69: Chapter 69 Secret Realm

Early the next morning, the morning sun shone through the window, landing in the bridal chamber.

Chen Qingyuan opened his eyes; after the night's activities, he felt refreshed and invigorated!

Xie Jinshu was still fast asleep, her long, jet-black hair spread across the pillow. Her brows and eyes, usually so full of heroic spirit, appeared exceptionally gentle and serene at this moment.

Chen Qingyuan couldn't help but pick up a strand of her hair, slowly trailing it across her face.

"Mmm~~ It itches~~"

First came a lazy, coquettish sound, then Xie Jinshu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she woke up.

For a moment, their eyes met. She instinctively wanted to turn away, but Chen Qingyuan tightened his arm around her slightly.

"Wife, good morning."

"Hus...band... good morning."

"If not for the etiquette requiring us to serve tea to the old man today," Chen Qingyuan sighed, his fingers winding around a strand of her hair,

"I truly wouldn't want to get up."

As he spoke, he leaned close to her ear, teasing her earlobe with the tip of his nose!

The hot breath from his nose made Xie Jinshu feel a tingling sensation on her scalp. She quickly shrank her neck, sat up, reached out her hands, and gently pushed him away!

"That won't do!"

"Since it is a matter of etiquette, we must not be negligent. Get up quickly; don't keep Grandfather waiting."

...

Hedge Garden, living room.

When Chen Qingyuan and Xie Jinshu entered the hall hand in hand, the old man was sitting upright in the main seat.

He appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but his fingertips were rhythmically tapping the armrest; it was clear he had been waiting for a long time.

Hearing their footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, swept his gaze over the two of them, and gave a light harrumph!

"Hmph, finally willing to come over? By the time I waited for you to serve tea, my tea was almost cold!"

"Grandfather..."

Xie Jinshu's cheeks instantly flushed red. She hurried forward, grabbed the old man's arm, and began to act like a spoiled child!

People, once they reach a certain age, can hardly resist such things; he was immediately coaxed into a beaming smile!

"Fine, fine,"

"In the end... it was a bargain for you, kid."

The maid standing to the side was quick-witted!

Seeing this, she immediately brought over tea cups and presented them to the two.

Chen Qingyuan and Xie Jinshu exchanged a glance, then knelt down respectfully in unison, holding the tea cups high above their brows with both hands.

"Grandfather, please have some tea."

The old man took the tea, took a light sip, and set the cup down.

He then took an item from his Storage Pouch: a slightly damaged jade talisman with exquisite runes, from which one could vaguely sense a sharp Sword Qi bound within.

"Kid,"

The old man's expression was solemn as he handed over the jade talisman!

"This damaged talisman is something I obtained by chance during my travels in my early years.

It has a wisp of Sword Qi sealed within it. Once fully activated, its power is comparable to a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment third-level Cultivator. Today, I bestow it upon you for self-defense."

Chen Qingyuan immediately composed his expression and received it with both hands!

"Grandson thanks Grandfather for this generous gift!"

"Mm,"

The old man nodded slightly and continued to admonish him!

"Although this item is sharp, you must use it with caution. Remember, external forces always have their limits; your own cultivation and the sword in your hand are the foundations of your survival."

After saying this, he took Xie Jinshu's hand!

In his eyes, which usually showed no waves, a great sense of reluctance welled up, and his voice became exceptionally gentle!

"Jinshu, this girl, looks sensible and reasonable, but she is actually stubborn in nature; she was raised by us to be spoiled."

"In the future... if she acts a bit temperamental, or if there is anything she hasn't considered thoroughly, you... must be more tolerant and accommodating."

"Grandfather..."

In an instant, Xie Jinshu felt a soreness in her nose, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The old man took Chen Qingyuan's hand again and placed both of their hands on top of his own palm.

He admonished them, word by word.

"Kid, girl, after today, you two are Dao Companions who share each other's joys and sorrows, honor and disgrace."

"The Dao is long, and the path to immortality is rugged. I hope you can always work hand in hand, support each other, and never abandon one another!"

The latter half of the sentence was a solemn entrustment to Chen Qingyuan!

"In the future... you must... treat her well."

The last four words were spoken very slowly and heavily.

Chen Qingyuan met the old man's gaze with a firm expression, not dodging in the slightest, and took the Opportunity to tighten his grip on Xie Jinshu's hand.

"Grandfather, rest assured. Since we have joined our hearts, we shall remain devoted until our hair turns white. As long as I, Qingyuan, have a breath left, I will do my utmost to protect Jinshu, ensuring she does not suffer the slightest grievance. I will never fail the trust you have placed in me today!"

This marriage, or rather, this political marriage, originated from external factors.

But at this moment, regardless of the reason!

The result was that from now on, the person before them became each other's closest person.

Seeing this,

the old man nodded with satisfaction, signaled for the maid to withdraw, and gently closed the door.

"Now it is time to talk about serious matters."

As he spoke, with a wave of his hand, he placed a sound-insulating Restriction in the hall.

"Do you know why I was in such a hurry to have you two get married?"

For some reason, Chen Qingyuan

was far less reserved in front of the old man than usual, and his personality was a bit more lively.

"Could it be that you, Grandfather, were afraid that such a good grandson-in-law as me would run away?"

"Hmph, truly his seed. You little bastard, just as shameless as your father!"

The old man scolded him with a laugh, but there was no real blame in his tone; instead, it revealed a bit of nostalgia.

Xie Jinshu helplessly tugged on Chen Qingyuan's sleeve!

"Grandfather, don't mind his glib tongue."

The old man nodded, his expression gradually sinking into memories!

"This is a long story, and it has to start from the year I first met your father..."

"At that time, my Xie Family was just a low-level Qi Refining clan, and your father was just a lonely Loose Cultivator with no one to rely on."

"I was out traveling and met him by sheer Opportunity. Although there was a significant age difference, we unexpectedly hit it off and became close friends across generations, talking about everything."

"Until, by sheer Opportunity, the two of us discovered a Secret Realm!"

"A Secret Realm?"

Before the old man could finish his sentence, Chen Qingyuan and Xie Jinshu exclaimed almost simultaneously.