Marriage Alliance

Snake King flickered onto the battlefield and stopped Qianji Demon King. Seeing this, Qin Sang temporarily held back and looked toward Qianji Demon King. "Fellow Daoist Qianji?" Qianji Demon King was fuming with anger, clearly very reluctant to concede. He believed he still had the strength left to fight and wouldn't be defeated so easily. Snake King beckoned with his hand. The bone dagger that had been knocked away earlier wheeled through the air and settled into his palm. "Even this king's Yin Bone Dagger could do nothing against Fellow Daoist Mingyue. Your strength certainly does not seem like that of someone who has only just advanced to the Transformation stage! You handled everything with such ease, repeatedly seizing the initiative by counterattacking and suppressing Qianji the entire time. You must still be holding back some grand divine ability, yes? It seems Fellow Daoist Zhu not only possesses profound cultivation, but his ability to instruct disciples is second to none as well. Impressive! Truly impressive!" Snake King was candid enough, openly admitting before Qin Sang that he had lent the Yin Bone Dagger to Qianji Demon King. Qin Sang was not surprised; he would have done the same in his shoes. From their brief exchange, Qin Sang could tell that the Yin Bone Dagger was indeed an extraordinary ancient treasure. If Qianji Demon King's final serpent phantom hadn't been destroyed by the Heavenly Eye Butterfly and had successfully merged with the dagger, it would have been exceedingly troublesome to deal with. However, they had underestimated his strength. Even if Qianji Demon King had gone all out, as long as Qin Sang unleashed the twelve demonic banners, he would have had nothing to fear. Snake King possessed such magnanimity that despite their clash, it was hard to harbor any ill will toward him. Qin Sang politely demurred and flitted out from the black mist. He put away the demonic banners and other treasures, then glanced into the distance and sensed a few covert gazes retreating. A glint flashed in his eyes as he calmly withdrew his gaze. Though his wagered duel with Qianji Demon King had been confined to the space between the two mountains, restraining them when casting divine abilities and magical treasures, the commotion had still been immense. If any demon king had passed nearby, it would not have been difficult to notice their clash. "The fiery banner formation you deployed seemed rather familiar, Fellow Daoist. It feels as though I have seen it somewhere before. If I recall correctly, there was once a titan of the human race's demonic path, Master Kuiyin, who commanded the Ten Directions Yanluo Banners to great renown..." Snake King possessed an exceptionally long lifespan and had actually seen the Ten Directions Yanluo Banners before, recognizing the origins of the demonic banners. Since the banner shafts were in Senior Sister Qingjun's hands, Qin Sang saw no need to hide that he possessed demonic banners. "Master unexpectedly obtained Old Demon Kuiyin's treasure-refining secret arts. This treasure is something I crafted by imitating the Ten Directions Yanluo Banners with slight modifications, and it happens to suit me well." "The might of the demonic fire is by no means inferior to the original either. I had no idea you were also an expert in artifact refining, Fellow Daoist..." Snake King nodded and probed no further. Qianji Demon King stood to the side with a sullen expression, keeping entirely silent. Qin Sang glanced at him. Qianji Demon King snorted, drew the black mist back into himself, and said in a muffled voice, "I accept my defeat!" Qin Sang nodded. Resolving the matter this way was the best possible outcome. Just as he was about to bid them farewell, he saw the lesser demons flying over from the distance. The demons had watched the entire battle. Though obstructed by the black mist and unable to see clearly, they could feel the suffocating pressure radiating from the clash between the two Great Kings, and their awe and reverence deepened. Qin Sang looked askance. Beside the white crane and Fat Chicken was a small, elegant spirit bird at the Demon Core stage, leaning close to the white crane and murmuring softly, her eyes brimming with bashfulness. Seeing the two leaders make peace, she cast off all restraint and acted completely lovey-dovey with the white crane. While he was fighting tooth and nail over here, this brat was busy picking up girls! This fellow was growing more brazen by the day, not even bothering to consider her background. For Snake King to bring her along to Myriad Demon City, her status was certainly not ordinary. Qin Sang glared at the white crane. The white crane reined itself in slightly, ruffled its white feathers, and could hardly conceal the smugness in its eyes. Snake King was not angered by this; seeing the scene, a faint smile actually appeared on his face. Flapping her wings, the spirit bird flew over to Snake King's side and, with a bashful expression, whispered something in a low voice. After listening, Snake King burst into hearty laughter. "Who would have thought that today could bring about such a wonderful match? Fellow Daoist Mingyue, is this young friend White Crane married?" Hearing those words, the white crane was struck completely dumb, its entire body going rigid. Qin Sang was taken aback. Could Snake King be trying to play matchmaker for the two of them? He glanced at the white crane and gave a slight shake of his head. "Just now, young friend White Crane confessed to falling in love with Yue'er at first sight. Yue'er has exceedingly high standards and has never found a companion to her liking, yet it turns out she has developed true feelings for him as well. Yue'er is the daughter of my wife's younger sister, and I treat her as my own child. She should be a worthy match for young friend White Crane. I cannot bear to tear apart a pair of devoted lovers, so I wonder what Fellow Daoist Mingyue thinks?" Snake King truly intended for them to become Dao companions and was asking for Qin Sang's opinion. "Master, please, no!" Looking as devastated as if his parents had died, the white crane panicked completely. "Brother, save me!" It loved to chase around and flirt—its favorites being married women—precisely because it wanted no responsibility. It had never once considered being faithful to one partner for life! With Snake King backing Yue'er, becoming her Dao companion meant it would be kept on an iron leash. How could it ever roam freely and enjoy life again? To its dismay, its brother sold it out without hesitation. "Master, since ancient times, marriage alliances have been an excellent method for two major powers to resolve disputes and strengthen ties. It is the same among our demon race." Without sparing the white crane a single glance, Fat Chicken sent a voice transmission to Qin Sang, urging him in a whisper, "Brother Crane's temperament has yet to settle, which could hinder his future cultivation. If he has a Dao companion to rein him in, it will be a good thing for him as well." The white crane had flaunted various flings in front of Fat Chicken multiple times, and Fat Chicken had long been annoyed by it. Even your own brother can't stand you. Qin Sang hesitated for a moment, then said, "How does Fellow Daoist plan to arrange this? Our Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea is not as rich and established as your domains, Fellow Daoists, and juniors at the Demon Core stage can be counted on one hand..." "What is so difficult about that!" Snake King waved his hand, extremely generous. "We will all be family from now on, so let Yue'er go to the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. I see she is more than willing, and receiving guidance from Fellow Daoist Zhu and Fellow Daoist Mingyue will be her good fortune! The cultivation world is currently unsettled by upheaval, so it wouldn't do to hold a grand, ostentatious wedding ceremony. Fortunately, we demon-race kin are unconstrained by trivialities and don't have so many damn rules. I have already prepared Yue'er's dowry. Once we find an auspicious day, we will send her over to the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea..." Yue'er beamed with joy. The white crane's eyes turned lifeless, which others mistook for being overwhelmed with pleasant surprise. The rest of Qin Sang's words were choked back. The Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea would gain a Demon Core expert for nothing, and through this, forge good relations with Snake King's faction and gain an ally. No matter how one looked at it, there was no reason to refuse. Qin Sang had long wanted to teach the white crane a lesson and get it to restrain itself. Now that it had brought trouble upon itself, it had only itself to blame. On the journey back, with this new connection, the atmosphere was palpably different. Qianji Demon King no longer glared at Qin Sang with such hostility. Under the joyous atmosphere, both sides quickly settled on the arrangements. Both Qin Sang and Snake King had to go to the frontline to assist in the war, so the wedding was left to the willow demon and Snake King's confidants to organize, while Qianji Demon King and the bamboo demon would serve as witnesses when the time came. Qin Sang was not stingy either, providing a lavish betrothal gift on the white crane's behalf. Yue'er snuggled close against the white crane, sweetness practically overflowing from her eyes. Everyone was brimming with joy, but the white crane felt nothing but utter desolation in its heart, especially after being warned by Qin Sang: "If you dare mistreat Yue'er and anger Snake King, I will break your legs!"