Heavenly Star

"General Hua, it must be tough on you." Ye Wei approached his side, the tone of his voice full of distinct respect and sincerity. He had seen a new Hua Zhentian. Someone who broke faith and who betrayed one’s trust, but at the same time, made people think that he was affectionate and true.

"Hahahaha! As long as my daughter can marry your son, even if I were to kneel down for three days and three nights, it will all be worth it! Your son is indeed one in a million, I have never admired a person like this before, but now I’m thoroughly convinced by this fellow. Even now, I’m still willing to fall under his schemes. Even under his schemes, my heart doesn’t have any complaints, instead I appreciate him. Brother Ye, to have this kind of man in the Ye Family’s next generation is really lucky." Hua Zhentian laughed, sincerely exclaiming his admiration.

"General Hua, your praises are absurd." Although Ye Wei’s mouth was uttering the words, he had difficulties concealing the proud look on his face. He could not imagine how Ye Wuchen could have won over Hua Shuirou so fast. He did not care in about the marriage between the Hua and the Lin Families in the slightest, but it had been most beneficial to know that Hua Zhentian would really do anything for the sake of his daughter, to even offend Long Yin and the Lin Family without any hesitation, just to cancel a marriage agreement.

"Damn the absurd praises. Although I’m a rough man, my insight is always better than other men. Look at you, you are so pleased that you seem like flying. Hmph!" Hua Zhentian said pretending to be furious.

"......"

Hua Zhentian turned to shout loudly at Lin Zhan whose face was now ashen. "Brother Lin, pardon me."

"Hmph! I’m feeling unwell, and am unable to entertain you two guests. Please go home!" Lin Zhan said while restraining his anger. The grand hall that had been crammed full of people was now only left with Ye Wei, Hua Zhentian, Lin Zhan, and a speechless Lin Xiao.

"If General Lin is unwell, then please get some rest. It is better not to get angered these days, as it might bring harm to the body, lungs or liver. If our Tian Long Nation were to lose an important general, then that’s really not good. Well, I’ll take my leave." Ye Wei gave the expected courtesies before dragging Hua Zhentian outside with him. The moment they step out of the hall, a sharp and clear noise of a teacup breaking into pieces echoed behind them.

When Ye Wuchen had stepped out of the gates of the Lin residence, he saw a particularly gorgeous palanquin stopped in the distance. The corners of his mouth twists up as he made a silencing gesture towards the four guards who smelled faintly of gunpowder. Before they could react, as swift as lightning, he pulled the curtains open and hopped inside.

The nervous Hua Shuirou jumped in surprise, almost crying out in alarm. The familiar smell of the man that continuously lingered in her heart had calmed down her frenetic mind and her body involuntarily moved closer to him. "You-you scared me to death."

"You even get scared of your future husband. My Xiao RouRou is still this timid." Ye Wuchen lightly laughed and embraced her to his chest.

"Don’t call me Xiao RouRou, I’m not small anymore." Hua Shuirou protested in a low voice. She was finally sixteen years old today, already at a marrying age.

"Really? Let me check."

Ye Wuchen’s hand quietly went down, softly gripping one of her breasts. While rubbing one, he said, "My Xiao RouRou is indeed not that small anymore. After a few years it should be even less small."

Hua Shuirou’s whole body trembled lightly and she involuntarily pressed closer to him. Nervously, she said, "Somebody…. Somebody might see us."

"Don’t worry. Aside from me, no one will see."

Hua Shuirou knew that it was useless to resist, so she forwent any efforts to stop his assult. Her face turned red as she leaned against him and asked softly, "Can we get married?"

"En. The marriage between you and Lin Xiao has been cancelled personally by the Emperor." Ye Wuchen summarized. Naturally, he would not make it known to her how challenging it had been for Hua Zhentian to cancel this marriage agreement.

That heavy stone in Hua Shuirou’s heart finally dropped and she smiled happily. In the midst of it, she summoned all her courage and took the initiative to softly plant a kiss on his face, then turned away as if being startled and buries her head in his chest.

Ye Wuchen softly touched the spot where she planted her kiss and could not help a laugh. For this young woman to make such move required a great deal of courage… Or maybe, he had gradually lead her astray these few days.

"But cancelling the marriage arrangement had a condition."

"Ah? What condition?" Hua Shuirou suddenly became nervous. She knew that cancelling a marriage arrangement was a difficult matter.

"The condition is, we will only be allowed to get married after three years. The Emperor has betrothed Princess Fei Huang to me before, and the date of that marriage is set to happen in three years. To give importance to the Royal Family, I must marry Princess Fei Huang first, before I can marry other women." Ye Wuchen explained.

"Three years… So long as I can marry you, I don’t care how long I should wait." Hua Shuirou calmed her nervous heart, then lazily leaned on his chest. She had no interest in the betrothal to Princess Fei Huang. For a woman who was used to being docile, she naturally knew how to please her own man. She knew what she needed to ask, what she needed to not ask, and even what to not care about.

"But, within these three years, will you visit me often?" Hua Shuirou asked softly.

"Yes, of course. How can I not see my dear Xiao RouRou?"

"En….." She responded, satisfied. Then, again in a soft voice, "The short jade flute I gave you… do you still have it?"

Ye Wuchen extended a hand where a small emerald green flute appeared. "This is the first thing my Xiao RouRou gave me. I certainly keep it by my side at all times."

Hua Shuirou also extended her hand. It did not land on the flute, but instead, his hand. "Then from now on… visit me to teach me how to play flute, okay? Everyday I can…"

Ye Wuchen’s whole body tensed, and he very nearly dropped the short flute in his hand.

Could it be that the women of this world really like "playing flutes" and consider it a wide-range and profound level of learning?

"That’s…… I’ll teach you after we get married." Ye Wuchen said, perspiring greatly.

"Why do I need to wait until we get married?" Hua Shuirou asked flatly.

"Because we will be together everyday once we get married. When that time comes, I will teach you everyday, you will not be allowed to not learn…"

Hua Shuirou lifted her head, looking puzzled at Ye Wuchen. She discovered that either his voice or his facial expression somehow made her heart beat faster for some reason.

"Don’t you think you ought to call me your husband now?" Ye Wuchen asked, lifting her face.

She blinks her crystal-like eyes but eventually lowered her gaze. Shyly, in her softest voice she called out, "Hubby…"

Nobody would have thought that a the widespread engagement ceremony could end up like this. Even the Lin Family, who had a little mental preparation, had been almost faint with the shock. The entire day, a dead atmosphere lingered around the Lin Family. Everyone trembled with fear under that kind of atmosphere, in fear that they would become the sacrificial victim for the master to vent off his anger.

At this time, the supposedly "bed-ridden" Lin Kuang knelt before Long Yin, his aged body motionless and listened respectfully to every word.

"If your Lin Family were to become relatives through marriage with Hua Family, how perfect would our ending have been. Based on the situation today, if I had declined, Hua Zhentian surely would not have given up. He has been very loyal all his life, has sacrificed much for the sake of the Royal Family. This was the first time he had made such an improper request. If I did not agree, then people would say that I’m unfair, and that would surely provoke criticism among officials. I could only give my consent and delay the marriage for three year. Ye Wuchen should be eliminated. He already makes me uneasy, and now the marriage between the Ye and the Hua. I will not tolerate it, he needs to die!"

Upon his last statement, a faint darkness flashed through Long Yin’s face.

Long Yin glanced at the speechless Lin Kuang, sighed and said, "The Ye Family have achieved numerous outstanding military services for Tian Long Nation. The way I treat them is quite unfair, but throughout history, many Royal Families have been overthrown or destroyed by their most trusted officials. I would not allow the Ye Family to become more powerful than they are now. If the Ye Family really plans to rebel against me, the Hua Family won’t stop them, your Lin Family cannot stop them, even I will find it difficult to resist them. From what Ye Nu has under his command, he will be able to summon a million mighty troops. How can I be at ease? That’s the only reason I secretly helped your Lin Family—to oppose the Ye Family and to divert their attention."

"I know what you are thinking about. Don’t you worry. Once the Ye Family is under control, I certainly won’t treat your Lin Family like that. Majority of the members of Lin Family are my people, if you really intend to rebel against me….."

Lin Kuang’s body quivered in fear and trepidation as he remarked, "No! Even if I have guts as high as the sky, I wouldn’t dare to think of rebellions. If it wasn’t for Your Majesty, then the Lin Family would not have existed. Your Majesty, you are truly the Lin Family’s master. I swear with all my life that I will forever be loyal to Your Majesty, to be thankful to Your Majesty. Even if we were to sacrifice our lives, we will never complain."

Long Yin nodded with gratitude. "I knew you were loyal all along, or else I wouldn’t have supported your Lin Family. But after all these years, do your children or grandchildren suspect anything?"

Lin Kuang shook his head immediately. "No, definitely not! All my life, I have never mentioned anything to anyone about the matter between my family members and Your Majesty. I only follow your commands. I’ll tell my sons before I die, and my son will tell Xiao-er before he dies… The Lin Family will always belong to Tian Long’s Royal Family, we will never betray that."

"Very well. You are my most trusted. I believe you will never let me down. The Lin Family recently got humiliated repeatedly. All of them because of that Wuchen of the Ye Family. He has been deliberately aiming against the Lin Family. Like… he has found something out." Long Yin said as his brows knitted his brows.

Lin Kuang grew alarmed. "How…. how can this be possible. This matter has been hidden for more than ten years now. He’s just an immature child…"

"Immature child?" Long Yin laughed coldly, "If he was just an ordinary immature child, I would not have minded. Do you know what kind of feeling he brings me?"

"......." Lin Kuang did not dare to answer.

"It’s fear! He make me feel scared!"

"This……"

"So he needs to die!" Long Yin said through gritted teeth. Obviously, he cannot put him to death, or even afford to let anybody suspect his actions in the darkness. Behind him was not just the Ye Family, but the God of Sword. In order to cover it up, he gave Ye Wuchen the greatest recognition in public, bestowing him every kind of favor, every kind of special treatment, even betrothing Princess Fei Huang to him.

"He insulted my Lin Family. I almost wish he could die immediately." Lin Kuang agreed.

"Calculating the length of time, that mercenary must have already arrived. Even if he has outstanding levels of intelligence and cunning, he absolutely would not be able to run away from the number one killer. His so-called crafty scheming will be just an illusion in front of a person with overwhelming power. " Long Yin said with certainty, as a sinister grin streaks across his face. Once the number one killer has confirmed his target, he would inevitably carry out the kill and will never give up until death occurred. Either Ye Wuchen died, or… Tao BaiBai did. Was the latter even possible?

Translated by: Fatty_Uncle

Edited by: seriouspotato and patrick_father_of_dragons