inspire-indiana Chapter 60: The Wedding
Chapter 60: The Wedding
The candlestick flickered silently, and Guo Guiyuan, sitting on the commander's seat, looked him over and slowly said, "After the battle of Sizhang Village last time, I promised you a reward."
After speaking, the curtain behind the general's tent was lifted, and Wen Qiaoniang and Ran Xiaoxi walked over, each carrying a mahogany box.
He continued, "I originally planned to leave you a precious plant that would last a hundred years, but something changed at the last minute, and I gave it away."
"This century-old Bai Jun bone originates from Changbai Mountain in northern Xinjiang. It contains bone-strengthening essence, which will greatly benefit your current level of cultivation."
As he spoke, Wen Qiaoniang opened the wooden box, inside which was a tiger leg bone, its texture white and smooth as jade, flawless and beautiful.
Wu He's eyes were glued to the viewer, and his breathing became slightly rapid.
A hundred-year-old treasure beast is already a rare item comparable to a human at the fifth level of the Open Source Realm; one can imagine the value of its inherent qualities.
Why would you give yourself something so expensive?
He forcibly suppressed the pounding in his heart, looked up at Guo Guiyuan, and immediately clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, General Guo."
"You accepted it?"
"As a humble servant, I shall obey your command with utmost respect."
"Alright then."
Guo Guiyuan gently blew on the steam rising from the tea in his cup and said calmly, "I intend to betroth Qiaoniang to you."
Wu He's grin froze instantly, and Wen Qiaoniang's cheeks flushed red.
"General Guo, what do you mean?"
"Literally, Qiaoniang will be your wife from now on. Find a time to get things done."
Guo Guiyuan's tone left no room for argument. After Wu He was stunned for two seconds, he slowly put down his teacup.
He continued, "I have no sons or daughters, only a few adopted sons and daughters. They have reached marriageable age and it is time to arrange their weddings."
"You and Qiaoniang are old acquaintances, you know each other well, you're a match made in heaven. What, you're not happy?"
No, no.
Wu He shook his head and chuckled, "It's just quite unexpected."
"If you're willing, that will put my mind at ease. If I die for my country this time, Qiaoniang will also have a good home."
"Godfather".
She looked slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and Wu He also sensed something in it.
The old general in front of me, nearing the end of his life, seemed to be making arrangements for his final days.
Guo Guiyuan waved his hand and said, "It's settled then. Go back and buy a house; it's not proper for you to keep living in a brothel. Get the wedding done in the next few days."
Once he gave the order, no one dared to disobey.
Wu He didn't even need to worry about those trivial matters; Guo Guiyuan's adopted sons and daughters had all taken care of everything for him.
On the third day, they got married in a flash.
On the day of the wedding, the newly acquired mansion was bustling with activity, with countless local officials, gentry, and heroes coming to pay their respects, making the wedding a grand affair.
After all, Wu He was so young, yet he was already a sixth-rank official in the imperial court, a dignified Imperial Guard Censor of Xiong Prefecture, wielding great power of supervision, and no one dared to underestimate him.
Moreover, there's Guo Guiyuan, a man of great importance; countless people would fight tooth and nail to offer gifts for his adopted daughter's marriage.
The only downside was that Li Bo left.
He didn't leave without saying goodbye; he left a letter saying he was going to travel around and visit old friends.
Wu He felt quite regretful.
That night, he experienced what it meant for a small body to have great energy.
After tossing and turning all night, almost turning into a cream puff, Wen Qiaoniang finally fell into a deep sleep after confirming that she might be pregnant this time.
Wu He, however, felt no sleepiness. He put on his clothes, instructed the servants to prepare a blood-nourishing breakfast for his wife, and then went directly into the training room.
His two-courtyard residence wasn't large, but it was considered luxurious in Xiongzhou, a core border city. Guo Guiyuan's first adopted son, Liu Qing, spent a thousand taels of silver to acquire it.
The training room is the largest among them, and it is also the standard accommodation for martial arts practitioners.
On the futon, Wu He sat cross-legged, opened the black jade gourd, poured out one-tenth of the already refined medicinal liquid, and drank it.
This medicine is extremely potent, and even after dilution, it cannot be drunk all at once. Therefore, Wu He has only drunk a portion each day for the past three days.
After drinking it, the cool sensation traveled down his esophagus to his dantian, further strengthening his innate qi.
[Progress completed (Golden Light Mantra): 181/200]
Meanwhile, progress is increasing.
These past few days, Wu He has been busy with the establishment of the Imperial Guard camp outside the city and has had little time to cultivate. However, his progress in the Golden Light Mantra has not fallen behind. Even though he hasn't been practicing it, the influence of the medicine has been subtly and slowly increasing his skill.
Now that all the trivial matters have been dealt with, he finally has time to calm down and cultivate.
"Breakthrough today!"
Golden light shimmered in the room...
The sunlight was finely diffused at noon.
[Progress completed (Golden Light Mantra): 200/200]
The clear golden light on Wu He's body slowly dissipated, and when he opened his eyes, they shone with a faint light that disappeared after a blink.
Advance payment!
Without the slightest hesitation, he once again took on the cultivation loan.
[Pre-funded cultivation: Golden Light Mantra mastered]
[Clear and bright inside and out, flawless like gold, formless like flowing water, and endlessly gilded.]
As the Heavenly Decree was bestowed, golden light emanated from Wu He's body once more.
However, the golden barrier that had been formed did not last long. After a short while, it quietly shattered, turning into specks of golden dust that melted into its own flesh and blood.
Gradually, a few gray patches began to spread onto his skin.
"These are the deep impurities that have accumulated in my body since I started practicing martial arts."
Wu He saw it clearly and couldn't help but smile.
In the past, when practicing martial arts, whether it was taking medicine or eating the meat of precious beasts, while providing energy, some waste would also be left behind.
Wu He removes most of the waste by soaking in medicinal baths, but this method cannot penetrate too deeply and some waste will still remain.
Now, having mastered the Golden Light Mantra, the golden light no longer appears outwards, but rather merges completely into one from the outside in, becoming clear inside and out, naturally forcing out those impurities.
At this moment, the body is completely clean and clear, and there is no need to consciously cultivate. As long as the mind moves, the golden light can be used naturally.
For example, right now, the golden light emanating from the hand holding the knife is controlled and released with great ease.
"At the Great Perfection Realm, one is untouched by any magic, and the golden light merges with the physical body, greatly increasing defense without needing to deliberately exert it; the optimal state is achieved in daily life."
"This level is already comparable to Shi Baoji's previous external martial arts skills."
"As long as I continue to take this medicine and allow my innate Qi to reach its maximum potential, even the Golden Light Mantra, which is only an entry-level Qi-refining martial art, will have extraordinary effects in my hands."
Wu He touched his dantian, and with the strengthening effect of several doses of medicine, his innate qi was almost filling his dantian.
It is precisely because of his innate Qi, which is much stronger than that of ordinary people, that the Golden Light Mantra has such power in his hands.
No matter how strong one's foundation in Qi cultivation is, it's never too strong.
After finishing his training, Wu He pushed open the door and went out. After having lunch, he headed straight for the Imperial Guard camp outside the city.
With the imminent arrival of the Tiger-Swift Army and the Crane-Controlling Army, this Imperial Guard camp has been officially expanded and renovated, and is now taking shape.
As a censor, Wu He was superior to Shi Baoji in official rank, so he could be considered the top official, and some important matters still required his decision.
On his way back to the city after finishing his business, Wu He happened to pass by a restaurant, where the conversation among the patrons made him stop.
"Really? Who told you that? Who would be so bold as to say that!"
"Hey~ you still don't believe me? I heard it all clearly at Yijin Pass! The entire family of eight, the third leader of Luyuan Escort Agency, perished without a trace. They died a horrible death!"