Chapter 24: Marrying Her
“If the Holy Maiden invites me, I will certainly attend.” Qin Dongli smiled, sheathing his spear, then glared at the crowd. “Whoever dared gossip about the Holy Maiden, step forward now. Don’t make me find you, or you’ll regret it!”
“There’s no need to be so serious, Young Master Qin. There’s no need to pay attention to idle gossip.” Ning Feixuan’s gentle voice echoed faintly from the mist. Mingyan noticed many people liked to conceal themselves… Holy Master Yue Ying, Huang Junru, and now Ning Feixuan, all seemed to prefer keeping their appearances hidden from public view…
Judging by Ning Feixuan’s beauty, Huang Feiyan’s mother, Huang Junru, must also be beautiful… Thinking about someone’s elder in that way seemed disrespectful… Mingyan shook his head.
With the Yaochi Holy Maiden present, a fight between Qin Dongli and Mu Chong was unlikely. The crowd, having lost their entertainment, began to disperse. Mingyan followed them.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Ning Feixuan.
Although her figure was hidden in the mist, her image during their reunion was etched in his memory, even clearer now than when she saved him…
He would reach her level someday and repay her kindness…
Yaochi women could marry outsiders… Mingyan looked at Ning Feixuan, remembering her slightly helpless smile when Huang Feiyan pulled her forward… He made a decision. If possible… after repaying his debt, could he… marry her?
He felt slightly audacious. She was such a celestial being… But perhaps he could try?
He had another goal now. It wasn’t enough to catch up to Ning Feixuan; perhaps… he needed to surpass her.
Mingyan turned and left.
Back in his room, he found Huang Feiyan waiting for him. “Feiyan? What are you doing here?”
“You’re back? Where did you go? I couldn’t find you.” Huang Feiyan turned around, her hands clasped behind her back, a posture that accentuated her figure. Mingyan subtly averted his gaze. “I heard there was a fight in the plaza, so I went to watch.”
“Oh, hehe, Feixuan’s suitors probably,” Huang Feiyan chuckled. “She has many admirers. Unlike me, I’ve made it clear I won’t marry. The Yaochi Sacred Land doesn’t forbid marriage, but married disciples are considered to have left the sect. Yaochi disciples rarely marry outsiders, but there have been exceptions, even among Holy Maidens. Feixuan has a lot on her plate.”
“Do cultivators also get jealous?” Mingyan recalled the change in the two young men’s attitudes after Ning Feixuan arrived. They clearly admired her. Before he started cultivating, he had thought celestials were above such emotions. After all, they seemingly had everything.
“What do you think cultivation is? It’s just a means to an end.” Huang Feiyan smiled. “Cultivation might change one’s mindset, but it doesn’t eliminate emotions. Even Great Emperors only have a lifespan of twenty thousand years. How can cultivators be emotionless in such a limited time?”
“That’s true.” Mingyan nodded. “I was being naive.”
“If cultivation required severing emotions, it would be a deviant path, not recognized by heaven and earth, and would eventually lead to ruin.” Huang Feiyan smiled gently. “One can control their emotions, but never sever them. Remember that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Mingyan nodded.
“You’re always so polite. By the way, I have good news… We extracted the toxin from my aunt’s body and tested it on a bird. We then refined some medicine using your blood and gave it to the bird, and it recovered…” Huang Feiyan clapped her hands excitedly. “This means the method is effective, at least on birds. After more tests to confirm there are no side effects, we can start refining the medicine for my aunt… It shouldn’t take too long!”
“I’m glad it worked.” Mingyan smiled. “I was worried my blood wouldn’t be helpful.”
“I’m truly happy… but I’m also worried… Your constitution mustn’t be revealed. This is quite troubling.” The joy on Huang Feiyan’s face faded. “If my mother recommends you to the Sacred Lands, they won’t refuse you and will even treat you well, considering her status. But I’m worried someone might be driven by greed… And once you join a Sacred Land, we can’t interfere in their internal affairs. Recommending you might actually harm you.”
Huang Feiyan still hadn’t found any information on the Human King Physique, but Mingyan’s blood, with its potent Yang energy and life force, was a perfect alchemy ingredient… She worried that the Sacred Lands might not value his cultivation talent. After all, geniuses were common, but natural medicinal ingredients were not…
He could be turned into a blood farm if they weren’t careful… That couldn’t happen!
Mingyan was silent. He knew possessing a treasure without the power to protect it was a curse. Not everyone was as righteous as the Huang family, willing to make a fair exchange with someone who had no bargaining power.
“Perhaps… there’s only one suitable place.” Huang Feiyan pondered for a moment. “Sending you there shouldn’t cause unnecessary trouble. I’ll discuss it with my mother and let you know. Don’t worry, I’ll fulfill my promise and ensure your safety.”
“Tha… um…”
“Were you about to say thank you?” Huang Feiyan looked at him with a teasing smile.
“I stopped myself just in time,” Mingyan said seriously.
“Good. There’s no need for thanks between friends.” Huang Feiyan nodded, satisfied. “About Feixuan… Do you only feel gratitude towards her?”
Mingyan didn’t know why she was asking, but he decided not to hide it from her. “I want to catch up to her, repay her kindness, and marry her.”
Before today, he hadn’t considered marrying Ning Feixuan, but now, the desire was strong. “Of course, it depends on her feelings. Regardless, I’ll repay her kindness.”
Huang Feiyan sighed. “You really have feelings for her… I don’t want to discourage you, but Feixuan is devoted to the Dao… Perhaps you’ll understand after you get to know her better. I can’t say too much. You’re both my friends, and I won’t take sides. So… you understand I can’t help you pursue her, right?”
Mingyan nodded. He hadn’t expected her help anyway. It would put her in a difficult position, and he wouldn’t do that to her.
“Good….” Huang Feiyan blinked and muttered softly, “Why is Feixuan so charming? I don’t understand.”
Mingyan opened his mouth, about to say she was just as charming, but he stopped himself. It sounded too frivolous. Besides, his feelings for Ning Feixuan weren’t exactly romantic. It was more of admiration and gratitude… But it didn’t matter. He would catch up to her someday and get to know her better.
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