Hours later, Xiyu found herself standing, now in a bright commemorative red dress, in an assembly as Yan made his speech majestically from a stage. Dongyue was beside her, similarly dressed in a red matching suit. Now that her spellcasting abilities were restored and her health back to almost her usual self, she appeared striking. Red appeared to accentuate her snowy-white skin.
The now-remarkably-looking hall was no other than the exact hall Muxue Yan was seated on his throne earlier. The plain-looking walls were now adorned with red-coloured decorations, and some flags had been hung on corners of the hall. Some tapestry hung from the walls around the stage, some covering furniture that was in the room.
“I have called for this assembly today because I need to make a most important announcement,” Yan declared. In contrast to his usual dark robes, he was wearing a lighter costume gown today. Small wonder why he had instructed Xiyu and Dongyue to wear the festive robes he had sent them. Perhaps something big was about to happen today.
All of a sudden, large footsteps were heard across the hall, followed by a vociferous clattering of metal. “Walk!” A loud and rough male voice yelled. Anong and Yamon looked sullen as they made large steps across the hall, shackled by chains. A very human-looking man, who his subordinates greeted as Commander, greeted Yan as his master, followed by Xiyu and Dongyue as Mistress and Master of the Temple. Xiyu almost jumped at the sight of the rebels, staring at Dongyue.
Some guards came forward and took the captured criminals into their custody, the chains clanging on the ground as they stepped, rather forcedly, across the hall. Immediately, Yan stepped down from the stage to take a closer look at the duo.
The commander’s exceptional greeting caused Xiyu to suspect what today’s assembly had in hold for them. They had only been with Yan for slightly over a week and had yet to understand his true character. Since telling her that she was not his descendant, Yan had not provided an ample explanation to Xiyu. She only hoped that all these doubts would be clarified when they returned home. Neither did she know what Yan's plan was in returning to the island with them. Did he want to assume his position as founder of the island? Yet, he had claimed she was the owner of the island and not him.
Without wasting any time, Dongyue hastily asked the commander if there were whereabouts of his companions. Xiyu realised how responsible and trustworthy he was as a companion. How could she even doubt this man even without the bonding, thinking that he would abandon her?
Xiyu realised that the commander was not a human but a half-celestial, due to the redness of his pupils. These half-celestials could live for an undefined lifespan. It made sense that since Yan was locked up for two thousand years no less, his minions were still very much alive, awaiting his return in the Ice Temple, a diverse structure formed from his consciousness and will.
The man nodded wistfully in response to Dongyue’s question. He was a very thin man, one of the four commanders under Yan’s order. He appeared to be a very loyal man. Dongyue believed him.
“They are recuperating in the rooms.” He didn’t need to say any more for Dongyue to get the idea of what had occurred to his friends.
Dongyue turned to face Xiyu with a crestfallen look. She laid a hand on his assuringly. The bull demons were not kind folk. She was positive that they would have come to some damage, but she avoided telling Dongyue, as she fathomed that he would not be able to accept the truth about their companions living through a bull demon’s torture. Their torture came in different forms and after all, Xiao Tian was Dongyue’s sworn brother. Thus, saying that he would be worried was an understatement. She had not wished for him to be distracted while they were in the Temple. Life was predestined.
“Dongyue, Ancestor Yan will have a way to help them. Keep your hopes up high. After all, you are a healer.”
But the damage dealt would have been chilling even to just witness. She could not explain to him the bizarre ways the bull demons tortured their prey, or rather, prisoners-of-war. She comprehended that there was a reason why the bull demons had not imprisoned them but instead, trapped them in the lower levels. Whatever the reason was, it most likely had something to do with her heritage. They had worked for so long for Muxue Yan, and it was probable that one look at Xiyu told them she was linked to Yan. They did somewhat share the same eyes. She hadn’t noticed the similarity at first, but now, she was beginning to realise her resemblance to Yan.
And then, Minami. Why had she looked so much like Minami? Who was Minami to her?
The guards began blowing on a trumpet, and Yan returned to the stage, having identified the bull-demons and confirmed that
The various commanders under Yan’s order took their seats among the crowd. He had four commanders, all of whom had a very simple name associated: South, East, West and North (according to the four directions in Chinese culture). West had been the very person who was responsible for apprehending the rebel duo.
The audience appeared very focused as if expecting something big to happen. Muxue Yan’s minions ranged from the lesser races such as demons and devils, human-looking guards with some demonic air about them, the fae that originated from the Xuancang mountains, half-celestials and celestials, as well as people like her who had some celestial blood but were however not celestials.
The properties from the celestial heritage she and these people owned were enough for them to have a longer lifespan and be capable of abilities regular humans could not. In Xiyu’s case, it was her innate ability to cast magic. Some others made superior archers, and others had unique skills in refining weapons and gems, hence Yan had assigned them to the forge located deep in the Temple.
Yan resumed his speech. “...I wish to announce that the marriage ceremony between my successor, Muxue Xiyu to Zhan Dongyue will be held in three days from now.” The spectators cheered, and Xiyu trembled. She had no idea about this arrangement, and even Dongyue appeared puzzled. He should have been joyous from this verdict, but why was he appearing so tense instead? Did he know something that she didn’t, about Yan?
“Come, children.”
Dongyue took Xiyu’s hand and together, they walked towards the stage. The long train of her dress swept across the hard tiles of the ground, appearing like a bright flash of red in the distance. Everything appeared to happen so fast, making her unsure about what was on Yan’s mind. But Dongyue's warm paw on her chilly hand allowed her to retain her cold composure. If that's what Yan ordered, she would have to listen to her predecessor’s words and marry Dongyue. Nonetheless, she was his bonded mate. Such bonds could only be undone with death, and she would live for a very long time.
With the connection in place, Dongyue understood her concern. Even after they had the ritual and he had made sexual advances on her, she was still doubtful. There was no denying that Hanshan had injured her deeply with his betrayal. Even when she was aware that their soul-bond directly translated that departure could result in the death of one or both of them, she was still afraid to trust him.
In her mind, men were heartless creatures prone to torment. Like what happened with Hanshan, maybe in the future, when he met a Wang Xi’er that would turn him to her side, maybe he would change. In the land where he was from, it was common for the men to take several wives and concubines. She was determined to protect her heart and feelings.
She glanced at him coldly as they stepped up the stage. Yan touched her head gently, and it seemed to the audience that he was merely endowing her with power. Xiyu swallowed deeply as she realised what was happening. Not only had her powers grown tremendously after receiving a fraction of his demonic power, but he had also presented to her a profound memory. She understood that it was Muxue Yan’s memory, as she visited his feelings as he watched the baby in the crib.
Now that it was clear that Muxue Yan was her father, did it mean that she was Muxue Yunxi, the infant that was frozen in time for no apparent reason? And given the fact that she was indeed his daughter, why did Yan announce that she was merely his descendant? Was he intending to plan something heinous, that he needed to keep her identity a secret?
She heard Yan whisper, ‘Child, we will get everything back. From the death of your mother to how I was chained and imprisoned like a madman here.’
Xiyu shivered as she looked towards this man who was her biological father, and for a long second, she sensed no benevolence in his words. She had never felt a father-daughter bond with the father that had brought her up in the past. Even with Yan, he only seemed to care about her a bit compared to her ‘father’, although such fatherly concern was the most she had ever received all her life. Was it true that he was her father?
Was he intending to seek vengeance for Ao Yun’s death, and what did he want to do?