Chapter 336: Chapter 198: Even Closer Through Marriage?
As King Xiaowu of the Wind Kingdom, a Prince with real power, he was actually trying to play matchmaker for him.
As for the woman, it would definitely be a daughter of the Ying Family.
He was asking about Gu Zheng’s marital status, what kind of women he liked—mature or young, sexy or cute.
Gu Zheng was truly speechless.
He came to the Wind Kingdom to escort Zhong Qishan for her political marriage.
And while he was at it, to take the Western Celestial Tripod.
He wasn’t here to marry a daughter of the Ying Family.
Yet Ying Jiuyue wouldn’t be direct, just talking in circles.
But the man was a Prince, the person in charge of receiving them. Gu Zheng couldn’t just refuse to answer, so he could only deflect with vague responses.
It wasn’t that he disliked women.
He just hadn’t met the right one, and that wasn’t a lie.
This was a great upheaval, a grand opportunity that came once in a millennium.
In Gu Zheng’s opinion, anyone who didn’t seize the opportunity to become stronger, and instead wasted time on romance, wasn’t thinking straight.
Dongfang He, Xiao Dutian, Liangqiu Changkong...
’None of those men were thinking straight.’
’All they knew was how to chase after women, fawning over them endlessly.’
’They never considered that if they all advanced to the Heroic Body Realm, would they still need to worry about winning over Nangong Yaoyue and Su Zhenyun?’
’If they really reached the Heroic Body Realm, even if Nangong Yaoyue and Su Zhenyun were unwilling, the Noble Families behind them would force them to agree!’
...
...
The Land Flying Ship traveled at a high speed.
The route it took had also been planned in advance by Ying Jiuyue.
Afterward, they encountered no attacks or ambushes.
Gu Zheng followed behind, and before long, they entered the territory of the Great Feng Country.
Once they crossed into the lands of the Great Feng Country, the Land Flying Ship’s course went in a straight line, its speed unwavering.
It headed straight west, directly toward the Royal Capital of the Great Feng Country.
The marriage procession first landed at the embassy, located right next to the Royal Palace.
Zhong Zhengao settled the procession in, then entered the Royal Palace to meet with the Sovereign of the Great Feng Country and discuss matters related to the grand wedding.
Zhong Qishan was confined to the embassy and not allowed to go out.
Gu Zheng and Cao Qingsong also stayed at the embassy. However, they didn’t have to be on guard at all times; as long as one of them remained, the other was free to go out.
"Gu, why don’t you go out and have a look around first."
In a hall in the embassy, Cao Qingsong took a sip from his teacup, then looked at Gu Zheng and said, "It’ll be my turn tomorrow. This is my first time in the Royal Capital of the Wind Kingdom, too. The style and scenery here are completely different from our Jing Country. It’s worth taking a look."
"The official wedding won’t be for at least half a month. That’s enough time for us to explore the entire Royal Capital and the surrounding areas."
"...That makes sense." Gu Zheng nodded. "Then I’ll have to trouble you today, Cao."
He cupped his fist.
As Cao Qingsong waved him off, Gu Zheng turned and left the hall.
’Explore the Royal Capital of the Wind Kingdom?’
’Only tourists wander around for fun.’
Gu Zheng had no such inclination.
After leaving the embassy, Gu Zheng found an inn and checked in.
Then, sitting in his room, he took out the Human Emperor’s Seal Artifact Embryo to sense the whereabouts of the Western Celestial Tripod.
...
「At the same time.」
「In the Royal Palace of the Wind Kingdom.」
Having changed out of his armor and into casual robes, Ying Jiuyue sat in a spacious grand hall, relaying to the Sovereign of the Wind Kingdom, Ying Jiucang, the information he had gathered from Gu Zheng.
"In short, this Gu Zheng is worth winning over!"
Ying Jiuyue concluded, "With the marriage between Zhong Qishan and Shou’Er already in place, if we add another marriage between Gu Zheng and a daughter of our Ying Family, we can put off dealing with Jing Country until last."
"Strengthening our ties through another marriage?"
Ying Jiucang, who had an ordinary face but an air of immense authority in his eyes, said in a deep voice, "Acceptable. That’s a good idea. A genius in his early twenties at the third stage of the Heroic Body Realm, who has even condensed three Divine Seeds, is more than worthy of a daughter of our Ying Family. Seventh Brother, who do you plan to choose for this marriage with Gu Zheng?"
"Choose me!"
A clear, bright female voice rang out from outside the grand hall.
Following the voice, a tall woman with bold features and an aggressive air, dressed in striking crimson martial attire, strode inside.
"Father, Seventh Royal Uncle, no need to look for anyone else. I’ll take this Gu Zheng!" the woman said bluntly, waving her hand as she walked. "The third stage of the Heroic Body Realm in his early twenties is good enough for me!"
"...Not you."
The corner of Ying Jiuyue’s mouth twitched. He coughed and said, "You don’t need to get involved in this. I’ll talk to the others."
"What is there to talk about?" The woman frowned. "Am I not a daughter of the Ying Family? My age is a perfect match, too. Why can’t I get involved?"
Ying Jiuyue didn’t respond, simply picking up his tea and sipping it slowly.
"Hmph."
Ying Jiucang snorted coldly. "You know very well why not."
"But, Father, how am I unsuitable?" the woman protested. "Is it just because I keep a few dozen male consorts in my residence? In my eyes, those guys are just consumables, toys to play with. It’s not like..."
"Enough, Ying Li!"
Ying Jiucang’s face darkened as he cut her off with a shout. "You may have no shame, but I do! Get out! Don’t test my patience any further!"
"...Fine."
Ying Li frowned, gave a cupped-fist salute, then turned and strode out of the grand hall.
"What a disgrace!"
Ying Jiucang cursed under his breath.
"Ahem."
Ying Jiuyue coughed, returning to the previous topic. "In my opinion, Zhao’er or Xiu’er would both be suitable. I’ll go talk to them later and see who is willing."
"Mm."
Ying Jiucang nodded. "After you’ve spoken with them, find an opportunity for them to meet Gu Zheng. If possible, it would be best to settle this within half a month. Then, she can return to Jing Country directly with Gu Zheng!"
"Alright."
...
...
「At the inn.」
Gu Zheng put away the Human Emperor’s Seal Artifact Embryo, a smile on his face.
’Good. The Western Celestial Tripod isn’t in the Royal Capital of the Wind Kingdom, nor is it in the Royal Palace. It’s on a mountain out in the wilderness.’
After a moment of sensing, Gu Zheng had located the Western Celestial Tripod.
Without further delay, he left the inn, preparing to head over directly.
He had just stepped out the main door of the inn when someone blocked his path.
"You’re Gu Zheng?"
The person blocking his way, dressed in striking crimson martial attire, was tall with bold features. It was none other than Ying Li, who had come from the Royal Palace, gone to the embassy, and then tracked him to the inn.
Gu Zheng hadn’t bothered to hide his identity when he left the embassy, so it wasn’t surprising that Ying Li had found him, just puzzling.
"I am Gu Zheng. And you are, Miss...?"
"My name is Ying Li, the Tenth Princess of the Wind Kingdom!"
Ying Li said directly, "My father is planning to choose a daughter from the Ying Family to marry you, and I’ve chosen you! Get ready and move into my residence. We’ll consummate the marriage tonight!"
...Huh?
Even for Gu Zheng, whose heart was as calm as still water from slaying countless Demon Fiends, hearing the words of the woman before him left him utterly shocked.
’The Tenth Princess?’
’She’s chosen me?’
’Consummate the marriage tonight?’
’Are all the princesses of the Wind Kingdom this direct, this brazen, this... open?’
Ying Jiuyue had spoken to him earlier, so Gu Zheng knew what his intentions were.
’But isn’t this moving a little too fast?’
’It hasn’t even been an hour. Not only have they picked someone, but the chosen princess is so...’
"Greetings, Tenth Princess!"
Suppressing the speechlessness in his heart, Gu Zheng cupped his fist and bowed. "I am honored by Your Highness’s favor, but I’m afraid I have no plans to marry at this time. I ask for Your Highness’s understanding."
"You’re refusing me?"
Ying Li’s eyes widened, and her aura surged.
"Refusing you is perfectly normal, isn’t it?" a crisp voice suddenly interjected from the side. "This gentleman looks unfamiliar, but he made a good choice in refusing. Not just anyone is blessed enough to enjoy the Tenth Princess’s... affections."
"Meng Yu!"
Ying Li’s brows shot up, and her voice turned frigid. "You dare ruin my fun!?"
"As if you were about to succeed."
Ten paces away, Meng Yu—dressed in a long green skirt, her black hair draped over her shoulders, her features pretty and charmingly cute—stood with her arms crossed, meeting Ying Li’s gaze without a trace of fear. "Do I need to spell out all your dirty laundry?"
"You..." Ying Li was furious, her eyes spitting fire, but she didn’t truly explode. With a cold snort, she turned and left.
"Thank you, Miss Meng!"
Gu Zheng cupped his fist in a salute toward Meng Yu, who was still ten paces away.
"Heh, Gu Zheng, Gu Ping’an, I finally get to meet you!"
