Hu Liena: Did you ever like me?"ah?"
Dai Yao was completely stunned. How did things suddenly turn to marriage? What kind of twist was this?
Seeing Dai Yao's reaction, Ning Fengzhi feigned anger and said in a deep voice:
"What? You don't want to marry Rongrong?"
Dai Yao waved his hands repeatedly in denial, then glanced back at Ning Rongrong, only to find her face full of expectation. He paused, realizing Ning Rongrong's thoughts. So many years had passed; he needed to give Ning Rongrong an explanation. Although they were engaged, this trip to Seagod Island would require him to stay for several years.
If she continues to accompany him without any official status or recognition, it would be unfair to her. Especially since she's accompanying him alongside several other women.
"Uncle Ning, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that Rongrong and I are only twenty-one years old, isn't it a bit too early?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Ning Rongrong, smiled gently, and said:
"It's not early anymore, you're already in your twenties. At your age, I would have been married long ago. Before, you were wandering around, so I couldn't ask you to give Rongrong an explanation. But now you have the opportunity, and you're going to Poseidon Island, so I have to push you."
"I'll make the decision for Rongrong. If you agree, how about we hold the wedding on a chosen date?"
Dai Yao glanced at Ning Rongrong, and then his gaze swept over them. He noticed that Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing's faces were filled with longing, while Feng Wutong, the most reserved of the four women, looked at Ning Rongrong with eyes full of envy.
Ning Rongrong was waiting for him. Didn't Dugu Yan and the others also look forward to this day?
"Uncle Ning, I have no objection, but..."
Dai Yao replied.
"But what?"
Ning Fengzhi stared at Dai Yao and asked. Beside him, Sword Douluo's sharp gaze was also fixed on Dai Yao. If Dai Yao dared to utter any refusal, don't blame him for being impolite.
Just then, a hoarse voice came from the other side of the long table.
"You little rascal, you do have some conscience, you still remember Yanyan. Let me tell you this, you still want to marry Yanyan too, don't you?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was Dugu Bo, who was smiling and clasping his hands in a fist salute at Dai Yao.
Ning Fengzhi then understood Dai Yao's hesitation. His mind raced. He realized that Dai Yao probably wanted to marry more than just Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan. They had made four marriage contracts. If Dai Yao truly believed that the four wives were equal in status, then he should marry all four of them at once.
He leaned on his jade cane, a half-smile on his face, and said:
"In my opinion, Dai Yao, you probably want to marry more than just two people, don't you?"
Dai Yao gave an awkward smile, glancing apologetically at Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Poison Douluo before turning back to look deeply at the four women gazing at him with affection, and solemnly said:
"Uncle Ning, you're right. Since I'm giving an answer, I can't be biased; I don't want to mistreat anyone..."
"So you married all four of them at the same time?"
Dugu Bo was so angry that he glared at Dai Yao with a disgruntled look.
"Grandpa~"
Seeing Dugu Bo's displeasure, Dugu Yan quickly stepped forward, hugged Dugu Bo's arm, and said coquettishly.
Dai Yao's actions were indeed unfair to her, but on one hand, she also hoped that Dai Yao would give her an answer, and she also wanted to be by Dai Yao's side in name and in name. On the other hand, she did not dare to force Dai Yao to make a choice and make him marry them one by one. No matter who came first or last, there would be people who were dissatisfied.
Zhu Zhuqing was undoubtedly the one who accompanied Dai Yao the longest, Ning Rongrong was the one with the highest status and provided the most assistance to Dai Yao, and even Feng Wutong was devoted to Dai Yao. Although she gave Dai Yao a lot of help, her purpose in coming to Dai Yao's side in the first place was not pure.
Therefore, marrying all four women together would be most advantageous for her. So when she saw that Dugu Bo was dissatisfied, she immediately went up to stop him.
Dugu Bo was completely powerless against Dugu Yan's coquettishness. He gently patted Dugu Yan's hand and whispered, "Yan Yan, I hope you won't regret it later."
Dugu Yan did not answer, but her firm gaze gave Dugu Bo the answer.
"well······"
Dugu Bo sighed deeply, then said, "I have no objection."
Seeing that Dugu Bo had agreed to Dai Yao's request, Ning Fengzhi was somewhat surprised. He turned his gaze to Ning Rongrong and smiled:
"Rongrong, are you willing to marry Dai Yao along with them?"
Ning Rongrong tightened her grip, glanced at Dai Yao with gentle eyes, and said, "Dad, I do."
She had waited far too long, and now that things were finally going well, she didn't want any complications. Compared to Zhu Zhuqing, she had spent the least amount of time by Dai Yao's side; compared to Dugu Yan, she couldn't do what Dugu Yan had done—devoting the entire clan's resources to helping Dai Yao; and compared to Feng Wutong, Feng Wutong's loyalty to Dai Yao made her feel ashamed of herself.
Moreover, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Feng Wutong are all extremely outstanding women. Their marriage to Dai Yao alongside her did not disgrace her status.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged a glance. Sword Douluo looked indignant. Their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's little princess had tacitly allowed Ning Rongrong to be with Dai Yao even though Dai Yao already had several confidantes. This had already crossed Sword Douluo's bottom line.
Now that Dai Yao has married four women and announced this to the world, it's something Sword Douluo finds hard to accept. He could tolerate Ning Rongrong being with Dai Yao, but that doesn't mean he agrees to announce such a disgraceful affair to the world!
Ning Fengzhi shook his head and smiled slightly:
"Since the children have accepted it, we elders won't say anything more. Alright, Dai Yao, I'm entrusting Rongrong to you. Let's set the wedding date for a month from now."
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo's expression softened slightly. He gave Dai Yao a deep look, but still sighed helplessly.
Everyone present watched with bated breath, their expressions as if they were watching a spectacle unfold, intently observing the power struggle between Dai Yao and the several Title Douluos. When they saw that Sect Master Ning was willing to marry his daughter to Dai Yao, they were even more astonished, as if they'd seen a ghost. That was the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!
She was actually willing to share a husband with another woman.
The younger disciples looked at Dai Yao with envy. Whether it was Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, who had always been in the sect, or Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, who appeared later, each of them was a peerless beauty, and they all married Dai Yao, truly enjoying the best of luck!
"Then let's do as Uncle Ning says."
Dai Yao finally answered.
······
One week later.
News of Dai Yao's wedding spread throughout the entire continent thanks to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Countless of Dai Yao's old friends began their journey to Han Hai City.
The Azure Lotus Sect, Sect Master's Residence.
Du Juan hurriedly arrived at the sect leader's residence. After receiving permission, she entered the residence. Inside, the place was filled with cheerful conversation. She glanced at Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others in the hall, and finally looked to Dai Yao for help.
Dai Yao looked up, somewhat puzzled by Du Juan's reaction, and said:
"Dujuan, please speak freely. We are all family."
Du Juan struggled for a long time, but after a while, she still insisted:
"Young master, I still want to speak to you privately."
Because they were all family, she couldn't say anything. The visitor's identity was far too special, and he had once caused quite a stir with Dai Yao. If Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others found out that this person had come to visit Dai Yao, Dai Yao's life would be in turmoil.
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he gave Du Juan a deep look.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Dai Yao's predicament and said with a smile, "Brother Yao, you go ahead. Perhaps Du Juan really has something special to do."
Dai Yao nodded and left the sect leader's mansion with Du Juan.
Outside the sect leader's mansion, in a secluded spot.
"Speak, what is it?"
After scanning the surroundings and waiting until no one was around, Dai Yao looked at Du Juan and asked her a question.
Du Juan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Young Master, the Holy Maiden Hu Liena has arrived, and she specifically asked to see you by name."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yao's pupils contracted slightly.
If there's anyone Dai Yao owes a debt to at the Spirit Hall, it's only one person: Hu Liena. Although Dai Yao saved Hu Liena's life in Hell City, his subsequent concealment of his identity, his repeated deceptions, and his cruel shattering of her illusions all went against Dai Yao's true nature.
"Young master, do you wish to see her?"
Du Juan looked at Dai Yao, who had fallen silent, and asked cautiously.
Past events flashed through Dai Yao's mind. Perhaps it was because she heard the news of his wedding that Hu Liena came to Hanhai City. There were some things he needed to understand.
Either let Hu Liena completely give up hope, or accept Hu Liena and stop wasting her time.
He took a deep breath, the slightly salty sea breeze seeping into his lungs. Dai Yao said heavily:
"Take me to see her..."
Outside Hanhai City.
On the boundless, azure seashore, a graceful figure stood tall. The sea breeze ruffled her long, orange-yellow hair, adding to her allure. Yet, a faint sadness lingered in her captivating eyes as she gazed at the ocean, lost in thought.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps on the sand came faintly from behind. Hu Liena didn't turn around, still gazing at the sea, and said softly:
"You've arrived..."
Dai Yao gazed at the solitary figure ahead with complex emotions. This was the first time since leaving Hell City that he had met Hu Liena as Dai Yao, without her knowing his true identity. Hearing Hu Liena's soft voice, Dai Yao nodded and said:
"I am coming."
Hearing Dai Yao's reply, Hu Liena's lips curled into a faint smile, but it quickly faded into a sorrowful expression. Now, Dai Yao was about to get married; her devoted love had been nothing but wishful thinking, a joke. Dai Yao had only come to see her as a farewell; what was there for her to be happy about?
"I thought you were married and wouldn't come to see me."
Hu Liena said quietly.
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that even after all this time, Hu Liena still hadn't let go. That was exactly how it was in the original story; Hu Liena fell in love with someone she shouldn't have, and even though this person ultimately killed her teacher and destroyed everything she had, she still couldn't forget him.
Besides, what about myself, who has never done anything wrong?
"For so many years, I have been hiding my identity and deceiving you time and time again. I must apologize to you."
Dai Yao said solemnly.
Upon hearing this, Hu Liena was stunned for a moment. Then, a faint mist rose in her clear, autumn-water-like eyes. She bit her lip tightly, refusing to let the tears fall. She didn't understand why Dai Yao's single sentence had almost shattered the mental fortitude she had painstakingly built up.
After a long pause, she took a deep breath, barely managing to control her emotions, and said:
"It's nothing... the past... it's all in the past. Actually, Her Holiness the Pope sent me this time; she wants to see you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Dai Yao interrupted him rudely:
"I don't want to see her."
Betrayed by Bibi Dong and forced to leave the Spirit Hall, Dai Yao found it difficult to forgive her, despite the many misunderstandings involved. He had poured his heart and soul into the cause, only to be met with Bibi Dong's desire to kill him.
Hu Liena was slightly taken aback, turned around, and looked at Dai Yao, somewhat incredulous that he had said these words. There were too many strange things about Dai Yao's departure from the Spirit Hall. Why did he leave? Why did Bibi Dong let him go and prevent anyone from harming him...?
For a moment, she felt somewhat lost.
What secrets lie between Dai Yao and Bibi Dong? Why does Dai Yao refuse to meet his teacher, and why does his teacher not dare to come directly to Hanhai City to meet Dai Yao, but instead have to send a message through her?
A sea breeze blew, causing Hu Liena's long, orange hair to flutter and her vest to sway in the wind, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing the worried look on Hu Liena's face, Dai Yao sighed and said:
"Alright, try not to get involved in what's between me and Bibi Dong. Knowing about it will only cause you pain."
Hu Liena smoothed a stray hair behind her ear, forced a smile at Dai Yao, and said:
"Can you walk with me for a bit?"
Dai Yao nodded.
Along the beach, along the edge where the waves crashed in, Dai Yao and Hu Liena walked side by side, but both tacitly maintained a certain distance.
After chatting for a while, Hu Liena suddenly turned her head, smiled at Dai Yao, and said:
"Dai Yao, after all these years, this seems to be the first time you've accompanied me for a walk without hiding your identity. Thinking about it, it's quite touching."
Dai Yao remained silent for a moment, not daring to look into Hu Liena's burning eyes, and said:
"Yes, I am very sorry about what happened back then."
Hearing this, Hu Liena looked ahead, put her hands behind her back, quickened her pace, and smiled more broadly, saying:
"That doesn't matter anymore. I haven't even congratulated you on defeating your enemy yet! It's just a pity I couldn't be of much help at the Spirit Hall..."
Dai Yao shook his head and said calmly:
"The Spirit Hall has already helped me a lot, so you don't need to blame yourself. But you, don't let Bibi Dong down, and don't slack off in your cultivation."
Dai Yao was very worried that his actions would slow down Hu Liena's cultivation progress.
Hu Liena pursed her lips, smoothed her stray hairs, and looked back at the majestic Hanhai City, sighing:
"Thank you for your concern. I am no ordinary person. Although I am not as good as you, in the Spirit Hall, my cultivation speed has far surpassed that of Yan and Xie Yue. However, I did not expect that in just a few years, you have not only made great progress in strength, but also built such a powerful force. You are truly a genius. Compared to you, I am nothing."
Dai Yao smiled but did not answer.
As she spoke, Hu Liena paused, bit her lip lightly, her eyes flickering, and said:
"By the way, you're getting married soon, and you're marrying four wives at once! How absurd! How could your four wives possibly agree to such an outrageous idea?!"
As Dai Yao watched the oncoming waves, the beautiful faces of Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong seemed to appear before his eyes. He smiled and said:
"To be honest, I find it hard to believe. They were willing to compromise themselves like this and marry me. I owe them so much."
"They love you, so they were willing to marry you together, and so did I. Now, I want an answer—did you ever love me?"
Hu Liena said quietly.
Dai Yao felt as if struck by lightning, abruptly looking up to meet Hu Liena's burning gaze. (End of Chapter)