~~~
A Body of Extre Yin.
It is sothing Liu Jin has only read about in Old Jiangs books. When he first learned of it, he could scarcely believe such a wondrous condition existed. It seed more fantasy than reality.
To think soone like that lives in Eastern Port City.
I didnt even know Patriarch Xiao Zheng had a daughter.
That is unsurprising, his father replies. Xiao Zheng made sure to keep his daughter away from the eyes of the people. Even within the Xiao Sect, many do not know of her existence. There are so who think she died a long ti ago. This should go without saying, but I trust you will keep everything I just shared with you a secret.
Liu Jin nods fervently. Of course, father.
Good. That is good. Liu Jianguo takes a deep breath. Do you resent ?
What? Liu Jin blinks a couple of tis as his mind struggles to process the question. No matter how he looks at it, there is no possible reason for his father to ask such a thing of him.
I ant for the Fruit of Never Ending Vigor to be yours. Had you grown up with it, you would have been far stronger than you are now. I daresay you would already be the strongest of your generation within Eastern Port City. That power would have protected you from much suffering. Instead, I gave your chance for a worry-free life away. Do you resent ?
Father, how could I? Liu Jin shakes his head with force. I will not deny there have been monts in which this Liu Jin has wished for more strength.
In Eastern Port City, there have been many monts in which Liu Jin has wished he was stronger so he could silence the mouths of those who mock his father. In New Moon Town, Liu Jin certainly felt his lack of strength. If he had been even as strong as Xiao Fang, perhaps he could have handled things better. There is no denying he has considered such thoughts.
However, how could I possibly resent you for doing the very thing I admire you for? Liu Jin says, his voice heavy with emotion. To , the father who saves peoples lives is the greatest person there is! If my strength were to co at the cost of father being father, then this Liu Jin would not want it!
I see, Liu Jianguo says after a while. He tries to keep his voice even, but there is sothing underneath it. A smile spreads across his face. Being a father really is such a rewarding thing. Ive not seen you for a month, yet it feels to that you have grown so much.
Liu Jin blushes and looks at his lap. As expected, he is not good at dealing with praise from those he cares about.
Father, there is just one thing I do not understand, Liu Jin says, trying to get the conversation back to the main topic. You began this tale because I wished to know how my engagent ca to be, yet I still do not know who my bride is.
Is that so? His father brings a cup of tea to his lips. Your intelligence has never been lacking, my son. The identity of your bride should be easy to discern.
Easy?
Liu Jins face scrunches in thought. No matter how many tis he goes over his fathers tale, the issue of his engagent did not co up even once. In fact, the only female his father talked about was...
Liu Jins cup hits the table with force as he abruptly sets it down. His eyes are wide, and his mouth hangs open in an unsightly manner.
No.
Liu Jianguo calmly takes another sip of tea.
Yes.
But thats
I know.
Father, shes
I am aware.
And you and I are just
Xiao Zheng is a very stubborn man, Liu Jianguo tells his son. His gaze contains sympathy and amusent in equal asures.
Liu Jin stares at his father, his eyebrow twitching randomly. He pours himself a cup of tea and downs it in one go. The burner has prevented the tea from getting cold, and now, that pleasant warmth spreads through Liu Jins body. However, it offers him no comfort. Liu Jin stares at the empty cup for a while, almost as if wishing it held all the answers in the universe.
Father, he says at last, still staring into his cup, I wish to make sure I have accurately grasped the situation. Are you saying that I am engaged to Xiao Zhengs daughter?
That is so.
The flas dance rrily under the teakettle. They make the shadows dance as if they didnt have a care in the world.
Liu Jin envies them.
I dont understand.
It is natural for Xiao Zheng to be thankful to his father. Liu Jin can understand that much. His father not only saved Xiao Zheng's life but also that of his daughter. For the Patriarch of the Xiao Sect to reward such a feat in spite of his fathers wishes is only proper.
However, there is a vast difference between Xiao Zheng giving his father a proper reward and giving his daughters hand in marriage.
Regardless of what his past may have been, it is a fact that his father lives as a simple doctor now. He has lived that way for as long as Liu Jin can rember. Furthermore, Liu Jin is painfully aware of his own status. Within the Xiao Sect, he is acceptable for an Outer Disciple but no more than that. He has given no signs of possessing extraordinary talent by the standards of the Sect, nor has he progressed in his cultivation for almost two years now.
If he were a prodigy without peer, Xiao Zhengs actions could be understood. However, Liu Jin is just himself.
A union between him and Xiao Zhengs daughter would simply be too unequal. That is what everyone is going to think once the matter becos public. If all Xiao Zheng wants is to tie him closer to the Xiao Sect, then there are other females of lower standing within the Sect that could be married to him.
Besides
No matter how he looks at it, he is too young to be married!
As I said, my son, Xiao Zheng is a very stubborn man, Liu Jianguo says with a long-suffering sigh. Since he was the one to offer it, he said it would sha him if he went back on his word. A ridiculous notion, I assure you.
His father almost rolls his eyes as he speaks. It is a rare sight for Liu Jin. Other than when dealing with Master, it is not often that he sees his father so annoyed.
At first, I thought Xiao Zheng was joking, and that he would soon forget about it. Once it beca clear he was serious, I tried to dissuade him of the notion. His father sighs. However, Master showed up in Eastern Port City around that ti. From that day, I lost any hope of convincing him.
Liu Jin blinks as he rembers the night he was told to wait outside while Xiao Zheng discussed things with his father and Old Jiang. He rembers the way the Patriarch of the Xiao Sect had smiled and laughed once he saw him upon leaving his house.
"I knew I made the right choice."
That was what Xiao Zheng had said.
So even back then?
Liu Jianguo nods.
Master knew?
He found it suprely amusing and encouraged Xiao Zheng.
Liu Jins eyebrow twitches again.
Of course.
I still dont understand. Liu Jin lets an elbow fall on the table and rests his forehead on his palm. Why is this all happening so soon, father? I am not old enough to marry, and I doubt Xiao Zhengs daughter is.
If he were sixteen, no one would bat an eye. Marriage at that age is common. Even fourteen would be an acceptable age for marriage. However, Liu Jin is neither sixteen or fourteen. He isnt even eleven yet, and he doubts Xiao Zhengs daughter is older than him.
As Liu Jin thinks about this, a new thought strikes his mind. He frowns.
Besides, wouldnt a wedding call too much attention? His fingers absent-mindedly drum against the table. Xiao Zheng has gone to great lengths to keep his daughter a secret. Why marry her to now?
The more Liu Jin thinks about it, the less sense it makes. If his wedding had been decided a long ti ago, hed have been inford about the ceremony before leaving for New Moon Town. In fact, Xiao Nan probably wouldnt have offered to take him there if his wedding was to happen so soon.
It seems to Liu Jin that the decision to hold the wedding now was only made once he was in New Moon Town.
An excellent question, his father says, nodding approvingly. When Xiao Zheng spoke of marrying you to his daughter, he never once suggested it should be while you are both so young. He would also never do sothing that would call attention to his daughter.
Sothing has changed then?
Quite. However, what exactly has changed is not sothing I possess knowledge of. It seems we will have to ask Xiao Zheng in person.
His father reaches into his sleeve and pulls out a piece of paper which he places on the table in front of Liu Jin. Blinking, Liu Jin picks it up.
It is an invitation letter.
We have been invited to visit the Xiao Sect next week, his father says, even as Liu Jins eyes go over the contents. Xiao Zheng tells it is ti you finally et his daughter.
Liu Jin looks at the letter, then at his father.
Is it decided then? The marriage will happen?
That depends on what Xiao Zheng has to say when we et him. His father looks closely at him. Do you dislike the idea?
Liu Jin shakes his head. Not really.
The notion of marrying soone he has not t is not one he particularly likes. However, it is also not sothing he dislikes. If he has to be honest, Liu Jin can easily see the benefits of marrying Xiao Zhengs daughter. He can also see the derits of such a union.
Overall, Liu Jins reaction to the idea is rather lukewarm. It is only the suddenness of it all that bothers him.
It is frustrating in a sense, Liu Jin admits. Not because I am to marry, but rather because I am only now finding out about it.
That is only understandable. Not many face marriage this suddenly.
How true.
Father, what is her na?
Xiao Shuang.
~~~
Even though Liu Jin and his father stay late at night talking about various things, they still wake up early in the morning the next day. The sun has barely been out for an hour by the ti Liu Jin walks out of his house carrying a box of dicine to be delivered around the neighborhood.
Since Liu Jin has been away from Eastern Port City for almost a month, it is the first ti in a while he does this. There is a smile on the childs face. His body welcos the familiar routine.
He is not expecting to find Xiao Fang waiting outside his ho.
The Young Master of the Xiao Sect stands in front of him without guards or underlings. His fine clothes stand out like a sore thumb in this part of Eastern Port City. He has shot up another inch since Liu Jin last saw him, and his face is starting to make the change from child to teenager.
His blue eyes glare fiercely at Liu Jin.
I do not accept it!
Liu Jin blinks.
Huh?
I definitely do not accept it, Xiao Fang says, pointing his finger dramatically at him, his robes fluttering in the wind. Even if the Heavens and the Earth accept it, I dont!
His piece said, the Young Master of the Xiao Sect promptly stomps away, leaving a confused Liu Jin behind.
Troubleso.
In-laws, Liu Jin decides, are a very troubleso thing.
~~~
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