Chapter 425: Hu Liena: Did You Ever Like Me?
"Huh?" Dai Yao was momentarily stunned. How had the conversation suddenly veered toward marriage? This was quite a turn.
Seeing Dai Yao's reaction, Ning Fengzhi pretended to look displeased and asked sternly, "What? You don't want to marry Rongrong?"
Dai Yao immediately waved his hands in denial and glanced at Ning Rongrong, only to find her looking back with hopeful eyes. He understood what she wanted. After all these years, it was time he gave her an answer. Although they were already engaged, his journey to Sea God Island would require him to be away for several years.
It would be unfair to her to remain without official recognition, especially as she would be joining him alongside several other women.
"Uncle Ning, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm unwilling. It's just that Rongrong and I are only twenty-one—perhaps it's a bit early?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at his daughter and smiled gently. "Not at all. You're both over twenty. When I was your age, I was already married. Before, with you constantly traveling, I couldn't expect you to give Rongrong a formal commitment. But now, with an opportunity and with you about to leave for Sea God Island, I must insist."
"Since I'm here, I'll speak on behalf of Rongrong. If you agree, we can set a date for the wedding."
Dai Yao looked at Ning Rongrong and then noticed the expressions of Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing. Both were filled with yearning, while Feng Wutong, the most reserved of the four, gazed at Ning Rongrong with admiration.
A thought struck him—if Ning Rongrong was waiting for this day, then surely Dugu Yan and the others were too.
"Uncle Ning, I have no objections, but…"
"But what?" Ning Fengzhi's gaze bore into Dai Yao. Beside him, Sword Douluo's sharp eyes watched Dai Yao intently, clearly ready to object if Dai Yao voiced any hint of reluctance.
Just then, a raspy voice spoke up from the other end of the table.
"You have some conscience, remembering Yan Yan too. I'll say it for you—are you thinking of marrying Yan Yan as well?"
Everyone turned to see Dugu Bo, watching Dai Yao with a knowing grin.
Ning Fengzhi suddenly understood Dai Yao's hesitation. He quickly deduced that Dai Yao might not be thinking of only marrying Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan. Dai Yao had engaged with all four women, and if he wanted to treat each of them equally, it would make sense for him to marry all four at once.
Leaning on his jade staff, Ning Fengzhi smiled knowingly and said, "From the looks of it, Dai Yao, I'd wager you don't just want to marry two people, do you?"
Dai Yao gave an embarrassed smile, glancing apologetically at Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Dugu Bo before turning back to look earnestly at the four women who were gazing back at him. In a serious tone, he said, "Uncle Ning, you're right. If I'm going to make a commitment, I can't favor some over others. I don't want to let any of them down…"
"So, you intend to marry all four of them?" Dugu Bo muttered, narrowing his eyes and giving Dai Yao an exasperated look.
"Grandpa~" Dugu Yan, seeing Dugu Bo's displeasure, hurried forward to cling to his arm, pleading sweetly.
Although she had been slighted by Dai Yao's choice, she also wished he'd make a commitment to her, allowing her to remain at his side with rightful recognition. At the same time, she didn't want to force him into a decision that would have him marrying them one at a time, as this would inevitably leave someone feeling neglected.
Zhu Zhuqing had been with him the longest; Ning Rongrong, as the daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, held the highest status and had contributed the most support; and Feng Wutong's loyalty to Dai Yao was equally unmatched. As for herself, she had provided Dai Yao with plenty of help, but her initial intentions for joining him had not been so pure.
Thus, a joint wedding for all four of them was the most advantageous. So when she saw Dugu Bo's dissatisfaction, she stepped in quickly.
Dugu Yan's affectionate plea left Dugu Bo defenseless, and he gently patted her hand, saying in a low voice, "Yan Yan, I hope you don't come to regret this."
Dugu Yan didn't reply, but her resolute expression was all the answer Dugu Bo needed.
"Fine…" Dugu Bo sighed deeply and finally relented. "I have no objections."
Seeing Dugu Bo agree, Ning Fengzhi looked surprised. His gaze then shifted to his daughter, and he asked with a gentle smile, "Rongrong, are you willing to marry Dai Yao alongside the others?"
Ning Rongrong squeezed her hands nervously. Glancing at Dai Yao, her gaze softened, and she replied, "Father, I am willing."
She had waited a long time for this. Now that her wish was finally within reach, she didn't want any complications. Compared to Zhu Zhuqing, who had been with Dai Yao longer, or Dugu Yan, who had dedicated her entire clan's resources to him, or even Feng Wutong, whose loyalty was unparalleled, she felt she had done the least.
Moreover, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Feng Wutong were all extraordinary women in their own right. Marrying Dai Yao alongside them was no disgrace.
Ning Fengzhi exchanged a look with Sword Douluo, whose expression showed discontent. Allowing Ning Rongrong to be with Dai Yao despite his other romantic connections was already a strain on Sword Douluo's patience.
Now that Dai Yao would be marrying all four women simultaneously, thus publicizing the situation, Sword Douluo found it hard to accept. He had been willing to allow Ning Rongrong to be with Dai Yao, but he had no intention of making such an arrangement public.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a slight smile. "If the children have accepted it, we as their elders shouldn't say more. Very well, Dai Yao, I leave Rongrong in your care. Let's set the wedding date for a month from now."
Sword Douluo's expression softened slightly, and he cast Dai Yao a deep look, sighing in resignation.
Everyone else present watched silently, captivated by the exchange between Dai Yao and the titled Douluo. Seeing Ning Fengzhi agree to let his daughter marry Dai Yao, they were incredulous. Ning Rongrong was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heiress, after all, yet she was willing to share a husband.
Meanwhile, the younger disciples looked at Dai Yao with admiration. Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, along with Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, were all peerless beauties, and all were now set to marry Dai Yao—an enviable fate.
"So be it, as Uncle Ning has said," Dai Yao finally replied.
A week later.
The news of Dai Yao's upcoming wedding had spread across the entire continent, thanks to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Countless friends and acquaintances of Dai Yao began making their way to Hanhai City to attend.
At the Azure Lotus Sect's main hall.
Dai Yao was speaking with some of his guests when Juque entered the room hastily. After a brief exchange with the guards, she approached him, casting a pleading glance in his direction.
Dai Yao looked up, puzzled by her expression. "Juque, you may speak freely. We're all among friends here."
Juque hesitated, struggling to speak, before finally insisting, "Young Master, I'd still prefer to speak with you privately."
Given the identity of the visitor, she couldn't speak in front of everyone. If Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, or the others knew who had come to see Dai Yao, it would make his life quite difficult.
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat at her request, and he gave Juque a long, searching look.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Dai Yao's hesitation and smiled, saying, "Go ahead, Brother Yao. Perhaps Juque has something important to discuss."
Dai Yao nodded, leaving the hall with Juque.
Outside the main hall, in a quiet corner.
"Speak, what's the matter?"
Dai Yao glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby before turning to Juque and asking, "What is it?"
Juque took a deep breath and replied solemnly, "Young Master, the Holy Maiden, Hu Liena, is here. She's asking to see you specifically."
Dai Yao's pupils contracted.
If there was anyone in the Spirit Hall whom Dai Yao felt he owed, it was Hu Liena. Though he'd once saved her life in the City of Hell, he had since hidden his true identity, deceiving her time and time again, ruthlessly shattering her illusions. It was something that weighed heavily on him.
"Young Master, do you wish to see her?" Juque asked carefully, watching Dai Yao as he fell silent.
Flashes of past memories flickered in Dai Yao's mind. Perhaps Hu Liena had come to Hanhai City because she'd heard about his upcoming marriage. It was time he resolved things between them once and for all—either by severing her hopes entirely or by accepting her, without any more delay.
He inhaled deeply, the slightly salty sea breeze filling his lungs, and finally said, "Take me to her."
Outside Hanhai City.
On the endless, azure shore, a solitary figure stood with her back to the city. The sea breeze stirred her shoulder-length, amber hair, enhancing her allure. Yet her usually enticing eyes held a hint of sadness as she gazed out at the ocean in a daze.
Footsteps crunched softly in the sand behind her, but Hu Liena didn't turn. She continued to look out at the sea and spoke softly, "You've come..."
Dai Yao watched her quietly. Since leaving the City of Hell, this was the first time he was meeting Hu Liena as himself, without the pretense of a hidden identity. Hearing the wistfulness in her voice, he nodded and replied, "I'm here."
Hu Liena's lips curved in a slight smile at his response, but her expression quickly returned to sadness. Dai Yao was about to be married, and her feelings for him were nothing more than a foolish, one-sided fantasy. He'd only come to see her as a farewell. What was there to be happy about?
"I thought with your wedding coming up, you wouldn't come to see me," Hu Liena murmured.
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat. It seemed she still hadn't let go. Just as in the original story, Hu Liena had fallen for someone she wasn't meant to love. Even though that person had eventually killed her teacher and destroyed her world, she couldn't forget him.
And in this life, Dai Yao had done nothing to truly wrong her.
"For all these years, I've hidden my identity, deceiving you over and over. I owe you an apology," Dai Yao said earnestly.
Hu Liena froze, then tears misted in her autumn-like eyes. She bit her lip to keep them from falling, not understanding how Dai Yao's simple words could nearly break through the emotional defenses she'd built up.
After a long pause, she took a deep breath, barely managing to steady herself, and replied, "It doesn't matter… The past… it's all in the past. I came because His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, sent me. She wants to meet you—"
But before she could finish, Dai Yao cut her off, his tone flat. "I don't want to see her."
Dai Yao found it difficult to forgive Bibi Dong, who had betrayed him and attempted to kill him, even though there were misunderstandings between them. All his efforts had been met with Bibi Dong's murderous intent.
Hu Liena looked stunned, turning to gaze at Dai Yao in disbelief. Dai Yao's departure from the Spirit Hall had always felt shrouded in mystery. Why had he left? Why had Bibi Dong spared him and forbidden anyone from pursuing him?
For a moment, she felt lost.
What secret lay between Dai Yao and Bibi Dong? Why would Dai Yao refuse to meet with her? And why hadn't Bibi Dong come to Hanhai City herself but instead sent her to pass on the message?
As the wind blew through Hu Liena's amber hair and fluttered her cloak, she looked as striking as ever. Seeing the worry on her face, Dai Yao sighed.
"It's better if you don't involve yourself in matters between Bibi Dong and me. Knowing too much will only bring you pain."
Hu Liena tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, forcing a small smile. "Will you walk with me?"
Dai Yao nodded.
They walked side by side along the edge of the shore, waves lapping at their feet, maintaining a respectful distance between them.
After a few moments of small talk, Hu Liena tilted her head, smiling as she looked at Dai Yao. "Dai Yao, it's the first time in all these years that you've taken a walk with me without hiding your identity. It's… quite moving."
Dai Yao hesitated, unable to meet Hu Liena's intense gaze. "Yes, I'm sorry about what happened back then."
Hu Liena turned her gaze forward, her hands clasped behind her back as she walked with a lighter step, a faint smile returning to her face. "It doesn't matter anymore. And I never did congratulate you on defeating your enemies. I only regret that I couldn't do more to help from the Spirit Hall."
Dai Yao shook his head, his voice calm. "The Spirit Hall has helped me enough. There's no need for you to feel guilty. Just make sure you don't disappoint Bibi Dong—keep up your cultivation."
He worried that her feelings for him might slow her progress in cultivation.
Hu Liena bit her lip, then glanced back at the imposing silhouette of Hanhai City in the distance, sighing wistfully. "Thank you for your concern. But I'm not just anyone; even if I can't compare to you, my cultivation has far surpassed Yan and Xie Yue's in the Spirit Hall. Still, who would have thought that in just a few years, you'd not only grow so powerful but also establish such a formidable force? Compared to you, I'm really nothing."
Dai Yao simply smiled, offering no reply.
After a few moments, Hu Liena stopped in her tracks, biting her lip as her gaze wavered. "So, you're about to get married. And to four wives at once, no less. How absurd. How did you convince them to accept such a ridiculous idea?"
Dai Yao looked at the waves rolling toward the shore, a vision of Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong's faces coming to mind. He smiled and said, "To be honest, I find it hard to believe too. That they'd be willing to share their lives with me… I owe them everything."
"They love you. That's why they're willing to share you. And… so am I." Hu Liena's voice softened. "Now that things have come to this, I want an answer. Did you ever like me?"
Dai Yao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He looked up abruptly, meeting Hu Liena's intense, longing gaze.
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