For a moment, the entire arena fell silent. All the spirits held their breath, waiting for a response. As for the audience? Quite a few spectators wanted to whoop and holler, but under Ji Huaichu's request, a powerful figure maintaining order cleverly isolated everyone in the stands from the competition area with a sound barrier.
This was a genuine, serious proposal, every word the most sincere outpouring of Ji Huaichu's emotions. But if… Mu Anqi wasn't ready, Ji Huaichu wouldn't allow any possibility of the crowd pressuring her little money tree into an awkward position.
It's just that if this attempt failed, planning the next proposal probably wouldn't have such a grand setting.
However, what Ji Huaichu didn't expect was that Mu Anqi was completely stunned. She truly couldn't form a coherent thought, only instinctively shedding tears continuously. Even the people and objects around her besides Ji Huaichu blurred into indistinct shadows at this moment. Even if there were countless cheers and shouts, she would probably have blocked them out completely.
It was… a proposal?
Mu Anqi choked with tears, throwing her arms around Ji Huaichu's neck. "I do, of course I… I do."
"Wow!"—Xia Fenghua was the first to shriek in delight. The three deputy generals guarding the fireworks looked at the screen and revealed fond, knowing smiles.
Following this response, even larger fireworks shot into the sky with a "whoosh" and exploded. The illusory dragon and phoenix in the clouds let out high, clear cries of celebration. Petal by petal, flower blossoms drifted down with the wind, and the nimble red silk ribbons gracefully swam to Mu Anqi's side, encircling both her and Ji Huaichu. The aerial camera zoomed in, capturing in real-time the image of the two embracing and kissing within the red heart.
"I suppose I don't need to give another wedding gift, right?" Yu Chuhan, who was manipulating the illusions, muttered to herself. "Forget it… I'll give a little more."
As for Lady Red on the other side, silently watching the scene—though also moved by the situation—the persistent, faint ache in her chest left her feeling somewhat conflicted. "She actually really married a player." One must remember, the spirits who came to this continent always had their own obsessions and lingering attachments.
"Madame, you should prepare a gift," Wan Jin reminded her aptly.
Lady Red: "Oh, yes."
After the kiss, Ji Huaichu held Mu Anqi in her arms once more. In this moment, scenes from the past flashed through her mind like a film. The suffering and wounds, the clashing of blades, blood, and bones, the battles, honors, and subsequent betrayals from her lifetime, followed by the obsessions and resentments that lingered after becoming a spirit and arriving in this world.
The Ji Huaichu of the past had shaped the Ji Huaichu of the present.
As she truly let go of certain things from the past and poured her obsessions, attachments, and emotions into Mu Anqi, the imposing aura around Ji Huaichu noticeably receded in an instant. There were no strange celestial phenomena, no violent fluctuations—just in the space of a breath, Ji Huaichu's entire being seemed to lighten—
Kaiyuan, Second Class.
At this point, the Ghost Kings who had been pulled in as background props were utterly expressionless.
Bai Yulai's expression was also one of extreme pleasure. Watching Ji Huaichu and Mu Anqi on the stage, it was as if she saw her own future. Her fluffy tail gave a light flick, scattering a handful of white fur, from which countless little white fox pups materialized with soft yips, encircling the two on the platform.
Mu Anqi finally felt a bit embarrassed. She and Ji Huaichu had been whispering intimately and clinging to each other for so long, with so many people watching. Staying any longer wouldn't be proper. She gently pushed Ji Huaichu. "General, that's about enough."
"What do you think… about holding the wedding right after the Feast of Extreme Bliss ends?" Since she had planned the proposal, Ji Huaichu had naturally thought about the subsequent wedding plans as well. Although the arrangements weren't fully set yet, she had already purchased and prepared all the necessary materials and items. Now that Mu Anqi had accepted, they could hold a grand wedding immediately after the Feast concluded.
Hmm, it was convenient with the Ghost Kings and Demon Kings already here—easy to deliver the invitations. As for Miss White, she could just send Xia Fenghua on an errand.
"Anything is fine with me," Mu Anqi said softly. "General, did you plan all of this?"
"Ever since we connected hearts, the General's Manor has been eagerly awaiting its new mistress." Ji Huaichu didn't answer directly. She picked Mu Anqi up and stepped down from the platform, unable to resist kissing her beloved's cheek again, whispering, "You'll have to bear being alone for a little while soon."
The Feast of Extreme Bliss competition had ended, and it was naturally time to proceed to the main event.
Mu Anqi blinked, answering in her heart: "What 'bearing' is there to talk about? The General is the one who shares my heart."
Ji Huaichu smiled.
She walked over to thank Yu Chuhan, Lady Red, and the other spirits who had helped, then informed her deputy generals and Xia Fenghua that their bonuses would be doubled this month. The fireworks outside the arena blazed even more brilliantly, the sound barrier dissipated, and the cheers and whoops from the audience instantly flooded in. Amidst this applause, Ji Huaichu, holding Mu Anqi's hand and accompanied by a crowd of fluffy creatures, walked out of the arena track.
Getting married? Getting married!
Ji Huaichu's mind was completely filled with the wedding. Even after reluctantly parting from Mu Anqi and sitting in the conference room, she seemed lost in thought, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling, her head entirely occupied with wedding plans. How should the General's Manor be decorated? Should the wedding follow ancient customs or the trendy styles from Mu Anqi's world? Oh, would they need flower girls? If so, Xia Fenghua's age probably wasn't suitable; should they find a few cute young little demons? I wonder if there are any suitable candidates among Qing Tian's four-leaf clover family…
"Ahem."
"Tap."
When Lady Red, feigning nonchalance, tapped the table surface again to draw Ji Huaichu's attention, she spoke with a faint smile, "Regarding the discovery of the Black Mirror Vortex, perhaps I should discuss it with everyone in detail tomorrow. Everyone must be tired from the competition today; it would be better to rest for the night."
"As for the territory division, it can follow the competition rankings." Lady Red drew a few circles on the map, all in the wilderness around the General's Manor's main city—untamed outskirts, as nobody had previously wanted to be neighbors with Ji Huaichu. Now that Ji Huaichu had gained more land, it was better to assign the surrounding areas to her. "Ji Huaichu, take a look."
"Mmm, good. I have no objections." Ji Huaichu looked at the additional territory, thinking that He Guxia had helped too; she should build her a sword practice platform on the mountain and a new house. As for the rest… the main city could expand forward a bit. The back mountain? Still for games. But that forest east of the city could be renovated… build a, build a shooting range for Mu Anqi? There's also this lake, now assigned to her too; they could create a fishing area or develop boat tours, some water activities… Find a spot in the city to build a swimming pool; the little money tree would probably enjoy that. What else to build? So much new territory… Ah, right, should also recruit a few chefs and open a large restaurant.
The formidable Ghost-Faced General, seemingly expressionless and deep in thought, was actually filled from head to toe with thoughts of her little money tree.
Lady Red: "…"
Even if you keep a straight face, it's useless. The aura you're radiating gives you away completely.
For some reason, the ache in her chest returned. Not only that, but the very air seemed to be filled with a sour, astringent smell.
However, when Lady Red calmly scanned the room, she found the expressions of the other Ghost Kings and Demon Kings present were all quite peculiar, as if thoroughly soured by the scene.
"Let's discuss the Black Mirror Vortex matter tomorrow. Everyone is tired, let's return early and rest," the Fox Clan Ancestor finally spoke. She smiled as she looked at Ji Huaichu, gave an extremely kindly nod, and waved her hand.
Once she spoke, Yansha also agreed, "Everyone, return and rest. Recover your energy; we'll discuss it tomorrow."
"…My apologies." Ji Huaichu was startled for a moment. "Thank you, everyone."
"How rare. This is the first time General Ji has been so polite," the Thunder Roc Clan Leader couldn't help but muse. But then, thinking of Ji Huaichu's transformation over the past year, he felt this "rare" occurrence wasn't so rare after all.
—Does falling in love with a player bring about such great change and benefit? Or is this simply the power of love?
Watching Ji Huaichu's retreating back, which could almost be described as brisk, the remaining Ghost Kings couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
…
If you asked Mu Anqi what had changed in her interactions with Ji Huaichu after the proposal, she would answer: Nothing at all.
Admittedly, when the General returned to their room, even though she appeared very calm and composed, Mu Anqi could still sense her excitement. But even so, Ji Huaichu's behavior towards Mu Anqi still remained within bounds.
"Which do you prefer, a wedding from your world, or the ancient style?" Ji Huaichu asked. As for the betrothal gifts or bride price… regardless of which style, offering the entire General's City was more than enough.
"Me? I'm fine with either." Mu Anqi was stunned by the question; she had no experience in this area either.
"Alright then." Ji Huaichu thought that it seemed she would have to plan it herself. Given the style of the General's Manor, an ancient-style wedding would be more fitting. But she had never gotten married in her past life either, and her understanding of the procedures was hazy. The traditional "Three Letters and Six Etiquettes" probably weren't necessary, since Ji Huaichu and Mu Anqi only had each other in this world. As for the territory expansion, Ji Huaichu didn't plan to tell Mu Anqi; it would be better kept as a surprise after completion.
Hmm, she would have Xia Fenghua start preparing the construction tomorrow. Such a surprise would be perfect for the day after the wedding.
"General, weren't you having a meeting about the Black Mirror Vortex? You're back so soon?"
"That's for tomorrow. We just divided the territories today." Ji Huaichu took the map from her robes. "Look."
Mu Anqi wasn't very knowledgeable about territory matters, but more was always good. She gazed delightedly at the expanded back mountain, thinking their games could become even more spectacular and utterly inhuman. Ah, adding an illusion maze seemed perfectly reasonable too.
"This is wonderful," Mu Anqi said happily, looking at the territory map. Although the largest territory in Taiyin was still Lady Red's coastal region, after this, her General's domain was no longer small either! The analogy might be a bit off, but Mu Anqi felt she was experiencing the joy of being a landowner.