Chapter Ten: The Bewitching Marriage

Drawn by the scent and the sound, he looked over, and suddenly another crisp drop of water echoed in the air. This time, it was even more eerie and unsettling, standing out amidst the endless wind and rain that could not suppress its clarity.

Isn't it true that anything out of the ordinary must hide something unnatural?

Whether it was unnatural or not, he did not know, but he lifted his gaze for a while, glanced at Steward Zou, and waited. Shortly after, he saw the woman descend gracefully from above, her demeanor fluttering as she floated down. When she reached the feet of the goddess, she nestled herself affectionately against the hem of her skirt.

Her white-haired head pressed against the statue, eyes lowered, casting a sidelong glance at Suhe as she turned, adjusting her posture. She revealed a short blade hidden within her sleeve, still stained with bright, startling red. Smiling at Suhe, she said, "Young sir, are you frightened? When my daughter becomes the eighteenth new bride of the goddess, it will be your duty to offer yourself. May the goddess make good use of you."

Suhe frowned, studying the woman for a long moment before lowering his eyes and replying, "Madam, your kindness is overwhelming; I am unworthy of such honor. May I ask, is the goddess you speak of this one?" With that, his gaze shifted to the statue.

The woman laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Well, young sir, your appearance is unremarkable, but your insight is not bad. Look closely—do you see the handmaiden closest to you? Soon, my daughter will become the goddess's new bride. After that, we shall all receive her protection."

Suhe was startled. Fixing his gaze, he noticed a subtle difference in the statue to his left. He dared not be certain, so he inched closer, scrutinizing the figure. At last, he realized why it seemed both ordinary and strange: all the figures had downcast eyes, including this one. Yet, unlike the others, this effigy had no pupils.

Suddenly, understanding dawned in him—he sensed what had felt so uncanny before, though he would need further proof. For now, he turned sharply to the woman, his eyes fixed on the bloodied blade. "Madam, you speak with certainty, but I am of humble origin and have not been here long."

He paused, then continued, "May I ask, from whence comes this talk of a new bride? As far as I know, a new bride refers to a man marrying. You say your daughter will become the goddess’s bride—are you jesting with me? In all of history, has there ever been a pair of female rabbits together, without the union of yin and yang?"

The woman touched the blade, smearing some of the blood onto the back of her hand like rouge, blending it layer by layer. Her expression was languid and joyful. "Ah, young sir, you are not honest. Even common folk know to believe what they see—why will you not trust? Just because it has never been done before does not mean it cannot be done now. Our goddess has done it splendidly, hasn’t she?"

"How can women marry one another, much less to someone not human?"

She laughed again. "At last, young sir, you dare speak your mind? Is that not what you truly wish to ask? Let me guess—you want to know how my daughter will marry the goddess, and how such a marriage will proceed?"

"…Madam, you are perceptive," Suhe admitted, caught off guard and nodding readily.

To the woman, he seemed a naive youth, inexperienced and easily fooled—probed a little, and everything was revealed.

"Since you are soon to become one of the goddess’s own, telling you is no harm. Do you hear that exquisite sound, like dripping water?"

"I hear it."

"Good. Hearing is not seeing, and seeing may not reveal all. Let me grant you a great favor—come closer and see for yourself." She beckoned to him.

"Madam?" Steward Zou exclaimed, worried this might be improper.

The woman shifted slightly, her cloud-like hair askew, a few locks cascading with a subtle charm. Yet when she looked at Zou, her gaze was chilling. "Steward Zou, what are you afraid of?"

He quickly bowed. "This old servant dares not, please do not be offended, madam."

"Is that so? I thought perhaps you doubted my abilities."

"No, no, it’s a misunderstanding." Raising his head, he found himself drenched in cold sweat, unsure when it had appeared. He retreated several steps, head lowered in submission.

"Oh? Then I am reassured." She smiled at Suhe. "Young sir, what are you waiting for?"

If you delay, you’ll have no time to see.

Suhe lowered his gaze, carefully stepping forward. The short distance made him break into a sweat. The woman did not urge him on, merely leaning against the statue, watching with interest.

After ten steps or so, Suhe finally reached the base of the goddess’s statue, examining his surroundings for anything unusual. The smell of blood was stronger, so he followed it, searching. But around him was emptiness—no furnishings, no living soul.

Meeting the woman’s meaningful eyes, Suhe suddenly looked up. At once, he staggered in shock, leaning against the statue for a long while before regaining his composure.

After some time, he turned, facing the woman and asked dryly, "Madam, are you truly the maiden’s mother?"

"Why would I not be?"

"If so, why bring your own child here?"

She laughed. "You are inexperienced, but do not be offended. Do you know, those who marry the goddess surpass countless years of cultivation. What many strive for their whole lives, we obtain easily. Even as parents, we bask in our children’s glory, our own cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds. The limitations that bind immortals can no longer hinder us. How could you understand such fortune with your narrow vision?"

Suhe froze, unable to respond. How could anyone believe such nonsense? How did these people achieve their abilities? It was beyond reason—calling it being possessed by ghosts would not suffice to express his anger.

As he pondered how to reply, the veil hooked by the maiden’s hairpin suddenly fell, landing on Suhe’s face. Looking up, he met the gaze of the maiden, hanging upside down from the beam.

Her watery eyes held extreme infatuation, without a hint of fear for death. Only maidenly shyness and longing for beauty, even as her cheeks and face were stained with dreadful crimson. That obsession could not be diminished, even as she had long since ceased breathing.

The last drop of blood slid down her hanging hair, falling into the jade lotus cup below with a melodious, crystalline sound.

Then came the girl’s laughter, echoing through the hall.

"Sisters, I have arrived."

As her words faded, two streams of light shot from her eyes into the effigy. Instantly, the effigy’s eyes sparkled, then dimmed, and the once pupil-less effigy now had a pair of vivid, living eyes.

Suhe gasped—were all these effigies created thus?

Born as plants or beasts, they might have been, not possessing consciousness or humanity. Now, with human form, they acted even worse than beasts. Truly, such fine bodies were wasted.

As the eighteenth effigy was filled, the hall’s figures seemed to come alive. Whirlwinds arose, shaking the lamps and curtains.

Laughter and voices rang out.

"Ah, good sister, we have waited so long for you."

"Sisters, let us welcome our little sister and the master."

"Of course—but what about that foolish boy beside us?"

"That’s simple—let him wait. When the master arrives, he’ll be dealt with."

"Say, Fourth Sister, if the master touches him, will he acquire the stink of men?"

"You little rascal—daring to jest about the master’s pleasures. Sisters, tickle her!"

"We’re coming!"

"Good sister… please, spare me, I dare not anymore!"

The hall was filled with women’s playful quarrels and chasing, but only their voices could be heard, their figures unseen.

Suhe struggled against the willow twine binding him—Steward Zou was indeed thorough. He shuffled a few steps, glancing at the flickering lamps. "Even so, madam, do you not regret?"

The woman looked up, satisfied, her sleeve covering her mouth. "Regret what? Had this body not been given to that old fool, I would gladly become the goddess’s bride myself. You from the lower realm could never understand the wonder of divinity. Only upon reaching the divine realm can you truly claim to be above the sea of desire—otherwise, you are but an ant."

"Madam, you are correct—I am enlightened." Alas… it is hard for the clear-sighted to feign ignorance; if they will not listen, let them be. Suhe fell silent, circulating his true energy throughout his body, inching closer to a stone pillar to half-hide, preparing to confront the goddess herself.

After a while, a chilling pressure descended upon the statue. Suddenly, golden light shimmered, white smoke billowed, filling the hall with a celestial haze.

The eighteen effigies transformed into living women, graceful as they bowed to the goddess. "Welcome, Master."

The statue shone, and a magnificent woman appeared, seated in lotus posture upon the throne.

The woman hurried forward, kneeling at her side.

The goddess lifted a lotus cup to her lips, sipping lightly, before glancing at the woman. "Who are you, to dare profane my sacred form?"

"Goddess, I… I am the mother of the eighteenth bride. Awed by your majesty, I acted rashly. I beg your pardon."

The goddess ignored her, turning to the maiden kneeling at the far left. The maiden trembled, clutching her sleeve, glancing at her mother and then at the goddess, answering softly, "Master, it is so."

"Very well—on your account, I shall let it pass this time. If it happens again, punishment will not be light."

"Thank you, Master!"

"Thank you, Goddess!"

Mother and daughter bowed in gratitude, joy in their hearts.

From the right, the leading woman spoke. "Master, how long will you remain this time? We yearn for you—please shower us with favor."

The goddess smiled, "Once I drink the tea of the eighteenth bride, I shall spend time with you, bestowing some blessings. Then I must depart."

With that, she drained the lotus cup. The so-called bridal tea was the maiden’s blood, poured out with her life, opening the barriers and summoning the goddess.

All present voiced their thanks.

Suddenly, one pointed at Suhe by the pillar. "Master, how shall we dispose of this filthy thing?"

At once, all eyes turned to Suhe.

He craned his neck, swallowed hard. "What… what will you do?"

"How is there an outsider male here?" the goddess asked, drinking the bridal tea, her gaze fixed on Suhe.

The woman hurried forward, kneeling at the goddess’s feet. "Goddess, this is my husband, brought here as an offering for you."

The goddess licked her red lips. "Well done—you shall be rewarded."

She tossed a brocade box to the woman, who opened it to find two round pills inside. Overjoyed, she bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Goddess."

With these pills, she and her husband could reach even greater heights.

"All of you, leave. I wish to speak with him alone."

Understanding, the others returned to their places, reverting to effigies. The woman tucked the box into her sleeve and withdrew quietly.

The goddess surveyed the hall, set down the lotus cup, and descended from her throne, floating toward Suhe.

Caught off guard, he stumbled backward, pressing against the stone wall to avoid falling.

"Who are you?"

She laughed. "Who am I? Naturally… the one who will bring you pleasure."