During this Dao Companion Grand Ceremony, Shen Muzhi was, after all, the one getting married. Moreover, Medicine Master Valley was originally his territory, so when all the guests arrived, he was the one who had to handle the banquet arrangements.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't tired at all.
But considering this was the Dao Companion Grand Ceremony he had longed for, even if there were minor unpleasant twists and turns, it didn't matter. In any case, things had reached this point, and Shen Muzhi was already more eager for the ceremony to commence than anyone else.
He was busy until dusk, and only then did Shen Muzhi finally have a chance to return to his own courtyard. Upon opening the door, he saw Liu Buli and a few others sitting in the courtyard.
Shen Muzhi was momentarily stunned, then he smiled and nodded in greeting to the two of them. He said, "Daoist Liu and Brother Lu, since you've come, why didn't you send someone to inform me? I've been toasting and pretending all day with others. It would have been more enjoyable to have a drink and chat with you."
Hearing his words, Liu Buli shook his head. He chuckled lightly and said, "You can dodge the beginning, but not the end. It's only a matter of time before you entertain them. After all, you can't be with us all the time."
That was indeed true.
Shen Muzhi gave a wry smile and continued to ask, "Have they arranged accommodations for you? If not, I can help you find a good spot?"
"No need." Liu Buli shook his head and said, "Just arrange a place close to your courtyard is fine. You must be extremely busy during this time, so before you finish, I'll come over every day to keep You Siqi company. After all, in a sense, I am also considered part of her family, right?"
Shen Muzhi was taken aback.
Although Liu Buli often liked to joke and chat with You Siqi, coming over to spend time with her every day was definitely not normal.
After a moment of thought, Shen Muzhi immediately reached a conclusion in his mind. The smile on his face became somewhat helpless, and he said, "Daoist Liu, it seems you already know our guess?"
Liu Buli nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, You Siqi told me."
It was precisely for this reason that he had proactively come to accompany You Siqi. Not for anything else, but to prevent You Siqi, who had little spiritual power and was considered a weakling, from being directly killed if the ghost clan suddenly launched an attack.
Although Liu Buli's words could be sharp, in essence, he had always been gentle and protective.
Everyone had been together for so long that they were extremely familiar with this trait. Therefore, the reasons behind his actions didn't require much explanation; everyone understood them clearly.
Shen Muzhi thought to himself, feeling a surge of emotion.
He coughed lightly and said to Liu Buli, "Daoist Liu, thank you."
"Why thank me? You're being too formal. Haven't you already set up many barriers in your courtyard? So I'm just adding icing to the cake, not sending charcoal in the snow."
When Liu Buli truly did something good, he usually appeared very humble. Just like at this moment, he smiled with his eyes crinkled and said, "Don't worry, I guarantee your bride will be safe and sound before the wedding. As for after the wedding, that's your responsibility. I'll only escort her to the ceremony; the rest is up to you."
After he finished speaking, he waved goodbye to Shen Muzhi and asked to be taken to his own courtyard so he could rest well.
Shen Muzhi naturally complied with his request.
After escorting him to the separate courtyard not far from the Sect Master's courtyard, as they were about to part, Shen Muzhi suddenly remembered something and said to Liu Buli, "By the way, about Ao Lie, it wasn't my brother who leaked the information. I asked him about it, and he told me it had nothing to do with him."
Liu Buli hadn't expected him to say that so suddenly. He was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh. Shaking his head, Liu Buli said, "Don't worry, I didn't suspect your brother from the beginning. There are too many people in Water City, and it's inevitable that some of them would leak this information. However, your brother is an honest child, and I'm willing to give him that simple trust."
After Liu Buli finished speaking, he intended to take Lu Wuming back to their courtyard.
Shen Muzhi looked at him again and, unable to help himself, added, "That... no matter what, thank you."
Seeing his serious demeanor, Liu Buli smiled even more brightly. He nodded at him, said nothing more, waved his hand, and pulled Lu Wuming into the courtyard.
In the following days, as Liu Buli had promised, every morning after waking up, he would go to the Valley Master's courtyard to chat with You Siqi and pass the time.
With him watching over her, Shen Muzhi could finally relax completely. He devoted all his attention to handling the matters of the Dao Companion Grand Ceremony, and the progress was much faster than before.
As the date of the Dao Companion Grand Ceremony drew near, everyone's mood inevitably became tense. By now, without needing to be told, Liu Buli understood what Lu Wuming had meant by having a bad premonition on their way here.
However, as a friend, although he wanted to see the cultivators cause trouble, it was only because he was certain they wouldn't cause any major issues.
The cultivators would definitely not commit murder on someone else's territory. Since that was the case, no matter what they did, it would only be a joke. It was only after confirming this that Liu Buli became quite expectant.
But the ghost clan was different.
If the ghost clan were to invade the wedding venue, it would undoubtedly be another bloody battle. Thinking back to the scene of the last martial arts competition, this time it would probably be even more terrifying...
Sighing inwardly, Liu Buli looked up at You Siqi in front of him. After some thought, he asked, "I always thought you were quite timid, but you know that holding the Dao Companion Grand Ceremony might attract the ghost clan, so why insist on holding it?"
"If I told you the sky would fall tomorrow, would you still plan to commit suicide today?" You Siqi asked with a smile. "Although this analogy is a bit strange, the principle is the same. If the ghost clan wants to attack Medicine Master Valley, they will attack regardless of whether there is this Dao Companion Grand Ceremony. I can't stop getting married for my entire life just because I'm afraid of them. After all, you know that the world we live in doesn't allow two men to marry. If I don't fulfill this wish in this world, wouldn't I have regrets for the rest of my life upon returning?"