Chapter 2: The Joy of Marriage, A Night in the Bridal Chamber

Lu Chengfeng acted swiftly, knowing that delaying could invite unforeseen troubles. Without notifying anyone in advance, he had already prepared the bridal chamber and arranged a modest banquet.

Only on the day of the wedding did he inform Zhao Changzhen's second disciple, Su Wanning; the third disciple, Li Mofeng; and his junior martial sister, Zhao Ling'er, who was also the only daughter of his late master.

Zhao Ling'er was not Luo Suyi's daughter. Originally, Luo Suyi had been Zhao Changzhen's eldest disciple and had cultivated the Golden Silk Jade Garment Technique, a powerful dual-cultivation method. Zhao Changzhen had discovered her unique constitution was ideally suited for this technique and harbored impure intentions. Although he took her as his disciple, he had, in reality, been grooming her as a vessel for his cultivation.

Over the years, Luo Suyi had blossomed into an even more alluring beauty, and her mastery of the Golden Silk Jade Garment Technique had reached the seventh level, making her like a ripe fruit.

Watching his eldest disciple grow increasingly captivating and attract the attention of numerous sect disciples—including Xue Dulong—Zhao Changzhen had finally abandoned all restraint and forced Luo Suyi to marry him as a concubine.

However, on their wedding night, fate took an unexpected turn. A powerful intruder stormed Bixiao Peak, killing Zhao Changzhen with just three strikes, looting his body, and vanishing without a trace.

This shocking incident on Bixiao Peak immediately stirred heated discussion within the sect, prompting even the Sect Leader's personal attention. Yet, despite seven days of investigation, no trace of the assailant was found.

Meanwhile, the disciples of Bixiao Peak faced increasing uncertainty, especially Luo Suyi, who—possessing unmatched beauty and the allure of her cultivation—became the focus of many covetous eyes.

In light of these circumstances, Lu Chengfeng disregarded the stunned expressions of his peers and decisively took action, marrying Luo Suyi in a simple ceremony witnessed by the sect.

After the marriage rites, he entrusted his second junior sister, Su Wanning, to deliver the marriage certificate and invitations to each peak within the sect.

Su Wanning gazed at Lu Chengfeng in his red wedding robe, her face filled with mixed emotions. "Senior Brother, why… why would you do this so suddenly?"

Dressed in red silk and crowned in gold, Lu Chengfeng's wedding attire highlighted his heroic bearing. He replied solemnly, "With Master's sudden passing, this is the only way to protect Shimu and Junior Sister. Otherwise, given time, others would undoubtedly exploit the situation."

"Now that the matter is settled, Junior Sister, please spare me further words. For the sake of our bond, I ask you to take this marriage certificate to the Discipline Hall and deliver the invitations to each peak."

Su Wanning, a member of the renowned Su family in Jiangnan, had joined the Cloud Cang Sword Sect due to a family incident, becoming a disciple of Bixiao Peak under Zhao Changzhen. Although she had seniority and was older by seven or eight years, Lu Chengfeng's remarkable talent had earned him the position of chief disciple at age twelve, placing Su Wanning in the second seat on Bixiao Peak.

Zhao Changzhen's youngest disciple, Li Mofeng, was only fifteen. Since joining the sect three years prior, Lu Chengfeng had taken on the responsibility of instructing him.

After giving his instructions, Lu Chengfeng glanced at Zhao Ling'er, who had run off in tears, then turned to Li Mofeng. "Third Brother, go after Junior Sister. Make sure she stays safe."

Li Mofeng, once the young master of a wealthy family in Jinzhou, had lost his family to bandits from Black Wind Fortress. It was Lu Chengfeng who had saved him, eventually bringing him back to the sect, where he became Zhao Changzhen's disciple. To Li Mofeng, Lu Chengfeng was both a brother and a mentor, and their bond ran deep.

Without a word, Li Mofeng immediately activated his light-foot technique and pursued Zhao Ling'er.

Once these matters were settled, Lu Chengfeng finally turned to Luo Suyi, who remained veiled.

He approached her gently, taking hold of her slender fingers, feeling their cool, silken touch—a warmth he found hard to let go.

"Suyi, I'm sorry for the trouble I've put you through."

Luo Suyi didn't know what to feel; she felt as though she were floating in a dream. Were it not for the veil covering her face, she wouldn't know how to face her late husband's disciple—or her own daughter.

But after so many nights of nightmares, she had ultimately resolved to marry Lu Chengfeng.

"This may not be the best choice, but what other path do I have left?"

There was no way she would allow herself to fall into the hands of that brute, Xue Dulong; the very thought filled her with terror.

Beneath the red veil, Luo Suyi's eyes reddened. This bare-bones wedding filled her with embarrassment, shame, and a sense of absurdity. Forced into marriage by her master only to be widowed the same night, and now marrying Lu Chengfeng so soon afterward… She couldn't help but think, "Why don't I just end my life? Then I wouldn't have to suffer this shame."

It was only when Lu Chengfeng's voice pulled her from her thoughts that she returned to the present.

At the moment their hands touched, she trembled slightly, instinctively trying to pull away, but he held her firmly.

"Suyi, trust me. I meant every word."

"As long as you don't wish it, I won't touch you."

His gentle words eased her tension, and her body relaxed.

"Come, let's go inside."

"Whatever may happen, from this day forward, you are my wife."

With her hand in his, Luo Suyi, her mind blank, followed him to the bridal chamber like a puppet.

They arrived at Lu Chengfeng's secluded residence, a quiet courtyard with several parasol trees and a small pond. Under the trees was a practice ground where Lu Chengfeng trained daily.

The courtyard was divided into two sections, and their modest wedding banquet had taken place in the outer courtyard. Now, he led his new bride across the threshold into the inner courtyard.

Still veiled, Luo Suyi could only rely on him to guide her forward. Thankfully, she could still see her feet, preventing any stumbles.

Soon, with a soft creak, he opened the door and led her inside.

The door closed with a heavy thud, and Luo Suyi felt a surge of nervousness, clutching her sleeves tightly.

Lu Chengfeng's emotions stirred—not just at the thought of what lay ahead, but at the sight of the beautiful woman before him.

There was no denying it—Luo Suyi was an unparalleled beauty. From the moment he had first laid eyes on her, he had been captivated.

Her every expression, every movement, was full of charm, enchanting and mesmerizing.

This woman, once his senior martial sister and nominally his Shimu, was from today on his wife.

Holding her hand, he felt a slight layer of sweat on his palm, a sign of his own nervousness. Remarkably, this seemed to calm her.

When she finally sat on the edge of the bed, Lu Chengfeng used a golden rod to lift her red veil, revealing a delicately blushing face beneath.

With willow-leaf brows, captivating eyes, and cherry-red lips, her skin appeared smooth as porcelain, radiant under the candlelight. Her graceful curves were barely concealed by her wide bridal gown.

As she sat, her figure created an alluring silhouette, her ample chest drawing his gaze.

Lu Chengfeng felt his pulse race, his heart pounding.

Under the red candlelight, Luo Suyi appeared ethereal, her skin aglow, almost inviting.

She averted her gaze, avoiding his intense stare, but even in doing so, her beauty shone.

"Hah…"

Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath. "My… dear wife… I'll meditate in the adjoining room. You should rest."

With these words, he all but fled to the adjacent chamber, where he gulped down several cups of cool tea to regain his composure.

"I must stay focused. There's more at stake than this."

"A beautiful woman may be a blessing, but she can also bring disaster. Without strength, I could lose everything."

Taking a deep breath, he allowed her image to fade from his mind, centering his focus on the faint golden glow between his brows.

"It's time to accept this gift."