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Chapter 5: The Veil Lifted, Hearts Entwined
The wedding room was a sanctuary of elegance, a haven crafted to honor the sacred union of Shi Feng and Yun Wushuang. Crimson silk curtains cascaded from the ceiling, embroidered with golden peonies that shimmered under the soft glow of spirit lanterns. A rosewood bed, draped in translucent veils, stood at the center, its carvings of phoenixes and dragons exuding an aura of ancient majesty. Incense burned in a jade censer, filling the air with the delicate scent of sandalwood and lotus, calming the heart yet stirring the soul. Every detail, from the jade vases filled with blooming orchids to the intricately painted screens, spoke of the Shia Family's wealth and the weight of this marriage.
Yun Wushuang sat on the edge of the bed, her scarlet wedding gown flowing like a river of fire. The gown hugged her figure, accentuating curves that seemed sculpted by the heavens themselves—graceful yet powerful, a perfect blend of elegance and strength. Her veil, a gossamer sheet of silk, concealed her face, but her presence was a storm, both serene and commanding. In her heart, a quiet turmoil stirred. Marriage? The word had once been a distant dream, a luxury she had forsaken on the blood-soaked battlefields. She, the War God who had razed cities and defied emperors, had never imagined herself bound to another. Yet here she was, wed to a man she barely knew, a man whose words and actions had pierced her guarded heart like a divine arrow.
Shi Feng's sacrifice—offering his Double Pupil of Heaven's Sight—had shaken her. His righteous declaration in the Throne Hall, his unwavering resolve to stand by her, had ignited a spark she thought long extinguished. He is not like the others, she mused, her fingers tracing the edge of her veil. He sees beyond my scars, my sins. Perhaps… I can try. For him, for this bond, I will open my heart, even if just a crack.
The door creaked open, and Shi Feng stepped inside, his crimson robe adorned with silver clouds catching the lantern light. His heart pounded, not from fear, but from awe. Yun Wushuang's figure, silhouetted against the glowing lanterns, was a vision that stole his breath. Her curves, outlined by the delicate fabric, were the most captivating he had ever seen—sexier than any starlet from his past life on Earth, hotter than the celestial maidens of legend. Yet, her veil hid her face, a mystery that only deepened his longing. Her body is divine, but her face… it must be a beauty that rivals the moon, he deduced, his mother's teachings echoing in his mind: Love one woman, see her soul.
He closed the door, the soft click breaking the silence. Yun Wushuang's head tilted slightly, her veiled gaze meeting his. Shi Feng took a deep breath, his voice steady yet laced with reverence. "Wushuang, I wish to use my three wishes now."
Her heart skipped a beat, a faint blush creeping beneath her veil. So soon? She had expected him to claim her body, as men often did, their desires cloaked in the guise of marital rights. The thought sent a shiver through her, not of fear, but of vulnerability—a feeling she despised. Yet, on the surface, she maintained her icy composure, her voice cold as a winter blade. "Speak, husband. What are your wishes?"
Shi Feng stepped closer, his eyes shining with sincerity. "My first wish is to see your face, Wushuang. Not as the War God, not as a legend, but as my wife."
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of the lanterns. Yun Wushuang's fingers trembled, her heart warring with pride and longing. My face… scarred, broken. She had hidden it for years, fearing judgment, fearing weakness. But his words, gentle yet resolute, stirred something deep within her. Slowly, she lifted her veil, letting it fall like a petal to the floor.
Shi Feng's breath caught. Her face was a masterpiece of celestial beauty, as if the heavens had carved her from jade and starlight. Her almond eyes sparkled with depth, her lips soft and inviting, her features delicate yet strong. A single scar ran from her brow to her cheek, a jagged line that marred her perfection—but to Shi Feng, it was no flaw. It was a testament to her resilience, a mark of the battles she had won. She is more beautiful than I dreamed, he thought, his heart swelling. The scar only makes her more radiant, a fairy descended from the ninth heaven.
Yun Wushuang watched him, bracing for pity or disgust. Instead, she saw awe, pure and unguarded. Her blush deepened, but she said nothing, waiting.
Shi Feng smiled, his voice softer now. "My second wish, Wushuang, is that you take no other husband. Rest assured, I will love only you, now and forever. My heart is yours alone."
Her eyes widened, a wave of emotion crashing through her. He… binds himself to me? In the cultivation world, where powerful men took concubines like trophies, his vow was a rarity, a treasure more precious than any spiritual artifact. Memories of her past—betrayals, bloodshed, solitude—faded in the warmth of his words. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I agree, Shi Feng. I will have no other, and I hold you to your oath."
Shi Feng's heart soared, but he pressed on, his expression turning solemn. "My third wish is to know your past, Wushuang. Not the rumors, not the legends, but the truth of who you are."
Yun Wushuang stiffened, her scar seeming to pulse with old pain. She hesitated, then spoke, her voice steady but heavy. "I was born to the Yun Family, trained from childhood to wield a spear and command armies. My father, General Yun Taishan, molded me into a weapon, but his ambition blinded him to my heart. I fought for the Emperor, conquered kingdoms, and bore the weight of countless deaths. My eye was lost in the Battle of Ironfang Pass, struck by a cursed blade. As for my father…" She paused, her gaze distant. "That is a wound I cannot yet share. But know this: I am a sinner, Shi Feng, stained by blood and bound by duty."
Shi Feng listened, his heart aching for her burdens. He did not press her about her father, sensing the pain behind her silence. One day, you will trust me fully, he vowed. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice gentle. "Thank you, Wushuang. Your past does not scare me. It only makes me admire you more."
Her eyes softened, a rare vulnerability breaking through her icy facade. She tilted her head, curious. "You have used your wishes, yet I sense you want more. Tell me, Shi Feng, how can you earn more wishes?"
He hesitated, his face flushing. The system's voice, silent since the transplant, whispered in his mind: "Gift her again, Host. Each accepted gift grants greater rewards!" But his desire now was simpler, born not of the system, but of the moment. He swallowed, then spoke, his voice low and earnest. "Wushuang, it is our wedding night. I wish… to kiss you. Just once, to seal our bond."
Yun Wushuang's breath hitched, her blush spreading like a sunrise. A kiss? She had faced armies, defied emperors, yet this simple request disarmed her. Her heart raced, torn between pride and a longing she barely understood. After a long pause, she nodded, her voice barely audible. "Very well, husband. I agree."
Shi Feng's heart pounded as he closed the distance, his hands gently cupping her face. Her scar brushed against his fingers, a reminder of her strength. He leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that felt like heaven itself. Her lips were soft as petals, warm and yielding, yet carrying a spark of her fiery spirit. Time seemed to stop, the world fading until there was only her—her scent, her warmth, her soul. Shi Feng felt as if he could devour her, claim her as his own, yet he restrained himself, honoring his mother's teachings to cherish, not conquer.
Yun Wushuang, too, was lost in the moment, her heart trembling with a joy she had never known. The kiss was passionate yet pure, a promise of something greater. When they parted, her eyes shone with a mix of warmth and warning. "Do not think this makes me yours, Shi Feng," she said, her voice teasing yet firm. "Earn my heart, and perhaps there will be more."
Shi Feng grinned, his soul alight with determination. I will, Wushuang. With the system, with my heart, I will win you fully. The night stretched before them, a new chapter in their journey, as the heavens above Qingyun Province twinkled with silent approval.
To Be Continued
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