After observing for a moment, a blue figure darted out from the crowd, stepped in front of her, and raised an eyebrow in delight, "Let me tell you, I heard a family is celebrating a wedding tonight. Who would be so reckless to hold a wedding at a time like this? Aren't they just asking for death?"
"Perfect," Ye Ziling smiled slightly. "Let's go take a look."
The blue figure was startled for a moment, then immediately recovered his excited demeanor and followed Ye Ziling closely.
As the night deepened, the entire town was enveloped in darkness, with only occasional sparks blooming in the night.
Ye Ziling and Mu Heng stealthily infiltrated the residence.
Inside, the lights were brilliant, red festive curtains hung to the ground, and a pile of ingredients was laid out on the table.
Ye Ziling looked at the all-red decorations and the few servants, instantly feeling a chilling presence around her. This was hardly a wedding celebration; even for a funeral, with so few people, it would be difficult to lift a coffin.
Ye Ziling scaled the wall and leaped into the courtyard, with Mu Heng close behind.
"No, how did you know where the bride was?" Mu Heng looked at her in surprise.
"Guessing." Ye Ziling glanced at him indifferently. If she hadn't experienced a civil marriage once, she probably wouldn't even know the way to the bride's room.
The two walked along the stone path, looking around in the moonlight. The courtyard was quite large, but the decorations were rather simple, making the wedding seem as if it were hastily arranged. People rushed to be reincarnated, but she had never heard of people rushing to get married.
Soon, a commotion from the backyard interrupted their steps. Ye Ziling's toes tapped the ground, and her figure glided past the rooftops, landing lightly in the courtyard. Seeing the bloodstains on the ground, she couldn't help but frown.
Dark mist swirled around, transforming into shadowy figures that surrounded the house. Her eyebrows arched, and her long sword was already drawn. The blade rippled like autumn water, its light cold as it weaved through the dark figures. Seeing the dark figures fall and dissipate, Ye Ziling carved a path through them and said to Mu Heng behind her, "Mu Heng, I'll leave this to you!"
Mu Heng nodded, swinging his sword with his arm, the blade vibrating rapidly. Ye Ziling cut through the surrounding dark figures all the way and rushed straight into the room. With a flip of her sword, she broke through the door.
Inside, the candlelight was bright. By the bed, the bride sat on a chair, her face full of terror. The groom, his back to her, leaned slightly with his upright posture, lifting the bride's red veil with a jade ruyi.
As the red veil fell, her delicate face's eyes widened abruptly, and she called out to her, "...Miss Ye?"
Ling Xi was slightly stunned, then turned around and looked at Ye Ziling standing at the doorway, his gaze filled with a hint of surprise. The crimson wedding robe actually had a unique charm on him, making him appear even more extraordinarily handsome.
Ye Ziling found it particularly glaring. She sheathed her sword and said, "Sorry to interrupt your enjoyment." It seemed Mu Heng was right after all.
Ling Xi's eyes darkened slightly, his thin lips about to move. "Miss Ye, you are..."
Luo Yao looked at Ye Ziling blankly, not understanding.
In the silence, the red gauze curtain by the window suddenly stirred, and a strangely shaped mass burst through the window, pouncing towards Ye Ziling with lightning speed.
"Another bride..." the monster hadn't finished speaking when its pupils suddenly contracted.
Ye Ziling's cold eyes flashed. Without looking back, a powerful white light instantly condensed in her palm. In the blink of an eye, the mass was blasted away, falling to the ground and letting out a pained howl before falling still. Due to the excessive force, the demon core shattered and scattered in all directions, weaving through the red curtains like fireworks.
"Since the demon has been eliminated, it's not appropriate to linger. Farewell." Ye Ziling turned to leave, no longer staying, afraid she might lose control of her emotions.
As she stepped out the door, Mu Heng was already stepping in. Seeing Ling Xi and Luo Yao, he leaned lazily against the doorway and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, what a coincidence! This, this... I wondered why you were rushing to depart, so it turns out you were rushing to get married! Congratulations, congratulations, I'll come to ask for a cup of wedding wine next time..."
With that, he turned away with a chuckle and followed behind Ye Ziling, calling out to her, "Palace Master, didn't you want to get the demon core? Why did you shatter it?"
Ye Ziling's steps did not stop. She continued walking forward, and when she reached the door, she paused. The moonlight shone on her exquisite face, as if it were coated with a layer of silver frost.
"I should have listened to you long ago." Ye Ziling's voice was low, her eyes somewhat dim.
Mu Heng looked at her swaying figure, his brow furrowed, and continued, "It's not too late to turn back now. It's just not worth it, it's not worth it."
Ye Ziling sat on the steps, staring blankly at the ground. After a long while, she spoke faintly, "It's my fault... for believing in the marriage registry." On her last day in the celestial realm, she had secretly looked at her marriage registry, which clearly listed her name and Ling Xi's. She had believed it. She had wanted to make one last attempt to hold on, but there was no need for that now. She hated this feeling of having her emotions manipulated by others.
Everything around was eerily quiet, the moonlight unusually cold. She felt a tightness in her chest, struggling to breathe.
After a long time, Mu Heng sat beside her, his expression gradually becoming serious, and said earnestly, "Ye Ziling, can you stay away from him?" Mu Heng couldn't guarantee anything else, but at least by staying away from Ling Xi, she could save her life.
"Ling Xi came here to seal the divine spring. These matters are not our concern."
"If you'll heed my advice, we'll return to Peach Blossom Valley tomorrow."
As soon as Mu Heng finished speaking, Ye Ziling suddenly turned her head, her expression serious. "Is there something you're hiding from me?" Based on past experience, when Mu Heng gave her advice, he had always foreseen future events. She hadn't believed it at first, but he had always predicted accurately. She didn't know if it was because of the divine beast's strong senses.
"Just listen to me." Mu Heng refused to elaborate, got up, and walked forward.
Ye Ziling gritted her teeth and stopped asking questions. She stood up and followed him out.
Seeing Ye Ziling in a daze, Mu Heng took her to a restaurant. Looking at the several jars of aged wine neatly arranged on the table, Ye Ziling appeared somewhat puzzled.
"Why did you bring me here?"
Mu Heng smiled without answering, picked up a wine jar, poured himself a cup, and then pushed it towards Ye Ziling. "...After you drink this, you won't be so sentimental anymore." Mu Heng knew that no sorrow could not be solved by drinking.
"Drink these?" Ye Ziling pointed at the wine jars, bewildered. Did these jars of wine really work?
"Ah... after you drink it, you'll forget. I'm saving you, so don't be ungrateful..."
Ye Ziling hesitantly picked up a wine jar and tilted her head back, drinking it down in one gulp. The moonlight reflected off the wine, giving it a deep blue hue, causing her to momentarily daze. She felt the entire world spinning. After clutching her forehead for a moment, sleepiness overtook her, and she unknowingly slumped onto the table, completely unconscious.