Chapter Seventy-Six: Forced Marriage

"You have a mouth just for spouting nonsense, don't you?" Cang Xuan seemed genuinely enraged. Without further ado, he tossed the tray holding the wedding garment aside, glaring furiously at Yun Si. "Do you think I don't know what a monk is? Do you take me for a fool?"

"Why... why are you yelling at me? Girls in the human world wouldn't like someone like you!" Yun Si was on the verge of tears. She had never been treated this way before. In the past, her master was always by her side, and people treated her with respect out of deference to him.

This was the first time she had encountered a brute like Cang Xuan, who only knew how to shout and resort to violence. Without her master by her side, she felt even more vulnerable. Nevertheless, Yun Si mustered her courage to shout back. Who was she? She was the chief disciple and the only disciple of Grandmaster Qingwu from Jingshui Temple. How could she bow to such a thug? Absolutely not!

"I'll say this now: do whatever you want—kill me, torture me—but I will never marry you."

"Really?" Cang Xuan's voice drew out the last word with a playful tone. "What if I agree to three of your conditions? Would you marry me then?"

Recently, a maid had told him about Yun Si trying to sneak a look at the treasure. He had considered two possibilities: either she was just an innocent girl caught in an unfortunate situation, in which case he could let her stay underwater for a few days before sending her back; or she was sent by Jun Feng to mess with him as revenge for past grievances.

But now, it seemed there was a third possibility: she had another motive altogether. Regardless of her purpose for being here, he couldn't let her leave just yet because... the story was about to get more interesting!

As expected, Yun Si hesitated but couldn't help asking, "You really mean it? Any condition?"

Just as he thought, she had another motive...

Before she could finish her sentence, Cang Xuan's face changed color, scaring Yun Si so much that she hurriedly hid behind a screen. Even so, she couldn't give up. She peeked out slightly and asked, "Then... if I ask for jiao fur, will you give it to me?"

Cang Xuan's face visibly darkened, his deep and magnetic voice sounding, "So, that's why you approached me."

Seeing his angry expression, Yun Si dared not say more. She trembled and shrank back behind the screen, sitting on the ground with her knees hugged to her chest.

"I know jiao fur is a rare treasure in your Water Realm, and you probably cherish it dearly. But my friend is gravely ill and desperately needs jiao fur to save her life. I had no choice but to come and beg you."

"Who told you jiao fur could save lives?" Cang Xuan asked, amused.

Yun Si was stumped by Cang Xuan's question. She really didn't know much about jiao fur or its properties, having only heard Yu Fu's brief description before coming here in search of it. Now, as long as she agreed to Cang Xuan's demands, the jiao fur would be within her grasp. She couldn't easily give up.

"I'm just worried about my friend's safety and am determined to find a cure for her. If you're willing, no matter how difficult it is, I will do my best," Yun Si compromised. She should have known when she agreed to Yu Fu's request that this mission would be fraught with danger.

"Is that so?"

"A monk does not lie!" Yun Si gritted her teeth and agreed.

"In that case, let's set a date for the wedding..."

"But I have one more condition!" Yun Si jumped up like a startled chicken just as Cang Xuan was about to announce the wedding date.

"You little..." Veins bulged on his forehead as he struggled to contain his rage. After an internal battle, he decided to calm himself down. Clenching his jaw, he asked, "What other condition do you have, my dear wife? Hmm?" He forced a dangerous smile.

Yun Si couldn't help but rub the goosebumps on her arms, inwardly cringing at the term "wife." Ugh, how disgusting!

"I've agreed to marry you, but I have one more request... You must give me the jiao fur on our wedding day. Otherwise... the deal is off!"

Cang Xuan sneered, "Do you think I'll let you call the shots? You're getting too bold!"

"Look, if you can't even agree to this small request, then what's the point of discussing marriage? I won't go through with it!"

She didn't know the true meaning behind this so-called Dragon Prince's desire to marry her, but she could tell he had ulterior motives. It was unlikely that he truly loved her and wanted to marry her.

However, his intentions were too obvious, giving Yun Si the leverage to negotiate. But there's an old saying, "Even a cornered rabbit will bite." She knew she had to be cautious with this unpredictable character.

Cang Xuan remained silent, the room's temperature dropping to a freezing point, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"Well... um... have you decided?" Yun Si, lacking tact, couldn't help but ask, even though she knew there was no turning back now.

"Fine! I agree!" Cang Xuan suddenly boomed, his voice startling Yun Si.

"But little monk, you'd better behave. Marrying me won't be bad for you. I'll ensure you live a life of luxury, and all the treasures of the Water Realm will be yours to manage. But if you try to play tricks on me, beware of my wrath. I'll flood your Jingshui Temple!" Cang Xuan's powerful declaration filled the room, while Yun Si stood motionless, head bowed, as if she had fallen asleep.

"Ah! It hurts! Why are you pulling my ear?"

Cang Xuan, who had been speaking calmly a moment ago, suddenly turned aggressive. Yun Si couldn't fathom how this rough brute could be the Dragon Prince of the Water Realm.

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"I heard, I heard. Let go, it hurts!"

Yun Si quickly submitted. After all, who would willingly risk their own life?

"I heard you, I heard you! Let go, it hurts!" Yun Si conceded. No one in their right mind would risk their life unnecessarily.

"Good that you understand." Cang Xuan was quite satisfied with Yun Si's submissive demeanor. As the exalted Dragon Prince of the Water Realm, he couldn't tolerate anyone being more arrogant than him.

Even Jun Feng, the world's revered first war god, had always overshadowed him since his appearance. Cang Xuan was indignant. Since he couldn't torment Jun Feng directly, he decided to torment the person Jun Feng loved. Oh, and Yun Si was also a princess of the demon clan; this was a perfect two-birds-with-one-stone scenario.

"Not bad! Compared to before, I like you better this way," he said, strutting away triumphantly.

Yun Si sat dazed, watching him leave, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Before? As if he had met her before!

She shook off her bewilderment, not taking Cang Xuan's words seriously. He often spouted nonsense, and she assumed he was just talking gibberish again.

The wedding day arrived quickly. The usually quiet palace was bustling with activity. Bright red streamers adorned the coral reefs inside and outside the palace. Yun Si had changed into a red silk gown, her hair cascading down.

The gown was embroidered with scales, which shimmered under the light, complementing her long, jet-black hair. She looked like a freshly emerged mermaid princess. Yun Si usually kept her hair tied up, so no one noticed its silky smoothness and length until now, reaching down to her waist, eliciting envy from those who saw her.

She sat at the dressing table, meticulously checking her appearance and figuring out the best place to wear the hairpin. Despite being a monk since her parents took her to Jingshui Temple at the age of five, Yun Si was still a young woman who couldn't resist trying on the exquisite hairpins adorned with delicate flowers.

Two little fish spirits nearby watched and sneered, "What a country bumpkin! She really looks like someone who's never seen the world. Doesn't she know that the Water Realm is home to treasures from all the four seas and eight deserts? These hairpins are just the tip of the iceberg."

Their words made the other fish spirit snicker. Yun Si, completely engrossed in her reflection, ignored their ridicule.

Of course, her excitement about the wedding wasn't due to any affection for Cang Xuan. She hadn't fallen for him. Since becoming a monk at five and spending eleven years at Jingshui Temple, she never imagined she would wear a wedding gown one day.

This marriage was merely a transaction. Maybe it would just be a ceremonial gesture, a formal bow in front of the elders, and then she'd get what she wanted and leave. But at this moment, she wanted to savor the joy of dressing up for a wedding.

"Hurry up already! All the officials and nobles are waiting outside, only missing you," urged one of the fish spirits.

"Just a little longer, I haven't put on my step-shake yet!"

Cang Xuan finally lost his patience and pulled Yun Si up, dragging her hastily towards the main hall.

Yun Si struggled free from his iron grip along the way. She rubbed her red, swollen wrist, looking extremely aggrieved.

Cang Xuan finally lost his patience, pulling Yun Si up and dragging her hastily towards the hall. Yun Si struggled all the way, finally freeing herself from Cang Xuan's iron grip. She rubbed her reddened and swollen wrist, looking extremely aggrieved.

"The wedding feast is about to start. What do you still want to do?" Cang Xuan, with his rough nature, didn't even notice Yun Si's wrist, bruised from his iron grip, nor her obvious reluctance.

"No wonder you're so old and still unmarried!" Yun Si muttered under her breath.

"Haha, Dragon Prince, did you forget something?" Despite her reluctance, Yun Si forced a smile, though it looked quite strained.

"Forget what? This is not the time. Whatever it is, we'll talk about it later, okay?" He said, hurriedly pulling Yun Si forward again. Luckily, Yun Si reacted quickly and stepped back.

"You damn fox, what do you want?" Cang Xuan was momentarily stunned, then his face changed visibly, and he began to curse. He didn't seem to realize he had accidentally let something slip. Yun Si, still in a daze, looked back to confirm he was talking to her before responding.

"You promised a few days ago that if I agreed to your demands, you'd give me the Jiaorong. Hand it over!" Yun Si didn't dare look Cang Xuan in the eye while saying this. Her eyes darted around nervously, her raised hand trembling slightly. Even her voice stammered, and she took two steps back, her legs seemingly weak.

To be honest, Yun Si was practically demonstrating what it meant to act tough when you have no confidence. She looked so pitiful, as if a single shout from Cang Xuan could make her cry.

"Are you brainless? Did I say I wouldn't give it to you? Do you think I'm all talk? Just wait until today's ceremony is over, and I'll give it to you."

"No! Now! What if you go back on your word afterward?" Yun Si secretly gave herself a thumbs up. She was genuinely impressed by her own bravery in standing up to Cang Xuan's intimidating presence, feeling she truly lived up to Master Qingwu's teachings, displaying his unflinching courage.

Cang Xuan, though short-tempered, was straightforward. No matter how shrewd and rational he was, he ultimately succumbed to dealing with a woman.

He conceded.

After all, this woman was now in his grasp, and no matter how skilled she was, she couldn't escape the Dragon Palace.

A streak of red clouds crossed the azure sky before diving into the sea. A white-clad figure descended gracefully, the snow-white robe contrasting starkly with the black coral, making it appear even more pristine.

Yao Xi was still mingling and chatting with various princesses of the Water Tribe when she noticed the conspicuous white robe moving through the crowd. She quickly excused herself, barely listening to the girl in red who had everyone smiling gently, and hurried away despite others trying to stop her.

"Didn't His Majesty say he didn't like crowds? Why did you come today then? I was worried you wouldn't come, so I came ahead, which is really my fault." Yao Xi smiled charmingly, with a touch of girlish shyness, looking every bit the delicate beauty, pleasing the celestial officials and water soldiers present.

"That day, Your Majesty said you didn't like crowds. Why did you come today? I was worried you wouldn't come and arrived on my own, what a sin."

Yao Xi had heard the joyful news of the Water Tribe Dragon Prince's wedding and went to find Jun Feng, hoping to invite him along, but he refused, claiming he disliked crowds and preferred solitude.

Everyone knew Jun Feng was a man of his word, yet here he was today. What could be the reason?

Whatever it was, Yao Xi smiled and shook her head, her laughter a gentle breeze, carrying a shy charm. She looked every bit the delicate beauty, making the celestial officials and water soldiers smile in delight.

Some couldn't help but criticize the white-clad young man for not appreciating such a lovely girl standing before him. Instead, he seemed to be looking past her, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the palace's inner chambers, as if his mind was elsewhere.

What could be inside that was more captivating than Yao Xi?

As the crowd speculated about the identity of this seemingly oblivious white-clad young man, an old tortoise emerged from the hall and announced loudly, "The Dragon King arrives!"

At his words, the hall fell silent with respect.

As soon as the old Dragon King arrived, he spotted the conspicuous white figure among the crowd. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Qiyang Emperor from the Heavenly Realm.

Speaking of Qiyang, despite his young age, he had quite an imposing presence. Three hundred years ago, during the Dragon King's grand birthday celebration, which was even more extravagant than today's, he personally sent an invitation, expecting at least some courtesy. However, he was rudely rebuffed.

Fortunately, he handled the aftermath well, preventing the incident from becoming public knowledge, saving his dignity.

The old Dragon King was known for his vindictiveness. Having been snubbed by Jun Feng before, he wasn't about to let him off easily now.

Sitting on his dragon throne, the old Dragon King scrutinized Jun Feng, then feigned surprise, exclaiming, "Oh, isn't this Qiyang Emperor! I wasn't aware of such a distinguished guest. My apologies for the lack of proper hospitality!"

As soon as the old Dragon King mentioned "Qiyang Emperor," the guests turned to look at Jun Feng with various expressions—surprise, curiosity, disdain. Jun Feng seemed to understand their thoughts but couldn't be bothered to react.

Jun Feng's reputation as the God of War spread far and wide, earning the respect of celestial officials and instilling fear in demons and monsters. However, as with any fame, rumors varied, and some painted him as a ruthless killer.

These negative rumors had their impact. Merely seeing him standing there exuded an aura of menace, prompting some to step back in fear. The once crowded hall's center quickly cleared, leaving Jun Feng alone, while the periphery became overcrowded.

"Not at all, Dragon King, you're too polite."

Jun Feng, unfazed, casually pulled a chair and sat down among the crowd, a relaxed smile on his face.

"Hahaha, the Qiyang Emperor took time out of his busy schedule to attend my son's wedding. We must treat him well. Bring the wine!" The old Dragon King's smile turned sinister when unseen, but returned to normal in an instant, a stark contrast as if he were two different people.

Jun Feng was a prominent figure in the Heavenly Realm. Despite his grudges, the old Dragon King wouldn't openly oppose him, instead offering the finest hospitality, even preparing a special seat for him on his right.

Such status and power were unmistakable. Even those unfamiliar with him would recognize from his seat that he was no ordinary person, deserving a nod of respect.

Jun Feng was a prominent figure in the Heavenly Realm. Despite his anger, the old Dragon King would never openly oppose him. Instead, he offered fine food and wine, and even prepared a special seat for him, right next to the old Dragon King on his right.

Such power and status were evident. Even those who didn't know him could tell he wasn't an ordinary person from his seat, prompting them to show respect.

It was the peak of summer, and many areas were suffering from a severe drought. Tender rice shoots were withering under the relentless sun. Today, however, despite the stifling heat, a torrential rain began to pour. Everyone knew it was the old Dragon King's doing, and they hurried to offer incense in gratitude...

"His Highness, Crown Prince Cang Xuan, arrives!"

With the loud announcement from a man, silence fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned to the entrance of the grand hall.

A red silk drape descended perfectly at the hall's entrance, followed by a small coral palanquin. It was just big enough to hold one person, flanked by about twenty mermaid maidens, swimming gracefully as if in a dream.

The crowd was mesmerized, their eyes nearly bulging out, so captivated they didn't notice when the procession reached the hall.

Suddenly, a flash of blue light appeared at the entrance. In the blink of an eye, a handsome young man stood there. Naturally, it was today's protagonist, Crown Prince Cang Xuan. Unlike his usual self, he wore a silver-white military uniform, making him shine brilliantly upon arrival.

However, it was odd for a wedding day outfit to resemble battle attire...

Cang Xuan glanced at Jun Feng, a mysterious smile on his face. Jun Feng had no intention of acknowledging him and casually sipped his wine, his expression unchanging.

When the person inside the coral palanquin stepped out, a familiar face reappeared before him. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she, in her red attire, walked towards him, looked at him... He was shaken!

Images flashed through his mind: their wedding, their first meeting, their repeated separations and reunions, all playing out as if it were yesterday...

She used to wave at him excitedly, disregarding her image, while he avoided her, pretending to drink tea nonchalantly, his eyes darting nervously. Little did he know that every subtle move was being keenly observed.

He was usually meticulous, never showing his emotions. But when it came to her, she always threw him off balance.

Jun Feng quickly regained his composure, reverting to his usual cold demeanor. His eyes swept over Yun Si, and he remarked, "Cang Xuan, your wife seems to have no trace of spiritual power, more like a mortal. What did you see in her?"

Jun Feng's sharp, caustic remark didn't anger Cang Xuan; instead, it made Yun Si feel uncomfortable, silently cursing, "What's wrong with being a mortal? In the end, you still need me to marry!"

"The woman who catches my eye is naturally extraordinary. But, Qiyang Emperor, you seem quite interested in my wife. Could it be that you have some ulterior motives?" Cang Xuan openly challenged Jun Feng in front of the celestial beings, clearly trying to embarrass him.

The old Dragon King's eyes widened in shock. He never expected his scoundrel son to do what he himself couldn't: to openly humiliate Jun Feng in front of everyone. This was truly a disgrace!