37: Chapter 37 The Wedding Night: Huo Ling'er is so beautiful tonight.

"This?" Yun Xi and the Red-Feather Vermilion Bird beside him were stunned.

Is this the Human Emperor? This posture of forcing a marriage—how is it any different from a bandit snatching a bride?

Wang Teng was also left dumbfounded by the Fire Emperor's maneuver.

He had originally expected the Fire Emperor to fight him for three hundred rounds or demand some benefits.

He hadn't expected this old man to calculate so precisely, aiming to "trap" him directly.

However... Wang Teng turned his head to look at Princess Huo Linger, who was blushing deeply, her head lowered as she fidgeted with the hem of her clothes.

This girl had dared to fall out with her family for his sake; she had dared to risk her life at Baiduan Mountain for him.

A wife like this would be hard to find even if one searched with a lantern.

"Hehe." Wang Teng suddenly chuckled, his smile incredibly radiant.

He reached out and, with practiced ease, pulled Princess Huo Linger into his arms, then cupped his hands in a salute toward the Fire Emperor.

His tone held a hint of playfulness, but was primarily solemn:

"Father-in-law, what are you saying?"

"Princess Huo Linger is the apple of my eye. Even if you didn't urge me, I would still marry her."

"Since Father-in-law is so insistent, and has even given the dowry (referring to the Saint Emperors Dao Fruit) in advance, if I were to decline, wouldn't that be ungrateful?"

At this, a gleam flashed in Wang Teng's eyes, the domineering aura of the Nine-Nether Ao clearly revealed:

"Return to the Imperial Capital! Let us hold the ceremony!"

"However, Father-in-law, let's lay the ground rules first."

"My wedding must be magnificent, enough to shake the Eight Regions!"

"When the time comes, I want all those factions that usually oppose you or have bullied Princess Huo Linger to obediently come and offer gifts! If even one is missing, I'll personally dig up their ancestral graves to liven things up for you! How about that?!"

Hearing this, the Fire Emperor was stunned for a moment, but then the anger in his eyes completely dissipated, replaced by a hearty, joyous laugh.

"Hahahaha! Good! Good lad!"

"Wild enough! Ruthless enough! You suit my tastes!"

"This is what a good son-in-law of my Fire Kingdom should look like! Only this is worthy of my Princess Huo Linger!"

The Fire Emperor patted Wang Teng's shoulder heavily, his previous heartache long since cast to the winds.

Although he had lost a pile of inanimate treasures, he had gained a son-in-law at the Extreme Realm Venerable level with infinite potential who could help him wreak havoc on others... This deal was a massive profit!

"Let's go! Return to the palace!"

The Fire Emperor waved his hand, and a golden road unfurled before them.

"Spread my decree! The Fire Kingdom shall celebrate for three days! Send out invitations far and wide, summoning the kings and marquises of the Eight Regions! I am marrying off my daughter! Whoever dares not come, I shall exterminate their entire clan!"

As expected, the Fire Emperor wielded immense influence. The wedding three days later gave the Fire Kingdom plenty of face.

When Wang Teng held Princess Huo Linger's hand during the ceremony, he was filled with immense excitement. But what was even more exciting was, of course, the wedding night to follow!

...

The Fire Kingdom's Imperial Capital did not sleep tonight.

The entire imperial city was shrouded in a sky full of crimson divine radiance, and countless fireworks bloomed in the night sky, illuminating the darkness as if it were day.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of spirit wine and the boisterous noise of celebration.

Yet, deep within the clamorous palace, one bedchamber appeared exceptionally quiet and enchanting.

It was a bridal chamber built entirely of Crimson Yang Warm Jade, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, with large red "Double Happiness" characters plastered across the lattice windows.

Dozens of dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles, each as thick as a child's arm, burned quietly, their swaying flames bathing the entire room in an intimate, warm crimson glow.

"Creak—" The heavy palace doors were pushed open, and Wang Teng, dressed in his wedding attire and slightly tipsy from wine, stepped inside.

He closed the door behind him, shutting out all the noise from the outside world.

In that instant, his gaze became like a magnet, locking firmly onto the beautiful figure sitting by the bridal bed, unable to look away even for a moment.

Princess Huo Linger sat quietly upon the quilt, which was strewn with red dates, peanuts, longan, and lotus seeds.

She wore an exquisitely crafted pure gold phoenix crown, its hanging beaded tassels half-concealing her face.

Her bright red ceremonial robes were embroidered with lifelike, soaring Vermilion Birds in gold thread.

Upon hearing his footsteps, her delicate hands, which were resting on her knees and tightly entwined, trembled slightly—a sign of the tension and shyness in her heart.

Wang Teng took a deep breath, steadying his restless emotions.

He walked to the bedside in a few strides and reached out, his movements uncharacteristically gentle as he slowly lifted the beaded curtain covering her face.

In the next moment, even a man as strong-willed and accustomed to beauties as Wang Teng found his breath hitching. She was beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful.

The Princess Huo Linger of ordinary days was charming and spirited, like a dancing flame full of vibrant life. But tonight, she was so beautiful that it was dizzying.

The crimson wedding dress, her snow-white skin, her raven-black hair, and the golden phoenix crown—these extreme colors merged perfectly on her tonight, composing the most captivating painting in this world.

"Princess Huo Linger..." Wang Teng's voice turned hoarse and deep, his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably.

He slowly crouched down so his eyes were level with hers. Those eyes, which usually held a hint of wickedness and arrogance, were now filled only with a deep, burning passion capable of drowning anyone.

"You are... so beautiful tonight."

Hearing this straightforward and burning compliment, Princess Huo Linger's face instantly flushed as if it were about to bleed.

She finally mustered the courage to lift her large, watery eyes, cast a fleeting glance at Wang Teng, and then quickly lowered them again, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "Husband... you too..."

"Shh." Wang Teng extended a finger and gently pressed it against her red lips, silencing her.

He stood up and retrieved two cups of nuptial wine that had been prepared on the table nearby. "Let's take care of the important business first."

Wang Teng handed her one of the cups, his gaze burning as he stared at her: "Once you drink this wine, for the rest of this life—from the highest heavens to the deepest springs—you belong to me, Wang Teng."

Princess Huo Linger reached out with a trembling hand to take the cup, then slowly stood up under the weight of Wang Teng's aggressive gaze.

Their arms entwined, and their eyes met. In that moment, it felt as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the reflection of each other in their eyes.

The spicy, mellow wine slid down their throats, yet it transformed into the sweetest warm current that flowed straight to the depths of their hearts.

"Clatter." Wang Teng tossed the empty wine cup onto the floor.

Unable to suppress the burning passion in his heart any longer, he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Princess Huo Linger's slim waist, and pulled her fiercely into his embrace.

"Mmm..." Princess Huo Linger gasped in surprise as she crashed into his solid, burning chest.

Wang Teng lowered his head and planted a domineering, deep kiss upon the red lips that had haunted his dreams.

This kiss was not the tentative taste of before; it was a storm of passion that declared his sovereignty, as if he intended to consume her entirely.

Princess Huo Linger felt a "boom" in her mind, leaving it completely blank.

She could only passively endure this sudden onslaught of passion, her hands clinging weakly to his shoulders.

After a long while, their lips parted. Both were breathing unsteadily.

Wang Teng looked down at the stunning beauty in his arms, her eyes hazy and alluring, a dark glint flashing in his own.

He reached out, his movements no longer as restrained as before, but filled with a touch of urgency and roughness. He pulled off the heavy phoenix crown from her head.

"Clatter—" Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, spilling over her crimson wedding dress and adding a touch of disheveled, ethereal beauty.

"Princess Huo Linger, I can't wait any longer..." Wang Teng let out a low growl, swept her up into his arms, and strode toward the large, ornate bridal bed.

"Rip—" The sound of silk tearing was exceptionally clear in the quiet bridal chamber.

The red candles flickered more violently, and amidst the interlacing light and shadow, the layers of red bed curtains slowly fell. The scenes that followed were beyond description...