Chapter Four: The Union!

That night, the soft fragrance filled the chamber, crimson curtains hung low, and within the boudoir, Qing Yan’s fair cheeks blushed with delicate shyness, her slender body trembling lightly. Yet, she boldly shared the same room with Yang Nan. Facing such a beauty, Yang Nan felt as if he were intoxicated by the scent of flowers and honey.

“Clad in a simple green robe, without a trace of makeup, yet surpassing all in beauty—a marvel under heaven!” Yang Nan murmured admiringly. Without pretense, he gently embraced his delicate wife’s slender waist, marveling, “I do not know what blessings from past lives have led me to find such a perfect match.” In his previous life, someone as exquisitely beautiful as Qing Yan would have been beyond his reach. Even in this life, despite all the spiritual arts, a destitute young lord like him could never hope to marry the daughter of the Iron Fang Marquis.

That Yang Nan had won such a beauty was not only due to his grandfather’s legacy but also a blessing cultivated over three lifetimes.

Qing Yan, a frail thirteen-year-old girl, had carried the ancestral tablet to wed him and tirelessly searched for her husband across thousands of miles. Such deep affection was beyond what ordinary women could even dream of.

Qing Yan stretched her fair wrists lightly, leaning against her husband’s chest. She felt as if her life had been anchored at last; with him by her side, there was nothing left to regret. Her heart was filled with sweetness. Hearing his sighs, she replied softly, “To wed you is Qing Yan’s fortune. You are like a deity who has taken pity on this mortal woman, and I am both honored and humble. It is not only you who are fortunate; I am truly the luckiest.”

Yang Nan listened to her gentle, heartfelt words and sighed inwardly. Indeed, the affairs of the heart were the most difficult to transcend in this mortal world. None but supreme beings could be free of emotion.

To enter into love was to be caught in its web. Qing Yan was to be the greatest trial of his life. If he could remain unmoved by such a woman, he might truly become a sage.

“Qing Yan, you are mistaken. It is not your fortune to marry me; it is the fortune of the Yang family, of Yang Nan himself,” he said with a faint smile, brushing his cheek against hers and whispering tenderly.

Hearing her husband’s praise, Qing Yan’s delicate face flushed with shyness, her soul intoxicated.

“Qing Yan, do you cherish me for my status or for true love in your heart?” Yang Nan asked suddenly, inhaling the faint fragrance that clung to her.

Qing Yan paused briefly, then smiled softly, “My lord, I have already married you. How can there be a difference between status and true affection?”

In this world, when a man takes a wife, is there truly a distinction between status and love? A woman who marries is expected to be faithful forever. No man would normally ask such a peculiar question. Though clever, she could not grasp his meaning.

Yang Nan shook his head with a smile, “No, there is a great difference. If your heart loves me, you are mine. But if you married only for status, and I were not Yang Nan but another man, what then?”

Qing Yan was taken aback and immediately understood his meaning. She lowered her head, her bright eyes shy, and whispered, “Qing Yan married you for status...” She suddenly raised her gaze, seeing a flicker of disappointment on his face. She smiled awkwardly, pursed her lips, and added, “But afterwards, it became true love.”

Yang Nan was stunned—married first, love afterward? He looked down at the jade-like beauty in his arms and saw the playful glint in her eyes. Immediately, he exclaimed, “Well then! The virtuous Qing Yan actually knows how to tease her lord husband? Let me teach you a lesson!”

He swiftly pulled her down onto the bed. Qing Yan giggled as he tickled her waist, her laughter soft and warm as she pleaded for mercy. They played like this for a long while, then suddenly fell silent. Yang Nan caught a faint, delicate fragrance and saw his beloved reclining like flowing water on the couch, her curves rising and falling exquisitely. Unable to resist, he gently kissed her.

That kiss was intoxicating and soul-stirring.

Qing Yan breathed softly, stretched her fair wrists, and let the crimson curtains fall. She looked back at her beloved husband, her eyes brimming with tender affection. Her rosy lips parted slightly, cheeks flushed, and she whispered, “I will serve you faithfully, my lord. Please be gentle with me...”

“My lady...” Yang Nan smiled warmly, gathering her into his arms as he gently laid her down on the bed…

The brief spring night passed swiftly without further words. The next morning, when Yang Nan rose, he found his young wife had vanished without a trace. He sat at the table and called softly, “Dieyi, bring some water!” The door creaked open as Dieyi and Baiyi entered, carrying bowls of water with graceful ease.

Seeing Yang Nan’s demeanor after consummating his marriage was markedly different from before, the two women exchanged delighted glances. As they helped him wash, Baiyi boldly commented, “Young Master was quite fierce last night. The lady is still limping this morning.”

Baiyi’s words were blunt and straightforward, causing Dieyi to chuckle quietly. Yang Nan frowned, “Little girl, what do you understand?”

Matters of love and passion were beyond Baiyi’s comprehension—after all, she was a demon with a rough manner and blunt speech.

Baiyi pouted in defiance, “Love between men and women is natural and right. What is there not to understand?”

Yang Nan saw she only half understood and smiled wryly, “Mortal love is hard to let go. It entangles through three lifetimes. If you two cannot enter and leave the realm of love freely, you will never attain the great Dao. One must master emotion, not be mastered by it. Understand?”

The cautionary tale of Master Buxu was still fresh in his mind. He would not let these two naive little demons succumb to such entanglements. His own venture into love was uncertain—blessing or curse—but he would not allow his inexperienced disciples to fall prey to passion.

The two women looked bewildered and shook their heads. Though centuries old, they were like thirteen or fourteen-year-old girls in their understanding. How could they know that without resolve, being caught in love’s net was inescapable? Even Master Buxu, with his mighty power, had been trapped for centuries without progress.

Love must be experienced but not indulged in; it may be touched but never fallen into.

Yang Nan had tasted the depths of love and found it permeated his very bones. With such depth of feeling, how could he ever transcend it?

He sighed silently. No wonder his master had been unable to free himself for centuries. If he, new to love, felt so bound, how could one who had loved deeply for hundreds of years forget the old master, Cang Yan?

Yet, to forget and transcend would come only with great advancement and mastery of divine power. The Seven Emotions Trial was the ordeal for a Respectable to become a Saint. Yang Nan was not yet even a Respectable; worrying too much was useless.

This journey down the mountain was to fulfill his master’s wish. Afterward, he might not return to Spirit Beast Mountain for over a decade. He had to make arrangements before leaving. He summoned Old Crab and instructed him to gather the Four Great Demon Kings for a meeting in the Jade Purity Hall.

Within the Jade Purity Hall, the four commanders—Waiting Wine, Flower Begonia, Su Shu, and Goldfish—greeted their master’s return after six years of seclusion, congratulating him on his forthcoming rise to Grandmaster. Yang Nan looked upon his vigorous subordinates with satisfaction. Seated on the main throne, he spoke, “Though I oversee this mountain, managing the demons and upholding discipline relies entirely on you four commanders. I am grateful beyond words. Now, by my master’s order, I must journey down the mountain to explore the world. I entrust this mountain to you and the disciples. Everything should continue as before—no need for unnecessary upheaval.”

The four commanders, seeing their master’s smiling yet authoritative demeanor after years apart, stood solemn and declared, “We will manage the troops with all our hearts and not disappoint your trust.”

In just a few years, Yang Nan was about to become a Grandmaster. Compared to demons, his strength was leagues above. Such immense potential made him the undisputed leader of the demon clans. None dared harbor rebellion.

Yang Nan nodded and said, “The five clans—birds, insects, fish, beasts, and plants—grow ever larger. You must intensify training of the demon soldiers. In a few years, I will have great use for you all. The world is in chaos now, and I intend to aid King Chun in clearing the filth and restoring order. This is my grand aspiration as a Respectable. It will not be easy and requires your aid. When I return, having succeeded, it will mark my ascension. Your futures depend on me. Do not worry excessively during my absence.”

The four commanders were elated. Whenever the young master acted, success was assured. As long as the demon clans possessed the sage-level heart methods, he would never neglect them.

With orders given, the four commanders departed promptly. Yang Nan enacted the Four Execution Laws and the Three Punishments Six Paths simultaneously. None of the seventy-two demon valleys dared cause trouble on their own. This relieved Yang Nan immensely.

Over the years, the outer disciples had all made progress. Spirit Beast Mountain lacked nothing, and each disciple had their roles. Hun Yuan, Qian Ren, and Bai Lian managed affairs with precision. Cheng Yang, in charge of the Scripture Pavilion, had long reported for duty and handled many matters alongside the three senior disciples. His management of scriptures and affairs was unparalleled, even more skilled than the others.

Yang Nan was pleased to see another capable talent and comforted him with kind words.

In these years, the genius artifact crafter Bai Lian had refined the corpse of the Tiger Demon King into a magical instrument named the Mysterious Tiger Roar. It resembled a bound headband, but once infused with the tiger’s soul and thrown into the air, it transformed into a white-striped golden tiger of formidable power.

Yang Nan was secretly amazed at this sacred artifact. That an outer disciple could forge such a treasure was extraordinary. If he became a grandmaster, his strength would surely be unparalleled.

He gave this artifact to Qing Yan for protection, as her cultivation was still low. Attaining grandmaster status was no overnight matter, so having a protective artifact was only natural.

The Pill Sect disciples had also produced many fine elixirs over the years. Yang Nan selected several to store within his Jiangshan Ring, useful as gifts when descending the mountain. The Array Sect disciples had long reinforced the defenses outside the Jade Purity Hall. Should enemies attack, none could breach the peak.

Henceforth, the Four Demon Kings guarded the seventy-two demon valleys of Spirit Beast Mountain. Over thirty disciples rotated patrols outside Jade Purity Hall, with distant aid from the Kunlun Sect. Even in Yang Nan’s absence, the mountain remained secure.

With affairs settled, Yang Nan summoned Old Crab and inquired, “Are there two spiritual springs running parallel within Spirit Beast Mountain?”

Old Crab, now also a grandmaster, had spent considerable effort locating springs. He smiled and replied, “Do not worry, young master. The grandmaster-level springs have long been found. Eight thousand miles east, in the Eastern Sea territory, lies Dragon Song Island. The island is rich in spiritual energy, with abundant springs and flourishing herbs. There are indeed two naturally formed springs, their spiritual power pure—perfect for your advancement. I have already stationed several demon soldiers to guard them, awaiting your arrival.”

Yang Nan was delighted and laughed, “Old Crab, you have been diligent these years, practically a local tyrant here! This is excellent work!”

During Yang Nan’s six years of seclusion, Old Crab had not idled. His young master abhorred disorderly demons, so Old Crab led troops sweeping the valleys within ten thousand miles, collecting countless treasures for Jade Purity Hall and recruiting many capable subordinates.

Yang Nan knew well the effort behind this.

Pleased with the praise, Old Crab patted his chest and laughed, “With the two grandmaster talismans you bestowed, which rogue demon would dare disturb us? They all flee at the sight!”

Yang Nan nodded. The Divine General Talisman and Blood Corpse Talisman were indeed powerful. With Bai Lian and Huang Shan assisting Old Crab in forging weapons, his black pincers had become sacred artifacts of formidable might, no wonder ordinary demons feared him.

With such a devoted subordinate, Yang Nan need not search for spiritual springs himself. He would definitely bring Qing Yan on his descent, along with Dieyi and the two other women. Chiyang and Jinding Great Roc were both grandmasters and must accompany him. Old Crab and two thousand guards would serve him closely. Hun Yuan, Qian Ren, and Bai Lian would remain to oversee the outer disciples. Yu Niang would stay to manage the rear quarters of Spirit Beast Mountain. Yuan Ling Monkey, meant to be offered this time, could not come along. Huang Shan begged to join, and as his help in forging was valuable, Yang Nan consented.

Once arrangements were complete, Yang Nan stepped out of Jade Purity Hall for the first time in six years.

Gazing upon the endless peaks of Spirit Beast Mountain, shrouded in drifting white clouds, Yang Nan mounted the Roc’s back. He stored everyone else within his Jiangshan Ring, leaving only Old Crab by his side. With a mighty cry, the Golden-Top Great Roc soared skyward, heading toward the Eastern Sea.