Chapter 320: Chapter 318: Everyone’s Own Schemes
Shen Le’s mouth twitched. He looked like he wanted to say something, but after seeing Qin Li’s clear gaze, he shut his mouth and chuckled. "That’s right, the wedding continues! A wedding like mine is one for the ages! Whose wedding could possibly be as lively as this?"
Beside him, Leng Fangfei shot Qin Li a look and said flatly, "No cursing!"
Shen Le flinched. ’Didn’t you just curse a moment ago yourself, dear?’ he thought, but he didn’t dare say it out loud.
The crowd couldn’t help but smile, and the tense atmosphere was finally lightened a bit by this pair of live wires.
This was the way of the Martial World. If your strength was lacking and your skills were unrefined, you were bound to become a stepping stone for others. Death? Who didn’t live a life of constant peril?
You might kill someone today only to be killed tomorrow, yet countless people still went crazy for it, their blood boiling with passion. This... was the Martial World!
Shen Longxing finally emerged. In his hand, he carried a fresh, dripping head. Just like that, he appeared at his own son’s wedding, causing many of the guests to frown involuntarily.
The bloody stench, which had just begun to fade, was stirred up once more by the groom’s father.
However, a strange light flashed in the bright, visible eyes of the mysterious Sect Leader of Ice Edge, who was seated on the main platform.
Qin Li reached out and took Leng Yao’s hand. Feeling how cold it was, he squeezed it gently and said softly, "Your great nemesis has finally been slain. The entire Cui Family will likely collapse before long. You can let go of all your burdens now and live completely for yourself."
Leng Yao turned her head to look at Qin Li, her tone softening instantly, but her gaze was fixed on his eyes. "Can I live for you, too?"
"All of us live for ourselves," Qin Li said, holding her hand with a firm expression. "Trust me, you will live a wonderful life."
Leng Yao nodded seriously. At that moment, she saw Shen Longxing walk onto the platform carrying Cui Buqun’s head, his eyes glinting with a calm light.
He placed Cui Buqun’s head on the center table, then said in a deep voice to the nearly stupefied wedding officiant, "Begin!"
"Oh, begin, begin!"
The officiant was also a high-ranking member of the Thousand Mechanism Sect. Having been with Shen Longxing for many years, he knew the Sect Leader’s temperament like the back of his hand. He knew full well that the Sect Leader was displeased. As for why, he could guess. He, too, had witnessed everything that had just transpired.
Therefore, the officiant wasn’t flustered. He stepped forward and called out in a deep, resonant voice, "Bride and groom, first bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Shen Le and Leng Fangfei’s marriage had been one of mutual affection to begin with. Now, having fought side-by-side, the bond between the young couple had grown even deeper.
"Second bow to the elders!"
Inside the now-dilapidated banquet hall, the various major figures from the families and Sects of Profound Island watched in silence, their eyes on the young couple with the extraordinary experience.
Shen Le and Leng Fangfei first bowed to Leng Fangfei’s master, the mysterious Sect Leader of Ice Edge. Many saw a mist of tears quickly form in the Ice Edge Sect Leader’s eyes.
Leng Fangfei couldn’t hold back her own tears.
The bond between this master and disciple secretly moved many people present.
Shen Longxing and his wife held hands, smiling heartily.
"Bow to each other!"
Shen Le and Leng Fangfei looked at each other and smiled.
"The ceremony is complete! Let the wedding banquet... begin!" the officiant shouted. At that moment, disciples of the Thousand Mechanism Sect entered in a line, pushing serving carts.
The aroma of the fine food on the carts wafted far, making mouths water.
Throughout the entire process of serving the food, the disciples of the Thousand Mechanism Sect showed no sign of being affected by the brutal slaughter that had just occurred. This perfectly demonstrated the composure and deep-rooted discipline of a major Sect, earning unspoken praise from countless onlookers.
Once all the food and wine were served, Shen Longxing stood on the high platform, cleared his throat twice, and spoke: "Honored guests, if I may have your attention. I, Shen Longxing, have a few things to say that I must get off my chest."
"If you have something to say, Sect Leader Shen, please say it quickly. We’re all very hungry!"
"Yes, yes, the chefs of the Thousand Mechanism Sect are truly skilled! The aroma of this food... tsk tsk, it’s incredible!"
"Hahaha!" A wave of derisive laughter came from the crowd below.
Shen Longxing’s eyes swept over the few who had spoken, noting they were all from the six great superpowers. He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. ’These families and Sects have truly grown too large, and too decadent!’
The Cui Family had only lost its elite forces. It was a crippling blow, to be sure, but no one knew how much power they still held beneath the surface. Yet already these people were scheming, thinking about how to carve up the Cui Family’s territory, and worse, how to kick out Qin Li, the man whose contributions were immeasurable. It was outrageous!
With that thought, Shen Longxing let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, rest assured, everyone! The Thousand Mechanism Sect may lack other things, but we have an endless supply of delicacies! If you heroes don’t mind, you could eat here for years, and I... could still afford it! However, for now, I ask that you heroes grant me a moment of your respect and allow me to finish what I have to say!"
With Shen Longxing having put it like that, no one in the crowd below, not even those from the superpowers, could say anything more. It was clear, however, that the expressions on many faces had turned sour.
"I’ve always been a direct person. If I offend any of you heroes here today, I apologize in advance." As he spoke, Shen Longxing grabbed the bloody head. "I’m sure you all know who this is. I don’t mean to spoil your appetites, but we are people of the Martial World. We don’t care about such things, do we? What I want to talk about is this: First, how exactly did this conflict begin? Second, in the process, who... played an indispensable role? And third, how should we fight the battle to come?"
"Since you’ve brought it up, Sect Leader Shen, why don’t you share your opinion?" Lin Zixiang said, sitting there with a nonchalant expression. "All I know is that my family’s old ancestor is still missing."
"What? Does Patriarch Lin not believe the words of my sect’s old ancestor?" Shen Longxing asked, his expression calm.
"That’s... of course not. But as a junior, I am naturally concerned about my own ancestor. I’m sure you can understand that feeling, Shen."
"I understand completely!" Shen Longxing declared loudly. "Since Patriarch Lin has asked me to speak, then speak I shall! First, I believe this battle was the result of a massive conspiracy the Cui Family has been planning for many years! Their... ambitions were enormous! I trust no one here will deny this point, correct?"
The crowd below lowered their heads in thought. No one stood up to deny Shen Longxing’s words. Shen Longxing continued, "In that case, I’d like to ask, on what grounds... are you preparing to hold Young Master Qin accountable? What exactly has he done wrong? What has he done to make some of you here secretly plot against him?"
As soon as Shen Longxing said this, a dead silence fell over the hall. Looks of disbelief appeared on many faces as they turned to look at the superpowers. Most were simply confused. They didn’t understand. Weren’t they all supposed to be on the same side? How could someone want to move against Qin Li?
The expressions of some, however, turned ugly. Shen Longxing sneered. "Don’t think the Thousand Mechanism Sect has been spying on you. We’re not that vile! The men you sent set an ambush outside the courtyard where the Qin Family is staying and secretly tried to bribe their disciples. The aggrieved party has already reported it to me!"
Many people immediately turned their gazes to Qin Li, but he just looked baffled. Leng Yao, still seated, said coolly, "It wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t think it was necessary to tell you."
Qin Li’s gaze slowly swept over the people in the hall. On the faces of a few, he could see a flicker of unease.
Shen Longxing continued, "Let’s set that aside for now and move on to the second point. Who played an indispensable role in this battle? First and foremost, the Shattered Void realm old ancestors from the various families! And after them, I say it was Qin Li! How many people did he kill by himself in this fight? I believe that in the coming battle against the Cui Family, and in the division of their territory, Qin Li is absolutely essential!"
Qin Li’s eyes narrowed slightly. He understood that Shen Longxing was sticking up for him, but he didn’t like being maneuvered like this.
’It’s true that the hatred between him and the Cui Family is irreconcilable,’ he thought. ’But in the current situation, all of Profound Island will be involved in exterminating them. So why should I wade into those muddy waters?’
Just then, someone in the crowd said coolly, "Aren’t your words a bit too arbitrary, Sect Leader Shen? Young Master Qin is the foremost young talent on Profound Island, capable of slaying even a Venerable. We have no quarrel with him, so who would want to move against him?"
"Exactly, Sect Leader Shen. If you know who wants to harm Young Master Qin, you might as well say it outright. Right here, in front of all the heroes of Profound Island. Wouldn’t it be better to clear the air?"
"That’s right! We all want to see who these nefarious plotters are!"
Shen Longxing’s expression turned ugly. He did indeed have proof that some families intended to move against Qin Li, but his words had also contained a degree of exaggeration, and he couldn’t explain why.
Not every Patriarch present knew about the mysterious old man from that night. Otherwise, how would they have dared to target Qin Li?
It was precisely because Shen Longxing knew about this that he wanted to tie Qin Li to their families’ war chariot, adding a powerful force for the future campaign to eradicate the Cui Family.
However, this was not what Qin Li wanted. With that thought, ignoring the astonished gazes of the crowd, Qin Li stood up and gave Shen Longxing a fist-and-palm salute. "Sect Leader Shen, would you allow me to say a word?"
Shen Longxing’s gaze focused. "Oh?" he said, then added, "Please speak, Young Master Qin."
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