Wandering Swordsman |

April 10th.

As dawn breaks over Nanjing, the ten-mile-long street is already covered with red carpet, and thousands of palace lanterns hang high between the eaves and brackets. The "囍" character cut from gold foil trembles gently in the wind, making the entire city of Jinling seem as if it is dressed in a rosy robe.

Painted boats lined up on the Qinhuai River, each bow tied with red silk. The sheng and xiao played "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate" together, the sound soaring into the sky, as if even the pine trees of Zijin Mountain were humming in response.

Today is the wedding day of Sword God Shen Mo.

The Nanjing Martial Arts Alliance headquarters—once a solemn and majestic meeting place—has now been transformed into a paradise on earth.

On either side of the main gate, disciples of Jingtian Pavilion, dressed in black robes and silver belts, stood solemnly like pine trees, holding jade ruyi scepters. The Murong family dispatched a hundred embroiderers to work overnight to make a "Double Phoenix Facing the Sun" brocade curtain, which extended from the gate of the Martial Alliance all the way to the auditorium. The phoenixes woven with gold thread on it seemed to be about to take flight, as if they were about to break through the silk and soar straight to the heavens.

In the center of the auditorium, a "Taiwan Platform" carved from Kunlun cold jade stands quietly. On the platform, two ancient swords are crossed – one is the "Tai'a Sword" that accompanied Shen Mo through life and death, and the other is the "Green Ox" that repelled the evil cultivators from overseas. The sword tassels are intertwined, symbolizing the two beauties' vow to be together in life and death.

As the hour of Si (9-11 AM) approached, three people stood side by side on the steps of the main gate, exuding extraordinary presence.

The man in the center is none other than today's groom—Shen Mo.

He was dressed in a black wedding gown with gold patterns, a white jade dragon belt around his waist, and his eyebrows and eyes were sharp as swords, clear yet containing a hidden edge.

Though he wore a smile, he possessed an aura that commanded respect from all. His gaze swept across the end of the long street, a slight ripple stirring within him: "Back then, I left this small town alone with my master, a mere nobody; now, thousands of sects have come to congratulate me, and I have become a sword god revered by the world… Truly, fate is cruel."

To his left, Situ Dengfeng, though slightly gray-haired, was in high spirits. He wore a crimson brocade robe embroidered with cloud and crane patterns, and his smile smoothed out the wrinkles around his eyes.

He stroked his beard frequently and said in a low voice to his son-in-law beside him, "Meng'er has always been cold-hearted and never shows any kindness to anyone, except for you... Alas, I knew long ago that you were no ordinary person, and today it has come true!" His words were full of satisfaction and a hint of relief.

To his right, Murong Liang was even more outgoing, his face flushed, frequently waving to the distance. He had specially changed into his family head's ceremonial robes today, and the jade pendant on his chest was a "double phoenix pendant" passed down from his ancestors, symbolizing the importance of the family's marriage alliance. He turned to Shen Mo and smiled, "My dear son-in-law, don't stand on ceremony. Today you are the protagonist, and Brother Situ and I are just 'gatekeepers' to shield you from the drinking!" Although his words were teasing, his eyes were full of affection—since the engagement in Luoyang, he had already regarded Shen Mo as his own son.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

The Peng family from Hebei arrived first. Three snow-white steeds galloped in, their saddles inlaid with jade and pearls, and their bridles adorned with golden bells that jingled melodiously.

The head of the Peng family was about fifty years old, with a broad back and a thick waist. When he dismounted, his voice was like a bell: "Hahaha! Brother Situ! Brother Murong! Congratulations! Today, the two phoenixes sing together, which is truly a great event in the martial arts world!" He strode forward, cupped his hands and bowed deeply, his attitude warm but not lacking in politeness.

Behind him, Peng Chengxiao was still wearing the standard uniform of the Qingfeng team, but with a red silk flower pinned to his cuff, making him look both solemn and festive.

He strode up to Shen Mo, clasped his hands in a fist and said loudly, "Captain! Today you are marrying Shuang Jue, and I am happier than if I were getting married myself!" He then grinned, his eyes sincere and genuine—as a member of the Qingfeng team, although he had not known Captain Shen Mo for long, he respected Shen Mo from the bottom of his heart.

Shen Mo smiled and returned the greeting: "Brother Chengxiao, you're too kind. You'll have to drink a few more cups for me at the banquet later."

Before the words were finished, banners fluttered in the distance, and a group of more than twenty people walked slowly in, their armor gleaming and their demeanor imposing—it was the Huangfu family.

Huangfu Haotian was not wearing fancy clothes today, but instead chose a plain brocade robe, with no jade belt at his waist, and his expression was extremely humble.

He strode forward, bowing deeply even before getting close, his voice low and sincere: "Young Master Shen! Today is a joyous occasion, and I have brought my clan's direct descendants to offer my congratulations! All that has happened before... was due to my poor judgment of people and my narrow-minded actions, which nearly led to a grave mistake. If you do not mind my offer today, I would like to present a small gift to express my repentance." After speaking, he waved for twelve sandalwood chests to be brought out behind him. When the chests were opened, they shone with precious light: a luminous pearl from the East Sea, fire-resistant cloth from the Western Regions, a thousand-year-old snow ginseng, ambergris, and special tribute brocade... all of them were rare treasures.

Huangfu Hui, standing beside Huangfu Haotian, had an even more complicated expression. He lowered his head and looked down, not daring to look directly at Shen Mo. It was as if the past view of Shen Mo as a thorn in his side was a dark history that was difficult to talk about, and now he felt unbearably ashamed.

Shen Mo glanced indifferently at Huangfu Haotian, showing neither anger nor feigned politeness, only nodding slightly: "Patriarch Huangfu, you flatter me. The past is past, let's only talk about the happy occasion today."

The simple phrase "turn the page" felt like a heavy weight pressing down on him. Huangfu Haotian felt a mix of relief and tension: he was relieved that Shen Mo had stopped pursuing the matter, but he was also tense because the other party no longer needed to argue with him. The disparity in their status was obvious.

Following them, the Nangong family arrived in an eight-jeweled carriage. As the curtain was lifted, Madam Nangong personally presented a scroll of the *Xuanji Tu*, a secret astronomical chart drawn by her ancestors, symbolizing "the mandate of heaven." The Beiming family presented a "twin lotus" carved from North Sea ice, crystal clear and impervious to cold, placed in the center of the hall, drawing gasps of wonder from everyone. The head of the Dongfang family personally inscribed the eight characters "Sword unites two beauties, the Dao pervades Yin and Yang," his powerful calligraphy hanging high in the hall…

Not long after, the four great academies arrived together, and Jinling City seemed to be suddenly enveloped by a grand literary atmosphere.

The heads of the four academies—Hualin, Bailu, Yuelu, and Yingtian—walked side by side, all dressed in plain silk robes and wearing square headscarves, each holding a scroll of ancient books—sometimes the *Zhou Li*, sometimes the *Chun Qiu*, sometimes the *Daxue*, and sometimes the *Zhongyong*.

More than a hundred students in blue robes followed closely behind, their steps perfectly synchronized. They tapped bamboo slips lightly against their palms, the sound like a clear spring striking stone. In unison, they recited the poem "Guan Ju" from the Book of Songs: "A fair maiden, a gentleman's good match..." Then they recited the poem "Hun Yi" from the Book of Rites: "The marriage ceremony is to unite the two surnames, to serve the ancestral temple above, and to continue the lineage below."

The sound waves rose in layers, soaring into the sky, even causing the copper bells on the eaves to ring without wind, as if heaven and earth were responding in kind.

The onlookers stood solemnly, even the noisy children fell silent and looked up – this was no ordinary wedding ceremony, but a grand celebration that brought together culture and martial arts.

However, at the very front of this solemn and dignified procession, one person stood out conspicuously.

He was not dressed in the formal attire of a mountain chief, nor did he carry any books or bamboo slips. He was only wearing a faded indigo robe, yet his features revealed a mixture of arrogance and gentleness—he was none other than Guiguzi, the bookworm.

When Shen Mo saw that familiar figure in the distance, his heart warmed, as if he had returned to that night in the cave with the campfire flickering.

Back then, he was still a confused young man. The bookworm's words, "Do good deeds and don't worry about the future," ignited his path like a spark. He taught him for two days, imparting all his knowledge of the "Turtle Breathing Technique" and "Moonlit Night Divine Skill," and also guided him on the "Heavenly Gang Sword Technique," discussed Situ Dengfeng's martial arts, and finally declared that he possessed the "Heavenly Martial Body"... If it weren't for his connection with the bookworm back then, how could he be the Sword God he is today?