingyuan understood.

"It would be good to let him go see him."

Zhang Qingyuan said softly, "Whether the marriage goes through or not, at least let Grandpa Xia see what kind of person his granddaughter's fiancé is before he closes his eyes."

He turned around and walked back to the main hall.

The morning light shone on his back, making his aged figure appear long.

Lin Shouzhen stood there, watching Zhang Qingyuan's back.

Suddenly, I felt that this seventy-something-year-old Taoist master looked exceptionally old today.

……

"Senior brother," he suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"Will Han Xuan agree?"

Zhang Qingyuan did not turn around, but Lin Shouzhen heard his low laughter.

"That kid..."

Zhang Qingyuan's voice came from the main hall, carrying an indescribable certainty.

"He will."