Chapter 716: 717: Wife, Can I Come In?
The Old Dragon King wiped the blood from his face, his previous hesitation wiped away. This human fireworks display had awakened the sanguinary and ferocity inherent to the Dragon Race. Cultivators contest fate with a grand vision, a spirit capable of swallowing mountains and rivers. How could one falter over trivial concerns?
The words of that elder from the Sea Clan named Kraken were true. A bureaucratic life had dulled his edges, leading to habitual thinking that considered the larger picture. But at the end of the day, wasn’t the strength of his Sea Clan due to having him, a Half-step Human Immortal?
Now, merely a Prime Minister was causing trouble at his granddaughter’s wedding. Just kill him, what was there to hesitate about?
He truly had played the fool as King. The Tortoise Prime Minister did indeed have extensive connections, but ultimately the Sea Clan was under his command. Without a leader, simply appointing another would suffice.
Having lived so many years, he wasn’t as perceptive as two young individuals!
Looking at Long Xue and Li Xiaobai, he saw the image of himself conquering the land in his past. Do no harm unless harmed, but if one dared to, obliterate their entire lineage!
That was the demeanor needed to dominate the Mainland.
In front of the hall, officials returned to their seats, wiping off the blood before sitting down again. The ring of dancers continued tremulously, their bare feet covered in mud and blood, each step taken with extreme caution, appearing fragile and helpless. The scene just now had terrified them.
Human fireworks set off at a wedding without a second thought, is this the act of humans?
The child was taken away. Even after witnessing such a magnificent spectacle, his eyes remained undisturbed, surely someone had tampered with his Primordial Spirit. His life was ruined, and he was the true reason Li Xiaobai ruthlessly killed the Tortoise Prime Minister and his grandson.
“A small interlude occurred, but it’s of no great consequence. Now this hall has lost some of its elegance but gained some vigor. This is the spirit that we, cultivators of the Sea Clan, should possess. Let the wedding continue; let me preside over it myself!”
The Old Dragon King laughed heartily, feeling so carefree for the first time in ages. He no longer needed to please everyone, to balance the interests of officials, to consider the gains and losses. Casting off all the shackles of being a King, he focused solely on one matter, an experience he had not had for many years.
“We defer to the King’s decisions!” responded the officials with no objections.
“The two newlyweds, by convention, should bow to heaven and earth. However, we cultivators symbolize defying fate, breaking through to enter a new realm. This heaven needs no bowing!”
“Let’s move directly to bowing before the higher hall. Filial piety is the root of human nature, and I hope you both remember this in your hearts,” said the Old Dragon King indifferently.
Li Xiaobai and Long Xue knelt down together, respectfully kowtowed three times to the Old Dragon King.
Filial piety is the foremost virtue; it is the basis of human nature and moral ethics, and must be upheld.
“The couple bows to each other. Li Xiaobai, Xue’er, I entrust her to you. I hope you will treat her well in the future. Should she suffer any grievances, I will hold you accountable!” the Old Dragon King said with a smile.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I shall treat my wife with the utmost care.”
Li Xiaobai smiled slightly, turning to Long Xue with eyes full of tenderness. Before entering the hall, he felt apprehensive, but now, facing everything, he felt only sweetness and happiness.
From this point on, the world gained someone he needed to protect. This sense of responsibility would make him even stronger.
Long Xue’s pretty face blushed as she bowed to Li Xiaobai, stood up, her eyes brimming with love.
“From now on, we’re family. There is no rush for the bridal chamber; take it from someone who knows, things are more convenient at night. For now, have a drink, make sure your uncles and aunts are well attended!”
said the Old Dragon King.
“I wish the Prince Consort and the little princess a lifetime of happiness and an early birth of a noble child!”
“The King will soon have a full house of children and grandchildren, how joyous and congratulatory!”
“In the future, if there’s anything you need, just say the word. We’re all family here, so don’t be polite with us!”
“Prince Consort, I look forward to fighting shoulder to shoulder with you on the battlefield!”
“The little princess is truly beautiful today…”
Everyone raised their glasses and drank together, lavishing praise on Li Xiaobai and Long Xue. Compliments and blessings were endless. With the Tortoise Prime Minister as a warning, no one dared to trouble the newlywed couple anymore.
With all the dishes refreshed on the table, people began to clink their cups, cheerfully talking and drinking.
Li Xiaobai and Long Xue were busy tending to the officials all over the hall, offering toasts constantly. It wasn’t long before Long Xue became slightly intoxicated. After toasting each official, each one of them only had to drink a cup, but in total, Long Xue and Li Xiaobai ended up drinking a hundred cups.
The liquor was indeed strong, and soon Long Xue’s face was flushed red, her eyes becoming somewhat blurred. She was then helped by her maids to rest earlier.
Due to the help of the System, Li Xiaobai was essentially immune to intoxication. He mingled with the civil and military officials, drinking heartily and having a great time.
“I had no idea the Prince Consort was not only exceptional in cultivation but also had such an extraordinary capacity for alcohol,” Long Zhan said with a slurred speech, stammering.
“Indeed, I never expected the Prince Consort to be such a generous man, truly a hero of our times!”
“We in the Eastern Sea have gained an excellent son-in-law!”
“Hahaha…”
The scholars marveled, and the military generals admired. With such a capacity for alcohol, even the best in the army couldn’t compare.
Prince Consort, truly a divine being!
After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, the officials and the Old Dragon King were almost all drunk. Many ministers were lying on the ground, sprawled out, completely unconscious, none of them using their cultivation to expel the Drunken Aura, choosing to have a straightforward drink instead for a more satisfying experience.
Li Xiaobai put down his cup and bowed to the Old Dragon King, “It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave first.”
“Mmm, it’s normal for young people to have a lot of energy, but you still have to watch yourself, be careful not to harm your body, this sort of thing can become addictive if done too much,” said the Old Dragon King with a slight squint, as if recalling his past.
Li Xiaobai was silent, thinking to himself that this old fellow must have been quite the romantic in his youth, no doubt owing a good deal of emotional debt.
He bowed again and then turned to leave.
…
In a quiet pavilion of the side palace.
Long Xue was bathing and soaking, washing the blood and Drunken Aura from her body, with the fragrance of flower petals delivering the scent of a young maiden.
Li Xiaobai approached the door gently, knocked, and said, “Wife, may I come in?”