Leng Jin Yu and Jinde turned to each other, gazing into each other's eyes, a faint smile on their lips.
Even though Jinde had originally wanted to incorporate as many customs of the mortal realm into their wedding as he could, they had finally decided to go with a rather simple ceremony. In the end, it was only important that the ceremony would signify their wedding among the humans. That was all they wanted. Why should they make it unnecessarily complicated?
Still holding each other's gaze, the two of them got down on their knees and bowed, their gazes meeting again as soon as they lifted their heads. It was plain to see for everyone just how close they were.
Zhangsun Xun Yi waited for them to straighten up again before he continued. "In absence of any elders, I ask you to bow in the direction of the seats they would have taken."
Originally, Leng Jin Yu should have been asked to bow to Yuchi Bing Xia as his so-called Master. But Zhangsun Xun Yi had finally convinced the Sect Master that this wasn't a good idea because it would contrast too much with Jinde.
At the very least, this was the explanation that he had given. In actual fact, he just felt a bit uncomfortable at the thought of Leng Jin Yu bowing to Yuchi Bing Xia. After all, that man was only playing a role here. He was already an ascended deity. How could he bow to a person that hadn't really taught him and was even still a mortal? It just didn't seem right.
Neither Jinde nor Leng Jin Yu had a problem with this arrangement. The two of them bowed to the empty seats with a solemn expression, their thoughts wandering for a moment.
Leng Jin Yu couldn't help but think of his actual Master back then. That man had patiently guided him and even though they hadn't always agreed on matters, he had still looked up to him. Unfortunately, contrary to him, his Master hadn't managed to ascend. Things had gone wrong and he had lost his life.
It was a pity. He really would have liked to see him again up in the Nine Heavens. But unfortunately, not everybody had the luck to actually make it there. It couldn't be changed. Still, he felt like that man would've given his blessing for the wedding with Jinde in a heartbeat. He didn't think that he would have had anything against it. When it came to his private matters, he had always said that he trusted him to make the right judgment himself.
On the other hand, Jinde's feelings were more complicated. The relationship with his parents … it had been a bit difficult. His father died when he was young and his mother had finally pushed him off to the king to be taken in as a disciple and basically raised in the palace. She might have thought that she did the right thing but being given away just shortly after losing his father had hurt him deeply. He rather would've stayed with her. And the fact that their relationship hadn't gotten any closer even after he became older hadn't made things easier.
Not even mentioning them, there was also his Master. He had looked up to him originally but his feelings had become complicated when he got older. He had always known that their Master treated Chun Yin and him differently. Obviously, Chun Yin had been his chosen successor will he was … well, the one he just considered eye candy. And while he had always prided himself in being beautiful, it still hurt.
It especially hurt that his Master finally insinuated that he wasn't good enough for Chun Yin despite praising him for his beauty before. Now, he knew that things had gone even further than that. His Master had tried to keep the two of them apart and had even lied to make them give up on each other.
This wedding now … it was completely against what his Master would have wanted. Should he be happy now that the person was long dead and could not deny them this opportunity? It seemed that maybe this was the case although he still couldn't help but feel a little hurt when thinking back.
In any case, it didn't matter. Now, he was only his own and his husband's person. Nobody could tell him that he was not able to marry this man. Nobody could demand that he stopped loving this person. They were one.
Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded when they finished the bow and motioned in the other direction. "Then, at last, bow to the Heavens."
Jinde and Leng Jin Yu shared a glance and then made the third bow, their lips curved up in a faint smile. The Heavens … contrary to the mortals gathered around them, they knew quite a bit more about what exactly this meant.
That person … they didn't know what he had in store for them but they felt that since they had managed to meet each other in two lives, he had destined them for each other. Even if there were no elders to preside over this wedding, nobody else to give their approval, that person up in the High Heavens who ruled over all the realms would indeed consent to this marriage.
And knowing this … it would naturally make their hearts beat faster. They were one, and they had been meant to be. If even that person thought so, then why did it matter what anyone else thought? Things were perfect as they were.
Just as they got up to accept the congratulations for their finished wedding vows, a blinding light shot up in another part of the Yun Zou Sect and the sky above seemed to split open. Whether it was them or the guests having gathered around, they all couldn't help but look over, their eyes widening at the sight.
Leng Jin Yu's brows slightly furrowed when he saw that spectacle. "Somebody is ascending to the Nine Heavens." And, unfortunately, he had a good guess just who that person was.