First Immortal of the Sword - Chapter 2301- A Sudden Thunderclap Amidst the Silence
Chapter 2301- A Sudden Thunderclap Amidst the Silence
Over a hundred people had come to the Zhong Family to welcome the new bride.
Their ranks included prominent members of the Sun Family, as well as older-generation experts of the Donghua Sword Pavilion.
The Sun Family’s experts included even their leader, Sun Changce, while the Donghua Sword Pavilion’s group included even their grand elder, Hou Feng!
This lineup astonished the Zhong Family, but more than that, they couldn’t help but feel flattered.
“Elder Hou Feng, Brother Sun… why did both of you come in person?” A higher-up of the Zhong Family rushed over to greet them. He was both delighted and surprised.
The rules of propriety and ceremony didn’t in any way require prominent figures like Sun Changce and Hou Feng to make a personal appearance.
Yet now, here they were, and they’d brought a procession of over one hundred people!
The Zhong Family higher-ups were surprised, but also honored. It was obvious how much importance the Sun Family attached to this marriage!
“Right this way, please!”
“We’ve already prepared a banquet. We were just waiting for you to arrive.”
Old-timers of the Zhong Family stepped up to welcome them, one after another, all of them warm and enthusiastic.
Even the leader of the Zhong Family stepped forward to greet them somberly and invite them into the grand hall.
But then, Sun Changce shook his head and sighed. “We aren’t here to welcome the bride.”
It was just one sentence, but it left the Zhong Family gobsmacked. The joyful, vibrant atmosphere instantly died down.
The Zhong Family old-timers’ smiles froze on their faces, and their eyes filled with bewilderment and uncertainty. They aren’t here to welcome the bride? Then what are they here for?
Zhong Xinlan had been silent this entire time, but even she couldn’t help but feel stunned.
“Family Head Sun, you’re… joking, right?” An old man said with an obsequious smile. “This is a day of celebration for both families, and we’ve been preparing for a long time….”
Sun Changce sighed and interrupted him. “My dog of a son is entirely unworthy of marrying Miss Xinlan. Going forward… the Zhong Family… is too good for the Sun Family!”
A complete silence descended over the room. Even the birds ceased their song. The Zhong Family experts’ expressions shifted. All of them were bewildered. What does the Sun Family mean by this? Are they reneging on our marriage agreement?
Many of the Zhong Family old-timers were frantic.
“Family Head Sun, has the Zhong Family done something to displease you? Is that why you’re no longer willing to see this marriage alliance through?” an old man asked in a quavering voice.
“That’s right. If we’ve done something wrong, we can make amends. Tell us, and we’ll fix it immediately!” someone else suggested.
“Please, give us an opportunity. No matter what you have in mind, we’ll do whatever we can to ensure this marriage goes through. Whatever it is, so long as it’s within our power, we won’t even furrow our brows!” someone else said, pounding his chest as he made this guarantee.
Zhong Xinlan was so angry that she almost burst into laughter. I haven’t even said anything, but they’re all completely frantic! They’re falling all over themselves to apologize and offer compensation. It’s shameful!
It might seem like they’re trying to salvage our marriage alliance, but in truth, they’re just terrified that they’ll miss their chance to cling to the Sun Family’s thighs!
Zhong Xinlan’s father couldn’t bear to watch any more of this either. He snorted coldly, then stepped forward and said gravely, “Brother Sun, what’s the meaning of this?”
Sun Changce solemnly clasped his fist and said, “Brother Zhong, first, allow me to apologize. I was wrong to encourage my dog of a son’s marriage to your honorable daughter, and I humbly request your forgiveness!”
He then bowed low at the waist.
The crowd was stunned. Every last one of them was left wide-eyed and tongue-tied. What’s going on?
Zhong Fu was a bit bewildered, too. “Brother Sun, what… what exactly is going on here?”
Sun Changce said with a complicated look on his face, “You’ll understand soon. To the Zhong Family, this is news as wondrous as the heavens themselves!”
Then, he whipped his head around, his gaze cold and stern. “Zangyun! Apologize to Miss Xinlan! If you can’t earn her forgiveness, I’ll no longer recognize you as my son, you unfilial cur!”
“Yes, Father!”
As the crowd looked on, Sun Zangyun emerged from the procession and walked up to Zhong Xinlan.
Then, he slowly lowered himself to the ground.
The very air itself seemed to freeze. Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Sun Zangyun was the son of the leader of the Sun Family, as well as a core disciple of the Donghua Sword Pavilion. He was an unparalleled divine son of the Southern Flame Divine Continent, and this was supposed to be his wedding day.
Yet now, he disregarded his dignity, endured his humiliation, and lowered his head to the ground before Zhong Xinlan!
By now, even a fool would have realized that something had gone awry with this marriage alliance.
“Junior Apprentice Sister Xinlan, please, forgive me. Give me a chance to turn over a new leaf,” said Sun Zangyun, head lowered, voice hoarse. His expression was utterly bitter.
He’d been so proud and carefree not long ago. He was one of the most prominent elites in the entire Donghua Sword Pavilion.
Yet now, even when he was forced to lower his head before Zhong Xinlan and beg for forgiveness, he expressed no anger or displeasure.
On the contrary, he seemed helpless and dejected.
As if he’d accepted his fate.
Zhong Xinlan pursed her lips, then looked at Sun Changce. “Senior, doesn’t it hurt to watch your own son kneel like this?”
Sun Changce had a complicated look on his face. He signed. “He made a grave error, so he must pay the price. Zangyun is my son, but he’s still no exception.”
“What… What exactly is going on here?” asked Zhong Xinlan.
Grand Elder Hou Feng of the Donghua Sword Pavilion emerged from the procession and spoke for the first time. “Allow me to explain.”
He said solemnly, “Xinlan, your talent is extraordinary. Becoming another’s Dao Partner now is sure to influence your future prospects!
“You were coerced into accepting this marriage with Sun Zangyun. This incident has alerted the long-secluded Ancestor Xingyi. She personally called off this wedding!”
The crowd was instantly in uproar.
Ancestor Xingyi! A Nine-Tribulation Undying Realm Master God!
She had the highest seniority of anyone in Donghua Sword Pavilion, as well as the deepest cultivation.
Rumor had it that she’d been in seclusion for almost one hundred thousand years. In all that time, she’d never once paid any heed to worldly affairs, nor had she ever shown her face.
She was like a legend, spoken of but never seen.
Yet now, Sun Zangyun and Zhong Xinlan’s marriage had somehow startled this legendary expert out of seclusion. Who wouldn’t have been astonished?
The way everyone looked at Zhong Xinlan suddenly shifted.
“Ancestor Xingyi…?” Zhong Xinlan looked dazed.
It was true that she spent most of her days cultivating in Donghua Sword Pavilion, but the highest-ranked people she’d ever interacted with were still just high elders.
Ancestor Xingyi was an absolute legend within the sect. Her position was far, far, far beyond any of the high elders.
Zhong Xinlan could say with certainty that she’d never interacted with Ancestor Xingyi in any way.
She’d never even laid eyes on Ancestor Xingyi. Why would Ancestor Xingyi suddenly intervene on her behalf?
Zhong Xinlan just didn’t get it.
“That’s right. This is on Ancestor Xingyi’s orders!” Grand Elder Hou Feng smiled amiably. “We came here today, first to cancel this wedding, and second, to announce something of the utmost importance on Ancestor Xingyi’s behalf!”
‘Something of the utmost importance’? Everyone pricked up their ears.
Zhong Xinlan’s curiosity was piqued, too.
Hou Feng didn’t keep them in suspense. He went on to announce, “Out of consideration for Xinlan’s future, Ancestor Xingyi has decided to break precedent and accept her as her closed-door disciple!”
The crowd was overcome with shock. A clamor of voices erupted, like a pot blowing off its lid.
Ancestor Xingyi’s closed-door disciple!?
What were the implications?
Going by seniority, Grand Elder Hou Feng, and even the current leader of Donghua Sword Pavilion, would have to call Zhong Xinlan “Little Martial Aunt”!
Zhong Xinlan’s status would qualify her to sit with the sect’s high elders as an equal.
Most importantly, becoming Ancestor Xingyi’s closed-door disciple was like ascending to the heavens in a single bound. The entire Southern Flame Divine Continent would pay attention to her, and her prospects would be immeasurable!
Never mind the rest. Sun Zangyun, who now knelt before Zhong Xinlan, would have to call her “Martial Ancestor” going forward!
None of the Zhong Family old-timers could remain calm after hearing that. They’d completely lost their composure.
Zhong Xinlan’s father looked dazed. He almost suspected he was dreaming.
They’d been coerced into accepting this marriage, only for this to happen. Who could possibly have processed that all at once?
This was even more ridiculous than meat pies raining down from the heavens!
Zhong Xinlan, however, was starting to understand. Senior Su must have done something!
Only someone like him could pull off something so unbelievable. He didn’t just get my wedding called off; he even made me into Ancestor Xingyi’s closed-door disciple!
No one in the clan will be able to force me to endure humiliation ever again, and no one in the sect will dare to provoke me lightly!
Indescribable excitement coursed through her heart. She’d accumulated a mountain of grievances over the years, but now, it was as if a flood were washing them all away. She could no longer control her emotions. Her eyes reddened, then overflowed with tears.
Her mother watched from not far away too. She too wept tears of joy, then quietly wiped them away.
Everyone finally understood why Sun Changce had led this procession all the way here just to cancel their marriage alliance.
They also finally understood why someone as proud as Sun Zangyun would kneel helplessly before Zhong Xinlan and beg for her forgiveness.
It was because Zhong Xinlan’s status had just undergone an earth-shaking, heaven-overturning transformation!
If the Sun Family wanted to avoid Ancestor Xingyi’s anger, they had no choice but to lower their heads, apologize, and beg for Zhong Xinlan’s forgiveness!
The reality of the situation was like a heartless slap in the face. It left the Zhong Family old-timers’ faces hot, red, and stinging.
Just moments prior, they’d frantically begged Sun Changce not to call off the wedding. They’d been as upset as if their parents had just dropped dead.
But now, they were completely gobsmacked. Worse, they realized that their behavior had irrevocably offended Zhong Xinlan!
And now, Zhong Xinlan was Ancestor Xingyi’s closed-door disciple. How could she possibly let them off lightly?
If she didn’t seek to get even, they’d have to burn their best incense in gratitude to their ancestors!
“Junior Hou Feng greets you, Martial Aunt Zhong!” Grand Elder Hou Feng stepped forth and bowed to Zhong Xinlan.
Sun Changce was the next to step forth and bow. “I, the leader of the Sun Family, greet you, Senior Zhong!”
One after another, prominent experts of the Sun Family and Donghua Sword Pavilion stepped forth to greet Zhong Xinlan.
Zhong Xinlan was the center of attention. The sight came as a massive shock to all who saw it, and the looks in their eyes shifted.
All of them knew that this unparalleled divine daughter, “unmatched in art and music,” would soon soar to prominence!
Zhong Xinlan wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and ripped off her veil.
It felt as if she’d ripped away her fetters!
Inwardly, she said, Senior Su, Junior Zhong Xinlan won’t forget this act of benevolence. I won’t let you down!
