The Wedding Procession at Longshan Temple in the Desolate Tomb, Chapter 39

Days after pursuing the Crimson-Clad Ghost Queen, in broad daylight.

“Where are we supposed to chase her now?” Hu Qiuyan had been following Li Xintian day and night, intent on tracking down the red-robed maiden ghost queen, but after several days without even a glimpse of her, she began to complain to Li Xintian.

“Don’t worry. I can still sense her,” Li Xintian replied. After tending to the temple for a day, Hu Qiuyan recovered, and thus the man and fox set out together to pursue the red-robed ghost queen. Along the way, Li Xintian explained the events to Hu Qiuyan.

“There’s a town ahead. We’ll surely reach it tonight.” Hu Qiuyan had grown weary of Li Xintian’s repeated assurances that they were close, so she leapt to the tallest tree, scanned the surroundings, and finally spotted a town. She called down to Li Xintian below.

“Alright, let’s take a look around the town then,” Li Xintian shouted back, taking the lead. Hu Qiuyan hurried down from the tree and walked beside him.

But even by midnight, they had not reached the town.

“Looks like we’ll be sleeping out in the wild again tonight.” Hu Qiuyan had expected to arrive at least by sunset, and now she grumbled.

“Well, miscalculating the distance isn’t unusual.” As Li Xintian spoke, the sound of a wedding procession drifted to their ears.

“Who would be getting married so late at night?” Hu Qiuyan found it odd.

Behind them came a procession—only the bride’s sedan, with no groom on a white horse. Two torchbearers led the way, followed by two playing suona, accompanied by the clang of gongs. Another pair carried lanterns, while four strong men bore the sedan at the center.

Inside, the bride wore a phoenix crown, her face veiled with a red scarf. Beneath it, she donned a red silk blouse, an embroidered red robe, a celestial lock necklace, a demon-revealing mirror on her chest, a cloud-patterned shawl, a progeny pouch slung over her shoulder, and silver bracelets spiraled around her arms. Her lower attire was a red skirt, red trousers, and embroidered red satin shoes. She was the epitome of beauty, clad in red, radiating festive joy.

The bride pulled aside her veil and lifted the sedan’s curtain, peering out into the pitch-black night. Only her wedding procession was visible. Her face darkened, and she called out unwillingly, “Stop the sedan!”

No one responded, but the sedan halted.

As they drew nearer to Li Xintian, he pulled Hu Qiuyan aside.

The bride saw the sedan had not stopped, raised her fingers in a sword gesture and declared, “Fix!” A flash of light flickered from her hand.

Instantly, everyone around froze, Hu Qiuyan included, leaving only the stunning bride who dashed out from the sedan.

Li Xintian waved his hand in front of Hu Qiuyan’s face; her eyes did not move, unsure what was happening.

He turned to see the bride stepping out.

“How can you move?” The bride looked at Li Xintian in astonishment.

“Was this all your doing?” Li Xintian, hearing her speak, realized she was behind it all. “Could you please release my friend?”

---

The bride seemed to sense something, but instead of approaching Li Xintian, she turned and smiled brightly.

A streak of red light flashed in, slowly transforming into a beautiful woman who descended from the sky, landing before the bride.

“Senior sister, you’re finally here! Has Master sent you to tell me I don’t have to marry?” The bride grasped her senior sister’s hand eagerly.

“No, Xiaoqiu. I’ve come only to see you off,” Bai Lingjun replied, looking at Hu Xiaoqiu with a hint of resignation.

“Why must I marry? I don’t want to!” Hu Xiaoqiu protested, aggrieved. She had been content in her sect, but her master insisted on her marriage.

“Xiaoqiu, don’t be like this. Will you not listen to Master?” Bai Lingjun held Hu Xiaoqiu gently.

“Forgive the interruption.” Li Xintian watched their conversation, feeling as though he were invisible.

“Who are you?” Bai Lingjun raised her fingers in a sword gesture; the sword on her back rang and flew into the air, hovering, its tip pointed warily at Li Xintian.

Li Xintian was about to speak when Hu Xiaoqiu interjected.

“Senior sister, don’t misunderstand. My spell seems ineffective on him. Everyone else here is frozen, but he alone can move. I don’t know him,” Hu Xiaoqiu explained, glancing at Li Xintian.

“Who exactly are you?” Bai Lingjun pulled Hu Xiaoqiu behind her, watching Li Xintian with heightened vigilance.

Li Xintian introduced himself and Hu Qiuyan. “My friend and I were headed for the town when we came across your wedding procession. Then your junior sister froze my friend, so I had to interrupt your conversation. I realize now it was magic.”

“Why can you move?” Bai Lingjun did not lower her guard.

“I honestly don’t know,” Li Xintian admitted, still uncertain about the workings of his own righteous energy.

“Senior sister, let me try again. I’ll see how he reacts,” Hu Xiaoqiu suggested from behind.

“Be careful,” Bai Lingjun replied, recognizing Li Xintian as human, not a creature of evil, and agreed, sheathing her sword.

“Fix.” Hu Xiaoqiu raised her fingers in a sword gesture, casting the spell at Li Xintian. A beam of light entered his body, yet he felt nothing amiss, as though sinking into a calm sea.

“So this is magic?” Li Xintian felt no discomfort, and his spirits soared.

“What! The spell has no effect on him?” Bai Lingjun and Hu Xiaoqiu exchanged puzzled looks.

“Senior sister, can you tell what’s happening?” Hu Xiaoqiu whispered to Bai Lingjun, assuming Li Xintian couldn’t hear.

---

“You go ahead with the marriage. I’ll return and consult Master,” Bai Lingjun cut off further discussion.

“Senior sister, I’m so reluctant to leave you and Master,” Hu Xiaoqiu said softly.

“Enough, Xiaoqiu. We’ll visit you soon.” Bai Lingjun looked up—the night was deep. “It’s already late. Hurry and set out.”

“Then I’ll go.” Hu Xiaoqiu nodded, returning to the sedan. “Senior sister, don’t forget to come see me.”

“Of course.”

“Release.” Bai Lingjun swept her sleeve, and the wedding procession resumed its march. Hu Qiuyan, too, was freed.

“Wait,” Li Xintian called out as Bai Lingjun was about to leave.

“What is it?” Bai Lingjun still regarded Li Xintian warily.

“I wanted to ask—has there been any sign nearby of a ghost queen dressed in red?”

“Why do you seek her?” Bai Lingjun wondered why an ordinary man would be searching for a ghost queen.

“I’ve been tracking her for days, but lost her trail. I thought I’d ask. If not, then never mind,” Li Xintian explained.

“No. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” Bai Lingjun shook her head.

“Thank you,” Li Xintian said, clasping his hands in gratitude.

Bai Lingjun nodded and transformed into a point of light, soaring into the night sky.

“Who was that woman just now?” Hu Qiuyan eyed Bai Lingjun’s departure with apprehension.

“No idea. Come on, let’s head to the town,” Li Xintian replied, shaking his head. He’d only gathered that they belonged to a certain sect.