Chapter 64 - 61: Heaven-Stealing Substitute Body Technique
Xia Lianxue rested her cheek in her palm.
Truth be told, she wasn’t entirely sure of Lu Changyuan’s identity at this point.
She didn’t care what his identity was, though. None of that mattered. As long as Lu Changyuan was still the same Young Physician from all those years ago, that was all that mattered.
But at the very least, she had recognized him as a Yao Guang Cultivator.
The Vermilion Sword and White Hidden Sword were less like swords and more like a form of Magic.
’The Young Physician who they said had no affinity for cultivation became so strong after all.’
’A Young Physician like him must have had many female admirers after joining the Cultivation Realm.’
Xia Lianxue couldn’t help but think.
So on the night of the Drunken Red Simurgh incident, when Lu Changyuan was exhausted, she had secretly asked, "Have you ever liked anyone before, Young Master?"
Lu Changyuan had simply patted her head and said they had a long future ahead of them.
’Even a Young Physician as Supreme Heartless as him, his heart still pounds when I have him in the palm of my hand.’
Xia Lianxue chuckled softly.
She felt her obsession with the Young Physician was a bit too deep. If she hadn’t later achieved her Dao in the void, she would have inevitably been corrupted by a Desire Demon.
’You see? The moment I set foot in the Red Dust again, I was ensnared.’
’The Young Physician has saved me so many times.’
’Young Master is so amazing. He’ll surely be a titan of the Cultivation Realm one day.’
"Oh, Young Master!"
The Little Fairy covered her mouth with her hand as she watched Lu Changyuan walk in. The young man was dressed in a groom’s suit of ink-wash red, looking incredibly handsome. He even gave off the warm feeling of a plum blossom gracing the city of Luoyang.
’Who knows how many girls’ hearts he’ll break in the future.’
The very thought made Xia Lianxue’s heart ache a little.
"You look so handsome, Young Master."
Lu Changyuan replied helplessly, "Be serious. We’re in a life-or-death situation right now."
"He is, indeed." Unexpectedly, the Third Princess, who was sitting beside them, also chimed in.
The Ink-Wash People chanted, "Bow to Heaven and Earth, my lord! It’s time to bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The scenery in the great hall changed abruptly. The Ink-Wash People swarmed forward, shrieking, "Bow to Heaven and Earth! Bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Lu Changyuan struck again with his sword.
This time, the Ink-Wash People dissolved into ink, only to immediately reform on the spot. They swarmed him again, still shrieking about bowing to Heaven and Earth.
Lu Changyuan said, "You keep talking about bowing to Heaven and Earth, but where’s the bride?"
The crowd of Ink-Wash People didn’t answer him. They just continued to shriek about bowing to Heaven and Earth.
"Young Master, try walking up to the seats of honor."
"You seem to be enjoying this!"
The Little Fairy beamed, showing not a hint of nervousness. "But isn’t this how a wedding ceremony is supposed to go?"
Lu Changyuan shook his head and resignedly walked up to the two chairs.
"Bow to Heaven and Earth! Bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The Ink-Wash People all turned in unison to look at Su Youwan.
The Third Prince was blindfolded with a white cloth, so no one could see the emotion in her eyes. But they could see her point a finger at herself. "Me?"
’What does this have to do with me?’
’Didn’t I just come for the wedding feast?’
For a rare moment, the blindfolded Female Bodhisattva seemed almost human.
Xia Lianxue looked at Lu Changyuan with a smile. "Young Master, would you like to perform the wedding ceremony with the Third Princess?"
The Ink-Wash People suddenly snapped their heads around as if they could see Xia Lianxue for the first time. They resumed their shrieking, "Bow to Heaven and Earth! Bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Lu Changyuan’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed. He had figured out Ancestor Red Simurgh’s trick.
He then took a few steps to Xia Lianxue’s side, grasped the Fairy’s pale wrist, and led her before the two chairs.
"Perfect. I said before that we needed to have a proper wedding ceremony. Let’s do it here."
Xia Lianxue froze for a second, her earlobes flushing red. She wasn’t wearing a Jiayi right now.
Once Lu Changyuan and Xia Lianxue were in position, the Ink-Wash People shrieked in a high-pitched voice, "First Bow, to Heaven and Earth!"
Lu Changyuan nodded at Xia Lianxue.
The two performed the first bow.
"Second Bow, to the Elders!"
Just then, Lu Changyuan’s hand suddenly tightened its grip on Xia Lianxue’s.
"Young Master?"
When a Demon is born in the Spirit Platform, the heart grows confused.
Xia Lianxue herself probably didn’t even notice that something had already used the connection of the Red Simurgh Tribulation Body to latch onto her.
Lu Changyuan smiled. "Do you want to continue?"
"I do."
Xia Lianxue replied almost subconsciously, but she felt a little confused. Her thoughts were starting to become muddled.
’No, my thinking has been sluggish ever since I stepped into this hall.’
It was as if someone was whispering in her ear, "Go on with the ceremony. Haven’t you been looking forward to this moment?"
’Something feels wrong.’
’But since Young Master hasn’t said anything is wrong, it must be fine.’
’Besides, Young Master has such a mischievous smile on his face.’
It was a smile Xia Lianxue had never seen before, but one that Xia Yutang had.
The memory of him climbing over the wall that year seemed to flash before her eyes.
Many years ago, the Young Physician had worn this exact expression when he snuck a little girl out to see the lantern festival at night.
And whenever Lu Changyuan wore that smile, it meant someone was in for a world of hurt.
Xia Lianxue quickly understood Lu Changyuan’s intention. Besides, she truly did want to perform the three bows with him.
And so, the two of them faced the chairs and performed the second bow.
"Bow to Your Spouse!"
Then came the third bow.
Suddenly, the Little Fairy was wearing a Jiayi—the very same one that had been in her burial mound. For some reason, it was here now, and a red veil concealed her face.
Lu Changyuan said softly, "Let’s bow."
The bride nodded. Without a word, she bowed to Lu Changyuan.
"Ceremony... complete!"
The Ink-Wash People suddenly surged forward, and Xia Lianxue vanished.
Su Youwan’s ethereal voice drifted over. "Young Master Lu, you don’t seem surprised at all."
Lu Changyuan turned back, his expression serene. "She wanted a wedding ceremony. Before, all I did was lift her veil. I had to give her the rest."
"Then how will we find Miss Xia?"
"No need to look. Follow me. We’re going to the bridal chamber."
The Female Bodhisattva froze, then pointed at herself again. "Me?"
Lu Changyuan realized how that could be misinterpreted and felt a headache coming on. "Just follow me. Or don’t. It’s up to you."
A smile touched Su Youwan’s lips. "I want to see this, too. Since you two don’t have any other friends here, I suppose I’ll have to be the one to crash the bridal chamber."
The two of them went around the main hall, following a trail of red silk ribbons, and just as expected, they found the bridal chamber.
Lu Changyuan shoved the wooden door open.
Su Youwan asked, "Are you sure you want me to come in?"
"Suit yourself."
As if thinking of something amusing, Lu Changyuan strode inside.
Before a festive red bed sat a woman in a Jiayi, her hands folded primly in her lap. Not far away lay the ceremonial scale for lifting the veil and the nuptial wine.
"Young Master Lu, this doesn’t seem appropriate."
Despite saying it wasn’t appropriate, Su Youwan followed him in.
Lu Changyuan pointed at the bride. "About five thousand years ago, there was a Dharma called the Heaven-Stealing Substitute Body Technique. It’s a truly vicious art. It allows for Possession by replacing a cultivator in the hearts and minds of their loved ones."
For instance, what would happen to a man if his parents, his friends, and his wife no longer recognized him, but instead believed someone else was him?
That person would, for all intents and purposes, be utterly replaced.