Chapter Two: With an Eternal Vow, I Guard Your Safety

Before the person arrived, their voice reached the crowd first.

From the distance, a torrent of riders and men gathered, each one bearing the character for "Mu" engraved upon their chest.

The Mu family had arrived.

A middle-aged man strode forth at a measured pace, his presence deep and steady, the natural authority he exuded so overwhelming that those surrounding him could barely keep their knees from trembling.

This was Mu Qingcheng, the current head of the Mu family, Mu Feng’s uncle.

Lowering his gaze, he saw Mu Feng lying on the ground, drenched in blood, and his fury erupted.

To deceive and replace, to wound Mu Feng—such humiliation could not be borne by the master of the house.

"Xiao Ruoxin, unless you give my Mu family an explanation today," he thundered, "this day of joy may well turn into a day of great sorrow for you!"

With a boom, his fierce aura swept out, and the ranks of Mu family scions behind him, each as fierce as wolves and tigers, fixed their predatory stares on Xiao Ruoxin.

Facing Mu Qingcheng’s wrath, Xiao Ruoxin no longer had her previous composure. She stepped back, retreating behind Jiang Wuying.

"And what explanation does the Mu family master desire? Does the name of the Sword Sect suffice?" Jiang Wuying replied with a cold laugh.

In the Snow Moon Dynasty, the Sword Sect was as heaven itself—even the imperial forces dared not defy them.

"A fine Sword Sect indeed!" Mu Qingcheng retorted. "If your name carries such weight, what of it if my Mu family chooses to challenge it?"

No one expected the Mu family to be so unhinged as to contemplate striking against the Sword Sect itself.

"Aren’t you afraid that if you act against me today, the Sword Sect will send their people tomorrow?" Jiang Wuying’s voice was icy.

At this, Mu Qingcheng only laughed wildly. "Afraid? My Mu family fears many things, but death is not one of them! What worth is a wretched life? If, by the end of this night, the lives of all in my Mu family can be exchanged for yours, a mere disciple of the Sword Sect, it will be worth it!"

Jiang Wuying’s bravado faltered. Not only did Mu Feng seem mad, but the entire Mu family was possessed of the same insanity.

At the very moment when swords were about to be drawn, a figure stepped out of the Xiao family’s gates.

"Master Mu, it has been a long time, yet your temper remains as fierce as ever. Today is a day of celebration for both our families. Would it not be inappropriate for blood to be spilled in the streets?"

Mu Qingcheng narrowed his eyes at the newcomer—this was Xiao Jue, the head of the Xiao family.

A man of profound cunning, no doubt the orchestrator behind tonight’s wife-switching scheme.

"If Master Xiao knows it is inappropriate, why act so tonight? Do you take my Mu family for mere clay to be molded as you wish?"

Mu Qingcheng would not be outdone, stepping forward until he stood before Xiao Jue himself.

The two family heads faced off, but Xiao Jue’s ever-present smile only made Mu Qingcheng’s brows knit tighter.

"What is done cannot be undone. At this point, more words are pointless. If you, Master Mu, are set on battle tonight, my Xiao family will accompany you to the end. I only fear…"

But what did he fear? Before the crowd could react, a dazzling stream of light shot skyward from the direction of the Mu family, bursting into a brilliant firework.

It was the Xiao family’s signal!

"You sent men to besiege my family’s elders and children! Despicable!" Mu Qingcheng trembled with rage, his face dark as midnight.

He had been too careless—bringing out all the Mu family’s elite to seek justice, he had left their home vulnerable, never expecting the Xiao family to attack by diversion.

The absence of any Xiao family troops until now had only been a ruse, buying time for their army to march on the Mu estate.

"Please, Master Mu and all of your family, go home." Xiao Jue clasped his hands in mock courtesy, his eyes brimming with disdain.

The scorn in his demeanor left the Mu family utterly humiliated.

"Let’s go!" With a sweep of his sleeve, Mu Qingcheng turned to leave.

As head of the family, he could risk his life, but could not endanger the lives of their elders and children.

Mu Feng, supporting Xiao Yutong, rose to his feet.

At the threshold, he looked back at Xiao Ruoxin, his eyes glacial and chilling to behold.

Though the moon may wane, it does not lose its light; though the sword shatters, it does not lose its edge.

This night’s humiliation would be repaid a hundredfold upon the Xiao family!

When they returned to their clan, it was already deep into the night.

Mu Feng, still supporting Xiao Yutong, slowly led her to his room.

After all, she was the bride he had welcomed with the three bows and nine prostrations, and she had been willing to risk her life for him. How could he not be moved?

She was, indeed, a pitiable girl.

Though a lady of the Xiao family in name, she was actually the child of Xiao Jue’s drunken tryst with a servant, and shunned for having been born blind.

To Xiao Jue, her very existence was a stain upon the family, and he vented his anger upon her and her mother daily.

Her mother, unable to endure the abuse, had died soon after giving birth.

Xiao Jue had raised her only to use her as a pawn for marriage.

It was only because Xiao Ruoxin had caught the eye of a Sword Sect disciple that she was exchanged for Mu Feng.

From the moment of her birth, her fate was sealed in tragedy.

Now, as she stood quietly in his room, Mu Feng said nothing.

"Please, don’t send me away. I can be your servant," she pleaded. "I know you are the young master of the Mu family. I am of lowly birth, unworthy to be your wife. As long as you let me stay, I’ll do anything…"

Her sudden words took Mu Feng by surprise.

She would do anything, so long as she need not return to the Xiao family—such was the coldness she had suffered there.

Just then, his stomach rumbled—a reminder that, through this long night, Xiao Yutong had not eaten or drunk a thing.

"Have something to eat first," he said, bringing two plates of pastries from outside and placing them before her.

Xiao Yutong reached out, feeling along the table for the food. The moment her fingers brushed the pastries, she recoiled.

"This… this isn’t what servants eat. I shouldn’t eat this."

What sort of hardship had she endured in the Xiao family to think this way?

Mu Feng clenched his fists, wanting to speak, but fell silent.

Xiao Ruoxin was truly heartless.

"Eat," he urged gently. "It’s only common osmanthus cake."

With his permission, Xiao Yutong seized the pastry and devoured it hungrily, as though she had never tasted anything so delicious.

She could not stop eating.

The sight was so wrenching that Mu Feng could not bear to watch. He lay down quietly on the bed, turning his back to her.

He hated the Xiao family, but felt no hatred for Xiao Yutong.

He did not know how long had passed when two hands, searching softly, found their way to him on the bed.

"Mu Feng, are you asleep?" Xiao Yutong whispered.

Of course, he was not asleep, but he did not know how to face her, and so remained silent.

Hatred was too strong a word.

Love, there was little.

If he felt anything, it was a sense of being moved.

Until now, he had only ever seen her as a younger sister.

If he did not sleep, was he truly to consummate their marriage that night? He had no such desire.

Perhaps convinced he was truly asleep, Xiao Yutong’s gentle fingers traced along his neck.

He felt a silken cord being tied around his throat—a jade pendant.

"Mu Feng, this was my mother’s. She said it would keep me safe," Xiao Yutong murmured.

But Mu Feng could only sigh inwardly.

If it truly kept one safe, would they now be reduced to such a state?

Before he could dwell on it, Xiao Yutong spoke again.

"Mu Feng, did you know? I liked you for a long time. Whenever I was bullied, you always stood up for me. You always said, ‘She’s my sister’s little sister, so she’s my little sister too’."

"I know I am not worthy of you, but you are a good man. Mother always said that good men will be rewarded by fate."

With that, she pressed her hands together, a gentle smile on her face, and spoke with utmost devotion:

"May I shine upon your path through all ages, in life and in death, through endless tribulation, unwavering and unchanged."

As her words faded, an absolute stillness fell.

A shimmering glow began to emanate from the jade pendant.

Though Xiao Yutong was blind, Mu Feng could see it clearly.

In the haze, an irresistible drowsiness overtook his mind.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself within a vast and magnificent hall.

Above the grand chamber hung two powerful words:

Sea of Sin.