Zhen couldn't help but smile even though he knew it was nonsense. Zhu Yueli might indeed be in her room, but it was clear she was only thinking about stopping the marriage or at least leaving after they were married.
However, he was happy because at least there was a little support.
"I know, I can't wait to meet him. I'm sure she feels the same," Zhen replied, adding salt to the wound, fueling the anger of the people and the Zhu Clan members, especially Xu Rao, who seemed ready to cut his throat.
"Boy, watch your mouth," she snapped suddenly, looking like she couldn't stay silent any longer.
When she spoke, it was enough to silence everyone.
Xu Rao might be the wife of the Zhu Clan Master in this city, but her background was far more significant.
Had it not been for her love, the Zhu Clan Master would never have been able to make her a obedient wife, and she would have canceled the marriage even at the cost of her husband's life.
"Boy, you must know that the agreement only states that you will marry Yueli. Marriage isn't always about love; it could just be a show, and your marriage is no more than a performance. After this, you can return to your home, and Yueli will return to the Sacred Sky Valley."
Zhen, "..."
'Now I've met a mother-in-law without a brain; it must be torture to be his son-in-law,' he thought.
Such things shouldn't be said in public, but she said them, clearly to humiliate her.
Unfortunately, that's what people wanted.
Zhen reluctantly endured it, clearing his throat lightly to ease the awkwardness.
His eyes looked at Clan Master Zhu, who seemed to be in a complicated mood.
He was the one who had wanted this marriage in the first place, but now he was the one rejecting it.
Of course, one of the factors might be because he wasn't a good match for his daughter.
However, Zhen was sure that the main factor was his wife's influence.
Zhen smiled at him, showing that he was still in a cheerful mood.
"Master Zhu, no, mm, father-in-law, is my marriage to your daughter official now?" he asked him.
To formalize the marriage, it was not complicated in the traditions of this world. The important thing was the statement from the woman's father in public. That was sufficient as an official declaration, and the groom could then meet his bride waiting for him in the room and take her home the next day.
Now, all eyes were on Master Zhu of the Zhu Clan, including Xu Rao.
The latter gave him a sharp glance, but of course, that couldn't be a signal to refuse Zhen, as that would mean the end of him.
"Ehmmm!!!" The man cleared his throat, but louder, which softened his expression.
After that, he smiled, though it seemed forced.
"Welcome, Xia Zhen. From now on, you are the husband of my daughter, Zhu Yueli," he said.
Unfortunately, only a few claps were heard, from the makeup artists and Zhu Long.
The rest remained silent with unhappy expressions.
Zhu Long looked very excited.
"Welcome, brother Zhen. Finally, we are brothers-in-law," he said, trying to help him down from his horse.
DING!
(Congratulations, you have married Zhu Yueli. You now receive the remaining three rewards: 30 System Points, a Blood Pact that can be found in your Inventory, and a secret protector who is now hiding and watching over you from afar!)
[System Points: 65]
Zhen received the notification and focused on it before dismounting from his horse.
Now his Point System is sufficient to help him break through to the Third Stage of the Spiritual Master Realm, but he hesitates to use it because he thinks he can break through on his own.
The most intriguing part, of course, is the blood pact.
He wonders how it can be valid since Zhu Yueli never made it.
However, it is clearly genuine.
It seems like some kind of cheat in the System.
However, the System itself doesn't make sense, so Zhen doesn't want to think too much about it if it gives him an unreasonable reward.
DING!
(Show the blood pact to everyone!
- 20 System Points!
- Increased comprehension of the Eternal Dragon Sutra, Sword Slash, and Gravity Domain, each by 3%!)
Zhen, "..."
'This System wants me to keep being hated by everyone...' Zhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he began to dismount from his horse.
"Brother Zhen, come in, we must eat first," said Zhu Long, pulling him into the Zhu Clan's residence, which had a courtyard three times larger than the Xia Clan's.
It was now filled with tables where the elites of Spring City had gathered.
One figure caught Zhen's attention, a red-haired young man accompanied by an old man.
Upon seeing him, Zhen immediately felt that he was his destined enemy.
The young man was enjoying his meal, but perhaps because he sensed his gaze, he looked back at him sharply.
Zhen wasn't ready to cause trouble with him, so he averted his gaze.
"Brother Zhen, that man is from the Sacred Sky Valley, the junior of my older sister. You must be careful of him. He is very powerful," Zhu Long said in a low voice as they sat down.
Zhen merely nodded and then focused on the food on the table. At least, the food was not disappointing at all, making him, who hadn't had breakfast, extremely hungry.
He began to eat and wondered if he should show the blood pact.
'But I'm like the main character who's destined to survive all disasters. Now I have a secret protector, why should I be afraid?' he thought.
'Ohhh...' Zhen then became interested in a group of young men, one of whom was Xia Bai.
He didn't expect him to be here. However, he wasn't the main character in that group because he was with members of the Yu Clan, another clan from this city that was a branch of a larger clan from outside.
Xia Bai had a close connection to that clan because his mother was the sister of the Yu Clan Master.
The group of young men was led by Yu Ming, a young man carrying a sword at his waist and wearing a fairly luxurious black robe.
He had a handsome face but wasn't as handsome as Zhen.
Actually, he also had a connection with the Zhu Clan because his mother was from the Zhu Clan.
The three clans were indeed bound by various marital ties.
"Xia Zhen, ohhh Xia Zhen, I thought you were a coward, but it turns out your courage is more than that. However, I want to know what it feels like to be a husband but not be able to live with your wife," Yu Ming said to Zhen.
Of course, he wouldn't come without mocking him.
As long as he follows the cliché plot, he will continue to encounter situations like this.
Newcomers to the xianxia world might enjoy the tension and the slap in the face at the end, but experienced readers need a stronger Dao Heart to keep following the story.
DING!
(If you show the blood pact now, you'll receive an additional reward!
- Direct advancement to the Third Stage of the Spiritual Master Realm!)