Marriage And Separation . . .
Cha-Eun Xiao responded to Meng Huai-Qing's earlier statement with a serene smile. "There is rarely anything absolute in this world," he mused, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. "I believe that I will find a way to reunite with Su Ye-Yue."
Meng Huai-Qing offered a thoughtful response, neither confirming nor denying his belief.
However, as the conversation continued, Su Ye-Yue's emotions reached a breaking point. Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with the impending separation. She trembled with sorrow and expressed her reluctance to leave her parents and Cha-Eun Xiao behind.
Her heartfelt words tugged at the core of their beings, revealing the depth of her attachment and love for them.
Cha-Eun Xiao understood the profound truth that life often required difficult choices. He gently wiped away her tears and spoke with a mix of conviction and sadness. "Throughout our lives, we constantly make choices. With every gain comes a loss, and it is no different in this case," he explained. "Especially in a world as turbulent as ours, my current abilities may not be sufficient to ensure your safety. There will be more attempts on our lives, more assassinations, and more threats. This time, it was the House of Chaotic Storms. Next time, it could be another faction. The kingdoms your father once opposed may come seeking retribution."
As he admitted his inability to protect her adequately, Cha-Eun Xiao clenched his fists, his face contorted with frustration. The woman's words about the importance of power echoed in his mind, and he felt a profound sense of shame at his current limitations.
With a heavy heart, he made a decision. "Let's leave this mountain," he suggested, his voice tinged with determination. "You should inform my parents about your intention to take you as your disciple."
Su Ye-Yue, her eyes brimming with tears, clung tightly to Cha-Eun Xiao's hand as they descended from the mountain. Their journey eventually led them to the Palace of Hua-Yang.
Princess Hua-Yang, upon learning that the enigmatic woman wished to take her daughter as a disciple, experienced a mix of joy and sorrow. While she was delighted by the prospect of Su Ye-Yue's bright future, the thought of parting with her daughter weighed heavily on her heart. She couldn't help but imagine that the woman might be a celestial being.
However, the realization that this decision would separate her from Su Ye-Yue for an indefinite period left her heartbroken. Princess Hua-Yang, after a long period of tearful contemplation, finally made a painful but resolute decision.
"We cannot protect our children throughout their lives," she began, her voice choked with emotion. "Sometimes, we must learn to let go."
Princess Hua-Yang consented to the arrangement, stating, "I trust that she will be in good hands, sister."
Meng Huai-Qing nodded in acknowledgment of the princess's decision. However, Princess Hua-Yang had one more request to make. She brought up a matter close to her heart, revealing her desire for Su Ye-Yue and Cha-Eun Xiao to fulfill the engagement made between them long ago, acknowledging the deep bond they shared.
Meng Huai-Qing, though initially skeptical, understood the emotional significance of the request. With a sigh, she agreed, recognizing that this gesture could provide solace to Su Ye-Yue and her parents during this difficult time. The wedding, while not affecting her own plans, would serve as a meaningful tribute to the love and connection between the two young individuals.
Time flowed differently in the world of cultivators. The path of mastering the Dancing Phoenix Art was an arduous journey, requiring years of relentless dedication. Even reaching a basic level of proficiency would take a dozen years, and true mastery might demand a century or more. This long and solitary cultivation journey meant that those who pursued it would seldom encounter mortal individuals.
Meng Huai-Qing understood this, believing that after several cycles of isolated cultivation, Cha-Eun Xiao might have experienced numerous lifetimes. She doubted that he would ever find her again, which influenced her decision not to deny the wedding proposal.
With their commitment sealed, the wedding commenced without delay. Su Ye-Yue approached the occasion with solemnity. She took a lock of her own hair and a strand of Cha-Eun Xiao's hair and bound them together, speaking with utmost sincerity. "Cha-Eun Xiao, you must remember me. Life after life, I am and will be your wife forever."
Cha-Eun Xiao gazed at the hair knot, an array of emotions swirling within him. He found himself grappling with a sensation entirely new to him, leaving him momentarily speechless.
In the next breath, a ceremonial fire was ignited, and the hair knot was reduced to ashes. The ash was collected and added to two cups of liquor. Together, they raised the cups and drank the mixture, signifying their union. Their hearts merged, bound together as a single entity, never to be separated.
With a composed demeanor, Su Ye-Yue continued, "It feels right. Cha-Eun Xiao, you must remember me..."
Cha-Eun Xiao nodded in agreement, keenly aware of the profound responsibility now resting upon his shoulders. He looked at Su Ye-Yue and felt his heart swell with emotion. Only he and Meng Huai-Qing truly comprehended the immense challenges he would face in reuniting with Su Ye-Yue, who was bound for a realm even higher than the Qing-Yun Realm.
Su Ye-Yue then turned and removed a jade pendant from around her neck, warm from her touch. She placed it around Cha-Eun Xiao's neck with her own hands before tucking it inside his clothes. Stepping back, she regarded him with deep sentimentality and said, "It will be by your side for me."
Cha-Eun Xiao was taken aback by the meaningful gesture. She had given him the jade pendant she had always worn—a symbol of profound trust and connection. This left him pondering what he could offer her in return, something that would make her proud even in the presence of her esteemed master.
His thoughts briefly considered giving the peculiar egg from within the Boundless Space. Although he didn't follow through with the idea, merely contemplating it made the egg react strangely. It levitated within the space, creating an amusing yet distinctly anxious impression.
Assuaging the egg's apparent panic, Cha-Eun Xiao chuckled and reassured it, "I'm not actually giving you away. There's no need to panic!"
As Cha Eun Xiao continued to converse with the mysterious egg within the Boundless Space, a peculiar occurrence unfolded. It was as if the egg had taken his words to heart and slowly descended onto a nearby jade plate, its movements carrying an almost obedient quality.
Then, quite unexpectedly, a radiant stream of light burst forth, catching everyone's attention. From the Sky Space above, a small fragment of Pure Heavenly Crystal dislodged itself and descended gracefully into Cha-Eun Xiao's hand. This piece was as substantial as a goose egg.
Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel astounded. He quizzically addressed the egg, "You don't mean to tell me that you can hear everything I say, do you? You..."
The egg exuded a sense of haughtiness, offering no response to his inquiries.
Cha-Eun Xiao's amazement deepened, and he remarked, "You're just an egg, after all. How can you possess such extraordinary abilities?"
The egg quivered with indignant emotion before ultimately settling back into the jade plate, seemingly conveying, "Why wouldn't I have magical capabilities? Are you underestimating me? Get lost!"
...
"I don't have anything particularly special to offer you as a gift," Cha-Eun Xiao confessed to Su Ye-Yue, his tone tinged with regret. "Here's a stone. Just take it."
With that, he produced a piece of Pure Heavenly Crystal. As the crystal materialized, the entire room seemed to undergo a transformation. It became pristine and crystal-clear, and a sense of comfort enveloped everyone present.
Meng Huai-Qing, who had been seated nonchalantly until then, suddenly sprung to her feet and rushed toward Cha-Eun Xiao, her demeanor undergoing an abrupt change. "Pure Heavenly Crystal? Where did you obtain this?"
The others were taken aback by her intense reaction.
Cha-Eun Xiao responded with an innocent tone, "Are you referring to this? Well, a man casually gave it to me after I assisted him with some business... It's a stone that emits a delightful fragrance. It may seem rare, but I assure you, it's practically worthless."
"A stone that emits a beautiful fragrance... worthless..." Meng Huai-Qing was on the verge of fainting.
In her realm, a piece of Pure Heavenly Crystal like the one Cha-Eun Xiao had was worth an entire town. To think that he had casually referred to it as a mere stone left her utterly flabbergasted.
Meng Huai-Qing couldn't help but inwardly berate Cha-Eun Xiao's evaluation of the Pure Heavenly Crystal. Her thoughts raced, [No money? Could you even be more wasteful than this? How can you measure its value by money? Such a piece can at least be exchanged for ten of a whole realm like this one.]
In the midst of their discussion, Su Ye-Yue examined the Pure Heavenly Crystal with a sense of wonderment. She pondered aloud, "Hmm... Wait, if you have such a thing, I should have sensed it earlier. Why did I just find out about it now?" She turned her gaze toward Cha-Eun Xiao and inquired, "You obviously didn't have it on you. What was it?"
Cha-Eun Xiao, with a hint of pride, responded, "I had this. I won't show it to anybody except my girl." He gave a nonchalant humph and revealed the ring adorning his finger.
Meng Huai-Qing felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had briefly overlooked the existence of the Space Ring, a highly unique and valuable item.
Addressing Su Ye-Yue with solemnity, Meng Huai-Qing emphasized, "Girl, this... this stone, you must keep it safe. It may provide you with a great deal of assistance in the future. It could be the key to breaking through a formidable obstacle you encounter. There is a place where you will inevitably need it. Fortunately, you possess it now. Indeed, you are... my disciple."
Although Meng Huai-Qing intended to convey the idea that Su Ye-Yue was divinely favored, she chose not to elaborate on this point, considering that her audience consisted of mortals.
Su Ye-Yue clutched the Pure Heavenly Crystal close to her heart, her thoughts racing. [Even if circumstances compel me to use it, I won't. This is a gift from Cha-Eun Xiao. It's the only connection I'll have to him in the days to come. It serves as a substitute for his presence...]
With the matters at hand concluded, Meng Huai-Qing proposed that she and Su Ye-Yue depart for her realm immediately.