108: Chapter 108 The Grand Wedding

Two days later.

Early morning.

Under the occupation and management of the Demon-Quelling Army,

this ancient capital, having just undergone a baptism of blood and fire, had begun to exude a faint new vitality.

Streets that were blood-stained yesterday were today covered with hurried yet meticulously placed decorations.

Great red silk satins hung from high palace eaves all the way down to the corners of the market districts, and strings of brand-new lanterns were hoisted up.

It was the very picture of a joyful festival or a grand ceremony.

Both sides of the Imperial City's main thoroughfare were packed with citizens waiting expectantly and soldiers of the Demon-Quelling Army who had removed their armor and donned clean military uniforms.

Excitement was etched on every face.

Two veterans of the Demon-Quelling Army were hanging the last batch of colored silk on a pillar.

As they worked, they conversed in low voices.

"Hey, Old Zhang, look at this grandeur."

"I've lived for forty years, and this is the first time I've seen such a lively scene. It's ten times more festive than the New Year!"

"Of course it is."

"Look whose big day it is! It's Great Commander Su and Vice Commander Ye!"

The veteran called Old Zhang carefully smoothed out a wrinkle in the silk, his eyes full of reverence.

"Great Commander Su is a god descended to earth."

"If not for him, all of us, and the people of this entire city, would have long ago become rations for those monsters!"

"And Vice Commander Ye, tsk tsk, that red outfit, that swordplay..."

"If you ask me, though she's a female Rakshasa on the battlefield, she's beyond reproach when it comes to us brothers!"

"True, true. That imperial throne should be sat upon by Great Commander Su."

"And Vice Commander Ye would be the Empress. They're a match made in heaven."

"Exactly! Once the wedding is over today, we'll jointly petition for Great Commander Su to don the yellow robes!"

"It's time for a new era to dawn upon this world."

"Following Great Commander Su and Vice Commander Ye, our good days are still ahead of us!"

Amidst the laughter and chatter, aspirations for the future were intertwined.

This joy came so intensely,

that everyone deliberately ignored something.

That Great Commander Su, whom they revered like a god—

why had he not made a public appearance since that earth-shaking battle three days ago?

No one delved deeper,

nor did they question why this wedding, which should have been grand and unprecedented in scale,

had to be held so hastily,

as if they were racing against time.

...

Deep within the Imperial Palace.

Inside Su Chen's bedchamber.

The atmosphere here was starkly different from the boisterous heat of the capital's streets.

Instead, it held a hint of emptiness.

Su Chen had already risen and changed into an exquisitely crafted set of bright red groom's wedding robes.

A few specially selected, nimble-handed maidservants were finalizing his attire with lowered eyes and submissive manners.

He stood quietly, allowing the maidservants to attend to him, his gaze falling vacantly on the sky outside the window, which was dotted with festive red.

Two silhouettes floated in his mind.

One in red, one in blue.

Today was his last day in the Great Ning World.

Even now, Su Chen did not know

if choosing to give Ye Jingjun a formal status at the final moment of his "life" was right or wrong.

As for Cang Mingyue...

That silly girl should still be on her way to the capital right now, shouldn't she?

If she knew about today, what would it be like?

Su Chen didn't even know if he would have the chance to see her one last time.

In this round of investment, he seemed to owe too many people.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept across a bronze mirror on the dressing table.

The mirror reflected a translucent blue crystal sitting on his cabinet.

It was the pearl Cang Mingyue had given him back then.

The "mermaids tear."

Driven by some inexplicable impulse, he reached out, gently took the warm pearl from the cabinet, and gripped it in his palm.

He fell silent for a moment, then took a finely woven, bright red auspicious knot ornament prepared by a maidservant.

He carefully suspended the pearl in the very center of the ornament, the most conspicuous spot.

Then, he gently hung it around his neck.

The pearl hung outside the bright red wedding robes, appearing exceptionally eye-catching.

"Great Commander, the auspicious hour approaches. It is time to set out for the bride."

The respectful voice of an attendant sounded from outside the door.

Su Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions surging in his heart, and managed to force a faint smile onto his face.

"I understand."

Supported by attendants, he slowly walked out of the hall.

Outside the palace gates, the wedding procession was already prepared.

A luxurious sixteen-bearer imperial carriage was draped in red and decorated with ribbons.

The escorting knights were all in high spirits, banners fluttered, and the musical ensemble stood solemnly on both sides.

Evidently, Ye Jingjun had been very thoughtful.

Considering her husband's current physical condition, she had specially prepared these.

However, Su Chen's gaze moved past the magnificent imperial carriage,

landing on an exceptionally majestic white steed that had already been prepared.

The horse was pure white, without a single stray hair.

Its saddle and bridle were decorated with gold and jade, extraordinarily beautiful.

It was identical to the Snow Dragon Steeds he had ridden back in Great Qian.

"I will ride the horse."

Everyone was stunned.

According to protocol, the groom riding a steed indeed showed respect for the bride who was about to join the family.

But Su Chen's current physical state was well known.

Riding a horse... could he really hold on?

"Great Commander, your body..."

The attendant tried to dissuade him.

"It's fine."

Su Chen waved his hand, broke free from the attendants' support, and walked toward the white horse step by step.

His pace was slow, even somewhat unsteady.

But his spine was held perfectly straight.

He eventually reached the horse on his own and reached out to stroke its neck.

The white horse was sentient and affectionately nuzzled his palm.

Under everyone's worried yet admiring gazes,

Su Chen grabbed the saddle, exerted a sudden burst of strength, and flipped himself onto the horse's back.

The movement carried a hint of the crispness unique to a swordsman.

Clad in bright red wedding robes against the white horse beneath him.

"Depart—"

The master of ceremonies called out loudly.

Drums and music blared in unison as the procession cleared the way.

Su Chen led the way on horseback, at the very front of the wedding party.

They headed toward the "Vice Commander's Manor," the former Princess's Manor where Ye Jingjun was temporarily residing.

Both sides of the street were already a sea of people.

"Long live Great Commander Su!"

"Wishing Great Commander Su and Vice Commander Ye a harmonious union for a hundred years, and hearts forever joined!"

"God bless our Emperor, God bless the Empress!"

Cheers and blessings were endless.

The citizens waved their arms excitedly.

Many elderly people were moved to tears, as if witnessing the dawn of a new era.

Children chased the procession, scrambling for wedding candies and copper coins tossed from the ranks.

But for Su Chen, the man himself,

there was only a polite smile on his face.

His gaze slowly swept across those faces overflowing with pure joy and hope.

Thousands of miles of territory, all living beings bowing down—it was all within reach.

Logically, in any world, this would be a man's highest honor.

But as it happened, this was only a virtual investment world.

Furthermore, his life in this investment world had only one last day remaining.

Compared to the joyful scene before him, what worried him more

was actually his other investment target, Cang Mingyue.

Su Chen shook his head, forcefully swallowing the blood that was almost about to overflow from his mouth.

He concentrated the sword soul power within his body, which had completely bottomed out, doing his best to maintain his vitality.

He could not let the citizens on the street or the soldiers of the Demon-Quelling Army see that anything was wrong.

...