Feifeng Mountain, Bai Residence.
The vast estate, usually serene, was abuzz with activity tonight.
The servants of the Bai family were busy decorating, hanging lanterns and dressing the grounds.
They didn't know who was getting married, only that they were to work mechanically, yet they also sensed that whatever was to happen tomorrow was not a joyous occasion.
Despite the red lanterns hanging everywhere and the walls plastered with "囍" (double happiness) characters, the faces of the Bai family members held little joy. Instead, there was a palpable tension, the kind that precedes a major event.
In a secluded courtyard, several maids entered, carrying the bride's wedding attire.
They were curious. Who was marrying into the Bai family, and why was it all so shrouded in mystery?
After the guards verified their identities, they were allowed into the room to catch a glimpse of the bride.
Bathed in moonlight, the girl sat by the window, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her gaze filled with worry. Her graceful silhouette held an infinite allure, her soft hair cascading like a silver waterfall.
Just seeing her back left the maids stunned.
Hearing the movement, the girl turned around. Upon seeing her face, the maids couldn't help but murmur,
"So beautiful…"
More stunning than any celebrity on television, she seemed like a beauty from ancient times, a princess capable of toppling kingdoms. If later generations were to name a fifth great beauty of China, this woman would surely be on the list, perhaps even ranking above Yang Guifei and Diao Chan.
Only such a beautiful woman could marry the young master of the Bai family, perhaps?
Or perhaps, the young master of the Bai family was not entirely worthy of her?
The maids only dared to think such thoughts in their hearts, never daring to voice them, fearing they might bring trouble upon themselves.
"Miss, this is your wedding dress," a maid said softly.
In their hands, they held the phoenix coronet for her head, the red veil to cover her face, the red silk blouse for her upper body, and the embroidered red robe for her outer layer. The celestial official's lock, the phoenix robes, the ancestral pouches, the silver bracelets to secure her sleeves, the red skirt, red pants, and embroidered red satin shoes… everything was accounted for.
Lin Zitong glanced at them once and then looked away.
She sighed inwardly. These items, she thought, should have been prepared for her by Yan Shouyi.
But she was not disappointed. She simply waited quietly, knowing that Yan Shouyi would come to rescue her.
Seeing Lin Zitong's lack of reaction, the maids could only say, "Miss, time will be tight tomorrow, and there might not be enough time for dressing and makeup. Therefore, you must be fully prepared tonight."
Lin Zitong had no intention of marrying anyone, let alone wearing these things.
She shook her head. "There's no need to trouble yourselves. Put the things down and you may leave."
This put the maids in a difficult position. Their task was to dress the bride beautifully. If they left like this, what if their superiors blamed them…
So they stood their ground, refusing to leave, and tried to persuade Lin Zitong earnestly.
Lin Zitong understood that these maids were merely following orders, so she hadn't shown them any displeasure at first. But gradually, she grew impatient. She lowered her face, glared at them, and said coldly,
"I told you to leave. Don't you understand?"
After all, she was a strong woman, born into a prominent family. Her presence and aura never faltered against anyone.
Thus, when the maids saw the beautiful Lin Zitong suddenly change her demeanor, they were terrified, their faces paling. They didn't even dare to meet her gaze.
So, a beautiful woman could be frightening when she was angry…
"Get out!" Lin Zitong ordered.
The maids quickly put down the items and retreated from the room.
Unexpectedly, as they stepped out the door, they bumped into Bai Yusheng, the young master of the Bai family.
Bai Yusheng's injuries had not yet healed. All his wounds, big and small, were wrapped in bandages, making him look utterly pathetic.
The maids greeted Bai Yusheng respectfully. Bai Yusheng asked, "She kicked you out?"
The maids replied aggrievedly, "Yes. We don't know who this young lady is marrying, but she seems very unwilling."
Bai Yusheng's face darkened. "I am marrying her."
"Ah?"
The maids were stunned. Looking at Bai Yusheng’s condition, he didn't look like someone about to get married!
What kind of groom is wrapped in bandages and leaning on a crutch for his wedding?
So, instinctively, they assumed the groom was not Bai Yusheng.
Upon realizing their mistake, they quickly apologized to Bai Yusheng, their legs turning to jelly. They knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
Bai Yusheng was not in a good mood either. He picked up his crutch and beat the maids several times, then kicked them away with the only leg he could use, shouting, "Scram!"
The maids scrambled and fled.
"Damn it!"
Bai Yusheng cursed under his breath and unhappily entered Lin Zitong's room.
His wedding was tomorrow. As soon as he could get out of bed, he had rushed over to give Lin Zitong a taste of his authority.
"I told you, put the things down and leave."
As Bai Yusheng entered the room, he heard Lin Zitong's impatient voice.
He let out a cold laugh. "My lady, why such great anger?"
Lin Zitong immediately turned around, staring at Bai Yusheng, this unwelcome guest. "It's you? What are you doing here?"
"What a question to ask. We are to be married tomorrow. Is it not permissible for me, the groom, to come and see the bride?" Bai Yusheng laughed presumptuously.
"You think I will truly marry you?" Lin Zitong sneered.
A scoundrel like Bai Yusheng, ten of him wouldn't even measure up to one of Yan Shouyi's toes.
Lin Zitong felt utter disgust for him, feeling as if the very air was polluted if she stood even a little closer to him.
Bai Yusheng's expression turned grim, and he said coldly, "The matter has come to this. Do you still believe Yan Shouyi can come to save you? Have you forgotten how he looked in front of our Bai family's Old Ancestor last time? Hahaha! He looked like a stray dog back then! Even if I gave him ten more courage, he wouldn't dare to come and cause trouble for our Bai family!"
Hearing Bai Yusheng's assessment of Yan Shouyi, Lin Zitong found it amusing.
It felt like a rat critiquing an elephant.
The rat thought the elephant was slow, unaware that an elephant could crush a rat with a single step.
"The Sha Refining Reincarnation Array is nearing completion. Our Bai family will be the sole rulers of Rongcheng! If you are sensible and obedient to me, the Lin family will also benefit from this!"
Bai Yusheng moved closer to Lin Zitong, a sinister grin on his face. "What's so good about Yan Shouyi? No matter how capable he is, he is alone. Unlike me… I have the Feifeng Mountain Bai family behind me!"
As he spoke, Bai Yusheng reached out his hand, intending to touch Lin Zitong's face.
In that very instant, a murderous glint flashed in Lin Zitong's eyes!
She grabbed Bai Yusheng's hand and delivered a fierce elbow strike, shattering his arm bones!
His forearm bent at a ninety-degree angle, a gruesome sight!
"Ah!!!"
Bai Yusheng let out a pig-like scream.
His injuries were not fully healed, and now his arm was broken by Lin Zitong. How could he attend the wedding tomorrow?
Lin Zitong, like a provoked wildcat, didn't retreat but advanced, pressing closer to Bai Yusheng.
"Bai Yusheng, who do you think you are? The name Yan Shouyi is disgusting coming from your mouth. Be sensible and get out. If you dare to stay here and mention his name again, I will kill you!"
She was not joking. Lin Zitong had never hated a man so much, nor had she ever wanted to kill someone so desperately.
Bai Yusheng, holding his twisted arm, roared at Lin Zitong, "You dare to defy me, you damned woman! The situation is decided. You are my wife, Bai Yusheng's wife! After our wedding tomorrow, once the Sha Refining Reincarnation Array is completed, I will have the Old Ancestor emerge and capture Yan Shouyi. I will make him wish he could die but be unable to!"
Jingle bells—
After Bai Yusheng finished speaking, he was surprised to find Lin Zitong standing still, shaking the soul-calling bell on her wrist!
He looked down and realized his shadow had disappeared, replaced by a massive shadow!
The shadow enveloped him, its oppressive aura suffocating him!
He stiffly turned his head and saw a huge dark figure behind him.
The figure's face was unclear, only a blood-red mouth, stretched into a sinister arc, grinning at Bai Yusheng.
"You… what are you?!" Bai Yusheng, terrified, collapsed onto the ground.
Lin Zitong's purple eyes gleamed with an unusual light. She spoke coldly to the dark figure, "Kill him."
"As you command, my master."
The dark figure chuckled, speaking in human tongue, then slowly opened its cavernous mouth.
Bai Yusheng, utterly terrified, crawled away on all fours.
Unexpectedly, the dark figure grew several arms, which directly seized Bai Yusheng and dragged him before the entity!
Its immense strength left Bai Yusheng no room to resist!
"I was wrong, spare my life! Please, let me go!!" Bai Yusheng's mental defenses completely shattered before this terrifying dark figure.
But the dark figure paid no heed to Bai Yusheng's pleas.
Bai Yusheng looked back at Lin Zitong. "Lin Zitong, don't kill me! We can discuss anything. I'll even give you back to Yan Shouyi!!"
Lin Zitong's face showed no trace of pity.
She knew exactly what kind of person Bai Yusheng was.
Therefore, her resolve to kill him remained unshaken!!!
The dark figure drew closer, and Bai Yusheng grew more desperate.
The dark figure opened its gaping maw and slowly enveloped Bai Yusheng's head.
Then—
With a snap.
Bai Yusheng’s cries ceased.
The dark figure tilted its head back, blood splattering onto the wall and onto Lin Zitong's wedding dress.
"Delicious…"
The dark figure laughed heartily, then tossed Bai Yusheng's body into its mouth, chewing with delight.
The sound of cracking bones in the room was utterly eerie.
Lin Zitong watched it all with cold eyes, no longer able to consider the consequences of killing Bai Yusheng.
Because she was consumed by rage.