After finishing his preparations, Liu Yizan stood before the mirror, taking in the reflection of the young man staring back at him.
His face was handsome enough, with above-average features that were more than pleasing to the eye, but nothing extraordinary.
His slim frame was well-defined from years of farm labor, his skin naturally tanned by hours spent under the sun.
The clothes he wore were simple yet functional—brown pants and a matching shirt.
Such garments were typical in this world, where commoners like him wore practical clothing, and colors like white were a rarity only seen among the elites.
There was no extravagant silk or fine fabric, just sturdy material designed for everyday use.
The most expensive piece of his attire, however, was the pendant hanging around his neck.
It wasn't made of gold or silver, but rather from the tail hair and teeth of a ferocious beast.
The pendant wasn't striking in appearance, but its value wasn't measured by beauty. It symbolized strength, survival, and the dangerous world in which he now lived.
To most, it was more precious than any jewel crafted from precious metals because of the power it represented.
After nodding at his reflection, satisfied with his appearance, Liu Yizan turned and walked out of his bedroom.
He took one final deep breath, adjusting his posture before heading downstairs.
...
"Man, who would have thought that the day would come when little Yizan would finally be getting married," a gruff voice chuckled from the back of the living room.
"Mom, I want to eat that sweet, give me!" The bright, high-pitched voice of a little child rang out, cutting through the murmurs of conversation.
"No, you've had enough sweets already! What will you do if you get sick?" a mature woman scolded gently, her tone laced with concern as she tried to keep the child in check.
Liu Yizan looked around, his eyes scanning the room as the sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air. It wasn't a grand affair, but it was home.
The space was crowded with people, and as his gaze shifted, he realized there were more familiar faces here than he had initially noticed.
There were only about fifteen people in the room, but each one of them was familiar.
These were the people who had been a part of his life since his arrival in this village.
Some were his relatives, but most were his friends and acquaintances—people he worked with on the farm, or those who helped him get supplies for various tasks.
They had supported him in countless ways over the years, from sharing in the labor to offering help with the day-to-day needs of village life.
As Liu Yizan descended the stairs, the chatter in the room seemed to die down for a moment, and a little voice broke through the silence.
"Big brother Yizan has come!" The child pointed at him excitedly, and the room seemed to brighten with smiles and greetings.
One of his old friends, Zhen Ming, stepped forward, a grin on his face. "Hey, what are you doing standing there? Come on over here! You lucky bastard, already getting married! I'm still months away from that."
Liu Yizan chuckled softly as Zhen Ming pulled him toward the group.
His old friend, despite his imposing name, was anything but domineering. In fact, Zhen Ming had a reputation for being a bit of a coward, but Liu Yizan had always found him to be good-natured and loyal.
Zhen Ming was excited to be here today, but there was a certain bittersweetness to his presence.
This would be the last day he'd spend in the village.
His martial talent, unlike Liu Yizan's low-level potential, was medium level—something that his parents had been willing to invest in.
They had paid for him to receive a consultation with a martial artist who passed through the village, and he had been given the opportunity to learn martial arts in a nearby town.
The village had its own martial arts training, but it was limited to those who joined the guards.
Most villagers who had little to no hope of advancing beyond Rank 1 or Rank 2 martial arts would take up that role, essentially becoming village protectors.
However, Those with stronger martial talent, like Zhen Ming, would quickly outgrow the village's modest offerings.
The martial techniques taught here were rudimentary, only advancing to Rank 1 and Rank 2 cultivation.
For someone with medium-level talent, like Zhen Ming, that was an incredibly limiting prospect. Even if they became the strongest in the village, they would only be able to reach the rank 2 threshold.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're finally getting out of here, huh?" Liu Yizan said with a grin, slapping Zhen Ming on the back. "Don't worry, I'll hold down the fort here while you go become some martial master."
Zhen Ming rolled his eyes playfully, but there was an edge of nervousness in his voice. "I'll try not to die, okay? But seriously, how are you handling this? Getting married so young... "
Liu Yizan laughed lightly, shaking his head. "It's not as bad as it sounds. I've known my sister-in-law for years. And since I have already gotten to the age of marriage, it now becomes my responsibility to take care of her."
Zhen Ming nodded at hearing this when suddenly another little commotion arose, and a group of ladies entered the living room from the other side.
Among them were Zhen Ming and Liu Yizan's mothers, who were holding the arm of another woman.
Liu Yizan's eyes widened as his heart skipped a beat.
Zhen Ming, noticing his friend's reaction, smirked and said, "You know what, you're doing the right thing. With that kind of beauty being your sister-in-law, it's naturally your duty to make sure she doesn't remain a widow forever."
Liu Yizan, still staring at the woman, snapped out of his stupor and glared at Zhen Ming. "Shut up, dumb ass, or I'll beat the shit out of you."
Zhen Ming quickly raised his hands in surrender, his face showing mock innocence. "Sorry, sorry! Please don't get angry. It's your day, after all."
Liu Yizan shook his head in exasperation, then turned his attention back to the woman.
His sister-in-law, Liu Xianwei, was dressed in a traditional, simple yet elegant garment. Despite the simplicity of the attire, her presence was striking.
Her long black hair was tied neatly, and her demeanor exuded grace, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Today, she would become his wife, and the thought felt strange, yet it was a reality in this harsh world.
People did what they had to do to survive, and in this world where survival was anything but guaranteed, such arrangements were more common.
Though they had known each other for years, their relationship had never been romantic.
His mother had orchestrated this marriage, but there was no denying the bond they already shared—one formed through hardship and necessity.
In a world where life could be snatched away in an instant, where the strong preyed upon the weak, Liu Yizan knew that this marriage was, at its core, about security, protection, and continuity.
Today marked the start of that responsibility, and though the situation was complex, he understood the duty he had to take on.