Chapter 5896
“Alright, since you accept the punishment, then I will…”
“Wait, I’ll decide Kai’s punishment!” said the Earthfire Ancestor!
Huo Fentian was stunned, not expecting the Ancestor to speak personally.
He bowed respectfully: “Ancestor, please tell me, how should Kai be punished?”
The Earthfire Ancestor’s fiery body rippled slightly, his golden flame-like eyes scanning back and forth between Kai and Huo Ling’er, finally revealing a meaningful smile:
“Since Ling’er says Kai is her man, then let the two of them marry immediately and become Daoist partners. In this way, Kai will no longer be an outsider, but the son-in-law of my Earthfire Pavilion. The crime of trespassing into the forbidden area will naturally be waived.”
“What?!”
“Marry?!”
“Immediately?!”
A series of exclamations rang out in the cave.
Huo Fentian was dumbfounded.
The elders looked at each other in disbelief.
Huo Ling’er’s pretty face instantly turned red, like a ripe apple, so embarrassed that she almost fainted.
Kai was also stunned; he never expected the Earthfire Ancestor’s punishment to be like this.
“Ancestor…this…”
Huo Fentian opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
“What? My words no longer carry weight?”
The Earth Fire Ancestor’s voice deepened, and the temperature of the entire cave suddenly rose, the lava pool even boiling.
Huo Fentian hurriedly bowed: “This disciple dares not! But…how can a marriage be so hasty? Moreover, Ling’er is the princess of the Earth Fire Pavilion, the wedding should be grand, inviting guests from all sides…”
“Why bother with formalities?”
The Earth Fire Ancestor interrupted him, “With the Evil Path Palace army pressing in, where is there time for a grand wedding? Marry immediately and settle this matter. We can hold a celebration later after defeating the Evil Path Palace.”
He looked at Kai: “Little fellow, are you willing?”
Kai’s mind raced.
The Earth Fire Ancestor’s move, seemingly absurd, was actually brilliant.
First, it resolved Kai’s crime of trespassing into the forbidden area, making him a son-in-law, naturally not an outsider.
Second, it completely bound Kai to the Earth Fire Pavilion’s war chariot. With this relationship, Kai had to do everything in his power to help the Earthfire Pavilion fight against the Evil Path Hall.
Thirdly, Kai possessed the bloodline of the Golden Dragon and was exceptionally talented. If he could become the son-in-law of the Earthfire Pavilion, it would greatly benefit the pavilion’s future development and even help him reshape his physical body.
As for himself…
Kai looked at Huo Ling’er.
Huo Ling’er was looking down, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, her pretty face flushed crimson.
Although she was shy, there was no resistance in her eyes; instead, there was a hint of expectation.
To be fair, Huo Ling’er was stunningly beautiful, of noble birth, kind and brave, and deeply devoted to him.
To become her Daoist partner would be a great blessing.
However… Kai had other women in his heart, and too many unfinished business.
But then he thought, he and Huo Ling’er already had mutual feelings, and Huo Ling’er had just publicly declared him her man, binding her reputation to his own.
If he refused now, it would not only hurt Huo Ling’er’s feelings but also cause her to lose face in the Earthfire Pavilion.
More importantly, he still needed the power of the Earth Fire Pavilion to fight against the Evil Path Hall, and he needed the Earth Fire Ancestor to point out the location of the Earth Core Jade Marrow Milk…
“I do,” Kai said slowly, taking a deep breath.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly.
Huo Ling’er trembled, abruptly raising her head, her eyes flashing with surprise and disbelief.
“However,”
Kai continued, “although Ling’er and I are deeply in love, this marriage must be with Ling’er’s consent. If she is unwilling, I will not force her.”
All eyes turned to Huo Ling’er.
Huo Ling’er bit her lip, looking at Kai, her eyes shimmering with tears.
She took a deep breath, mustering her courage: “I…I do.”
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, but in the silent cave, it was as clear as thunder.
The Earth Fire Ancestor laughed heartily: “Good! Since that’s the case, then let’s get married immediately! Fen Tian, you will preside!”
Huo Fen Tian smiled bitterly, but dared not disobey the Ancestor’s command.
He glanced at his daughter, then at Kai, and finally sighed, “Very well, since the Ancestor has given the order, and you two are mutually in love, then… let’s get married.”
He turned to an elder and said, “Pass down the order, everyone in the Earthfire Pavilion, prepare for the princess and Kai’s wedding immediately. It doesn’t need to be too grand, but the proper rites must be observed.”
“Yes!” The elder accepted the order and left.
The Earthfire Ancestor nodded in satisfaction, “Very good. After the wedding, Kai will go into seclusion in the forbidden area to help me restore my physical body. Once I have reconstructed my physical body, I will personally hold a celebration for you.”
He looked at Kai, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes, “Little fellow, treat Ling’er well. She is someone I watched grow up; if I dare to betray her… hmph.”
Kai solemnly clasped his hands, “Ancestor, rest assured, Kai will not betray Ling’er.”
“Good! Everyone disperse, prepare for the wedding.”
The Earthfire Ancestor’s fiery body slowly dissipated, merging back into the lava pool.
Everyone left the forbidden area.
Huo Fentian looked at Kai and Huo Ling’er standing side by side, his feelings complicated.
He patted Kai on the shoulder: “Kid, treat my daughter well. If you dare bully her, I won’t forgive you.”
“Don’t worry, Father-in-law,” Kai quickly changed his tune.
Huo Fentian’s lips twitched, but he finally sighed and turned to leave.
Soon, only Kai, Huo Ling’er, and the Crimson Cloud Demon Lord remained in the cave.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
The Crimson Cloud Demon Lord tactfully stepped aside, saying, “I’ll go for a walk outside. You two chat.”
After he left, Huo Ling’er blushed and looked at Kai, whispering, “Kai… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to say that. I just wanted to save you…”
“I know,”
Kai said gently. “I should thank you. If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have survived this ordeal.”
“But… but…”
Huo Ling’er bit her lip, “Now that the Ancestor wants us to marry, are you… are you really willing? If you’re not willing, I can talk to the Ancestor…”
“I am willing,”
Kai interrupted her, taking her hand. “Ling’er, you’re a good girl. It’s my blessing to become your Daoist partner.”
He paused, then said sincerely, “It’s just… I carry too many burdens, and there are other women on my shoulders. There may be many dangers in the future. Following me, you might suffer.”