Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Marriage
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"Brother Jianghe, I'm glad you're here. You have to talk some sense into Daniu. He's been acting like a man possessed over Xiaoniu's upcoming spirit root test, just moping around all day."
"I'm not like those other women who scold and beat their husbands. I serve him every day like he's a lord. You'd think *I* was the one who married into *his* family."
After the meal began, Yun Huizhen opened up like a floodgate, complaining to Chen Jianghe about Yu Daniu's recent strange behavior.
"Sister-in-law, you jest. You know what kind of man Daniu is—honest and loyal. Having received so much from the Yun Clan and married such a kind and understanding wife as yourself, he must be hoping to father a few children with spirit roots to repay the Yun Clan for their kindness."
Chen Jianghe said with a placating smile.
"Most importantly, it would also give you a stronger voice in the clan, sister-in-law."
"I know all that, but it pains me to see Daniu worrying like this day in and day out."
Yun Huizhen said, her voice trembling on the verge of tears. "I just want Daniu to be happy, for our family to be happy. It doesn't matter if our child has a spirit root or not. There are plenty of descendants in the Yun Clan without spirit roots, there's no need..."
"That's enough. Brother Jianghe rarely visits. Why bring up these troubles?" Yu Daniu interrupted Yun Huizhen.
"My apologies for this display, Brother Jianghe."
"Daniu, your wife's feelings for you are genuine. Whether a child has a spirit root is up to fate. You're a kind man; heaven won't be unkind to you. Who knows, maybe all five of your children will have spirit roots."
Chen Jianghe offered a word of comfort.
But he couldn't say too much.
Otherwise, his words would ring hollow, as he wasn't the one in Daniu's shoes.
After all, Yu Daniu had chosen the path of a live-in son-in-law. His purpose, his 'path', was to bear children for the Yun Clan—and children with spirit roots at that.
Only by doing so could Yu Daniu obtain more cultivation resources and break through to higher realms of cultivation.
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Jianghe rose to take his leave.
As a high-level Fishery Farmer from the inner waters, there were time restrictions on his visits to the Lakeheart Island. He couldn't stay for long, or there would be penalties.
Yu Daniu's family knew of this rule and didn't insist he stay, simply inviting him to visit again next New Year's Eve.
Yu Daniu personally escorted Chen Jianghe to the Lakeheart Island's harbor.
"Brother Jianghe, what did you think of Huixiang?" Yu Daniu suddenly asked.
"She's very nice. A fine young woman."
Chen Jianghe said this against his true feelings. He hadn't paid much attention to Yun Huixiang at the dinner table, only sizing her up briefly during their introduction and barely glancing at her afterward.
After all, what kind of guest would stare at his host's sister-in-law?
"Daniu, you should head back. We'll meet again."
Chen Jianghe boarded his boat and waved to Yu Daniu.
Yu Daniu watched until Chen Jianghe's fishing boat disappeared across the lake's surface before returning home. As he stepped into the courtyard, he overheard a conversation between his wife and her sister.
"Huixiang, what did you think of Brother Jianghe?"
"Not much. He's just a high-level Fishery Farmer. The highest he'll ever reach is the sixth level of Qi Refining. If he were to marry into our clan, I might consider it."
"Your brother-in-law often says Brother Jianghe is a good person and extremely talented at raising fish."
"Sister, we women of immortal clans both know that being a 'good person' is useless in the cultivation world. What matters is cultivation level and background."
Yun Huixiang grumbled in dissatisfaction, "The man I marry must at least be a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator."
Just then, Yu Daniu saw Yun Huixiang walk out of the room. She greeted him and then left.
"What was that about?"
Yu Daniu looked at his wife, Yun Huizhen, and asked.
"You know how it is. My little sister has been spoiled since she was young and has met her fair share of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators."
Yun Huizhen wore a helpless expression and asked, "What about Brother Jianghe? What did he think of Huixiang?"
"Brother Jianghe said she was very nice, but since your sister looks down on him so much, it's best to forget it." Yu Daniu shook his head.
———
"Don't tell me Daniu was trying to play matchmaker for me?"
After returning to his cultivation waters, Chen Jianghe calmed his mind and reflected on the day's events. He felt that what Yu Daniu had said while seeing him off was strange.
"Probably not. I have no intention of marrying into the Yun Clan, and why would a Yun Clan woman with a spirit root marry down to a fish farmer like me?"
Chen Jianghe shook his head, pushing the thought from his mind.
The next day.
Chen Jianghe went to the bow of his boat, facing the golden glow of the morning sun. He stretched lazily, a vibrant light flowing in his eyes.
"Thirty years old. Time to establish myself."
He sighed with emotion. In the mortal world, a man his age would have already started a family and built a career, carving out his own legacy.
Now, his cultivation had reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, and he had taken his first steps in the art of talismans. On the long path of cultivation, this was a minor but tangible achievement. He was very satisfied with his current progress.
At the very least, it was much better than he had anticipated.
Compared to his three-hundred-and-sixty-year lifespan, thirty was but infancy. He had plenty of time and no need to rush.
Slow and steady progress, managing his affairs with prudence—everything would come in due time.
Take the art of talismans, for example. He had already grasped the basics.
In another two years, perhaps he would even become a low-grade Talisman Master.
Everything was moving in the right direction.
*Splash!*
Chen Jianghe leaped overboard and dove toward the lakebed. By now, when he cast the Water Repelling Charm, it could envelop his entire body.
The lake water couldn't soak a single part of him.
"The Spirit Accumulating Pill is here."
Xiao Hei excitedly tumbled through the water as he swam over, his wide mouth grinning from ear to ear.
The voice in Chen Jianghe's spiritual consciousness echoed, "The Spirit Accumulating Pill is here," leaving him feeling helpless.
He didn't say, "Master is here." His first thought was the pill.
As a spirit pet, he showed no respect for his master.
"Gimme!"
Xiao Hei circled Chen Jianghe, impatiently urging him through their spiritual link.
"Here."
Chen Jianghe pursed his lips and took out the Spirit Accumulating Pill.
Instantly, the rich fragrance of the pill attracted a school of small green fish. With crimson eyes and gaping mouths, they swarmed over.
*Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!*
Xiao Hei's short tail shot out, viciously lashing the small green fish and knocking off a large patch of their scales.
"Hmph! Dare to snatch food from Lord Turtle again, and I'll eat you all."
The once harmless-looking Xiao Hei's beady eyes suddenly flashed with a thick, malevolent aura, scaring the small green fish into scattering in all directions.
"So protective of your food?" Chen Jianghe was surprised.
According to the *Yun Clan Annals*, the Black Crystal Mystic Turtle was known for its long lifespan, high intelligence, and gentle, friendly nature.
It seemed Xiao Hei only possessed the first two traits. As for the last one... Chen Jianghe glanced at the food-guarding turtle and shook his head.
The next moment, Xiao Hei swallowed the Spirit Accumulating Pill. A faint cyan light immediately flickered across his shell before enveloping his entire body, seemingly locking all the medicinal power within his flesh.
Even if he couldn't fully refine the medicinal power, it would be absorbed by his body. In short, not a single bit would be wasted.
Two hours later.
The fluctuations of spiritual power from Xiao Hei's body suddenly intensified, becoming significantly stronger than Chen Jianghe's had been at the third level of Qi Refining.
Between a human cultivator and a spirit beast of the same realm, the spirit beast is typically stronger. And with the *Three Revolutions Demon Ascension Art*, Xiao Hei's spiritual power was even more formidable.
"Master, time for the promise!"
Having finished absorbing and refining the Spirit Accumulating Pill, Xiao Hei grinned widely and swam before Chen Jianghe, affectionately calling him master.
He was urging Chen Jianghe to spin him a tale of future glory.