AZI Volume 3 Intermission – Hongchen

Your second uncle is named Hongchen.

He was a firm believer in our first-generation ancestor's words.

The first-generation ancestor prophesized that—

"The men of my household shall have many problems with women until "he," the one to lead this household to the apex of this universe, arrives. "He" shall become our new point of beginning, our new source, our… Progenitor."

No one knew who this "he" was supposed to be.

However, keeping the first-generation ancestor's words in mind at all times, Hongchen—who had witnessed the awkward marriages of those around him, vowed to never marry anyone until this "he" arrives.

In any case, due to the cultivation method and divine art hybrid technique—that Hongchen specialized in, his black hair had turned scarlet, while his azure-colored eyes had turned crimson.

Perhaps, the most famous of your second uncle's feats—was the time when he had been challenged by over 100 members of his generation, and still ended up coming out on top.

After this feat, many sects and practitioner households would come by our family's estate with their daughters—to propose marriage to your second uncle.

"Hongchen, when you saved me once in the past—not only did you con me of my storage ring, but you had also conned me of my heart!"

"Lady, I con others for resources; but never have I conned anyone of their hearts."

"Hongchen, I thought we had something special together!"

"This little sister, I don't even know you…"

"Hongchen, answer me honestly! How do you feel about me?!"

"Woman, young as you might look on the outside, but there is still a 100-year-old age gap between us."

"Hongchen, we spent a night under the same roof together, you have to take responsibility for me!"

"Sacred maiden, we many have spent a night under the same roof; but never have we committed any illicit activities. Have some self-respect."

"Hongchen, the fact that you went easy on me during our battle—that was your way of saying that I have a place in your heart, right?!"

"This older sister, you do realize that I had to deal with numerous other opponents beside you in that battle, right?"

Despite there being many women, who had been attracted to his strength and character, your second uncle kept giving them the cold shoulder.

"Brother, when are you going to get married?"

"Ai, Hongchen, learn a bit from your great-grandfather."

"Hongchen, you're getting on in age, why don't you find a partner?"

Words of this nature had seemingly become something that numerous clansmen would use to tease him with.

And time and time again, his reply would always be—

"I'll marry when "he" arrives."

...…

Hearing about his second uncle, the child blinks his eyes, and asks—

"Father, was "he" just an excuse—that second uncle had used, because he was simply afraid of women, so he never could bring himself to get married?"

"…I wouldn't know much about your second uncle's tastes, but the possibility is always there. Still, I think it's mainly because he doesn't wish to end up like your other male relatives—that he wanted to avoid marriage as much as possible."