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Chapter 6: The Gift of Trust and the System's Bounty
The wedding room was a vision of celestial splendor, its crimson silk curtains cascading like waterfalls of fire under the soft glow of spirit lanterns. Golden peonies embroidered on the fabric shimmered, catching the light like stars woven into the mortal realm. A rosewood bed, draped in translucent veils, stood at the heart of the chamber, its carvings of phoenixes and dragons exuding an ancient, majestic aura. Jade vases filled with blooming orchids adorned the corners, their fragrance mingling with the sandalwood and lotus incense wafting from a jade censer. The air was heavy with spiritual energy, as if the heavens themselves blessed this sacred union.
Yun Wushuang sat on the edge of the bed, her scarlet wedding gown clinging to her divine figure, its phoenix-embroidered hem glowing faintly. Her curves, graceful yet powerful, were a testament to her dual nature—elegance honed by the crucible of war. Her veil lay discarded, revealing a face that could rival the moon goddess Chang'e, though a jagged scar traced from brow to cheek, a mark of her battles. Her blush, a rare crack in her icy demeanor, lingered from their passionate kiss, a moment that had set Shi Feng's soul ablaze.
Shi Feng stood before her, his crimson robe slightly askew, his heart a tempest of longing and restraint. The kiss had been a glimpse of paradise, her lips soft as spring petals, warm as a summer dawn. He yearned to kiss her again, to draw her into his arms, to claim her fully as his wife. His body burned with desire, his mind painting a future where her heart was his, her love as fierce as her spear. But his mother's teachings rang clear: Love one woman, cherish her soul, unite only when her heart is yours. Yun Wushuang's kiss, though fervent, was born of gratitude, not love. To press further would betray his vow and tarnish their bond.
With a steadying breath, Shi Feng stepped back, his eyes meeting hers. "Wushuang," he said softly, his voice firm despite the storm within, "forgive my boldness. I wish to honor you, to wait until your heart is ready."
Yun Wushuang's blush deepened, her eyes flickering with surprise. She had braced for a man's greed, as she had seen in countless others—generals, nobles, even her father's allies. Yet Shi Feng, this scorned prince deemed trash, restrained himself, his gaze filled with reverence rather than lust. Her heart, long encased in ice, felt a warmth she could not name. He is different, she thought, her fingers tightening on the bed's silk. Perhaps… he is worth trusting.
She tilted her head, her voice cold yet softer than before. "You surprise me, Shi Feng. Most men would not stop. Speak—what do you wish now?"
Shi Feng smiled, his heart lighter. He reached into his spatial ring, a humble artifact gifted by a palace servant, and withdrew the Golden Dragon Armor. Its scales shimmered with a faint draconic aura, its mid-grade spiritual treasure status a modest yet proud offering in the cultivation world. He knelt before her, holding the armor aloft like a knight presenting a sacred relic.
"Wife," he said, his voice resonating with sincerity, "I wish to give you this as my wedding gift. As you can see, I am but a weak cultivator, unable to offer a high-grade spirit treasure like those of my brothers. This Golden Dragon Armor is all I have, a mid-grade treasure from my father's reluctant hand. Take it for now, Wushuang. I swear, in time, I will gift you a treasure worthy of your valor—a divine artifact that shakes the heavens."
The room fell silent, the lanterns' glow reflecting off the armor's scales. Yun Wushuang's eyes widened, her breath catching. A wedding gift? She had expected nothing from this marriage, a union forged by imperial decree and political schemes. Yet Shi Feng, with his frail cultivation and scorned status, offered her a treasure he could ill afford to part with. The armor, though modest compared to her phoenix-forged gear, carried his heart—a vow of protection, of devotion.
Her scar seemed to pulse, a reminder of her past wounds, but her gaze softened. "Shi Feng," she said, her voice trembling with rare emotion, "you give too much. This armor… it is more than I deserve." She reached out, her fingers brushing the scales, and accepted the gift, her heart stirring with a warmth she had thought lost to war.
As she took the armor, a golden light flared in Shi Feng's mind. The system's voice, ever-watchful, chimed triumphantly: "Gift accepted! Reward: Divine Dragonscale Aegis, ten thousand times greater than the Golden Dragon Armor. Activation delayed to avoid detection. Host, conceal this power!" Shi Feng's heart raced, but he suppressed his excitement. A Divine Dragonscale Aegis? A treasure ten thousand times greater than a mid-grade spiritual artifact was a divine relic, capable of defying even Nascent Soul cultivators. He knew to hide this power, lest his family's greed turn to him.
In return, Yun Wushuang reached into her spatial pouch, withdrawing a small statue carved from gold—a panther, its eyes set with twin emeralds that glowed with an ancient aura. She placed it in his hands, her voice steady but laced with weight. "This is my gift to you, husband. The Golden Panther Statue is no mere trinket. It holds the command seal of my Crimson Phoenix Army—ten thousand elite soldiers, each a cultivator of the Qi Condensation Realm or higher. With this, you can summon them at will, their spears yours to wield."
Shi Feng's eyes widened, his hands trembling as he held the statue. Ten thousand elite soldiers? The Crimson Phoenix Army was a legend, a force that had crushed kingdoms and defied empires. To hold their command was to wield power that rivaled the Shia Family itself. His heart raced, not from greed, but from awe. Wushuang, you trust me with this? The weight of her gift dwarfed his own, a testament to her strength and her faith in him.
The system chimed again, its voice gleeful: "Gift accepted! Reward: Celestial Warlord's Command Seal, ten thousand times greater than the Golden Panther Statue. Activation delayed to avoid detection. Host, conceal this power!" Shi Feng nearly gasped. A Celestial Warlord's Command Seal? Such a treasure could summon not just an army, but a divine legion, a force to conquer entire realms. He forced his expression to remain calm, knowing the danger of revealing such power in the heart of his enemies' lair.
"Wushuang," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "this… I am unworthy. But I swear, I will honor this trust, as I will honor you."
She nodded, her blush fading but her eyes warm. "Keep it safe, Shi Feng. The army is my life's work. Do not make me regret this."
The exchange of gifts sealed a silent pact, their bond deepening like roots beneath a sacred tree. The night stretched before them, and Shi Feng and Yun Wushuang sat together, the bed untouched. They spoke softly, not of love or war, but of simpler things—stars glimpsed through the window, dreams of a world beyond bloodshed, the fleeting beauty of a mortal life. Shi Feng shared veiled tales of his past life as Lin Feng, framing them as dreams, while Yun Wushuang spoke of battles won and lost, her voice softening with each word. They did not touch, did not kiss again, but the distance between them shrank, a bridge built on trust and respect.
The lanterns dimmed, casting long shadows across the room. Yun Wushuang's scar gleamed faintly, a mark of her past, but her eyes shone with a future she dared to imagine. Shi Feng, clutching the Golden Panther Statue, felt the weight of his destiny shift. Wushuang, I will win your heart. With the system's divine rewards, with my vows, I will rise to stand beside you.
Outside, the stars of Qingyun Province twinkled, as if the heavens themselves blessed this quiet night, unaware of the storm brewing in the Shia Family's shadows.
To Be Continued
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