Chapter Forty-Two
Hua Mo was taken aback, not expecting Gu Jin to be so direct. However, Gu Jin had indeed done the Hundred Birds Island a great favor, and borrowing the Sky-Shielding Umbrella had truly violated his master’s orders. Now that Gu Jin had spoken up to reclaim it, Hua Mo had no choice but to return it. Concealing the strange glint in his eyes, he smiled and said, “Nephew, there’s no need for such words. The Sky-Shielding Umbrella is your Divine Artifact to begin with. Now that the crisis on Hundred Birds Island has been resolved, it is only right to return it to you. However, the umbrella is currently in Shu’er’s possession. Once she emerges from seclusion, I will have her personally present it to you.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.” Seeing that Hua Mo did not make things difficult, Gu Jin breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “There is something I wish to say, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”
“Nephew, feel free to speak your mind.”
“Your Majesty, the Demon Tribe is fond of warfare and excessive killing, which is why they face immense difficulties when undergoing tribulations. Many Demon Monarchs at their peak have perished under the Nine Heavens Thunder Tribulation. We immortals cultivate in harmony with the heavens, so our ascensions are always somewhat easier than those of the Demon Tribe. The Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan have been at war for a century, with heavy casualties on both sides. For either clan, this goes against the harmony of the heavens. Since the Eagle King is now willing to cease hostilities, why not take advantage of these ten years to reconcile with the Eagle Clan and resolve the grievances between the two clans?”
Hua Mo was sipping tea with his head lowered. Upon hearing this, his hand, which had been lightly stroking his thumb ring, paused. When he looked up again, the impatience in his eyes was carefully hidden. “Nephew, you may not be aware, but we and the Eagle Clan have lived on the outer islands of the North Sea for thousands of years, coexisting peacefully and even maintaining friendly relations. However, over the past century, as Yan Qiu’s sons grew up and their combat prowess became formidable, they began to covet half of our Peacock Clan’s Paradise Grotto. Our clan could no longer endure their harassment and thus rose to fight.” He sighed as he spoke. “It’s just a pity that my own sons are all incompetent, and I was injured by Yan Qiu years ago, damaging my core. That’s why Shu’er had to take up the fight in my stead. Now that Yan Qiu is willing to cease hostilities, our Hundred Birds Island naturally will not provoke further conflict.”
If that was the case, the war between the Peacock Clan and the Eagle Clan was indeed understandable. Gu Jin thought of Hua Shu, who, as a woman, had shouldered the safety of the entire Hundred Birds Island, and felt even more sympathy for her plight.
“So that’s how it is. I was overly concerned,” Gu Jin nodded.
“I wonder what the second matter you mentioned is…”
“Ah!” Gu Jin snapped back to attention, remembering the purpose of his visit to Hundred Birds Island. He adjusted his crown, straightened his sleeves, took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed solemnly to Hua Mo.
A flicker of understanding passed through Hua Mo’s eyes, but he only said, “Nephew, what is this…?”
“Your Majesty, Princess Hua Shu is intelligent, wise, filial, and kind-hearted. Since I first saw her on Phoenix Tree Island in my youth, I have admired her deeply. Meeting her again a few months ago, I was even more moved by her filial devotion. For the past ten years, I have held Princess Hua Shu in my heart. On this visit to the island, I dare to ask Your Majesty for her hand in marriage.”
With a wave of his hand, Gu Jin produced an immortal box brimming with Divine Power and a betrothal letter.
“Your Majesty, this betrothal letter and betrothal gifts were personally prepared for me by my Sect Leader senior brother. I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant me Princess Hua Shu’s hand in marriage. I, Gu Jin, vow to never let her down and to protect her for the rest of her life.”
The immortal box was opened, and the Divine Power of the Semi-Divine Artifact filled the hall, vast and overwhelming.
“The Star-Adorned Phoenix Crown!” Hua Mo was visibly moved. This was an extremely famous Semi-Divine Artifact in the Nine Provinces and Eight Wastelands, passed down from ancient times. Although its offensive power was not strong, the wearer of this crown could withstand a strike from a High God without perishing. He never imagined it was also hidden within Great Marsh Mountain.Hua Mo couldn't help but marvel inwardly, his gaze toward Gu Jin shifting with newfound respect. With the Sect Leader of Great Marsh Mountain personally delivering the betrothal letter, and even the betrothal gifts being Semi-Divine Artifacts, this Gu Jin, though young, was clearly highly valued by Xian Shan and likely to inherit the Great Marsh Mountain sect in the future.
Great Marsh Mountain was a titan of the Immortal Realm. With such an alliance, the Peacock Clan could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with even Phoenix Tree Island within the Immortal Tribe. Hua Mo's thoughts shifted, and the resolve Hua Shu had persuaded him toward began to waver once more.
"Young nephew, you are accomplished despite your youth and come from a distinguished lineage. That you wish to seek my daughter's hand naturally pleases me." Hua Mo rose, wearing an expression of satisfaction. Seeing Gu Jin's joyful face, he added, "However, as you know, during this celebration of my longevity, many young disciples from various sects have come to the island with the same intentions as yours. I made a promise to Shu'er long ago—that she would have the final say in choosing her future husband."
Hua Mo accepted the betrothal letter and immortal box from Gu Jin's hands, smiling as he said, "I will convey your intentions to Shu'er, but her final choice is not something I can decide." He patted Gu Jin's shoulder. "Do you understand, young nephew?"
Seeing Hua Mo accept the betrothal letter, Gu Jin hurriedly replied, "Gu Jin understands. Your Majesty need not worry. Once the princess emerges from seclusion, I will personally pay my respects to her. With my sincere heart, I am certain to move Her Highness."
Gu Jin had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had never faced significant setbacks in his life. Naturally, he believed that within the Lower Three Realms, no one could match his youthful accomplishments—being on the verge of breaking through to the peak of Lower Lord status at just over two hundred years old. Moreover, in his two encounters with Hua Shu, she had treated him differently from others, leading him to believe she must harbor feelings for him.
Gu Jin was intelligent and wise, but having been raised solely by Feng Ran and Tian Qi, he had never truly ventured into the mortal affairs of the Three Realms and lacked worldly sophistication. Thus, he did not realize that in any realm—whether immortal, demon, human, or ghost—the power and influence one brings is far more enticing than personal ability alone.
"Good, good. It is rare to find such sincerity in a young nephew. Since your intentions are firm, we shall await Shu'er's emergence from seclusion before making any decisions. The day grows late, and you must be weary from your journey. Rest early. I shall take my leave now."
"Your Majesty, take care." Gu Jin escorted Hua Mo to the courtyard gate. Thinking that Hua Mo had not outright rejected his proposal, he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
"Immortal Lord Gu Jin, you look so delighted. Have you won yourself a bride?" Lian Xi, who had been admiring the moon from the pavilion in the courtyard, caught sight of Gu Jin's expression and teased him.
"Immortal Lord Lian Xi, you jest. Gu Jin is not yet wed." Hidden in the moonlight, Gu Jin's face flushed slightly.
"Judging by your expression, Immortal Lord Gu Jin, you must have taken a liking to some Lady. When the time comes, you must let me meet her. By the way, which Lady has caught your eye?" Seeing Gu Jin blush, Lian Xi laughed heartily.
Gu Jin happened to glance up at the sky. The starry expanse above the azure sea bore a striking resemblance to the skies over Purple Moon Mountain. For some reason, as Lian Xi's question reached him, Ayin's voice, appearance, and smile suddenly flashed through Gu Jin's mind. He froze, shook his head, and looked somewhat dazed.
"Immortal Lord Gu Jin? Immortal Lord Gu Jin?"
Only when Lian Xi's call sounded again did he snap back to reality. Suppressing the absurdity in his heart, he smiled at Lian Xi, evaded the earlier question, and hurried into the courtyard.That was the child he had raised with his own hands—how could he entertain such absurd thoughts! Truly a sin!
Hua Mo left Gu Jin’s courtyard and, instead of returning to his own quarters, took a detour to Hua Shu’s Tranquil Pavilion.
Inside the Tranquil Pavilion, Hua Shu sat by the window in an emerald-green gown, sipping tea. Her complexion was rosy, showing no signs of the Immortal Power injury Hua Mo had mentioned, and her Immortal Power was now several times stronger than it had been at Great Marsh Mountain.
Her maid, Hong Que, was tidying up the scattered chess pieces on the table and the cold teacup Hua Shu had left untouched.
Hua Mo cleared his throat knowingly. “Shu’er.”
Seeing Hua Mo enter, Hua Shu rose and greeted him with a smile. “Greetings, Father.”
Hua Mo quickly helped her up. “Why stand on ceremony with your father?” He glanced at the empty teacup across the table and smiled. “Has Lanfeng Supreme Lord just been here?”
A blush spread across Hua Shu’s usually cool and aloof face, and she nodded shyly. “I just played three games of chess with the Supreme Lord and won two of them by a narrow margin.”
“Oh?” Hua Mo feigned surprise. “I’ve heard that Lanfeng Supreme Lord is a master of chess. How did he lose three games in a row today? Have you taken up chess recently?”
Hong Que giggled brightly from the side. “Your Majesty, it’s not that the princess has improved—it’s that the Supreme Lord couldn’t bear to beat her.”
Hua Mo paused for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter, looking at his beloved daughter with immense satisfaction.
“Father, have you met Gu Jin from Great Marsh Mountain?” Hua Shu asked, recalling the matter she had entrusted to him.
Hua Mo nodded, hesitating slightly. “Shu’er, Gu Jin has indeed come to propose marriage to you. However, are you truly unwilling to consider him as a potential husband?”
Seeing Hua Mo’s apparent inclination toward Gu Jin, Hua Shu frowned. “Father, didn’t you promise me long ago that I could choose my own husband? How could I marry someone whose Immortal Power is only at the level of a Lower Lord?” Noticing Hua Mo’s troubled expression, she raised her voice. “Have you accepted his proposal?”
Hua Mo quickly shook his head. “No, but I haven’t outright refused him either.”
“Why not? I’ve already told you that I’ve chosen Lanfeng Supreme Lord as my husband.”
Seeing Hua Shu on the verge of anger, Hua Mo explained, “Shu’er, there’s something you don’t know. Gu Jin came this time under the orders of the Sect Leader of Great Marsh Mountain to retrieve the Sky-Shielding Umbrella, but you’ve already Refined and Absorbed it. To placate him, I had no choice but to accept his betrothal letter and gifts for now. But rest assured, I made it clear to him that only you can decide your marriage, and everything will be settled after you complete your seclusion.”
“What? He wants to retrieve the Sky-Shielding Umbrella now?” Hua Shu’s expression changed, her face turning grave.
Months ago, when the Hundred Birds Island was on the brink of war with the Eagle Clan, Hua Shu, desperate for victory, was drawn to the powerful Divine Power of the Sky-Shielding Umbrella and coveted it. With Hua Mo’s help, she secretly Refined and Absorbed the umbrella. Now, the Sky-Shielding Umbrella had become her weapon, merging with the source of her Immortal Power. Thanks to the Divine Power entering her body, she had nearly broken through the peak of the High Lord realm and was approaching the level of a Demigod. Otherwise, how could Eagle King Yan Qiu have been so easily defeated by her?
She had originally planned to find a way to deal with Gu Jin after the one-year period had passed. Little did she expect that, in less than three months, Gu Jin would come to Hundred Birds Island to reclaim the Sky-Shielding Umbrella—and at such a critical moment."Yes, Shu'er, if he finds out that you have refined and absorbed Dong Hua's divine artifact, he will certainly not let it go. Great Marsh Mountain is powerful, and we are in the wrong in this matter. If they demand an explanation from our Hundred Birds Island, the various sects of the Immortal Realm will surely not side with us. That is why your father accepted Gu Jin's invitation. If you agree to this marriage, our Hundred Birds Island and Great Marsh Mountain will become in-laws. Given how highly Xian Shan and Xian Zhu regard Gu Jin, they will surely not pursue the matter of you refining and absorbing the Sky-Shielding Umbrella."
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