Ha... Ha... Ha...
He panted heavily, supporting himself from collapsing completely. "I swear... one day I will fu..."
He forcefully stopped himself from cursing again and focused on the man standing before him. The timer is reduced to less than five minutes now.
Standing again, he drew in a deep breath and opened his eyes widely, activating his Heaven's Eye without any warning.
Aerondor's gaze twitched, seeing his nephew's eyes change to radiant bright and obsidian dark all of a sudden. "Hmm?"
Qin Wei gathered himself and seized the moment.
"Uncle," he said in a steady voice. "You married me into the House Griffin because you were worried about my future in the House Phoenix, because my siblings were all stronger and held an influential place in society. But, look at this, Uncle. I'm no longer trash. I can become stronger, too."
Aerondor narrowed his eyes, observing Qin Wei's unique, opposite colored eyes. "An ocular ability? That's one of the rarest abilities in the world."
The Emperor's voice then dropped slightly. "Since when?"
Qin Wei wiped a bead of sweat from his temple, calming his racing breath. "After I nearly died, I think."
Aerondor studied him for a long time.
Qin Wei then pressed forward. "Uncle, please… cancel this wedding. I wasted my time with all those stupid things because no one expects me of anything. But now with these powers, I can attend the Imperial Academy. I can cultivate properly. I want to become strong. I may even become a Grandmaster one day… Just give me time. I promise that not only will I study diligently, but I will also abandon all those bad qualities you berate me for."
For a moment, the forest hushed as if the world waited for the Son of Heaven's verdict.
But then a short, sharp laugh escaped the Emperor's lips, laced with both derision and amusement. "Brat… you almost had me at first. But I forgot that you are just the same as your mother. You think I don't know what you will do now that you have gotten powers? You will instantly run after revenge."
As Qin Wei was taken aback, the Emperor continued with his face turning serious and his gaze turning cold all of a sudden, "If it had happened any other time, perhaps I would have canceled this wedding. But with House Phoenix gone, House Griffin will be the best place for you to live. You can train, you can dream, you can fight, and you can also enter the academy, but you can't escape this. You will have to enter House Griffin as matrilocal husband."
Qin Wei's heart pounded against his ribs. He glanced at the floating screen, just only 3 minutes left on the mission timer.
"Fine," he muttered, looking defeated. "Then I'll go back. Let me at least descend this mountain and collect my thoughts. I promise I won't… ughh…" Before he finished his thoughts, Aerondor disappeared and reappeared behind him, giving a swift chop to his neck.
Qin Wei's vision blurred, and his knees buckled. "You…" His voice barely escaped his throat before the world shattered into black.
When he awoke, he wasn't in the forest.
He wasn't even lying down.
He was seated upright, stiff, facing a wide bronze mirror. His hands were limp on his lap.
He was already dressed in half of the groom's robes. Two service maids were gently fixing his inner sleeves and collar.
For a moment, he screamed in startle, as reality rushed back in.
One of the maids dropped a pin in surprise.
But then…
Ping.
A soft chime echoed in his vision.
A translucent blue panel unfolded before his eyes.
*Ding! Mission Failed.
Emergency Quest [Escape the Wedding] has expired.
Penalty: None.
Rewards: Forfeited.
Qin Wei turned blank again, staring at the mirror in silence, feeling myriad of emotions. He looked like a person who lost all his money in one night in a casino, "…"
Later that evening;
The bridal chamber was soaked in ceremonial red. The air was thick with aphrodisiac incense, which was quite intoxicating to the point Qin Wei felt heat all over his body.
At present, he sat alone on the edge of the bridal bed, dressed in full groom robes. Usually, the bride would be waiting like this, according to Elysia's tradition, but since he is a matrilocal husband, he was there instead, waiting for his wife.
He looked toward the closed door with tired eyes, wondering when his wife would come, not to celebrate the wedding night with her but finally go to sleep.
He had too much today after all, and he had no mood to have sex with the woman.
Meanwhile, in the outer hall, Thea sat on a carved chair, surrounded by women. Elder cousins, chatty aunts, second wives of influential uncles, all giggling, cheering, raising cups.
"One more, Thea! Just one more for good luck!"
"Yes! One for your husband's long life!"
"Hey, hey. C'mon, don't be hard on the young lady. What if she breaks the poor boy? I heard that he doesn't even practice martial arts."
"Eyyy, don't be like that. This is their first time. It should be memorable and wild."
*Squeal*
"My husband is a 9th rank alchemist. There's nothing he can't mend or cure."
"I guess you must have a pleasant marriage, Aunt."
"Hahaha, you wish. Your uncle is a bookworm, dear. He has zero romance."
"Oh, C'mon, Aunt, you gave birth to seven children. Don't be like that."
"Alright. Alright. Tonight is not about me. It's about Xue'er."
"Ah, right, C'mon, have another sip. You should give us ten grandnephews."
Thea, already flushed red from drinking, could barely focus.
"Ten sons? Are you insane?" she slurred, but they laughed louder and poured again.
One hand held a small dish of wine, another supported her wobbling head.
"Ugh, it's burning…" she muttered. "I think I'm going to die…"
By the time she was led, more like pushed, to the bridal chamber, her steps were quite uneven and a bit heavy.
As the ornate doors creaked open, Qin Wei stood up instinctively. The door closed behind her with a thunk.
Thea stood there for a moment, blinking at him. Qin Wei suddenly felt something was wrong with her. Her lips curled into a wide, silly grin all of a sudden.
"My… handsome husband," she slurred, wobbling slightly as she pointed at him. "Still waiting for me? Sorry, sorry…"
Qin Wei stared at her, genuinely taken aback. "Are you drunk?" he asked, blinking his eyes twice.
Thea giggled and nodded proudly. "Mhm. They made me drink. Like, a lot. They want me to sleep with you to make this a memorable night? For who? You? Me? Or them? Heh!"
She stumbled forward, arms waving for balance. Qin Wei quickly stepped forward to catch her. "Careful…"
Smack.
She slapped his hand away, snapping at him instead. Her voice turned sharp, "Don't touch me. Don't… touch… me. Alright?"
Her finger jabbed weakly into his chest as she continued to speak.
"You are weak," she said clearly, like it had been building in her chest for months. "You're a lecher. You steal women from the helpless. You bully the commoners just because you can. You didn't have a shred of mana. You no longer have a force that can protect you, but you still look down on me. Why? Why?"
There was clear evidence of anger on her face, but her eyes almost welled up as she continued, grabbing his collar. "What's wrong with me? I'm a 7th rank swordswoman, the future grandmaster of House Griffin, and I'm also beautiful enough to attract the proposals of Princes and those sons of Dukes, Generals, and Ministers. I have strength, background, and beauty. Yet, I chose you. Instead of feeling grateful, you dare to run away from the wedding?" She stood swaying, flushed to the bottom of her neck.
Qin Wei stood there in surprise. His eyes widened, and his body went stiff. All along, he thought she hated him, but now, it seemed like there was something else.
He kept silent and let her talk about whatever was on her mind.
"You know," she slurred, continued to sway as she pointed a wobbly finger at Qin Wei, "We didn't meet yesterday for the first time. We met several times and played together when we were children. Since I was five, I was constantly reminded by my father that you are going to be my husband. I have been waiting for our wedding for 15 years." Her voice then rose further, almost shouting in his face. "I don't care if you cause trouble. You are my husband, understand? Get that thing into your head."
She went on charging at him, and grabbing his arms, the latter not being able to get his head together. He doesn't even know what he should do. "I don't care how you lived so far. But from now onwards, these hands, this face, and this body, all of them belonged to me. I'll cut down anyone who dares to touch them."
Qin Wei blinked hard, finding it hard to process her words. But he didn't even get time to do it as Thea followed up by grabbing his head and pulling him toward her. He couldn't resist; her strength overpowered his will and strength.
Her eyes then closed, and she pressed her lips against his.